Book Review: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Take a Bow
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Series: Stands Alone
Publisher: Point
Released: April 1, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Website: http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/

Book Summary:

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Take a Bow is told from 4 different points of view.  Emme, Sophie, Ethan and Carter alternate the narrating of the story.  They are attending a prestigious New York performing arts school together. There are also some wonderful secondary characters written into this story who you can't help but love or hate. 

This was a fast paced one sitting read for me, once I started I didn't stop.  This is my 3rd Elizabeth Eulberg book and I'll definitely be reading her next book as well.  I like her characters, like her writing style, I like her story-lines.  Take a Bow deserves a round of applause!

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Source: ARC from Publisher

Content: a swear word or two, a comment on getting in someone's pants but otherwise clean.

Book Review: Untethered by Marcia Lynn McClure - 5 Stars

Title: Untethered
Author: Marcia Lynn McClure
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Distractions Ink
Released: June 2012
Source: Purchased
Genre: Clean Historical Romance
Website: http://distractionsink.com/

Book Summary:

A man tethered by pain and guilt borne of past tragedy,
A young woman with the soul of a guardian angel,
And an unspeakable evil about to be unleashed.

As Cricket lay in the soft comfort of her bed, continuing to let her mind nest on thoughts of how truly wonderfully attractive Texas Ranger Thibodaux was, she giggled, thinking that looking at him was more refreshing than swimming naked on a summer Sunday afternoon. He was a tall drink of water—far taller than most of the other men in town—and his shoulders were as broad as the state of Texas itself. Sky-blue eyes, bronze skin, square jaw, and dark hair—and that smile! In truth, Cricket had only seen Heathro Thibodaux smile three or four times, but each incidence was something she’d never forget. His smile was bright and white, and the gold tooth he owned on the upper-right incisor of his smile only embellished the richness of it.

That one tooth. Cricket’s smile faded as she thought of it. Oh, no doubt the flash only added to the splendor of his smile. Yet it also served as a reminder to anyone who had ever read or heard of what had happened in Texas one year before. No doubt it was a powerful remembrance to Heathro Thibodaux himself—a visual indication of true barbarity, pain, and loss.

In that moment, Cricket wondered—when Heathro looked in the mirror each morning and saw that tooth, did he think of eight dead girls buried in the bottom of a bleak and barren canyon? Did he think of the eight dead girls that he, for no fault of his own, had been unable to save?

Marcia never disappoints me.  If you're a long time follower of this blog you already know I absolutely love her books.  I read them knowing what I am going to get and she always delivers.

I loved Cricket's do-gooder innocence matched to the tortured cynicism of Heathro.  Marcia has once again created an incredible cast of lovable characters.

I love getting to know Marcia better through the the parts of herself she puts into everyone of her novels.  The author's notes at the end are always the icing on the cake.

If you've not read a Marcia Lynn McClure book before start with Visions of Ransom Lake or Shackles of Honor or A Crimson Frost.  For those who like me have read and enjoyed all of her books this one is of course a must read.

Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it.

Content: Clean - passionate kissing and a couple of the mildest of expletives.

Source: Purchased

Book Review: Wrong Number by Rachelle Christensen

Title: Wrong Number

Author: Rachelle J. Christensen

Series: No but one of the characters is in Rachelle's next book Caller I.D. 

Publisher: Bonneville Books

Released: March 1, 2010

Website:  http://www.rachellechristensen.com/ 

Book Summary:

One mysterious phone call that's all it takes to turn Aubree's perfect life completely upside down. Without warning, the seams of her idyllic existence begin to unravel, and with each new shocking revelation, Aubree finds she knows far more than is good for her. With help from the FBI, Aubree races to protect herself and what's left of her family. The only thing she forgets to protect is her own heart.
This award-winning debut novel from Rachelle Christensen is impossible to put down and keeps you guessing with every page you turn. It's a chillingly good read that will have you jumping whenever the phone rings.

I guess I'm more of a fan of mystery/suspense novels than I first thought.  When I finished reading Rachelle's book Caller I.D. I headed to the library to get a copy of her first book Wrong Number.  Although not really a series there is one character who crosses over from Wrong Number into Caller I.D.

Wrong Number was full of twists, turns and suspense with a little romance mixed in.  It was one of those quick-easy reads that held my interest and I easily finished in one day.

Recommend to those who enjoy clean suspense/mystery novels (with a sprinkling of romance thrown in).

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Clean

Source: From Library

Book Reveiw: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Series: #1 in the Chemical Garden Trilogy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Released: March 22, 2011

Website: http://www.laurendestefano.com/

Book Summary:

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

It's interesting trying to write a review on a book I read nearly 6 months ago. Often 6 months after reading a book I can't remember many details or confuse it with other books. I will say one thing about this book portions of it were unforgettable.

Wither was a good book, I didn't love it but I did like it. It was a very original story so if you are looking for something different in the YA dystopian genre try this one. There were portions of it that bothered me while reading, specifically the issue of being forced in to a polygamous marriage and a few of the discussions between the three wives. There were characters I loathed, others I felt sorry for and a couple I really liked.

Wither does have a great ending and I will read the sequel.

Rating: 3.5 Stars - Good book

Content: Lots of things are discussed but nothing is graphic.  For older teens.

Source: Audible download

Book Review: The Cinderella Project by Stan Crowe

Title: The Cinderella Project
Author: Stan Crowe
Publisher: Breezy Reads
Released: August 30, 2012
Series: Stand Alone
Website: http://www.breezyreads.com/

Book Summary:

Committed to saving his marriage before it starts, doctoral student Nick Cairn embarks on a project aimed at finding the secrets of everlasting love. But when Moire DeLanthe, a smart and sassy research assistant, enters the picture, his Happily Ever After is put to the ultimate test.

I really enjoyed an author interview Stan Crowe did so I requested a review copy of this book.

The Cinderella Project is a cute, clean romance that made me smile.  Nick is a grad student trying to use science to figure out the secrets to love.  He is fully committed to making his relationship with his fiance Ella last forever.  While I had to admire his commitment to his relationship with Ella I found myself thinking some relationships just aren't meant to be.

I enjoyed being inside Nick's head as he struggled to figure out the path he should take. I loved the humor Moire brought to the story and she was by far my favorite character in the story. The storyline was somewhat predictable but this is a Cinderella Story so predictability is a good thing.

For those who enjoy clean adult romance give this one a try.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Clean

Source: Review copy from publisher

Book Review: Sisterhood of Strength by Diony George

Title: Sisterhood of Strength: True Stories of Miraculous Service
Author: Diony George
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Website: http://diony-george.blogspot.com/

Book Summary:

Experience for yourself the pure love that inspires ordinary women to serve and accept service in a truly extraordinary manner. This inspiring collection of true stories from the lives of women just like you is told with heartwarming sincerity. Perfect for sharing, this remarkable book is sure to uplift, encourage, and cheer any woman, whether it’s her turn to serve or be served.

Sisterhood of Strength is a compilation of touching stories of sisters who serve each other.  You can pick it up and read just one story at a time or read through the whole thing in one sitting as I did.  Of the nearly three dozen stories in this book about half are by published LDS authors.

The stories are varied, some are accounts of acts by visiting teachers, other of service to neighbors, friends or family members.  A great reminder that sometimes it takes just a small act to make a huge impact in the lives of others.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Clean & Uplifting

Source: From Publisher for Review

Book Review: Women of Strength by Tristi Pinkston

Title: Women of Strength
Author: Tristi Pinkston
Series: None
Released: March 8, 2012
Publisher: Walnut Springs
Website: http://www.tristipinkston.com/


Book Summary:

The need for courageous, faithful women has never been greater than it is today. As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we are faced with temptations on every side. But we can prevail as we gain true strength from living the gospel.
In Women of Strength, Tristi Pinkston shares inspiring stories, as well as insightful quotes from Church leaders, to demonstrate the power and influence of righteous women. This book invites women everywhere to deepen their relationship with the Savior, rely on the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and learn what it really means to be strong.

This book is aimed a faithful latter-day saint women and was just what I needed. It's a quick read one I easily knocked out in a couple of hours but is packed full of quotes and stories that I really related to.  There is a lot of wisdom within the few pages of this book.  Tristi writes in a way that motivates without sugar coating or condemning.  I gleaned a lot from this wonderful little gem.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend to LDS women

Source: From author for review

Book Review: Thou Shalt Not Road Trip by Antony John

Title: Thou Shalt Not Road Trip 
Author: Antony John 
Series: None 
Publisher: Dial Books 
Released: April 12, 2012 
Website: http://antonyjohn.net/


Book Summary: 

Sixteen-year-old Luke Dorsey is sent on a cross-country tour to promote his bestselling spiritual self-help guide accompanied by his agnostic older brother and former girlfriend, Fran, from whom he learns some things about salvation.

It's been a full six months since I read an ARC of Thou Shalt Not. I didn't write a review at the time which is not the smartest thing to have done. However after six months I still remember the story line and characters from this book which is saying something.

 Antony John's last book, Five Flavors of Dumb, was a big hit with me so I was excited to have a chance to read an early ARC of Thou Shalt Not. I've been on a similar Road Trip when I graduated from High School. My trip was seven weeks long and took a little different path than the road trip in this book but our paths crossed many times along the way. It was fun to hear so many great places I visited years ago described.

There are some Christian undertones to this book which of course is no issue for me.  I found Thou Shalt Not to be well written and very entertaining.  Another great book from Antony John!

 

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: I didn't take any notes and I read this 6 months ago. I remember some language and innuendo. Sorry!

Source: The Teen Book Scene ARC Tour

For all the tour stops visit:

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jekel Loves Hyde
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Series: None
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Released: May 3,2010
Website: http://bethfantaskey.com/


Book Summary:

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

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

I'd read some mixed reviews on Jekel Loves Hyde but I'd really enjoyed Beth Fantaskey's book Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side so I decided I'd give this one a try.

Jekel Loves Hyde was very different from Jessica Rules. If you are looking for more of the snarky, arrogant, irresistible Lucius found in Jessica Rules you'll be disappointed. Tristen is a completely different type of guy. If you don't expect him to be like Lucius and give him a chance you'll probably end up pleased with him.

I think Beth is a great writer.  Her stories keep my attention and are enjoyable to read.  There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming and I flew through this book in a couple of sittings.  It contains a good mix of romance, adventure and mystery.

Rating: 3.5 Stars - Good Book!

Content: Some language including a half dozen uses of the F word, talk of sex, some crude comments.

Source: Library

Book Review: Caller ID by Rachelle Christensen

Title: Caller ID
Author: Rachelle Christensen
Series: Stands Alone but is a Companion to Wrong Number
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Released: March 13, 2012
Website: http://www.rachellejchristensen.com/


Book Summary:

When twenty-three-year-old Courtney Beckham, the privileged daughter of a highly successful land developer, is abducted in the mountains near her home, FBI Agent Jason Edwards investigates the ten-million-dollar ransom and turns up more than just a kidnapping crime.
And when Courtney catches a glimpse of the caller ID in her kidnapper’s home, what she sees sends ice through her veins. Even if she escapes her captors, something much more dangerous lies ahead.
From the author who brought you Wrong Number comes another story featuring Agent Jason Edwards that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Caller ID is great romantic suspense.  The story-line was fast paced and kept me guessing.  We find out who is behind the kidnapping fairly early on but I wasn't expecting it to be who it was.  Even though we know who the bad guy is there are still lots of twists and turns in the story right up until the end.

Caller ID stands alone but one of the main characters Jason Edwards was in Rachelle's first book Wrong Number.  I enjoyed Caller ID enough that I decided I wanted to see what happened to Jason in Wrong Number so it is my next read.

Caller ID definitely made me a Rachelle Christensen fan.  I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Content: Clean

Source: From publisher for review

Author Website: http://www.rachellejchristensen.com/
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachellechristensenauthor
Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/
Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks
Publisher Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/cedarfortbooks



"To celebrate the release of CALLER ID, Rachelle is hosting a contest for a new Ultra Flip Video Camcorder (4GB memory, Records 120 minutes Value $149.99) and other great prizes. You can enter to win between now and April 14, 2012. Winners will be announced and notified April 16, 2012.

For how to enter: http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/p/ultra-flip-video-contest.html

Book Review: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Title: Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler AKA Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Maria Kalman
Series: None
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: December 27, 2011

Book Summary:

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

I just did not love this one. I struggled to get through it and debated not finishing it multiple times. There was just too much language and content for me. There were certain aspects of the storytelling and the way the book was written that I enjoyed but I didn't love the characters. Ed "no offense" but I just didn't like you at all. Min was blind and stupid to ever see anything in you.

On a positive note I loved all the artwork & illustrations in this book. That's probably what kept me going. The way this book was written was unique and entertaining. I love Min's love of old movies although I wish he'd used real movies instead of making them up.

Rating: 1.5 Stars - Not My Kind of Book

Content: Lots of language including dozens of F words and sexual content. If you are not a fan of explicit language and teenage sexual content then skip this one.

Source: Review copy from Publisher

Book Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Title: Bloodrose
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: Nightshade Book #3 of 3
Publisher: Philomel
Released: January 3, 2012
Website: http://www.andreacremer.com/


Book Summary:

Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

First off this far too adult in nature to be a young adult book in my opinion.

Skip this paragraph if you don't want a spoiler. I was extremely annoyed that after sleeping with one character Callah was then making out with the other one while in nothing but a towel and who knows how far that would have gone if they weren't interrupted. This book should have been cleaned up or marketed only to adults.

Thanks to a disgruntled reader who started her ranting review I can't believe Andrea Cremer.... I knew some of what was coming in the storyline. I debated whether to just skip the final book in this series but decided I wanted to know how the story ended. I didn't really love the ending. I was actually unsatisfied with it.

I do think the way Andrea writes is well done.  She drew me back into a story I didn't like and kept me reading to the end.  I just didn't like where she went with her story line.

Rating: 2.5 Stars - Take it or leave it

Content: Langauge, sex & violence

Source: Library

Book Review: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Title: Born to Run
Author: Christopher McDougall
Series: None
Publisher: Knopf
Released: May 5, 2009
Website: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/


Book Summary:

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.
With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

I am not a runner. I would never have picked up this book on my own but it was this month's book club book. It delves into the world of barefoot and long distance racing. I found it fascinating. I've always hated to wear shoes and go barefoot whenever I can and I now feel justified.

Written like a memoir it was often hard to distinguish fact from opinion. I still found the world of these ultra runners to be intriguing.

The life of the Tarahumara is unlike anything I've heard of before. And ultrarunning...I'd heard of Iron Man races before but 100 miles in the desert? I actually googled the people and events chronicled in this book to learn more.

 How would you like to run 100 miles in these shoes?

You'll never convince me to run 100 mile race in the desert or even a marathon but you might just find me at the park running barefoot one day soon. At least I'm considering it after reading this book.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Language including the F word

Source: Library

Book Review: My Double Life by Janette Rallison

Title: My Double Life
Author: Janette Rallison
Series: None
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Released: May 13, 2010
Website: http://janette-rallison.blogspot.com/

Book Summary

Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia's photo filters through the Internet, she's offered a job to be Kari's double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia's mother has always warned her against celebrities.
Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

So Cute! I love escaping into Janette Rallison's books!  She creates great characters who despite their flaws actually have a moral compass and values.

My Double Life was a fun realistic fairy tale like story.  One of those books that makes you smile and laugh and sigh.  It's an upbeat and feel good story that can easily be read in an afternoon or evening.

If you are looking for a light-hearted, quick read with a great message you can't go wrong with My Double Life.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Content: Clean

Source: From Author for Review

Book Review: Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Best of Me
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Series: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Released: October 11, 2011
Website: http://nicholassparks.com/

Book Summary:

THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks. I've read EVERYTHING he has written and enjoyed all of it. I think he is a great writer. However if you haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book don't start with this one, it's not his best. Try A Walk to Remember, The Notebook or The Last Song as an introduction to his work. If you've read his books and enjoy them then read this one too.

Since I've read all of his books I was totally prepared for the emotional manipulation and classic Nicholas Sparks life is not always the happily ever after we may think it should be ending. Good thing I was prepared because he dished it out in droves in this one.  I thought Dawson Cole was a great character but I wasn't as taken with Amanda.  I'm a happily ever after ending person and the ending of this one was not the happily ever after I would have liked to have seen.  I saw it coming but still wish things could have somehow gone differently.

Sidenote: Prior to starting this one I had just finished reading Anna and the French Kiss. As Anna described the books her father writes I couldn't help but think of Nicholas Sparks.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Language, violence, implied sex and other mature content that wasn't overly graphic however this is definitely a book for "adults".

Source: Library

Book Review: Awakened by Ednah Walters

Title: Awakened
Author: Ednah Walter
Series: Guardian Legacy
Publisher: August 22, 2010
Released: Pill Hill Press
Website: http://www.ednahwalters.com/


Book Summary:

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, but Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons. Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware that she's a Guardian-a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. When she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers. But Bran has a secret that can ruin their growing relationship, and the truth she discovers may destroy everything she believes in unless she finds the right balance between love and sacrifice.

When originally given the chance to review this book I turned it down. I took one look at this cover and dismissed the book. I really had no desire to read it thinking it was likely going to have content I'd find objectionable.

However over the past year or so I've had many interactions with author Ednah Walters. A recent plea for me to review the sequel to this book opened a line of discussion in which I was assured there wasn't anything really objectionable in this book so I agreed to read it.

They say don't judge a book by it's cover and for me that applies to Awakened. My initial judgement of this book based on the cover was far from accurate. Other than a couple mild swear words there wasn't anything objectionable in this book. In fact it was far cleaner than most of the young adult books I've read lately.

I found the mythology of the Xenithians and Hermonites to be both unique and intriguing. The glossary of terms, characters and lineage at the beginning of the book came in handy more than once as the story unfolded. I'd expected this book to be more romance than anything else but the romance was just a part of the story line.  This book was a fast paced good verses evil tale that was full of great characters and relationships. I will definitely be picking up the next book Betrayed.

Rating; 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Cleaner than most YA I've read lately- just a little mild language

Source: From Author for Review

Book Review: Frankie, The Walk 'n Roll Dog by Barbara Gail Techel

Title: Frankie, The Walk 'n Roll Dog
Author: Barbara Gail Techel
Illustrator: Victoria Kay Lieffring
Publisher: Joyful Paw Prints
Released: January 11, 2008
Website: http://joyfulpaws.com/

Book Summary:
A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom-fitted for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible. Frankie will leave an everlasting and loving paw print on your heart. A book for all ages to teach overcoming challenges and also compassion for the physically challenged.





This book is sure to be a hit with dog lovers.  A story of hope and inspiration that shows the love, care and dedication of Frankie's family.  My 6 year old daughter was fascinated by this book and we both learned something new.  We ended up going online to look at pictures of dogs who use the doggie equivalent of wheelchairs to get around.

The illustrations of the dog were well done but some of the other illustrations, especially those of people, were not my favorite.  There was a lot of text on the pages making it a longer read aloud and a couple times my daughter was ready for the page to be turned before I was done reading.

An interesting story about overcoming challenges and not giving up.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Source: From Author

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: None but there are companion novels
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Released: December 2, 2010
Website: http://www.stephanieperkins.com/

Book Summary:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss Anna and readers have long awaited.

I so enjoyed reading this one....or I guess I should say listening to this one since I listened to the audiobook.  Usually I get a lot done while I'm listening to an audios... laundry, dishes, errands, etc.  But that did not happen with this book.  I kept finding myself sitting down, getting nothing accomplished, with a silly grin on my face, totally lost in the story.

Full of laughs, romance, and drama this book was a fun read. Anna and the French Kiss was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. I could have done without the F word but otherwise found this to be a fantastic book.

Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it.

Content: Some language including a half dozen uses of the F word. References to sex, some crude comments, teen drinking but nothing is overly graphic or described in detail.

Source: Download from Overdrive


Also by Stephanie Perkins:

Book Review: The Snowman's Revenge by Mark Smythe

Title: The Snowman's Revenge
Author: Mark Smythe
Illustrator: Mike Motz
Publisher: Mark Smythe
Released: May 9, 2009
Website: http://thesnowmansrevenge.com/

Book Summary:

A snowman left out in the cold by himself is out for revenge, especially after he sees kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies, and drinking hot chocolate. This delightful story flows with rhymed verse, and is beautifully illustrated.

I really didn't know what to think of this book so I decide to it aloud to all 5 of my kids ages 6-17 to get their reaction. My older kids were disappointment with the ending. The snowman doesn't actually get revenge and they thought he should have been able to scare the children. If  a snow man is able to come to life then certainly he should be able to do more than just melt when he gets in a warm house. My youngest said she wouldn't want to read it all the time and that it was ok and she liked it.

This is a rhyming story but I didn't feel the text flowed as smoothly as it could have. There were a few times the verses just didn't flow of my tongue. I liked the illustrations although a couple of them are a little scary looking.

So not a favorite of mine but one I wouldn't complain about if asked by my daughter to read again.

Rating: 3 Stars - Worth Reading

Source: From Author

Book Review: Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs by Willy Claflin

Title: Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs: A Maynard Moose Tale
Author: by Willy Claflin
Illustrator: James Stimson
Publisher: August House Publishers
Released: April 16, 2011
Website: http://www.willyclaflin.com

Book Summary:

From the award winning creative team who brought you The Uglified Ducky, a Texas Bluebonnet Master Reading List Finalist, comes the latest fractured fairy tale from Maynard Moose. You may think you know the story of Rapunzel, or the Seven Dwarfs, but think again. In the capable hands of his narrator Maynard Moose, storytellerWilly Claflin takes us on a wacky journey where family becomes fambly and extremely becomes distremely. (English teachers take heart; a Moose-English glossary is included.)

This book was funny. My six year old daughter loved it and I think it will likely be a hit with my 10 year old son as well. It's a fractured fairy tale complete with a bald Rapunzel, 9 dwarfs and a 512 lb. prince. It's pointless, told with poorly written grammar & made up words and has no moral to the story. It's just humourous, silly story.

If I had to actually read this book I wouldn't have loved it nearly as much as I did. Thankfully it comes with a Audio CD where the author reads it to us in his moose voice making it a very entertaining read.

4 Stars - Great Book

Source: Publisher