Just Breathe (Just Breathe Trilogy #1)

Just Beathe

(Just Beathe Trilogy #1)

Heather Allen

Release Date:

November 12, 2012

Publisher:

  ....... 

Pages:

272

Source:

Kindle Freebie

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

Ever Harding, an average teenager with a passion for swimming is about to turn eighteen. Out of the blue she has been dumped by her long time boyfriend, which is the ultimate of tragedies in her life. Little does she know that on that fated eighteenth birthday, she will have to make a choice that will change her life as she knows it, forever.

A month before her birthday, Ever meets Jack, a mysterious new boy with mesmerizing eyes. He affects her like no one else. This meeting sets things into a whirlwind she never would have dreamed. With Jack's guidance she discovers a family line that leads her to the sea. She must make the ultimate choice, stay on land where life as she knows it, won't change, or go and live in the sea as a mermaid with Jack.

Ultimately her choice sets into motion an even bigger decision, in which she has the fate of a race of people, in her hands. The people in the sea are in a feud, she will tip the balance. She must battle the ageless moral dilemma of prejudice and race. Once she comes to terms with her life changing choices, she must ask herself, Did I make the right decisions? and Is Jack really who I think he is?

My Thoughts:

Ugh, I just don't even know what to say. I did not finish this book. I tried and tried and tried. At about 80% I gave in and just stopped. The first person point of view in this book is just terrible. It really was the breaking point for me. That and long run-on sentences you had to read twice to understand.
The main character, Ever, is whinny and annoying. Sadly, it's her point of view that the story is told from. I just could not connect with Just Breathe. There was no liking for Ever or Jack or their relationship. Some of the plot was likable, but over all, this just wasn't my book.
I did not get to the ending, so I have no idea if there are any big plot twists or cliffhangers. I was so miserable reading this book that I decided I didn't care to find out.

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)

Ruin and Rising

(The Grisha #3)

Leigh Bardugo

Release Date:

June 17, 2014

Publisher:

Henry Holt and Co.

Pages:

433

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rest with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction-and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she's fighting for. ~Amazon

Teaser Sentence(s):

' "We put on our best clothes, and die heroes." '

My Thoughts:

I am having a hard time coming up with a solid rating for this book. Overall, I absolutely love this series, but I did have a few problems. Mal was incredibly bland to me. I kept thinking throughout books one, two and three that he would grow on me, or do something that made me respect him as a character. That never happened. In fact, I was sorely aggravated when the scene with the Phoenix finally came into play. I do not want to give away any spoilers, especially the ending to the series, but this whole scene felt like a giant cop-out to me. I was highly disappointed in the the 3rd amplifier, and it lead me to dislike Mal a little more. (Am I the only one hating on Mal?)

 Well damn, so far I have made it seem like I hated this book. That is not the case. Ruin and Rising starts off somewhat slow, with Alina being held 'prisoner' in a huge underground cathedral. But the story soon picks up. We finally get an accurate account of what happened with Morozova. One of my favorite characters in this series is Nikolai. I absolutely favored him over Mal. I loved him as Stormhound, and I love him as the Prince of Ravka. He was by far my favorite character and I quote him often.

I would recommend this series. It's has great characters (with the exception of Mal), great creatures, and I loved the world Bardugo created.

Sweet Oblivion (Sweet #1)

Sweet Oblivion

(Sweet #1)

Bailey Ardisone

Release Date:

December 30, 2012

Publisher:

Self-Published

Pages:

386

Source:

My Personal Copy

(Kindle Freebie)

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

 Nariella has a hard life. Hated and beaten by her foster father, she finds solace in the one person who has always been there for her--Rydan, her overprotective best friend. His sheltering only gets worse once Nari collides--literally--with Mycah. a boy being chased by two kinds of evil; a boy who Nari is convinced is either the devil or an angel. But she was wrong. He's something completely different.

 Then there's Namine. A servant who lives in fear for her family, for herself, and for the dying kingdom she lives in. But there is hope, and she's the only one who can bring that hope home to save them all. Namine will risk everything to make that happen, even if it means betraying her king.

People always want the truth until they have it. To be let in on secrets until they get burned by them. Nari is no different. But once she's kidnapped, tortured, and ultimately becomes intertwined in a secret world she never could've imagined existed. She knows there's no going back to blissful ignorance. And maybe she doesn't want to.

If darkness is the absence of light, what results from the absence of truth?

Nothing but Oblivion.

~Amazon

My Thoughts:

 Sweet Oblivion was an extremely confusing read. At one point I told my husband, 'I am 80% finished with this book, and I haven't a clue what is going on.' Most of the book felt plot less. I couldn't figure out what point the story was trying to make or where it was going. The chapters alternate between two point of views- Nariella and Namine. 

 Nariella is girl who is obviously in the real world. That much is easy to figure out, but she is surrounded by characters you know nothing about. Rydan has been Nariella's friend since childhood, but he is so silent and closed off the only thing you really learn about him is he is very talented with music. Then there is Mycah. He just suddenly starts showing up, and when he leaves no one can even remember he was there. Mycah is a very easy to like character. He has a lot of mystery around him that keeps making you want to turn the pages. 

 The Namine chapters give you very little information to help you figure out the story. It is easy to guess that she is in a fantasy world and not Earth. Other than the not-on-earth thing I had no idea what was happening, or even what the point of these chapters were. 

 Then the last 5% of this book happened. Everything started to make sense, and somewhat fall into place. It really left on a huge cliffhanger, but I loved it! I have not purchased the second book in this series yet, but I do plan to do it when I am able. I really can't wait to find out what is going to happen next. And I think I will understand what is going on better in the next book. The ending had several surprises, and really made the other 95% worth it. Sweet Oblivion was on it way to having a low rating from me, but in the end it was a major turn-around. 

Renhala Tour & Giveaway

Renhala  

(Renhala #1)

Amy Joy Lutchen 

Release Date:

September 27, 2012

Genre:

Adult Fantasy

Reading Level:

Adult

Description:

Kailey Rooke, timid accountant, dedicated to philanthropic work, finds herself spiraling into a deep depression after she suffers a horrifyingly odd and humiliating assault, to only discover more of these freakish assaults occurring across the globe.

A chance discovery leads Kailey to a meeting with elderly Gunthreon, actual master of persuasion. Gunthreon, who seems to know too much of Kailey's history for her liking, opens Kailey's eyes to a coexisting realm she never knew existed: Renhala, while entrusting her with the knowledge of her newfound power as karmelean, serving as a beacon to the Higher Ones. Kailey slowly starts revealing new talents, and Gunthreon is fascinated with what she starts achieving.

She soon discovers that Renhala is in danger, and this danger has been leaking into her own realm. As she uncovers secrets within herself, and attempts to toughen up, she fuses with an unlikely band of fellow travelers (including a dragon, woodsprite, six-hundred-pound greble, her faithful female canine companion, and a "giver"), falls into an unexpected love triangle, deals with her sexy and flirtatious best friend’s “issues,” and finds the courage to master a new deadly weapon. 

On her mission to save Renhala, Kailey will find herself running from life-threatening disasters, such as greble Tartarin, who likes to remind Kailey that when he catches her, he plans on eating her brains with ice cream; she'll run from the deadly meeples: small cute bunnies with talons and an undeniable thirst for imposing self-destruction on others. Kailey will also run into the possibility that a centuries-old Renhalan rumor is true, that advanced technology existing in Kailey's realm shortens all life spans.

As blood is shed and puzzles near completion, Kailey pulls from deep within herself, conjuring up mystical qualities that enable her to astonish as once predicted at her birth, but despite the newfound strength, Kailey will discover that monsters not only come in ugly packages, but can be easily disguised as those she has come to love and trust.

Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  Smashwords  |  Barnes & Noble

Amy Joy Lutchen

Born in Chicago, Illinois, a few days prior to watching her first movie, at a drive-in theater. Yes, drive-in theater. And yes, her mother believed she was possessed by the devil after said first movie.
Grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she simply became a number, but decided it was a good number.
Loves cooking (mostly candy-cooking), gardening (putting holes in the ground for perennials, DONE!), designing and constructing jewelry (everything from silversmithing to lampworking), and living with her wonderful husband, two children, black Labrador, and frog—and maybe even the chipmunk family that likes to destroy her aforementioned perennials.
Also hopes that you enjoy her writings, and won’t criticize her for her aversion of eating things in multiples of three.

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Excerpt: 

Six o’clock means she’ll be here at seven, and that gives me plenty of time to get ready. I can hardly believe I’m the one who initiated a night out, but I’m riding the minute possibility that a few really strong, dirty martinis will crumble a few emotional walls of mine tonight. I’m willing to give it a try, but damn well know the probable outcome: me sitting, totally sober, while already-drunk Amber downs the countless drinks bought for her from overly-anxious meatheads.  

I switch on the radio and get dressed while lightly shuffling to “Good Vibrations,” by Marky Mark. As I check myself out in the bathroom mirror, I stare, unhappy with the somewhat low-cut shirt I chose—too revealing. While taking the shirt off, I bend over to plug the iron back in, and then the power suddenly goes out, engulfing me in total darkness. 

I freeze for a brief two seconds. Then whirl about, using my hands as eyes in the darkness, searching for any weapons in my bathroom. Realizing that two previous nights ago I walked away with a pocket knife usually stored in the medicine cabinet, I grab my cuticle scissors in one hand and my hairspray in the other. Kioto had only been moaning in her sleep that night I moved the knife, but it sounded so alien. Alien. Alien-like grunting.

The guttural sound of grunting from my assaulter’s throat echoes through my mind as I stand motionless, frozen from fear, remembering the noise as he tore off my cotton panties the day of the assault. I lay there, on my stomach, on top of my newly made bed, staring at Bear—a feeling of despair so great and overpowering pulsing through me. I also remember, too painfully, the blood-curdling scream that escaped my throat as I pleaded to anyone listening, a higher being even, to please save me. Don’t let this happen to me. This shouldn’t be happening to me. I wouldn’t survive feeling that hopeless again.

After my eyes adjust, and as I wait for the sound of footsteps or breathing, I hear neither, so I peek around the door and see Kioto lying on the ground, head turned toward me—possibly perturbed by the roaring sounds emanating from my chest. I walk, shakily, with weapons still in hand, toward the window and I see the whole block is out. A quick check toward the sky reveals the approaching storm. I collapse on my couch and cry like a baby, doubting my ability to function like a normal human being ever again. Kioto walks toward me, and slowly licks my blackened tears from my face. “Thanks, baby,” I say as I snuggle into her and regain my normal breathing. 

I wipe my running mascara from my face and gather my composure. A glance at the clock tells me that Amber should be here soon. Sooner than I can fix my makeup, the power goes back on, giving me another heart attack when “Kung Fu Fighting” starts blaring throughout the apartment. What a wonderful start to the evening.

Amber arrives at 7:15 and lets herself in with the key I gave her last week, which was supposed to be for emergencies only. She is absolutely stunning. Her long, straight blond hair complements the lime-green baby-doll dress and her black stilettos. She’s only five foot three, so the extra four and a half inches brings her closer to eye level, but not for long. I decide to wear my knee length, heeled, black boots with my new taupe silk tank top and black pants. I grab my father’s ring off my dresser and slip it into my pocket.  

She stares at me and says, “Girl, I need some of that leg length. If you die, can you donate your legs to me?” I laugh and tell her only if she shares some of the endowment on her chest. She’s about a thirty-two E, compared to my thirty-four B. 

“You sure you’re ready to do this?” She emanates sincerity.

I shake my head no as the tears fill my eyes and I grab my purse.

Giveaway:

Tour Grand Prize:

Open internationally

$100 Amazon gift card

Two Renhala magnets

Goodies: Blackberry Sage tea by Republic of Tea and Mighty Leaf's Organic African Nectar tea

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey #3)

The Iron Queen

(The Iron Fey #3)

Julie Kagawa

Release Date:

January 25, 2011

Publisher:

Harlequin

Pages:

368

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back. ~Amazon

Teaser Sentence(s):

He favored me with another patient look. "And how much experience do you have with swords and weapons in general?"

"Um." I glanced down at the saber in my hand. "Thirty seconds?"

My Thoughts:

Okay, I am trying to figure out where to even start here. At first I was worried. I thought the book had a really slow start. It took until about half way through before the story picked up. 

The Iron Queen is book 3, so by now I know all the characters pretty well. I was thrilled that Ironhorse was mentioned as much as he was, and in his own way played a very important part in helping make things easier on Meghan and her companions. 

"Be quite, Goodfellow," Ash growled, peering into the shadows with narrowed eyes. "We're not alone."

"Yeah? How do you figure that, prince? I don't see anyone" (Puck)

"The cait sith has disappeared."

"...crap." (Puck)

I love Puck and Grimalkin. Usually, I do not like talking cats. There are very few exceptions to this for me. (Cheshire Cat, Salem) Grimalkin is absolutely one of my exceptions. His attitude is just how I think every cat thinks-a little stuck-up and only looking out for themselves. Although, I do believe Grim helps more selflessly than he is given credit for. He doesn't always make a bargain or gain something in return. 

Puck also has an I-don't-give-a-crap attitude that makes me love him even more. He is continuously loyal to Meghan. Even after she hurt him, and broke his heart. He is still always there when she needs him. Always trying to make her happy, even if it's at his own expense. He is the perfect best-friend.

'And he stayed there, kneeling beside me, holding my hand in his. Something splashed the back of my hand, cold as spring water, crystallizing to my skin. A faery's tears.'

Ash wrecks havoc on my emotions. It only takes about 2 sentences involving him to break my heart. For a dark, winter faery, who hardly ever shows any emotions himself, his scenes get to me the most. I do not know how Julie Kagawa manages this, but Kudos to you, Julie. Ash makes the series for me. I am super excited the next book, The Iron Knight, is his book. (yay!) 

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)

Enshadowed 
(Nevermore #2)

Kelly Creagh

Release Date:

August 28, 2012

Publisher:

Atheneum Books

Pages:

448

Source:

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.

But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.

When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

Teaser Sentence(s): 

'Lifting his arm out to the side, he let the slip of pink satin dangle from his hand. Then he unclenched his fist, letting go of the ribbon.'

My Thoughts:

I am not going to say much about this book, because I do not want to give any spoilers for anyone who has not read the first book in this series.

This book was absolutely frustrating. It seemed to go on and on forever with nothing major really happening. Varen is hardly in this book, and when he does make a rare appearance I wanted to come through the pages and give him a nice hard bitch-slap. I did like pinfeathers in this book. He was the main reason I wasn't bored out of my mind reading this. 
I know there is going to be a third book in this series. I am willing to give it a shot, with hopes that this second book was setting up for lots and lots of action and resolve in the next. 

I do not know whether or recommend this book or not. I think I need to wait until I have read the next in this series. Then I will know if it is a waste of your time or not. 

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

Clockwork Princess

(The Infernal Devices #3)

Cassandra Clare

Release Date:

March 19, 2013

Publisher:

Simon & Schuster

Pages:

568

Source: 

My Personal Copy

Reading Level:

Young Adult

Description:

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

Tessa Gray should be happy-aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows beings to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan.

He needs Tessa.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are engaged, Will is still in love with her.

The last words of a dying Shadowhunter provide the clue that might lead Tessa and her friends to Mortmain. But their small group cannot stand alone, and the powerful Consul doubts that Mortmain is coming. Deserted by allies, the Shadowhunters find themselves trapped when Mortmain seizes the medicine that keeps Jem alive. With his best friend at death's door, Will must risk everything to save the girl they both love.

To buy Will time, the warlock Magnus Bane joins with Henry Brandwell to create a device that could help defeat Mortmain. As they all work to save Tessa and the future of the Shadowhunters that resides with her, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself-for in the discovery of her own true nature, Tessa could become more powerful than she ever dreamed possible. But can a lone girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy. ~book blurb

Teaser Sentence(s):

'Every meeting led to a parting, and so it would, as long as life was mortal. In every meeting there was some of the sorrow of parting, but in every parting there was some of the joy of meeting as well.'

My Thoughts:

It's been a couple weeks since I finished reading Clockwork Princess, and it's still getting to me. I opened the book to check the number of pages, and seriously, my eyes start watering!

Cassandra Clare managed to conclude this series flawlessly. Everything came together smoothly in the end. I never would have guessed the love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will would have worked out the way it did. I grew really close to these characters throughout this series, and it really is sad to have to let go of them all. In the end, I have never been more happy for a fictional character than I was for Tessa. She got everything she deserved; love, happiness, and answers to secrets long kept. 

If you haven't read The Infernal Devices or Mortal Instruments, I suggest you do so, and make yourself familiar with the world of the Shadowhunters!

Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander, Book 1)

Description: He would sell his warrior soul to possess her...

An Alluring laird...
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart-until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length-but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side... -Amazon

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Release date: 1999
Publisher: Dell
Pages: 416
Source: My personal copy
Reading level: Adult -has graphic sex scenes

Teaser Sentence(s):  I honestly could not decide on just one sentence or small passage to put here. This time I am going to treat you to 3 teaser sentences!

'"He stands almost a hand taller. He has raven hair worn in a sleek tail; smoldering black eyes; the chiseled perfection of a young god and the body of a Viking warrior. It's revolting. May I maim him, my liege? Disfigure his perfect countenance?"'

'Hawk's eyes searched the night sky for yet another falling star. He intended to wish upon every one for the rest of his life if necessary. Surely ten thousand wishes could undo one. But the cloud cover had returned and there wasn't one flicker of a star to be seen in the absolute darkness that surrounded him.'

'In her dreams the Hawk would be waiting for her by the sea's edge; her kilt-clad, magnificent Scottish laird. He would smile and his eyes would crinkle, then turn dark with smoldering passion.'

My thoughts: Well, I was left still craving Scottish men after reading The Scent of a Soul. Especially Scottish men in kilts. I have had this book lying around since I read the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, so I finally picked it up. I really do not know what to say, or where to even start. I wanted to like this book more, but all I can really say was it's okay. It wasn't terrible, but I barely liked it.
 My main problem with this book was Adrienne, the main female character. Due to some past personal issues she swears off beautiful men, and suddenly finds her self taken from 1999 Seattle to appear in 1513 Scotland. Adrienne is the most annoying main-character I have read in a while. By the time she stopped acting like a pig-headed b*tch it was too late for me. I already disliked her too much to make up for it. The time travel aspect of this book threw me off a little, but without it there would be no Sidheach James Lyon Douglas, or Hawk.
 Hawk was the main male character, and I loved him. Notice how all my teaser sentences have to do with him. He made the book readable for me. But who wouldn't like a medieval, viking size Scottish man wearing a kilt. He was very intelligent, handsome and rugged. I think the reason I disliked Adrienne so badly was because of the way she treated him through most of the book. The ending was really sweet, and definitely won Adrienne some points.
 I don't know yet if I would recommend this book to anyone. It is the first in a series, and I do plan to give the next book a try. I am very curious about Adam Black. I have heard other people talking about him on other blogs, so I want to read his book eventually. I have read some other books of Karen Marie Moning and loved them, so maybe this series will get better. *fingers crossed*

Rating:

and a half.

Dime Store Magic

Description: Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations-the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge-an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil...and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder-and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive. -Amazon

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Release date: 2004
Publisher: Bantam
Pages: 464
Source: My personal copy
Reading level: Adult 

Teaser Sentence(s): 'So we ran... away from the gun-toting state troopers, through a swirling mass of spirits, pursued by baying hounds, surrounded by the screams of the damned. You know, I think the mind has a saturation point, beyond which it just doesn't give a damn. Spirits? Hounds? Cops? Who cares?'

My thoughts: When I start a new book in this series, I always have a hard time getting into it. I will usually start a book by Kelley Armstrong and then read 2 or 3 other books in between. Every time I am about to give up hope something happens, and I am hooked and cannot put the book down. 
 Since this is the third book in the Women of the Underworld series I went into it kind of blind. At first I was disappointed that this book is not focused around Elena and Clay. Paige makes 2 phone calls to Elena during the course of the book and that's all the interaction you get with the werewolfs. This read was strictly witch and sorcerer oriented. Paige was introduced in book two, Bitten, and, to be honest, I was not a fan. My distaste was the same the first quarter of the book, but she began to grow on me once I started to get to know her. I am very glad this book came early in the series, because I like the witches much more than before. 
 Lucas Cortez was a new character introduced to the series in this book. He was plain and boring at first. But after finishing the book, I really hope he makes future appearances. As much as I want to get back to Elena and Clay's part of the story, I really find myself hoping for more from the witches and sorcerers. I never would have predicted that. I became so caught up in the last few chapters of this book I didn't even hear my husband calling my name..and he was sitting right beside me. I recommend this book. Just make it past the boring first half then it's worth it! 

Rating:

Reading the Alphabet

Okay I saw this 'Reading the Alphabet' Challenge on Ramblings of a Book-A-Holic, and thought, "Hey, I want to do that!" So here goes:

Duration: 
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013.

Rules:
You can read in any order you wish.

You have 12 months to read 26 books.

Either the first word in the title of the books or the author’s name (first or last) should correspond with a 
letter in the alphabet.

You should omit “a” and “the” in the titles.

Letters Q, X and Z can be positioned anywhere in the titles or author names. 

Examples: C- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins,   D- Daughter of Smoke and Bone.



I want to know if you are doing this challenge! If you have a blog or website please leave me a link to your A-Z Challenge in the comments below. Even if you do not have a blog or website still let me know, just leave a copy of your list in the comments below.



And here is my A-Z list. Make sure to check back for reviews on most of these!


A- American Gods by Neil Gaiman

B- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

C- Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout

D- The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

E- Everdark by Elle Jasper 

F- Falling Stars by Sadie Grubor

G- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

H- Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

I- Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

J- Angel's Ink by Jocelynn Drake

K- The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

L- Torment by Lauren Kate

M- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

N- Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

O- The Odyssey by Homer

P- Pure by Jennifer L Armentrout

Q- The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

R- My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

S- The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

T- Toxic by Jus Accardo

U- Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

V- The Collector by Victoria Scott

W- The Waste Lands by Stephen King

X- Existence by David Brin

Y- The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

Z- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

The Iron Daughter

Description: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey-ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart. -Amazon

Author: Julie Kagawa 
Release date: August 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304
Source: My personal copy
Reading level: Young Adult - very mild language

Teaser Sentence:  'As we escaped SciCorp and fled into the streets, the last thing I remembered was watching the door close behind me on the stairs and seeing Ash's face through the window, a single tear frozen on his cheek.'

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, fast read for me. Ash and Ironhorse are my favorite characters. I love it when a book makes your heart flutter with emotion if even for a second, and I got that a couple times out of this book. The teaser sentence I posted was one of those moments. I do plan to continue this series. I am excited to see where Ash and Meghan end up.

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