Only One Hundred Forty One

That's how many books I read in 2014. I think I've already posted that figure but still it's amazing to me and a record I probably won't break forever!

Here is the link to all the reviews I did last year. It was a fun year of reading!

My Year in Books

My Favorite Reads of 2014!

I read over 140 books in 2014. One hundred and forty! That's an all time high for me. And will probably be the record forever. Out of those books, I've picked my top ten favorite reads (in no particular order). 

What were your favorite reads of this year?

UNRAVELED: A TALE OF TRUE LOVE by Julie Daines
Folklore, romance and magical shoes. What girl can pass up magical shoes? Oh! And a prince!

ELEVATED by Elana Johnson
I loved this book and not just because my daughter is on the cover. I wish I could write in verse in a way that grabbed readers and pulled them into a story that made them think about it long after they shut the book.

LEGEND by Marie Lu
Why did it take me so long to read this series? Why? Fast paced, intriguing, suspenseful, I had a hard time putting this book down and getting back to reality.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US by Kasie West
I loved the characters. I loved the setting. I loved the romance.

CLICKOLOGIE: Elevating Your Photography From Beginning to Pro by Erin Summerill
Awesome book on bettering your photography. From how to pose, to using light to equipment. Loved it.

NOAH'S RAINY DAY by Sandra Brannan
I have not read any books by this author, but I might start now. Here is the opening line:
"The good news is I think I broke my leg. The bad news is I don't know if anyone at school would ever believe how it happened. Or worse, I'm not sure it anyone will ever figure out how I got here."

THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski
It's been a while since I've read a book with such a unique world and history.

OUTLINING YOUR NOVEL: MAP YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS by K. M. Weiland
I'm a total pantser and editing is hard! I wanted to try outlining and this book helped see that I can outline.

THE LANGUAGE OF RECOVERY by Gordon Bruin
This is a great, short, informative book for anyone who knows someone with an addiction.

THE ORCHARD by Krista Lynne Jensen
I love PERSUASION by Jane Austen. So I couldn't help but love this book.

OUTLINING YOUR NOVEL by K.M Weiland Writing tool!

Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer’s arsenal. Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success will: 

Help you choose the right type of outline for you
Guide you in brainstorming plot ideas
Aid you in discovering your characters
Show you how to structure your scenes
Explain how to format your finished outline
Instruct you in how to use your outline
Reveal the benefits:
Ensures cohesion and balance
Prevents dead-end ideas
Provides foreshadowing
Offers assurance and motivation
Dispel misconceptions:
Requires formal formatting
Limits creativity
Robs the joy of discovery
Takes too much time
Even if you're certain outlining isn't for you, the book offers all kinds of important tips on plot, structure, and character. Includes exclusive interviews with Larry Brooks, Elizabeth Spann Craig, Lisa Grace, Dan L. Hays, Jody Hedlund, Carolyn Kaufman, Becky Levine, Roz Morris, John Robinson, and Aggie Villanueva, answering important questions:

Can you describe your outlining process?
What is the greatest benefit of outlining?
What is the biggest potential pitfall of outlining?
Do you recommend "pantsing" for certain situations and outlining for others?
What's the most important contributing factor to a successful outline?

I'm a total pantser when it comes to writing. I have written seven books and the editing is so painful! But outlining always threw me off. I felt like my creativity was being stifled. Until I read this book. I used the methods to outline a story I had started and was struggling with and I was happily surprised at how it turned out. Now I have to write the story but I'm confident that using my outline will make writing and editing this story much easier.

5 STARS

UNRAVELED: A TALE OF TRUE LOVE by Julie Daines

"It's thoroughly researched, expertly crafted, and it will sweep you off your feet with its beauty." -UCW 

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect. 

When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can't wear the shoes forever.

This story has so much to offer: folklore, romance and magical shoes. What girl can pass up magical shoes? Not poor, crippled Bronwyn. When she is given the opportunity to wear shoes that will make her withered legs straight, she takes it. Only, the shoes came from a faerie witch.
Bronwyn travels to court where she is noticed, and sought after, by the prince. But she also catches the eye of a male friend from her village who knows she is crippled. Will he keep her secret? Will she be able to keep the magical shoes a secret from the prince? And can Bronwyn maintain her integrity while trying to figure out what her heart already knows?
While I wanted to throttle Bronwyn for not be truthful, I felt her pain and cheered her on until the end.

Julie has produced another fantastic book that draws in the reader quickly and thoroughly.

5 STARS

OLD WEST COLLECTION (A Timeless Romance Anthology)

A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: OLD WEST COLLECTION: Readers will love this collection of six historical western novellas, all with one thing in common: Romance.

In BREAK A LEG, a charming story by two-time Rita Award winner Carla Kelly, hospital steward Colm Callahan is ready to move away from army life at Fort Laramie. His only regret is leaving behind exotic Ozzie Washington, easily the prettiest woman on the post. As a maid to the lieutenant colonel's wife, Ozzie is no wilting flower when it comes to hard work. When the post surgeon leaves for an extended week, Colm must handle several medical emergencies on his own. He pleads for Ozzie's help at the hospital. While they spend long days and nights working together, Colm, a shy man, realizes he can't hide the truth of his feelings for Ozzie. He needs a little help, though. Enter from stage left, Lysander Locke, Shakespeare tragedian on his way to Deadwood.

THE SOLDIER'S HEART, an enchanting novella by Sarah M. Eden, follows Gregory Reeves has fallen in love with a woman he's never met. Her brother's dying wish is that Gregory checks on his family, and after the war, Gregory is only too happy to meet the woman he's been dreaming about. Helene mistakes him for a hired hand and sets him to work immediately. As time passes, Gregory finds it more and more difficult to reveal his true connection to her family, fearing that a woman who loathes liars will turn her disapproval on him.

HIDDEN SPRING is an enthralling novella by Liz Adair, in which Susannah Brown is just getting her life back together after becoming a widow. She still misses Wesley with a fierce longing, but when she meets his half-brother, Douglas, she learns her heart is not completely dormant. Over the next several weeks, Douglas helps Susannah with repairs on her small ranch in exchange for supper. The exchange becomes more and more meaningful as Susannah realizes that Douglas might be the one to finally heal her heart.

THE SILVER MINE BACHELOR, by Heather B. Moore, is a sweet romance between an unlikely pair. Lydia Stone has a checklist for men who qualify as the eligible bachelors in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado. Her new boss, Mr. Erik Dawson, is about to be struck off the list when she sees him coming out of the town brothel. Lydia doesn't know that Erik Dawson's sister has been living the brothel lifestyle for years, and he's set on redeeming her soul. When Lydia discovers Erik's secrets, she learns that life is not as black and white as she thinks.

In Annette Lyon's delightful story, THE SWEETEST TASTE, Della Stafford hates being a farm girl in the tiny town of Shelley, Idaho. She'll do anything to live in a big city and experience real city life. Her only regret is that she'd have to leave Joseph behind, the young man who makes her heart flutter. But she's convinced that moving away is for the best; her dreams and Joseph's dreams are too dissimilar. Then Della takes a job as a maid in Los Angeles and must face the truth that what she thought would make her happy and what really will are totally different things.

In the captivating novella, FAITH AND THE FOREMAN by Marsha Ward, Faith Bannister is forced to travel west to earn a living as a school mistress in Arizona Territory. Faith soon learns that living the frontier lifestyle of a single woman has many harsh challenges. But when she meets Slim McHenry, she discovers that life doesn't have to be so lonely. Unfortunately the dangerous Rance Hunter stands between her and Slim, and she must act with courage before everything is lost.

I didn't know I was a closet lover of western romance but I am! If a good, sweet, tender romantic cowboy is what you enjoy reading about (and wishing there were more of them in the world), then you will want to buy this collection
And if you've read any of these ladies books and loved them, you know you're going to love this collection.Each story is unique and will keep you reading long past bedtime.. 
A good, clean read that won't make your grandma blush. 

ELEMENTAL HUNGER by Elana Johnson

Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno that kills 17 schoolmates. When Gabby is commanded to Manifest her Element, everyone knows what she is: a genetic abnormality. Not to mention guilty.

So she does two logical things to survive.
1. She runs.
2. She hacks off her hair to assume a new role—that of “Gabe”, because in her world, only boys are Firemakers.

Not only does she have to act like a guy, she has to pretend to know everything a Firemaker should know. When Gabby meets Airmaster Adam Gillman, he believes her act and pledges to serve on “Gabe’s” Council. But Adam has the mark of a sentry and spent years obeying Alex, the Supreme Elemental. And Alex wants Gabby-the-genetic-freak dead and gone before she can gather the magical protection of a full Council.

With Adam’s lies that sound like truths and rumors that Alex isn’t really a Firemaker—or a man—Gabby sets out to charter a Council of her own. In order to uncover the truth, Gabby will have to learn who she can trust, how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six feet under.

Do you need a good book to read this summer? One that will keep you intrigued and thinking and wondering? And reading? Well, this book is for you.
This is another fantastic, can't-put-the-book down, ohmyword plot twist story by Elana Coolness Johnson. 
A dystopian fantasy with believable characters and a harsh world and... you should just buy it.

WOMEN of the BOOK of MORMON by Heather B. Moore Re-read 2014

Explore the lives, circumstances, and choices of women in the Book of Mormon in this uplifting and inspiring volume that illustrates the parallels between the lives of the women of the Book of Mormon and LDS women today. With new insights on practically every page, author Heather B. Moore explores the written and unwritten stories of the prominent women in the Book of Mormon, taking familiar material and providing vivid details about family dynamics, domestic practices, and other aspects of daily life. By exploring historic and cultural contexts to the situations of women like Sariah, Abish, Eve, Mary, and the faithful mothers of the stripling warriors, you will peek beneath the surface of the scriptural accounts to better understand both the righteous women of the Book of Mormon, and the women who didn't use their agency wisely.

I'm finishing up the Book of Mormon again and wanted something a little different for my scripture study. I studied every woman mentioned in the Book of Mormon. LOVED IT.

Heather gives great insight into what these women might have been going through or how they lived or what the era was like and how it likely influenced these women. I grew to love them more and to soften towards those who I viewed as bad influences, such as the daughter of Jared. What she must have lived through as she watched her family being destroyed, all because of what she started. 
Great book. I highly recommend this read!

5 STARS

Uncluttering my year with Ann Rice

  “On writing, my advice is the same to all. If you want to be a writer, write. Write and write and write. If you stop, start again. Save everything that you write. If you feel blocked, write through it until you feel your creative juices flowing again. Write. Writing is what makes a writer, nothing more and nothing less. — Ignore critics. Critics are a dime a dozen. Anybody can be a critic. Writers are priceless. —- Go where the pleasure is in your writing. Go where the pain is. Write the book you would like to read. Write the book you have been trying to find but have not found. But write. And remember, there are no rules for our profession. Ignore rules. Ignore what I say here if it doesn’t help you. Do it your own way. — Every writer knows fear and discouragement. Just write. — The world is crying for new writing. It is crying for fresh and original voices and new characters and new stories. If you won’t write the classics of tomorrow, well, we will not have any. Good luck.” ― Anne Rice


Even though this quote is a little long, I love it. Write, write, ignore the rules, write what you want to read, just write.

In my head at the beginning of the year I wondered what I wanted out of this writing adventure. I want to finish and publish three books, came the reply. Then I need to kick it into gear. That led to the next thought: I want to be known as the hardest working writer this year. I kind of giggled at that last goal idea and went along my merry way.

Throughout the next few days I went to the library or other places to write and edit. Any free time I had at home I was writing and editing. One day after my brain was fried and could no longer be in writing mode, I went through my emails and deleted and unsubscribed for over an hour. That felt good. Other areas in my life started getting purged and soon I realized what was happening. The goal to be the hardest writer had imbedded itself inside me and I was subconsciously helping it along by cutting out unnecessary extra curricular "stuff."

I've totally cut back on reviewing and blogging, social media and review request. I don't feel I have time if I want to get ahead on my writing and reading. I want, no, I need this year to be about polishing and submitting and publishing.

 My tummy tickles when I think about moving forward in such a bold way and I'm excited to see where 2014 leads me!

What about you? What are you accomplishing this year?

SUGAR COATED by Shannon Crane Camp

An unhealthy addiction to sugar cubes, a deep-seated fear of water, and universal luxury—these are the simple things that make up 18-year-old Brynn's Utopian existence. Why, then, is her perfect life also plagued with unanswered questions?

Like every other resident of the planet Halcyon, Brynn's home provides everything she needs, money is unheard of, and life is perfect. But unlike the rest of Seaside's residents, Brynn has questions. Why can't people leave the city? Why does the ocean fill everyone with terror? Who are the Workers? Not only is Brynn curious where others are compliant, but she suffers from chronic nightmares of an angelic woman torturing her for information she doesn’t possess. But these are more than just figments of her imagination; they're memories of things that never happened.

When Brynn meets Jonah, a brilliant, library-dwelling boy who shares her questions and her curiosity, they formulate a plan to find answers. Somewhere, the perfect veneer of Halcyon's instant gratification hides a city that only Brynn knows about—a city she and Jonah are determined to find. But will finding the city give them answers, or simply uncover the horrific truth behind the perfection?

First line:
"Blinding white lights flashed into life, revealing a room less cavernous and imposing than she had expected."

3 Things I liked about SUGAR COATED:
1. The house!
2. Brynn
3. The world

Very cool, dystopian world building. I couldn't figure out the government system or the rules. Everything is perfect where Brynn lives. When a person reaches eighteen, they can move into their own house. And design it or furnish it anyway they want. They just tell their house want they want. Or if they need a Tylenol, they ask. They also name their houses. "I need two pain pills, Charlie." Out of the dispenser comes two pills. Cool. And whatever Brynn wants to wear, the house 'makes' it. I couldn't help but think of iRobots as I read.
I liked Brynn and her bravery and curiosity. She had questions outside of the answers the citizens were always told. She braved going to the beach, then down the beach, then into the ocean, even after being told all her life the ocean is dangerous and kills. Brynn has close friends, including Ty. Their lives are about clothes and parties and hanging out. But it isn't until after Brynn meets Jonah that she finds someone as curious as she is.
The world was intriguing enough to keep me interested without 'telling' me all about it. They could go to the store, order a shirt and the store would 'make' it right then. How? Brynn took a train once-a-month to visit another city. The train had no windows. Why? The characters rarely spoke of their parents or families. Only that at a certain age, they were on their own. There were many questions building up in my mind and not until the end did I get answers. And even then I'm not sure I understood the answers.
The book is an interesting and clean read. I think many YA readers would enjoy it.


 This story moves along and spins its tale. and
Rating: PG 13
V: No
L: No
S: Kissing

Liked: 
World building
TY (especially toward the end)

Disliked:
Ending

DESCENDANT by Nicole Giles

 Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.

Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.

Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

First line:
 "Kye's white shirt is drenched with blood."

Right from the first page, this good, clean book is action packed and hard to put down. Abby Johnson is Gifted with Sight and Healing. She is drawn to Kye who is also Gifted. Together they must stop a mad man who wants to kill all the Gifted.
The past and present woven together was intriguing. Well written without tons of romance drama, I enjoyed this story.
I did skim some of the history as to why Kye and Abby are Gifted but what I read I liked, it was very imaginative.

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

Liked:
Pacing
Story
Abby

Disliked:
Her publisher going under.

4 STARS

Fav books of 2013 and thoughts

Favorite 2013 reads
In no particular order:

Pivot Point by Kacie West
Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman
Jelicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Ester the Queen by Heather Moore
Countdown by Michelle Rowan
Friends and Traitors by CJ Hill
A Return to Virtue by Elaine S Dalton
Outpost by Ann Aguirre
Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
The Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo


Going on hiatus:

I love reading.
I love being a book whisperer and helping others find good books to read that fit their personalities.
That's why I made this blog. I've toyed with the idea of incorporating the reviews back in with my writing blog. I'm afraid the reviews will take over; I read about 75 books a year.
Alas, this blog is getting behind in reviews. I'm so busy lately I haven't been able to give it the full attention I like and it makes me sad. I have a manuscript out on request. I am editing my NaNo project from this year and I'm in the middle of writing another story. Keeping up with my blogs is harder and harder. So with a sad heart, I'm going to stop writing up my reviews and catch up on them later. Like in six months or so.
I'll still add my reads to goodreads but not with an extensive review for a little while. But I'll be back when I can.
And I'll still do blog tours/reviews/blasts.

Keep reading!

THE FALL OF ARTHUR by J.R.R. Tolkien

The world's first publication of a previously unknown work by J.R.R. Tolkien, which tells the extraordinary story of the final days of England’s legendary hero, King Arthur.

The Fall of Arthur recounts in verse the last campaign of King Arthur who, even as he stands at the threshold of Mirkwood, is summoned back to Britain by news of the treachery of Mordred. Already weakened in spirit by Guinevere's infidelity with the now-exiled Lancelot, Arthur must rouse his knights to battle one last time against Mordred's rebels and foreign mercenaries.

Powerful, passionate and filled with vivid imagery, The Fall of Arthur reveals Tolkien's gift for storytelling at its brilliant best. Originally composed by J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1930s, this work was set aside for The Hobbit and lay untouched for 80 years.

Now it has been edited for publication by Tolkien's son, Christopher, who contributes three illuminating essays that explore the literary world of King Arthur, reveal the deeper meaning of the verses and the painstaking work that his father applied to bring it to a finished form, and the intriguing links between The Fall of Arthur and his greatest creation, Middle-earth.
 

Hardcover, 233 pages

Published May 23rd 2013 by HarperCollins

 First line:
"Arthur eastward in arms purposed
his war to wage on the wilde marches,
over seas sailing to Sacon lands,
from the roman realm ruin defending."

Wow. Loved this poem.

4 STARS

SIEGE AND STORM (GRISHA #2) by Leigh Barduco

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

First line:
"The boy and the girl had once dreamed of ships, long ago, before they ever seen the True Sea." 

Totally love this series.


Rating: PG 13
V: Fighting, killing
L: No
S: Kissing

Liked:
Aline 

Disliked:
Having to wait for the third book! 

4 1/2 STARS

GUARDIANS by Heather Frost

A vision of Kate's death causes Patrick to intensify his duties as Guardian. The Demon Lord is especially relentless now that Kate is the only Seer to ever escape his grasp. When Patrick discovers that Kate is the key to defeating their greatest enemy, he must choose between sacrificing the girl he loves or letting the Demon Lord win. You won't be able to put this final installment in the Seers trilogy down.

First line:
"I stood at my mother's side, listening to her soft laughter."

And this trilogy comes to a close and what an ending!
Kate and Patrick are the love interests and the main characters. Kate is a Seer and Patrick, her Guardian. Kate must defeat the Demon Lord but Patrick has foreseen her death and he doesn't want to sacrifice her. But she knows her responsibilities and is determined to save the world, even if it means dying.
I thought the book was paced well and kept me interested and turning the pages. I wanted to finish and see how love would win in the end.
I will admit here that my favorite book of the series was the first one, SEERS. I picked up this book once before and I put it down without reading more than a couple of chapters. But this time around I finished. There were some quick fixes and I was surprised a couple of times how someone changed their attitude/personality/life.
This is a good, clean young adult book.

Rating: PG 14
V: Fighting, demons, shooting, stabbing
L: No
S: Kissing

Liked:
Auras

Disliked:
Wrapped up neatly, though was moving

3 1/2 STARS

Thanks netgalley

SHADOW AND BONE (Grisha #1) by Leigh Barduco

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

Hardcover, 358 pages

Published June 5th 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.

First line:
"The servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, dating in and out of rooms, hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to steal the last of the summer peaches."

Why did I wait to read this series until now???




Rating: PG 13
S: Kissing, making out,
L: A few words
V: Fighting, magical battles

4 STARS

SIMPLIFY & SAVOR THE SEASON by Connie E. Sokol

Connie has sprinkled her trademark humor throughout this insightful, and much needed, book. She helps lead the reader through an easy 3-step plan that will simplify the holidays and yet keep what is dear to your family close. This book helps remind the reader to stop, breath and wonder at the holiday magic.

Her four step plan using PADE: Plan, Abbreviate, Delegate and Eliminate is a life savor! And worksheets are included in the book.

Connie also included touching stories and quotes that will melt your heart, make you smile, and help all of us enjoy the holidays a little bit better.
 
This book is a must read for the holidays. And every other day that we need to simplify. 

 

THE 5TH WAVE (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancy

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

First line: "There will be no awakening."

I started this book but didn't really want to finish it though I was hooked from the beginning. I thought I had picked up another zombie book. But nope! I was pleasantly surprised by this book, just like I was pleasantly surprised by HOST. 


 Quotes:
"Sometimes in my tent, late at night, I think I can hear the stars scraping against the sky."

"Something takes over when you're facing death. The front part of your brain lets go, gives up control tot he oldest part of you, the part that takes care of your heartbeat and breathing and the blinking of your eyes."

"What doesn't kill us sharpens us. hardens us. Schools us.
You're beathing plowshares into swords, Vosch. You are remaking us.
We are the clay, and you are Michelangel.
And we will be your masterpiece."

Rating: PG 15
V: Fighting, shooting
L: Yes and a couple of "F" bombs
S: Kissing


4 STARS

THE SIREN'S SECRET by Heather Ostler

Julia’s life has gone from complicated to nearly impossible! When Julia loses her shapeshifting powers and her appearance changes in alarming ways, she flees to Sirenity, where she learns an incredible secret about her mother. In this thrilling sequel, Julia must take greater risks and make bigger sacrifices as she discovers who she really is and what she can really become.

First line:
"Julie sat down at the dinner table across from several other soldiers, who were busy conversting about Ossai, Lockham Castle, and the Guild.

Interesting tale of a girl who can shape shift but also is a siren. Which path will she choose?
This good, clean read will take you to two different, magical worlds.

Rating: PG
V: Fighting
L: No
S: No

Liked:
Unique story

Dislike:
Quick resolve at the end

3 STARS

SIX MONTHS LATER by Natalie Richards

Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her?
And why can't she remember

Paperback, 326 pages

Published October 1st 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire 

 

First line:
"I'm sitting next to the fire alarm, and my best friend is going down in flames."

FORGOTTEN meets STEPFORD WIVES. That's what I thought of this young adult mystery. There's not many mysteries where I can't figure out the bad guy. This one stumped me for a little bit. I liked the intrigue and the mystery.
The romance was okay. Blake was creepy (as were many of the characters after Chloe woke up). Adam was mad a lot. Chloe was great at not being annoying.
So much goes on in this book. It wasn't hard at all to root for poor Chloe. how would it be to fall asleep then wake up n a totally different room and season? She has no idea why her BFF hates her now or why the unattainable boy she's had a crush on forever is now her boyfriend. And why is that creepy bad boy, Adam, so familiar to her now?
Plus, Chloe has perfect grades and is on track for scholarships at big name colleges. That wasn't her reality six months ago.
The mystery of her memory loss keeps the pace moving along and I found it hard to put the book, or Kindle, down.


Rating: PG 17
V: No
L: Yes, "hell" is used often as is "God"
S: Kissing

Liked: 
The mystery of six months lost

Disliked:
Swearing


3 STARS
Thanks, netgalley!

THE SILENT SWAN by Lex Keating

Once upon a time – better known as “now” - Gabriel Pritz reigns as king of his high school. Easy grades, perfect baseball season, a pretty date for prom—he's coasting into a golden future. Until his parents demand he cook dinner once a week. Caught between kitchen fires and ballpark withdrawal, Gabe is thrown into Tam Swann's orbit. Hostile, friendless, and stubborn, she's exactly the sort of person he'd prefer to avoid.

Tam's sphere of influence expands beyond Gabe's sad domestic skills, rapidly invading everything from his favorite game to parts of his soul he didn't know existed. It's uncomfortable, it's hard work, it's...making him a better man. And that's just what she does to people she doesn't like. The better he gets to know her, the more he has to face the truth: this sharp, heart-breaking outcast is worth fighting for. How many families, fairy tales, and felons will he go through to ride to the rescue of the bravest person he's ever met?

Paperback, 422 pages

Published August 26th 2013 by AltWit Press 

 

First line:
"Gabe Pritz drove through the Callahan High parking lot without waving at any of his friends."

Maybe someone will enjoy this book. I didn't and I tried, I really did. I liked the Swan clan. I liked how they stuck together and loved each other. Tam is their big sister and really looks after them even though they are in different foster homes. Tam is smart and working on bringing the family together again once she's of age. Her dad was a famous baseball person and very respected.
Gabe is a popular jock (I think I read about that in one chapter?) who begs Tam to help him cook. Gabe falls for Tam, hard. Tam? She doesn't care.
And there you have it. That's what I got out of the story. I couldn't follow the story sometimes, either. If you like baseball, you might like this story.


Rating: PG 16
L: No
V: No
S: No


Liked:
Tam Swan and her siblings

Disliked:
Gabe
Meandering storyline

2 STARS

Thanks, netgalley