wicked walker

Review: Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

2011-08-06T08:35:00.001-05:00

Title: Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax
Author: Trinity Faegen
Hardcover: 448 pages
Reading Level: YA
Publishing: September 27, 2011
My Copy: NetGalley
My rating: 5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Goodreads.com):

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

My quick wicked thoughts...This is one of those books that sucked me and kept me hanging until the end. Loved the drama, the romance and the storyline.

Why I was tempted to read this...The premise sounded good, if not a little different.

Cover thoughts...The cover is cool, dark and spooky...but doesn't relate to anything in the book that I can remember.

Romance meter...Off the charts! Once Sasha gives in and realizes that Jax is more than just a son of hell, their romance takes off! I do have to warn those people that really like their books rated G to PG...this one does go a little farther in the "romance" department than most YA books, but this was a nice surprise for me!

Characters and plot...I loved so many of the characters in this book! Sasha was a strong character, but also real in the term of feelings and emotions. Jax was just all that is awesome and he has a great group of brothers. I am hoping each future book focuses on another brother and his struggle to overcome the dark side. I will say if you are one to be sad when some main characters (good and bad) are eliminated in the book, be wary of this one. I found the change of pace refreshing and keep me on my toes because I really wasn't sure what would happen next.

The ending...It was great and the end result wasn't necessarily a surprise by the way it took to get there was a ride! I can't wait for the 2nd in the series, per the author's website set to release Fall 2012, ugh the waiting!

Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

2011-07-06T09:22:00.000-05:00

Title: Legacy
Author: Cayla Kluver
Hardback: 496 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: June 28, 2011
My copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon that ruled the sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

Across the land of Hytanica, in the villages, infant boys continued to vanish. The King turned a blind eye somewhat foolishly, seeking no explanation, needing to refortify his Kingdom’s defenses for fear that Cokyri would resume its brutal onslaught. He was finally forced to take notice when children inside the city’s walls began to disappear. A count was made of the number missing, but before the King could determine what action should be taken, the disappearances stopped as suddenly as they had begun. The last Hytanican child to vanish was the newborn son of a wealthy baron and baroness.

Within the week, as the bleeding moon waned, the decomposing bodies of the infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. Grieving parents collected the rotting bodies of their sons, but there was one mystery that would for many years remain unsolved. Forty-nine babies were taken, but only forty-eight bodies were returned.

No one knew why the Cokyrians had withdrawn from the land or why they had not been able to destroy Hytanica and her people. The Cokyrians were superior to the Hytanicans as fighters and strategists, and did not adhere to any code of honor in war, but still Hytanica had not fallen. Some thought the Cokyrians had abandoned the effort out of frustration, for they had many times been poised to win; others thought the Cokyrian rulers had finally come to believe the ancient story of Hytanica’s conception.

According to lore, the first King of Hytanica, seeking to protect his foundling home, had been advised by his priests that a sacrifice of blood both royal and innocent would hallow the ground and make his Kingdom invincible. After much soul-searching, the King had taken the life of his own infant son, and placed drops of the boy’s blood at each corner of the land to forever shield the people he loved.

My quick wicked thoughts...This book was a refreshing break from paranormal with historical fiction...romance...and cliffhangers!

Why I was tempted to read this...I am a lover of historical romance so I have been wanting to read this for awhile.

Cover thoughts...Love the cover, the scrolls and the elegant historical feel to it

Romance meter...The attraction is there, but romance was hard to come by because Alera and Narian were not allowed much time together.

Characters and plot...Alera is the daughter of the king and as such, must marry the person that is approved by her father to be a successor to the throne. Her father pretty much has her decision mapped out for her with his choice, Steldor. Steldor is arrogant, mean and cocky and Alera has never been able to stand him. In an interesting twist to the story, Steldor as a person, evolves in the book, and towards the end, I wasn't sure what to think of him. Alera is a strong character and her personality was not at all desirable back in the era that the book takes place, I liked that she stood up for what she wanted and tried to be involved in things the men in her life did not want her to be involved in. This book is pretty lengthy at almost 500 pages and it covers a year of time in the life of Alera, so there are lots of details and situations thrown at you. I found this book hard to put down because I had to know what happened because there were so many ways it could go...and the way it went...was shocking.

The ending...A shock...and a cliffhanger. I will leave it at that and I can't wait to read the next in the series, Allegiance.

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

2011-07-01T11:46:00.002-05:00

Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Hardcover: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

My quick wicked thoughts...a story weaved around old fables that turn out to have some truth to them, a unique and interesting book but it didn't WOW me.

Why I was tempted to read this...i thought the write up about it sounded interesting

Cover thoughts...It isn't final...but the one they have up...I think they can do better :)

Romance meter...Romance is about a 4 out of 5....the interest and attraction starts from the first but the boy is quite mysterious...so it drags a bit until he tells her what is going on with him and his history.

Characters and plot...I liked Lexi...she is a take-charge type of girl with a undeniable love for family. The mysterious aura around Cole kept me interested in him...but something about the book drug for me. It was not uneventful because there was a lot going on, I just didn't have a burning desire to get back to the book, so it took me longer to read. The story was fanciful and unique and I loved how the author wove in town fables that everyone thought were just stories...into something that actually happened. The ending wrapped up nicely so you aren't let hanging, but there were a few things I wish I could have found out! Overall I enjoyed it and I would read more by this author.

Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

2011-06-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

Title: Spellbound (ARC)
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Paperback: 352 pages
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release date: June 21, 2011
My copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4.5 wicked hearts

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

My quick wicked thoughts...I really fell into this book and loved the romance and action! If you love a good love story, this is for you.

Why I was tempted to read this...It sounded pretty interesting and an interesting twist to the paranormal genre.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty cool..a little plain.

Romance meter...At first...not so much. I was more mad at Brendan for being so nice and then rude, and I wasn't sure what his deal was. When he came clean with what was going on, the romance heated up in big way.

Characters and plot...I liked both the main characters in this book. I thought Emma was engaging and funny and I liked that she stood up for herself against the popular bullies. I did question her judgement a couple of times for doing things that she obviously shouldn't have done, but it made a great storyline. Brendan was HOT...so of course you gotta love that. He was rich but not at all stuck up or showy. I liked that he was his own person and did not try to mold himself to fit in, regardless of how much his parents pushed him.

The ending..the ending was great, I would love to see a spinoff or a second book in this series!

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

2011-05-01T09:15:00.004-05:00

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Released: June 7, 2011
Hardcover: 416 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Net Galley
My Rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their new-found happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

My quick wicked thoughts...This book had an interesting premise but I had a hard time keeping my attention.

Why I was tempted to read this...The blurb sounds great.

Cover thoughts...The cover is amazing..love the ghostly look

Romance meter...There was a definite draw and attraction with Amelia and Joshua and some sparks involved...but was missing an element of excitement.

Characters and plot...Amelia being a ghost and unable to feel or speak to anyone was woken up when trying to save Joshua from drowning and their connection started there. I almost can't put into words the element that is missing from this book that kept it from just wowing me, it was maybe...lackluster? All the ingredients were there from forbidden romance to action and adventure...but maybe it was the romance was too easy...there was no chase, only mutual obsession. The story progressed slowly at points where I considered stop reading it but it would pick back up and then I would be interested again. I think it could have been a little shorter with more drama and I would have had an easier time with it. But that said, the book was an original premise and I definitely wanted to stick it out until the end to see how it was going to end up.

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

2011-04-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Paperback: 304 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Net Galley
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My quick wicked thoughts...An interestingly unique look at mythology and an unlikely love story.

Why I was tempted to read this...I love mythology, although I don't really remember much about the exact stories...so I am not one to comment on how the story goes with the actual myth...but I think the author twisted this one in just the right way to make it interesting.

Cover thoughts...It is eye-catching

Romance meter...Not so much at first....but it ramps up later. I couldn't tell if Henry was going to be the love interest or not, considering he is Hades and is perceived in the first part of the book as being much older than her. I couldn't tell if it was going to give me the creepy-old-guy factor the rest of the book, but it actually wasn't too bad.

Characters and plot...I liked Kate, she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and she actually accepting things quite well for someone that thought she was quite average to begin with. Like I already said about Henry...there was a beginning creep-factor with him, but as the story went along and you got to know him...it wasn't too bad. This book was easy to get into and interesting enough to keep my attention and want to get to the end.

The ending...It pretty much ques you up for the next book, which I will definitely be reading. Goddess Interrupted is book two due out February 2012.

Review: Waterfall (River of Time Series #1) by Lisa T. Bergren

2011-04-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

Title: Waterfall (River of Time Series #1)
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 384 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Amazon Vine
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.

Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved…

and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know…and love itself.

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

My Wicked Thoughts....

I have to say that this book was surprisingly fun to read. It combines two of my faves...paranormal (in the way of time travel) and historical fiction! Gabriella is a likable character with determined will to things as she sees fit..and you know that always gets people into trouble! The book starts off in present day when Gabi and her sister wander into a forbidden archeological dig site and find hand prints in the wall...when both sisters press their hands there...the world changes..big-time - to the degree of 700 years. When Gabi comes to her senses she is in the same site, alone...and in the middle of battle! She is saved by Marcello, the 2nd son of the Lord of Castello Forelli.

Their attraction in undeniable but doesn't come at the best time, since he has been betrothed since birth to Lady Rossi, who of course is a jealous shrew. So they deny it for as long as they can...all the while constantly in search of Gabi's sister...who didn't come thru the portal when she did. Marcello is in the dark as far as the time travel situation, he just believes she has been separated from her sister and mother and is determined to help her find them.

I gave this book 4.5 stars because it was a little too convenient that Gabi knew how to do so many things out the norm...like how to use a sword, speaking Italian and some Latin and some of the plot was fairly predictable. That aside, I enjoyed the book and finished it fairly quickly. It is YA and honestly a little "cleaner" than average, but that doesn't take away from the story and the drama. The characters are well developed and engaging, you really want to know how things work out in the end. The ending is a bit open with lots of loose ends. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Cascade, due out in June 2011.

Review: The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

2011-03-28T09:22:00.001-05:00

Title: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1)
Author: Amanda Stevens
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Paperback: 384 pages
Reading Level: Adult
My Copy: Net Galley
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Goodreads.com):

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

My quick wicked thoughts...In one word...spooky! This book was a surprisingly haunted tale that kept me up late at night!

Why I was tempted to read this...I liked the blurb and thought I would give it a shot.

Cover thoughts...Spooky, just like the book!

Romance meter...There is some definite attraction between Amelia and Devlin but it was on the side of everything that was happening around them. It was enough to keep you interested and wondering but didn't overpower the story and make the book about relationships and sex.

Characters and plot...Amelia learned from a young age that she could see ghosts and her father told her the rules associated with that to keep her safe...

Never acknowledge the dead
Never stray far from hallowed ground
Never associate with those who are haunted
Never, ever tempt fate

My father's rules. I've never broken them...until now
When she meets Devlin he is followed around by two ghosts and she know she should avoid him like the plague but feels so drawn to him that she has trouble following that rule. When bodies start turning up in a graveyard that she is restoring, they are thrown together trying to piece together motives and suspects. This book is spooky, the eerie ghosts popping up and then things they do keeps the hair on the back of your neck standing at attention. I have found very few books that actually spook me but this was one of them. The characters are well written and engaging and I found myself immersed in this book and I didn't want to quit reading. If you are a fan of spooky stories, pick this book up!

The ending...is left wide open for the next book. There are a lot of loose strings that I want to know what is going on with...but I guess I will have to wait until I get the next book! Here is the timeline:

The Graveyard Queen Series:
Prequel: The Abandoned (April 2011)
Book I: The Restorer (May 2011)
Book II: The Kingdom (November 2011)
Book III: The Prophet (May 2012)

Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

2011-03-25T11:12:00.000-05:00

Title: Mercy
Author: Rebecca Lim
Release Date: April 2011
Paperback: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Mercy 'wakes' on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business...or thinks they do. But Mercy has a secret life. She is an angel, doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, taking on a new 'persona' each time she does, in an effort to resolve a cataclysmic rift between heavenly beings. The first of a new series sees Mercy meeting Ryan, an eighteen-year-old whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is presumed dead. When another girl is also kidnapped, Mercy knows she has to act quickly and use extraordinary powers to rescue her, even if it means exposing her true identity.

My quick wicked thoughts...An interesting read that pretty much keeps you in the dark the whole book...slow to start but hard to put down at the end.

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought the blurb about it sounded good and was something a little different

Cover thoughts...It is pretty good...sorta bland.

Romance meter...Eh...not so much romance as build up for possibly the next book, but anything could happen in the next books, so who knows!

Characters and plot...Mercy has gone from body to body for longer than she can remember and only has brief memories of prior bodies. The blurb says she is an angel but that information was never fully disclosed in the book, so I am hoping to learn more about that in the following book. This book started out slow for me and I had a hard time staying with it...but I am glad I did because the ending was good and had lots of action. You get involved in the storyline and are rooting for Mercy and Ryan to figure out who kidnapped his sister. Mercy and Ryan grow closer but just as they get to a point where the romance would come in....bam..end of book LOL Surprisingly, this didn't bother me (and I am a huge romance buff) because the plot was twisted enough to keep me interested.

The ending...Cliffhanger...but once you start the book and see the way things play out...that wouldn't exactly be a surprise for you. Exile is the 2nd book in the series with a release date of June 9, 2011. It is already on my TBR list!

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

2011-03-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Title: Die for Me
Author: Amy Plum
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Hardcover: 352 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

My quick wicked thoughts...I DEVOURED this book, the romance and action kept me enthralled until the end.

Why I was tempted to read this...I read the blurb and thought it was a book I would enjoy and I was right on this one!

Cover thoughts...There have been two covers floating around, and the one posted on my review is my favorite...dark and romantic with amazing colors.

Romance meter...the romance was definitely there and picked up quickly only to break your heart near the middle of the book....but no worries my fellow romance lovers, everyone comes to their senses and things get to be as they should be.

Characters and plot...Kate is a totally likable character and her sister plays a major role in the book also...and while she is more shallow than Kate, you know she has a good heart. Paris is everything I wanted it to be in this book, having never had the opportunity to visit...in my head it is quaint and romantic with a little bit of danger on the side. Vincent, the love interest, is of course to die for in the looks department...but had a unique ability in being a revenant. The idea of people out there trying to save humans because they are compelled to do so is a unique one and I really enjoyed delving into that world. The author covers a lot of issues involved in that "profession" to make it seem logical. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was just what I was looking for this week!

The ending...It wrapped up nicely with a few loose strings that will make you desire to read the next in the series...just no major cliffhanger that makes you want to beat your head against the wall...thank goodness ha ha.

Review: Starcrossed ARC by Josephine Angelini

2011-03-18T09:07:00.000-05:00

Title: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Hardcover: 496 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

My quick wicked thoughts...Beautifully written, magical, mythology-packed, forbidden romance!

Why I was tempted to read this...The cover really caught my eye and the premise sounded great.

Cover thoughts...Amazing...I didn't actually see this scene in the book but it captures the mythological element of the book.

Romance meter...Forbidden and then determined...and then forbidden even more! There was a lot of spark between Helen and Lucas.

Characters and plot...Helen grows as a character as she learns more about her heritage and discovers her powers. Her sidekick, Claire, is just and awesome best friend, I really enjoyed their interaction. Lucas is of course swoon-worthy but a good guy that is incredibly likeable. All the characters mesh thru the twists and turns of the plot and keeps the book interesting. Loved the Greek mythology.

Can't wait for the 2nd in the series!

REVIEW: Betrayal (Haunting Emma #2) by Lee Nichols

2011-03-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Title: Betrayal
Author: Lee Nichols
Paperback: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper, Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive-one a snarky teen
boy, the other a British scholar-Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good.
As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

My quick wicked thoughts...A worthy follow up to Deception that will keep you looking forward to #3, Surrender out in December 2011.

Why I was tempted to read this...I absolutely loved Deception, there was no question I would read it!

Cover thoughts...Nothing totally wowing, but along the same line as Deception.

Romance meter...Sadly, not as intense as Deception. Bennett and Emma realize they can't be together so there was a lot of time apart...but to spice things up...enter Lukas.

Characters and plot...Emma really grows as a character in this novel once she is separated from Bennett. Emma is really kick-butt in the book and has you rooting for her. The characters all develop well and keep you entertained. I did like this book slightly less than the first one because of the decrease in romance, but it was still a page-turner.

The ending...just like the last book....cliffhanger! Grr...come on Surrender!

Review: Wither ARC by Lauren DeStefano

2011-02-11T11:57:00.000-06:00

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Hardcover: 368 pages
Reading Level: Young Adult
My Copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Book it Forward Tours:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden’s genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden’s eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

My quick wicked thoughts...A novel that makes you believe that you have the ability to change your situation even in the most dire of circumstances. It is a great start to the trilogy.

Why I was tempted to read this...Well the cover caught my attention initially and by the time I got it, I don't think i remembered what it was about...and I was pretty far off from what I was thinking in my mind..but that's not a bad thing.

Cover thoughts...It's amazing...makes sense in the story line once you get into the book.

Romance meter...Oh the forbidden love is present but refreshingly not really a love triangle since Rhine never really wanted to be with Linden. I ended up liking Linden more than I originally thought I would.

Characters and plot...Rhine is a strong character with a love of family that is going along with things she cannot change until she gets a chance to change them. This is not a light and fun read...it is gritty and heartbreaking. The characters change and grow in this book and ones you thought you were sure about end up not quite being what you thought...and this keeps you interested and flipping pages. Rhine is trying to figure a way about before she runs out of time and also figure out what is going on down the basement that Linden's father is always working on.

The ending...The ending was good...with some closure on certain things but many other things unanswered so I really look forward to the next book in the series.

Review: Unearthly ARC by Cynthia Hand

2010-11-29T12:10:00.000-06:00

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publishes: January 4, 2011
Hardcover: 448 pages
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Netgalley.com
My rating: 5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My quick wicked thoughts...Oh my...this was one book I could not put down, it was a refreshing new look at angels and I loved it!

Why I was tempted to read this...I thought the blurb sounded interesting but I had no idea how much I would be sucked in on this one.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty amazing

Romance meter...The romance is suspenseful, it kept me interested and wanting to know. The two love interests were somewhat a mystery...who to trust? who not to trust?

Characters and plot...I found it refreshing that that our main character, Clara, wasn't immediately loved by all the boys in the new school where they move to help her complete her purpose as an angel blood. This is more realistic in that she isn't perfect but she is such an engaging character that you just really get involved in her life. As she see more and more of her visions about her purpose she realizes the guy involved is the hot untouchable popular guy, Christian, who really will not give her the time of day. She befriends a girl the first day, Wendy, who becomes an ally...and who also has a hot brother...that for some reason has it in for Clara and is giving her a hard time constantly. The characters develop well and the book flows perfectly, I stayed up late to finish this one. You dont know who to trust, who is telling the truth and how it will all end until...the end, and then everything changes.

The ending...You think everything is all wrapped up...until you read the very ending and you have some unanswered questions...one that obviously won't be answered until the next book. It was a bit of cliffhanger and I was definitely left wanting more. I have not seen a date for book #2 yet.

Review: The Iron Queen ARC by Julie Kagawa

2010-11-29T11:40:00.000-06:00

Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Releases: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 368 pages
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: NetGalley.com
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Netgalley.com):

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.

MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

THIS TIME,

THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.

My quick wicked thoughts...Another awesomely written and developed book by Julie Kagawa, it does not disappoint!

Why I was tempted to read this...I loved The Iron King and the Iron Daughter, so this was a given.

Cover thoughts...It is fabulous like all the Iron Fey covers

Romance meter...Awww...there is some major Ash and Meghan interaction in this one! I have always been Team Ash so I loved that and loved getting to know more about him and Meghan as their characters grew in this book.

Characters and plot...I thought the characters grew a lot in this book...you see Meghan growing and maturing...and taking on a LOT of responsibility. You see Ash's obvious love for her. You get to see lots of Grim, how awesome is that? Puck comes back into the story and I wondered how he would relate to the Ash/Meghan couple, but circumstances push the 3 of them together for quite a journey. This book had it all...love, suspense, action, fighting, fey magic and an ending that will make you wish you had the next book in the series to pick up immediately!

The ending...The ending opened up for the next book perfectly...I can't wait to read it. It seems so hopeless for everyone but I know the author will not leave us hanging...I hope!

Review: Steel ARC by Carrie Vaughn

2010-11-11T09:50:00.000-06:00

Title: Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Hardcover: 304 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: March 15, 2011
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Around the World Tours):

Summary: When Jill, a competitive high school fencer, goes with her family on vacation to the Bahamas, she is magically transported to an early eighteenth century pirate ship in the middle of the ocean.

My quick wicked thoughts...An adventerous story with lots of sword fighting but falling short on character depth and romance.

Why I was tempted to read this...I was so excited to read this when I read the blurb and the cover is great

Cover thoughts...I love it...very magical

Romance meter...Eh. I was REALLY hoping for some more romance in this book, there was so much chance for it but it really disappoints in that area.

Characters and plot...The book had lots of adventure, sword fighting and drama. I felt it lacked character development...I would like to get more into Jill's head but it seemed to be told from an observer point of view. As I already mentioned, the was also lacking in the romance department so I was kinda bummed about that. The action was enough to keep you interested and reading the book though.

The ending...was about what was expected, no huge surprises there. It ends good, but I don't really see this as a series, more of a stand alone book. I didn't find anything on the author's website to confirm that.

Review: Firelight ARC by Sophie Jordan

2010-09-14T16:33:00.000-05:00

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Hardcover: 336 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: September 7, 2010
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My Rating: 5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

A HIDDEN TRUTH
MORTAL ENEMIES
DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

My quick wicked thoughts...An engrossing YA debut book with romance, action and dragons!

Why I was tempted to read this...The blurb sounded good, I have read only one other book about dragons and loved it.

Cover thoughts...Really amazing. Love the dragon eyes and scales!

Romance meter...Oh my...yes of course there was some romance as bad as the two lovers tried to deny it...it was something they couldn't control.

Characters and plot...I absolutely loved this book. I devoured it and definitely lost some sleep getting to the end so I would know how it ended! The characters were engaging and likable, the conflicts were believable, and I didn't want to punch anyone for being a whiny bag ha ha. Sophie loves being a draki (descendant of dragons) and loves the freedom it sometimes affords her, even though her pride tried to keep ties on her. When she breaks a rule and gets into trouble...it is a draki hunter that lets her go. Little does she know as her mom shakes up her world and moves them away from the pride that she is destined to meet her hunter again...and then the sparks will fly. Sophie is not a wimpy character, she is a take-charge kind of girl and I love that. This book kept me completely enthralled until the very end and left me wanting more. It just came out last week so definitely go out and get this one.

The ending...The ending was good, you have a partial feeling of happiness that things didn't get completely screwed up but you are also DYING to read the next in the series to see where Sophie takes you next. I didn't see on the author's website when the next in the series will be out, but I will be looking for it!

Review: Immortal Beloved ARC by Cate Tiernan

2010-08-23T12:13:00.001-05:00

Title: Immortal Beloved
Author: Cate Tiernan
Hardcover: 416 pages
Published: Sept 7, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

My quick wicked thoughts...An exciting start to a new trilogy, with engaging immortal characters but leaving many unanswered questions.

Why I was tempted to read this...I hadn't heard about it before it was offered on the ARC tour but the blurb reeled me in.

Cover thoughts...it's pretty cool, I like the use of swirling colors

Romance meter...not a ton of action but a lot of build up and I suspect that the future two books will make the build up all worth it! They are both fighting an attraction that neither think they want.

Characters and plot...I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. It kept my interest with Nastasya developing as a person from the spoiled, careless girl into someone that wants live...really live, rather than just exist. The mystery of her connection with Rayn is told thru flashbacks to the past in the form of visions that she has. Nastasya has always been uncomfortable with magic and discovers she has unusual talents for it when she opens herself up to the possibility. There are a couple of different plots going on in this books, one of which is resolved at the end of the book...but the others are left for future books, which makes me that much more excited to read them! Nastasya at the end of the book is 180 degrees from the character at the start, she grows, learns, deals with the past, accepts truths and learns to forgive. That's a lot to cover in a book and this author does a fantastic job of it.

The ending...was short, sweet, and somewhat abrupt...solving one problem but leaving others open. According to the author's blog, she working on book #2, currently titled Everlasting Darkness. I didn't see a release date, but I am ready!

Release info...this doesn't officially release until Sept 7th but Amazon.com is already selling it and I heard it is B&N stores too...so go out and get a copy!

CSN stores

2010-08-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

The lovely people at CSN stores contacted me recently to see if I would be interested in doing a review of one of their products...well their email couldn't have come at a better time! I was first looking over their bedroom furniture sets, because lets be honest, who couldn't use some sprucing up there. As luck would have it, my computer desk chair broke just this week, so that will be the product I will be testing out. I think this one looks pretty fabulous, what do you guys think?

So I will be ordering my new chair very soon and I will try it out and give you guys a review. If you are looking for ANYTHING..check out csnstore.com because they really do have everything you can imagine!

Review: Halo ARC by Alexandra Adornetto

2010-08-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

Search Amazon.com for halo
Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Hardcover: 496 pages
Published: August 31, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from amazon.com:

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.
Is love a great enough power against evil?

My quick wicked thoughts...An original story about angels come to earth to help mankind and battle the dark forces.

Why I was tempted to read this...the blurb sounded interesting and I have enjoyed most of the angel stories I have read this year.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty amazing, I love the wings in the picture

Romance meter...Bethany and Xavier have an unstoppable romance that tests the bounds of established rules.

Characters and plot...The was a beautifully woven story of angels, hope and enduring love. When Bethany comes to earth with her "family", Ivy and Gabriel, she is experiencing everything for the first time: the way things feel, taste, smell, hunger and unexpectedly for her, love. She starts school to help them get out into the community and meets the nice boy of the school, Xavier, that she finds herself drawn to him. She wants to deny this because angels are not allowed to have that type of relationship with humans, after all, they are only on earth for the duration of their mission and then they will go back to heaven.

I found this book engaging and somewhat humorous at times. The characters were likable and actually, Xavier, was almost too perfect, but that's okay. Ivy was a motherly type of angel and Gabriel was somewhat strict but so mysterious you couldn't help but want to know more. It is a long book but I didn't ever get bogged down into too much information that disrupted the flow of the book, it was an easy read. This book as a sequel coming out in 2011 and I look forward to reading more of Bethany and Xavier's romance...and I honestly hope that Gabriel gets to have a little fun of his own.

Interesting author fact...this is the 3rd book written by this author and she is only 18. You can definitely tell her parents are English teachers because the book is written so beautifully.

Review: Nevermore ARC by Kelly Creagh

2010-08-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

Title: Nevermore
Author: Kelly Creagh
Hardcover: 560 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: August 31, 2010
My Copy: Star Book Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted - nevermore!

-- from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

My quick wicked thoughts...Dark, mysterious, edgy romance set that shows you everything isn't how it first seemed.

Why I was tempted to read this...reading the blurb made if sound like a fresh take on a YA paranormal romance, who wouldn't love reading about Edgar Allan Poe!

Cover thoughts...love it...gave me a clear vision of the two main characters.

Romance meter...lots of sizzling sparks between Isobel and Varen, I hope to see even more in the 2nd book.

Characters and plot...Isobel's world changes in the blink of an eye when she is paired with goth boy Varen for an assignment. She must get a good grade on this project to stay on the cheerleading team. Isobel starts breaking all the rules with her parents and her friends to start spending time with Varen on this project. Varen is mysterious and dark and has an obsession with Edgar Allan Poe. As they start hanging out more, strange things start happening to Isobel and her life as she knows it changes...and when she goes to a party with Varen, things change in ways she couldn't even guess.

I have to say I loved this book, I loved the dynamic between Isobel and Varen...and all his secrets. I love the way the author weaved in Poe's writings into the story and created a new world for the characters to exist in. If I have to say one thing negative, it would be that the climax of the plot was so long...this is a long book at 560 pages and about the last 1/4 of it was the plot climax. You cannot say that things came together too quickly in the end for this book LOL I was getting impatient to get to the end and find out what was happening with Varen. This is actually one of those books that has so much depth that you could read it again and probably find things you missed the first time thru. I will definitely purchase this one for my shelf.

The ending...the ending leaves things totally up in the air for the next book. There is so much left to happen that I really cannot wait to read it! The ending did break my heart a bit, but I just know things will be fixed in the sequel which according the the author's website, she is working on.

Review: Beautiful Darkness ARC by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

2010-08-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

Title: Beautiful Darkness
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Hardcover: 512 pages
Published: October 12, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World ARC Tours
My rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

My quick wicked thoughts...the second book in the series that I wish I had loved as much as the first.

Why I was tempted to read this...Beautiful Creatures was awesome so of course I wanted to read the sequel!

Cover thoughts...I loved it just as much as the BC's cover, both are dark, spooky and gothic, gotta love it

Romance meter...very low :( see below why!

Characters and plot...I had some high expectations for this book considering how much I loved BC, and I have to admit, I was somewhat disappointed. I spent most of this book wanting to kick Lena for being such a witch toward Ethan and then I wanted to kick Ethan for putting up with it! When Lena pulled away from him, she did it in a big way and was very unpredictable. It was pretty much breaking my heart for Ethan. The story was fairly slow until Ethan discovered the tunnels and started exploring and things broke wide open. The plot was engaging at that point and I was just done with Lena ha ha. There were some questions that got answered in this book from BC and Ethan develops more as a character, which I was happy to see. I am still just DONE with Lena :) Maybe the 3rd book will redeem her.

The ending...was dramatic and exciting, all that I was hoping. I was thinking to myself that this book could end quite badly, but I was satisfied with the ending.

Review: Shadow Hills ARC by Anastasia Hopcus

2010-08-04T14:57:00.000-05:00

Title: Shadow Hills
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Hardcover: 400 pages
Published: July 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Book it Forward ARC Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA -- a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died.

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach -- the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after -- seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.

My quick wicked thoughts...A unique and enthralling spooky romance that will keep you hooked until the end.

Why I was tempted to read this...I had read a few reviews and just the blurb about it made it sound different and fun.

Cover thoughts...It's okay...it doesn't blow me away.

Romance meter...heck yes! The intense attraction between Phe and Zach is just perfectly written. As much as they try to deny it, they have some major sparks going on!

Characters and plot...I really loved the characters in this book. Phe was interesting and engaging, she is a girl who isnt afraid to go out there and get what she wants! Zach of course is the unobtainable hot guy that just a nice guy too. I didn't want to kick him upside the head like I do a lot of guys ha ha. The mystery of the dreams with town secrets are mixed together perfectly to keep you flipping pages until the end. As Phe starts to realize that she might be tied into this town and it's future, she is also determining she might have powers she didn't know about.

The ending...it was very satisfying but there are still some unanswered questions. Can't find much on news of a sequel but her blog does say she is working on it, yay!!

The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) ARC by Cassandra Clare

2010-08-02T09:17:00.000-05:00

Title: The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: August 31, 2010
Hardcover: 496 pages
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Book It Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My quick wicked thoughts...A wonderfully crafted new series from the author of the Mortal Instruments series taking place in Victorian era England.

Why I was tempted to read this..I loved the MI series and this looked deliciously steampunk-ish

Cover thoughts..It's pretty awesome, gives you a view of the Clockwork Angel and of Will.

Romance Meter..Definitely some sparks between Tessa and Will...with some definite interest from James. James (or Jem as he prefers) is just a sweet guy with a devastating secret, Will is sweet one moment and rude and nasty the next, you don't know what you are going to get with him, but the attraction is undeniable.

Character and Plot...Oh this book was all that I was hoping for, plus some. I loved the MI series, but honestly...I couldn't remember much about it when I started reading this book (too many books in between I think lol). That did not take away from this book at all, which new characters (and a few old ones) the story is original and captivating. Set in Victorian England in a steampunk-ish era, Tessa comes from the US to live with her brother after her aunt dies. She is swiped up by the Dark Sisters and held captivate to learn her abilites of shape shifting, that she had no idea she had. This isn't your animal/werewolf shape shifting either, she can take an item that belonged to a person, and change into that person with voice and memories...and the person can be still living or not. This makes Tessa a value commodity and the Dark Sisters are going to marry her off to The Magister. In the nick of time, Tessa is saved by the Shadowhunters and taken into their world to learn the truth of her abilities, friends, and family. This book is almost 500 pages but it flew by, I had trouble putting it down. I loved that Magnus Bane came back for this book, I just absolutely loved him in the MI series....once I finally started remember what happened in that series. It isn't necessary to have read the MI series to read this once with its cast of new main characters...but you should read them anyway if you haven't.

The Ending..Ahhh..the ending...perfect in some ways...but leaves you hanging enough you are anxiously waiting for Book 2, The Clockwork Prince, due out in 2011.

Infinite Days ARC by Rebecca Maizel

2010-07-16T11:29:00.001-05:00

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

2010-07-16T09:59:00.001-05:00

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

2010-07-16T09:23:00.002-05:00

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

2010-07-16T09:03:00.001-05:00

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

2010-07-07T10:04:00.001-05:00

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

2010-07-07T09:31:00.002-05:00

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

2010-07-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

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!

Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2010-06-24T12:29:00.001-05:00

Title: Raised by Wolves
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Hardcover: 432 pages
Published: June 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My Rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

My quick wicked thoughts...A kick ass heroine that is submerged in pack politics, stalker drama and hot werewolves.

Why I was tempted to read this...The cover caught my eye and the blurb about it reeled me in.

Cover thoughts...dark blue and mysterious, I like it

Romance Meter...umm oh yeah and pretty hot when Chase is around. Unfortunately they are separated for most of the book, but they work to overcome this. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 on romance.

Character and Plot...Bryn is a headstrong, tough, never-give-up kind of girl and I love that about her. She kind of reminded me of Mercy from the Patricia Briggs series. When she puts her mind to a task, she will get it done...one way or another, sometimes with disastrous consequences! Bryn was raised by the pack, but not "in" the pack...always holding herself apart and "safe" from their pack mentality and politics. When she finds out Chase is locked up at the alpha's house, she requests permission to speak with him and the alpha makes her do numerous things before he will grant his permission. Bryn believe Chase is her link to remembering what happened when her parents were killed by a rabid wolf, but as she starts remember and talking to Chase, she finds out a lot of other things also. There is a lot of growing as a person that Bryn does in the book as well as taking responsibility for her actions.

The Ending...There is quite a journey to get to the end and so many dynamics change around in the book, but it is set up perfectly for a sequel. The ending is just right, not disappointing but also leaves the door open for a lot to happen.

Sequel... YES! per the author's website, Trail by Fire will be published Summer 2011! I look forward to it!

Review: Deception (A Haunting Emma Novel) by Lee Nichols

2010-06-24T11:43:00.003-05:00

Title: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Hardcover: 336 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: June 2010
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian—her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern—and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore—except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

My quick wicked thoughts...A fast-paced, enthralling, gothic ghost story with awesome characters.

Why I was tempted to read this...I had read a few glowing reviews on it and immediately added it to my wish list.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty spooky and gothic, I like it!

Romance Meter...the romance was suspenseful because you just didn't know who to trust and who was telling the truth. I would give it a 4 out of 5.

Character and Plot...Emma was a completely likable character that handles a lot of responsibility and drama. She takes up the reins when her parents leave her unexpectedly, the adult that is supposed to watch her resigns, and she is left to her own devices managing their antique store, unable to get in touch with anyone. When she gets in trouble and Bennett rushes in from nowhere and saves her, she's off to another part of the country with a new school and living in a museum. Her only contact is Bennett and he is often MIA so she does a lot of fact finding on her own when she figures out she is a Ghostkeeper. The characters are engaging and the plot is dynamic and keeps swiftly moving from one thing to another. I inhaled this book and didn't want to put it down.

The Ending...A perfectly executed cliffhanger that will have you eagerly waiting the next book in the trilogy! Who to trust?? Who to trust??

Sequel...yes of course! Word is Betrayal will be out sometime early next year...not sure I can wait!!

Review: Penitence by Jennifer Laurens

2010-06-21T09:56:00.001-05:00

Title: Penitence
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Paperback: 322 pages
Published: April 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Book Two. Seeing good and evil spirits is a gift Zoe guards with her life. Despite her guardian angel's disappearance, Zoe forces herself to accept that she still has a purpose-but how does she carry the weight of her brother's drug abuse, the hardship of living with an autistic sister, and a best friend who's obsessed with a guy who only wants Zoe? She's never felt more alone. When a mysterious spirit appears, Zoe thinks she has a new guardian angel. Instead, her brother's addiction worsens, her parents are on the brink of separation, and her best friend tries to kill her. The spirit she thinks is her new guardian isn't there to protect her: he's out to destroy her family and seize Zoe's soul. . . for Hell. Will Matthias' return mean that he is Zoe's guardian angel again? Or is their love the reason the jaws of Hell now gape open?

**Possible Spoilers if you haven't read Heavenly**

My quick wicked thoughts...2nd book in the series does not disappoint with action, drama, romance and a surprising change up of characters.

Why I was tempted to read this...I **loved** Heavenly and after reading chapter 1 of this in the back of it...I knew I had to read this asap!

Cover thoughts...Kinda underwhelmed just like Heavenly, I think they could be more dramatic,.

Romance Meter...A surprising twist of a love triangle in this book, I won't give away WHO but if you read Heavenly, you will be shocked...and shocked when your opinion of the guy in question changes too! I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 since Matthias is missing a good part of the book and the new guy isn't trusted much.

Character and Plot...All the same characters are back with a few new ones to stir things up. The book picks up after Zoe is ripped from Matthias' arms in Paradise and plunked back down in the real world. She is trying to embrace this new chance and life the best she can while missing Matthias who has gone MIA with no word. When things start spiraling out of control with her family, her brother and her best friend, she needs Matthias more than ever but has to turn to an unlikely person for support. As she begins to trust this person, Matthias comes back in the picture to stir up her heart once again. Enter the creepy guy in black that is following her around and you have all kinds of drama.

The Ending...It was a solid ending but left the door wide open for book #3, Absolution, due out 10/11/10.

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

2010-06-11T11:34:00.001-05:00

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Hardcover 336 pages
Published: March 2, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Book it Forward Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Blurb from Amazon.com:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My quick wicked thoughts...A fun and drama-filled read about witches, spells, school and of course...a forbidden cute warlock.

Why I was tempted to read this...Well I have been wanting to read it for a long time, I knew this kind of book was right down my alley, and I was not disappointed!

Cover thoughts...Well my ARC was just plain and white but I really love both the US and UK versions of the cover!

Romance Meter...Oh yeah...definite chemistry between Sophie and Archer. While they didn't get to explore that spark much because Archer was dating the queen bee of the witches (with a B), there were moments together where it was undeniable. So I would say a 3.5 out of 5...but I think the 2nd book will heat up the romance factor some!

Character and Plot...Our main character, Sophie, is a witch that unfortunately hasn't had formal training since she lives with her human mother and her warlock father has been absent her whole life...this leads to a lot of trouble which gets Sophie sent to Hex Hall for school. There she makes friends with her outcast roommate (the only vampire student) and makes enemies of the clique of beautiful witches. She also starts a love/hate relationship with Archer, a cute warlock. When member of this clique start getting hurt in the same way that a witch died in last year, all fingers point to Sophie's vampire roommate. Sophie refuses to believe this and goes on her own mission to find the truth. In the meantime, a ghost from her family line shows up to help Sophie out in magic. The plot was fast moving and action packed, it kept me interested and flipping pages until the end.

The Ending...The ending was not so predictable, the author shook up some things and people that you thought were one way, were actually another...or so you think at this point. Is that vague enough? ha ha There is plenty of room for changing stuff around for sequel.

Sequel...YES according to the author's blog. It is titled Demonglass and scheduled for release in March 2011. Can't wait to read it! And as an added tidbit...Demonglass was actually the name for Hex Hall before it was published but they chose to go a less "dark" direction with the 1st book.

Review: Linger (ARC) by Maggie Stiefvater

2010-06-08T11:47:00.002-05:00

Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Hardcover: 368 pages
Published: July 20, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.

Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn't cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.

But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it's only me who's not firmly in my own skin.

My quick wicked thoughts...The 2nd in a trilogy packed with wolves, parental boundaries, teenage rebellion, and friendship. There is also the addition of a few new characters.

Why I was tempted to read this...Shiver was just awesome and I could not wait to hear more about Sam and Grace.

Cover thoughts...Understated but also cool in the fact that it looks like tree limbs, but one of them is actually a girl walking.

Romance Meter...Well hello, Sam and Grace were together most of the book! If you read Shiver and remember the book store nook part..you know what to expect. While the romance isn't so much new anymore, it is comfortably settled and they are always in the others thoughts.

Character and Plot...The book told from 4 alternating view points and surprisingly flows extremely well. I usually feel a little cheated when the author is popping from person to person, but this is seamless. The two obvious voices are Sam and Grace, also added in was Isabel and Cole. Cole is one of the wolves newly turned by Beck to help carry on the pack since Beck was convinced he was not coming back from being a wolf this year. The whole book spans the winter months so you really get to see very little of the other wolves, it is mostly tied up in the drama of Grace's sickness and the issues she is having with her parents. It seems a little slow at times and I wonder why we are not getting to the part we have been waiting for the whole book, but there is plenty to keep your interest. Sam is having to deal with a few of the new wolves, stepping into Beck's shoes, which he really wants no part of, especially the troublemaker, Cole. I really wished we learned more what was going on with the other wolves, there are mysteries galore that I am sure the author will clear up in final book, or I certainly hope so!

The Ending...The ending was not surprising, but was left wide open for the final book, Forever, coming out July 2011.

Fun Author Fact...If you are like me, and really unsure how to pronounce Stiefvater, Maggie gives you some help on her website FAQ. It is pronounced "Steve-Otter".

Review: Low Red Moon (ARC) by Ivy Devlin

2010-06-02T14:52:00.001-05:00

Title: Low Red Moon
Author: Ivy Devlin
Hardcover: 256 pages
Published: September 14, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from ivydevlin.com:

Low Red Moon is about Avery Hood, who is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.

She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.

It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...

But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben?

My quick wicked thoughts...Murder, romance, mystery and werewolves packed into a pretty quick read.

Why I was tempted to read this...I enjoy reading about werewolves and this one looked to have a different take on it.

Cover thoughts...The ARC cover is not the final cover to be used per the author's website, and I forgot to take a picture of it before I shipped it off, sorry! It was pretty cool...lots of red and spooky trees and a moon. I heard the final cover is amazing, can't wait to see it!

Romance Meter...There was definitely some sparks going between Avery and Ben, especially when he would give her smoldering looks and his eyes flash silver. I would give it a good 4 out of 5 on the romance meter.

Character and Plot...I have to say when I was about 1/4 of the way thru this book, I just thought the story and telling of it was just...weird. Not necessarily weird-bad, just different so it took me awhile to be immersed in the story. That being said, I certainly didn't want to walk away from the book, I needed to know what was happening! Avery is a strong female character that was being raised quite "green"...for a lack of a better word. She lived with her parents out in the woods with unreliable electric service so they survive with solar panels and grow most of their own food. Her parents were murdered but Avery doesn't remember anything about it except a flash of silver. Avery then goes to live with her Grandmother, who appears to have her own secrets, but she is a rock for Avery even though they were not previously close.

The Ending...Avery's journey to discover what happened the horrible night that her parents died spans the whole book, with various tidbits of things she remembers on the way. The ending is not necessarily predictable so I enjoyed not really knowing for sure what happened until the end.

Fun Author Fact...The inside cover of the book stated the Ivy Devlin is a pseudonym for a popular and critically acclaimed author of teen fiction. News around the merry-g0-round is that it is Elizabeth Scott, who you might recognize wrote The Unwritten Rule and Something Like Fate. Her website does not confirm this.

Book Blogger Hop (4)

2010-05-28T08:50:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and time for the Book Blogger Hop! What is this craziness you ask? Well it was started by Jennifer over at Crazy for Books and this is what she says...

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all book bloggers and readers a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! So, I created this weekly BOOK PARTY where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start PARTYING!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event!

So go HERE and join it! It's Friday...and it's Fun!

Review: The Education of Bet (ARC) by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2010-05-27T09:33:00.001-05:00

Title: The Education of Bet
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Published: July 12, 2010
Hardcover: 192 pages
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:
When Will and Bet were four, tragic circumstances brought them to the same house, to be raised by a wealthy gentleman as brother and sister. Now sixteen, they’ve both enjoyed a privileged upbringing thus far. But not all is well in their household. Because she’s a girl, Bet’s world is contained within the walls of their grand home, her education limited to the rudiments of reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing. Will’s world is much larger. He is allowed—forced, in his case—to go to school. Neither is happy. So Bet comes up with a plan and persuades Will to give it a try: They’ll switch places. She’ll go to school as Will. Will can live as he chooses. But once Bet gets to school, she soon realizes living as a boy is going to be much more difficult than she imagined.

My quick wicked thoughts...A quick and hilarious book about a girl determined to follow her dreams, no matter what it takes.

Why I was tempted to read this...I have been a fan of Lauren's writing for awhile (see my review on Crazy Beautiful) and I love historical fiction, this was a no-brainer read for me and I have been looking forward to it for months!

Cover thoughts...Very pretty, very time-period appropriate.

Romance Meter...It was about a 3.5 out of 5 on the romance, there is definitely an attraction between Bet (or Will as she calls herself when she is in disguise) and her roommate, James. This romance of course cannot be pursued too much because James thinks she is guy! When Bet gets to attend a dance as herself when "Will" is sick, the romance starts there with the obvious spark between the two and keeps things heated up, especially when she has a tendency to want to act like Bet when she is Will around James!

Character and Plot...Bet is determined to get an education, something not allowed to women in the era she lived, even if that means cutting off her hair and learning how to be a guy. Will, the boy that was brought up as a brother to her, doesn't appreciate school and would really rather join the military and start living his life, so Bet proposes a trade. She will be him and go to school (since he has to start a new one for getting expelled from the last one) and he can go join the military. While trying to plan for everything, of course, Bet forgets some very important things and doesn't know about others, so needless to say she isn't really prepared for a lot of things at school. This book had me laughing out loud at some of the stuff she was doing and how she reacted to certain things, but this girl has backbone and I really liked that about her. James, her roommate and future love, is very mysterious and different from most of the kids at the school, his character develops more towards the end of the book. At 192 pages, this is a quick, light read but one I finished in an afternoon because it was really fun to read. Bet and her antics will have you laughing out loud and flipping pages because you will want to know what kind of trouble she will get into next.

The Ending...It ended was pretty predictably but good. Everything wrapped up nicely with no major surprises except with James, because you just didn't know much about him. You will walk away chuckling and smiling and wishing the book was a little bit longer so you could stay in Bet's world to see what she will get into next. If you haven't read any books by this author, I urge you to grab one and get ready to crack up, she has a great sense of humor.

Fun Author Fact...Throughout college, on semester breaks she worked as a doughnut salesperson, a job she swears gave her white lung disease from inhaling all the powered sugar flying around. Oh I would gain so much weight working there! ha ha

Review: Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

2010-05-26T13:10:00.001-05:00

Title: Heavenly
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Paperback: 294 pages
Published: August 2009
Reading Level: YA/Adult
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Amazon.com:

I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

My quick wicked thoughts...This book was SO much more than I was originally expecting. I think I expected a quick, fun read and while it is that...it is also so much deeper.

Why I was tempted to read this...I knew it was about a guardian angel so I was definitely interested.

Cover thoughts...It's pretty cool, you see Matthias's face in the clouds.

Romance Meter...It was an intense 4 out of 5 on the romance scale...while there wasn't a lot of actual touching, the desire to do more was definitely there!

Character and Plot...I have to say this book made me reconsider my first impressions of main characters. When we first meet Zoe, my first impression was a spoiled, self absorbed, bitchy, unappreciative little teenager...having a pity party because she is needed to help out with her little sister who is autistic. With that first impression, I stopped...and thought, who am I to judge someone based on their thoughts and actions when I myself have never had that responsibility of being caregiver for someone that is autistic or extremely dependent upon someone else? How do I know that I wouldn't be feeling the same why at her age given the responsibilities she has to deal with? At that turning point for me, I became very wrapped up in the characters lives and a lot less judgmental. Matthias is all that a girl could want; attractive, sweet, caring and having a sense of humor. You can follow Zoe's progression of falling in love with him and fighting that, knowing nothing can come of their relationship, I mean..she's human and he's a guardian angel, a guardian angel that has never said anything about feeling the same way about her. Along with fighting her attraction to Matthias, Zoe has to deal with things at home including her brother's addiction to drugs and the care of her little sister. She also has to deal with the drama at school with her best friend and the guy drama, that turns out to include her more than she originally thought. With all this, this author keeps your attention as you are sucked into Zoe's world.

The Ending...I had a hard time putting this book down to do normal "life" things (like work and sleep, ha ha)...I had to know how this would end. What could change that they could be together? Is it going to be heart wrenching or a sweet, perfect ending? Well, let me tell you...the ending was awesome and I was a happy little camper until I read the included sneak peep of the second book, Penitence. This shook up everything, thanks a lot Jennifer, now I am DYING to get my hands on the next book!

Book Reading Level Info... I rated this book YA/Adult because it has a little more adult situations than your normal YA book in regards to drug and alcohol use and reference to sexual matters. Nothing too graphic tho.

Sequel...YES! Penitence was released April 29th. The third in the series, Absolution is due out October 11, 2010.

Fun Author Fact...Jennifer has 6 children ages 11 to 23, one of which has autism. I believe this is how she writes so beautifully about Abria in the book. She is also the author of Falling for Romeo.

Review: Everlasting (ARC) by Angie Frazier

2010-05-24T15:11:00.001-05:00

Title: Everlasting
Author: Angie Frazier
Hardcover: 336 pages
Published: June 1, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty. On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous - and alluring - magic. The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who - and what - matters most.

My quick wicked thoughts...Take family values, throw in some forbidden love and family secrets and add a dash of Indiana Jones action and you have Everlasting.

Why I was tempted to read this... I am a fan of historical fiction, so when that is combined with a YA novel with hints of magic and curses, I couldn't pass it up!

Cover thoughts...The cover is okay, nothing dramatic or showy, but you get an idea that there will be some romance on the water.

Romance Meter...It was about a 3 out of 5. Camille is engaged to a decent sort of guy but there is just isn't a spark with him, as bad as she wants it to be there. The chills and sparks come from the average guy that works on her father's ship...and he has been forbidden to her, being below her station in life, by her father. The romance between Oscar and Camille is denied until the last part of the book, she is constantly fighting what she wants and what she needs to do out of duty.

Character and Plot...Camille is a likable character, trying to live up to what her father wants for her and trying to make that work with what would make her happy out of life. Oscar is a good guy, faithful friend and later in the book proves to have backbone so that she doesn't walk all over him. Go Oscar! The plot was consistent and you know where it was going, it was fairly predictable, no huge surprises for me. It kept my interest with the budding romance and the journey that they were on. Camille has some very tough decisions and gets thrown for a loop with family secrets along the way and it makes for an exciting trip!

The Ending...It was fairly predictable but I was satisfied with it. It set up nicely for a sequel, because there are some loose ends that are dangling.

Sequel...According to the author's website there is a sequel in the works! YAY!

Fun Author Fact...Everlasting is Angie's debut YA novel and she has two destructive cats...hey, i have one of those. NOT FUN haha

Review: The Ghost and the Goth (ARC) by Stacey Kade

2010-05-21T11:26:00.001-05:00

Title: The Ghost and the Goth
Author: Stacey Kade
Hardcover: 288 pages
Published: June 29, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Around the World Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from author's website:

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star…and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?

My quick wicked thoughts... This was a fun and entertaining story about a girl everyone loves to hate and guy that few know exist and how they are pushed together for a common goal.

Why I was tempted to read this...Well I love a good ghost story and the twist of a goth guy sounded fun.

Cover thoughts...Well my ARC was just a plain red cover, but looking at the picture of the book that will be released...I love it! I think it is fun and colorful, definitely eye-catching and it will stand out on the shelves.

Romance Meter...About a 3.5 out of 5. There is a lot that Alona and Will have to overcome before they can even recognize that spark between each other and pursue that, but it is a fun trip all the same.

Character and Plot...Alona appears shallow, self absorbed and honestly just a bitch in the first of the book, I was wondering if she was going to get on my nerves or not. Once you got some background information on why she was the way she was...and her thoughts shifted some throughout the book dealing with friends and a boyfriend that wasn't what she thought, she got a reality check and became fun and likable. I have to say I was laughing out loud at some of the snarky, smart-ass comments she made, it really kept the book rolling along. Will is your average loner guy with a few select friends, just thought of as the weird guy by most in school. Poor guy had a lot to deal with considering the principal hated him and he sees ghosts everywhere, plus a black cloud he suspects is his father following him around. The plot had direction and you know what it was leading towards but there were still some surprises thrown in to change your thinking. The author did a good job of keeping the readers interest up and the plot developing.

The Ending...I have to say I am a lover of happy endings and about half way thru this book I realized there is NO WAY it could end happily like I wanted it to, things just couldn't work out that way given the information I was given at that point. Closer to the end of the book, I knew I was right and was getting a little bummed out, I admit. BUT, happy ending lovers do not despair, the author had a few more tricks up her sleeve and things ended satisfactorily for me and I look forward to reading more!

Sequel news...YES! in the works per the author's blog, as of the March post it was titled Princess Poltergeist. Definitely on my wish list!

Fun Author Fact...This is Stacey Kade's first book but this isn't the first thing she has written. She is an award winning corporate copywriter and has written everything from backhoe loaders to breast pumps. Now that's depth!

Review: 13 to Life (ARC) by Shannon Delany

2010-05-18T11:49:00.002-05:00

Title: 13 to Life
Author: Shannon Delany
Paperback: 320 pages
Published: June 22, 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Traveling ARC Tours
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb from Goodreads.com:

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.
The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

** I am trying out a new review system...tell me what you guys think!**

My quick wicked thoughts... This books is a great start to series that wraps in werewolves, mafia, and rebellious teenagers with a cliffhanger ending.

Why I was tempted to read this... I love a good werewolf story and the title of the book intrigued me.

Cover thoughts... The cover was pretty cool, I originally thought the "eye" was that of a wolf but on closer inspection it appears to be a human eye...with really big eyebrows (trim those dude!)

Romance Meter... It was about a 4 on a scale of 5. Jessie has a crush on the popular guy in school who has just recently shown an interest in her since she started showing the new guy, Pietr, around. Pietr is at first rude and aloof but it gradually turns to more with Jessie, with complications from Jessie's friends.

Characters and Plot... I thought the main characters were pretty well developed, you know what Jessie is thinking and why and she is very likable ...and Pietr, well, he is just a mystery until almost the end of the book, which kept me flipping pages. I thought the supporting friends characters could have been developed more, they were kinda glossed over in the first of the book and it wasn't until later when you found out more info on one of them that I could actually remember them apart. From the blurb about the book you can obviously tell that it is about werewolves but you really do not get the details about that until the very end of the book, in my opinion, if they had left that out of the blurb, I would have enjoyed the guessing game of what exactly Pietr was. It wouldn't have been shocking or anything, but just a nice mystery.

The Ending... Can you say cliffhanger and unanswered questions? ha ha. Yeah...I am definitely tuning in for the second in the series because there is a lot of teaser information about character and events that I am dying to know about. No details on the second...but there better be one! UPDATE from Shannon! Per the copy edits on book 2 it is scheduled to be released Fall 2010 but she has also been given a date of January 2011. Let's hope it is more like Fall 2010, ha ha!

Fun Author Fact... Shannon wrote 13 to Life in 2008 and won the Grand Prize in the first ever cell phone novel contest, textnovel.com. How cool is that? She has expanded the original version with additional characters and sub plots to reveal the final novel as we see it today, I just think that's amazing!

Review: The Mermaid's Mirror (ARC) by L.K. Madigan

2010-05-17T10:14:00.001-05:00

Title: The Mermaid's Mirror (ARC)
Author: L.K. Madigan
Hardcover: 320 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: Oct. 4, 2010
My copy: NetGalley.com
My rating: 3 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach – walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves – the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf. But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport. Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman – with a silvery tail. Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove. And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …

My thoughts:

It has taken me a bit to form an opinion on this book. I love a good happy ending so this book's ending, while happy in some aspects, left me disappointed and feeling cheated. I found the story itself interesting but the parts that interested me the most were located in the last 1/3 of the book. The first 2/3 gave you a lot of background info, some character building, and some wandering-filler type info but when the mermaid part came into play and her "true" love interest..it was toward the end of the book. I need more of that!

Lena has always felt drawn to the ocean, not knowing why and when she finds herself sleepwalking to the beach and singing songs that she never remembers hearing, so she starts doing a little investigation into her Mother, that was killed, or so she thought, when she was just a baby. She also wants to learn to surf like all her friends and boyfriend, but her Dad forbids it, never really explaining to her why. She she defies him and starts surfing on her and ends up getting saved by a mermaid, then things start rolling.

If I knew there would be a sequel to this book, I wouldn't feel so cheated by the ending, but my romantic heart was pretty bummed out. The author's website does not clarify if this will be a series or not. I wish there had been more time spent on the mermaid aspect and all that entailed, instead of it being crammed in the last 1/3 of the book.

Author Spotlight: Cynthia Roberts, author of Wind Warrior

2010-05-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

Today I would like to welcome Cynthia Roberts to Wicked Walker! Cynthia is the author of Wind Warrior, the first book in the Iroquois Series. Here's a little info on Wind Warrior:

Leslie Michaels is a visionary, and only those close to her know of her special gift and the visions that come when her mind and body surrender to sleep. Fate has a way of righting many wrongs, and for Leslie it is a destiny that changes her life dramatically. But not before she is forced to flee into the wilderness to escape a murderous trapper bent on claiming her for his very own. Faith and a strong will to survive are her only companions, until she encounters Winnokin, the handsome Seneca war chief who first came to her in her dreams. Not only does he prove to be her rescuer and protector, he teaches her that tragedy can breed happiness and the passion to live and love deeply once again.

Wind Warrior plunges readers into the intimate depths of a relationship that unfolds like a live drama before their eyes while painting an insightful and intriguing portrait of Native Indian life in the 1800s. It is a story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds, and a love so strong it conquers human evil. Wind Warrior expresses with cunning words the simple, raw human emotions that hold readers spellbound and captivates their hearts.

Sounds great doesn't it? I love when a book can give you a unique view on a time period and I haven't had the opportunity to read very many books about Native Americans. When you add a paranormal twist you know it will keep you interested!

Cynthia, tell us a little bit about yourself...

Hello everyone. Like all of you, I lived and breathed reading romances … it filled many long, lonely evenings when my husband worked nights in law enforcement and I was raising our children Jason and Alyssa (now 31 and 29). It proved my constant companion later when my “Cinderella” marriage of twenty-five years came to an unexpected end. There is a quote I heard once I can’t remember verbatim but goes somewhat like … “There is no greater loss than a love once known.”

I’m a true believer that when tragedy strikes and you’re standing at the edge of a fathomless abyss and all you see is darkness looking back at you, faith lies in knowing one of two things will happen. You can either let fear consume you, roll up into a ball and waste away or, you can take a leap of faith and learn how to soar like an eagle.

I’ve always had a passion for writing from that very moment a Crayola was placed in my hand and throughout my career in marketing, public relations and sales writing creatively came easy. When my marriage ended at the age of 45, life as I knew it was never the same. It was a time of unrest, uncertainty, losing friends and family and financial ruin because I also found myself jobless which continued nearly two years.

Wind Warrior became my salvation. One evening I sat in front of the computer and decided to write instead of read and figured all I could do was fail. It proved my therapy back then but not quite up to par to win the favor of publishers. I received so many rejections I could have wallpapered a small room in my house and almost gave up on my dream. That is, until I realized it just wasn’t my time. I needed to live through and get beyond the pain in my own life before I could transform that experience into the kind of passion and emotion I wanted my readers to feel personally through my writing.

I chose to write an historical Indian romance because the first fiction I ever read was a novel from Cassie Edward’s Savage series and instantly became hungry to read more. I tracked down every one of those babies; let me tell you, until I read them all. However, every one I read from that point on was based on a Plains tribe. I wanted to focus on a tribe indigenous to my area and decided to write a series based on the tribes that make up the Iroquois League of Nations here on the east coast. Their warriors were the fiercest ever known to strike terror in the hearts of early settlers from Pennsylvania to Canada. They were referred to as "People of the Longhouse" because their families lived together in wooden structures upward of 40 feet long. They were an extremely powerful nation that was sadly torn apart by the American Revolution. I fell in love with the simplistic beauty of their culture and folklore. We could learn so much from our Native American brothers and the reverent love and respect they have for everything that is natural and of this earth. They knew how to live in balance with plants, animals and the natural elements ... never taking more than what was needed to sustain their people and way of life.

Wind Warrior will officially be released on June 15th and available now for purchase through Tate’s website. It is my heartfelt hope readers will find it as enthralling to read as it was for me to research and bring to life. Book #2 Captive Heart is finished and expected to be released the end of this year.

Now that the writer in me has been unleashed … look out world! If I can leave my beautiful five grandchildren any legacy, it will be the strength, conviction and passion put into every story I bring to life. Please stay tuned for future projects which will include a series introducing contemporary shape shifters and two mainstream romance thrillers entitled Pawn For Malice and The Keeper’s Watch.

Wind Warrior
Tate Publishing
ISBN 978-1-61663-162-8
Link to purchase from Tate before June 15 http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-162-8
Available at Amazon and all other venues on June 15th
http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com

Thank you Cynthia for being on my Author Spotlight and we look forward to hearing more about Wind Warrior!

Blog Award! Whoop!

2010-05-13T09:05:00.000-05:00

Yippee! I got an award!! I love getting awards!

Thank you Bewitched Bookworms for the awesome award!

Here is how it works: If you are given this award you must first accept it by leaving a comment on the post you were nominated on. Then copy and paste the post and add it to your own blog. Make a list of the last 5 books you read and pass the award on to 5 other bloggers (no backsies!). Please also identify the blog from which you got the award and don't forget to tell them they have a blog award!

Here are the last 5 books I've read:

Dead in the Family

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

The Mermaid's Mirror

Claire de Lune

Immortal

Ok and I give the award to 5 awesome and lovely and great blogs. ( Too bad we only have 5 , picking 5 was not easy!!!)

25 Hour Books

Reading with Tequila

Daisy Chain Book Reviews

Edifying and Edgy

Parajunkee's View

Review: Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

2010-05-11T11:37:00.003-05:00

Title: Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10)
Author: Charlaine Harris
Hardcover: 320 pages
Published: May 2010
Reading Level: Adult Paranormal
My copy: Borrowed from a friend
My rating: 3.5 of out 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...

My thoughts:

I am going to start out by saying that I am sure Charlaine Harris has a 'master plan' that she is going off for the Sookie Series, but it is not evident to me. This book honestly felt like a filler book. There wasn't much intense drama or life changing revelations in this book. I can kinda see what it is leading into for book #11 and I look forward to some resolution with her, Eric and the new Vampire King. I was over half way thru the book before I could see a plot forming.

That being said, I love the Sookie series so much, all of the above did not prevent me from finishing this book pretty quickly. We see a different side of Sookie, Eric, Claude and even Jason in this book. I think the characters were expanded and enriched in this book which makes it vital in the series, but don't expect many loose ends to be tied up. Yep...I am still on the hook for book #11.

New Look....New Rating System

2010-05-07T10:13:00.005-05:00

So I was lucky enough to win a contest for a free blog makeover from Mrs Vanquish (aka Danny) at Bewitched Bookworms! She did SUCH a fabulous job on remaking my banner and blog...and she made me an awesome new rating system! Check it out and let me know what you think and then check out her design blog website at Twispired Blog Design. She is SO easy to work with and SO talented, I highly recommend her!

Thanks again Danny for everything!!

My Darklyng novel news!

2010-05-06T16:19:00.004-05:00

Not sure if you guys have heard of this yet or not, but I was talking to Lauren Mechling and she had some big news! You might recognize her as the author of the Dream Girl/Dream Life series and she co-wrote the 10th Grade Social Climber series. Well she has a cool new project going on that I am definitely going to have to check out. I loved Dream Girl (going to read Dream Life very soon!) so I am sure My Darklyng will not disappoint!

This is what Lauren has to say about it:

I'm co-writing a serialized teen novel called My Darklyng that will be running all summer long on the web site Slate. It will publish on Fridays, starting Memorial Day weekend. my Darklyng is a thriller about a girl who's obsessed with a vampire series and who ends up becoming friends with the gorgeous model on the cover of every book in the series. You can follow the characters on Twitter for now, and soon there will be a Facebook page for the main character, so you can follow the creepy things that are happening in her life in real time. Here are the Twitter pages--they're really fun so far.
@eternalnat (main character)
@mydarklyng (the vampire author)
@thejameskay (the model).

Doesn't that sound like fun?! Check it out, I will let you guys know more as I know it!

Review: Claire de Lune (ARC) by Christine Johnson

2010-04-23T11:01:00.002-05:00

Title: Claire de Lune
Author: Christine Johnson
Hardcover: 352 pages
Published: May 2010
Reading Level: YA
My copy: Peace, Love and Pat ARC Tour
My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked hearts

Blurb (from amazon.com):

Torn between two destinies?

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?.

My thoughts...

What an awesomely unique book on werewolves and pack dynamics! This books shakes up what you thought you knew about werewolves, in Claire's world...everyone knows they exist although she certainly doesn't know anyone that is one. Or at least that's what she thinks until on her 16th birthday she starts the change and her mom drops the bomb....yup, werewolf. She is in the process of changing but will take 3 full moons (3 months) to completely change 100%. At first Claire is freaked, her life is over and she can't believe this is happening to her...and just when she starts dating the perfect guy. Well, he was perfect until she found out she's a werewolf and his Dad happens to the leader of the anti-werewolf party that wants them locked up some they can experiment on them. As Claire gets more in tune with her werewolf self she opens up to the possibilities and wants to be a part of the group to find and stop the rogue werewolf that is killing people in her town.

The books starts out interesting but a little slow as you get to know the characters and let them evolve to a point where you know where the plot is leading you. I wasn't totally shocked by the ending, but I have to admit that the last 1/3 of the book was pretty action packed and I couldn't put it down. It definitely kept my interest and I look forward to reading the next in the series, or at least I hope there is one, I haven't seen anything definite on that.

Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

2010-04-21T13:41:00.001-05:00

Title: Jekel Loves Hyde
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Hardcover: 288 pages
Reading Level: YA
Published: May 2010
My Copy: International Book Tour
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules—especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she’s tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything—even Tristen’s love—just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

My thoughts...

I have seen a few reviews on this book, going from "I love it" to "embarrassingly bad"..and hey, to each their own. I fell somewhere in the middle on this one. I liked the book, I thought the idea of a story based on the descendants of Jekyll/Hyde was an interesting one and the characters didn't grate on my nerves. The story is told from alternating points of view, Jill and Tristen, so I kind of feel with that...I didn't get as involved in the one character as I wanted to. The mystery of not knowing what the other is thinking is fun for me.

Jill Jekel is a nerdy, timid science nut that has never really had a boyfriend. She connects with Tristen Hyde over a science project where first prize would win a $30,000 scholarship. Tristen is an aloof, good looking outsider (by his choice) that agrees with help Jill on the project for his own reasons...he believes that the "Hyde monster" lives inside him and has made him do terrible things in the past. He believes Jill has the solution to his problem, literally, in the form of a potion created from the notes of Dr. Jekyll.

I found this a quick and interesting read based on a storyline that is unique. I would have wished for maybe more character development to enroll me into their lives more, but that didn't stop me from reading it pretty quickly. If you enjoy dark, quirky, science-nerd type stories, check it out on May 3rd when it is released!

Review: The Body Finder (ARC) by Kimberly Derting

2010-04-19T10:56:00.001-05:00

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Hardcover: 336 pages
Published: March 2010
Reading Level: YA
My Copy: Book It Forward ARC Tours
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

My thoughts...

The Body Finder is an intense thriller with a sweet romance woven in. I finished this book pretty quickly because I wanted to get to the end! While it was predictable in some spots, it wasn't in others so it keep my attention until the end. Violet has an ability to sense when something has died (and I think that it is mostly tragic and/or sudden deaths) by an echo that they emit...and it affects her deeply until that body is put to rest. This is something she inherited from her Grandmother so her family is accepting of this oddity of Violets and trusts her judgment.

When Violet finds a body at the lake and other girls closer to home start disappearing she wanting to help find the killer, because those that kill emit an echo of their own that is similar to the person/thing they killed. Of course getting involved in the search also had a tendency to put the spotlight on yourself, so you can imagine the trouble she gets in with that. Mixed in all the murders and bodies is the intense attraction she has started feeling to her best friends for years, Jay. Convinced that he doesn't feel the same, Violet is tormented by being around him when she is missing all the signs he is giving her.

I really enjoyed this book and finished reading it pretty fast. Kimberly Derting has the sequel coming out in 2011 titled Desires of the Dead, and I can't wait to read it! If you haven't picked this up, do...it is a great mystery/romance and you will love it!

Wicked Bunny 100 Follower Contest Winners!

2010-04-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

YAY! The scary bunny has left (finally!) and turned my 100 followers contest into a 200+ followers contest! That means 4 winners!

Winner #1 (picks 2 books): Christa @ Words Roll Ever On and On

Winner #2 (picks 2 books): Linz @ Linz Reads

Winner #3(picks 1 book): Tabby

Winner #4 (picks 1 book): Allison @ Allison's Book Reviews

Christa has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond. As soon as I hear from her, I will email Linz with the list of remaining books and so on. Thanks everyone for entering the contest, I hope you enjoy your books!

Review: My Soul to Keep (ARC) by Rachel Vincent

2010-04-16T16:48:00.001-05:00

Title: My Soul to Keep

Author: Rachel Vincent

Published: June 2010

Paperback: 304 pages

Reading Level: YA

My copy: Rec'd from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Netgalley.com):

Kaylee and Nash discover that one of his football teammates is addicted to Demon's Breath, a dangerous Netherworld substance that shouldn't even be available in the human world. To save their friends from insanity--and possibly death--they must figure out how the Demon's Breath got into their world and somehow dispose of it, as well as cutting off the supply--without socially alienating themselves. And in the course of their investigation, Kaylee discovers a deeper plot by a powerful Netherworld demon to open a path between the worlds and pull humans into the Netherworld so that he can steal their souls and imprison their bodies. Along the way, she also discovers someone close to her has been hiding a deadly addiction as well...

My thoughts...

My Soul to Keep is the 3rd in the Soul Screamers series and to get the background on the characters, I would recommend you reading My Soul to Take and My Soul to Save. In this third book, Kaylee and Nash are trying to save their friends from the toxic, addictive substance referred to as Demon's Breath that is being passed around their school. Friends are falling victim to this drug and Kaylee is determined to figure out how it is getting into her world since there are not many people that can go back and forth carrying it.

I enjoyed this book as much as the two before it, still feeling frustrated at times because of Kaylee's stubbornness to never get help from those people that are older and wiser. That being said, this book shakes up friendships, relationships and thoughts you had about main characters. The book jumps from one drama-filled situation to another while they are trying to get to the bottom of Demon's Breath so it is easy to get sucked in and be unable to put the book down!

I did like being surprised in the way the book shook up Kaylee's world and I have to say I looked at one of the characters in a new light. I won't tell you who, so I can keep this review spoiler free, but it makes me wonder if Rachel has him in the running romantically speaking for book 4. YAY Team...oh I can't tell you! ha ha

Book 4 is titled My Soul to Steal and is coming out January 2011.

Book Blogger Hop (2) !!

2010-04-16T09:16:00.001-05:00

It's Friday and time for the Book Blogger Hop! What is this craziness you ask? Well it was started by Jennifer over at Crazy for Books and this is what she says...

This is a weekly event where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. Its a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following . In the spirit of the Friday Follow I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Have you SEEN the CONTEST CRAZE going on over at Princess Bookie??

2010-04-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

It is CRAZY today! She is giving away tons of books...and these are the good books that you have been dying to have...and some that you maybe haven't heard of but will now definitely want to read!

Head over there and check it out!

Princess Bookie Contest Craze

100 Followers Contest Update!

2010-04-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well the Wicked Bunny and come and gone and left me with an additional 98 followers! Yippee! That means 2 more winners (one for 150 and one for 200 because I am thinking optimistically!) get to pick a book each and I am adding some more to the pile to chose from! Here are all the books for the contest to date:

And ARC's of the following books:

So far we have Winner 1 picking 2 books, Winner 2 picking 2 books, Winner 3 picking 1 book, and Winner 4 picking 1 book.

Contest ends Friday, April 16th at 9 pm CST, so go HERE for the contest details!

Top 6 Books that have blown me away in 2010!

2010-04-10T09:58:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share with you (and enter La Femme Readers awesome contest!) my top 6 favorite reads of 2010! Sorry for the funkiness of the formatting but Amazon.com doesn't have the cover of the Iron Daughter yet...which threw me off, ha ha.

So what were your favorite reads of the year so far?

Book Blogger HOP HOP HOP!

2010-04-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and time for the Book Blogger Hop! What is this craziness you ask? Well it was started by Jennifer over at Crazy for Books and this is what she says...

This is a weekly event where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. Its a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following . In the spirit of the Friday Follow I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

So hop over to Crazy for Books and check out all the other bloggers, I have found lots of new blogs that I love from hopping :)

Review: Sisters Red (ARC) by Jackson Pearce

2010-04-06T10:08:00.000-05:00

Title: Sisters Red

Author: Jackson Pearce

Hardcover: 336 pages

Published: June 2010

Reading Level: YA

My Copy: Around the World Tours

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (taken from Amazon.com):

Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

My thoughts:

As you read the blurb, you can probably tell that this book is a take off of Little Red Riding Hood. What I was a little unprepared for was that it is set in the present-day time period, I guess I expected it to be dated back in the 1800's with all the hunting werewolves with axes and wearing red cloaks etc. That didn't necessarily take away from the book, I just would have thought that there would have been more people that knew about werewolves and more efficient ways to exterminate them, ha ha.

I was undecided of what I thought about this book most of the way thru it. The end of the book showed a lot of action and realistic thought processes that I felt was missing thru the first part of the book. The story is told from alternating view points from the sisters, Scarlett and Rosie. Scarlett lost her eye and gained ugly scars protecting her little sister from the Fenris (werewolves) when they were younger. She feels the obligation now to hunt and kill all the Fenris to save the unsuspecting humans who do not know better. Rosie does not have the drive to kill all the Fenris but feels the obligation because of what her sister went thru to save her.

This book is definitely a testament of sisterly love, almost to the point of creepiness. Scarlett is a girl on a mission and feels slighted if Rosie has any interest outside of the single goal of killing all the Fenris. She is OBSESSED to the point that got on my nerves in part of the book because I found it somewhat unbelievable that someone would put aside EVERYTHING in their life in pursuit of killing every Fenris they ever encounter. Scarlett (and therefore out of guilt, Rosie) had given up everything; a life, an education, a career, love...in pursuit of the Fenris.

I didn't dislike the book, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if the obsessed factor was turned down a notch and the romance/action was turned up. It was definitely an interesting read that makes you question, how much drive is too much? To what point is your goal worth giving up everything you might want and making those around you to do the same out of guilt?

Review: The Iron Daughter ARC by Julie Kagawa

2010-04-05T09:59:00.003-05:00

Title: The Iron Daughter

Author: Julie Kagawa

Paperback: 368 pages

Published: August 2010

Reading Level: YA

My copy: ARC received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

My rating: 5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (taken from NetGalley.com)

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My thoughts...

I was late to read The Iron King and finished it last week (loved it!) so when I got a copy of The Iron Daughter you can only imagine how excited I was. I was hoping The Iron Daughter would live up to the expectations had for a sequel since I devoured The Iron King. Let me tell you, The Iron Daughter did not disappoint, in fact, I enjoyed it more.

The sequel brings back all the loved characters on a new mission with Meghan; Grimalkin, Puck, and of course Ash...but as things are revealed, Meghan is not sure WHO to trust. The book is a whirlwind of new seelie, unseelie, and iron fey characters being introduced that shows the depth of Ms Kagawa's imagination...and what an awesome imagination that is. This books is packed with non-stop action and drama...throw some romance in there with a little heartbreak on the side and you have an unforgettable series.

I want this to be a spoiler-free review, so I won't go in depth on the story line and let you discover it on your own, but I can say that The Iron Daughter gives you some background information on Ash and what has happened in his life to make him the way he is. Also you find out more about why he and Puck are always at odds. OH...and you find out a little bit of info about Meghan's father...the person that she remembers as her father anyway...is that enough teasers for you??

Meghan gets an unexpected ally in this book, who became endeared to me before the book was done, but I will let you find that out on your own! The travels span the mortal realm to the Winter Court and places in between...literally in-between. Meghan's powers are locked by the Winter Queen but she is finding out that she has more power than she realized and the source of that power could change everything.

The books ending is satisfying but leaves the door wide open for things to happen in the next book, The Iron Queen. If you loved The Iron King, make sure and pick up a copy of The Iron Daughter when it comes out in August, you will not be disappointed!

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

2010-04-01T11:13:00.001-05:00

Title: The Iron King

Author: Julie Kagawa

Paperback: 368 pages

Published: February 2010

Reading Level: YA

My copy: rec'd via trade on swaptree.com

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Amazon.com):

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My thoughts...

Meghan is your average teenager until her 16th birthday and BAM...things change quite drastically. She develops the ability to see the fae and all the seedy underground that goes along with it. She is on quite an adventure to get her kidnapped brother back...an adventure spanning 3 fae courts and meeting numerous seelie and unseelie "characters".

I really, REALLY loved this book! The characters are strong and memorable and the plot is not so predictable that you have everything figured out by the time you get half way into the book. Meghan is a likable main character with deep love for her family even though her childhood conditions were not the best. Her best friend is a rock for her, even though he turns out to be someone that shocks her. There is the bad guy romance factor with Ash. I have to say one of my favorite characters is the cat! Yes, the cat, Grimalkin...he is funny and also there as a rock when Meghan needs him.

The author's imagination was transferred vividly to the pages of this book and I was flipping pages like crazy to get to the end! The ending leaves it wide open for the sequel, The Iron Daughter, which comes out in August. If you love fae, faeries, historical fairy tale characters, action, drama and romance, you will want to pick this book up.

Sea Blue People, Win Mystery Books - Week 2

2010-03-29T13:43:00.001-05:00

Sea launches in approximately 8 weeks and Heidi R. Kling is having an awesome contest on her blog to celebrate! She is giving away a book a week until Sea is released and they are 2010 Spring Release books! WHOOP!!

Go HERE to check it out!

Wicked Bunny 100 Followers Contest!

2010-03-23T18:04:00.003-05:00

This scary Easter bunny knocked on my door the yesterday and said I was SLACKING because I haven't had my 100 Followers contest yet! So as with a few threats mentioning fangs and rotten eggs, I decided to go ahead and post it! I hit my awesome follower milestone last week so I wanted to thank all my loyal fellow wickeds with a book giveaway from my personal stash. For every additional 50 followers I hit I will throw in another book and another winner!

Here are the books in the giveaway:

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz

The Secret Year ARC by Jennifer Hubbard

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

The Anatomy of Wings ARC by Karen Foxlee

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb

The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

Numbers ARC by Rachel Ward

Okay, now to the rules of my little contest.

Bunny rule # 1 - Gotta be a follower (if you aren't you can follow me with Google Friend Connect on the right of my page).

Bunny rule #2 - Because the bunny took all my money and left rotten eggs, this contest will be US and Canada only, sorry.

Bunny rule #3 - There will be 2 winners, each gets to pick 2 books! If I hit 150 followers before the contest is over, I will add another winner to pick 1 book and so on for each additional set of 50.

Bunny rule #4 - You must fill out the form below to get entered in the contest, comments are appreciated but they won't get you entered. You can get extra entries by tweeting, posting a blog, posting on your sidebar, adding me to your blog roll, add my button to your blog and referrals.

Bunny rule #5 - Contest ends at 9 pm CST on 4/16/2010.

Good luck and thanks for being such great followers! Make sure and follow the rules because I KNOW you don't want the wicked bunny on your front step!

Entry Form

Review: Perchance to Dream (ARC) by Lisa Mantchev

2010-03-23T14:45:00.003-05:00

Title: Perchance to Dream

Author: Lisa Mantchev

Hardcover: 384 pages

Published: May 25, 2010

Reading Level: YA

My copy: Traveling ARC Tours

My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (taken from Goodreads):

The stuff that dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won’t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.

My thoughts...

Perchance to Dream gave me quite a wild ride! The creativity of the author is just amazing and keeps you guessing because you just never know where Bertie will take you next...or what she will write in her book! I enjoyed this book more than the first one because there was more dynamic between Bertie and Ariel (go bad boys!) and the introduction of new and interesting characters.

The characters are endearing, Bertie with her witty, save-the-world attitude, Ariel with his air of mystery but still loving towards Bertie, Nate with his loyal, loving devotion...and we cannot forget the faeries that love sweets more anything else. The drama and action is non-stop taking you from the theater on an adventure to save Nate and meeting some very interesting people on the way...one being Bertie's long-lost father.

This series is unlike any book I have ever read...the way in which it was written and the dramatic flair of the characters makes it quite memorable. I will say, this book will not be for everyone, but if you are looking for something different, pick up the first in the series, Eyes Like Stars and give it a chance. Once you get into this style of writing I think you will enjoy this series!

Thank you Traveling ARC Tours for making this book available for review before it is published!

Review: Angel Star (ARC) by Jennifer Murgia

2010-03-18T21:25:00.003-05:00

Title: Angel Star

Author: Jennifer Murgia

Paperback: 256 pages

Published: May 18, 2010

Reading Level: YA

My copy: ARC from Around the World Tours

My rating: 5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (via Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.
But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.
Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

My thoughts:

Angel Star was in one word...amazing! I have to say this book makes me believe that angels are the new vampires. The characters are rich with personality and the drama is nail-biting. There are parts that are heart-wrenching and others when your heart sings with happiness for the characters.

Our main character, Teagan McNeel, is the quiet girl that always gets picked on in school by the mean-girls. She has her one best friend since childhood, Claire, that makes being at school tolerable until in walks the hottest guy ever, Garreth. For some reason unknown to Teagan, Garreth only has eyes for her. As they spend time together, Teagan learns more about Garreth and his connection to the terrifying dreams she has been having all her life. She learns about Hadrian and how he is a fallen angel wanting to cause havoc for humans and angels alike.

As light and dark forces start to collide and Teagan figures out she has powers she never knew about, she also is told that she is only person that can save her friends and her angel. This book had me biting my nails, rubbing the goosebumps on my arms and feeling my heart break at times so I don't want to give too much away to you. I didn't want to put it down, I had to know how it ended, and while the ending wasn't wrapped up neatly, it was set up perfectly for the sequel, Lemniscate. This book is a roller coaster of emotions but well worth the journey!

Review: Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

2010-03-16T10:38:00.001-05:00

Title: Deadly Little Secret (A Touch Novel)

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Published: December 2008

Hardcover: 288 pages

Reading Level: YA

My copy: Rec'd on trade from swaptree.com

My rating: 4 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Some secrets shouldn't be kept...

Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.

Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.

From the best-selling author of Blue is for Nightmares comes a story of paranormal romance that's sure to be a thrilling and chilling teen favorite.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this books and it was a pretty quick book to read. The main character, Camelia, is a likable and very inquisitive girl. When she is saved from being hit by a car by a strange, cute guy (Ben) that shows up later at her high school and goes out of his way to avoid her, she wants to know what is going on. The side characters and Camelia's best friends, Kimmie and Wes, were pretty funny. Kimmie always has something witty to say about everything, I enjoyed her character.

With Ben and Camelia's relationship, at first I reminded me of Twilight how the guy avoids the girl, the girl is always trying to figure out why he is doing this, and come to find out, girl affects guy in a way he is not totally comfortable with. This didn't necessarily take away from the story for me, but it was similar and I thought I should point it out. I did find this book eerie in many ways with Camelia's stalker sneaking into her house and leaving things for her to find. Pretty creepy, I couldnt put the book down until I found out who was doing all this crazy stalker stuff, there were quite a few suspects!

Deadly Little Secrets in the first in the series, followed by Deadly Little Lies which was released November 2009. With the cliffhanger ending of Deadly Little Secrets, I am glad I had Deadly Little Lies to pick up and start reading! According to the author's website, the 3rd in the series Deadly Little Game will be released Fall 2010.

Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

2010-02-23T09:24:00.000-06:00

Title: Dreaming Anastasia

Author: Joy Preble

Published: September 2009

Paperback: 310 pages

Reading Level: Ya

My Copy: rec'd via trade on swaptree.com

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 wicked stars

Blurb (from Goodreads):

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

My Thoughts...

I remembered this story from fairy tales read to me as a child, as much as anyone can remember those I am sure. The is an updated twist to the missing grand duchess, Anastasia Romanov. I enjoy it when books weave factual history into updated romantic tales and this book is a perfect example of that.

Our character, Anne, starting having dreams that seem too real to be just dreams, and when she sees her "stalker" with the amazing blue eyes in one of them, she knows there is more going on here that disturbing dreams. She confronts Ethan thinking he is some creepy guy and then when she realizes their lives are in danger and those whom they trusted before are no longer trustworthy, Anne must start trusting in her dreams and maybe even the scary Baba Yaga. Anne's best friend, Tess, is a hilarious side-kick in this book. Tess is not afraid to say what is on her mind and I found that refreshing!

I truly enjoyed this book and finished it in one day because I didn't want to put it down. The mixture of Russian history, fairy tale and modern day life was blended together just about perfectly. I would have enjoyed a little more romance, but there was a lot going on in the drama department so that made the book flow better. I read on the author's website, the sequel to this book, Haunted, will be out in 2011. Can't wait to read more of Ethan and Anne's story considering the ending of the book left that wide open.