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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

The Jewel (Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing

Although an interesting concept, The Jewel is frightfully dull in execution. The descriptions of wasting time and clothing options are almost criminally tedious. The element of magic seems to be unconnected to anything else in the story, other than to indicate who will be able to bear children for the moneyed members of society. There is also the problem of insta-love. Sometimes it works- this time it feels like a forced issue to break up the tedium. Add into the mix characters that are flat and uninteresting, and it's not surprising that I have no desire to read anything after the first in this series.

The Jewel (Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing: 1 out of 5 stars.  Available at booksellers and libraries now.

The Eternity Key (Into the Dark #2) by Bree Despain

Bree Despain has yet to write a story that I don't like.  I didn't even read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel as if I couldn't read this one without it.  The characters are great, the plotline twists excellent ways, and I'm really looking forward to the next installment.  Despain is a talented writer who can fully immerse you in the drama of her stories and need to know what happens next.

The Eternity Key (Into the Dark #2) by Bree Despain: 4 out of 5 stars.  Available May 12, 2015 at booksellers and libraries.

Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I intensely disliked this book. I didn't finish it for numerous reasons, the foremost being my extreme irritation with Wendy as the narrator and protagonist. While the first chapter of the book is full of action, the majority is rife with boring details leading her up to the action that takes place in that first chapter. I couldn't relate to Wendy at all. She didn't seem to have any narrative emotion and came across as more of a neutral recording of events, even though some pretty traumatic things happened to her throughout the story.

The writing leaves a lot to be desired. There is so much description that I often forgot what was happening around whatever scenery was being discussed. The cover leads one to believe that this will be an steampunk story, but I was surprised to find out that it takes place on several different planets and involves quantum physics in addition to magic.

Overall the premise of this book was good, with an intriguing backdrop. Unfortunately, the narrator and the writing put me off of the story and leave me with no desire to find out what happens at the end of Guild Assassin, let alone what waits in the next installment.

Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr: 1 out of 5 stars.        

Until You Find Me by Amber Hart

I couldn't connect with the characters in this book at all.  Raven annoyed me with her incessant anger and refusal to even try to understand her father.  I admit, it wouldn't be easy to have a dad who seemed to care more about gorillas than his own family, but by the halfway point of Until You Find Me, she still hadn't given any indication of having any feelings other than blind anger.  Jospin also seemed incredibly shallow, with little character development by the halfway point. 

I gave up there because I'd already spent days trying to get into this book.  Neither the characters nor the story had me hooked enough to keep going until the end. 

Until You Find Me by Amber Hart: 1 out of 5 stars. 

The Silver Tower (The Silver Tower Saga #1) by Colee Firman

What started, for me, as a standard tale of a girl who longs to break free of her family's expectations ended up a richly detailed adventurous fantasy that left me wanting the next installment now.  Or sooner, if possible. 

As a protagonist, Sophie was excellent.  She doesn't just accept things as "the way they have to be." There is a lot of development on her part throughout the entire book.  The rest of the cast works well around her, even when people didn't turn out to be what I expected.  There were unlikely friendships made (Maven is a particular favorite of mine), betrayals, alliances, and yes, a romantic entanglement.
 
The Silver Tower kept me turning pages until the very end, and now I kind of regret it.  Mostly because now I have to wait (and wait, and wait) for the next book.  The writing is great, the dialogue is never forced or feels fake, and I'm going to have to find more of Firman's books to read in the meantime. 

The Silver Tower (The Silver Tower Saga #1) by Colee Firman: 4 out of 5 stars.

Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin

Tabula Rasa is quickly paced, full of action, and answers the questions it creates for readers.  Sarah is a strong narrator supported by great writing skills.  Although we're not given deep looks at many of the other characters, they're described so well that they also stand out from the pages.  Sarah's interactions with everyone in this book affect the ultimate outcome of her life after the brainwashing of a clinic. 

One of the aspects I liked most about this book was the fight against those in control without being set in a futuristic dystopian society.  Its current setting makes it slightly easier to relate to, without delving into a huge breakdown of a society that we don't yet understand.

I also like that it can stand alone.  We might want to know more of what happens in Sarah's life after breaking free of the clinic, but there's no cliffhanger that makes a sequel necessary.  There is chaos and confusion from the beginning, but Sarah is forced to plan and take action in a small timeframe.  I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again: not everything has to be dragged out in a series. 

What begins with a girl who is literally a blank slate ends solidly with a protagonist who realizes the lengths to which she would go to reveal the truth, especially when the truth about herself might be the scariest thing she's ever had to face. 

Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin: 4 out of 5 stars.