Review: Surrender (The Ferryman and the Flame #1)

Surrender (The Ferryman and the Flame #1) by Rhiannon Paille
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Release Date: November 9, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. 

She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war.

In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.


♥ ♥ ♥

“Bloom the weed of temptation and expire the great garden of life.” – Surrender

Surrender by Rhiannon Paille follows a young elven girl who is in the process of maturing into adulthood, something she can only do once she sees the Great Oak for her prophecy. But before that can happen, Kaliel meets Krishani and that’s when everything changes. Their connection is palpable and after just one meeting the love between them winds up destroying more than either new was possible.

Paille did a really nice job describing the world that Kaliel and Krishani live in. The details and imagery were some of the most vivid I’ve ever read and the story is intricate and woven through so many different characters, which is nice.

Review: Asylum

Asylum by Madeleine Roux
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror, Paranormal Mystery
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B&N

Book Description:

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

♥ ♥ ♥
I read Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children back when it first came out and fell in love with the mixing of historical photographs with a fantasy/paranormal story, so when I heard about a similar concept coming out set in a spooky old mental hospital I knew that I wanted to read it in October when I like to overdose on horror books. While I really like the idea behind this book, I felt like my expectations might have been set too high. It’s also one of the few times I’ve branch out into a male POV story.

Review: Tragically Flawed

Tragically Flawed by A.M. Hargrove
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 19, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Riviera Benson’s past has been nothing but horrific. It’s filled with secrets that she intends to keep tightly locked away...terrifying secrets that keep her awake at night...that prevent her from getting close to anyone...anyone that is, until her work as a muralist drives her into the arms of the hot and sexy Shan. 

Benjamin Shandon, owner of Shandon Homes, works like a thousand demons are chasing him...because perhaps they are. His business has boomed, ever since the forest fire swept through the canyon and destroyed hundreds of million dollar homes. He demands excellence in everything...from his employees to his women. He slows down for nothing, keeping a schedule that no sane person would want. But Riviera interrupts everything, twisting his guts inside out, and wedging her way into his heart, destroying a promise he made to himself. 

Will they let their pasts control their future, or will they decide to let go and allow their hearts to discover each other’s? 

♥ ♥ ♥

Tragically Flawed follows Riviera Benson, a talented mural painter running away from her abusive past and attempting to move on with her life. After fleeing from her sadistic boyfriend Riviera finds herself in a small rural town where she meets Benjamin Shandon, owner of Shandon Homes. Shan see’s Riviera’s potential and after encouraging her to leave her evil vindictive boss Marsha Sue, he offers her a place as his lead painter at Shandon Homes and soon falls head over heels for our leading lady.

I had to sit on my review for Tragically Flawed for a few days and process the story and what wanted to say about it. There are some really great things about this novel. I love Riviera. She’s bright, beautiful inside and out, and she’s a survivor. Her character is well thought out and incredibly realistic.

Review: Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Published: 1932
Buy Links: Amazon ♥ B&N

Far in the future, the World Controllers have finally created the ideal society. In laboratories worldwide, genetic science has brought the human race to perfection. From the Alpha-Plus mandarin class to the Epsilon-Minus Semi-Morons, designed to perform menial tasks, man is bred and educated to be blissfully content with his pre-destined role.

But, in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, Bernard Marx is unhappy. Harbouring an unnatural desire for solitude, feeling only distaste for the endless pleasures of compulsory promiscuity, Bernard has an ill-defined longing to break free. 

A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress…

A fantasy of the future that sheds a blazing critical light on the present--considered to be Aldous Huxley' s most enduring masterpiece.

♥ ♥ ♥

Brave New World opens with a student tour of a London laboratory where the production of babies takes place. A great deal of time goes into explaining the different processes go into separating the five castes from each other the highest being Alpha and the lowest Epsilon in social standing, intelligence and height. All of this is done to insure the continuation of the motto Community, Identity, Stability. Everyone is conditioned to be happy within their ranking seeking immediate gratification and grateful to do their part.

Review: Recklessly (Documentary #3)

Recklessly (Documentary #3) by A.J. Sand
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Wes Elliott just met his match…and she might actually burn his entire world down.

Surfing and sex. This is Wes Elliott's life. And it's just the way he likes it. ` After seeing his parents stay in a loveless marriage his entire life, and burying away a heartbreak from his past, he knows where romance is best left: crappy chick movies. He'd rather lust and eventually leave, and that's exactly what the plan was when he met Lana Langston.

Except…turns out she’s only in it for the thrills, too. She's always only in it for the thrills: life in the literal fast lane on her motorcycle, and the hot nights in forbidden places without the awkward talks in the mornings after. She's Wes Elliott in way tighter jeans.

So, this should be perfect, right?

But the more time Wes spends with her, the more he wants the nights to turn into mornings. And maybe even longer. Suddenly, it isn't so perfect for him anymore. And the things he thought were buried are digging themselves up.

Now Wes is in a lot of trouble.

He’s falling in love with the one girl who might be a bigger risk than even a guy who gets barreled by the most dangerous waves in the world is willing to take on.

Can Wes and Lana figure out a way to make it work? Or is he headed for something far more reckless?

♥ ♥ ♥

I kind of heart Wes Elliot.

Recklessly by A.J. Sand is the third book in Documentary series and despite the fact that I haven’t read the first two books, I genuinely enjoyed this story. I was highly amused by the first few pages of this book, naked scrabble? Best thing ever! There were a lot of characters in the story, but I enjoyed how they all added something different to the atmosphere around Wes and Lana.

Speaking of Lana, the girl is badass! Sure she’s extremely emotionally damaged, but so is Wes and I think that worked for them as well as against them towards the end. But I’m getting ahead of myself. While I loved the fact that Wes was a professional surfer, I’m going to be honest and say the parts of the book that talked about surfing or when Lana and Wes talked about it, was a little boring for me.

Review: Chasing Atlantis

Chasing Atlantis by Kelly Coughlin
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: July 16, 2013

Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes&Noble ♥ Kobo

Book Description:

Chasing Atlantis is riveting, and exciting until the very end. A story that keeps you guessing and questioning the very framework of humanity. 

One girl's courage to face the truth about her family and her past will reveal the truth about what Atlantis really represents. 

Amy believes her yearly pilgrimage to the beach will be just like every other time but she is wrong--dead wrong. As she comes of age she finds herself surrounded by people who want to use her, but for what purpose is still undecided. 

Who can she trust? Her family friend since childhood? Or this strange mystery boy who can drown her with his eyes? Only time will tell.


♥ ♥ ♥

When I selected Chasing Atlantis to read, I did so with the expectation that the story would focus on a typical teenage girl (Amy) who falls in love with a merman (Ty) during her summer vacation with her mother. I anticipated fluff and whimsical young adult romance, and a splash of mermaid lore. What I ended up with was an intense tale bursting at the seams with supernatural creatures and an interesting approach to what/where ‘Atlantis’ really is.

Review: The Marriage Pact (The Marriage Pact #1)

The Marriage Pact (The Marriage Pact #1) by M.J. Pullen
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 16, 2011
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Marci Thompson always knew what life would be like by her 30th birthday. A large but cozy suburban home shared with a charming husband and two brilliant children. 

A celebrated career as an established writer, complete with wall-to-wall mahogany shelves and a summer book tour.

A life full of adventure with her friends and family by her side. Instead, Marci lives alone in 480 square feet of converted motel space next to a punk rock band, hundreds of miles from her friends and family. She works in a temporary accounting assignment that has somehow stretched from two weeks into nine months.

And the only bright spot in her life, not to mention the only sex she's had in two years, is an illicit affair with her married boss, Doug. Thirty is not at all what it is cracked up to be. 

Then the reappearance of a cocktail napkin she hasn't seen in a decade opens a long-forgotten door, and Marci's life gets complicated, fast. The lines between right and wrong, fantasy and reality, heartache and happiness are all about to get very blurry, as Marci faces the most difficult choices of her life.

♥ ♥ ♥

I am a big fan of stories with original ideas and The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen centers around two friends, Marci Thompson and Jake Stillwell, who make a pact to get married to each other when they turn thirty if they aren’t already married or involved in a serious relationship. I have to say The Marriage Pact isn’t anything like what I thought it would be like.

I rarely if ever say this about a main character, but I did not like Marci. Sure, at some point in time we’re all sort of lost and floundering not really knowing what to do with our lives and that part of Marci’s character is very relatable. But her affair with Doug was just ridiculous.

Review: The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1)

The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1) by Laura Howard
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Release Date: April 28, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? 

But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

♥ ♥ ♥

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard takes place in a small town named Stoneville and follows 22-year-old Allison O'Malley as she attempts to get into grad school while working and taking care of her sick Mother. But all isn’t well in Allison’s world when her long lost Father shows up with dangerous news that can help her Mother or possibly get her killed.

I’m not entirely sure I’ve processed this book yet. It was a pretty easy read and while I liked most of the characters and their interactions I felt as if The Forgotten Ones was lacking something. I liked Allison, she’s strong, determined, and stubborn. Definitely my kind of girl, but I didn’t like that she felt so alone that she couldn’t share how she was feeling about her Dad just showing up.

Review: Anomaly

Anomaly by Krista McGee
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: July 9, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Thalli is different than others in The State. She feels things. She asks questions. And in the State, this is not tolerated. The Ten scientists who survived the nuclear war that destroyed the world above believe that emotion was at the core of what went wrong—and they have genetically removed it from the citizens they have since created. 

Thalli has kept her malformation secret from those who have monitored her for most of her life, but when she receives an ancient piece of music to record as her community’s assigned musician, she can no longer keep her emotions secreted away.

Seen as a threat to the harmony of her Pod, Thalli is taken to the Scientists for immediate annihilation. But before that can happen, Berk—her former Pod mate who is being groomed as a Scientist—steps in and persuades the Scientists to keep Thalli alive as a test subject.

The more time she spends in the Scientist’s Pod, the clearer it becomes that things are not as simple as she was programmed to believe. She hears stories of a Designer—stories that fill her mind with more questions: Who can she trust? What is this emotion called love? And what if she isn’t just an anomaly, but part of a greater design?

♥ ♥ ♥

Holy twist Batman!

I was so not expecting that ending, not even a little. Anomaly by Krista McGee follows 17-year-old Thalli, an anomaly, in the new “world” that was created by scientists to live in the wake of a nuclear disaster. The plot of this story is incredibly unique. I’ve never read anything like it before, but I do have to say I was expecting something a little different.

I enjoyed how inquisitive Thalli was and the connection she had with Berk. I also really liked how descriptive McGee was with the pods and the underground world they had created. Having people born for a specific task is an interesting idea. Knowing that people who are “different” or question the state get annihilated is super intense.

Review: Thy Will Be Done

Thy Will Be Done by Julie Fisher
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Adult, Horror, Romance, Religious
Release Date: November 2, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Book Depository


Book Description:

With two powerful, opposing forces at war, one man is caught in the middle... Ever since childhood, Luke's nights have been plagued by nightmares centered around a beautiful woman and a malevolent monster. Despite the sleeplessness and debilitating dreams, Luke's life has been fairly normal-that is, until he learns that this beautiful woman is real. Even more bizarre? This woman has been dreaming about him as well. 

Suddenly Luke finds his world spiraling into an unknown realm when he discovers the profound link he has with this woman. Powerful forces have placed them in the center of a timeless battle between good and evil, and Luke finds himself facing enemies and friends who conspire to keep him from the truth-a truth that may end up costing him the woman he loves...and maybe even his life. If the woman of his dreams has turned out to be real, could the monster be real too? 

Thy Will Be Done is a refreshingly modern take on the age-old conflict between light and dark. With its memorable characters and whirlwind of a plot, this book promises to be an unforgettable experience.

♥ ♥ ♥
Thy Will Be Done was not the book I was expecting at all. If appearances can be deceiving then the initial chapters of this book certainly proved it. Julie Fisher lulls her audience into a false sense of security by opening up with a classic star-crossed lovers tale that ultimately leads to an unhappy ending. However by the twelfth chapter I was thoroughly confused and unsure of where I, the reader, was being led.

Review: Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly by Lisa Binion
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: February 28, 2013
 Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

“Mom died in her sleep last night.” Those are terrifying words for a child to wake up to. The beetle that falls off the stretcher and stares at her is only the beginning one of the strangest and most frightening times in Lori’s life. Death is not a pretty thing, especially not when the funeral is to be at the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium.

Once she walks into the funeral parlor, she experiences things that no little girl should ever have to experience. No one is acting normal. No one can see what is going on. Is Lori the only one who sees the blood oozing from the pictures of Jesus on the cross? Doesn’t anyone else see the beetles? Is Lori hallucinating when she sees her mom sit up and hears her speak? There is absolutely nothing soft and tender about what happens to Lori.

From her overly morbid piano teacher to the creepy preacher and a father that just isn’t acting like himself, Lori is surrounded by people and things that hint of something bizarre. Once she leaves the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium, things will go back to normal. Or will they?

♥ ♥ ♥

Out of all the short stories I’ve ever read I have to say Softly and Tenderly is probably the most unique. I’m still not entirely sure what happened. The story is told from young Lori’s point of view. She wakes up to find out her Mother, who has been sick with cancer, is dead. Everything that happens after that is a result of her death at least I think it is.

Review: Inception (The Reaping Chronicles #1)

Inception (The Reaping Chronicles #1) by Teal Haviland
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Release Date: April 29, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

The world is in danger. Mankind is sinking deeper into darkness it cannot understand.

Demons are easily capturing souls as they lead men and women down dangerous paths from which there is no return, while Javan, one of the Fallen, seeks an ancient book and the power it promises. If he succeeds, humans — and the world as they know it — will be destroyed.

There is someone who is capable of stopping Javan . . .

If she discovers him in time.

Gabrielle is one of the most powerful angels ever created, her job one of the most important. She has come to Earth to learn more about humans and what influences them, and to fight evil she sees growing at an alarming rate. She soon finds herself carelessly distracted with one human in particular, however. Lucas Watkins holds a promise of peace and love for Gabrielle that she never believed she could have again.

As feelings between her and Lucas become more than she can deny, so do the dangers mounting against him. After discovering who Lucas is, and the choice he faces, she realizes Darkness will come for him through demons and fantastical beings he thought only existed in his imaginings — forcing fairytales to become his reality.

Caught between her new mortal ties and ancient immortal responsibilities, Gabrielle must race against what seems to be an ever-quickening clock to learn what she needs to know, protect Lucas, uncover Javan’s plan, and find a way to stop him and all who live in Shadows.

Things become more complex than she ever anticipated, her decisions more critical, and what begins as a quest for information rapidly places her in an even more crucial position within the longest and most important war ever waged.

♥ ♥ ♥

“Time. It can shadow what needs to be concealed-forgotten-or cast light on what needs to be revealed. And only as it passes, will we know what we’ve reaped from those things we’ve sown.” –Teal Haviland

I received a copy of Inception by Teal Haviland from Inkslinger book promotions in exchange for an honest review and honestly I’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words. Inception follows the story of Gabrielle, the Angel of Karma, and her journey to understand and save humanity.

Haviland is a good writer. She has the ability to paint a picture with just enough detail that your imagination can pretty much fill in the blanks creating this magical and heavily world where anything and everything can happen.

Review: Devour

Devour by Andrea Heltsley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 3, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

He wasn't supposed to remember.

Callie is a royal vampire. She hunts by taking the blood from her victims and erases their memories afterwards. She goes undetected until a victim named Chase approaches her with all his memories intact. He is intrigued and attracted. She is terrified. What happens when a human mixes with the immortal world? Chaos.

Callie’s 18th birthday has passed and she is coming out at the annual blood ball. Will she find a mate or will she suffer the repercussions of her indiscretion? She is brought to the Vampire council and they must decide what to do with Chase. Do they kill him, or turn him to protect their secret?

♥ ♥ ♥

I’m having mixed feelings about Devour by Andrea Heltsley. The story starts off with Callie, a royal vampire, and her friend Jane going out for a hunt. While at the club Callie finds a human named Chase to feed on and everything from that point on goes to hell. Now I really enjoyed this story. The writing is flawless and it kept me so engaged that I finished the book within a day.

I loved the characters, especially Cody and Jane. But I’m unsure how I feel about the instant love connection. In vampire society, especially the royal ones, every girl has a coming out at what they call a Blood Ball. The whole point is to find their mate, who they will bond with and spend the rest of their unlife with.

Review: Immortal Eclipse

Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date:April 30, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .

When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house. 

 Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again. 

 The problem is . . . whoever it is may not be human. Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar. Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.

♥ ♥ ♥

My first impression of Immortal Eclipse was relief. From the get go the author, Sherry Soule, introduces you to Skylar Blackwell, a shallow twenty something feisty female who not only has her wits and snark about her - she also has a great sense of style and a shoe collection to die for.

(Finally a character closer to my age that I can relate to!) I found myself instantly bound to the character, wondering where the author was planning on taking her once she left the safety of New York and set off for the mysterious and seriously creepy old Summerwind Mansion in California after the perplexing death of her beloved Uncle Gerard.

Review: The Mine (Northwest Passage)

The Mine (Northwest Passage) by John Heldt
Age Group: Everyone
Genre: New Adult: Romance/Science-fiction
Release Date: February 12, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

In 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can't use, money he can't spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of Whirlaway, swing dancing, and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.

♥ ♥ ♥

In the interest in full disclosure, the author sent me a copy of this book so I could read and review. While I liked this book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed The Journey. The two books share the basic idea of exploring what would happen if one was able to go back in time.

Review: Owlet (Society of Feathers #1)

Owlet (Society of Feathers #1) by Emma Michaels
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Release Date: October 13, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

*I recieved a copy from CBB Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

♥ ♥ ♥

You know when you work yourself up for something and you’re super excited about it and then you finally do it and the outcome is sort of lack luster with a side of uncertainty? Well, that’s how I feel about Owlet by Emma Michaels. The plot of the book is incredibly intriguing and I give it major points for being so unique. I guarantee you won’t find another book out there with this plot (and I of course love avians because of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes so you know I was all over this).

But it was also very confusing. While it’s true I tend to like stories that just dive right in because when stories are slow I get bored (I have the attention span of a 3-year-old) this took a head long dive into the deep end without much explanation. I would have liked a little bit more of a buildup or background, which we did get eventually, but even so I’m still a little confused.

Review: The Story of Rachel (Tales of Pandora)

The Story of Rachel (Tales of Pandora) by K.D. Mclean
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Romance, Erotica, BDSM
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Rachel Collins is praying. And not for world peace. Thirty six years old and single, her prayer is self-centered. "Kill me now, Lord," she pleads during her latest attempt to meet Mr. Right via the internet.

She’s not hoping for a billionaire or even a millionaire, just a guy who can strike a spark to her tinder! Is she asking too much? She's a great gal! Just ask her parents! She might be a bit naive about some things, but capable enough- she's a correspondent for a major magazine, after all. So there!

On assignment she meets Michael, 42 years old, also a writer. The attraction is immediate and intense. Rachel, who sees vanilla as only a baking ingredient, enchants him. Michael can whip up some pretty hot delights himself, outside of the kitchen. He introduces a curious Rachel to powerful experiences of sensuality. Her Ladylike sense of propriety engages in a running battle with her now sparked Tinderbox desires.

Michael is an excellent cook and knows how to turn up the heat. Sampling the flavors offered, Rachel experiences humorous hiccups. On a date, Michael ramps up the risqué, resulting in a memorable skirt swirling salsa dance. Rachel's "What the hell, I ain't getting any younger" attitude spurs Michael to take her to the exclusive, adults only club Pandora's. Here, Rachel witnesses even more variations of earthly delights, and begins a lifelong friendship with another guest.

Michael is a realist, convinced that within 90 days, his affair with Rachel will be but another painful memory of loss. He is neither willing nor able to yell 'Geronimo' and fall for her. He can't, and that's that.

Maybe he should just get a damn dog.

♥ ♥ ♥

The Story of Rachel was not what I expected, but despite my misconceptions it was a cute story. Hm, maybe cute isn’t exactly the word for it. It was pretty racy. I thought Rachel was a good character she’s slightly naïve but in a sweet way, not an annoying way. There was a definite connection between Rachel and Michael and I thought their first meeting at the erotic art show and consequent dinner was extremely hot.

Review: Myopia (Wisteria #2)

Myopia (Wisteria #2) by Bisi Leyton
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopia, Fantasy
Release Date: November 9, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Sixteen-year-old Wisteria has embraced her deep bond with eighteen-year-old Bach, a member of a supernatural race called the Family, despite the risk of his family finding out. Should Bach’s people discover his bond with a human, Wisteria will be guaranteed a painful and bloody death—but somehow, being together is more important.

When Bach's father, the powerful Sen of The Third Pillar, hears rumors that his son has been willingly communing with free humans, the Sen decrees that Bach is to name a girl from the Family as his intended and pledge his life to her—something Bach as no intention of doing.

Their bond is tested when empirics, an elite group of Family investigators, are sent to the Isle of Smythe under the orders of Bach’s father to find artifacts stolen by the humans. They’re to find the artifacts at any cost. Among the empirics is Bach’s old friend, the stunning Alba, who has learned about Bach and Wisteria’s secret relationship, and surprisingly accepts this. With no one else in the Family to turn to, she becomes Bach’s ally and confidant, but possibly more.

As the empirics start to take over the town, Wisteria is torn between trusting Bach and the safety of the humans on Smythe. She soon realizes that she and Bach are on opposite sides of the war between the Family and Humans, and there is no middle ground. One of them must choose a side.

♥ ♥ ♥

I sat on this review for a day because I had conflicting feelings about it, but here I am 24-hours later and I still am not one hundred percent sure how I feel. Myopia by Bisi Leyton is the second novel in the Wisteria series. It follows what happens to Wisteria, Bach and the rest of the Isle of Smyth since the last book.

Now here’s my issue. I really do love this series; I think it’s unique, well written, imaginative and fast paced so I don’t get bored when I’m reading it. But I absolutely hate the way everyone in the book treats Wisteria aside from Coles and Bach. They have so much hate in them for her even after everything she’s done to keep them safe.

Review: Revolution 19

Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian
Release Date: January 8th, 2013 by Harper Teen


Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

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Revolution 19 starts off 14 years after the robots made for fighting human wars rebelled and killed off most of humanity, keeping a percentage of them alive in the cities. The survivors have banded together to form various freeposts where daily life activities are for survival and staying hidden from the bots. The three main characters are siblings Nick, Cass and Kevin that fall into what was termed the second gens as they were too young to remember life before or were born after.

Kevin as the youngest is the tech genius of the group, Cass was adopted into the family after her parents were killed and Nick is the oldest and feels he doesn’t belong with the first gens as they ignore his ideas, but he’s too old to fit with the younger kids. It was nice that there wasn’t just one main character and that they each had their importance. When their Freepost is attacked by bots, they head to the nearest city to find their parents. Once in the City there is challenge after challenge involved in staying hidden from the bots and how to escape. They are aided by several citizens, including Lexi and Farryn who were around their age.

Review: Looking For Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Coming of Age
Release Date: December 28, 2006
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Book Depository

Book Description:

Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

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This book literally set on my bookshelf for six years. I’m one of those book hoarders that buys books in bulk and doesn’t have as much time to read them as I’d like. So when I accidentally left my Kindle at work one night and didn’t feel like making the drive back to get it, I grabbed this one off my shelf, dusted it off and curled up in bed. I chose this one that night because I’d read the author’s book The Fault in Our Stars, a few weeks ago, and loved it (review on it to come at a later date, unless Cori or Andi beat me to it!).