Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A New Adult story in the form of a more traditional romance is a refreshing change.  There are no gimmicks, no “mystery” element that isn’t much of a mystery, no deals, bets, or games, and there is nothing supernatural or magical.  Frankly, it’s a relief.  In book world there seems to be a trend of 50 Shades-type fetishism, or a story with little to no plot that is only driven by sexual encounters.  Layne gives us a story that we can become immersed in that is driven by Parker and Ben and the simplicity of their story.

The dual narration is great- Ben is a normal guy whose thoughts and conversations aren’t profanity-laced idiocy masquerading as an authentic voice.  He’s a strong character who is presented well on the page and in his interactions with other characters.  Alternately, Parker is not a wishy-washy girl who doesn’t realize how amazing/attractive she is.  She’s a realistically drawn, independent, confident character who can easily be a fictional role model for readers. 

As usual, Layne’s writing is spot-on.  There are many genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud moments that are characteristic of her New Adult stories.  She definitely knows her intended audience and her characters are always representative of them.  The pacing is excellent, the plot progresses at an excellent rate, and although it seems as if there can’t possibly be a satisfying conclusion for both Parker and Ben, there is never a sense of being forced or rushed.  Nor are there any overly sappy, trite moments that make readers want to gag.    

Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne- Definitely read this one.  You won’t regret it.  Available from libraries and booksellers now. 

Every Last Breath Trailer

I am so excited for this book to arrive at my doorstep.  What?  You're not ready for it?  Quick!  Follow this recipe for a good time.
1.Get copies of White Hot Kiss and Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 
2. Preorder Every Last Breath before you start reading. 
3. Skip eating, sleeping, and avoid the outside world (optional) for three full books.
4. Squeal (or protest) the conclusion with vigor. 

Still not convinced?  Watch this.

Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although I felt this left a little to be desired as far as development, I liked the premise and the dual narration.  The obsession with youth and the disregard for anything that isn't accepted by the masses provides a lot to think about, especially when careers top out at age 17.  Marla and Ivy give readers two very different views of life in a world where you're only as good as the popularity of your next decision.

I don't think it's accurate to call this a dystopian novel, either.  No, things weren't perfect and kids are blatantly taken advantage of by the world at large, but no one's being threatened with death, there is no one character who can do something no one else can, and there is no crazy vision of world domination.  This can be labeled ageist, at worst. 

However, I did like Marla and Ivy.  Some of their character development seemed rushed in places, but I found them both to be sympathetic.  The other characters were also good, whether they were naughty or nice.  Some of them made me cringe and some made me smile, but all were well drawn.
The writing could use a little more tweaking in places to eliminate unnecessary story lines, such as one of Ivy's nymphs being used to spy on her- which ultimately amounted to nothing and was never mentioned again. 

Material Girls was ultimately a good story.  You might be frustrated with the fashion talk in a few places, but the characters and plot provide many topics of thought and conversation. 

 

Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos: It's not going to start an uprising to end government tyranny, but it is a good story about two girls who begin to question everything they've always accepted as the norm.  Available from libraries and booksellers now.  

All the Rage by Courtney Summers

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A devastatingly real portrait of the brutality faced by teenage girls, All the Rage will haunt you.  Summers has a talent for relating horrifying events and their aftermath  succinctly and with precision.  Her writing style is flawless and her plots are never as straightforward as they seem.  Despite the fact that she writes stories that are hard to wrap the head around, I am always left with a sense of hope that sentimental books fail to deliver.  All the Rage is beautifully narrated and is not to miss.  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Although there are several elements in this story that are reminiscent of other YA favorites (Red
Rising, The Hunger Games, even Divergent), I feel quite strongly that Aveyard has made Red Queen strong on it's own.  There are many reviews claiming hatred and insinuating minor plagiarism, but can you honestly tell me that you can't see any equal similarities in The Hunger Games, Divergent, and even Red Rising?


Those who have nothing but disparaging remarks for this book are entitled to their own opinions.  I won't tell them they're wrong for not liking exactly what I like.  But we, as consumers of the written word, need to get over this "special snowflake" issue.  Yes, Mare is special.  So was Katniss.  And Katsa.  And Darrow.  And Percy Jackson. So was Jane Eyre, for that matter.  Books, series especially, would suffer greatly were the main character to not be "special."

The writing is strong here: the characters aren't quite what you expect, the plot is propelled by an excellent main character, the pacing and action are on point, and the ending is set up nicely for the next installment. Victoria Aveyard has given us a strong beginning to this trilogy.  I am looking forward to the next piece of it.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: Love it or hate it, it's up to you.  But I encourage you to read it because I thought it was great.  Available now from libraries and booksellers.

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Seeker is a bit slow and dull in the beginning.  And by beginning, I mean 200 pages or so.  I found the four narrations to be quite scattered from each other and had a hard time drawing everything together in my mind. 

Making cohesive connections between Quin, John, Shinobu, and Maude was difficult for most of the book.  As a reader you have to sort through four pasts leading up to the point of intersection, and then through four perspectives of events after they join to become the same story line.  I had a hard time relating to any of them, but I am a fan of books in which I don't particularly like the characters.  So I kept going.

There weren't really an plot twists that I hadn't already been anticipating.  The writing, however, is solid.  The characters might be hard to relate to, but they are all dynamic, evolving people who push the novel forward.  I do think that Seeker would have benefited from being shorter (i.e., not including every tiny detail of everyone's pasts, making readers wonder when this story is going to continue, never minding where it's going).  I did like it, though.

Yes, I did like it.  The action, when it finally happens, is intense and quickly paced leaving us on a cliffhanger and wondering where the story could go in the next installment.  I"ll be keeping an eye out for the sequel. 

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton: Get through the slow parts and it's definitely worth it.  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2) by Heather Hildenbrand

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this installment of the Clone Chronicles.  There were parts that were excellent and full of action.  And there were parts that didn't make a lot of sense, story-wise, and were overflowing with cheese-tastic dialog, characters that had been dynamic suddenly falling flat, and a sense of being rushed through the reading.

Ven really irritated me this time around.  She was whiny, irrational, and not herself.  Which sounds odd to say about a fictional person, but it felt almost as if the book were narrated by someone else posing as Ven.  Several scenes seem to be just tossed in for the sake of inclusion rather than any actual pertinence to the story line. 

Regardless, Deviation is still the second part of this series and I feel it necessary to read if only because you'll miss a few important things and might be confused during the third installment.  You might not be a fan of this one individually, but to get a sense of the encompassing plot of the entire set. 

Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2) by Heather Hildenbrand: A must if you're going to read the series.  Otherwise mass chaos and confusion will ensue.  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

Zoey and the Nice Guy (Big Girl Panties #1) by Carter Ashby

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Just to get the negative out of the way, Zoey and the Nice Guy presented some issues for me, as far as character development.  Her regression from independent, self-sufficient chick who takes care of those she loves to stark-raving lunatic at a certain plot point was annoying.  She went from being a character I could applaud to one I wanted to push down a flight of stairs.  I am a fan of stories where I don't always admire the characters, though, so I kept on with her tale.

For fans of modern romance this is a good choice.  It's quick, it's got a decent plot, and it has some excellent characters.  Zoey is fiercely loyal to her friends, her friends are not spineless twits, and Kellen is a good counterpoint to Zoey.  I would recommend it for its happy ending. 

Zoey and the Nice Guy (Big Girl Panties #1) by Carter Ashby: If you're not a fan of the romance genre, skip it.  Otherwise, you'll probably like it.  Available now from libraries and booksellers. 

Waiting for April by Jaime Loren

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is decent if you're looking for just a romance.  The problem overall, however, is that it's not just a romance.  There the angle of reincarnation, with a theme of soul mates who will find each other in any time or place. 

The characters are presented well, each being fairly memorable and unique.  The concept of the story is a good one.  Sadly, it just doesn't mesh together.  There is entirely too much time devoted to the coupling-up of April and Scott.  A mystery is hinted at.  Intrigue is introduced.  Danger is definitely dangled.  But the development of plot isn't really there. 

I felt as if the ending was rather slapped together, not to mention unsatisfactory.  If you have read any of my other reviews you'll know that I am not always a fan of a happy ending.  I love an ending that leaves you feeling a little cheated, so long as the ending makes sense for the rest of the story.  But the suspense is quickly flung into an overly dramatic, not-clearly-explained mash-up of plot twists that leaves you dangling over the edge of a cliff by your fingernails. 

Waiting for April by Jaime Loren: I can't say I recommend this book, but I'll leave it up to you whether or not you'll read it.  Just don't be surprised if you're not a huge fan by the last page.

Altered by A. D. Croucher

 

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Although this isn't the deepest mystery I've ever read, I really enjoyed this book.  The characters, especially Reese, are engaging, memorable, and highly developed.  The plot is excellent, with expertly timed twists, fantastic pacing, and great dialogue.  It's a fast read- perfect for those who like action, mystery, and just a hint of science-fiction weirdness.  I'll definitely be reading the sequel, and so should you.

 

Altered by A. D. Croucher: A must-read that you won't regret.  Available from booksellers and libraries now!

Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne

This is an okay story.  There is never quite as much mystery as the synopsis hints about.  There's never quite the level of suspense that I think Payne is going for.  The plot isn't as strong as it could have been. 

There is potential here, though.  The characters are memorable, each having multiple layers that readers will like.  The writing is good, even if the plot doesn't quite deliver all that one might want. 

It sounds as if I am undecided on this book, and perhaps I am- to a degree.  I didn't find it an irresistible read, but that doesn't mean someone else will come to the same conclusion.  In this instance, rather than urging you to avoid or buy now, I'll urge you to judge for yourself.  If you think it sounds interesting- go for it.  If not, you probably wouldn't like it much anyway.

Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne: You'll have to make your own judgment here.  Mine is ambiguous at best. 

Golden Son (Red Rising #2) by Pierce Brown

Golden Son is amazing from start to finish.  It is full of action from the first page, and keeps readers on the edges of their seats until the last page.  Darrow, Mustang, Roque, The Jackal, and even Ares are given more depth, more challenges, and more strife (and in some cases, a real face and name). 

The backdrops are richly depicted, the scenes often capable of inducing breathlessness, and the last few chapters might just blow your mind. 

 

There is no sequel slump here. The writing is incredible, the pacing is maginificent, and the characters just keep getting better.  Pierce Brown delivers a fantastic tale, and there is no question of wanting to have the finale now. 

Golden Son by Pierce Brown: Awesome.  Amazing.  Might just ruin you for all other sequels.  Available from booksellers and libraries now!

Fall with Me Madness!

Anyone else really excited to read Fall with Me by J. Lynn?  Other than me, I mean.  I can't wait!   Until then...

The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes

The Ship of Brides is a complicated and delicate interweaving of the lives of those aboard a ship carrying Australian war brides to their British husbands. There are many individual story lines, including that of the ship's captain, but Moyes handles them all well. 

All of the characters presented are exquisitely presented.  Even if we don't get the point of view of all of them, they are wonderfully drawn, realistic enough to stay with you long after the book has been finished, and each one shows unique development.

Although it does take a bit to get fully into the story, the writing is excellent.  There are no unanswered questions, but every character has a definitive, if not necessarily happy, ending.  The settings are richly described, and the character interactions all work together to form this incredibly detailed book.   

The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes: A little daunting at first, but an incredibly good story.  Available from booksellers and libraries now. 

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ticker is a richly imagined world full of marvelous mechanics, excellent character traits, and plenty of mystery and danger.  Penny, the protagonist, is a sassy, unapologetic, determined, and courageous heroine who will do anything to save her family, even at the risk of her own life. 

The setting is wonderfully drawn, letting the imagination run rampant with a steampunk version of technology that would, frankly, be pretty cool to have.  My favorite bit of this technology?  The time-locked bakery boxes, of course. 

Mantchev has presented readers with a fantastic read that we won't soon forget, and will most likely want to read again.

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev: Why are you waiting?  Read it now!  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

A Kiss by the Book by Christy Hayes

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Kiss by the Book is a rather predictable, bland story of first love.  Zach and Jenna are written well as the stereotypical jock with a heart of gold and the brainiac who helps with his grades (and then pretends to be his girlfriend to save face in front of his brother and his ex).

All the plot points are hit on pace, there is actual chemistry and character development between the protagonists, and the writing style is good.  It was a cute story with cute characters and a cute outcome.  I will recommend it to others, but for me it was a little flat.  A feel-good read that goes quickly, has one or two obligatory obstacles that are easily overcome, and a solid happy ending. 

While I wouldn't have minded a little more depth to the story, Hayes is leaps and bounds ahead of some writers in the new adult genre.  Nothing feels robotic, none of the characters feel like they're out of place, and the romance is genuine. There is good banter between Zach and Jenna, and a few humorous moments throughout. I will definitely read more of Hayes' work, and be satisfied that at least I will have a solid story with a happy ending, if not a little more punch.

A Kiss by the Book by Christy Hayes: A quick read that delivers a happy ending, with a solid romance in between.  You can hardly go wrong with this one.  Available from booksellers and libraries now.

Seed by Lisa Heathfield

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Seed is the story of Pearl, who grew up in her own tiny community of the same name.  She loves her home, loves her family, and looks forward to the day when she can become a companion to Papa S, the leader of Seed.  Nothing goes the way Pearl ever expected, and when people from the outside join Seed, she begins to doubt everything she has ever known.

The characters of this story are excellent.  Every one of them, even the ones you'll hate, are developed and presented well.  They will, along with the twisting plot, elicit many emotions from readers.  You'll love some; you'll detest some; you'll want to reach in to the pages and rescue some. 

There are times when the writing seems stilted and juvenile, but that only added to the authenticity of the book.  Pearl is uneducated, unaware of the world outside of Seed, and struggling to learn the truth about everything before it's all too late. 

Some will find this book hard to read.  The themes of child abuse, sexual abuse, and cults are difficult to handle, but Heathfield manages to relay the horrors without overly-graphic detail.  My skin crawled on more than one occasion, and I was relieved when the book reached its conclusion.  Although not a happy ending in the traditional sense, I couldn't help but feel that it was the right one for Pearl.

Seed by Lisa Heathfield: Horrific in its honesty, and will make you want to see Pearl through to the end.  Available from booksellers and libraries March 10, 2015.

Hades by Candice Fox

I received a copy of Hades in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Candice Fox gives us a crime thriller that is gripping, horrifying, and brutal.  The hunt for a serial killer is never easy, but Frank's investigation is made harder by his aloof partner and her brother, both of whom are keeping more secrets than anyone can possibly guess.  Interspersed in the current events are flashbacks to Eden and Eric's upbringing by a man named Hades. Through these flashbacks, Fox paints a thorough picture of the Archer siblings' lives, which in turn bleeds into the story as Frank narrates. 

The characters are realistically drawn, imperfect, and can be related to rather easily.  The writing displays a talent for setting disturbing scenes and thoughts, and presenting tense action and awkward human interactions.  The plot is well paced, making it all too easy to ignore everything else and stay immersed in the story. 

You'll definitely want to read the sequel, Eden, when it comes out in August of 2015.  I know I do.

Hades by Candice Fox: Creepy and full of action, and definitely worth reading!  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

The third installment of The Fox and O'Hare series is a good one.  It's not as complicated as the first two, but it has a solid plot, reappearances of the same crazy team, leaves you hanging in a way that isn't annoying.

I have read several reviews despairing over the "plot-driven" tendencies of this series.  Isn't that the basis of a good story, though?  Whacky characters and crazy antics can take you so far.  Without a decent plot we're left with 350 pages of idiocy and lusting after two guys with very little actually occurring.  Fox and O'Hare are the example that Stephanie Plum needs to follow- fewer shenanigans, more focus on busting bad guys.

The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg: Fun, mysterious, and full of action.  Read it, but not before The Heist and The Chase. Available from booksellers and libraries now.

Infandous by Elana K. Arnold

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Infandous is raw, gripping readers with hideous fairy tales and myths, weaving them into Sephora's life.  Each of these seems unrelated to the overall story, but with each chapter narrated by Sephora, you can see how she is living them, to a degree. 

There are so many angles to this story that pull away layers of love, pain, truth, fear, and acceptance.  It's not a feel-good book that will make you long for the romance of it all.  It is a gritty look at what life is really like sometimes.  Sometimes you have no read choices; sometimes you're thrown into the storm that other people have cast around you and the best thing you can do is try to keep your head above water and get through it.

Arnold gives us an unapologetic look at the dark side of love.  Sephora has secrets that will hurt everyone she loves, but they hurt her most of all.  She can't see a way around the choices she (or anyone else in her life) has made.  And she can't imagine a life for herself that is separate from her mother's.  She does give us the courage to look at horrifying things and hope that they might be overcome, no matter the brusque tone of the narration, or the utter helplessness you feel as more is revealed.  For such a grim book, I was oddly buoyed by it.  I highly recommend you try it.

Infandous by Elana K. Arnold: Fantastic!  Available from booksellers and libraries in March of 2015.

The Ruby Airship by Sharon Gosling

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Ruby Airship gives just as much tension, mystery, and romance as its predecessor, The Diamond Thief. The characters are just as richly drawn, the writing is still excellent, and the plot never has a dull moment.

The best aspect of The Ruby Airship was the additional character development. Remy isn't as quite as worldly as she thought. Thaddeus is overly cautious and meticulous, and forgets that he is also young and capable of missteps. But the real star of the book is J, who takes his passion for gadgetry and learning and shines as a Cockney Nutty Professor.

Gosling has delivered a solid sequel to this series, and I look forward to reading the next.

 

 

 

The Ruby Airship by Sharon Gosling: Awesome!  Available from booksellers and libraries now!

We've Always Got New York by Jill Knapp

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was horribly boring. I read 100 pages and didn't like either narrator. The plot (although I didn't find much of one) was forgettable. The characters were dull. The writing was grammatically correct. Sadly, that's the best compliment I can give to this book.

We've Always Got New York by Jill Knapp: 1 out of 5 stars.  Available from libraries and booksellers now. 

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand

I received a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. 

Although it raises a few questions that cannot be answered (at least as far is this installment of the story goes), I really liked Imitation. 

The concept of having clones on standby in case of an emergency or medical necessity for important people (think the president or the queen of England) is creepy, and realistic enough to drive the entire plot.  That the clones know this is why they have been created and have been made to study and emulate those they're to possibly replace makes it more frightening. 

There are a few gaps to be found.  For example, we never know if those who are after Raven Rogen are the same people trying to eradicate Ven.  We don't really understand why the people trying to help the imitations escape their life of servitude employ the same tactics as the "bad guys." 

Despite the issues, the story itself was good.  The writing is solid, it flows well, and even though there is the presence of (heaving sigh) an instant love connection, it does promise a riveting sequel. 

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand: 4 out of 5 Stars.  Available from Amazon (Kindle edition) now. 

Scratch by Rhonda Helms

I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. 

This story fell short for me.  The characters were a little flat, and while the struggles presented could have been riveting they seemed contrived.  I would have liked more development.

I think, more than anything, the writing leaves much to be desired.  It feels awkward, stilted, and forced.  Although given a direct line into Casey's thoughts and feelings, an essential connection is lacking.  I felt badly for her, and I hoped she would come to terms with her past, but I never felt what she was feeling.  I couldn't put myself in her place at all.  Perhaps someone else could have made this story resonate more with me.  It was a quick read, though, and someone  else might enjoy it more than I. 

Scratch by Rhonda Helms: 2 out of 5 stars.  Available from booksellers and libraries now.