Listen by Rene Gutteridge Review

Listen
by Rene Gutteridge
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
Synopsis:  
Someone is listening . . .
 
The quaint, close-knit community of Marlo was the ideal place to live . . . until someone started posting private conversations online for everyone to read, word for word. Now it’s neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, as careless comments and hurtful accusations turn the town upside down. Violence and paranoia escalate, and the police scramble to find the person responsible before more people get hurt—or even killed.
 
But what responsibility do the residents of Marlo have for the words they say when they think no one is listening? 


Listen by Rene Gutteridge 
Review by Me
5 Squees/5 Squees

First off I want to say that I think this is a book that everyone should read. We are a world that is too quick to speak. We are too quick to dirty someone's name when they aren't around to defend themselves. In Rene Gutteridge's book, Listen, you meet the citizens of a small town called Marlo who quickly learn the power of words. I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn in immediately and I was kept enthralled all the way till the end. The thing I liked most though was the realness of this book and the ability it had to open my eyes up to my own life. How often do we talk badly about other people? How often do we say one thing behind someone's back, but another to their face?

After reading this book, you'll start seeing yourself in a different light and you'll start realizing that your words have power. Do you want that power to be uplifting or bring people down?

"Speak Kindly. Love powerfully. Listen Fully."

A Daring Proposition by Jennifer Greene Review

A Daring Proposition
by Jennifer Greene
Publisher: Carina Press

Leigh Sexton is desperate to have a baby, and Brian Hathaway would be the perfect bio-dad. One of Chicago's most notorious playboys, Brian is no family man, which suits Leigh just fine. An heiress and successful CPA, she is more than capable of raising a child alone. Now all she has to do is work up the nerve to ask Brian to impregnate her...artificially. Leigh has no interest in conceiving the old-fashioned way, despite how her heart races whenever she's near him.

Brian is intrigued by Leigh's request. He's not into commitment, even with a woman as attractive as Leigh, but he's also not the type to make a deposit and then disappear. If he goes along with her scheme, he's got one demand of his own: marriage before conception. He agrees to keep things clinical—he can get sex elsewhere—but having a wife at home will keep the husband-hunters at bay.

It seems like the ideal compromise—until they start falling in love.


A Daring Proposition by Jennifer Greene
Review by Me
3.5 Squees/5 Squees

I had a hard time with this book in the beginning. I just wasn't pulled in right away. Leigh was going through a lot in the beginning of the book and everything felt really stiff and blah. I continued reading because I wasn't completely bored.

The book really started picking up about halfway through when Leigh and Brian go to visit his family for Christmas. Up until that point everything seemed forced and drawn out. I loved the book at this point and forward. I really loved the chemistry that started to build between Leigh and Brian and I loved her chemistry with his family. All the way through the end of the book I was a very happy reader. It was almost like a was reading a different book at the halfway point.


All in all I enjoyed this story and thought it was read worthy.  I just wish the author didn't take so long in the beginning to really get it going. I wouldn't have minded more of the relationship building and romance that was in the second half of the book.


I enjoyed the characters, and would recommend this if you're into the romance genre and just looking for something so-so to read.

Populazzi by Elise Allen Review

Populazzi
by Elise Allen
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis:
WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you had the chance to erase your past and reinvent yourself as the person you’ve always wanted to be?  Would you grab it?  Would you stick with it, no matter what the consequences?

Cara Leonard always wished she could be one of  those girls: confident, self-possessed, and never at a loss for the perfect thing to say.  One of the Populazzi.

It always seemed impossible… but now could be her chance.

When Cara moves to a new school just before junior year, her best friend urges her to seize the opportunity and change her life… with the help of The Ladder.  Its rungs are relationships, and if Cara transforms herself into the perfect girlfriend for guys higher and higher on the Popularity Tower, she can reach the ultimate goal: Supreme Populazzi, the most popular girl in school.

The Ladder seems like a lighthearted social experiment — a straight climb up — but it quickly becomes gnarled and twisted.  And when everything goes wrong, only the most audacious act Cara can think of has a chance of setting things even a little bit right.

Populazzi by Elise Allen
Review by ME
5 Squees/ 5 Squees

This book was made of pure squees. I've read a lot of "heavier" books lately and this was a refreshing break from that. Elise Allen wrote this typical teen story with a girl striving to rise in popularity. I loved her take on such a normal story though. Her characters were charming and I really felt for Cara through out the whole book. I definitely oohed and awed through many pages and even let a few squees out during some of the more "cutesy" moments. I'm a big fan of these type of high "fluff" stories. I don't know if it was my lack of high school social skills or that I just wish I was young and naive again. This book will bring you back to those days of longing to fit in and you'll wish you could be by Cara's side through some of the tougher moments. All in all this was a great teen read, and I definitely enjoyed it.

The Clearing by Heather Davis Review

The Clearing
by Heather Davis
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis: Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.



The Clearing by Heather Davis 
Review by Me
5 Squees/5 Squees

I don't even know how to begin this review. When I read the synopsis of this book, I thought it sounded really strange. It seemed different though, and I like different. I loved this book from the beginning. The character of Amy is just so relate-able. She is a realistic girl who is going through real and painful things.  She goes to get away from things and ends up meeting Henry. Henry is that good, respectable, country boy that EVERY girl dreams about. He couldn't be more perfect.  I love that even though he seemed so perfect for Amy, Heather Davis made him have problems too. I love that both characters have to struggle through a lot of things and their outcome isn't necessarily the happy fluffy one that is expected in books of this genre.  I really enjoyed all characters in this book, down to Aunt Mae's dog.  The author really made this world she created realistic, while still making it interesting and exciting.  I love the outcome of the book, even though it wasn't my ideal ending. I really like where Heather Davis took this story and how she made it possible and believable all the way through the last page.  I was happy for everyone in the end and I loved that things turned out the way they did. Makes you curious huh? You'll have to check this one out for yourself.

The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry Review

The Birthday Ball
by Lois Lowry
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt


Synopsis: Princess Patricia Priscilla is bored with her royal life and the excitement surrounding her sixteenth birthday ball. Doomed to endure courtship by three grotesquely unappealing noblemen, she escapes her fate-for a week. Disguised as a peasant, she attends the village school as the smart new girl, "Pat," and attracts friends and the attention of the handsome school master. Disgusting suitors, lovable peasants, and the clueless King and Queen collide at the ball, where Princess Patricia Priscilla calls the shots. What began as a cure for boredom, becomes a chance for Princess Patricia Priscilla to break the rules and marry the man she loves.


The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry
Review by Me
4 Squees/5 Squees

This book was incredibly cute. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was for a younger audience then what I usually read, but the storyline was pretty cute, so I decided to check it out. I read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it. Princess Patricia Priscilla was super adorable and lovable from the start. I love that the whole book starts out with her being bored and wanting to fix her boredom. Lois Lowry did a great job with her characters and each one was distinct and enjoyable. I loved the personalities of the suitors. Each was very unique and highly over the top, which made them very entertaining. I also enjoyed the growing relationship between the servants and the relationship between the princess and the teacher. All in all this was a great children's story and I know girls of all ages will enjoy this one.

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones Review

Save The Date
by Jenny B. Jones

Synopsis:
When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiance in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?


Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Review by Me
4.5 Squees/ 5 Squees

Oh man, I don't even know what to start on this book. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I cried, I laughed and I of coursed Squeed many many times. I completely and utterly loved both the main characters, Lucy and Alex. They had amazing chemistry and they were the perfect pair for this story.  I really could tell that Jenny B. Jones loved them as she wrote about them. You could feel the time and the dedication she put in to developing her characters. 

The storyline was also great. Both Lucy and Alex have dark pasts that they're working through and you see their struggles throughout the book. I love the work Lucy does with the girls program and the dedication she has for her work is phenomenal. Being a Thomas Nelson novel, this book also had a great message that really pulled on my heart strings. It's not often that I read a book with religious themes and love it.  The message wasn't suffocating and I never felt like I was reading a "religious" book.  All in all, I thought this was a great story of suffering, family and love.  You'll squee just like I did during Lucy and Alex's more personal moments. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

The Dark Divine and The Lost Saint by Bree Despain Review

The Dark Divine

by Bree Despain

Synopsis:

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

 

The Lost Saint

by Bree Despain

Synopsis:

*Spoiler Alert* - If you have not read The Dark Divine, this synopsis may contain spoilers.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

The Dark Divine and The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Review by Me

4.5 Squees/ 5 Squees

I absolutely loved these books.  They had an awesome mix of paranormal, romance and everyday life to not only make them believable, but to draw in anyone from page one.

In the Dark Divine, you meet Grace Divine, average everyday artist girl.  She's a pastor's daughter, and living within that lifestyle.  You also meet Daniel, a troubled teen from Grace's childhood and her one true love.  These two characters just dragged you into the book.  Between their relationship with each other and Daniel's dark past, I was completely enthralled with this series from book one.

Bree Despain has quite a knack for making you fall in love with her characters and she kept me turning the pages.  There is a nice twist in the first book, that I sort of saw coming, but I can say I was shocked with the outcome.  I love the way the whole book rode along through the despair and heartache in Daniel's life, but it wasn't overwhelming.

In The Lost Saint, we have the same cast of characters with a couple of new faces. I won't go into to much detail plot-wise, since I'm not one for spoilers, but the story just keeps getting better.  There is a new character named Talbot in this book, that I just adored.  Everything about him just makes you love him.  I love that the author mixed everything up a bit throwing him into the mix.  He's very different from the other characters in the book and he definitely makes this interesting.  Once again Bree Despain through in a twist with this one,  I saw things coming, but there was a lot that surprised me.

I definitely enjoyed reading both of these books and I can't wait for another installment.  I know there has to be more. She can't just leave it where she did.  I loved the characters, the story line and the writing in both books.  Plus, who doesn't love a hot paranormal boys.

Check out more on Bree's Site: http://www.breedespain.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Egmont USA. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review - Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Shadow Hills

Since her sister's death, Persephone Archer has been having strange dreams that seem almost real. Things become even more strange when she finds a journal of her sisters that talks about similar dreams.  Persephone decides to attend Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts after receiving a pamphlet addressed to her sister. Life starts changing quickly for Persephone when things from her dreams start becoming reality in the town of Shadow Hills. What's going on with the townspeople and who is this mysterious boy that starts invading her life in her dreams and when she is awake? 

I was not to sure I was going to enjoy this book after reading the synopsis on the back cover. It just sounded a bit to strange for my liking. I was totally wrong! The story Anastasia Hopcus weaves in her debut novel is so intriguing and intense that I had a hard time pulling myself away. I was sucked in from page one and kept on going all the way till the end.  I loved the character of Persephone and loved Zach even more.  Anastasia did also making her side characters lovable and exciting. I know you'll adore Graham and Toy just as much as I did. My only compliant character-wise was with Athena and Ariel. I feel like they were both mentioned, but not really talked about. I realize that Athena is deceased, but there were things about her that were talked about and never brought up again. I also feel like the character of Ariel wasn't necessary. She was brought up a few times, but I don't think she was important to the flow of the story. I loved the setting of this book. I had a great time picturing Shadow Hills and Devenish Prep.  They seem like really awesome places and I love how Hopcus described every little thing about them. All in all this was a pretty amazing book and I think Anastasia Hopcus did an amazing job! I am rooting for a sequel and I can't wait to read more from this debut author.

Review- The Jaguar Stones Book One: Middleworld

The Jaguar Stones Book One: Middleworld

When Max's archeologist parents leave for a dig in Central America, he is set on a boring summer of video games, TV and junk food.  When Zia, their housekeeper, sends him off with a packed backpack and a plane ticket, Max is not prepared for what's waiting.  His parents have gone missing and it's up to Max to save them. With the help of Lola, a talkative Maya girl and two howler monkeys, Max is in for an adventure of a life time.  What will it take to rescue his parents? Does Max have it in him to live out this real life video game?

I was skeptical when I saw the cover of this book and a quick flip through showed that each chapter contained pictures.  I was expecting a childish easy read at maybe a JR high level.  I was completely wrong.  Jon and Pamela Voelkel have created an amazing thing with The Jaguar Stones. Middleworld was an amazing book. The way they laid out the adventure in this novel was well thought out and presented perfectly.  I was drawn in and enthralled from beginning to end. I absolutely adored the characters of Max and Lola and I found that they complimented each other perfectly.  I don't think there is a better team of characters out there.  I loved reading this book and learning about all the Maya life that existed in the past that the Voelkel's painted.  The setting, challenges and characters of this work were beautiful mastered and so realistic that they leap from the pages. I can not wait for the next book in this series and I can honestly say this is a great book for anyone middle age and older to experience.  Well done!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Goodman Media and Egmont USA. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review- Possessed by Kate Cann

 Possessed

When Rayne decides that life at home in London, with an overbearing boyfriend and a mother who leaves raising her little brother up to her, is too much to handle she accepts a job at Morton's Keep. Morton's Keep is rumored to be haunted by some pretty evil spirits, but anything is better then her current life.  In Possessed, readers join Rayne through some very spooky nights alone in her new little house.  Who are the Fire Festival men?  Are the involved with the strange happenings going on? And what does this all have to do with Rayne?  Kate Cann takes readers on a strange and sometimes frightening journey in her new book Possessed.

This was an different book.  I really enjoyed the character of Rayne and I thought she was someone you could relate to.  I can't decide how I feel about the story itself though.  I don't feel like the flow was very effective.  There was a lot of stuff that went on that sort of felt like it was just there to fill space.  I also didn't feel like the whole story with the ghost was thought out enough.  The way the book was going I thought it was building up to something more than what happened. The ending of the book was very anti-climatic.  I think that the author could have made the whole haunting and dungeon scenes more than what they were. There was a lot of build-up and secondary characters adding things that really didn't go anywhere.  This book wasn't great, but it's an alright read.  I enjoyed the historical-like stuff that was talked about and that made it worth reading.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Scholastic Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review- Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall

In Rachel Hawkins book, Hex Hall, we meet Sophia Mercer.  Sophie is a teenage witch, who lives with her human mother and is just trying to be a normal high school student.  When a love spell goes awry, Sophie is sent to Hecate Hall, a school for misfit Prodigium. Surrounded by witches, faeries, shapeshifters, and her new vampire best friend, Sophie still finds herself just not fitting in.  When something starts attacking students and her best friend is suspect, Sophie must solve these mysteries and rise up to meet her destiny.  With an absent Warlock father, and family secrets that Sophie doesn't even know, Sophie finds herself in a heap of trouble and struggling to find her way out.

I enjoyed reading this story.  I wasn't in awe, but it was a decent book.  I wasn't completely drawn into the story, but it was a light and easy read.  I don't feel like there was enough character development in this book and I was left wondering a lot about characters.  I'm ok with a mysterious character here and there, but not when all the characters have an air of mystery about them.  There was a lot of things that characters did, that were never explained.  I also never felt sucked in.  There wasn't a lot of aw moments that you usually find in this sort of book and I didn't really feel like any of the characters were someone a young adult audience could relate to.  I feel plot wise, there was some good moments, but everything just happened so quickly and the journey to big moments wasn't there.  I enjoyed this book, but I feel there could have been more to it.  I hope there is some character development in the next book and that we get to understand Sophie's world a bit better.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I got this book from my local public library! I can say whatever I want. :)

Review- The Singer's Gun

The Singer's Gun

In Emily St. John Mandel's new book, The Singer's Gun, Anton Waker has found himself in trouble, without a possible way out.  Anton thought he was finally done with the business of illegal dealings and shady transactions, but when his cousin comes to him with one more job, and the blackmail to force his hand, Anton finds himself once again in over his head.  Anton's carefully constructed life hangs on the edge and things take an unexpected turn, he's forced to choose between a life that he made for himself or the one that's thrown upon him.  Will he make it out alive, and if so at what cost?

This is Emily St. John Mandel's second novel, and I've had the pleasure of reading both of her books. Her writing talent and impressive skill once more shine again.  She has proven that her first novel wasn't just a fluke and she is definitely an author I'll keep reading.  Again, Mandel jumped from past to present in this novel and it worked beautifully.  The shifts in time were never uncomfortable and they flowed beautifully.  I loved this novel even more than her first.  The story was interesting and detailed and I was pulled into it immediately.  I read The Singer's Gun all in one sitting because I just could not bear to pull myself away.  I loved the main character, Anton.  He was extremely personable and I felt the struggles he went through were believable and realistic.  Emily St. John Mandel has won me again, and The Singer's Gun is something that everyone must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Unbridled Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review- Gone by Lisa McMann

Gone 

In Gone,  we meet for the final time with Janie, main character from Lisa Mcmann's Wake Trilogy.  Like in the first two novels, Janie continues to find herself pulled into other people's dreams. She has to finally make a decision, stay with Cabel and meet her fate head on, or isolate herself and escape from her gift.  Things take an interesting turn, when a stranger enters Janie's life, and she learns that things aren't as simple as she thought.  She must decide between two lives that both have unsatisfactory futures and she must decide soon.

I read this whole trilogy and I feel in love with it from the beginning. The ideas in the Wake series are new and exciting, and I have never read anything quite like them.  Gone is just as great as the rest of the series, and I think Lisa McMann ended the story well.  I did not feel like there were tons of loose ends to be tied up and I felt a closure that you don't get with many trilogies.  The pain and struggles that McMann presented with Janie and her gift were very well written and realistic.  I also enjoyed the fact that Janie had more going on in her life than just her gifts and she was a real girl going through real life things.  This trilogy as a whole is amazing and Gone definitely did not disappoint.  You will find a quick and easy read with these books, but a story that is deep and breathtaking.  I feel that making these books any longer than they were would have just drawn out the story and not have made it what it was.  I highly recommend these books and I know almost all audiences will enjoy them. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I got this book from my local public library! I can say whatever I want. :)

Review - The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King

Ever since the disappearance of her father when she was six, things have never been right for Meghan Chase.  Now living with her step-father, mother, and half-brother, Meghan is about to turn sixteen and life as she knows it will never be the same.  Pulled into a world of Faeries, Piskies, and other mystical creatures, Meghan learns her life-time best friend is not who she thinks he is, and her destiny is one she was never prepared for.  As the daughter of a mystical faery king, Meghan must defend her birthright and fight feelings for an enemy boy.  In this mystical tale of honor, love and war, Meghan Chase not only has to survive being sixteen, but now must save those she cares for the most.

I had a hard time with this book in the beginning.  The similarities to Alice In Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia really bothered me.  Once I was able to look past these similarities and see this novel as something of its own, I actually started to enjoy it.  I wish that Julie Kagawa had tried a bit harder to make this something completely different.  The plot in itself was great and I really liked the main characters, but the first two parts of the book just were not original enough for me.  It was just another story of two opposing courts, similar to the red queen and the white queen in Wonderland, and their battles with each other.  Meghan Chase even gets to this land through a closet.  I just could not get passed the similarities to other popular fantasy stories.  However, putting that all aside, I was finally drawn in during part three.  I enjoyed the relationship between Meghan and Ash, and I absolutely loved Puck.  For those facts alone, I will read the next installment, and I hope that in The Iron Daughter, I will feel like I'm reading something new and not a copy of an already existing story. All in all, the story was interesting, the characters were great, I just don't feel like this was something original and new to read.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I got this book from my local public library! I can say whatever I want. :)

Review - Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Wish

In Alexandra Bullen's debut novel, Wish, Olivia Larsen is starting life in a new school and a new city.  The reason behind her families big move is not what most would expect.  Last summer, Violet, Olivia's twin sister, passed away.  Moving to San Fransisco is a fresh start for Olivia and her parents, but not necessarily the start Olivia is ready for. When a visit to a seamstress brings her three wishes, Olivia can't help but wish for Violet back.  With her sister by her side again and two more wishes to make, Olivia has to learn to live life and take things as they come. A tale of sisterhood, loss and living life to the fullest, Wish is more than just a fairy tale.

I really enjoyed this novel.  I decided to read it solely on the fact that it had a pretty cover and the synopsis sounded like a fun and relaxing, Young Adult read.  I was pleasantly surprised when I was immediately drawn into this story and had a hard time tearing myself away.  For the most part it's a funny and bubbly story of young love, fairy tales, and magic, but there is also a bit of a tear jerker and some emotional times.  The characters are lovable and enduring and you will absolutely adore Olivia.  She has this amazing charisma and personality that makes her an fantastic lead character.  I was expecting major fluff and a quick, easy read and I got so much more.  I can honestly say that Wish is up there with my favorite books so far in 2010 and I can't wait to read more from Alexandra Bullen. This has been an amazing year to date for YA novels and Bullen's debut novel, Wish, is among the bests.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I got this book from my local public library! I can say whatever I want. :)

Review - Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl

Hand of Fate

When radio talk show host, Jim Fate, is murdered with an unknown gas sent to him in a mysterious package, panic ensues.  Is this a terrorist attack or an irate fan whose gone to far?  It's up to Cassidy Shaw, Nicole Hedges, and Allison Pierce to figure out.  They call themselves the Triple Threat and together they plan on figuring out this case.  In the days that follow his murder, facts unravel, suspects appear and things take a twist that no one sees.  Lis Wiehl composed a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue that will have any reader on the edge of their seat.

I was completely enthralled by this book from page one.  Lis Wiehl and April Henry wrote a really great story in Hand of Fate. This was the first Triple Threat novel I've ever read, but this book can definitely stand out on its own. On top of the investigation into Jim Fate's murder there is also a lot written about Cassidy, Nicole and Allison's personal lives.  I felt myself being drawn into these stories almost more than the main plot of Jim's murder.  There was times that I felt like certain parts of the murder investigation were just thrown in to fill space and I really did not like what happens with one of the main suspects.  While I loved the personal stories, I didn't feel like the factual evidence and the police roles were completely researched and believable. I also felt the Nicole's self defense could not have been as effective as it was written.  All in all though this was a pleasant read that kept me entertained and engaged the whole time.  I always enjoy a mystery with a twist and this novel definitely has an interesting twist.  My only issue was that I felt it sort of came out of no where, but maybe that was the point.  If you are a fan of mystery, suspense and strong female characters, you'll love this book like I did. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review - Last Night In Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel

Last Night In Montreal

When Lilia says she is stepping out for coffee and never returns, Eli does not imagine the past he will uncover when he searches for her.  A mysterious postcard from Montreal sends Eli on a wild goose chase that introduces him to a strange girl named Michaela and a few stories neither of them are ready to hear.  Filled with a broken past, lost loves, and crazy moments at every turn, Last Night In Montreal is a wild ride with an amazing twist.

I absolutely adored this book.  This is Emily St. John Mandel's first novel and it was stellar.  The writing was intelligent and masterful.  The plot was new and exciting.  I loved the structure of the story and how Mandel presented both the present and the past.  I was drawn into this story almost immediately and could not tear myself away from it.  I love that the pain and the hurt are so real in this book, but they are not overwhelming to the point of disbelief.  Though you do not get a lot about herself from Lilia's point of view, I felt that I learned so much about her from the other characters.  Eli was an amazing character and I really loved everything about him.  He is incredibly brilliant and some of the discussions he has about the artistic world are just amazing. The references to linguistics and dialects have me wanting to research these topics after reading about them.  Mandel did an amazing job with this novel and I can not wait to read more of what she writes in the future.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Unbridled Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review - Why You say It by Webb Garrison

Why You Say It

Have you ever wondered where a certain phrase came from? Or why some people say the crazy things they do?  In Webb Garrison's new book, Why You Say It, readers will find the stories behind over six hundred everyday words and phrases.  With statements like, "Hook, Line and Sinker", and words like, "Tomboy", Garrison gives readers the history and reasoning behind so many overused and frequently spoken phrases and words in the world of speech.

I am one of the biggest word nerds ever, so this book was very enticing to me.  A lot of the histories of the phrases and words were very interesting, but some of them just felt like they were filling space.  I was impressed for the most part by this book, I just wish a little more time was taken on research and development.  I also felt that some of the definitions/histories were very obvious and not much thought was put into them.  As a whole though, I really loved this book.  It was a very interesting read and it was fun to learn some things that I did not know already.  If you are an avid grammarian, or just some with an interest in why we say what we say, you will love this book and have a fun time reading through it.  Webb Garrison did a pretty decent job with this book, and I am curious to see others he has composed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review - Citizen Dick by Richard Arneson

Citizen Dick

It's 1989 and twenty-five-year-old, Dick Citizen has just found himself as top player in the company CommGlobalTeleVista.  CommGlobalTeleVista is run by an eccentric group of mostly men, who are out for the big bucks and do not care what it takes to get them.  In the time before cell phones and the world wide web really make in impact, CommGlobalTeleVista is looking for that money making win that Dick Citizen might have found.  In Richard Arneson's Citizen Dick, We meet Dick Citizen and all the essential people in both his personal and professional lives.  Dick finds himself in a bit over his head, and enjoying the ride.

This book was very different from my normal reads.  I have to admit it was hard for me to get through, but it was not necessarily a bad ride.  The beginning of the book was a bit slow and jumped around between characters so much, that I sometimes found myself feeling lost.  Richard Arneson introduced us to many different characters right away and I felt that, in the beginning, Dick was left out.  As I continued through the story and tried to ignore the lack of plot and over used references to bowel movements, I actually began to enjoy what I was reading.  This really is not the book for everyone.  I enjoyed the main character Dick and I loved the qualities he had, but I felt that a lot of things were hit and miss.  There was too much over the top humor for my liking.  Now, I am not saying this book is no good, I'm just saying it is not for everyone.  Richard Arneson definitely has a talent for writing and I enjoyed reading this book, but I feel that the lack of plot and some of the crude humor was not for me.  The picture that Arneson painted of Corporate America was very solid and he wrote a decent book, I would have just liked to see a bit more done with the plot and a bit more focus on Dick Citizen. All in all, check this one out if you are looking for something different and new.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Cadence Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review - Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Brightly Woven

When rain finally falls, in Alexandra Bracken's debut novel, Brightly Woven, sixteen year old Sydelle Mirabel finds herself sent away with the mysterious wizard, Wayland North.  Thus begins a long and tiring journey both physically and mentally exhausting for Sydelle.  They travel from city to city and meet person after person on their trip to save the kingdom. Sydelle soon learns that finding comfort in her weaving may mean something more to her as she realizes things are not what they seem with her traveling companion.  What is Wayland North hiding and can Sydelle find it within herself to not only save him, but also the kingdom and people she loves?  You definitely want to find out for yourself in Alexandra Bracken's new novel, Brightly Woven.

Honestly I can say, that this is one of the best novels I have read so far this year.  Alexandra Bracken has created an amazing and fascinating world in Brightly Woven. I love that she starts her readers out in a very small world and as Sydelle and North continue on their travels, their world grows and grows.  Bracken skillfully introduces us to this world she's created and masterfully adds in characters and experiences along the way.  She's taken a common concept of wizardry and fantasy and made it something completely new and exciting. Her ideas and concepts are refreshing and a nice break from the fluffy and predictable that I've been finding recently in this genre.  I was fascinated by the depth and length that her setting possessed.  She didn't just place her characters in one place and leave them there.  They travel far and wide and ever place they go is new and exciting.  She used the ideas of knights, villages, and kingdoms, but she made them something different and exhilarating.  I completely without a doubt loved this novel and I sincerely hope that the story of Sydelle and North continues in the future.  Alexandra Bracken has written a masterpiece that I expected from a writer on her fourth or fifth novel, not her first.  She has amazing talent and is someone to I'll follow for years to come.

I submitted this review over at Cym Lowell's Book Review Party Wednesday!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Egmont USA. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”