Follow Friday (2)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read and is an amazing feature bringing bloggers together in an effort to expan their blogs. This week's feature blog is Starcrossed and The Bookaholic. GO and check all of these wonderful blogs out!

Question: What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like to cast as your favorite character?

Oh my goodness, this is going to be the hardest question for me to answer, because whenever I read a book I like to picture everything in my head like a movie. So basically, every book I read (and like) is already like a movie to me. However, if I had to choose a book to make it to the big screen, it would probably be my most recent read, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. 

I'm an adrenaline junky, and am obsessed with being scared. Although Mara Dyer isn't a horror movie exactly, it would make an insanely good psychological thriller. When I was reading it I could honestly see this being some crazy mind twisting movie by M. Night Shyamalan where there is this huge reveal at the end and the audience goes crazy. 

Now I'm not really good at casting actors/actresses for my favorite characters because I normally like it when a new person comes in and portrays characters so I won't be disappointed. (There wouldn't be any preconceived stigmas attached to the huge Hollywood name). For Noah I would pick a younger version of Chace Crawford with an accent. 

Leave me your comments and Follow Friday links and I'll be sure to go and check them out!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Whoa. Where do I even begin with this book? The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was a powerful thriller with so many twists and turns that you truly never know what is going to happen next. It is unlike anything I have ever read before because this story is just so unique and well crafted! There is so much mystery and secrecy in this book that it’s really hard to predict how it’s going to end and I love it when an author can surprise me. Hodkins does a wonderful job at keeping the reader guessing to the very end and just completely blowing your mind with this story.

This story is the ultimate page-turner. Mara is a typical girl in an atypical situation. After surviving an accident that kills her best friends and boyfriend Mara is left with a lot of questions from that night, but with no way of answering them. Then, she starts getting strange visions and people around her start to die. It’s all very creepy and I could seriously see this as a movie- perfect for Halloween.

What I loved most about this story was Noah. If you haven’t noticed yet, one of the best ways to get me hooked to a book is by giving me a sexy guy with an accent. Noah was perfectly written for this story. He had an air of mystery to him and an edginess that was addicting. Plus, he was the ultimate romantic, saving Mara from social high school hell and helping her to figure out why she’s having these visions.  I really couldn’t ask for more from him…and then there were those steamy bedroom scenes. LOVE!

Hodkins did a fantastic job of creating such an original and haunting story that really gets the heart pumping and the mind running.  Throughout the entire story you will be asking yourself questions which just gives you reason to stay up late and finish this book in one sitting (which is exactly what I did).  The tone of this book is just eerie and there were quite a few spine-chilling scenes that just really creeps you out (in the best way possible!) And the cliffhanger at the end?! Amazing!

As a debut author, I'm ecstatic that this book is receiving such praise and I expect great things from this series! I whole-heartedly give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and advise everyone to go and pick up their copy!

Top Ten Tuesday

It's Tuesday which means another Top Ten Tuesday post! This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and features a top ten list of book related fun =) This week the theme is Top Ten Books I Want to Reread.

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- ABSOLUTELY positively loved this series. With the movies come out in March I think it's fitting that I reopen my copy and revisit this series.

2. Saving June by Hannah Harrington- Even though I literally just finished this book last week, the effects of the story are still with me. It's a breathtaking story and I loved every second of it so I will most definitely be rereading this one.

3. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare- I just saw the book trailer for Clockwork Prince and definitely put me in a Will kind of mood. He gives Jace a run for his money, but since I've only read Clockwork Angel once, I really want to go back and reread this story.

4. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking- A good zombie romance novel? Unheard of! Actually, Hollowland is amazing. It has the zombies, and lots of them, and then it has the strained romance in the midst of survival. And it balances it out well. Now with Halloween coming up, its the perfect time to be rereading this book.

5. Going too Far by Jennifer Echols- I read this book two summers ago and fell in love with the characters. It's a quick read, but like Saving June, the story really sticks with you. It's been so long since I last read it that its a great contender for rereading.

6. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen- I love all things Sarah Dessen, but this book has been my favorite so far. Wes truly won me over with his sensitivity, artsy, and bad boy image. The story is so sweet and touching and the ending is just perfect!

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins- I don't know if it counts since I've reread this book already, but I just can't help revisting this story. Paris, romance, St. Clair, what's not to love? One of my favorite books!

8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver- Another story that just captivates you and stays even after the last page. Even though you're reading the same day over and over, this book is mind blowing and really makes you think. I love a book like that which is why Before I Fall is one of my favorites.

9. The Host by Stephenie Meyer- Even though its not the most popular book (you either hate it or love it) I actually love it. The romance is so twisted in this book and unlike anything I've ever read. The story is also very well developed and the progression is perfect. No rushed love!

10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver- With Pandemonium coming out next year I really want to sit down and revist this book. I tend to forget little details of a story and I want to remember everything from this book so Pandemonium will be perfect. Loved this story =)

What do you think? Are these worth rereading? Leave your comments below with links to your Top Ten Tuesday posts and I'll go and check them out!

Silver and Stone by J.D. Thompson

Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep.

As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.

A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.

But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.

The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured.

A big congrats to J.D. Thompson on her debut novel! This book was most definitely a fresh new twist on the paranormal genre. Personally, I feel it is vital for books nowadays to have their own voice and plotline.  Luckily, Thompson was able to recreate the evil vs. good in such an inventive and original way, so I give her great kudos for that.

I really enjoyed the contemporary feel of this novel, while still being a paranormal read. Alexis is a teenage girl dealing with the guilt of her mother's death and the persecution and isolation of her fellow classmates. Home life isn't much better, as her father is a workaholic and avoids his fatherly responsibilities and her sister blames Alexis for their mother's death. Despite her two best friends, Logan and Amber, Alexis is very much alone. In comes Lucas however, who pulls Alexis out of this slump and gives her reason to feel alive again.

I love the relationship between Alexis and Lucas, although initially it feels very fast and instantaneous, you later learn why there is such a spark between the two. Lucas is the perfect gentleman and treats Alexis like every boy should treat their girlfriend. In my opinion, every guy should sneak into their girlfriend's window to plan a romantic date beneath the stars! Lucas also melted my heart at the end of this book by making such a huge sacrafice. It just made me fall in love with him even more! It was very refreshing to see such a healthy relationship, where the main character isn't pining after the ultimate bad boy with a jerk attitude. Alexis was also a lovable character , with a very independent and sweet personality. With so many horrible situations surrounding this poor girl you just can't help but root for her.

My favorite characters had to be Alexis's two best friends, Logan and Amber. They were absolutely hilarious and so supportive of Alexis while the rest of the world seemed to ostracize her. Amber especially cracked me up because she was the outspoke girl who was never afraid to stick up for her best friend no matter the situation. Their friendship was very heart-warming, particularly when they help Alexis get ready for the Ghost Gala at their high school. The girls go out of their way to help Alexis both mentally and physically get ready for the night and try to make it perfect for her when everything seems to be falling apart.

Without giving too much away, Silver and Stone is a fantastic paranormal read. The romance is beatiful and there are a lot of eerie elements, such as ghosts and mysterious killings, that leave you guessing until the very end. When everything comes together at the Ghost Gala, it really feels like all the puzzle pieces are together and the story just clicks. So don't get frustrated at the beginning if certain elements don't make sense or feel rushed because J.D. Thompson does a wonderful job of pulling everything together and leaving the door open for an intense series. I give this book a resounding 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to those who are looking for an atypical paranormal read!

Check my blog out later in the week for an interview with the very wonderful J.D. Thompson!

Follow Friday!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read and is an amazing feature bringing bloggers together in an effort to expan their blogs. This week's feature blog is The World of the Spork Master and Obsession with Books. GO and check all of these wonderful blogs out!

Question:

Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again?

Tell us about it and why you keep on revisiting it?

Oh, man, there are so many books that I enjoy rereading. Although this might sound cliche, but the most standout series that I've probably reread too many times to count is Harry Potter. These books came out when I was in elementary school, so I've been rereading them as I've grown up. Plus, with each movie release I've reread the book to compare stories. They really are the culmination of my childhood and are perfect books to read over and over again. There are so many minute details throughout each book that sometimes I forget about and its only when I'm looking back that I realize, "Oh, yeah, I remember that happening!"

Leave a comment with links to your Follow Friday so I can share the following love!

Booking through Thursday/ Dirty Little Secret

It's a schmorgesborg of memes! I haven't participated in either of these before, but I loved both of the themes this week and couldn't choose between the two. So I'm doing both!


Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers.
Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.

"If you could have wings, what would they look like?"

My wings would be very whimsical and etheral, like something out of a fairytale. It was hard to find a perfect representation of what's going on in my mind, but my wings would be a combination of these two:

I love the sparkle in the first picture, but I love the size and shape of the second picture. So if I could fuse the two pairs together those would be my wings. I also wouldn't mind having a body like these to go along with those wings. Added bonus!

This Week's BTT question:
Do you carry books with you when you're out and about in the world?
And, do you ever try to hide the covers?

Umm, of course! My purse feels empty when I don't have a book in there taking up an obscene amount of space. I specifically buy larger bags just for this purpose. It's crazy how much free time you can actually run into when you're going through your day and its those few in between minutes that I crack open my book and try to read a couple pages here and there. I'm actually notorious for reading in my car (not while driving!) If I get to someplace, like school or work, a little too early, I'll read in my car for those 10 or 15 minutes.

I've never hide a cover. First of all, I'm never ashamed of what I'm reading. Books are one of my biggest passions and trying to hide a cover is like trying to hide a part of me. Secondly, thats too much work to hide the cover. I'm trying to enjoy what I'm reading, and if I'm so focused on positioning the book and hiding the cover, then its more work than fun.

P.S. That's actually my purse right now! It's still up on Forever21 so I grabbed a picture of it!

Zomapocalypse 2011 Contest

So awesome! The Story Seekers are holding the most fantastic contest ever in honor of one of the best holidays ever, Halloween! I immediately signed up, because if it has anything to do with zombies I'm there.

 This sounds like a great contest and its the first I've participated in so I advise everyone to go check it out!

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

It's that time again, Waiting on Wednesday! One of my favorite memes because its a way for bloggers to post what upcoming releases they're most excited for. It's hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, so go and check it out! Below are some of the books that I'm most anxious for. Each book title is linked to its goodreads profile.

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

(January 24, 2012)

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Can't go wrong with dystopians in my book. Sounds like another adrenaline rush with a crazy twist. Looking forward to this one for sure!

Hollow by Richard Denney

(May 8, 2012)
In a dystopian future, sixteen year old Leah Munro has been sold to a rich woman in a crippling mansion. Soon Leah discovers that there is something mysterious going on around the home, and with the help of three other girls, she attempts to uncover what is truly happening... what lies beyond all of the plexiglass windows and the hideous screams in the middle of the night? Leah will soon find out.

Sounds very eerie, kind of reminds me of WIther in a way. Also, beautiful cover!

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

(February 16, 2012)

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that’s just fine by her. She’s got her friends— the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She’s got her art— and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it’s hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they’re dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

It's being compared to Anna and the French Kiss meets The Breakfast club. Enough said. I'm sold.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Harper Scott, trying to come to terms with her perfect older sister June's suicide, takes a road trip and finds love with a mysterious boy who had a connection to June-- and may know more about her sister's life and death than he's telling.

One of my favorite books of all time. I cannot even begin to express the feelings I have for this book. Every aspect of it was wonderful. The story, characters, dialogue, messages conveyed. Everything was pure brilliance on Harrington's part. I've just never read a book that could invoke such strong emotions from me. I cried several times throughout the story and not just teared up, but full on waterworks. The desperation from June and confusion for Harper was so intense. As a sister myself, I truly felt the pain between their relationship and knew that I would be just as lost if I experienced anything quite so tragic.

The story follows sixteen year old Harper as she travels cross country with her best friend Laney and mysterious boy Jake. Harper was my ideal character. She's rebellious, sarcastic, strong willed and the most loving person. My heart broke multiple times throughout this story for Harper and the issues that she's been forced to deal with- her sister's suicide, the screwed up relationship with her parents, the inner turmoil of feelings she develops for Jake- it just feels like the world is against this poor girl, but she takes everything in stride and is constantly putting others before her. She was just amazing.

Harper's best friend, Laney, was also such a well developed character. Despite being spoiled, you still absolutely love her, because she's just as broken as Harper. The relationship between Harper and Laney is just so pure and hilarious. As best friends, they compliment each other so well while being such opposites. They were just perfect together.

And then there was Jake. Oh, Jake. He is seriously my dream guy. Obsessed with music, dry sense of humor, unbelievable dancer, selfless and hot beyond belief. The relationship between him and Harper was a roller coaster of emotions and secrets that kept me wanting more. Several times I was yelling at the pages, "Just kiss!" However, the build up and then climax between these two was incredible. One of the best highs I've seen in a book, ever.

I will sing praise for this book to anyone who is willing to listen. I recommend everyone going out and getting a copy and bunkering down for the saddest and sweetest story you'll ever read. Saving June is one of those books that stays with you even after the last page has been turned. It's story is beautiful and the writing is just amazing. I cannot wait to read more from Harrington and I'm positive that this is just the beginning of her successes as an author.

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is the wonderful meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It allows bloggers to share what books they received over the course of the week. This week I was thrilled to have gotten my first author requests, both for ebooks! Being a relatively new blogger, I am so appreciative of the recognition and the correspondance with both authors was amazing.

Silver and Stone by J.D. Thompson

The Protectors by P.M. Dooling

Again, I would like to say a special thank you to J.D. Thompson and P.M. Dooling for taking the time to recognize my blog and sending these requests! I hope I do you both proud!

What did everyone else get in their mailbox this week? Leave a comment and I'll check out your posts!

Cover Reveal

I know most of you have probably seen this already up on goodreads, but I just stumbled across it and freaked out! Insurgent has a cover! It makes the sequel all the more real (and its release a bit more attainable now that we know what it looks like). This is definitely one of the most highly anticipated sequels for me and without a doubt a new favorite series.

The cover is amazing and I really like that its staying within the same theme that Divergent showcased. The foggy skyline is eerie and a perfect backdrop to where the story left off. I also really like the tree insignia with the whimsical swirls. The barreness definitely fits with the feel of the story. I'm interested though to see what purpose the tree serves in the coming story. My favorite part of the cover though is the subtitle at the top, One Choice Can Destroy You. Ohhh? Most of the time I'm not too crazy about added lines or questions on a cover. It just feels like they're trying too hard to sell the story off the cover itself, but for this book...totally works. Definitely thought provoking.

Officially cannot wait for May 2012

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.


Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

I hate to say this, especially in a review, but I was a bit wishy washy when it came to this book. There were aspects of My Soul to Take that I really liked and enjoyed and then there were parts that just weren’t doing it for me. Therefore, its hard for me to place this book in any category…it was just ok.

I really admired Vincent’s style of writing in My Soul to Take. The story flows very nicely and reads almost like a contemporary novel, which always makes it very relatable and realistic despite being a paranormal book. The charcters, especially the main one Kaylee, were refreshing. Kaylee in particular isn't some helpless whiny girl who hides behind the shadow of her paranormal boyfriend. She's an independent, take charge, kind of girl, which I find invigorating. I also really loved Tod. His sarcasm, witty remarks, and alluring bad boy was an instant attraction for me. His character's relationship came as a pleasant surprise to me as well and I always give kuddos to an author who can shock me.

The difficulties for me in this book lie with the plot. I just wasn't sold on the whole bean sidhe thing. (By the way, why is it pronounced Banshee but spelt like a vegetable? That was beyond frustrating for me). Introducing Kaylee to who she really is felt rushed. One minute she's a normal teenager and the next minute, BAM, here's an entire explanation of what you really are in one night. There wasn't really any progression for me. I just would have liked a little more build-up and suspense.Then, once the cat was out of the bag, it was like Kaylee was some bean expert. It just felt so quick.

The ending was also very abrupt. A lot of things were happening at once, people just showing up out of the blue to help save the day, secret plots becoming unveiled, new relationships coming to light, and all in like the last 20 pages. Again, I would have just liked a little more backing and length. It would have just made the story that much stronger.

I know there are several more books in this series and I have the second one right now on my bookshelf. I'll probably get to it eventually, because I hate leaving a series unfinished. I still think that the story has great potential and I always find that books normally get better later in a series, so I'm remaining optimistic. Mostly for the fact that I want to find out what happens to Tod.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

It's time for another Waiting on Wednesday post. It's one of my favorite memes because I get to check out other blogs and see what new upcoming books I should add to my wishlist. It's hosted by Breaking the Spine and below I've listed some of the books I'm most looking forward to reading.

Slide by Jill Hathaway
(March 27, 2012)
This is the first book that I've ever seen about narcolepsy and this one sounds absolutely intense. A girl who slides into other people's minds when she falls asleep and then witnesses a murder. Thrilling! I really want to get my hands on this one =)

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

(May 8, 2012)

First off, the cover is gorgeous, I love this dress. I really like that this book is a retelling of the Princess and the Frog. This one particularly seems utterly romantic and I know it will bring me back to my days as a Disney Princess.

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

(May 8, 2012)

I saw this book on a bunch of WoW posts over the past few weeks and know that this will be a favorite of mine. It sounds so good and sadly sweet. This also makes me want to find a nice (rugged) cowboy to sweep me off my feet.

Supergirls Mixtape by Meagan Brothers

(April 24, 2012)
First off, this has to be a new favorite cover of mine, so awesome! I'm luck enough to live pretty close to NYC so I know all about the mystique and charm of the city and how enchanting it can be. I'm so excited to read a book to capture that and music! Really really excited for this one!






So what books do you have on your WoW post? I'm excited to check them out and hopefully add them to my wishlist too! Leave a comment and I'll be sure to check your blog/WoW out!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It highlights a top ten book related theme. You should go check it out! This week the theme is Top Ten Books I Read because of another Blogger. This week was a little bit difficult for me because I'm relatively new to the blogging world and I can't really pinpoint particular blogs that made me want to read these books. I attribute most of my reads to multiple blogs because I always like a second opinion....or third....or fourth... 

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare- This is a series I particularly remember reading a lot of hype about. I believe it was around the time that the third book had been released and the blogosphere had exploded with Cassandra Clare fever. I was skeptical at first, because the storyline didn't sound like something I would normally read, but I just couldn't ignore all the positive reviews, so I picked the first book up. And the next day I was back to pick up books 2 and 3.

2. Going too Far by Jennifer Echols- I actually remember reading Amber's review from Just Your Typical Book Blog about this book. She raved about Jennifer Echols and her fabulous contemporary writing style! It was just around the time I was leaving for my spring break vacation, so I decided to buy it as a beach book, and devoured it! SO GOOD!

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- I don't know if this book actually counts, because I saw its recommendation on Stephenie Meyer's website after it was first published. I bought it before actually reading any blogger's reviews, but as soon as I was done I saw that EVERYONE was just as in love with it as I was.

4. The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan- I had been searching book blogs for a good zombie book (because I am literally obsessed with all things zombie) and came across a review for this book. It sounded intriguing and I decided to pick it up without any high expectations because it didn't sound like the typical zombie horror novel. I was so wrong though, it was even better than normal zombie books. Then blog's exploded when the second and third books came out and I was desperate to pick them up as well.

5. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray- I remember seeing this series at my Borders for months and never picking them up because the plot didn't sound like something I was really interested in. The cover's were gorgeous, but I just didn't think I could ever get into the story, so I never picked this series up. It wasn't until I started reading other people's reviews on these books and hearing how creative and imaginative these books were that I decided to give them a chance. Again, I was so glad that I listed to other blogger's reviews and not my own misguided judgement because I loved this series!

6. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter- I heard a lot of mixed reviews for this book, so I was hesitant on buying it. Finally, I had seen that Alex at Electrifying Reviews really liked this book and wrote a really great review on it, so I was convinved to buy it off amazon at a really good price. (I always justify a book purchase based on how cheap the price). I'm so glad that I listened to that review because I fell in love with this book despite the negative reviews I had read previously!

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins- Based on the summary for this debut novel alone I knew that I was going to be in love. Then when ARC reviews started to come out my assumption was proven correct. Bloggers sang praise for this book and it made me so anxious to get my hands on it once it was released. Those reviews didn't disappoint either, this book is AMAZING! A top favorite of mine.

8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver- I had just finished reading another contemporary novel and was looking for a good follow-up when I saw a blog post about "If you liked ____ then you'd like Before I Fall". I decided to read a few reviews (and it seemed like everyone had read this book before me) and was convinced that I needed to pick it up.

9. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh- This was another book that I knew I'd love before it was released. Again, ARC reviews just confirmed that Nevermore was creepily fantastic and utterly romantic. Blogger's also made the wait for it's release date that much harder because everyone seemed to love it and I have the worst patience!

10. She's so Dead to Us by Kiernan Scott- This was another book I remember Amber from Just Your Typical Book Blog recommending. She loved it and had written an awesome review that MADE me want to pick it up. I was so glad too, because She's so Dead to Us was a perfect reccomendation.

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

I've been a huge fan of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood since the beginning. The series follows a group of deadly vampires as they try to rid the world of lessers whilst each falling in love. Every book follows a different brother (or in this case sister) and their erotic journey (yes these are adult books). There is always a lot of steamy romance and heart pounding action in every book and I can honestly say that I've fallen in love with each vampire in this series.

With eight previous books about vampire relations, I can understand how it may be difficult to write something new and inventive. However, J.R. Ward is able to create a new story for each couple giving them their own love and problems. I really enjoyed how Lover Unleashed, despite being the ninth book in this series, still felt like a new story with its own plot. Manny and Payne's story is different and unique, while still reminding you of the familiarity that is Ward's style.

Lover Unleashed was a little tricky however. I still loved the storyline and the romance was amazing as usual, but I felt disconnected with the characters in this book. Perhaps its because Payne isn't from the original start of this series and so was the "awkward new girl" to the book. Manny is also a newer character as well, so we don't know too much about him before this book either. For me, I just didn't really care for either character.

I believe there may have just been too much focus on other secondary relationships in this book and not enough on Manny and Payne. Don't get me wrong, I love V and Jane, but they already had their book and unfortunately stole the spotlight from the main couple of Lover Unleashed. There simply just wasn't enough detail and development of Payne and Manny's relationship that it just fell flat for me.

For this book I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. The story line was spectacular and the romance was as steamy as ever, but in comparison to the past BDB couples, Manny and Payne just didn't work for me. I will of course be picking up the tenth book in this series as it focuses on Thor, with the hopes that the story won't stray too much from his character. I will forever love the BDB and their charming heroics and dead sexy selves and am still a devoted J.R. Ward fan.

In My Mailbox (4)

Hello everyone! This is my fourth IMM post which means that this blog has been up and running for a month now! I'm a very proud (and doting) blog-parent with a lot of gratitude to everyone who has supported me thus far. I have every intention to keep this blog going for a zillion more months and a zillion more books.

Now on to the IMM post! This meme is hosted by The Story Siren and is a way for bloggers to share what books they received in the mail over the week. I only got one book this week since I'm still kind of back-logged with all the books I got last week. Hopefully, I can play catch up!

Thanks to netgalley for this one. I had Saving June on my WoW post a couple of weeks ago and was thrilled when it became available on netgalley. So that's it for me, what about you guys? Leave me a comment and I'll be sure to check out your posts!

Ravenous Decay by Rebecca Morsman

In the first book of the Ravenous Decay series: Twenty-eight year old, sarcastic, irreverent, habitually alone, Claire is embarking on a comfort zone destroying move. She has accepted a live-in horse training job at a compound-like ranch in central Oklahoma.

Six weeks into her life upheaval, a devastating tragedy is discovered at the neighboring farm. The attempted rescue of a man turns violent when he viciously attacks his saviors. An event that originally seemed to be isolated foul play is soon realized to be a horrifying virus, spread by bodily fluids from the infected undead - whether the undead be human or canine.

This thrilling, grass roots, zombie tale will keep you reading through the night and begging for the second book.

I read this book a couple of weeks back and was instantly attracted to the idea of a thrilling zombie novel. I'm obsessed with everything zombie and post-apocalyptic worlds, but unfortunately, this books was a bit of a let down. Althoug there were some good elements to this book, like the zombies, but there was never any climax to the story. Instead, most of the book is spent inside the farmhouse with the main character Claire, worrying about the animals outside. End of story. So you can already see my frustration.

There wasn't any heart pumping, edge of your seat, moments to this story. There weren't any zombies pounding down doors or panic striken moments of fear. Even the characters seemed underwhelmed. People are turning into the walking dead and the group of survivors are sitting in the living room playing video games. It just didn't seem to fit. I was expecting more from this book because it had a lot of potential to be a great read.

 What I did enjoy were the characters in this book. They were well written and a fun rag-tag family. There were a few too many, but that was a good thing for the story because they were disposable. Claire's inner diaglogue was awkward at times, especially because Claire seemed to talk to herslef A LOT. Claire also seemed to fall in love way too fast, which is always very frustrating in any story. I wish there were just some more progression to her relationship which would have made it much more believable.

The ending of the book was a cliffhanger, which is always a fun tease. I hear that there is a sequel coming out, so I'm hoping that the story picks up. There are a lot of different directions this book can go it. For this book I give it a 2 out of 5 stars. The zombie element saved this book (barely) because that was the only part I really loved- there just wasn't enough! 

Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern

On the first day of Lillian’s summer-before-college, she gets a message on her cell from her sort-of friend, Penny. Not only has Penny faked her own kidnapping, but Lil is the only one who figures it out. She knows that Penny’s home life has been rough, and that her boyfriend may be abusive. Soon, Penny’s family, the local police, and even the FBI are grilling Lil, and she decides to head out to Oregon, where Penny has mentioned an acquaintance. And who better to road-trip across the country with than Lil’s BFF, Josh. But here’s the thing: Lil loves Josh. And Josh doesn’t want to “ruin” their amazing friendship.

Josh has a car and his dad’s credit card. Lil has her cellphone and a hunch about where Penny is hiding. There’s something else she needs to find: Are she and Josh meant to be together?

What a hilarious read this was. Don't Stop Now is definitely a fun-filled, laugh out loud, gut buster. The story follows two best friends, Lil and Josh, as they travel across country to find their friend Penny who faked her own kidnapping. Already, its a laugh invoking concept!

Everything about this book just made me smile. The dialogue is so snarky between Josh and Lil and you can't help but feel that you're in the car with them listening to them chatter aimlessly about the most random things. Their relationship is very real and the friendship is deep rooted so that their aren't any barriers up between them and I think that was my favorite part of the book. Following the both of them on this quest is an adventure on its own, with great detail to scenery, relationships, and dialogue!

The only tricky part of this book is Lil's apparently unrequited crush on Josh. The whole time you just feel for the poor girl because she sees all the signs for a great romance with Josh except he's completely oblivious. I got frustrated with Josh at times because he comes across as a (rhymes with pick) at times. Then there were times where his humor just completely wins you over and you can see the obvious attraction.

This is definitely a light read, despite there being a darker subplot to the story. Penny's relationship with her boyfriend was disturbing to say the least, but took a backseat to the roadtrip. I really didn't take much of this book too seriously, because there was just so much focus on Josh and Lil's adventures, so it didn't invoke a lot of emotion out of me. Mainly just laughter, which can be great. It's just not a very deep read.

Overall, I give this story 3 stars, and would recommend it as a causal read to lighten the mood. There are a lot of funny aspects to the book, most of which will leave you smiling, but it lacks any deeper emotions.

Top Ten Tuesday

I skipped Top Ten Tuesday last week, but I'm back! Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by the wonderful Broke and the Bookish. I especially love this meme because I get to highlight TEN of some of my favorite things. Go check out their blog to learn more =)

This week the Top Ten is.....Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying to Read! This couldn't be more appropriate because basically every book I love has a damn cliffhanger and I have to wait for the sequel. Such good marketing. I wasn't sure if this list was limited to 2nd books in a series, but since that's what I think of when I hear sequel, I only included them in this list.

1. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver- I cannot get enough of Lena and Alex. Their relationship is just so sweet and romantic that it makes me sad that I don't have a guy like Alex in my life right now. All the sacrafices they make for each other just proves how much they love each other and it makes me want to tear up! (I'm such an emotional wimp!) Plus, I can't think of a bigger cliffhanger than the end of Delirium. So many questions left unanswered, the biggest being about Alex. I mean, come on, what a heart wrencher!!!

2. The Soul by Stephenie Meyer- Now I don't even know if this really is a future project for Stephenie  Meyer, but I really hope it is. I absolutely adored The Host, moreso than Twilight actually, and thought that she really helped pave the way for dystopian novels. The world she's created is crazy and all of the relationships in the book are so well developed. The ending was definitely open to a sequel and the rumors are also talking about a third book as well. We'll see though.

3. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter- I know I've posted about this book so many times already, but I really did love The Goddess Test. This sequel even sounds better than the first book too, with the introduction of Persephone into the craziness surrounding Kate and Henry's relationship. It really feels like relationships are going to be tested and there will be a lot more drama in the coming story. As long as we see some more Henry, I'll be good!

4. Insurgent by Veronica Roth- Please give me more! Divergent was one of my favorite 2011 reads and I was so excited that a debut author is getting so much praise! This story is far from over and we're left with such a big cliffhanger at the end of Divergent. Will the uprise be settled? Who survived the rebellion? Will Four and Tris still be together? God I love the world that Roth created with this book and its so addicting! Action, romance, mystery, betrayal, secrets....I really can't wait for this one.

5. Fever by Lauren DeStefano- Another debut author who I absolutely love. Wither was a very creative and twisted novel with such an intense love story. This book envokes so many feelings from the reader, hatred towards the father, fear for the wives, sympathy for the husband, and love for Gabriel. Again, I really enjoyed the creativity of Wither and love when an author can take a popular genre (such as dystopian) and revamp it into something different. Wither was definitely left open at the end for a very promising sequel!

6. A Million Sons by Beth Revis- Now, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but Across the Universe blew my mind. The originality and unique story telling that Revis has accomplished with this novel is surreal. I loved Elder and Amy together and the dark secrets aboard the space ship. The twists and turns of this story were crazy and I loved how the ending turned out. I'm looking forward to where this story goes and how the ship can be saved!

7. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh- I've been waiting for this sequel the second I read the last page of Nevermore. I adore Varen and Isobel. Their relationship is utterly fantastic and I love when opposites attract like they do. Nevermore ended on the ultimate cliffhanger (my mouth was wide open with disbelief when I finished) and I'm absolutely dying to know what's going to happen next. There are way too many questions that need to be answered otherwise I'm going to go crazy. I just really hope there is a happy ending to this book!

8. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare- Cassandra Clare is genius. Her story telling is so captivating and exhillarating. I've loved every second of the Mortal Instruments series and I'm just as in love with the Infernal Devices. Will is a favorite character of mine (he reminds me a lot of Jace<3). The steampunk genre is new to me, but this book has definitely made me a fan.

9. Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey- It's been so long since I've read the first book that I've honestly forgotten a lot of the details to this story. I do remember that I enjoyed the writing style and plot of this book and that Fantaskey did an excellent job of writing a vampire love story after the hype of Twilight. Jessica was such a relatable character and I really fell in love with her story. This sequel sounds very thrilling, with all the conflict surrounding Lucius and Jessica, and I'm looking forward to picking this one up.

10. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand- Woa this story was intense and lead up to such an adrenaline rush of an ending. The climax of this story was incredible and it sounds like that was just the beginining so I'm dying to know how this story will continue and what comes next for poor Clara and Tucker. It also looks like there will be a love triangle in this sequel (not sure how I feel about that, but we'll see).

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a wonderful meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. Its a genius way for bloggers are able to share what books they got for the week. This week I went a little crazy at the Waldenbooks thats closing in the local mall and picked all of these up for like thirty bucks. Practically a steal =)

(Sorry the pictures is so dark. My camera has been acting up on me lately. Not cool.)

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Shade by Jeri-Smith Ready

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

So how did I do? I realize some of these books are later in a series (a series I haven't read yet) so they may sit on my shelf for awhile before I get the chance to pick up the earlier books, but I just couldn't pass them up for 80% off!

What did you all get this week? Leave a comment and I'll be sure to check your IMM posts too!

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

The Goddess Test is a modern take on Greek mythology, in which Kate Winters, barters her own future with Hades to save her mother's life. Its a very creative and unique twist to the classic mythological tale of Hades and Persephone, in which the god of the underworld kidnaps his wife every winter. In this case, Kate has become Henry's newest bride-to-be, but with a deadly twist.
 I really enjoyed this book. I respected the strength we see in Kate throughout the entire story. She is put through so many hardships and stressfull situations that I don't think I could ever handle. I mean, it seems that everyone around her is either dying or hiding the truth from her and she handles it all pretty well considering. Throughout it all too, she is so selfless and loving, admirable traits even in fictional characters.

I also was in love with her relationship with Henry. He's an old soul in a young (hot) body, so his mannerisms were hilarious and oh so charming. It was pretty easy for the reader to fall in love with him. It irked me a little bit how easily Kate falls in love with Henry though, especially since he's her captor, (umm hello Stockholm Syndrome). I get a little critical when relationship just sort of appear, but for this story it didn't bug me too much and now I'm just looking for some more romantic interactions between the two of them!

The plot for this story at times is a little predictable. I think I figured out who was trying to sabotage Kate really early on. However, there were some plot twists that I definitely didn't see coming, which made the ending of the book 100 times better than the beginning! Holy surprise! Even better though, there's a sequel! I'm so glad we get to continue on with this story, and it sounds like its only just getting started. This book is a big recommendation to everyone!