Saturday, June 30, 2012

Slow Starter

Blood Moon (Drake Chronicles, #5)Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey

My rating: ♥♥♥ and 1/2 ♥

My summary: The Drake family (royal vampires) continue their adventures in vampire politics and keeping their teen children away from the dangers of other and themselves.

My take: In this, book 5 of the Drake series, for the first time I struggled. The first third of this book was a slow ride up hill. Once I read through it the rest of the book was very good, and I didn't even mind the cliff-iest of cliff hanger endings. Go Drake's!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Semi-Rocked

Rock Me (Ross Siblings, #2) Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn


My rating: ♥♥♥


My Summary: Come on! Can't you tell from the cover?
Good girl goes to bad boy to get inked. Bad boy happens to be her cousin's ex, who she has crushed on from the first time they met.


My take: I learned something new from reading this book...that I miss dialog to help me learn about the charaters, that I get antsy from reading page after explainitory page with narry a word spoken between any characters. I guess I spend enough time in my own head that I don't really appreciate that quality in my fictional characters. Other than my little grumble this book pretty well followed the established formula and managed to be a decent read.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

It's all gone...

Awry (The Archers of Avalon, #2) Awry by Chelsea Fine


My rating: ♥♥♥♥


My summary: This is book #2 of the Archers of Avalon series and we find our party of five working all the angles to reverse the centuries old curse that has plagued Scarlet and the twin brothers Gabriel and Tristen.

My take: The story line is really taking off and was a much more enjoyable read than book one, Anew. Of course, just to keep readers coming back for more, at the very end things get even more interesting. Oh how will I handle the wait?? With more books of course!!!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Busy Weekend

Hearts in DarknessHearts in Darkness  by Laura Kaye


My rating: ♥♥♥


My summary: Usual boy meets girl, only this time it's in the darkness of a stalled elevator.


My take: This was an o.k. story but it was oddly missing the friction part where the pair split for a while due one or all of the following; past loves/insecurities/general misunderstandings.





Ride with MeRide with Me by Ruthie Knox


My rating: ♥♥ and 1/2 ♥


My summary: Boy and girl meet just before the start of a cross country bicycle trip.


My take: This book was enjoyable but lacked the spark I felt with About Last Night by the same author. For most of the book the pacing was fine but I did think a rather major part was wrapped up too quickly and with little explanation.





Anew (The Archers of Avalon, #1)Anew by Chelsea Fine


My rating: ♥♥♥


My summary: It's been two years since Scarlet awoke alone in the woods with no memories other than her name.

My take: This book took a little time finding its groove, but once it did it unfolded nicely. This is book #1 in The Archers of Avalon series. Book #2 is titled Awry and will be next up on this review list.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Summer Reading Delights

On the Island On the Island  by Tracey Garvis-Graves


My rating: ♥♥♥♥♥



My summary: An English teacher and her student crash on their way to his family's vacation home becoming stranded on an uninhabited island.


My take: Summer reading at its finest! Yet another author who went the self publishing route because traditional publishers turned her down. When will they learn? The book became a hit thanks to word-of-mouth among readers (big ups to my reading peeps!) and is now so big it has been optioned to be made into a movie. What are you waiting for? Go get this book!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sad Camper

Mystery Man (Dream Man, #1) Mystery Man (#1) by Kristen Ashley. Full blurb.


My rating: ♥♥


Summary: Woman with crazy half-sister get gets dragged into some very scary situations thanks to sis. Will her savior be the hot detective, the hot leader of the motorcycle gang, or the hot guy who has visited her for booty calls over the last year or so?

My take: The story did have some real promise...and I did really like the main characters, and that is the only reason I am giving this book 2 hearts. As for the rest I would have loved to edit the hell out of this book, in parts it was too repetitive or overly descriptive, actually getting in the way of my imagination and disrupting the reading flow. Less is more I would say to the author if I had the chance, or maybe she knows that by now since she has written lots since this book...too bad I can't stick around to see how that worked out for her.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

How about it


About Last Night
About Last Night by Ruthie Knox. Full blurb.


My rating: ♥♥♥


My summary: Reformed bad girl's life altered after making a bargain that will help boost her career. Enter the hot guy who has some family issues.

My take: This was a nice summer read, nothing too taxing for my sun warmed brain. I liked the author's bio where she say she thinks a good romance needs "...three good sex scenes." I like her thinking and attention to this matter!!
 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

On repeat

   It hasn't happen to me often...thankfully or it would ruin me, but a story and it's main characters have gotten under my skin and I've got it bad. But what is 'it' called? It seems to me there should be a word to describe the lost/longing/insatiable nature of parting ways with a beloved story and characters. I also think it should be bigger than just a word, there should be a national day of mourning to recognize and commemorate the process that is triggered by the ending of some really good writing, or even writing that is not what critical circles would call good but writing that just resonated so strongly within you that it won't let you go, or you won't/can't let it go either.
   That's what has been happening to me as of late. I thought, if I just read it one more time, slowly, once done it would fall into its proper place in my library and release its hold on me. Only that didn't work. I am working on distractions with other books...but wouldn't you know it, good titles are thin on the ground just now.
   I am doing my best to stay away...to not do a drive-by on my Nook and gaze longingly at the cover, to not stare off into space fifty times a day and wonder what the characters are doing, wonder if the author is writing more for me at this very minute.
   Oh I do have it bad, and if you ask me what book I am talking about....my lips are sealed, it's all mine.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Amish Anyone?

A Time to Love (Quilts of Lancaster County, #1)A Time to Love by Barbara Cameron. The Blurb.


My rating: ♥♥♥


My summary: The grown daughter of a former Amish community member returns to the home of her grandmother to recuperate after becoming injured in her duties as a war reporter.

My take: Wow, I had no idea Amish romance novels were so popular until I looked into it. I am only able to base my opinion on this one book, but I think I can see what the attraction is to them. This one was a sweet little read.

They are at it again

The Shadow Reader (McKenzie Lewis, #1)The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams. Blurb here.


My rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

My Summary: Ah the Fae are at it again, warring with each other and causing havoc all around. Both sides employ humans with exceptional abilities to help gain an edge, and this is where things get complicated, where political moves, race mixing, allegiances, and love mix.

My take: This was such a good smooth read, the plot never faltered or stumbled but kept you moving with the action the whole time. This is book one (no word yet how many books will continue this story line) and I am so looking forward to the publication of book two an the end of this October.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Bared to June

Bared to You (Crossfire, #1)Bared to You by Sylvia Day. The blurb here.


My rating: ♥♥♥


Summary: Imperfect girl meets equally imperfect boy. Lot of hot nights ensue amid their mutual bombshells from their past lives.


My take: If this book sounds familiar...it's because it is. Bared to You
has so many elements in common with Fifty Shades of Grey and Ms. Day even mentions Fifty and author E.L. James in her Acknowledgments section. I'm not surprised similar books are popping up (they always do when a hit comes along) but two other things were surprising to me. First, that Bared has so much of it's plot in common with Fifty, the plot took a while before it started getting its own legs. Secondly, that even in spite of the similarities, I did care about the characters in Bared and will be happy to read book two of the series when it comes out on October 2, of this year. I saw where another reviewer of this book warned others not to read this book right after they have read Fifty Shades of Grey....I second that, and even go further by saying maybe things would be better if a person where to put several books distance between Fifty and Bared...but my recommendation is to not skip either book.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

The truth about June

The Truth About ForeverThe Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen. The blurb.


My rating: ♥♥♥


Summary: Miss Macy Queen is out of school for the summer and has it all planned out, her job at the library during the day, nights filled with studying for the SAT's and spending time with her mom. Or at least she thought that would be her summer until an unexpected email from her boyfriend seems to set her on a different path.

My take: This was an interesting YA read for me, it was so well versed in showing how different people grieve for the loss of a loved one (for that reason alone I recommend it for any young person struggle to deal with a death of a family member) and at times it could be slow paced and repetitive. In the end all the right story elements were pulled together and woven into a very tidy ending.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Failure to launch

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. Check the blurb.

My rating: ♥♥

My summary: Loner woman who has hidden magical abilities works as a mercenary for hire helping others with their paranormal problems.

My take: This is book one of a series written by a husband and wife team, which I think is really cool. But cool points aside this story never sparked for me and was at points a painful slog. I so wanted it to get better...what it got was more tolerable near the halfway point. I wanted to make a connection so I could get comfortable and settle into the series. No happy ending for me here. The thing I found odd was that this book reminded me a tiny bit of Jim Butcher's series The Dresden Files, but without that special something.

Author! Author!

Always remember what a rich environment the Internet is for book lovers. Most authors today blog, tweet, or post on Facebook, often giving advanced information such as upcoming events and excerpts from future publications. Also another great place to enjoy authors can be found at Goodreads.

Happy Reading!!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

June it is

This post begins the reviews of my June readings. Already I have a creeping feeling that June will not be as prolific as May was, however I will think happy thoughts for more excellent reading material. Now on to the book!



Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) Angelfall by Susan Ee. Full blurb here.


My rating: ♥♥♥♥


My summary: The sky has fallen with waring angels and the destruction for earth and it's inhabitants is startling.

The author wrote this book after a bad break up as a way to help the healing process....I hate to hear about relationships ending but I am sure glad she chose writing to help her through it all.
Ms. Ee published this as an indie e-book and word of mouth just kept building to make it the hit it is today and finally the publishing world took notice. The ending of Angelfall leaves no doubt that it is not a one-off but as the author's blog indicates, there is no publication date for book 2. I will be on my Nook directly as soon as a pub date is announced.

Monday, June 4, 2012

May was a good reading month

I don't know if it was the weather (which was kind of rainy for a May) or the stars were in proper alignment, or something in the water. Whatever it was I read the hell out of May and I have the smile on my face to prove it! Since this blog is brand spanking new, and May is over, rather than do individual reviews I'll group them.      Enjoy!


The Devil's Cradle The Devil's Cradle by Sylvia Nobel. Full blurb.     


                   My rating  ♥♥♥


My summary: Reporter Kendall O'Dell finds her self a long way from home delving into the past of a small town and a family with more than a few secrets.

My take: The story itself was refreshing and enjoyable. I had a few moments of "well I know where this is going" and there were some times where the pacing had me losing interest, but it corrected nicely.




Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris. Full blurb here.


                           My rating ♥♥♥♥♥

My summary: Sorry, no spoilers given on this one since this is book #12  in the series I don't want to give any juicy bits away.

My take: I loved it! I think the plot is being moved along nicely to it's conclusion of the series in book 13 which is due out in May 2013. I know the later books in this series has it's share of detractors but I am not one of them, I am really enjoying the ride Ms. Harris is taking me on.





Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)  Soulless By Gail Carriger. Full blurb here.

              My rating ♥♥♥

My summary: A bit of paranormal set in Victorian England.

My take: This had an original feel as it brought together the properly buttoned up Victorian England with unpredictable natures of paranormal creatures. I enjoyed the story a great deal, the only thing that detracted my enjoyment were a few small moments where I found the plot to have pacing issue.





Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) Fifty Shades of Gray By E.L. James. Full blurb here.

                    My rating ♥♥♥♥

My summary: Young hot billionaire and young pretty college student, who couldn't be more different, meet.

My take: This book has done well to polarize readers, it seems to be a 'love it' or 'hate it' book with nothing left for much in between. I was resolute to stay ignorant about the entire phenomenon that this has become, but my intense curiosity got the best of me and I am glad it did. I was able to look past the kink that has become what most people tend to talk about and really enjoy the characters and the dialog between them as the story moved along.





Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3) Fifty Shades Darker By E.L. James. Full blurb here.

         My rating: ♥♥♥

My summary: We continue to enjoy the company of Mr. Christian Grey and Ms. Anastasia Steele as they struggle with their relationship.

My take: It's funny but most times when I read a trilogy I find book two to be the weak link, and this was no exception. I never thought the plot sputtered outright but it felt not quite as well rounded as the first book felt. Still a good read though, I was hooked and never doubted I would read book three.





Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades, #2) Fifty Shades Freed By E.L. James. Full blurb here.


My rating ♥♥♥♥


My summary: And so begins, the end of the journey - but it's no less packed with plot.


My take: I loved it and since I am a sucker for happy endings this really had me over the moon. It was cheesy in parts but the sum of the whole made me 'A O.K.' with the cheese factor.




Easy Easy By Tammara Webber. Full blurb here.


My rating: ♥♥♥♥


My summary: College students and all the complexity that goes along with school, friends, and family.

My take: This read went by in a flash but it was oh-so-sweet, and wonderful, without being too harsh or too cheesy. A great summer read!




Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1) Gabriel's Inferno By Sylvain Reynard. Full blurb here.


My rating: ♥♥♥


My summary: College professor and grad student find they have more in common than Dante's Inferno.


My take: I did like this book overall...but I had a few issues...in the form of the lead male, the author takes him from a growling snob to utterer of charming endearments in 0 to 60 and I nearly got whiplash in the process. On a positive note, I did appreciate
the glimpses of higher academia and the relationship unfurling.


Gabriel's Rapture: By Sylvain Reynard. Full blurb here

My rating ♥♥♥
Gabriel's Rapture (Gabriel's Inferno, #2 )
My summary: College professor and grad student continue with a relationship that has it's fill of issues.

My take: The relationship had me coming back for more, and I found I was well rewarded with what felt like a more well rounded story when compared to Gabriel's Inferno. I won't say I didn't have a few issues but not enough to ruin my enjoyment.