Review: Lunatic Detective by Sharon Sala

Name of book: The Lunatic Detective (Lunatic Life Series #2)
Author: Sharon Sala
Publication: November 2011 by BelleBooks
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: E-book owned
Goodreads

As Tara and Flynn are closing in on Dee Dee Broyles' killer, a deadly new ghost begins to threaten them. It's just another day in Tara's lunatic life . . . 
All during the day at school, Tara kept picturing the moment when she and Nate would find DeeDee's grave. Even the classes she had with Flynn, who made everything fun, never seemed to end. By the time the last bell rang, she was fired up like a roman candle on the Fourth of July. She bolted from her seat, made a quick stop at her locker, and slipped out a side door instead of taking the front, knowing full well she was going to miss seeing Flynn. She didn't have time to delay or explain, and she had a feeling he wouldn't be all that thrilled in what she was doing. He was pretty cool about her psychic stuff, but digging for bodies fell way out of the realm of normal-even for her. 
Sharon Sala is the bestselling author of romance, suspense and historical novels for adults, and now, of the popular Lunatic Life mysteries for young adults. She's hard at work on her next Lunatic Life novel. Visit her at www.SharonSalaBooks.com


-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

    When I read the first book in the series, I was very excited to get my hands on the second book! I love the light air of mystery in this series, and I couldn't wait to start this! Sharon Sala knows exactly how to captivate readers in Tara Luna's lunatic life. She does not disappoint.
There might be minor spoilers for those who have not read My Lunatic Life, the first book (my review here...)
    Tara Luna is done with adventures, she found Bethany and brought her home safe. But life can never be too perfect. Ghosts turn up at every corner asking for her help. Her boyfriend, Flynn, is drifting away. She still hasn't found the body of the girl who dies in her house years ago. The dead girl's brother is stalking her. And suddenly, Tara begins experiencing a very evil force that knocks her out cold every time it is near.
     But Tara is not a quitter. And she is determined to find the body of DeeDee, and help her ghost pass into the light. But she can't just dig around every corner of her backyard. Will Tara ever find the body? Will she find out who is the source of the evil power lurking everywhere she goes? And will her relationship with Flynn mend itself? Find out much more when you read Tara's adventures in Lunatic Detective. An action-packed, light and mysterious read!
     I love this series. Many paranormal novels are all about forbidden love, and saving the world, blah blah blah. It's so good to have a break from it, sometime. And this series is my guilty pleasure! I love the characters, Tara is such a wonderful girl! She is pretty easy to connect to. Flynn is gorgeous, understanding, and ever so patient. I love him! Tara's two companion ghosts are absolutely hilarious and adorable! I love Milicent and Henry! The supporting characters all add to the story. Sharon Sala is a talented writer, indeed.
     I CANNOT wait to read my review copy of Lunatic Revenge, the third book in the series. Want a break from all the serious stuff? Want to read something that has a mix of paranormal and light romance? Want to be engrossed in an enjoyable, sarcastic book? Then I assure you, The Lunatic Detective is the ONE!

Review: Crashing Eden by Michael Sussman


Name of book: Crashing Eden
Author: Michael Sussman
Publication: May 11th 2012 by Solstice Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Won from @Realms of An Open Mind

For one boy and his friends, the path to Paradise comes at a cost—one they may not be prepared to pay.

When a biking accident leaves 17-year-old Joss Kazdan with the ability to hear things others can't, reality as he knows it begins to unravel.

A world of legends exists beyond the ordinary life he's always known, and he is transported to the same Paradise he's studying in World Mythology. But the strange gets even stranger when his new friends build a device that delivers people through the gates of the Garden of Eden.

Now Samael, the Creator God, is furious. As Samael rains down his apocalyptic devastation on the ecstasy-seeking teens, Joss and his companions must find a way to appease Samael—or the world will be destroyed forever.



-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     I won this book from a giveaway. The cover is really nice and creative. I love the color blending and the subject. I liked the blurb, too. It was really captivating. I have to admit, I thought the book would be better, but it was still good.  I am glad I read it.
     Joss is not your typical teenage boy. He has been in detention numerous times, he has been suspended from his school more than once, and he even spent some time in juvie. But behind all this violence, there is a broken, vulnerable boy who is showered in guilt.
     After an accident, Joss begins hearing a very strange non-stopping sound. After this incident, things start to unfold, it appears that the strange sound transports people back to Eden. When Joss and his friends start distributing a device to listen to the sound, the creator god is enraged and out for revenge. 
      What has Joss done to land him in juvie? Why can't anyone hear the frequency? Why did Joss suddenly start hearing it? And why is the creator god so enraged? Does he think that they are crashing his Eden? Find out much more when you read this imaginative, intriguing novel, Crashing Eden...
     I like this novel a lot. The idea was really intriguing and I loved how the story played out. Yes, I was a bit worried that it was touching the religious side, but it never actually concentrated on the creator god stuff, which was fine by me. I loved Joss, I really felt for him, and understood his motives. He really touched my heart. His sister is equally amusing and so LOVELY, I just wanted to hug her and pull her cheek. She was so adorable!
      What bugged me in this novel was the fact that the pace was too quick. This novel could have been lengthened into a 500 page novel and there were still many ideas to be explored in another novel. Yeah, the pacing kept me from giving this book five stars. Other than that, I really didn't like the creator god stuff. But this book really was intriguing and it was a very different type of paranormal.
     This book is recommended to every paranormal fan who is looking for a quick and interesting read. I can't wait to read more by the author, Michael Sussman. 

Review: The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

Name of book: The Beach Cafe
Author: Lucy Diamond
Publication: June 2011 by Pan Macmillan
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Won
Goodreads

Evie Flynn has always been the black sheep of her family - a dreamer and a drifter, unlike her over-achieving elder sisters. She's tried making a name for herself as an actress, a photographer and a singer, but nothing has ever worked out. Now she's stuck in temp hell, with a sensible, pension-planning boyfriend. Somehow life seems to be passing her by. Then her beloved aunt Jo dies suddenly in a car crash, leaving Evie an unusual legacy - her precious beach cafe in Cornwall. Determined to make a success of something for the first time in her life, Evie heads off to Cornwall to get the cafe and her life back on track - and gets more than she bargained for, both in work and in love...



-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     I won this book from a giveaway. I haven't heard of the author before, nor have I read the blurb. So I dove in blindly into this, I didn't even know that it was an adult coming-of-age story (somehow...) I LOVE the cover, the font, the texture and the colors, it's beautiful!
     Evie has always been the black sheep of her family. She had faded in comparison to her two over-achieving sisters. She tried everything, from being an actor to a photographer, but nothing ever worked out. Now, she is trapped in a boring life, trapped in a relationship where the passion had been lost for years.
     All that changes when her beloved aunt dies, and she inherits the lovely cafe at the beach. Evie isn't sure whether she should sell it or start running it. Will she ever have the courage to leave everything behind and go to beach? Will she ever find her heart's true desire? Evie doesn't believe she will, but fate has different plans. Maybe being the black sheep isn't all bad.
     I liked this novel a LOT. The first couple of chapters were a bit slow, but then, when I got to know Evie, I began enjoying it very much. Lucy Diamond has a -I don't know how to name it- daring writing style, she is not afraid to express her ideas and this showed in her characters. Not even one of them were cardboard cut-outs or two dimensional. 
     I loved Evie. Yeah, I know she is much older and her thinking ways are different, I felt for her and related to her. What I loved the most about her was her sarcasm, she made me laugh out loud in every page. She is really smart, and adorable. Ed is amazing, too. He is mysterious, but funny and like-able. Every other person in the town are amazing, I wished I could live with them (if they were real, that is.) Just so you know, there is no love-triangle.
     I loved the uniqueness of the story and the author's unique writing style. This book is definitely not something I would have read, but I don't regret reading it at ALL. I will be checking out the other books by Lucy Diamond. This is recommended to romance and coming-of-age fans.

Review: The New Kid by Temple Mathews

Name of book: The New Kid (The New Kid #1)
Author: Temple Mathews
Publication: 2009 by Teen Libris
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Provided by the kind publisher...

Will Hunter is used to being the New Kid; Harrisburg High School is his fifth new school in less than three years. By now, he knows not to be fooled by the bright pep rallies, the wholesome jocks, the innocent cheerleaders. He knows the evil lurking underneath. It’s the same evil that took his dad eight years ago: the same evil he battles every day.

Natalie Holand’s life fell apart the night her sister Emily disappeared. No one believes her when she tells them what she saw: yellow and green eyes, glowing beneath the surface of the water in which Emily supposedly drowned. And Emily isn’t the only person to go missing in Harrisburg lately. The town is changing, not for the better, and Natalie doesn’t know why. What she does know is that, whatever’s happening, it’s bad, and the New Kid is right in the middle of it.

Because Will has a secret even bigger than Harrisburg’s, and there’s more to it than even he knows.

This fast-paced, action-packed first novel by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Temple Mathews takes the idea of high school as hell to a whole new level. Will’s story, part wish-fulfillment sci-fi adventure and part iconic hero’s journey with a side of budding romance, will appeal to teen readers of both genders.


-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     I didn't actually expect that much from this book. Yes, the premise is strange. And yes, the cover is truly fabulous. But still, I didn't expect the "wow" factor in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised.
     Will has been moving around from school to school for the last couple of years. His mum thinks that its due to her ever-changing job, but no. It's Will who needs to move around. He needs to hunt down the things. The things that ruined his life when he was only eight years old. The things that are corrupting one town after another. The things that turn every helpless teenager into a slave.
     Will is always following his rules when settling into a new town: never get too attached. But in this new town, it's different. He can't resist Natalie's pull and Rudy's strange friendship. Will knows it's wrong to get attached, he knows that they will get hurt in the end, but can he live this lonely any longer? Can he save this town from getting infected? Can he find the master of the creatures? And will he ever live a normal teenage life? Find out much more when you read The New Kid. An action-packed, thrilling new kind of paranormal tale.
     I loved this book. Having no idea what I was reading, I got a little confused at first, but then, it got much better. I have to admit that I was worried, reading from a boy's POV. Although, the book is in third person, much of the focus is on Will. And being in Will's mind is such an experience! I never knew that boys were so thoughtful, so caring, so efficient. I loved Will, every single part of his personality.
     Temple Mathews has created a lot of supporting characters, and i liked all of them. April, Will's mum, is hiding something, but she is also caring. Natalie is an intelligent, head-strong girl, she is like a copy of me. I loved the growing attraction between Will and Natalie, it was so sweet and believable.
     If you want to have the roller coaster ride of a lifetime, with so many twists and turns that will leave your head dizzy and your heart racing, then The New Kid is you new favorite

Review: My Lunatic Life by Sharon Sala


Name of book: My Lunatic Life (Lunatic Life Series #1)
Author: Sharon Sala
Publication: August 27th 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: E-book owned

She plays for Team Spirit.
High school senior Tara Luna's got all the usual teen problems: a new school, her attraction to a hunky guy, feuds with the Mean Girls, being regarded as an oddball outsider-PLUS she has psychic powers, a duo of protective, meddlesome ghosts AND an angry, threatening teen girl ghost who wants Tara to solve her murder-or else.
Now you know why she calls this "my lunatic life."
Sharon Sala's books repeatedly make the big lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly lists, and she's been nominated for a RITA seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination. MY LUNATIC LIFE is the first book in her Lunatic Life series for teen readers. Coming soon: THE LUNATIC DETECTIVE.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     I don't know why. But I feel like I am in a very strange luck with books for the past month and a half. Every book I read, I end up giving it four or five stars. They are just so good, and it's not fair to give them less. I have the third book in the series, Lunatic Revenge, for review. So I had to read the first two books. I knew this series was about ghosts, but I had no idea that it would be so good!  A lovely, light paranormal read.
     Tara Luna, is tired of moving around so much. Yes, she loves her uncle, but moving into a new school every year is very hard. She can never fit in, and she can never make friends, or fall in love. How could she fit in anyway? She is psychic, is able to see ghosts, and feel people's emotions. When she arrives into a new town for her senior year, things are a bit different.
     First of all, there is a ghost at Tara's new house. Who, surprisingly, has her body buried in the backyard and wants Tara's help. Second, there is the absolutely-gorgeous Flynn who is the ultimate bad-boy and every girl's fantasy. The surprise of the year? He seems to be interested in her. Don't forget the mean girls who want nothing more than humiliate Tara. But when one of these girls, Bethany, disappears, it's up to Tara to find her.
      Will Tara find the body of the ghost? Will she be able to find Bethany in time? And will she take it a step further with Flynn? Find out what it's like to be psychic when you read Sharon Sala's imaginative, light, and quirky novel, My Lunatic Life...
     I liked this book a lot. It reminded me of Kim Harrington's Clarity series. But it was different and even better. On one hand, I loved Sharon Sala's writing. It is short, to-the-point, and quirky! I loved her simple manner. One the other hand, I loved the characters. Not all of them. But most of them, I loved. Tara is one hell of a psychic. She is smart, and not afraid to follow her heart. Flynn is also gorgeous, the typical bad boy with the sincere heart. I wonder why I can't find these kinds of guys here, in my HUGE town?
     This book was a really good mystery ride. We catch glimpses of where Bethany's kidnapped. But never the true place, which leaves Tara to find out. Loved the interactions between the characters and I think Tara's uncle is adorable! If you want to read a funny, mysterious book, then why not try this one?


Review: The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza

Name of book: The Forgotten (The Barronlands #2)
Author: Claudia Carozza
Publication: September 23rd 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Provided by the kind author...
Goodreads

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?



-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

      I won the first book in this series in a giveaway, and when I read it, I was immediately HOOKED! I l couldn't wait to get back to Hazel's world. And this book was a hundred times better that the first book. (See my review here)
     "Take care if you haven't read the first book in the series,  there might be minor spoilers."
     After leaving her sister and one of the Elects in her uncle's house, Hazel and her friends set out on a journey to find out what the officials are hiding. When Margaret (Hazel's friend) decides to use the help of one of her informants, Hazel is shocked that it is none other than Shane, the guy she met when she was back home.
     Things are getting worse. The officials are looking for Hazel, and they will stop at nothing. Even if it means killing her best of friends. And if that was not enough, Hazel can't help but feel torn between the two equally-captivating boys, Luka and Shane. How can she choose when everything she has ever believed in is at stake?
     What are the officials hiding? Will Hazel and her friends ever find out? And will Hazel be able to choose between the two boys? Find out much more when you read The Forgotten. An action-packed, breathtaking roller coaster ride!
     I LOVE this book. After reading The Twenty, I was anxious to read this book. But not very "anxious". I didn't know how the author would develop the characters more. But I was hell wrong. Claudia Carozza is an AMAZING writer! And she made Hazel even more adorable.
      I LOVE the characters in this book. Hazel is very head-strong and she is determinant, which I love. The supporting characters are really good, too. I LOVED Justin, and Maria, and many others. The boys. I can't even talk about them. Luka is the ultimate bad boy with a soft, sincere heart. He is not shy to show his true feelings to Hazel. I couldn't help but fall in love with his sweetness and protectiveness. Shane is pretty different. He is sweet and wonderful as well. But he doesn't show his emotions easily, although it's obvious that he cares about Hazel. The love triangle is believable, but it is very difficult to choose a side.
     If you want a very enjoyable, romantic dystopian read, then The Forgotten is the one for you! I loved the twists, the turns, and the vulnerability of the characters. I loved reading this book, and this time, I am VERY anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I just miss being in Hazel's world!

Review: Cornerstone by Kelly Walker

Name of book: Cornerstone (Souls of the Stones #1)
Author: Kelly Walker
Publication: October 22nd 2012
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Provided by the kind author...
Goodreads

In a world comprised of three rival kingdoms as different from each other as the families that rule them, Emariya Warren is unique in being a daughter of not one but two of the ruling families.

Sixteen years ago, Emariya narrowly escaped dying on their cold estate floor beside her mother. Now, after learning her father has been captured, Emariya makes the desperate decision to follow in her mother's ill-fated footsteps and journey to marry the prince of a rival land, Torian Ahlen. But when Emariya discovers the secrets of the three families and an ominous prophecy warning the three bloodlines must never be combined, she begins to fear the handsome prince waiting for her may desire more than to steal her heart.

-- My Rating --




-- My Thoughts --

     I didn't put too much expectations into this book when I started reading. So I dove in blind expecting a typical paranormal romance with minimum world building. Oh, I  was wrong. Way wrong.
     Emariya Warren is daughter of the Lord of Warren's Rest. Her father was the head of the council that rules Eltar  - one of the three ruling kingdoms - before he went missing. Now, Emariya lives a normal life with her brother, Reed. But suddenly, everything comes crashing down when she is informed that her father is still alive and imprisoned in Sheas - one of the three ruling kingdoms- The only way Emariya can save him is by accepting Prince Torian Ahlen's hand in marriage, and travelling to Thalmas -one of the three ruling kingdoms- to be his wife and the kingdom's princess. 
     But, as Emariya gets to know; the road to Thalmas is not an easy one. And everywhere she goes, the more about her past, present, and future, she learns. Why has Sheas imprisoned her father? Why has Torian requested her hand when no one even knew that Lord Waren had children? Will Emariya ever reach the Ahlen Castle? And will she ever come to love Prince Torian? Find out much more when you read this action-packed, enchanting tale, Cornerstone...
     I LOVED many aspects in the books. The first is the author's writing style. She is very... I can't find the right word ... philosophical, maybe that is it. I loved how she twists and turned the words into meaningful sentences.

“I think you owe it to them to consider the possible, as well as the definite. Should you not prepare for a storm because it is only a possibility? Should you not fear a man wielding a sword, because it is only possible that he will strike true? As leaders, it is our obligation to prepare for possibilities.”

     I also loved the way the characters spoke. It was, at times, old-fashioned. But I LOVED it. Just like the quote above. Second, I LOVED the world building. I could vividly imagine every part of the magical world. Emariya experienced the new landscape and we did, too. I could almost feel the breeze and see the mountains with the raging waterfalls. Lovely, indeed. 
     Third, I LOVED the characters. Emariya is a friendly, but stubborn girl. Even when she is weak, she would never ask anyone for help. Which I loved about her. Although there is a love triangle, it was sweet and believable. Garith and Torian both captured my heart, and I don't think I can choose a side, yet. There was one "little" thing that I didn't like about this book. It was the connection-at-first-sight between Emariya and Torian. Which was a little unbelievable. Loved the development between them, though.
     This book is full of unexpected twists and turns, that will leave you breathless. I loved it. A very promising debut. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year. If you want an exhilarating, romantic story then this is the one! I cannot wait for the sequel, Second Stone.

Favorite quotes:

"Here, the flat spacious plain met the rocky, barren mountains in a perpetual battle that the plains were fated to always lose."

“ Blood and Stones as one brings darkest night.” (you wouldn't know the meaning of this if you haven't read the novel)

"Perhaps fear stemmed from the unknown. The agony was in the need to make a choice. Weighing the options, trying to predict the outcome. Once a choice was made, all that was left was to see it through."

Launch Day: Living In The Dark

Hey, guys!
Today is the lunch day for my friend, Rebekah Camplbell's Living In The Dark
She is here today to give you an excerpt and talk about her excitement.



It completely baffles me that LitD is now out there in the real world but it feels like the greatest adventure I'm going to embark on. Yes, that was completely cheesy....I apologise. It's so difficult to pick an excerpt when every sentence is so dear to me but I thought I'd go with this one. Eric is one of my favourite characters, every scene I wrote him into had me grinning from ear to ear. So without further ado:
“You don’t normally wear hats, Em,” Eric commented as I met him outside the arcade. My cheeks flushed as I self-consciously pulled the beanie a little farther down my head to hide the bandage.
“Maybe I wanted to surprise you?” It didn’t throw him off the scent as I’d hoped, but he knew I wouldn’t admit what happened.
Eric took a deep breath and raised his eyebrows as we trudged down the street. “So...” He wasn’t going to make it easy for me.
“Who have you got for Registration this year?”
“Oh, Mr. Carter.”
“The Physics teacher?”
“That’s the one. The Bogeyman!” Eric swooped beside me and tried to dig his fingers into my sides.
I smiled as I dodged him and couldn’t help but give him a playful punch. “It wasn’t bad enough that you caught him digging for gold so now he has to put up with your face for the next year?”
Eric’s jaw dropped in mock disgust. “What’s wrong with my face?” His hands pawed at his perfectly chiselled jaw.
“Oh you know, you just have a little something,” I waved my hand in a circle in front of him, “right around here.”
“Your words cut me to the very core, Em.” A wry smile passed over his handsome face, and my stomach clenched in response.
“I’m sure you’ll survive. Maybe you and Mr. Carter could comfort each other?”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’ll tell Mr. Carter about crying myself to sleep at night because you don’t like my face.”
“I didn’t say that.”
A wicked gleam leaped into his brown eyes, and a grin stretched at my cheeks. “So you like my face?”
“I didn’t say that, either.”
What do you think? I'm so excited about the release that I am also giving away five electronic copies of the book. FIVE! So be sure to check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post. However, you must be over 13 to enter. The winner will be announced on 1st December at midday GMT. I'll send out an e-mail to the winners and they'll have 72 hours to respond or I'll pick another. I hope you enjoy Living in the Dark as much as I loved writing it. Now to get cracking with the sequel..... Buy Living in the Dark for your ereader from: Amazon (UK)    Amazon   Smashwords And if you'd like a paperback copy:  B&N    Amazon (UK)   Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Settling (Solid #2) by Shelley Workinger


Name of book: Settling (Solid #2)
Author: Shelley Workinger
Publication: July 4th 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Provided by the kind author...

At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. 

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…


-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     After finishing Solid - the first book in the series - I couldn't wait to get my hands on Settling, the second book. I loved getting thrust back into this wonderful world, although the first book was almost a  typical paranormal read, this one was definitely not.
"WARNING this might contain minor spoilers if you haven't read the first book, Solid (read my review here)"
    Clio and her friends suffered a lot on their first month in the base. They are finally ready to settle into their lives and routines. But nothing stays the same, and without noticing, Clio is getting more and more distant from her friends. Is she turning into something that she is not? 
     It has something to do with her genetically engineered chromosome that they all share. And while Jack is getting busier by the minute, Clio can't deny the attraction, the forbidden attraction, she feels toward Ford, the lieutenant in charge. But that's not all on Clio's mind, someone has killed one of the doctors on the base, and it looks like the murderer is just getting started.
     Will this army base ever be free of murderers and crazed lunatics? Will Clio ever be able to go back into her former self? Will she push Jack away and welcome Ford in? Find out much more when you read this action-packed, satisfying sequel, Settling...
     I LOVE this series, it has become one of my favorite ones. Solid was a very interesting read, but I didn't like it a lot. It was probably due to the fact that it was typical paranormal stuff. I was a bit worried about what the author would bring to the field in this sequel. Let me tell you, Shelley Workinger, you have written one of the BEST sequels EVER!
     I love the action in this novel, and I love the fact that it is not the main subject. I loved how Clio's character grew in this sequel, for better or for worse. I LOVE Jack, I adore his sweetness and his honesty. I loved Ford's character, too. Shelley Workinger has created a very unique bunch of characters, that you will love, feel for, and relate to. In every possible way.
     If you want to read an enjoyable paranormal fantasy, then Settling is the one! It is a unique mix of love, mystery, betrayal, and of course, paranormalcy. A story that will pull the heartstrings of every young adult fan!

Review: If I Know It's Coming by Nicholas Hupton

Name of book: If I Know It's Coming
Author: Nicholas Hupton
Publication: June 1st 2012 by North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary, Realistic Fiction ( a mix of both, i guess)
Source: Provided by the kind author...


If I Know It's Coming is a middle grade novel about a 13-year-old boy named Tim Hansen, who lives in a quaint little neighborhood in South Minneapolis.  For the most part, Tim leads a normal, preteen existence.  He is concerned about friendships, girls, sports, and even schoolwork from time to time.  But when his mother, who is a nurse in the United States Army, is deployed to Iraq, Tim's relatively normal and happy existence gets flipped upside down.  How will Tim cope without his mother?  Will his family ever be the same?  Middle school was unpredictable enough, but when Tim faces this sudden dose of mortality, the adventure is just beginning.

-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

      I accepted reviewing this book because it was a very touchy subject and one that I was familiar with. Living in north Iraq; we are not as afraid and scared as  the southern people are. But that doesn't mean that we are not scared for our loved ones when they go to the south. I loved reading this book and being able to feel what the situation is like for Americans.
     Tim's life was pretty normal, up until the day his mum left for Iraq. Tim is getting more and more detached from his father, he doesn't even see his sister at home anymore. Everything is going downhill, and he can do nothing to stop it.
     What will happen in Tim's life? Will he ever go back to being normal? Will he find a teenage love that will distract him? Find out much more when you read this intriguing, realistic story, If I Know It's Coming...
     I liked this book a lot. It was different from everything I have read, since it described the situation very believably. I liked the author's style, it was simple and straight-forward. This book was touchy but adventurous, too. I loved the characters, specially Tim and Nicolle, the love interest.
     This book is definitely thought -provoking and exhilarating. If you want to enjoy an interesting read, then If I Know It's Coming is the one!

Tour Stop: Reaction by Jessica Roberts


Helllo, guys!
I am so happy to be able to review this amazing book, Reaction.
Your can find my review of the first book, right here


Name of book: Reaction (Reflection #2)
Author: Jessica Roberts
Publication: November 5th 2012 by S/P
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Provided by the kind author and tour host...

Harmony… 

I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago. It was during the time I’d started my first year of college. My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough. But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one. Yes, life was near perfect.

But one stormy night can change everything… 

For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life. Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it. Dreaming of him. Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now. And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was. But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.

Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love. Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?


-- My Rating --


-- My Thoughts --

     I read Reflection this week for this blog tour, and I loved it! So I was very happy to be able to dig into the final book in this duology (I think...). This series offers a very unique aspect on what it feels like, to fight for love.
Minor spoilers if you have not read the first book in the series, Reflection
     Heather has finished her stay in the hospital. After almost three years, she has finally woken up from the coma, and is ready to step back into the world. But without Nick by her side, it is not so easy anymore.  Although there is Creed, her life-long friend, and Liz, her college friend; who offer the best of support and encouragement. 
     While Heather tries to go back intro her old routine, she can't help but feel terribly jealous of the new girl Nick is dating. And by taking Liz's advice, she decides to try to steal him back. But trying to convince Nick, is not so easy. Horrible plans lead to more horrible consequences. And Heather might not be able to pay the price this time, when she is not even sure if all she sees is real.
     Will Heather ever be able to be her old self? Will she be able to make Nick fall in love with her, again; or will she let her take him away? Find out much more when you read this emotional, heart-wrenching tale of a love, that will fight the borders of time.
     I LOVE this book. In the first book, we get to experience everything in Heather's life through her coma state. In this one, she is out in the world and trying to cope through the ups and downs. I loved Heather and Nick in Reflection, but in Reaction, I loved them even more.. Heather is the perfect voice to tell a story, a voice that is clear and haunting.

"A lot happens in three years. Your best friend grows six inches, engagements, your other best friend’s hair grows six inches, engagements, and your favorite grandma’s body shuts down from a little cold gone bad."

     LOVE this quote! Although Creed was always in the background in Reflection, we get more of him in Reaction. And I have to say, that I love him. He is the older brother I would never have. Liz is also a wonderful secondary character, her support to Heather was touching, she is an amazing best friend. Jessica Roberts is a terrific writer, and I can't wait to read more of her books!
     One of my favorite romantic reads of 2012! This book is memorable, and it will stay with me for a LOT of time. I am trying to convince you to read this book throughout the whole review. So you better decide too read it! And while you are here, try checking out my favorite "swoony" quotes:

"I surrendered, my body relaxed to him, opened to him, reveling in more than the sweet sensation of his lips on my skin. I gave him my secrets, my hidden places, allowing him to know me again, all of me. And at that moment, all of the serenity from every ocean shoreline, from every flowered hillside, from every peach sunset was mine."
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"He lowered his mouth to my lips, and his kiss was so tender and so thorough that I drifted away, like a leaf to the cool wind. "
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"The sound of our lips coming together and parting was natural and raw, but natural and raw was just right for us. He kissed me like he’d been holding in three years of unrestrained kisses, and we went at it with a passionate tenderness that could have lit all of St. Louis on fire."

-- About The Author --



JESSICA ROBERTS grew up in the San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.

Connect with the Author:  Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Available for Purchase:
Be sure to check out the other awesome blogs participating in this tour!
You can check them all out HERE! 



Review: Reflection by Jessica Roberts

Name of book: Reflection (Reflection #1)
Author: Jessica Roberts
Publication: February 17th 2012 by S/P
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Provided by the kind author and tour host...

Bright, spunky Heather Robbins has escaped her small hometown and is anxiously beginning her freshman year of college. Rising above her rocky childhood, she’s found a place where good things are finally starting to happen: her own private apartment, refreshing college classes, and an intense attachment to a mysterious and rugged classmate, Nick Richards.

But when her dreamy college life turns out to be nothing more than a wonderful dream while resting in a coma, questions threaten. 

Now, Heather must press forward to unlock the real past, and find the answers buried deep in her mind. What she unlocks instead is a roller coaster ride through flashbacks, embellished memories, and a whirlwind romance.

And when it’s all over and she comes face to face with the truth, will she lose everything she’s fallen in love with?


-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     This book is really different. At first, I thought that it will be paranormal, but no. It is contemporary with a very mysterious touch. I LOVE it.
     Heather is thrilled to finally leave for college. She can't wait to get started on her new life. But the next thing she knows, she is lying on a hospital bed. She had a college life, she had friends, she played track, she even had a close relationship with the guy of her dreams. But was that real or was it a product of her imagination during the coma? Heather doesn't know what is real or what is not. The only thing that might help her is trying to remember every moment of the months she spent in college. And then, she has to decide which moments are real and which are not.
     What happened to Heather? How long has she been in a coma? Was every moment she spent with her guy friend just in her imagination? Will she ever know what is normal and what is not? Find out much more when you read this heart-wrenching tale of a damaged memory, but a heroine who is set on fixing it.
     I LOVE this book. I had to read it since I am in the book tour for book 2, Reaction. But other than that, i heard a lot about this book, many positive reviews, so I had to get my hands on it. I LOVE Jessica Roberts' writing. After reading only a few chapters, I was engrossed in the story so much that I didn't know what was happening around me.

"Indeed, when his face bent toward me, his lips hovering just above my neck, I was enthralled; completely his. Against my will, I gasped when his lips brushed over my skin."

     I LOVE the characters. Heather is such a broken girl after the coma. She is confused and unsure of everything. I LOVE her and I felt for her. The two boys, well, they cannot be compared. Because they are polar opposites to me. Creed is so sweet and protective of Heather, although he only made a few appearances through this novel. Nick, oh Nick. He is lovely, mysterious and the ultimate bad boy. I couldn't stop swooning over him.

"Nick grasped my waist, slowly drawing me in to him. My breathing stopped as I stared into his face. His eyes were a deep sapphire, a mixture of fire and ice. My nails dug deeper into the wall of rock. My body scared itself into stiffness and yet it called to him at the same time."

     Everything about this book was to the point and perfect. It was just a little slow and confusing at the first few chapters, but then, it got much better. I LOVE this book, and I can't wait to start reading the second one. Every book lover, you SHOULD read Reaction. A beautiful story that tests the power of love against time.

"And then his lower lip brushed against mine, swirling the world around me. My body tightened, my heart stopped. He withdrew an inch, his fingers stroking over my jawline like I was a delicate, porcelain doll, soothing the tension in my face, leaving traces of fire."

Review: But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

Name of book: But I Love Him
Author: Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard)
Publication: May 8th 2011 by Flux
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Borrowed


Sometimes at night, I wake up and stare at the heart for hours. I think of how I collected each piece from the beach, how I glued it all together into one big sculpture. I wonder if Connor realizes what it means, that he'll always have a piece of me no matter what happens. Each piece of glass is another piece of myself that I gave to him.

It's too bad I didn't keep any pieces for myself.


At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved - and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything - and everyone - in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.


-- My Rating --



-- My Thoughts --

     I seriously don't know how to review this book, or rate it. Reading this was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But don't worry, it wasn't bad. It was just so...... I will talk about this later. Jump on the train and relax.
     Anne was a down-to-earth, easy-going young girl. She had friends, even if her family life was far from happy. She was the average normal teen. Until the day she met Connor. Connor was not like other boys, he noticed her, he helped her, he brought her flowers, he appreciated her time, and he complimented her. Anne was not aware, but she was falling deeper in love by the day.
     Fast-forward, one year later. Anne is not the same girl, anymore. She is broken, bruised, unhappy, and she has no friends. She is living in Connor's apartment, and sadly, she cannot get away from him. Connor is broken, too, and Anne seems like his only savior. Even as she knows he is the reason she is in this state, she loves him. The only answer she has to the nagging questions is "But I Love Him..."
     Why did their relationship went downhill? What is hiding in Conner's past? Will Anne ever be able to get away from him? Why can't she? Find out much more when you read this truly heartbreaking, deeply-moving story of a love that crossed the line.
     I LOVED this book. Believe me, I loved the emotions I experienced through the book. Amanda Grace is a fabulous writer with an amazingly lyrical voice. I found many quotes that I loved in every page.

"The air inside the blanket warms, and I rock back and forth, back and forth, inside this bubble where nothing exists but me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I am alone. Just as he intended."

     This book was hard to read, honestly. I shed so many tears for Anne. Many people who read this, described her as "stupid", wondering why she didn't walk away from such a relationship. But that's the point of the book; -as the author states in an interview- the author wants us to know why people who are in "abusive" relationships can't just walk away. I felt for Anne, I loved her, and I related to her, in more ways that one. She is one of the best contemporary heroines I have ever read about.
     I just don't know how to rate this. So, I am giving it four stars. I was planning on five, but looking back, it caused me so much pain that I gotta get back at it somehow (revenge?). This book is heart-wrenching but gives you such an emotional, wonderful insight on these relationships that it's almost impossible to put down once you have started it. Recommended to every romantic, every contemporary fan, and every avid reader, out there!

My utterly-favorite quotes (hard to name a few, though):

"But even when I stop crying, even when we fall asleep and I’m nestled in his arms, this will leave another scar. No one will see it. No one will know. But it will be there. And eventually all the scars will have scars and that is all I will be, one big scar of a love gone wrong. "
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"He needs me. Just as I need him. But hearing the words buckles everything inside of me. I fold in on myself and bury my face in my knees and wrap my arms around my legs and try to disappear. I could drown in my own tears."
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"These are the things I see in him. The way he makes lemonade out of lemons."
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"I don’t know why he gets to be two different people, and I only get to be me, the one who is here to take what he has to give, and who is here to pick up the pieces afterward."
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"These are the only moments we have left. These precious seconds where the passion blots out everything else, and it is just us. The rest is a war neither of us can ever win. But I have already waved my white flag. I have already surrendered. "
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"People don’t change because you want them to. They aren’t clay, ready to be molded."
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"I want him to be whole so I don’t have to try so hard to make him that way.I want to not care if I make a mistake. I want this to be easy and happy, and I want to not walk on eggshells every moment of every day. I want to say the wrong thing and see him smile anyway. "