Infinite Days ARC by Rebecca Maizel

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Paperback: 336 pages
Publish date: August 3, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

 Blurb from amazon.com:

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

My quick wicked thoughts...a fresh and exciting view of vampires, friends and choices in life...and regrets.

Why I was tempted to read this...it sounded romantic and vampire-ish, what's not to love?

Cover thoughts...loved it..makes more sense when you read the book, ha ha

Romance Meter...oh yeah...there are long-time loves that would give their life for you and fresh new romances to keep you interested.

Character and Plot...I really loved this book!  This isn't your average sweet vampire book...no these vampires are brutal and ruthless...and Lenah only wants her humanity back.  When Rhode gives up his life for her, Lenah gets to experience things like emotion, rain, touch, taste, and sun...all things that were void from her long life as a ruthless vampire queen.  The book starts at current day but flips back to the past often to give you needed background information and let you get a true sense of Lenah's life as a vampire and her coven.  When she meets Justin she knows he is different and he feels the same connection about her.  But all is not fine in Lenah's new world...when she doesn't awaken back to her vampire life like she is supposed to, her coven comes looking for her, and they are willing to take out anyone in their way.  This book kept me at the edge of my seat and flipping pages.  The plot wraps around and doesn't let you go and at the end...you sit there and look back over the ride this book just took you and go WOW....there better be a sequel LOL

The Ending...the ending..OH the ending...things happen at toward the end of the book so you think you know how it will end but there are still surprises...and cliffhangers...and there better be a sequel!  I checked the author's blog but I didn't see a date or title.  It cannot end this way, Ms. Maizel!! LOL

Book of Love - Knight Angels by Abra Ebner

Title: Book of Love, Knight Angels
Author: Abran Ebner
Paperback: 368 pages
Published: April 7, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her. Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor resented her sister's closeness with their father, who died when she was six. With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge. When seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high-school crush. All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted. He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste. When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven-year-old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn't seen in the century he'd spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her - the biggest mistake of his life. When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together. Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop... But their fate just wants them dead. 

My quick wicked thoughts...this book has everything! Guardian angels, shape shifters, mind readers and people that can see your death!

Why I was tempted to read this...it just sounded good from the blurb, and like I said above..it has everything!

Cover thoughts...it's pretty, I assume that is Jane on the cover

Romance Meter...there was definitely enough opportunity for it! And I would say this is an upper level YA due to the reference to sex and drugs.

Character and Plot...I really really liked this book except for one thing.  At times the characters (specifically Jane, Wes and Emily) were SO self absorbed and selfish I just wanted to slap them! I am hoping that is a first-book-in-the-series thing because I really enjoyed the story, plot and romance.  There is a lot of bouncing around from different characters POV's, but this didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.  I really loved the Max character and despite the other irritating me at times, I really want to read the second in the series which I hear is due out at the end of summer/early fall.  I am hoping that the characters have moved past some of their insecurities and we can get to getting back at the "bad guy" :)

The Ending...the ending was good and drama filled but the solution to saving people was found a little easy for my taste.  It almost wrapped up a little too quickly.

Monster High ARC by Lisi Harrison

Title: Monster High
Author: Lisi Harrison
Hardcover: 272 pages
Published: September 1, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

From Lisi Harrison, the New York Times bestselling author of The Clique and Alphas, comes a new series with a fresh twist on high school, romance, and the "horrors" of trying to fit in.

The monster community has kept a low profile at the local high school, but when two new girls enroll, the town will never be the same. Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and prom.

But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie learns that high school can be rough for a chic freak like her. She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver-but can a "normie" be trusted with her big secret?

My quick wicked thoughts...a new and cutsie take on monsters

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought it sounded good and you gotta love the name Frankie Stein

Cover thoughts...Somewhat plain, but I like it simple like that, eye catching

Romance Meter...There was some, but there wasn't as much as I had hoped for. A lot of one girl liking a guy that likes someone else.

Character and Plot...I think I was expecting something dark and creepy with all the monsters walking around the high school, but the book is not that at all. It is more of a cute story of a girl that doesn't want to conform that must for her and her family's safety and another girl that moves to the town and likes her nerdy neighbor that has a "dark" side she doesn't know how to deal with.  The story flowed pretty well, the plot wasn't as intense as I like.  I think this book will appeal to readers of the younger YA genre.  The book was easy to read and the characters enjoyable but not real deep.  Thumbs up to the author for originality tho.

The Ending...Was not surprising and about how I expected it to end.

Review: The Emerald Talisman ARC by Brenda Pandos

Title: The Emerald Talisman
Author: Brenda Pandos
Paperback: 282 pages
Published: March 24, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves. 

My quick wicked thoughts...a refreshing new take on vampires and vampire slayers.

Why I was tempted to read this...Well the blurb reeled me in, always looking for a new vampire book!

Cover thoughts...it's pretty cool, not exactly how I imagined the necklace in my mind tho.

Romance Meter...Well of course!  Julia and Nicholas hit is off right from the beginning and the romance started bubbling.

Character and Plot...Julia has a talent, she is an empath meaning she can feel others emotions.  When a risky walk home after her car breaks down leads her to meeting Nicholas and him saving her from some "thing" in the woods, she starts asking more questions to find out what she is actually up against.  This story rocks along very easily and is pretty hard to put down, the plot flows nicely and the characters are engaging.  PLUS you have evil vampire vs good, you know that is always fun!

The Ending...The ending was good...left me wanting more and dying to know questions that were left unanswered, hopefully there will be a sequel in the works!

Review: Nightshade ARC by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Hardcover: 528 pages
Published: October 19, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, sheÕll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her mastersÕ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everythingÑ including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? 

My quick wicked thoughts...A new and refreshing view on werewolves and a love triangle to rival all others!

Why I was tempted to read this...The description sounded awesome and the cover was very attractive.

Cover thoughts...I love it...sparkly and shiny...gotta love it.

Romance Meter...OH...my heart hurts here.  I was so torn on this book (see more below), the love triangle was dynamic and I had a hard time with the choices that Calla was making because I just KNOW she was leaning towards the wrong guy!

Character and Plot...Calla is the daughter of an alpha wolf and has known since birth that she would marry the son of a rival alpha's pack, Ren Laroche.  The pack hierarchy is different in this book from most werewolf books, even if you are an alpha...you still have what is known as a Keeper over you that you must report to.She has accepted this as her fate and was okay until she broke pack rules and saved a human from being killed by a bear.  This changed her future more than she knew because of the intense attraction she felt for him and what role he played in her life.  Ren has always been a bit of a playboy but is reforming his ways because he wants to make Calla happy when they have their union.  Calla is attracted to Shay (the human she saved) and is trying to fight.  I won't say how this turns out of course...but have to say I was firmly on one team and she kept making bad choices that revolved around the other person...and I was so bummed out at times!  I can't wait for the next book, I need some resolution here!

The Ending...Oh the author leaves you hanging...and wondering...and trying to decide if she made the right choice and who is the right guy...so I really can't wait to read the next book!

Review: Sleepless ARC by Cyn Balog

Title: Sleepless
Author: Cyn Balog
Hardcover: 224 pages
Published: July 13, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Traveling ARC Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My quick wicked thoughts...Sandmen are hot...I need one of my own lol

Why I was tempted to read this...I didn't know much about Sandmen and the description sounded pretty good.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty cool, not sure the relation of the flower to the book tho.

Romance Meter...There is definitely some romance and some major attraction between the characters, at first I wasn't sure if Eron felt the same way but it became evident he did.

Character and Plot...I didn't know much about the background of Sandmen so this was a reminder of the childhood bedtime story for me, which i really enjoyed. The book is fairly short so it was a quick read, I finished it in one evening.  Eron was an awesome character, very likable with a huge heart.  Julia was a strong character that had overcome horrible things in her past that made her tough today.  The plot kept you on your toes because you weren't sure who to trust or how it was going to be able to work out in the end.  Overall the book flowed nicely and keep me flipping pages to get to the end.  I have not read Fairy Tale and it didn't seem to matter at all in this book, even tho they say it is a follow up.

Awesome contest and trailer from Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine

So Bree announced her cool new trailer for the book The Dark Divine today.  It is awesome, check it out:



AND she also announced a contest that will blow you away! check that out HERE.

Go forth and enter, my friends!