Any Love But Mine by Debbie Davies

Title: Any Love But Mine
Author: Debbie Davies
Info: Goodreads
Release Date: March 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Night Publishing
Pages: 290
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Young Adult

The gods forbade her to love, but love is a powerful force. Acacia has been created purely for Eros' pleasure but discovers within moments of being summoned into his presence that he has no interest in her whatsoever. Rejected, she is banished to Earth to serve as Eros' minion with the task of promoting the blissful state of love among all those around her, a state she must never indulge in with a human being herself on pain of immediate destruction. And then comes Josh, someone whose power of attraction over Acacia is so intense she will find it utterly impossible to resist him. But is he human? Is he a god? Or is he a trick of the gods? And what would happen should they kiss?

Well, I had a really rough beginning, I'm going to start with that. I almost put this in my DNF pile since I wasn't feeling it and I was in a little hurry to get through the book. But I'm glad I pushed a little more because I did thoroughly enjoy the rest of the novel.

I'm not too familiar with the story of Eros, so it was interesting watching Davies take on it. Right away I was hoping for the best for Acacia and Josh, but like any good story it took me on a ride. Excitement, pain, love, sadness - all there in one story that just would not stop for anything!

Of course, some characters needed a lot of work because I just didn't understand them, but I decided that it wouldn't let it stop me from enjoying it.

If you are a fan of Greek mythology, which I am, you may enjoy it a lot.

I like that the blurb followed closely to what the story was about instead of the story going off somewhere doing its own thing, dancing, like, "Look at me!" while I'm expecting something completely different.

I'm really glad that Davies let me review this book. It was a lot of fun.

The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley

Title: The Dark Garden
Author: Eden Bradley
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: May 29th, 2007
Publisher: Bantam
Pages: 320
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: For Review/Netgalley
Age Group: Very Adult

A deliciously potent tale of one woman’s quest for self-discovery.

Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge—especially in her personal life. As a mistress at Club Privé, the most exclusive bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, Rowan can live out her dominant fantasies safely, and with complete control—until the night Christian Thorne walks in. Self-confident and sophisticated, he’s a natural dominant if Rowan’s ever seen one. Yet she can’t stop thinking about him and imagining his touch.

Christian has returned home, hoping to break free from his dissatisfaction and malaise—and discovers the cure in Rowan. He’s dying to get his skilled hands on her and watch her surrender, to unlock the mystery of her that captivates him. Determined to be her master, he makes Rowan a daring proposition: give herself over to him for thirty days.

Rowan finds Christian’s offer terrifying—and impossible to resist. But abandoning herself to Christian’s power might be more than she can handle. . . . Or it might be the realization of her true nature and the dark garden within her. There will be only one way to find out. And once the game has begun, there’s no turning back. 

 
This was a little different than what I'm used to reading just because the female held a different role than the typical submissive form that she usually had. This time the female was strong on her own even before the guy came into the picture. But there was a lot that Rowan had to work through in order to go from one role to the next with the help of Christian.

And the parallel story-line was an interesting mix into the story.

I really didn't like it and not because the story was poorly written, like Fifty Shades or something, but it also didn't hold my interest. I had a hard time getting through it and found myself putting it down constantly and going off somewhere else. The only reason I finished it was because it really wasn't that long, or at least didn't feel that long.

Needless to say I was a little glad to get to the end. But the reason I didn't rate this 1 or 2 was because it really was good and interesting. A little different compared to what I have been reading with all the erotica and shows two women who are both looking for the same thing and how they find it. I was kind of mad that Bradley made this look like it centered solely on Rowan since April deserved just a little more attention since she was also featured.

But overall this wasn't too bad. It wasn't too interesting but it didn't suck either. Read it if you have nothing to read or to take a break from the usual. It was a little dark, but sexy and intriguing in some places, Bradley takes you to a place where a young woman is rediscovering herself.

Immaculate Resurrections: Tears of Constantine by Randall Lowe

Title: Immaculate Resurrections: Tears of Constantine
Author: Randall Lowe
Info: Facebook
Release Date: December 29th, 2011
Publisher: Outskirt Press
Pages: 314
Format: Electronic
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Immaculate Resurrections: Rise of the Antichrist
Age Group: Adult

Does it matter what your college GPA is when you’re trying to prevent the Apocalypse and the rise of the Antichrist?

For nearly twenty years, Bill Stout bided his time, waiting for the day that Felix August would come along to carry out Bill’s plans. On the campus of Portland College, that day has arrived. Convinced that his destiny is to oppose the Antichrist and prevent the Apocalypse, Felix prepares to destroy the First Templar Amulet, a deadly talisman in the Antichrist’s possession. But if Felix is going to survive his first mission in the war to save mankind, he must trust in Bill to teach him to unlock his incredible power. But Bill is hiding a dark secret from Felix that calls into question what Felix really is, and whose side Bill is on. And as the mutilated remains of several hikers are discovered in the forest where the First Templar Amulet is guarded, the plan to destroy it looks like a suicide mission that will not only cost Felix’s life, but the lives of his friends. Book II in the Immaculate Resurrections series is an exhilarating ride into the world of Felix August, a world where good and evil, triumph and tragedy, love and anguish, self-determination and destiny are pitted against one another in a universal fight for survival

For Felix, going to Portland College was a chance to prove himself after cheating on his SAT. Living, learning, and growing was what was on his plan, yet plans change unexpectedly. Now the second book in this series picks up right where it left off with Felix needing to oppose the Antichrist. So, not only did his plans change - they really changed.

Time for training has begun for Felix with the help of Bill, who did everything in his power in order to prove to Felix that he was the Second Coming. But time is running out and when the moment comes to face off Landry, Felix will need to be prepared. Yet, it won't be easy knowing that Landry has his hands on the First Templar Amulet.

Surprisingly, I didn't like it as much as the first book. Even though this is where a lot occurred, I just didn't get into it as much. It was good, I was able to make it to the end, but I wasn't completely excited about it as I was the first. And the sad part? I can't even distinguish just what it was about this book that made it different then the first. Possibly by just the complexity of the story or maybe it was just that I was still suffering from a book hangover from a previous novel.

Either way, this novel moves forward and continues to explore Felix and his journey. I like how Lowe was able to keep Felix a constant character, never once did I feel like he would do something out of character, which I thought was awesome.

There's a lot this book could have done but overall, it wasn't a bad read. If you enjoyed the first one, take a chance on this one.

Immaculate Resurrections: Rise of the Antichrist by Randall Lowe

Title: Immaculate Resurrections: Rise of the Anticrhist
Author: Randall Lowe
Info: Facebook
Release Date: December 29th, 2011
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Pages: 436
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

Welcome to college, Felix. By the way, you're the Second Coming. And the Antichrist, well, he lives on the other side of town...

Felix August enrolls at Portland College with two goals: prove that he belongs at the school, even though he cheated on the SAT, and crack the starting lineup on the football team. But when Bill Stout, the school's groundskeeper, tells Felix that Landry Ashfield, the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, is the Antichrist, and that Felix is the reincarnation of a long-dead Druid who is known throughout the world by another name, the Second Coming of Christ, his life changes forever. Already struggling to cope with a recent tragedy in his life, Felix's desire to fit in at school and be like all the other students on campus is complicated by the knowledge that he could be the Second Coming. And although Felix could have never imagined a stranger way for any freshman to begin his college career, as the semester unfolds, an ordinary college life of football, partying and pursuing girls with his reality star roommate almost seems possible. But a horrifying recurring nightmare not only threatens to undermine Felix's attempt at normalcy, it may reveal a disturbing secret from his past. The religious intrigue of the DaVinci mythology collides with a magical world that is both fantastic and believable. The Immaculate Resurrections series is the most original urban fantasy to come along in years

I have to say, this novel took me for a ride. Even though I read it back in the summer I still remember some of the moments that had me stopping and just thinking. And every time I thought I had it all figured out...Lowe threw a curve ball at me and I was back to "Okay, what just happened?" But not in the frustrating way that makes me want to put down a book and never pick it up because, honestly, I have a lot more books to read than focus on just that one. But in a way that made me want to keep going to make sense of the mess.

So, Felix is the Second Coming. And the Antichrist is a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company. Somehow the latter doesn't surprise me, I'll be honest. If the antichrist were to ever come I'm sure he would come in that form. Still, this novel, with it's complex plot-line and even more complex main character, I found myself wanting to know what happens in the end.

Now, all Felix needs to do is bring down Laudry Ashfield, without anyone realizing that a college student just got rid of a really important person. Easy, right? Yeah, I would ask the four hundred pages of this novel, because Felix has got a fight on his hands.

I'm really glad that the author let me read and review this novel. The only reason that I gave it four stars is because of the lack of...emotion that came out of Felix. I felt like he was a little too made out of cardboard. And not enough humor. I like a funny story. It keeps me interested and most importantly it reminds me that the characters are living people, because that's what you want to feel when reading a novel.

Still, I moved forward with it and when I got to the end I had to stop myself because I felt like I just got off a very strange roller coaster. I, personally, would recommend this book. The novel's an interesting read.

The Pygmalion Complex by Elaine Gordon

Title: The Pygmalion Complex
Author: Elaine Gordon
Info: Website 
Release Date: July 1st, 2011
Publisher: KWS Publisher
Pages: 315
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Publisher
Age Group: Adult

When she learns that her husband is divorcing her to marry his pregnant mistress, Romana leaves her home in Chicago and moves to New York. There she meets Kent Cunningham, a fashion designer who recognizes, under Romana’s somewhat dowdy suburban exterior, both her beauty and her potential. The two eventually fall for each other, but their love is thwarted by an insurmountable hurdle

 Honestly, I wish I had some sort of in-depth and thoroughly thought out review for this book. But in all honesty, I was struggling through it a lot. The main characters were not likeable at all - Romana seems to be exceptionally good at complaining - and the whole story felt...discombobulated.

I almost didn't finish it and here's why: I have a lot of books to get through and not to mention school. So, when I pick up a book and plan to read it and review it I want to pick something up that I can get through pretty quick and that will leave me wishing the story hadn't ended and wondering where I could get more of the characters.

This book did none of that for me. I was racing to the end and waiting for something big to happen, which to me seemed like that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

I once heard someone try to compare this novel with Jackie Collins, and all I have to say to that is no. Any book written by Jackie Collins lives in a completely different universe than this book.

I wish there had been more depth and more feelings. I wish there had been something that could keep me coming back for more, but all it did was leave a sour taste in my mouth. And I hate how bad this review is coming up. I tried to like it, I really did, but there was no connection.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend reading this book, but if you are really curious go for it.

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice

Title: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
Author: Anne Rice
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: March 1st, 1999
Re-Released: July 12th, 2012
Publisher: Plume
Pages: 272
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Netgalley
Interest: Series
Age Group: Very Adult

From bestselling author Anne Rice, writing as A.N. Roquleaure. In the traditional folktale of 'Sleeping Beauty,' the spell cast upon the lovely young princess and everyone in her castle can only be broken by the kiss of a Prince. It is an ancient story, one that originally emerged from and still deeply disturbs the mind's unconscious. Now Anne Rice's retelling of the Beauty story probes the unspoken implications of this lush, suggestive tale by exploring its undeniable connection to sexual desire. Here the Prince reawakens Beauty, not with a kiss, but with sexual initiation. His reward for ending the hundred years of enchantment is Beauty's complete and total enslavement to him as Anne Rice explores the world of erotic yearning and fantasy in a classic that becomes, with her skillful pen, a compelling experience.

I won't lie, I felt very awkward reading this book series, but only because of the image I have painted of Anne Rice. I always had her in a different light so when I saw this book on Netgalley, I had to read it to see what was going on!

Anne Rice is always known for her vampire series and to a lesser extent her Wicca series as well, but this is the first time I even heard about something like this, and I have to say that Rice has an imagination that has no bounds.

First, I'm glad this did not change my perception of the wonderful Disney-version fairy tale that I actually love the most, but this did give me a new way to look at things. In the original Sleeping Beauty it was said that the Prince raped Sleeping Beauty as a means to wake her up instead of a kiss, and I could see that Anne Rice completely pulled from that.

The story made me uncomfortable in some areas and it made me wish I had thought a little longer or harder before saying requesting this book, but in the long run with the entire Fifty Shades and erotic romance on the rise, there was nothing to be lost.

This twist gave me goosebumps and a lot of times I could not believe the acts the Prince would make Beauty do, or even how other people, like her father, reacted to it. Yet, Anne Rice formed the entire story that in a lot of ways it wasn't so much as uncomfortable as that this was just another way of life.

If you are a fan of Fifty Shades or you want to start stepping into the rising erotic world that seems to be making it's way to the bookstores and Netgalley I suggests not missing out on this story. It might be uncomfortable, but in the long run I think this is something I may have ended up regretting later on. It is not just writers that have to take risk, but also readers, and this book is one of those risks for readers to take. 

Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher

Title: Eden's Root
Author: Rachel E. Fisher
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: December 17th, 2011
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 322
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional

When first asked to read this book, I said yes because I absolutely LOVE dystopian novels, or in this case it looks like post-apocalyptic. Anyways, this book sounded interesting.

At first, I felt like it was a slow going and I was almost dreading the rest of the novel because I was hoping that it wouldn't be as slow going as the beginning, luckily, things picked up.

This novel does not involve zombies or vampires, but the threat is even scarier because it is so close to the truth. The author taps on a subject that is too close to home that it could honestly make this future look so real it could almost happen. I liked that as the novel picked up so did the characterization. At first, I almost felt like Fi was too unrealistic and that she wasn't a real person. I don't know, there were just the moments that she seemed too artificial, but when the plot picked up she started to feel more three-dimensional.

The way the book moves isn't too quick or too slow. The reader's can tell right away that Fi was just an innocent that got caught in the cross-fires of something bigger than her. And the way she handles it I felt really made her stand out.

And of course the love interest was just cute.

What I like most about this book is that, like I said before, it sticks really close to what could actually happen. All someone needs to do these days and Google it up. And as much as people would like to say something like this would never happen, I think we all know that this very well could, and in some parts its already happening.

Fisher is a talented writer and I really enjoyed this book. It didn't take long to pick up and once it did, I could not put it down afterwards. I would recommend this book to all fans of sci-fi, and I can't wait to read the second book!

Dark, heart-wrenching, and beautiful, this is a great novel. 

Asenath by Anna Patricio

Title: Asenath
Author: Anna Patricio
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook 
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Publisher: Imajin Books
Pages: 224
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Adult

Two Destinies...One Journey of Love

In a humble fishing village on the shores of the Nile lives Asenath, a fisherman's daughter who has everything she could want. Until her perfect world is shattered.

When a warring jungle tribe ransacks the village and kidnaps her, separating her from her parents, she is forced to live as a slave. And she begins a journey that will culminate in the meeting of a handsome and kind steward named Joseph.

Like her, Joseph was taken away from his home, and it is in him that Asenath comes to find solace…and love. But just as they are beginning to form a bond, Joseph is betrayed by his master’s wife and thrown into prison.

Is Asenath doomed to a lifetime of losing everything and everyone she loves?

When it comes to historical books, I go for them, because they are fun and interesting. This book was no different.

Kiya, who will later become Asenath, is the daughter of a fisherman and his wife. After her parent's are killed, she and the other orphans are taken to the Temple of Atum-Re in Heliopolis. There, the high priest and his wife adopt Kiya, where they rename her Asenath. Afterwards, life for her changes drastically. Once just the daughter from a peasant family, she is now apart of the upper class. Soon she and her new parent's travel to Thebes were she meets Joseph. 

This tale is a mixture of a historical novel with a Biblical account about Joseph of Canaanite, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. 

Patricio does an amazing job of mixing history and Biblical stories together in a wonderful tale about love, betrayal, family, and I especially love the setting. I have always had a strange fascination with Egypt, so this story was a wonderful change. Not just for the setting but it just took me into another world and I really liked that. 

The story starts out slow, in my opinion, which is why I gave it three-stars. I almost put this book down several times because I just kept wondering when something interesting would happen. I am glad, though, that it does pick up. 

I also wish there was a little more background. I didn't feel fully immersed into the story as I could have been. Bring Egypt to life, not just the characters. 

This was a great novel and with a few rough edges, but it doesn't take too much away from the central story. I am really glad that Patricio let me read her debut novel. Recommended out there for the Biblical character readers out there. 

Comeback Love by Peter Golden

Title: Comeback Love
Author: Peter Golden
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: April 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Acquired: From Publisher
Age Group: Adult

More than thirty-five years ago, Gordon Meyers, an aspiring writer with a low number in the draft lottery, packed his belongings and reluctantly drove away, leaving behind Glenna Rising, the sexy, sharp-witted med student he couldn’t imagine living without.

Now, decades later, Gordon is a former globe-trotting consultant with a grown son, an ex-wife, and an overwhelming desire to see Glenna again. Though she’s stunned when Gordon walks into her Manhattan office, Glenna agrees to accompany him for a drink. As the two head out into the snow-swept city, they rediscover the passion that once drew them together—before it tore them apart. And as the evening unfolds, Gordon will finally reveal the true reason for his return. . . . 

When Gordan met Glenna it was instant attraction. A story of two lovers discovering each other goes wrong in many ways and thirty plus years later Gordan has returned into Glenna's life, after seeking her out. Slowly the ties between the present and the past are drawn together as both of them question 'what if' and if the past could ever be relived.

I honestly don't know what had originally drawn me to this book. When I was first asked to participate in the blog tour, this one instantly jumped out at me. And it had nothing to do with the direct plot line: I have never had a man leave me and thirty years return (I haven't even lived thirty years!) but I did like this correlation between the past and the present.

I think that a lot of us are guilty at one point or another in letting our past actions be the driving force to the present, and in a lot of ways start to overshadow the future. I think that's what happened to Gordan, in my opinion. While he had moved on, he had a son, he didn't really move on. He returned to her, Glenna. But, and this might sound a little weird, I liked that this was told from a male's perspective. For a long time I have always read very heavily emotional books from a female's point of view, and I can connect. I could connect in a lot of ways with Gordan, somewhat, even though he's a guy.

The thing about Gordan is that even when he was a young college student, in someways, he was always looking back. And now thirty-five years later he still is. The parallel's between the past and the present were in a lot of ways surprising, but I wouldn't doubt at all if that was the author's intent. I think that Gordan had a lot of work, and reader's can see that just as well as Glenna. 

Glenna, I could never connect with her. She was very out there and in a lot of ways an open book. And the past Glenna, I honestly felt, was too far into the future for me. Or maybe I'm stuck in Hollywood's version of what the 1960-70's look like, but Glenna, to me, was a little ahead. And Gordan's feelings for her were very intense.

This book was very interesting and a little out of what I'm use to, but I'm glad I read this book. Even though I could connect with Gordan, I have to give this a four because like I said before, he had a lot of work as a person to develop and see that he wasn't the only who was hurting. Golden did an excellent job with this book though, and I would recommend this book to just about anyone.

Revamped by Ada Adams

Title: Revamped
Author: Ada Adams
Info: Website | Twitter
Release Date: February 20th, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 291
Format: Electronic
Acquired: By Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

I am surprised by how much I liked this book. For me I feel like with the vampire craze it would be difficult to do something...original. But somehow Adams pulled it off. I really liked how this was something of a cross between True Blood and any other YA vampire book. And I really did like Dawn. 

So, the world knows vampire exist! And they are even celebrities! I have to tell you, I laughed so hard when I heard about half the things some of these vamps do! The way society has changed to revolve around the vampire world was the most unexpected part. 

Though I had a hard time keeping my mind straight between a Born and Made vampire, everything else was pretty clear. 

I didn't like though was how the author just threw information at the reader and in the first chapter. I wanted to stop reading and tell the author to please let the story develop. If there's one advice I have received about writing is that the reader has the entire book to learn about the characters and the world they live in. Mostly, though, I just felt overwhelmed about everything that was happening. 

What I will admit is that Adams had an amazing Prologue to really take the reader's in. If it weren't for that I may never have finished the book. Is that terrible or does that give credit to the author? Not really sure, but the story was interesting.

I found a lot of humor in Dawn's attempt to get the rag tag group of vampires to protect a town. For the most part I always wondered why the bother, but eh, details. 

The entire town of Angel Creek I just found interesting and especially the group. 

I didn't get, though, this weird scene between Brook and Dawn at the beginning. I wished that, once again, it would drag out. The cheerleader might have a little bit resentment towards Dawn, and it would be interesting to see the way that played out. I was expecting their moment near the end or at least at a big climax seen, but it was just a small thing. 

Also, the way the relationships between Dawn and the boy's, Ethan and Sebastian, I found interesting. 

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. This turned out better than I expected!

Torn by Stephanie Guerra

Title: Torn
Author: Stephanie Guerra
Release Date: May 15th, 2012
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Pages: 263
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: For Review; Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult

Stella Chavez is your classic good girl: straight As, clean-cut boyfriends, and soccer trophies . You’d never guess that Stella’s dad was a drug addict who walked out when she was a kid. Or that inside, Stella wishes for something more.

New girl Ruby Caroline seems like Stella’s polar opposite: cursing, smoking, and teetering in sky-high heels . But with Ruby, Stella gets a taste of another world—a world in which parents act like roommates, college men are way more interesting than high school boys, and there is nothing that shouldn’t be tried once.

It’s not long before Stella finds herself torn: between the best friend she’s ever had and the friends she’s known forever, between her family and her own independence, between who she was and who she wants to be.

But Ruby has a darker side, a side she doesn’t show anyone—not even Stella. As Stella watches her friend slowly unravel, she will have to search deep inside herself for the strength to be a true friend, even if it means committing the ultimate betrayal.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book, but there was so much hype from it that I couldn't wait to start reading it. And when I finally did, I won't lie, I was a little let down.

Stella is the all-American good girl. She has friends that she's known most of her life and a loving family - for the most part. The effects of her father's abandonment still lingers in the air, but aside from having to take care of her siblings, for the most part, everything is how it should be. 

And when Ruby enters the picture, things begin to change. From the moment Ruby walks into Stella life she makes sure to rock her world. Ruby takes Stella away from her very quiet life and introduces her to the world of drinking, college boys, and living a little wild. But, soon Stella realizes that as long as she holds on to Ruby, she will slowly lose those around her, including herself. 

Guerra did her best to show Stella's transition, and her rationalization for why she was doing what she did, but I felt like the story needed...something. Throughout the whole book I kept thinking something big was going to go on and that the reader's would make a big discovery, but it almost played out a little too well. There were no surprises and there was no....anything. In fact, I almost feel like near the end Guerra got really tired of writing and just finished with what she had. 

Personally, I neither hated this book nor loved it completely. It was a quick and easy read, but it leaves the reader wishing there was more. Or, at least it did for me. 

The character of Stella developed and change the way she would, but I sometimes felt that she went from being very plain and with no emotions, to just a little bit out there, and back again. And I felt like Guerra was trying to show how out-there-ish Ruby is, but I didn't like the way things finished.

And I especially didn't like the way things between Stella and Mike worked out. 

It was beautifully written and Guerra showed wide range of characters, but she didn't really develop them as well as she should. I don't know how to describe it really, but I would not suggests buying this book. Library or from a friend for sure. 

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

Title: Replication: The Jason Experiment
Author: Jill Williamson
Info: Website | Facebook
Release Date: December 27th, 2011
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pages: 294
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: From Publisher
Age Group: Young Adult

Martyr---otherwise known as Jason 3:3---is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to 'expire' in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars. As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures---the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known

Can I just say that early on Williamson already had me crying? It was a crappy day to begin with, but once I sat in the train and picked this book up I just started bawling like there was no tomorrow. I felt so bad for Baby and I just wanted to take him and cuddle him. I didn't even know if I could continue to read this (I'm a Pisces, so I'm a very overly emotional person, so excuse me for sounding a little too sappy about this book). 

Anyways, this book is amazing. The lines between science and religion get crossed, and the ethics of cloning are questioned. Life for Martyr and the other clones are not wonderful, but they all believe that they are doing good for mankind. But when the reality of their existence comes to light, it shatters Martyr's world.

For Abby, her disconnected family life has only drawn her closer to her religion. When she meets Martyr life takes an unexpected turn.

I absolutely loved this book, even if it did have me crying. Honestly, I am having a difficult time reviewing this book without putting my own ethics into this, because cloning is such a sensitive topic. It very well falls into one of those categories, "Just because we can, does it mean we should?"

Williamson is a fantastic writer and she drives this topic like a mastermind. I was completely engrossed in her work and of course people on the train looked at me like I was a little crazy because I was between laughing and crying the whole way. I don't know how she did this, but this book is one that should not be missed out on.

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

Title: Moonstone
Author: Marilee Brothers
Release Date: August 1st, 2008
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Pages: 236
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Netgalley Special
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime

I wasn't sure how to set up this review, since four books in the series came to me as a Netgalley special offer for the reviewers. Finally, I just decided to do each book separately and put it together on Netgalley as a very long review.

Now, for the review. I didn't find Allie the most remarkable character in the world, and the beginning had me a little confused. I kept wondering just what was going on, and that alone almost made me want to stop reading it and just give it one star. But, just when I thought there was no hope the story actually picked up a little.

It became very suspenseful and there was a lot that was going on. I would get a little lost here and there, but the story at least, for the most part, kept it together. It didn't disappoint in the way that it lived down to my expectations; in fact, it went exactly how I thought it would go. It would be a little predictive here and there.

The story starts with Allie, a young fifteen year old girl who discovers she has powers. When she's given a moonstone necklace everything in her world turns upside down, and a series of events occur.

For the most part, the characters were very well developed and I couldn't help but like the way things between Allie and Junior were going. I was let down by the way things went down between the two. I am a little excited to see the way the rest of the series developed.

Aside from the powers, Allie is a very real character. She's a poor girl who isn't very popular at her school, and on top of that she has a crush on her step-cousin (no relation whatsoever) and reader's went along with the characters very smoothly, so it didn't feel like the novel was being rushed at all.

I would recommend this book for sure. It was well written and for the most part, held me captive. It was a great start to the rest of the series.

Rake with a Frozen Heart by Marguertie Kaye

Title: Rake with a Frozen Heart
Author: Marguerite Kaye
Release Date: April 17th, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Pages: 288
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Publisher; Netgalley
Age Group: Adult

Waking up in a stranger's bed, Henrietta Markham encounters the most darkly sensual man she has ever met. The last thing she remembers is being attacked by a housebreaker—yet being rescued by the notorious Earl of Pentland feels much more dangerous!

Since the cataclysmic failure of his marriage, ice has flowed in Rafe St. Alban's veins. But meeting impetuous, all-too-distracting governess Henrietta heats his blood to the boiling point.

When she's accused of theft, Rafe finds himself offering to clear her name. Can Henrietta's innocence bring this hardened rake to his knees?

Honestly, I love historical romance novels. I think they are just the best romance in the world, and I don't know why, I just do. And I tend to be picky about which books I read and which authors I read. I had never heard of Kaye before, but I decided to give this book a shot and so I requested it. And I was heavily disappointed.

When Henrietta wakes up she finds herself in the bed of a rake, better known as Rafe. Unknowing how she got there, Henrietta finds instant attraction to the rake, but when she's accused of theft, the cold-hearted Rafe offers to clear her name.

This book took me way too long to get into. I usually push through books until the 100th page to decide if I'll continue or not, because by that time either books are getting really good or the action has started already, but not with this book. I felt like Henrietta was too little - there just wasn't enough personality with her - and that Rafe was too much - way too emotional for my taste.

The story didn't really pick up and even though I kept catching a glimpse of a plot line, I didn't feel like much was really going. It was just like, "Oh this is happening and this is happening, so here you go" type of thing. And I think that was what my real problem with this book was - there just wasn't enough emotion, life in the characters.

I did like the premise a little, but if you are really into romance novels, especially historical, I'd say check this out in the library or something. It's not worth the money, because, like I said, the character's felt too stale for me.

This really could have been a better story. I just wish a little more was going on, but I guess you get what you get.

Talisman of El by Alecia Stone

Title: Talisman of El
Author: Alecia Stone
Release Date: May 20th, 2012
Publisher: Centrinian Publishing
Pages: 364
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC from Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human ... 7 billion.
Others ... unknown.

When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He's afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.

Char­lie doesn't know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this book. I keep walking around and thinking about what to say. This book was different in so many ways that I just could not keep my thoughts together to form a good review for it.

When I was first approached to review this book I wasn't sure what to expect, in fact, I was even thinking that this was about aliens. And honestly, if it were left up to me, I probably would not have picked up this book based on just what I know from the little details. So, when I was asked to read it I thought, Why not? This could be interested.

And was I right!

Stone weaved together a complex story revolving around the main character, Charlie, who's destiny is not something that would be expected. And let me just make this disclaimer now: There are no aliens in this story! But honestly, the cover looks like something of a spaceship, or is it just me that sees that? When really looking at it, though, the snake and the Earth show up.

Anyways, the character's I enjoyed. They were going through some serious development, and I liked how Stone wrote the book in such a way that there was something happening all the time, yet it wasn't moving extremely fast. And the character's came to life for me. That was a big one. I had to feel like I would know them and for the most part I did.

The entire plot line took me by surprised and I was swept away from the first page to the last. I can't wait for the rest of the books. This is one that I would have to tell people to put on their summer reading list. It'll be worth it, trust me!

We Bury the Landscapes by Kristine Ong Muslim

Title: We Bury the Landscapes

Author: Kristine Ong Muslim
Release Date: April 1st, 2012
Publisher: Queen's Ferry Press
Pages: 168
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Everyone
Rating: 4 Stars
 

We Bury the Landscape is an exhibition of literary art. Ekphrasis, collected. One hundred flash fictions and prose poems presented to view. From the visual to the textual, transmuting before the gallery-goer’s gaze, the shifting contours of curator Kristine Ong Muslim’s surreal panorama delineate the unconventional, the unexpected, and the unnatural. Traversing this visionary vista’s panoply of “rooms of unfinished lives,” the reader unearths and examines and reanimates—revealing the transcendent uncanniness that subsists underfoot.

When I first accepted this review request I had no idea what to expect. This was by far a different type of book that I have not read before and I was interested in how the author would go about presenting her book.

I will be the first to admit that when it comes to art I know next to nothing. And trying to interpret it? Forget it. But, what I do love is the artwork itself. I wish I had the ability to do master pieces that get highly valued in museums (then again I wish I could draw a straight line too but that will never happen). So before reading each work I had to look up the piece of artwork that was getting referred to and granted it seems more work than someone should have to do, but it is completely worth it. Unless someone is an art guru and can tell what the piece of artwork that gets mentioned at the beginning is, I think that looking up the piece helps a lot.

When looking up the artwork, compared to what the author writes, so much can be taken out of it, but most importantly is what the author sees compared to what the reader sees. And honestly, I think it was the little details like that that really brought out the stories.

Now do I have a favorite? Not really, I pretty much liked them all for one reason or another. Like most art work, it's not easy to compare them because it's comparing apples to oranges. Each of these stories had something that they brought with them that was original to themselves just as the artwork that inspires the piece are original.

And I little note on the age genre: I couldn't really decide where it goes so I just said everyone because I think this book has a little for everyone no matter what age. 

Honestly, I enjoyed this read because it was different and the stories really came alive to me. Muslim was able to bring something original and amazing, while making it her own along the way.

The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

Title: The Earthquake Machine
Author: Mary Pauline Lowry

Release Date: September 1st, 2011
Publisher: Authorhouse
Pages: 326
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

The Earthquake Machine tells the story of 14 year-old Rhonda. On the outside, everything looks perfect in Rhonda's world but at home Rhonda has to deal with a manipulative father who keeps her mentally ill mother hooked on pharmaceuticals. The only reliable person in Rhonda's life is her family's Mexican yardman, Jesús. But when the INS deports Jesús back to his home state of Oaxaca, Rhonda is left alone with her increasingly painful family situation. Determined to find her friend Jesús, Rhonda seizes an opportunity to run away during a camping trip with friends. She swims to the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and makes her way to the border town of Boquillas, Mexico. There a peyote-addled bartender convinces her she won't be safe traveling alone into the country's interior. So with the bartender's help, Rhonda cuts her hair and assumes the identity of a Mexican boy named Angel. She then sets off on a burro across the desert to look for Jesús.

This book was a change from what I usually read, and by change I mean that it didn't just involve an all white cast of characters but had some diversity in them. And I'm not trying to say anything by that, just stating the facts as I see them and what I see myself reading. Which is sad, because I am actually Dominican. Well, Dominican-American, it's complicated, but I was born in New York and so was my mother, yet both my parent's grew up in DR.

So, when I was reading this book I liked seeing a little Hispanic heritage being involved in this novel, because I do want to see more of that out in the world. I think that Lowry was pretty awesome in the way she took up the novel.

Rhonda was such a naive character at the start of the novel and I just felt so bad for her. Her father was an outright monster, her friend's were so clueless I just wanted to punch them. Can someone explain to me why there seems to be a growing trend in which the best friend's of the protagonist are self-centered brainless idiots? I just don't get it. Yet, the girl's do become extremely helpful near the end, which is something that I really liked. So, I can't say they are completely useless.

But, anyways, Rhonda did some amazing development as the novel progressed. Rhonda started out as this little flower and at the end she becomes this exotic flower. She changes so much and I'm happy that it was something that went with the novel. The change was not instant, but took some serious developing and growing. And I also like the author's way of distinguishing Rhonda and Angel, but still keeps their identity.

I know it was bad of me, but I did a little laugh near the end when Rhonda was confronting her father. It was a serious and tense moment, but I just couldn't help it with all of Rhonda's demands. It seemed a little silly to me, but considering everything he put her through I would probably behave the same way. But I'm glad there was at least some closure there and that she got away before she ended up like her mother.

Overall, this book was a little different than what I was expecting and I liked that. It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I got going there was no stopping. Honestly, the four stars are for the slow start that this novel got. I wish that it picked up a little quicker, but at least there were some moments at the start that kept the book alive for me.

If there is a reader looking for something different and a little more diverse, I'd say give this novel a chance.

Slipping Reality by Emily Beaver

Title: Slipping Reality
Author: Emily Beaver
Release Date: July 14th, 2011
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Pages: 272
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: For Review; Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

In a time of hardship and heartbreak, sometimes, reality just isn't enough. Slipping Reality is the story of fourteen-year-old Katelyn Emerson, who, when faced with the glaring reality of her brother's illness, rebels against the truth by slipping away into the depths of her own imagination. There, she finds the kind of support and comfort she feels she deserves. There, she does not have to feel so alone. And yet, as Katelyn's grasp on reality begins to unravel, so too does the story of a girl who grew up too fast and fell apart too soon. Emily Beaver's debut novel is a coming of age story that deals with the trials of young grief, insight, and growth where it's least expected.

This book was a little different than what I've read before, but it was still familiar. I liked how Beaver was able to entangle real life issues, and throw in a little more into it.

She really made me believe in the character's and got me into Katelyn's mind. And there was the brother as well, who despite being faced with a life-threatening illness, he has a little spark of life in him still. The character's come out and pull the reader's in through these difficult times when someone as young as Katelyn is faced with a difficult obstacle in her life.

This novel is honest and very heart-wrenching. Warning, tissues might be required to read this book.

It has been a long time since I read a book that really makes me question myself and everything around me, and those are the types of novels that really deserve to take notice. I'm not saying that books that don't make a reader question their own lives isn't bad, the books that do are the ones that, in my opinion, should be picked up and read.  

And I just discovered that this book was written when the author was only 14 years old, which just makes it even more amazing.

It's haunting and hits close to the truth. Growing up can be difficult, especially at such a young age, and Beaver shows the reader this.

Whoever has not read this book yet needs to pick it up, because I'm sure it will leave a lasting impressions.

Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

Title: Notes to Self
Author: Avery Sawyer
Release Date: November 20th, 2011
Publisher (Sold by): Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 206
Format: Kindle Edition
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Two climbed up. Two fell down.

One woke up.

In the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, Robin Saunders has to relearn who she is and find out what happened the night everything changed.

First off I would just like to say to the author thank you so much for letting me read this book. I am surprised that not everyone is reading this book right now, because it is amazing.

The entire story took me from page one until the last page and I couldn't wait to finish it to see what happens. The characters that are presented in this story are so real and can feel incredibly close to a person. I am so upset that I didn't pick this book up earlier because it was just great.

After an accident leaves Robin with very little memory of what happened the night she and her best friend Em decided to do a deadly climb that does not wake Em up.

This powerful story of two best friends and what they go through together touched my heart and I highly suggest reading this book because it's something that does not get forgotten.

The entire story line moves smoothly and it leaves questions and loose ends, it brings an original story idea to come to life and makes the reader feel like they were a part of it. At one moment I had to stop myself from almost crying because it was so fantastic.

I enjoyed this book and I hope people get the chance to read and fall in love with it as I have.

Castigate My Sins by Elicia Clegg

Title: Castigate My Sins
Author: Elicia Clegg
Release Date: August 5th, 2011
Publisher: Smashwords
Pages: 255
Format: Paperback
Acquired: From Author
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

It has been said perception is reality, and yet, what if the reality in question was twisted and corrupted to a disheartening degree of depravity? Would the corruption have the power to shift the human consciousness and control the very nature of what is and is not?  In Elicia Clegg's newest novel five teenagers: Michael, Suzy, Christopher, Beth, and Leigh will have to answer that very question. Their souls will be thrown into a pit of malevolent despair where they will come face to face with their archetypal selves. their characters will be tested, they will be deceived, given half-truths, and face punishment for crimes they did not commit. Will any surrender to the ever growing lies, or will they escape the void of light and breathe life once again?

What I think must first be noted about this novel is that Elicia Clegg  does not slap you in the face with the plot, but slowly eases in and BAM! here's how it is. It's been awhile since I read a story that held such twists and turns and kept me on my toes.

The basic premise of the novel is the secrets that each of these characters hold and what they do to handle these situations they get placed in. While this story doesn't exactly scream, "Amazing" at first, I slowly get swept into their lives and had been held there.

I think that what works best for Clegg when it comes to her book is the dark world she creates. She is excellent with describing not just the setting but the characters emotions, their thoughts, and everything that's inside of them to the point where it's like the reader is being sucked into their lives and taking a part of the action in the novel. I feel like that is what makes such a book good. When the reader is trapped into the place and no chance of being let go.

The themes are important, obviously, since they drive the book. And I think what stuck out for me is the title of the story and where Clegg was going. I won't reveal much more than the fact that they are tightly intertwined together.

I loved that I got the chance to read it, but the only reason it got a four is because I felt like a little bit more should happen. This is not a very long book, I took in within three hours, but I feel like Clegg could have played a little more with the characters and really give insight into them.

Either way it was a well done job.