Review: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5)

 Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: July 29, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives. In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.


♥ ♥ ♥

Let's talk about how excited I am that Richelle Mead's "Silver Shadows" finally came out! I didn't expect to love Mead's "Bloodlines" series as much as I do, but I've become completely emotionally invested in my little book babies Sydney and Adrian. Thankfully, I had its release day off of work, so I didn't have to waste any time in starting the book I've been waiting months and months for.

I actually had to go to three different stores in order to find "Silver Shadows", but it was worth the drive. Mead's newest installment in the series did not disappoint, and in fact, offered more than I thought it would. Again, the book is told in both Sydney and Adrian's point of views, and alternates by chapter. Sydney is dealing with being trapped in a reeducation facility, while Adrian is left in Palm Springs to deal with her loss and try to figure out how to find her and bring her back home to him.

Since Adrian and Sydney were forced apart at the end of the last book, "The Fiery Heart", I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to enjoy "Silver Shadows" as much as I did with the previous books where they had a lot more interaction. However, I was pleasantly surprised because I was still hooked as the two of them tried to get back to each other.

Review: The Hazards of Sex on the Beach (Hazards #3)

The Hazards of Sex on the Beach (Hazards #3) by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand...

No one warns you about the dangers of drinking with a broken heart. At least no one warned me. 

I never imagined I'd fall for a musician, especially not one like Chase, but then again I never expected to have my heart broken into a million pieces by the frat guy I thought was the love of my life.

Sometimes it's the rash decisions, like hooking up in the sand, that lead you to the best places—the kinds of places where it's possible to let yourself fall in love again.


♥ ♥ ♥

I know I say this all the time, but I absolutely love Alyssa Rose Ivy’s novels. One of my favorite series by Ivy is the Hazards series and The Hazards of Sex on the Beach was another amazing edition to it! Hazards of Sex on the Beach follows Cara as she deals with the fallout from her relationship with Aaron and works on getting back on track and moving on.

One thing I always love about Ivy’s novels are that they take place in the same universe and we get to see characters from previous books even as the focus shifts onto other characters. I loved seeing Juliet, Reed, Mallory, and Colt. It was awesome to see they are all still doing well. As much I as loved both of those couples I have to say I think this book was my favorite! I absolutely loved Chase!

Review: Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight

Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight by M.E. Thomas
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Memoir
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

The first memoir of its kind, Confessions of a Sociopath is an engrossing, highly captivating narrative of the author's life as a diagnosed sociopath.

She is a charismatic charmer, an ambitious self-promoter, and a cunning and calculating liar. She can induce you to invest in her financial schemes, vote for her causes, and even join her in bed. Like a real-life Lisbeth Salander, she has her own system of ethics, and like Dexter, she thrives on bending and occasionally breaking the rules. She is a diagnosed, high-functioning, noncriminal sociopath, and this is her world from her point of view.

Drawn from the author's own experiences; her popular blog, Sociopathworld.com; and scientific literature, Confessions of a Sociopath is part confessional memoir, part primer for the curious. Written from the point of view of a diagnosed sociopath, it unveils for the very first time these people who are hiding in plain sight. The book confirms suspicions and debunks myths about sociopathy, providing a road map for dealing with the sociopath in your life.

♥ ♥ ♥
*I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books  for an honest reivew

“I viewed everyone as objects, pieces in my chess game. I had no awareness of their own internal worlds and no understanding of their emotional palette because their bright hues were so different from my own drab shades of gray.” – Confessions of a Sociopath.

I absolutely loved this book. I spent a longer than usual time reading through it and taking everything in, and I have to say that with each passing chapter, Confessions of a Sociopath became more and more fascinating. M.E. Thomas definitely knows how to weave a tale, though the great thing about it is it’s truly not a tale of fiction. There are a lot of facts littered through the book about sociopaths and psychology, but what I loved most was seeing things from a new perspective.

Review: City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Shadowhunters and demons square off for the final showdown in the spellbinding, seductive conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. 

Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

 Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian, but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance.

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?


♥ ♥ ♥

It was a bittersweet moment for me when I found out that "City of Heavenly Fire" by Cassandra Clare came out last month. As always, I was excited to read the new installment of her "The Mortal Instruments" series, but I was sad that this would be the last book with the characters I've become so attached to.

"The Mortal Instruments" series opened up a world full of demons and Shadowhunters (those who protect the world from demons), and we follow the story of a group of teenagers as they battle those who are trying to disturb the peace they try so hard to protect. The main character, Clary, just found out about this world when she meets Shadowhunter Jace and finds herself in the middle of all of the chaos of battle. "City of Heavenly Fire" is the conclusion to that battle, and I'm happy to say that it was a satisfying one.

All too often, the last book of a series can be a huge disappointment (I'm looking at you "Allegiant" and "Mockingjay"), and I was glad that this series I've invested so much time in ended on a good note. "City of Heavenly Fire" is book six of "The Mortal Instruments", and the action of the first five books continues throughout without skipping a beat.

Review: Paranormal Keepers

Paranormal Keepers by Jen Naumann
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Everyone thinks Harper Young killed her boyfriend. No one will say it to her face, but the signs are everywhere
It’s almost been a year since Gavin was torn from Harper’s arms and brutally murdered. 

The police wrote it off as a freak accident, deciding Harper’s strange testimony was given under duress. But she knows something unnatural was involved and refuses to stop looking until she finds his killer, even if it means her reputation as a senior is ruined. Even if it means there really are monsters living among us.

With the discovery of the mothmen, witches, vampires and all the creatures she always suspected were out there, Harper finds herself amidst a complex bundle of unseen heroes who call themselves "Keepers", sworn to keep the secret of the paranormal creatures that walk this earth. As she tries to understand what’s so special about her that she’s able to break an old Keeper law, Harper has a baffling vision of kissing a mysterious guy before a blade is brought down on him. 

Before she can get a handle on her future, she becomes central to a battle between the questionable “heroes” and the evil she’s been training to fight, leaving her to wonder if there’s any way to change the fate that has been foretold before it’s too late

♥ ♥ ♥


Have you ever been in the middle of reading a book and all of a sudden thought to yourself, ‘Wow, this would make a great movie?’ Well, that's exactly what happened while I was reading "Paranormal Keepers". Not only were the story and the characters interesting, but I could see it all happening as I read it, and it wasn't that big of a leap to imagine watching it on the big screen.

The story revolves around our main character, Harper, and her life has been through some major changes. Even though she was part of the popular clique at her high school, she has been labeled as an outcast ever since the mysterious death of her boyfriend (that she was actually present for). Her classmates distance themselves even further from her once she gets obsessed with researching the paranormal since she believes that that is the only way to explain what happened to her boyfriend.

However, that's not where the major changes to her life end. Harper gets in so deep with the paranormal, that she actually stumbles across some. She is introduced to a group of people called "Keepers", people who know about the paranormal and are trained on how to fight the big bad guys and keep the world in order. Harper is taken to their school and starts to train to be a Keeper herself, all the while wondering if she'll finally get the answers she's been craving about her boyfriend's murder.

Review: Still, At Your Door: A Fictional Memoir

Still, At Your Door: A Fictional Memoir by Emma Eden Ramos
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Fictional Memoir
Release Date: February 22, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Sabrina "Bri" Gibbons has only a few short minutes to pack her things and help her sisters pack theirs before running with their mother to the bus that will whisk them away from Butler, Pennsylvania, an abusive relationship, and a secret that none of them wish to acknowledge. 

She was not prepared, though, for her mother to drop them on the streets of New York with the promise that she would be right back. Haunted by the sight of her mother running back to the cab, Bri, with Missy and Grace in tow, settles in with their grandparents. 

Thoughts of her present and her future collide with memories of her past, her dead father, and her mother’s bizarre episodes. She watches her sisters struggle with school and acceptance, all the while knowing the lack of any sense of security will make it impossible for them to carry on as ‘normal’ children. 

She finally lets her guard down enough to allow someone else in and sees a faint glimmer that her dreams might be attainable. Disaster strikes again, this time targeting her sister. Is it possible for Bri to find that balance between her dreams and her family’s realities?

♥ ♥ ♥

There are very few books that I can say have truly touched me, consumed me, and made me ponder the ways in which I have it better than other people in life. A book that proves the saying things could always be worse. Still, At Your Door by Emma Eden Ramos is one of those books. Ramos’ story follows Sabrina Gibbons and her two younger sisters who have gone through life with a bipolar mother and spent most of their childhood surviving traumatic experiences.

The story starts off with Sabrina’s mom gathering up her children and leaving her second husband because he beat her. She takes her children to her mother’s house, tells them she left something in the cab and then takes off. At first I didn’t understand how a mother could just walk away from her kids, just leave them. But as the story progresses we see this is normal for her. She’s always in and out of their lives dealing with different things and dragging her kids along for the ride.

Review: On The Rocks (Mixology #2)

On The Rocks (Mixology #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Love is best served on the rocks.

My roommates look really good naked. At least one of them does. I’m sure the other one does too, but I haven’t seen him without his pants on. 

Living with two guys wasn't something I’d ever considered, but the opportunity fell in my lap, and I’d have been crazy to turn it down.

College went by in a great big blur leaving me with less of a direction than I had going in. Add in a family that wanted nothing to do with me, and my post-college plans were less than clear. What’s a girl to do when she has nowhere else to turn? 

She moves to the Outer Banks and learns to bartend. After all, it was my horrible bartending skills that led me to my roommate’s bed and into his heart.

♥ ♥ ♥

I loved this book!

When I realized that On The Rocks was about Carly and Macon, I did a happy jig while fist pumping and yelling awesome sauce (don’t judge). Book two in the Mixology series picks up with Colin and Maddy already back from France and Carly, Collin’s baby sister who was introduced in book one, coming to town to crash with her big bro for the summer after graduating college.

Carly has lost her way and with more than half her family not talking to her because of the supposed affair with her sister’s husband, that never happened, she’s looking for somewhere to lie low as she tried to figure out what her next step is.

I know I’ve already said this, but I absolutely adored this book. Macon and Carly are so well written. They were two of my favorites from book one and I was so pleasantly surprised to learn more about them in On The Rocks. There were so many funny moments in this book along with a lot of really sweet ones. I loved the development between Carly and Macon and how they sort of test out the friendship waters, but at the same time anyone reading the book can see that even from the very first time they bumped into each other there was a spark of something more there.

Review: Carnelian

Carnelian by B. Kristin McMichael
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: February 1, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Everyone has a past, but for most it isn’t as long ago as Seth Sangre. His past is literally thousands of years ago. Seth’s life led him to the present seeking something that might help him save his country from destruction. He has been in the present for over three years now and just found exactly what he has been looking for

Mari had dreams that college will be a fresh start, one where she would start over and not fall for the good looking player like high school. Unfortunately for her, that’s exactly what ends up falling into her lap on the first day she moves into the dorms. Now she has to hold to her promise to herself and not fall for the handsome Seth. 

But he doesn’t plan to make it easy for her. Seth has already marked her as his next conquest. As the semester progresses, Mari learns that Seth might just have a life of his own that’s actually from the past. Suddenly Mari finds her future along with her past put into question. 

She’s connected to Seth far more than she ever wanted to be and maybe the player isn’t who she thought he was. If Mari can trust her heart enough to follow him, Seth will lead Mari on an adventure of a lifetime and reveal family secrets she never knew existed

♥ ♥ ♥
I knew that I would end up liking "Carnelian" when I first signed up to do a review for it, but I had no idea how much I would come to love the book. It was one of those books that instantly hooked me in and I didn't want to put it down until it was finished. It only took me a little over a day to finish (it would have been less if I didn't have to go and do that stupid thing called "work"), and I'm already excitedly anticipating book two.

Our book starts with the main character, Mari, starting her first day of her first year of college. She's on her own in a new place, and not even her mother is there to make sure she's settled (her mother and grandfather that they live with were called away on business). Mari is sitting outside reading a book, when an attractive guy literally falls into her lap, since he fell asleep and slumped over into her personal space. She carefully eases herself away, but that isn't the last time she sees or deals with Mr. Narcolepsy.

The sleeping hottie turns out to be our lead male character, Seth. And right from the beginning, he is convinced that Mari is the right one for him. One of the big things that I liked about this book was that Mari didn't automatically swoon for Seth. Yes, she has eyes and is the first to admit that he is good looking, but she doesn't want to end up as just another notch on a bedpost. Because of a conversation she accidently overheard, Mari's first impression of Seth is that he's a player and she's reluctant to let anything happen there.

Review: Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)

Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1) by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Finding the perfect guy is like mixing the perfect drink. It's all about the taste and presentation.

Faced with a pile of med school rejection letters and no plan B, I took a job tending bar in a beach town while living with two male roommates. 

All of that would have been fine if I'd had a clue what to do with my life or if my love life wasn't just as pathetic as my career path.

But in the end I figured one of those things out—and I also discovered his perfect drink.



♥ ♥ ♥

I have read my fair share of Alyssa Rose Ivy books and I’ve got to say Shaken Not Stirred is one of my favorite plots yet not my favorite set of characters. Does that even make sense? Haha Shaken Not Stirred follows Maddy, a bartender living with her two male roommates and attempting to figure out what she wants to do now that she was rejected from medical school.

Now don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed this book. I had a lot of fun reading it and I think I’m really going to enjoy the series, but the highlight of the book for me was Macon. I absolutely loved his snarky banter with Maddy. I also really liked Maddy in general I thought she was a realistic and well-rounded character. But…I didn’t like Colin at all.

Review: Resistance (The Variant Series #2)

Resistance (The Variant Series #2) by Jena Leigh
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

♥ ♥ ♥

Oh my god, where is Declan?!?

Deep breaths.

Okay, I’m not going to explain that little outburst because it would be a super mean spoiler. But oh my god. I can’t even. Jena Leigh is trying to kill me. Okay, okay…I’m calm.

Resistance, the second book in the Variants series picks up just a few days after the first book ends and we see Alex hiding out in her room and trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. I don’t want to give too much away about the book, because this is one of the series that I really think needs to be read first hand to get the full effect of its awesomeness. But I love that all the characters are back and as amazing as ever.

Blog Tour: Resistance (The Variant Series #2)

Resistance (The Variant Series #2) by Jena Leigh
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

♥ ♥ ♥
Excerpt:

Alex froze just inside the doorway.

The hallway that stretched out before her was packed with bodies, filled to capacity with students milling beside lockers and meandering toward their classes.

She took a breath and held it.

Kenzie and Cassie quickly disappeared into the crowd, leaving her behind.

Why hadn’t she walked the long way around the building? Her homeroom was three hallways and a commons area away, and the entire path would be packed until the second bell.

The sounds of conversation and laughter grew louder, surpassed in volume only by the sudden thudding of her heart as it pounded frantically against her ribcage.

Review: When You Were Mine

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

What's in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her and when he finally does, it's perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose's best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn't even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet's instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob's heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends.

♥ ♥ ♥

“Olivia was right. The point of the choose your own adventure books was just that: Choice. It wasn’t about where you ended up; it was about the decisions you made to get there. And I don’t want to skip to the end anymore…” – Rosaline, When You Were Mine

If I could give this book 500 hearts I would, but my rating system only goes up to 5.

I’ve read a lot of great books lately, but When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle surpasses 95 percent of them. This book was amazing from start to finish. I am a lover of all things Shakespeare, so when I saw the synopsis for this book it was an automatic must read, plus guys the cover is so pretty!

I absolutely loved the format of this book and the writing was exceptional, but I think what I loved the most were the characters. Serle did an amazing job of shaping the characters in this book, from Rosaline, Charlie and Olivia to Ben Rob, Juliet and of course Len, who by the way I loved from the second he was introduced.

Review: Every Shattered Thing

Every Shattered Thing by AUTHOR
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Stephanie fights reality every day. The voices inside, the ones declaring her worth, deem her broken, used and dirty. She is an object. A toy. Something to be tossed aside when bored. Who will believe her if she whispers the truth about her wrecking ball of a family?

Eventually, her secret explodes and the person who means the most to her knows just how shattered she is and why she's so afraid. But rescue is closer than she realizes. Hidden in plain sight, her horror hasn’t been ignored by everyone.

Racing against the truth of what she faces, forces are joining together and developing a plan to free her from the hell in her own backyard. And while she’s at her lowest point, she’s hit with the beauty of love at any cost - redemption in the face of ruin. Will it be enough?

♥ ♥ ♥

I’m not entirely sure how to go about reviewing this book without bursting into random bouts of tears. Every Shattered Thing by Elora Nicole Ramirez is truly a heart wrenching, thought provoking and emotionally shattering story. Every Shattered Thing follows Stephanie, a teenager living in the home of her physically abusive father who also uses her in the prostitution ring he’s created.

Those of you who follow my blog know how I feel about human trafficking and everything that goes a long with it and I so did not expect that in this book. It took me so long to get through and not because the book was bad. Every Shattered Thing was amazing from start to finish, but the subjects touched in this book…God, my heart hurt.

Review: The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2)

The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 27, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Book Depository

Book Description:

One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay...

Hooking up with your high school crush is a bad idea, a really bad idea. It was only supposed to be one night, one brief departure from my real life, but nothing ever works out exactly the way you plan.

Colton Waters was everything from my past that didn't fit into my present, so why did he have to show up at my college and pledge the one frat I couldn't avoid? 

Because nothing is ever meant to happen just once. At least not the life changing things that mean the difference between falling apart and falling in love.


♥ ♥ ♥

Alyssa Rose Ivy has done it again. The Hazards of a One Night Stand is the second book in her Hazards series and I’ve got to say I absolutely loved it. While I will never love anyone as much as I love Reed, who makes several appearances in this new book, I really did enjoy Colton’s character.

The Hazards of a One Night Stand focuses on Mallory a sophomore at Hudson and best friends with Cara and Juliet. One thing I really enjoy about all of Ivy’s main characters is how real she makes them. Her main characters both male and female are always dealing with real issues, which make them incredibly relatable to the readers.

Mallory is no different. She is sweet and kind and has a very big heart that she hides behind a wall of sarcasm. She had her heart broken and now trusting for her is hard. She’s also dealing with her father, who is the biggest ass in the world, and a very overprotective stepfather. But even more than that she’s still so young and she’s trying to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life, which is something we can all relate to.

Review: Starcrossed (Starstruck #2)

 Starcrossed (Starstruck #2) by Brenda Hiatt
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 24, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes & Noble

Book Description:

Marsha Truitt’s life has changed dramatically over the past few months. Instead of a nerdy nobody, she’s the newly discovered princess of a secret civilization.

Even better, she’s dating the hottest guy in school, who just happens to be her literal soulmate. But when a new boy arrives at Jewel High, everything M thought she knew about herself and her future is turned on its head.

Will the very destiny that lifted her from obscurity now tear her away from Rigel and their happy ever after?


♥ ♥ ♥

"Starcrossed" is the second novel in Brenda Hiatt's Paranormal Young Adult series, "Starstruck". I read "Starstruck" right before I read this second installment and loved it, and "Starcrossed" lived up to my expectations and beyond. This series quickly became one that I am drawn into, and I already can't wait for the next book to come out. Seriously, can I have it now? Please?

Since we already got some background information on what makes our main character M and her boyfriend Rigel special in the first book (and no, I'm still not going to talk about what it is because I need you guys to read these books for yourselves), the second book doesn't take as long to pick up on the action. Instead, things start right away and keep going until the very end.

This book is also has some new additions to the character lineup when a new *spoiler* family moves in and helps M with her education on her new paranormal lifestyle. However, the new family also has a teenaged son, Sean, who might be a problem for M and Rigel's relationship.

Review: Lovely Vicious (Lovely Vicious #1)

Lovely Vicious (Lovely Vicious #1) by Sara Wolf
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N ♥ Smashwords

Book Description:

Fire meets ice. Love meets hate.

Seventeen-year-old Isis Blake hasn’t fallen in love in three years, nine weeks, and five days, and after what happened last time, she intends to keep it that way. Since then she’s lost eighty-five pounds, gotten four streaks of purple in her hair, and moved to the Buttcrack-of-Nowhere Ohio to help her mom escape a bad relationship.

All the girls in her new school want one thing – Jack Hunter, the Ice Prince of East Summit High. Hot as an Armani ad, smart enough to get into Yale, and colder than the Arctic, Jack Hunter’s never gone out with anyone. Sure, people have seen him downtown with beautiful women, but he’s never given high school girls the time of day. Until Isis punches him in the face.

Jack’s met his match. Suddenly everything is a game.

The goal: Make the other beg for mercy.

The game board: East Summit High.

The reward: Something neither of them expected.

♥ ♥ ♥

I love this book, no really. Love. Actually that might not be a strong enough word. More like I’m infatuated with this book. I’m stalker creepy attached to it. Yes that just happened, I said that.

Lovely Vicious by Sara Wolf follows 17-year-old Isis Blake as she engages in a battle of wits with East Summit High’s most sought after bachelor, Jack Hunter. This is not your typical love story and I think that might be what I love most about it. Wolf knows how to own a main character. Isis is my hero. I totally want her as my BFF.

Isis is like any other teenager girl who’s been hurt and bullied by the people around her. When she lived in Florida, she was overweight and in love with a boy who of course wouldn’t give her the time of day until he did and it was all just a big dirty scheme. He pretended to have feelings for her and then broke her heart. Bastard!

Review: Revival (The Variant Series #1)

Revival (The Variant Series #1) by Jena Leigh
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: November 14, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.

If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.

After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.

Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real

♥ ♥ ♥

Team Declan FTW!

I loved this story. Revival by Jena Leigh follows 17-year-old Alexandra Parker as she uncovers secrets from her past that she never knew existed. As if being a high school junior wasn’t enough, Alex has to deal with an ex-boyfriend from hell, a crazy stalker, and powers that confuse the life out of her. Spending a day with her best friend Cassie should have been relaxing and fun, but when someone threatens Alex’s life and a mysterious (and incredibly attractive) stranger shows up to save her life everything changes.

I genuinely enjoyed the plot of this book. I thought it was well thought out and extremely well written. I love how Alex slowly starts discovering things about herself and the people around her and how her grudging friendship with Declan starts out. Alex is the perfect kind of main character. She’s got hint of insecurity and lack of a back bone when it comes to dealing with people that hurt her, but at the same time she’s not afraid to stand up and fight for the people she loves.

Review: Witch Fall (Witch Song #3)

Witch Fall (Witch Song #3) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: January 15, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

With the magic of their songs, the Witches control the seasons, the storms, even the sea. 

Secure in their supremacy, they have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. 

For the world has begun to covet their power, seeing them as weapons to be controlled instead of rulers worthy of obeisance.

Born of witches but raised among their enemy, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.


♥ ♥ ♥

“With complete power comes pride. Pride breeds corruption. Corruption begets vulnerability, which pride refuses to see. And so begins the vicious cycle of destruction.” –Jolin

Witch Fall by Amber Argyle is the prequel to Witch Song and the story of how the witches sealed their fate long ago by abusing the powers given to them by the creators. I’ve read this entire series of books over the past two weeks and I have to say this is absolutely by far the best book yet.

Lilette is my favorite character in this book, for she is brave, strong of heart and character, wise beyond her years, quick-witted, and yet still manages to keep an air of innocence within that does not break despite everything she has gone through.

Argyle did an amazing job with this book. All the questions I had after Witch Song and Witch Born were answer in Witch Rising and Witch Fall. The story she wove came full circle and I guess that’s fitting since she wrote about witches.

Review: Witch Rising (Witch Song #2.5)

Witch Rising (Witch Song #2.5) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: December 11, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Brusenna thought it was finished. She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. 

A ship burns, sinking into the dark sea. There is only one survivor—a child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries her power deep, convinced it caused the deaths of those she loves.

But she can’t run from who she is. And when her secret is revealed, the only thing that can save her is her song. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be: the most powerful witch ever born.

♥ ♥ ♥

Poor Lilette!

Witch Rising by Amber Argyle in a prequel to the prequel. I know that sounds weird, but this little nugget of awesomesauce was so good. I find myself liking Lilette more than I liked Brusenna as a main character. The scene on the boat where they were attacked and she lost her parents hurt my heart.

Argyle did an exquisite job of painting both the scene and the pain. Witch Rising is just as well written as Witch Song and Witch Born. The part I like most is it takes us back to before the wars started and lets us see how it all began. I wish we knew more about Fa and what his story was and how he knew the things he knew.

Review: The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1)

The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

♥ ♥ ♥

This book is amazing!

Ariane Tucker lives by a set of rules, rules that her adoptive father expects her to follow. But what happens when the rules she’s lived by her whole life are rules she can no longer follow? The Rules by Stacey Kade is probably one of the best books I’ve read this year.  First off let’s talk about how much I love Ariane. Her character is so well written and her conflict about the two sides of herself is incredibly prominent.

I really enjoyed seeing the struggle that she went through trying to be someone who she wasn’t, but wanted to be. Kade built such a strong world and her characters touched me as I read. Zane was another favorite of mine. His backstory was so well thought out and the more we learned about him the more I just wanted to hug him.