Sunday, September 30, 2012

Fancy by Vanna B.

Read in: September, 2012
Format: Ebook
Source: Won through Freado.com
Star Rating: ★★★

fan·cy/ˈfansē/: elaborate in structure or decoration.


Synopsis: (from Goodreads.com)
Maribel “Fancy” Alvarez is a trendy socialite who has it all: enviable looks, popularity and a closet full of designer threads. She lives an amazing life. At least that’s what she’s led everyone to believe. Fancy goes to great lengths to keep up a façade of perfection, but when a series of unfortunate events rattles her world, everything begins to fall apart.

She’s always been taught to use what she’s got to get what she wants but deep down inside Fancy knows there is truly more to her than just a beautiful face and perfect body. Will she abandon the superficial lifestyle she’s come to know or succumb to the temptation of the almighty dollar?

Fancy chronicles the life of a woman torn between the person she is and the person she wants to be. This iconic story will resonate with readers who, like Fancy, have battled issues within, as well as outside influences, while struggling to find themselves amidst a world of chaos.

Prosecution: 
As with many debut novels, NO CONTRACTIONS. The character was immature and really seemed to take after her mother. I didn't like how she just completely dropped out of college once she found out she was pregnant, that was kind of random.

Defense: 
I LOVEDDD the story line! We watch as Fancy flounders through life. Then, suddenly, she's thrust into a situation where it's not just her anymore. The ending was amazing! I can't wait for the next book! The wake up call she receives is a well needed one and although I'd have loved to see more of a growth in the character, her mindset will hopefully evolve sooner rather than later. 

Verdict: 
A perfect step into Urban Fiction. Just from reading the synopsis, I really didn't believe I'd like it. Hence, why it too me so long to get to it. But I finished the book in about an hour and I must say I'm glad I read it! Just can't wait for the next book to find out what happens to Maribel/Fancy or if she comes into contact again with Trinity, Brittany, or Aaron. Vanna B. has laid the stepping stones to a great saga, one I will be looking forward to! 




Friday, September 21, 2012

While It Lasts by Abbi Glines

While It Lasts (Sea Breeze, #3)
Read in: September, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Borrowed
Star Rating: ★★★★★

The third installment in the Sea Breeze series. Ladies, Cage York is back..

Synopsis: From Goodreads.com 
Maybe driving home after a few (or more) shots of tequila had been a bad idea, but hell, he did it all the time. The cops had to have been freaking bored to have pulled him over. He wasn’t even swerving! That’s Cage York’s story and he’s sticking to it.

Unfortunately, his baseball coach isn’t buying it. Cage has a free ride to the local junior college for baseball -- or he did, until he’d gotten a DUI. Now, Cage has to decide: does he drop out and give up his dream of getting noticed by a college in the SEC, and possibly making it into the Major Leagues -- or does he give in to his coach’s demands and spend his summer baling hay?

Eva Brooks planned out her life step by step when she was eight years old. Not once over the years had she lost sight of her goals. Josh Beasley, her next door neighbor, had been the center of those goals. He’d been her first boyfriend at seven, her first kiss at ten, her first date at fifteen, and her first tragedy at eighteen. The moment she’d received the phone call from Josh’s mother saying he’d been killed along with four other soldiers just north of Baghdad, Eva’s carefully planned life imploded in the worst way possible.

Cage isn’t real happy with his closet-sized bedroom in the back of a foul smelling barn, or his daily interactions with cows, but he knows that if he doesn’t make his coach happy then he can kiss his scholarship goodbye. Only a sick and twisted man would decide his punishment was to be working on a farm all summer. No hot babes in bikinis waiting to meet a Southern boy to make her vacation complete. Just him and the damned cows.

Oh -- and an uptight, snarky brunette with the biggest blue eyes he’s every seen. But she doesn’t count, because as hard as he’s tried to charm her out of her panties - he’s pretty sure she’d rather see him hung from the rafters than let him get a taste of her pretty little lips.

Prosecution: 
This time..none. There was no wishy washy feelings involved. 

Defense: 
Eva has gone through a hard time. She lost the love of her life and it completely crushed her. By the time Cage York shows up, she's still a hermit. Still hates pretty much any guy. But she's trying to move past it. With Cage, she moves, little by little. It starts out as disgust, moves on to attraction, blossoms into love (or lust, whichever way you want to look at it). Their chemistry was feasible and their banter entertaining. 

Verdict: 
In my opinion, the BEST book of the series. Cage is a GREAT character and Eva the straw to his berry. An altogether too short read and I absolutely can't wait for the fourth installment in the series! 

Like my review? Go "Like" it on Goodreads. c: 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/381708102

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Red Dirt Rocker by Jody French

Red Dirt Rocker
Read in: September, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon.com
Star Rating: ★★★

Synopsis: from Goodreads.com

Red Dirt Rocker is a contemporary and inspirational American dream-come-true story geared toward a Young Adult audience. Based, in part, on the true and incredible adventures of teen MTV musician Forrest French, this hip and vibrant page-turner filled with pop culture references will draw the young reader in as they see the story unfold through the eyes of this straight-edge teenager from a tiny, hick, country town, whose life is about to change forever.

His strict dad raised him to be a football jock—his free spirited mama raised him on classic rock. Small town athlete and teen musician Forrest French finds himself torn, having to decide between public high school, sports and his simple, country life in Coweta, (aka Cow-Town) Oklahoma; his deep Southern roots and strong family ties, or the jet-setting life of an MTV rock star. While dealing with the team bully and facing the fickleness of teen dating relationships, Forrest depends on his faith to keep a cool head. In this story filled with teen angst and teen hopes, Forrest holds fast to his beliefs as he hangs on for the ride of his life in the upside-down, backward and thrilling world of rock-n-roll.

Red Dirt Rocker illustrates to its Young Adult audience that they can be accepted and successful with straight-edge flair, be they athlete, band geek, cheerleader, or aspiring rock star. Experience a shotgun ride right alongside Forrest as he embarks on his rock-n-roll dream and finds that a beautiful heart and strong values may just win over superficial beauty and popularity in the end.

Prosecution: 
Forrest, while he seemed like a great guy, didn't really seem to have any flaws. Heather ONLY had flaws. Sophie was sweet..but that was it. I just wanted more character development. 

Defense: 
I'm defending my prosecution. It was told by his mom. His number one fan, his numero uno, the lady who gave birth to him, raised him, washed his underwear. Its understandable that he had no flaws because that's her baby! Heather and Sophie..honestly, what female acts anything but sweet around the boyfriends parents? You want them to like you! But Heather's character traits were probably told through Forrest to his mom. I don't know, who knows? Is she real, isn't she? That's for you to decide. Unless you live in Coweta, Oklahoma. 
His mom was adorabs! I liked reading the change in his dads viewpoint on his music and football. It was really an inside scoop on a personal relationship.

Verdict: 
Overall a quick and easy read. Its a sweet little biography into Forrest French's 16 and a half year old existence. He gets discovered by MTV, goes to Sweden, meets KISS, all with his band "Cellar Door is Gone"..which is based off of "Crooked X". Just putting that one out there. c;

oHey, look at this little gem I found. c; Check out those curls!...Jealous.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Tap Out by Eric Devine

Tap Out
Read in: September, 2012
Format: Ebook
Source: Netgalley.com
Star Rating: ★★

Synopsis: 
Seventeen-year-old Tony Antioch lives in Pleasant Meadows, a trailer park where questions aren't asked since everyone already knows the answers from their own experience. He dreams of rescuing his mother from her constant stream of abusive boyfriends but in reality can barely duck the punches that are aimed at himself.

When Tony is coerced into joining his friend Rob's Mixed Martial Arts class, he is surprised to find that he has a talent that he actually wants to develop. But with a meth-dealing biker gang that is hungry for recruits and a vicious cycle of poverty and violence that precedes him, Tony is going to need a lot more than blood and guts to find a way out.

Gritty, powerful, and unapologetic, Tap Out explores what it takes to stay true to oneself and the consequences of the choices made along the way in order to do so.

Prosecution: 
Ugh. Tony... I hate whiny characters. And this guy is WHINY! He's sitting there degrading himself the whole time, he's locked in this little internal battle with himself. Rob wasn't very well developed. He was just kind of this interchangeable Bro for Tony. Chaz...what do I even say? Who does that!? 

Defense: 
I loved the MMA aspect of this story. The incorporated fight scenes are pretty great. But..that was really the only thing I liked about the book..

Verdict: 
3 Stars. A well written, typo-free novel about one boys fight to save himself from the cycle of poverty. Everything stereotypical about a poor boy is found in this novel with teen pregnancy, gangs, drugs, and MMA. Nothing truly magnificent, but a quick read. 

Liked my reivew? Go "like" it on goodreads! 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/415052747

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Because by Low by Abbi Glines

Read in: September, 2012
Format: Ebook
Source: Bought
Star Rating: ★★★★★

To say I like this book would be an understatement. You "like" something on Facebook. You "like" shopping at Wal-Mart. You "like" going to the orthodontist. No, I LOVED this book. I ate, drank, BREATHED this book for two days. Two DAYS. I'm a little ashamed it took me that long to read this gorgeous masterpiece, but another story for another time. 

Synopsis: (from Goodreads.com)
In my debut novel, Breathe, Sadie may have fallen in love with the teen rock star, Jax Stone, but readers fell head over heels for Marcus Hardy. This is his story…

Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he’d rather forget behind him. But instead, he’s jerked right back to the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama due to a family crisis. His dear ol' dad found himself a girlfriend only a few years older than Marcus. So now his sister needs help dealing with their mother who is mentally falling apart. The only bright spot to returning is the fascinating red head who sleeps over several times a week. The problem is she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage York. 

Willow “Low” Foster needs a place to live. Running to Cage’s apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn’t exactly a long term solution. Juggling her courses at the local community college and a part time job doesn’t produce excess income. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at her best friend’s apartment isn’t such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus Hardy’s twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. 
Even though Cage seems a little territorial where Low is concerned, Marcus finds time to spend with Low without upsetting his roommate. Cage may use his small college baseball star persona to sleep with every hot female in his path but he’s still under the disillusion that when he’s through sowing his wild oats, he’s going to marry Low. Marcus intends to change that assumption for both Cage and Low. Until his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected. He’ll have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out.... there’s no other choice.

Persecution:
As with all of Abbi's novels, I get so bored with the constant to and fro. I get that it's a relationship; there's a drama. I UNDERSTAND. But, really?

Defense: 
MARCUS HARDY. Another prime male specimen thanks to the awesome imagination of Abbi Glines! His and Low's chemistry throughout the whole novel nearly burned up my Kindle! 

Verdict: 
FIVE STARS. So much better than Breath! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Excuse me while I pack a bag and move to Alabama so I can get a look at those college boys! c;

Liked my review? Go be a doll and "like" it on Goodreads! c: 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/381963149

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Read in: September, 2012
Format: Ebook
Source: Netgalley.com
Star Rating: ★★★

Synopsis:
Chelsea Knot is, well, a big mouth. She spreads scandal and gossip like other people spread germs and bad luck. But all of that changes on the night of her best friend, Kristen's party. After the fall out of her actions, Chelsea is a major social pariah. I mean, even the lowest of the low won't be seen with her. Until she meets Asha and Sam..

Prosecution: 
Chelsea. Such a complicated character! One minute I'm doing a rah- rah, you've made the right decision dance and the next I'm ready to dump her on the side of the road. Let's start with her backstabbing. Okay, there isn't much during the book, but its a pretty big conflict because she's, you know, all of a sudden guiltyyy of her previous (read: years long) actions. But her parents are these great, supportive, all around good people? Did they not teach you morals or are you too selfish to learn them yourself?... Just seemed sketchy.
Sam: Didn't click with you. You were kind of annoying, too. 

Defense: 
Asha. Asha is ADORABLE! I loved her! She was the perfect offset to annoying Chelsea. The writing style was quick and easy to follow. I couldn't find anything wrong with the plot. Chelsea's actions at the end of the novel do kind of justify her attitude. Kind of. Almost.

Verdict:
3 Stars. Didn't tickle my whisker. It was a quick read, but it wasn't as in your face and amazing as I hoped it to be.

Liked my review? Go "Like" it on Goodreads! c: 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/394706437
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