Review: Forgiven by Jana Oliver

           Book: Forgiven (The Demon Trapper's Daughter #3) by Jana Oliver
           Pages: 354
           Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
           Source: Library

Short Synopsis: The Vatican Demon Hunters are after Riley as they think she is working for hell. Ori, the fallen angel is still haunting Riley, and the demons seem to be out of control in Atlanta. 

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this series. Action, drama, and romance all in one great read, with each book leaving you wanting to read the next soon after. 

The days are growing darker for 17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father’s reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky Fallen angel, and a freshly-made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend Simon has told the Vatican’s Demon Hunters that she’s working with Hell. So now she’s in hiding, at the top of everyone’s most-wanted list.
But it’s becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control:  something sinister is happening in Atlanta… or someone. The demons are working together for the first time ever and refusing to die, putting civilians in harm’s way. Riley thinks she might know who’s behind it all, but who’s going to believe her? Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming – and it may be closer than anyone thinks…
--From Goodreads

Wow. Another awesome read by Jana Oliver. Riley Blackthorne is once again caught up in a bunch of paranormal drama, as she finally finds her father, but her happiness is short lived. She still has a lot to deal with. 

First there's Ori, who is still torturing her and wants to claim her soul. She still has feelings for Ori, but ever since finding out that he is an angel of darkness and works for hell, she knows that there can never be anything between them again. 

And on top of it all, Riley still worries about the deal that she made to both heaven and hell. First she made a deal with heaven to save Simon's life, and exchange, she has to prevent the apocalypse, then she made a deal with hell in order to save her father's soul, she owes Lucifer a favor. What's a girl to do?

Riley makes a lot of mistakes, but with friends at her side like Beck, and Peter, she knows that she will be able to get through them. I disliked the fact that Simon grew nastier and nastier as he still refused to believe that Riley was innocent. I was glad to know that he finally knew he made a mistake with Riley and hopefully will treat her better. 

The relationship between Riley and Beck was very torture-ish as though there is a lot of chemistry between the two, and they obviously care for each other, they are usually hot one minute and cold the next. We discover new depths on Beck and his struggling past, as Justine, the reporter that Beck is involved with, threatens to dig into Beck's history, whether he wants to or not. 

I'm not quite sure what to say about the Vatican and the Demon Hunters. Obviously they are good and want to help with the cause, but overall, I'm just annoyed with the fact that they didn't really believe Riley until they saw her marks of both heaven and hell on her body.

Each novel is left with a very emotional jaw dropping ending, and definitely am impatiently waiting for the next and last installment in the series. All I'm saying is, there better not be another cliffhanger at the very end. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

Review: Deadly Little Lessons by Laurie Faria Stolarz

     Book: Deadly Little Lessons (Touch series #5) by Laurie Faria Stolarz
     Pages: 336
     Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
     Source: Library

Short Synopsis: After all the drama that's happened in Camelia's life, even more drama ensues, as Camelia finds out she's adapted, and escapes to an arts program in Rhode Island.

My Thoughts: I love how creepy and intense this series is, but I find it a bit ironic that Camelia rarely needs help from the police, and always finds the culprit.

Camelia Hammond's trying junior year of high school is finally over...but her troubles aren't. After she discovers a painful truth about her family, she escapes to a summer arts program in Rhode Island. Determined to put family - and boyfriend - drama behind her, she throws herself into her artwork.
At the arts school, she gets caught up in the case of Sasha Beckerman, a local girl who is missing. Even though all signs suggest that the teen ran away, Camelia senses otherwise. Eager to help the girl, she launches her own investigation. She finds a blog by someone named Neal Moche, a psychometric who might have clues to Sasha's whereabouts. There is something familiar about Neal, and Camelia realizes how much she misses Ben, despite being committed to Adam.
But time is running out for Sasha, and Camelia will have to trust her powers if she's to save her. Will the lessons Camelia has learned in the past give her the strength to do so?
--From Goodreads

Camelia has special powers, also known as psychometry. She can sense things through touching objects. She also experiences visions through her art, pottery. As Camelia tries to get her life together, she gets another hit, and discovers that she was adopted, and that her aunt, is really her mother. 

And as Camelia receives all this news, she also starts getting visions and hears a girl crying. She has reason to believe that a girl has been kidnapped, and does everything she can to know more about the case. 

Camelia decides to enroll in an arts program to absorb the information that she discovered, as well as try to get more information about the missing girl. As Camelia finds out her many similarities between the missing girl, Sasha and herself, Camelia is also blowing the chance of a lifetime with her art classes. Camelia must try to find the missing girl before it's too late, and deal with her personal life. 

Camelia is a very obsessed character. Once she gets into a project, or is intent on doing something, she is set on doing that one thing. She is stubborn, and won't quit till she finds out what she needs. Through her pottery, Camelia discovers clues that helps her through the case. 

I wasn't a fan of the love triangle between Camelia, Adam, and Ben. Camelia for the most part, didn't seem to have her full attention on Adam, and I felt that she was stringing him along. I also disliked the way they "broke up." If I remember correctly, Camelia says that she just needs "time" and "space," not really indicating that they broke up. And then she immediately jumps into a relationship with Ben. 

I also find it ironic that with every time Camelia has a problem, she's able to solve it mostly without the help of the police. The ending was a bit rushed, and too neatly packed together. Overall, I still enjoyed the spookiness factor of it all, and it was still an entertaining read. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

              

Residue Winnder!

Hey fellow readers! This is just a short announcement letting you all know who the winner of the signed copy of Residue goes to...




a Rafflecopter giveaway



Congratulations! Your mailing address will be forwarded to the host in order to receive your copy. I will also be e-mailing the person to let them know they have won. Thanks so much to all those who participated, and check back soon for more fun stuff! :)

Review: Soul Thief (The Demon Trapper's Daughter #2) by Jana Oliver

           Book: Soul Thief (The Demon Trapper's Daughter #2) by Jana Oliver
           Pages: 339
           Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
           Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Riley and the rest of the trapper gang is dealing with the after math of the demon overflow at the Tabernacle, and Riley is still trying to get to the bottom of things of who reanimated her father.

My Thoughts: Not quite as good as the first, but still a fast paced read that definitely left me wanting to read the next in the series.

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father's been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that's not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who's made himself Riley's unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective "friend" who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley's almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.
But as Atlanta's demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city's "little" problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell's attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…
Soul Thief is Book Two in Jana Oliver's bestselling young adult series, Demon Trappers.
--From Goodreads

Wow. Okay, so I loved reading the first one and liked where it was headed. In this one, I was furious at Simon for the majority of the novel. I guess Oliver  had to make a bad guy in the novel, and Simon was it. Yes, I get that Simon went through an ordeal, but he was particularly nasty, not just towards Riley, but everyone else too. It was also never really stated who Simon was talking about or with when he was told that Riley worked for hell by a mysterious "he."
I'm not sure what to make of Ori and the whole ordeal. There was some inkling that I knew Ori wasn't who he really said he was. I was very shocked at the turn of events and how Riley decided to form a relationship with Ori. Ori felt like a really shady character, never really giving Riley any full answers. It was a shame because I really did enjoy the character Ori, and the fact that he swooped in and saved Riley on multiple counts, but overall, I did not trust him.
And then there's Riley's whole ordeal with the trappers blaming Riley's father for breaking the circle. I really disliked the fact that everyone wanted to blame Riley's father for the hoards of demons attacking them. No one paid attention to the fact that he came to warn them and not be the one to harm them. I hated the fact that Simon sold out Riley, giving her a huge mess to deal with. I was ready to write Simon off the list, but it really sounded like someone was manipulating him, and I really wanted Riley to try to help him with whatever was happening to Simon. Overall, another drama filled book, one definitely not to miss, am I am itching to get my hands on the next one.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

Teaser Tuesdays!

Hey readers! It's time for Teaser Tuesdays. Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, this week's teaser is...

At the end of the sixteenth century, religious upheaval brings fear, superstition, and doubt to the lives of mortals. Yet unbeknownst to them, another world lies just beyond the Veil: the realm of the Sithe, a fierce and beautiful people for whom a full-mortal life is but the blink of an eye. The Veil protects and hides their world…but it is fraying at the edges, and not all think it should be repaired.
Discarded by his mother and ignored by his father, sixteen-year-old Seth MacGregor has grown up half wild in his father’s fortress, with only his idolized older brother, Conal, for family. When Conal quarrels with the Sithe queen and is forced into exile in the full-mortal world, Seth volunteers to go with him.
But life beyond the Veil is even more dangerous than they expected, and Seth and Conal soon find themselves embroiled in a witch-hunt—in which they are the quarry. Trapped between the queen’s machinations at home and the superstitious violence of the otherworld, Seth must act before both of them are fed to the witch-hunters’ fires…
--From Goodreads

My Teasers: "'I know what you are,' she said. 'I've seen your kind before.' Pushing my glass away, I got to my feet. 'I'll be going.' 'No.' Her claw of a hand was round my wrist, and surprisingly strong. 'I don't mean you harm.'"
--P.g. 116, "Rebel Angels: Firebrand," Gillian Philip

To play along with Teaser Tuesdays, all you have to do is...


• 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! :)

Top 5 Monday Rants!

Hey there! It's time for another Top 5 Monday Rants. This week's topic is... book worlds I would NOT want to live in...

1) All These Things I've Done series by Gabrielle Zevin. Not only is chocolate banned, but so is caffeine. I practically live on those two! What world would we live in without chocolate and caffeine? And on top of it all, Anya, the main character, has to deal with corrupt politicians.

2) The Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of the books, but the world she creates is definitely one I would not want to be in. Who would want to live in a world where love did not exist? And to come to an age where you have to have a procedure to get rid of it? Yikes. 

 3) The Hunt series by Andrew Fukuda. Seriously. It's bad enough that there's a world with vampires in it, but then, to be a human, extinct in a world overrun by vampires. And if they ever find out that you're human, you end up as their meal. How scary would that be?

4) The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren DeStefano. With having a life span of only 25 years, I'd be dead already! And on top of the life span drama, if you're a girl in her prime, you'd also have to worry about being kidnapped and sold to a polygamous husband! Ouch!

5) And last but not least, Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin. In a world where everything is in ruins, people have to wear masques in order to survive the toxic air. And the masques are mad expensive and rare. Seriously. I doubt I'd survive in that world.

Anyway, that's it for my Top 5 Monday Rants! Hope you all have a good Monday :)

In My Mailbox!

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

For Review:

e-book copy of 14 -- Peter Clines ( From NetGalley)

(unsolicited) Override -- Heater Anastasiu (Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin)

(Unsolicited) Rebel Angels: Firebrand -- Gillian Phillip (Thanks to Tor Teen)

From Library:

Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory -- Mickey Rapkin

Forgiven -- Jana Oliver (The Demon Trapper's Daughter #3)

That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can check out your awesome books too :)

Review: A Fractured Light by Jocelyn Davies

              Book: A Fractured Light (A Beautiful Dark #2) by Jocelyn Davies
              Pages: 352
              Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Angels
              Source: Bought

Short Synopsis: Skye is recuperating after Devin was told to kill Skye by the Guardians. When Skye comes to, everything has changed, and Skye must learn to control her powers and choose which side she wants to be in.

My Thoughts: Still an interesting read, but wasn't quite as good as the first in the series, however, still looking forward to reading the last in the series.

When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. It's not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories come flooding back. She tries to put the past behind her, but she knows she'll be forever haunted by the ruthless betrayal that almost took her life.
Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she's capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can't forget the terrifying truth she now knows about the Order, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.
--From Goodreads

Very drama filled, Skye wakes up from healing a horrible wound after the Guardians ordered Devin to kill Skye. Skye finds out that everything has changed. The Guardians have now taken control of Sye's hometown, her friends Cassie and Dan have become an item, and most shocking of all, Devin has bonded with Raven. Skye is still trying to control her powers, but she must now choose which side to pledge her loyalties to, The Guardians, or The Rebellions. 

Though I can't even begin to imagine what my life would be like if it had all the chaos filled like Skye's I still felt that Sky was a little bit whiny in some parts. Yeah, your life is rough, but what else is she supposed to do? 

And I'm not really feeling up to the love triangle built in this novel. Yes, Skye is now with Asher. And Devin is now with Raven. And when Skye gets a moment alone with Devin, she automatically wants him to kiss her. Um, hello. First he tried to kill you. Second, both are with someone else. What happened to a monogamous relationship? 

When Skye overhears a conversation with Arideth and Gideon, she discovers that she could become a ticking time bomb at any moment, and it could mean a winning decision for which ever side acquires Skye on their side. Skye must learn to control her powers before it's too late, and choose a side between The Guardians and The Rebels. But her heart and love for Asher gets in the way of making the right choice for her. Overall, I wasn't as thrilled with this one as I was with the first, but I will definitely still be looking out for the next installment.

Would I recommend this book: Sure

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

Review: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

                                     Book: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington
                                     Pages: 304
                                     Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Murder Mystery
                                     Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Jade moves to a new town in a new house, with a new school. But things start going from good to bad when Jade finds out that someone had died in her new house.

My Thoughts: Was an okay read. It wasn't as spooky has I'd expected it to be, but still an interesting read.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.
Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
--From Goodreads

When Jade moves into a new town, she is ambushed at school with news that her house had a previously suspicious death of a fellow popular student. At first, Jade doesn't want to believe all that's happened, until Jade's little brother, Colby, tells her that he sees a 'glimmering girl' and when this strange 'glimmering girl' posses Colby. Jade must get to the bottom of finding out why and who had motive for this girl's death.
An interesting read, Harrington did an excellent job of disliking the character, Kayla, aka 'the glimmering girl.' Kayla is a very popular student, but mean to the core. Her diary entries show that she was a very selfish individual, and manipulating. The part that irked me the most was when Kayla used numbers to mark people. And though I get she was trying to keep her secrets, it also felt like her labeling people as numbers, didn't mean very much to her.
I'm not sure what to say about Jade. She was a bit of an enigma, as she cares deeply for her baby brother, but doesn't really have a good relationship with her step mother. She also is friends with one of the smartest girls in her class who is also an outcast, but is also friends with the popular people as well. There is also a bit of a love triangle, between Jade, Kane, and Donovan. There is a lot of resemblance between Kayla and Jade's new life, especially with the boys, which I found a bit odd, since both boys fell for the same girl twice.
I wasn't very impressed with the ghost/paranormal aspect of this novel. The creepiness factor didn't really hit the spot, which was a bit of a let down. I was expecting this novel to have more of the scary drama but it was a miss. Needless to say, it was an okay read, but was no where near in comparison with her first series, Clarity and Perception.

Would I recommend this book: Eh

Rating: I give this book a 3/5.

Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

                                Book: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
                                Pages: 340
                                Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Riley Blackthorne is the daughter of a well known demon trapper, Paul Blackthorne, and she hopes to follow in her father's footsteps. But when a trapping gone wrong claims the life of Riley's father, Riley must protect her father's grave from the necromancers, and find the demon that killed her father.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this novel! Fast, entertaining, and leaves you wanting more, I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel.

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.
--From Goodreads

I love the main character, Riley Blackthorne. She is a strong, independent character with a unique profession. She is a demon trapper that traps demons that have been running around lose and causing disturbances. Most of the demon trappers consists of males, and as Riley is a young female, she is constantly criticized, and judged. 

When Riley's father, Paul, goes demon trapping one night with his apprentice, Denver Beck, things get a bit hairy, and a demon ends up killing Paul. Mourning the loss of her father, Riley now must watch over her father's grave and chase away the necromancers who want to raise Paul Blackthrone's body for personal gain. On top of it all, Riley is also in search of the dangerous demon that killed her father. 

And if things couldn't get worse, there are suspicions of demons working together, which has never happened before. And Riley also uncovers a batch of holy water which hasn't been working properly, and tries to get to the bottom of things. The only good thing it seems, is Riley's secret relationship with fellow trapper, Simon. But she also can't help her feelings for Beck, even though she knows that it can't happen. 

A very action and drama filled read, I enjoyed every minute of Riley's world. She is also criticized by the outside world, who don't understand why she does what she does. I don't know what to say about the love triangle between Riley, Beck, and Simon. This is actually one love triangle that I'm torn with liking both boys. Simon is a kind, and caring individual but insists that their relationship must be kept a secret, or things won't go well for Riley. And Beck is constantly pushing Riley away, even though he has strong feelings for her. I love reading about both relationships, and hopefully Riley makes the right choice.
I was curious about the necromancer side of the story, and found it interesting that all the necromancers wanted to raise Paul Blackthorne for their own personal use. The ending has a very 'wow' factor, and I can't wait to read the next installment. I think I just found a new series to love.

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Teaser Tuesdays!

Hey guys! It's time for Teaser Tuesdays! Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, this week's teaser is...

Camelia Hammond's trying junior year of high school is finally over...but her troubles aren't. After she discovers a painful truth about her family, she escapes to a summer arts program in Rhode Island. Determined to put family - and boyfriend - drama behind her, she throws herself into her artwork.
At the arts school, she gets caught up in the case of Sasha Beckerman, a local girl who is missing. Even though all signs suggest that the teen ran away, Camelia senses otherwise. Eager to help the girl, she launches her own investigation. She finds a blog by someone named Neal Moche, a psychometric who might have clues to Sasha's whereabouts. There is something familiar about Neal, and Camelia realizes how much she misses Ben, despite being committed to Adam.
But time is running out for Sasha, and Camelia will have to trust her powers if she's to save her. Will the lessons Camelia has learned in the past give her the strength to do so?
--From Goodreads

My Teasers: "Later at home, still shaken up by the voice I heard at the pottery studio, I log onto my computer and do a search for the word psychometry, remembering a blog I cyberstumbled upon a few months back called Psychometrically Suzy. On her blog, Suzy talked about an incident in which she heard her father's voice, long after he'd passed away, while touching an old had that belonged to him."
--P.g. 63, "Deadly Little Lessons (Touch series #5)," by Laurie Faria Stolarz

To play along with Teaser Tuesdays, all you have to do is...


• 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 links so I can check out your awesome teasers too! :)

Top 5 Monday Rants

Hey guys! It's another post of Top 5 Monday Rants! So, here we go..

1) For those of you who don't already know, this weekend, through Twitter, I found out that Delirium by Lauren Oliver is actually getting its own TV show. They've already casted some of the characters too. Emma Roberts is supposed to be the lead character, Lena. I wasn't that much of a fan of the books, but I'll definitely give the show a shot. Hopefully it'll be good. You can read more about it HERE.

2) All week anyone's been talking about over on the west coast in Cali, is that ex-cop that's been on the loose that's killed 3 people. I don't know the full story, but I think it started in Southern California, so hopefully it won't escalade over towards the Sacramento region. One thing that really stuck with me that was reported on the news was that he'd written a manifesto claiming that he 'wasn't afraid to die.' Some very creepy people out there.

3) Last Thursday, I tried logging on to Facebook for the first time that day, and I was temporarily denied access. They stated that it was a site issue and that it was being fixed as quickly as possible. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble logging into Facebook last week too, or was it just me?

4) Sunday was Chinese New Year's, which my family and I always celebrate every year. Just a fun little holiday that we always look forward to. This Thursday is also Valentine's day. Anyone doing anything special?

5) I've been trying to get into audio books lately since they seem to be all the latest craze. I tried to get into one a few months back, but could never finish them. Maybe it's just me, but I've always found it easier to have the words right in front of me. And then the readers on the CDs don't always sound like what you'd expect it to be. Anyone recommend any good audio books to start out with?

Anyway, that's it for my Top 5 Monday Rants. Hope you all have a good Monday! :)

In My Mailbox!

Hey guys! It's time for In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

From Library:

The Dead And Buried -- Kim Harrington

Soul Thief (The Demon Trapper's Daughter#2) -- Jana Oliver

Deadly Little Lessons -- Laurie Faria Stolarz

Paper Valentine -- Brenna Yovanoff.

That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can't check out your awesome stack too! :)

Review: Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber

                     Book: Love Unrehearsed ( Love Unscripted #2) by Tina Reber
                     Pages: 400
                     Genre: Fiction, Romance
                     Source: Gifted

Short Synopsis: The ending to Taryn and Ryan's love story, Love Unrehearsed gets even more crazier as threats against Taryn continue, and a marriage becomes an unhappy one amongst Taryn's friends.

My Thoughts: Though a great conclusion to the awesome story I loved, I kind of felt like something was a bit missing.

When A-list film actor Ryan Christensen ducked into her pub to escape his screaming fans, never in a million years did Taryn Mitchell think her life was about to change forever. But now, eight months later, after a whirlwind romance, Taryn wakes up in Ryan’s Hollywood hotel room to find a diamond to die for on her left ring finger—and her face splashed across the cover of every gossip magazine.
Ryan’s very public proposal is catnip to the tabloids, his management team is worried, and Taryn must figure out how a small town girl like her fits into his glittering world. What does it take to make a relationship work amidst telephoto lenses, daily on-set temptations, and jealous fans who will stop at nothing to keep you from walking down the aisle with the man of your dreams?
With no script to follow and no chance for a dress rehearsal, Taryn and Ryan will be forced to take the plunge and risk everything to make their love last.
--From Goodreads

I loved Love Unscripted and couldn't wait to pick up the sequel. In this novel, it picks up where it left off, as Taryn and Ryan must deal with the very public engagement, and an unhappy manager. I hated how Marla dealt with Taryn and Ryan's relationship. There was an obvious video that Ryan had proposed to Taryn publicly. I agreed with Trish, Marla's assistant, and Taryn, that their relationship should not have remained hidden. After a few more mishaps on Marla's part, I was finally glad that Ryan had kicked her to the curb.

I also felt that this story was also a bit more Marie and Mike's story rather than a conclusion of Taryn and Ryan's story. I didn't really like the aspect that Marie was becoming Taryn's bodyguard. It felt a bit off to me since Marie was Taryn's best friend. I also felt that Mike was pressuring Marie into becoming a bodyguard so the four could remain together. I did enjoy Mike and Marie's relationship but felt that maybe it should have belonged in another book.

I also disliked the drama between Tammy, her friend, Marie, and Gary. It seemed to break up the harmony between the group, and hated what Gary had done to Marie. Towards the end, Tammy seemed like she wanted to reconcile with Marie, but obviously, given Marie's marriage break up, Marie wanted nothing to do with Tammy. I felt that Tammy had no right to ask Marie for forgiveness with the way things had played out. 

There was also the question of Taryn selling the bar. I'm glad that Taryn decided not to sell, because it was a major part of the story, and it was also what brought her to Ryan. Ryan still continues to struggle with the acting business and finds it harder to trust those around him. He also struggles with wanting to continue a career in acting, or quitting all together. The ending felt a bit tightly packed, and a bit rushed, but overall was a cute way to end the story. In general, this one wasn't as good as the first in the series, but still pretty enjoyable. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5

DNF: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
--From Goodreads

Hm. I just don't know what it was about this novel. The pacing was a bit slow for me. Also, it starts off as the main character is ten years old. But as we read on, there's a lot of jumping around, so I wasn't sure how old the main character was at the point of the story. Also, the vocabulary was a bit big for a ten year old, as the narrator continues on with the story. 

I also did not connect well with the main character. The situation that she was going through seemed like a tough one, and as a child,  her reaction to everything just didn't seem very believable. It was a bit annoying that Ruby agrees to everything around her. Not sticking up for herself, and going along with the doctor that broke her out of the prison. She had no clue who the doctor was, and easily trusted her. She didn't stop to think and ask questions. After about 68 pages in, I just couldn't really get into the novel. It's a shame because I really liked the premise of the story, but it fell short for me. 

Would I recommend this book: Not really. 

Rating: I give this book a DNF. 

Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

                                Book: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
                                Pages: 320
                                Genre: Fiction, Erotica
                                Source: NetGalley

Short Synopsis: Chloe Mills is an intern in a major company as she assists her jerk of a boss, Bennett Ryan. Chloe and Bennett cross the professional boundary and start an affair that is far more than they ever bargained for.

My Thoughts: Though I did enjoy the writing style, it was a bit disappointing as I was hoping for more of a substance in the story line.

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.
Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he’s never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.
As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other.
--From Goodreads

So, apparently, this was supposed to be a fan fiction of Twilight. As I kept reading, like some others, I failed to see the connection. Chloe Mills is an intern who hates her boss, but puts up with his constant orders and bickering. I felt that Chloe was a bit of an odd character as it's obvious the two don't get along, but when the affair starts, she can't seem to get enough of him. She doesn't complain, she doesn't say no, but she feels humiliated when Bennett starts an affair with her in compromising positions. 

I found Bennett to be a bit unbearable. It felt like he seemed to take Chloe for granted, and whenever she had done an excellent job in her work, she was hardly acknowledged. Bennett also gets crazy jealous when Chloe gets set up. I felt that Bennett had no right to feel jealous when his relationship with Chloe was kept a secret, and his treatment towards her was sub par. 

And though I did enjoy the writing style as it flowed through easily, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't as much of a story line. I was hoping for a bit more drama, or at least a bit more of a background information between the two. It mostly consisted of the two arguing and sleeping around. 

I think my favorite scene was when Chloe was away visiting her father because he was ill, and Bennett kept firing his share of temporary replacements. It showed that Chloe was the only one willing to put up with Bennett and in that instance, it also felt like it was Bennett's revelation that he wasn't the easiest person to work with. 

In the end, Bennett did have some redeeming qualities as he begs Chloe to take him back. And though I get they had to keep their relationship a secret for both of their jobs' sake, it still would have been nice to read about them going on an actual date, or at least a public outing other than doing office work. Overall, it was an okay read, I just wished there was a bit more to it.

Would I recommend this book: Eh

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5. 

Teaser Tuesdays!

Hey readers! It's Teaser Tuesdays! Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, this week's teaser is...

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.
--From Goodreads

My Teasers: "Be yourself. You're an apprentice trapper. You're a girl. That's a cool combo. Don't hide that.'" Riley shook her head. "That's not going to help with this crowd. They think I'm knocking boots with Lucifer."
--P.g. 274, "The Demon Trapper's Daughter," by Jana Oliver

To play along with Teaser Tuesdays, all you have to do is...


• 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. Also, don't forget to check out my latest giveaway, posted below. :)

Residue Excerpt and Giveaway

Hey fellow readers! I'm happy to introduce a latest novel titled Residue by Laurey Falter, hosted by AToMR Tours.

Book Description:
When Jocelyn Weatherford is whisked away from a preparatory academy in upstate New York to
live with her extended family in New Orleans, she is unprepared to encounter the dangers
awaiting her. Yet even as she is thrust into an unfamiliar world of witches and voodoo magic, the
greatest threat of all may be the boy she has fallen for.
While handsome and charming, he is also a Caldwell...a member of the family the Weatherford's
have been feuding with for centuries. As their forbidden love grows it becomes the volatile spark
that forever changes their world and everyone in it.
Included on the Following Goodreads Lists: Best Supernatural Series, Young Adult Romance,
Books That Should Be Made Into Movies, Favorite Books, Books That Should Get More
Attention, Best Female Characters from YA and Children's Fantasty and Science Fiction

Excerpt:

“It’s only a matter of time before the rest of our world discovers who she is,” warned Isadora. 

He agreed with her. “I think that time has already come.” I listened as he drew in a deep, 

concerned breath.  

After a long silence Jameson made a declaration that sent tickling warmth through my chest. 

“I’m going to keep her safe, Isadora. Whatever it takes.” 

She chuckled lightly and then asked with bemused curiosity, “Well now…When did a Caldwell 

start to care for the needs of a Weatherford?” 

Jameson laughed quietly through his nose.  

“You fought hard to protect her,” Isadora pointed out. “I’ve never seen one man handle ten 

guards on his own…not even a Vire.” 

“Well, it’s a good thing they understand now she’s not a risk to them. It’ll keep her safe when 

she visits here at least.” 

“Don’t change the subject,” Isadora said in a maternal way and I knew then that was exactly 

what she was to Jameson. A surrogate mother. And just as a mother would, she didn’t allow the 

conversation to end until she was finished. Persisting, she asked, “Does Jocelyn know?” 

“Know what?” asked Jameson tightly. “That she’s a Weatherford and they don’t associate with 

Caldwells?” 

“That’s not what I’m referring to.” 

He went on as if he hadn’t heard her. “That no one wants us to be together? That there are those, 

our families specifically, who will do anything to keep us apart?” His voice turned bitter then. 

“Yes, she understands all that.” 

“I meant-” 

“I know what you’re referring to,” he stated, irritated. 

“Then answer my question.” 

When he didn’t, she demanded, “Does she know how much you care for her?”  

“What does it matter? She’s stubborn, Isadora. She makes up her mind and then commits to it.” 

I should have been insulted but coming from Jameson I knew that should be taken as a 

compliment. 

“Hmm,” mused Isadora.  

“What?” 

“I know someone else with that very same trait.” She chuckled under her breath. “It’s no wonder 

you’ve found each other. You’ve been looking for one another all along. No one else would do.” 

When I didn’t hear him deny her observation my heart skipped a beat.  

“Is she worth the danger?” asked Isadora, not in warning but to test him. 

“Isadora…” he drew in a deep, troubled breath. My heart leapt at Jameson’s next statement, 

meant only for Isadora’s ears. “I’m in love with her. Everything is worth it.”

Giveaway. Please follow the rafflecopter instructions below. Please no fake entries. US residents only. Ends Feb. 20, 2013. Livin' Life Through Books is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged properties. Livin' Life Through Books is also not responsible if the prize does not reach the desired candidate.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox!

Hey readers! It's a posting of In My Mailbox. Credit goes to The Story Siren. This week I got...

For Review:

e-copy of Beautiful Bastard -- Christina Lauren

e-copy of Devil's Bargain -- Rachel Caine 

Both sent from NetGalley

From Library:

The Demon Trapper's Daughter -- Jana Oliver

Gifted from my sister:

Love Unrehearsed (Love Unscripted #2) -- Tina Reber.

That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can check out your awesome books too! :)