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Friday, September 28, 2012

The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

After five long years, Georgiana McLaughlin returns to the only place she's ever considered home the same place she stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the "kissing tree." But this time he's a man, and reconciling their past is just the beginning. You'll find yourself applauding each new chapter filled with fun, romance, and adventure in this captivating, heartfelt tale of love, friendship, and finding your way back.

First line:
"Georgie ran behind the tree in a fit of giggles, slowly peeking around to see if he had followed her."

Cute romance.
Georgie is pulled from the only life and family she knows by her mother who is trying to recover from a broken heart to move to NYC. After five years, Georgie returns to help her grandfather on the cattle ranch he owns. Enter the boy, who also works on the ranch. Sparks start a-flyin' but Georgie is close to a man in NYC.
I was often confused by the switch in point of views and characters. It seems the author threw in a chapter or paragraph just to make sure we new backdrop. Sometimes Ridge, the main love interest, lost his Colorado accent. I didn't remember Georgie and her best friend getting back together but then suddenly it was convenient for the story and they were. 
But the biggest thing that took me out of the story was the convenient rescues. In the middle of a storm, far from home, petrified at the tree limb flying toward your head? No problem! Ridge is there! Hurt your foot and need it stitched? No problem! Ridge can stitch you right up! It got a little annoying toward the end. No person can have that great timing. 
This book was a clean romance which I give points for.

Rating: PG
V: No
L: No
S: No. Kissing

Liked:
Georgie
Grandpa

Disliked:
Convenience of being in the right place at the right time.

3 STARS

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.

She hated how much it felt like good-bye.


Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful — and deadly — of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series
.

First line:
"Tamani pressed his forehead against the chilly windowpane, fighting back a wave of exhaustion."

Interesting series, characters and story. I liked the first book I think.  But this last one delivers and gives some closer. 
Klea is evil and feels justified in taking over Avalon. Yuki is her minion. Can either of them change?? 
Laurel and her friends must fight to preserve Avalon. There are a few twists and plots that I didn't expect. 
Who does Laurel pick? It's pretty obvious from the beginning of the book. 


RATED:PG 13
L: No
S: No, kissing
V: Fighting trolls and bad guys

Liked:
Laurel thinking up solutions
David & his sword
Chelsea helping

Disliked:
Klea didn't seem very bright
The big fight wasn't much of a big fight in the end

 3 STARS

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Ruins of Lace by Iris Anthony

The mad passion for forbidden lace has infiltrated France,
pulling soldier and courtier alike into its web. For those who want the best, Flemish lace is the only choice, an exquisite perfection of thread and air. For those who want something they don’t have, Flemish lace can buy almost anything––or anyone.

For Lisette, lace begins her downfall, and the only way to atone for her sins is to outwit the noble who now demands the impossible. To fail means certain destruction. But for Katharina, lace is her salvation. It is who she is; it is what she does. If she cannot make this stunning tempest of threads, a dreaded fate awaits.

The most lucrative contraband in Europe, with its intricate patterns and ephemeral hope, threatens to cost them everything. Lace may be the deliverance for which they all pray...or it may bring the ruin and imprisonment they all fear.



First line:
"It had been two months now." 

Interesting book with eight different view points, including a smuggling dog. 
Lace is illegal and worth more now than ever. Used as bribery, smuggled into France and made by nuns, Flemish lace is precious. 
I really liked all the different points of view and how they came together in the end. I'm not sure I liked or understood the ending. But the journey was intriguing. I had a hard time putting the book (ereader) down.
The book starts with a nun who is a lacemaker; her sister wants to buy her freedom; a soldier is charged with finding illegal lace but is an idiot; a desperate boy whose love is taken in exchange for lace; the count who needs the lace; the dog who carries the lace. And that's not all! 
The story is as intricate and woven and tight as the Flemish lace that has so many lives and dreams riding on it.
An interesting time in history that I hadn't ever heard about. Very interesting!

Rating: PG 
S: No; innuendo's about homosexuality, whores
L: No
V: Fights

Liked:
Learning some history from 1636 
The Dog

Disliked:
How lace ruined everyone

4 1/2 STARS

Thanks, Netgalley!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Enchanted Truth by Kim Petrie

In this humorous and insightful tale, a modern day princess finds herself single and asking for magical intervention to change her sorry love life. Rather than casting a spell to bring Prince Charming to her rescue, a savvy fairy godmother gives the tenderhearted damsel an unexpected gift. By entrusting her true thoughts and desires to an unlikely confidant, the young royal soon discovers that the person who could make her life everything she dreamed it would be has been with her all along.

As author Kym Petrie herself realized, every woman needs a froggy friend and a secret journal—and enough adventures with the girls to keep her heart pounding and her mind racing. Life is meant to be about happy beginnings . . . you can never have enough of them.


First line:
"Once upon a time in a kingdom much like yours and mine, there lived a beautiful princess." 

Short, sweet parable of how we don't need to look for the a frog prince in our lives. We can learn the confidence we need to be ourselves. It takes serving others and not always thinking about ourselves to find ourselves.


Rating: G
V: No
L: No
S: No

Liked:
Short 

4 STARS

Thanks Netgalley!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow by L. L. Muir

Jamison is crushing on the new girl next door. Bad news-the neighbors are Somerleds--Amish-type cult-members killing off their own. Worse news-she's next in line for sacrifice. Jamison will have to rise above the coward he thinks he is to get to the bottom of it all.

Something is terribly wrong with Skye. She's experiencing emotions like the mortal teenager she's pretending to be. When she finally asks the right questions, she finds answers that will rock the Somerled world...

...and none of her options include Jamison, the boy who has stolen the heart she was never meant to have.


First line:
""You're such an idiot." Jamison shook his head."

Angels, crop circles and teenage love. Gotta love it!
I wasn't hooked until about 1/3 of the way into the book. I was put off by the main, male character. This book needed one more reader to correct a few things. For instance, in one place of the story, Jamison is sitting, then by the door in the next sentence than relieved he's sitting then he's blocking the door.
Other than that, the premise is interesting and the story is fast paced.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

Rating: PG 14
L: Swear words sprinkled throughout
V:  No
S: No; kissing

Liked:
Lanny
The angels

Disliked:

3 1/2 STARS

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evans

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.
To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.



First line:
""Have you found the last two?""

I started this book when it first came out but couldn't get past the first chapter. I decided to give it another try. I couldn't put the book down.
The story is about Michael, a teen boy with Tourette's and the power of electricity. He meets another 'electric child' and find they have a few things in common. When Michael's mom is kidnapped, he must rescue her.  He meets the man who wants to use the 'electric children' to rule the world.
Mr. Evans has created characters that you either like or hate.  There is depth to the characters. The story flows and it's hard to put the book down after Michael meets Taylor, the cheerleader who has powers too.
Great book for boys. Girls will like it too.


Rating: PG
L: No
S: No
V: Some fighting

Liked:
The story
Tourette's syndrome

Disliked:
Nichelle

4 1/2 STARS

Friday, September 7, 2012

Every Day by David Levithan

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.


First line:
"I woke up."

Very unique story.
A love story from the viewpoint of a different person. Every day.
"A" wakes every morning in a different teen body. "A" can access memories of the host's body and figure out the daily routine. "A" is very conscientious of not getting in the host in trouble, going along with the flow, until "A" meets Rhiannon. "A" falls in love with her and wants to see her everyday. But every day "A" is someone new. How will this work out?
Each chapter gives us the day number (6028) and the person and soon the person's life. One parent, grandparent, clothing, school, friends, obese, gay, depressed etc. Yes, Levithan shows us extremes of teen society but he writes their stories well.
"A" is respectful to the host body and family. Sometimes he helps them, other times he restrains himself from teaching them a lesson.
The ending was abrupt, like there is a sequel. I loved the ending with "A" and Rhiannon. Very thoughtful.
I couldn't put this book down.

Rating PG 15
V: No
L: No
S: No. Gays kissing. A non-detailed make-out session

Liked:
Clean read. No sexual details, no language,
Intriguing story
Explored a little bit of different teen societies
Gift at the end

Disliked:
"A" couldn't stop thinking/seeing/obsessing about Rhiannon
Trying to get Rhiannon to break up with her boyfriend

4 STARS

Thanks Netgalley!