IMM: In My Mailbox (46)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

I did happen to receive a few review books this week, but that still didn't stop me from buying more! *insert evil laugh* I picked up three that have been on my wishlist for a bit and I couldn't pass them up another week.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE

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Seduce Me In Flames by Jacquelyn Frank

-purchased-

 

Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

-purchased-

 

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

-purchased-

 

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (ARC)

-Thank you to Harlequin Teen!-

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

-Thank you to Harlequin Teen!-

Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

-Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Zeitghost Media!-

 

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So that is what I got this week.

What did everyone else get?

 

 

 

 

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

BAD TASTE IN BOYS
Author: Carrie Harris
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (July 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385739680
ISBN-13: 978-0385739689

 

SUMMARY:

Someone's been a very bad zombie.

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town. . . and stay hormonally human.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was first intrigued by this book because of the cover.  I thought it was creepy and eerie with the frost covered lips.  I also have been trying to read more books about zombies lately since they seem to be the new rage in the book genre.  Unfortunately, this book fell flat as a dead zombie for me.


Within the first chapter of this book, I could already tell that it was not going to be a book I would enjoy.  The character is suppose to be in high school, yet her actions and personality of her friends made me feel like I was reading a book focused more on the younger teens.  The writing, in my opinion, needing much more work to be considered a young adult genre book.  I would classify this one to be more middle grade in writing style.  I wasn't a fan of the main character, Kate, who was suppose to be smart but was naive most of the time.  Now don't get me wrong!  I didn't hate the book, but it is not a favorite of mine.


This is more of a fun and light read that you could easily finish in a day.  I took it as a mindless read that you don't have to put much thought into the plot as you read it.  You just go with the flow and try to enjoy the story line that the author created. 

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

(ARC Review) Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

BLOOD BOUND
Unbound #1
Author: Rachel Vincent
Source: Author
*I received this ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira (August 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778312550
ISBN-13: 978-0778312550

SUMMARY:

By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…

MY THOUGHTS:

I am speechless for my review of Blood Bound.  I did not know what to expect since the only books I have read by this author are her young adult Soul Screamer series.  I knew it would be excellent writing, but I didn't realize how well she could execute an adult themed genre book until now.

I will be honest though in the fact that if you aren't prepared for some puzzle solving, you can easily get lost in the first couple chapters.  I was scratching my head several times trying to figure out what the heck was going on.  Even though I was confused and starting to get frustrated, I kept reading and  I am so happy I did.  Once I got through the initial scene set-up chapters, the book took off.  I found myself sucked into the Skilled world and was secretly wishing I had some of those Skills without the contracts!  Imagine having the powers to track someone with either a name or sample of blood.  Imagine stepping from one place into another by just walking though a shadow.  Imagine seeing into the future and knowing all sorts of possibilities with different decisions. Just sit and imagine what it would be like.

The romance between Cam and Olivia is written perfectly.  It isn't over done with a lot of sex scenes, but you can still feel the chemistry pull between the two and you find yourself looking for the loopholes for them to be together.  I even found myself cheering and hoping that one particular bad guy would turn out not to be so bad.  While I still can't stand his wife, the bad guy does have some redeeming qualities if you look close enough. 

Now don't even get me started on that ending!  I was so frustrated on the last page.  I looked at my book closely to see if it was missing pages and then my frustration only grew when I finally accepted that the author left the ending this way for a reason.  I could have screamed and thrown my book against a wall, but I realized it just makes me more anxious for the next book in the series to arrive.  I now NEED the next book in the series just as much as I need my next breath!  When an author can leave you hanging at the end, but leave you satisfied enough to want to continue the series, you know the author has done a beautiful job in a novel.  Author Rachel Vincent has now been bumped to my always list for adult themed books and I can't wait to get my hands on her other series!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

SOPHIE & CARTER
Author: Chelsea Fine
Source: Author
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Acacia Publishing, Inc. (June 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935089447
ISBN-13: 978-1935089445

SUMMARY:

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

MY THOUGHTS:

If you are looking for your next young adult romance that has sweet charm and innocence in it, then look no further!  Sophie & Carter was such a surprise read for me and I finished this book in thirty minutes after nonstop reading.  


Carter and Sophie live next door to each other and have been friends ever since.  They both come from dysfunctional families and know secrets about each other that no one else does.  Carter grew up in an abusive household and now takes care of his Mother who has mental disabilities after being beaten so many times by her long gone husband.  Sophie is busy raising her 3 younger siblings while their Mother is busy being strung out on drugs and being a prostitute.  After school ends and the pretending of being normal comes to an end each day, they both have to go home to real life.  They go through the daily routine of taking care of what needs to be done.  When the day begins to come to a close, they sit outside on the front porch swing and just be there for each other.  


With alternating points of view for each chapter, the reader gets to take a glimpse into the mind of each character.  While Carter is scarred on the outside, he is sweet, gentle and protective of everything he loves on the inside.  I loved his character and found myself falling for him along with Sophie. While Sophie has had a hard life as well, she is a strong and brave girl who finds the strength everyday to take care of her siblings and be a role model for them.  She is kind, patient and strong with a devotion to her family that was wonderful. 


This is a quick read, but an outstanding read that will touch you.  I loved the ending and I couldn't have been happier.  I do hope the author writes a sequel to this book because when it comes to Sophie & Carter, "I LOVE THEIR GUTS!"

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

THE EMERALD TALISMAN
Author: Brenda Pandos
Source: Personal Purchase

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing (March 24, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 057805339X
ISBN-13: 978-0578053394

SUMMARY:

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

MY THOUGHTS:

I had been seeing this book all over the internet, but it took me forever to finally get it and read it.  I don't know why I was so hesitant on reading it, but I think it might have been because of the mixed reviews.  So I finally caved and picked up my copy of The Emerald Talisman and dove into the world the author created.


While I liked the basic story plot, I felt the story lacked things to make it great.  At times the writing was choppy and stalled.  I kept waiting for it to pick up pace only to have it do it but only for a few pages.  I also felt that the instant attraction to Nicholas that Julia feels was overdone.  She acted as though she is in love with this boy after just an hour or so of meeting him.  At times, it felt like she was obsessed and almost on the verge of stalker with her feelings towards him.  I wasn't a big fan of Nicholas in this book either.  At one moment he is nice and sincere, then he disappears only to reappear rather rudely.  It isn't until almost the last third of the book that he is even a prominent and engaging character.  


I felt the author has a great base for a story and just needs to get some things reworked for the books that will follow.  With a little tweaking of the writing and stabilization of the character personalities, this series could be even better. 

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

Cover Reveal & Contest with author M. Leighton!!

It is my great pleasure to be able to show off the new cover and book two in the Madly series by M. Leighton!!  Not only do I get to reveal the new cover and the info for the book,  but I also get to offer a contest!! YAY!

MADLY AND WOLFHARDT 

**INCLUDES BOOK 1 & 2 OF THE MADLY SERIES** 

Madly is your average nearly-eighteen year old girl—for a mermaid princess, that is. 

Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas, Madly’s home beneath the sea.   A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants.   

The first spirit to arrive is that of Ulrich Wolfhardt, a man that was once obsessed with wolves and a young maiden he would follow through the woods.  After a bite from a wolf, Wolfhardt’s obsession with the girl became an unnatural hunger and the young maiden’s grandmother cursed him with a fate worse than death.  And now he’s back…with a vengeance and a bite that can infect others as well. 

Madly must learn the identity of Wolfhardt’s descendant and stop him before he kills again and spreads his curse across the earth.  But the only person strong enough to help Madly is Jackson, the Sentinel who vowed to protect her and the one person capable of breaking her heart.  Can Madly resist forbidden love long enough to save the world from Wolfhardt?  Or will she have to sacrifice her heart and her destiny to save the ones she loves? 

FIND AT Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Madly-Wolfhardt-Book-ebook/dp/B005CKHYDE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310992867&sr=1-1 
FIND AT Barnes & Noble  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/madly-and-wolfhardt-m-leighton/1104277798?ean=2940012836878&itm=1&usri=madly%2band%2bwolfhardt 
FIND AT Smashwords  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/73294

 

ABOUT MICHELLE 

 
M. Leighton is a native of Ohio, but she relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: writing fiction. Four of Michelle's novels can now be found on Amazon, as well as several other sites. She's currently working on sequels, though her mind continues to churn out new ideas, exciting plots and quirky characters. Pick one up and enjoy a wild ride through the twists and turns of her vivid imagination. 
 

FIND ME:

Blog    http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com 
FB  http://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Leighton/189192087759491#!/pages/M-Leighton/189192087759491
GR    http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1152263.M_Leighton
Twitter   http://twitter.com/#!/mleightonbooks
EM    m.leighton.books@gmail.com 

 -------------------------------------------------

CONTEST CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to the wonderful and generous M. Leighton, she is going to give away 2 ebook copies of Madly and Wolfhardt!  This contest is INTERNATIONAL! So everyone can enter!

 RULES:

1. to enter, please leave a comment below.
2. entrants must be 13 years of age or older.
3. contest deadline is July 29th, 2011
4. contest open INTERNATIONALLY!
5. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON!

IMM: In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

I almost thought it was going to be a big zero of a week for IMM! Then yesterday, UPS came trudging along to my house and brought me 2 packages! I was so excited! Happy reading week for me!

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE

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FOR REVIEW:

The Fire King by Marjorie M. Liu

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

The Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

The Last Viking by Sandra Hill

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

A Scoundrel's Surrender by Jenna Petersen

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

The Bed and the Bachelor by Tracy Anne Warren

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

The Bride Wore Scarlet by Liz Carlyle

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

Wicked in Your Arms by Sophie Jordan

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

My Beloved by Karen Ranney

-Thank you to HarperCollins/Avon Books-

 

The Goblin King by Shona Husk (ARC)

-Thanks to Sourcebooks-

 

Unleashed by Sara Humphreys (ARC)

-Thanks to Sourcebooks-

 

Utterly Charming by Kristine Grayson (ARC)

-Thanks to Sourcebooks-

 

Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton (ARC)

-Thanks to Sourcebooks-

 

Never Been Bit by Lydia Dare (ARC)

-Thanks to Sourcebooks-

 

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So that is what I got this week.

What did everyone else get?

Nightshade by Michelle Rowen

NIGHTSHADE
Author: Michelle Rowen
Source: Personal Purchase

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425239829
ISBN-13: 978-0425239827

SUMMARY:

Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires-until she was unwillingly injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to them. Now, tormented half-vampire Declan Reese wants her blood to destroy the undead kingdom. Unfortunately, the serum has also made her blood irresistible to all vampires-including Declan, whose desire for Jillian is more than mere hunger.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have always been a big fan of author Michelle Rowen! I loved her feisty and fun Demon Princess series, but I also fell in love with her Immortality Bites series that was full of romance and quirky humor.  When I noticed she was starting a new and darker series, I jumped on the fan band wagon and purchased a copy to read!  The author did not disappoint even if the series is darker than her other books.


Jillian finds herself held captive during a stand off between Declan -- a vampire assassin -- and a scientist.  When the scientist injects a poison called Nightshade into her neck, she doesn't realize she is now a pawn in a vampire war.  Declan is not only a vampire assassin, but he is also half vampire himself.  He takes a serum to keep his vampire side suppressed  but it also makes him a cold robot of a man.  When he takes Jillian with him to his compound, he realizes that her blood is different and she has an addictive scent to her now.  The Nightshade that is poisoning her system is the ultimate weapon to destroy vampire's.  They can't resist her blood, but it kills them within minutes of drinking it.  Together, they have to find a way to cure Jillian of the poison, but they also have to fight their growing attraction.  


I loved Declan and Jillian.  She was strong and determined, but she also had a soft side.  She didn't fall fast for Declan as most heroines of a book do.  She couldn't stand him for a bit.  Declan is horribly scarred and cold.  He is not your typical and gorgeous hero.  He has flaws, but ones that make him into the hero we want.  He protects Jillian with everything he can and his only fault is trusting the wrong people.  When they confront the King of the Vampires, I thought there was going to be a huge show down.  What you get is not what you expect though.  The author pulls the rug out from underneath you and leaves you not knowing who is the bad guy, the good guy, or who to cheer for!  I loved the way it ended even if there were some tears in my eyes.  It leaves you craving the next book in the series so we can see what will happen next, but it also leaves the reader satisfied at the conclusion of the book.


Another great series to add to my obsession with this authors writing!  I can't wait until I get my hands on the next book in the series!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

PERFECTLY YOU
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 282 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (March 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416953558
ISBN-13: 978-1416953555

SUMMARY:

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast.

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

MY THOUGHTS:

It is so gratifying when an author's writing sucks you into the story the moment you read the first page.  Author Elizabeth Scott knows how to write! I fell in love with Kate's witty and sarcastic mouth while trying to deal with a family that is falling apart. It is hard to find an author who can create teen's in a book that act and talk like actual teens!


Kate's Father quit his job and decided to follow his dream of selling Perfect You Vitamins at the mall.  I couldn't help but laugh out loud with the opening scene of him in a bee costume trying to sell his vitamins to people. Not only is Kate embarrassed by this, but she is actually holding in a bunch of anger from what he did.  Not only has he practically made his children help out working the booth that is suppose to be his dream, but he has put the family in financial trouble as well.  The whole time her family is dealing with the new job scene, Kate is also missing her friend who has turned her back on her.  Add in the cute Will who seems to be flirting with her, and Kate seems to have a full plate!


While I loved the family struggle with the job struggles and the sweet romance that was emerging with Kate and Will,  I was not a big fan of the scenes with Anna and Kate.  Anna is Kate's childhood best friend.  Up until this current school year, Anna has always been there for her and vice-versa.  I could tell from the beginning that Anna was just using her throughout the story.  I couldn't stand it when she was on the page.  I wanted Kate to stand up to her, quit whining about losing her as a friend, and tell her to go stick it where the sun don't shine!  


If you are looking for a quick and fun read by an awesome author, the Perfect You is perfect for you!  Humor, teen angst and romance that will keep you turning the page.

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

(ARC Review) Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

COLD KISS
Author: Amy Garvey
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006199622X
ISBN-13: 978-0061996221

SUMMARY:

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart. 

MY THOUGHTS:

I am not usually a big fan of zombie themed books.  With the exception of a select few,  I never understood the appeal to either cold, dead bodies for romance or brain eating shells of humans for entertainment.  That could be why I was a little hesitant on reading Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey.  After reading the first chapter though,  I just knew I was going to like this book though.


When Wren is devastated after losing her boyfriend Danny in a car accident, she does the unimaginable and brings him back from the dead.  Not an easy task to do, especially when your Mother refuses to tell you much about the family magic that is inside her.  Even though Wren does bring him back from the dead, she quickly realizes that Danny is not the same as he was before.  At first she keeps him locked in a neighbors garage while she attends school and such. While she is away, Danny feels confused and can't stop thinking about Wren.  When she does see him after school and at night, he is cold to the touch and trying to remember things.  The only things he seems to remember though are events including Wren.  


She desperately wants to fix her mistake and give Danny peace finally, but she doesn't know how to do it or if she is ready to let him go.  When Gabrielle, the new boy in school tells Wren that he knows about her powers, she is afraid of what he will do.  Instead of calling her a freak, he falls for Wren and tells her that he has certain powers as well.  Together they try to figure out a way to deal with Danny being undead and how to give him the peace he needs.  When Danny starts to remember the accident though, he escapes the garage and everything starts to fall into place in his mind.  


I loved Gabrielle as the third character in the book.  He was patient, kind and supportive without being too pushy or jealous.  Wren was okay, but I wished we could have seen more of her with Danny before the accident so I could have connected better with their relationship.  I understand that it hurts to lose someone that you love, but at times I wished we could have had more glimpse's into their relationship before Wren brought him back.  I enjoyed the friends Wren had in the book and wished we could have seen more of them.  They were hurt the Wren had strayed from them since the funeral, but they could only be pushed so far before walking away from Wren.  I felt bad for them and wanted Wren to open up to them more. 


Overall this book has made the zombie romance a little more tolerable for me.  It made me stop thinking of zombies as brain eaters and started to enjoy them as a storyline that can be sweet and tortured in a good way.  I can also say that Amy Garvey is going to only get better with each book she writes.  Her storyline and pacing is perfect and she does great with details without going overboard.  I personally can't wait to see what she will bring us next!

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

Watch Me by Lauren Barnholdt

WATCH ME
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (July 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781442402553
ISBN-13: 978-1442402553

SUMMARY:

She thinks she has nothing to hide…

Ally has everything under control. She’s about to move into a house full of strangers and have her life broadcast to the world, but as long as she still has her long-distance boyfriend, Corey, nothing can go wrong. Nothing, that is, until Ally starts spending time with her housemate Drew, the hot and sensitive guy who always seems to be around when she needs someone the most.

As suspicions and lies start pulling Ally and Corey apart, she’s not sure if she can trust anyone, not even herself. Ally is about to learn the hard way that life is what happens when everyone is looking, and it doesn’t always capture her good side…

MY THOUGHTS:

Books by author Lauren Barnholdt are always hit and miss for me.  I love some of her books, but others tend to fall flat for me.  In the case of Watch Me,  this is not one of my favorites.  While I liked the idea of the whole reality TV show,  the execution of it in this book was not well thought out.


Ally decides on a spur of the moment to try out for a TV reality show.  When she is accepted as one of the college roommates for the show, she has no idea how it is going to change her life.  She is in a dorm with several stereotypical housemates that are chosen to create some drama for the show.  Ally is also dealing with the fact that her boyfriend of two years, Corey, is also away at college.  Long distance romance proves to be hard, but also being on television all the time proves to put the biggest strain on their relationship.


I don't know what to say about Ally.  When she was around her other roommates, she seemed to actually care about their feelings.  Yet, at other times I felt she was a snob and not worth reading about.  I did like the character of Drew, but we didn't really get to see him interact that much with Ally and the rest of the cast.  Their budding romance that is suppose to happen in the book felt forced and didn't have much substance for the reader to grab onto and enjoy.  The reality show is also like an afterthought in the story.  The author throws it in whenever the story starts to drag in hopes that it will help.


Overall it is a quick and easy read, but not one to get your hopes up for.  Like I said, her books are hit and miss for me so this might be the hit for you.

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

(ARC Review) Fateful by Claudia Gray

FATEFUL
Author: Claudia Gray
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062006207
ISBN-13: 978-0062006202

SUMMARY:

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets....

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was a little worried about reading another book involving the Titanic because we all know how that story ended -- the boat sinks and people die.  Even though I knew what to expect with the Titanic and its voyage,  I had no idea the author would suck me into such a wonderful story involving Tess and Alec!


Tess has been a maid servant for the Lisle family for years.  She is maid to Lady Irene and the only nice one of the Lisle family.  She plans on resigning from her position once the Titanic docks in America unbeknownst to the Lisle family.  She wants to start a new life in a new country doing things her own way.  During the voyage, she meets the stranger that rescued her from a wolf attack the night before the ship sails.  He is handsome and mysterious which leads you to believe that it is going to be a sweet romance.  Unfortunately, Alex warns her to stay away from him for reasons Tess can only imagine being because she is a servant and he is rich.  What she doesn't know is the secrets Alex is hiding along with danger at every turn!


I fell in love with the sweet and tender romance between Alec and Tess.  I loved how it progressed and the mystery and suspense that is involved.  I admit, I kept waiting for Jack and Rose to appear, but I settled with Astor and Ismay.  The author did a wonderful job detailing the ship without going overboard and I felt myself wandering the ship along with Tess in my mind.  It was nice to see the life of a servant aboard the Titanic instead of just the rich and famous.  We get a peek into the life that they lived and how much they went through aboard the ship and in life. 


Even though we know how the Titanic ends, you won't see the ending of Fateful coming!  I loved how it ended and I do hope that the author will find some way of continuing this story!  With the 100 year anniversary of Titanic approaching, Fateful is a book that help you remember the people of Titanic of all classes.  Throw in some love, suspense, destruction and supernatural and you have a book to keep you afloat all day and all night!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

IMM: In My Mailbox (44)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

Slow week this time, but awesome books still arrived!  I got my contest win from Anna's Book Blog that is full of True Blood sexiness, plus some great books to review!  I also splurged a little and bought some great books as well.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE

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FOR REVIEW:

 Alterant: Belador #2 by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love (ARC)

-Thanks to Pocket Books-

Ashfall by Mike Mullin (ARC)

-Thanks to Author Mike Mullin and thank you for the sweet inscription!-

Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen

-Thanks to Harlequin Teen-

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 Purchased/Contest Win:

True Blood Swag Pack from Anna's Book Blog

-Thank you so much Anna! I love the awesome pen!! It has a laser light on one end that has a True Blood Emblem!-

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

The Vampire...In My Dreams by Terry Lee Wilde

The Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

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So that is what I got this week.

What did everyone else get?