Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley

Title: Like Moonlight at Low Tide
Author: Nicole Quigley
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Publisher: Zondervan
Pages: 247
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: From Publisher
Age Group: Young Adult

For Missy Keiser, returning to Anna Maria Island, Florida, means two things: her mother made another poor decision with men, and Missy will have to reenter a world where she’s known as “Messy,” a social pariah who dared to have a crush on Sam King, the most popular boy in school.

But much has changed in the three years she’s been away. Missy’s next-door neighbor is no longer an elderly woman but Josh, an intriguing boy who seems genuinely interested in her. At school, she’s surprised to find few people remember who she once was. And any remaining taunts of Messy are silenced when Sam King gives her his nod of approval.

Just as things seem to be perfect, Josh’s sudden distance, her mother’s latest relationship implosion, and her brother’s strange behavior threaten to ruin it all. Missy is forced to decide between the boy she’s always wanted, a boy who is intent on trying to save her, and the brother she’s known all her life. And her decision could have consequences she can never undo

I knew instantly that I wanted to read this book when it was first given to me. Not only is it short and sweet, but it hits home in a lot of places. There were moments when I could relate to Missy very well and other times that I felt disconnected with her, but that's expected. Mostly though, I did feel a connection.

The opening pages take the reader in right away. One gets sucked in without even realizing and the story sweeps one away into the world. And all too soon it ends.

It felt a wave of emotions. There were moments when I wanted to be angry at Missy, but for some reason I knew I couldn't be. Its like that person that you want to be angry at, but they can be excused for their actions. I felt like there were a lot of moments when I could just excuse Missy, and it could be irritating but at the same time it kept me going.

There was a lot going on. I didn't know what to expect. I thought this would just be another one of those coming-of-age stories and in the end everything would work out. I'm just glad that it wasn't so black and white.

If you are looking for a good, emotional read this is one to look at. It leaves the reader wanting more. Quigley has a voice that comes out strong throughout the tale. I find that voice to be unique and memorable - I think one of the reasons I was able to finish this book so fast.

I highly recommend it. I enjoyed every second and would consider even reading it a second time.

Halflings by Heather Burch

Title: Halflings
Author: Heather Burch
Release Date: February 1st, 2012
Publisher: Zondervan
Pages: 288
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

Seventeen-year-old Nikki must entrust her life to three half human, half angel young men; the Halflings are sworn to protect her at all costs, but when two fall for Nikki, it puts more than their lives in danger; their very eternal souls hang in the balance.

All I have to say is that when I first opened this book up, I was not expecting the beautiful writing that practically danced off the pages. I don't know how Burch did it, but the story took a life of it's own very quickly and had been gripped by the first pages.

In Burch's debut novel, she brings to life a fun and witty character, Nikki, along side Raven, Mace, and Vine, as the sexy supernatural beings that come to Nikki.

I don't have much to say about this book, but I did like how Burch was able not only to present some strong characters, but also she was able to give the fallen angel's some weaknesses of their own (which don't include falling in love with human girls), so that wide range of variety in the story really brought me in.

Some aspects of the story that I had issues with dealt with the language used and a lot of the back story. Character's like Will, whenever they spoke it was like everything was going right over my head and I would miss a lot. And, something else that just didn't fit with me had to do with the way that the supernatural beings were borderline cliche at some points. I don't understand the appeal to a dark and dangerous being that is extremely sexy on top of that. I guess it has more to do with the latter, which gives the former a reason to be overlooked.

Either way, some character flaws I noticed, but they were so minor a reader would have to pay a lot of attention in order to catch. I can't say that I have a favorite character that isn't the heroine, because Burch introduces a large ensemble that brings to life these otherworldly creatures.

A must read of 2012. Worth the buy? That's up to the reader and how much they love angels to decide.

What I can say is that of all the angel books that I have read, besides the writing style, there didn't seem to be a huge different between this novel and that of other books similar to it. But Burch is getting a good start.