A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire #1) by Bella Forrest

Read in: May, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis: 

Sofia Claremont has just landed herself in a predicament. While taking an angst ridden stroll along the shoreline, she's taken away by Lucas Novak, an Elite Vampire. Waking up in a dungeon, she faces near death before being delivered to the freshly awaken Derek, who's been slumbering for 400 years. Shaking with terror herself, Sofia comforts the shaking girl next to her, which Derek takes notice of. With this small act of compassion and humanity, she is chosen by Derek as his favorite. But is this enough for him, and ultimately, for their destiny? 

Prosecution:

Lucas...honey, were you meant to be a supporting character, or a major player, because I'm a little confused. You were taken out of the spotlight but then thrust back in with attention seeking antics, it felt a little like A Shade of Amanda Bynes, except y'know, you were more deadly. Vivienne, Ice Queen, I would have liked to see more of you!! 

Defense:

I gotta say, the beginning was a little shaky, but the ending, oh lawdy. Those cliff hangers, I just hate to love, when done properly. This was angsty, emotional, dare I say...sexy? Yes very very good, sexy. Sofia was the apple to Derek's butter, which I loved. It was obvious from the beginning that these two would be together. 

The writing flow was even! I can see why this novel made it to #1, it was readable! The characters were great! The story wasn't too long or too short, but I still read it in a little over a hundred minutes! 

Do you catch my drift? The tree houses were so vividly described, I'm ready to go off to Vamp Land. Can we talk again about Sofia and Derek? Le sigh. The attraction, the angst, the he said-she said, it doesn't get any better than this, people! The harem (ooh la la), the suspense,thrill,angst,tears. You won't be disappointed; I sure wasn't.

Verdict:

Four stars, yet oh so close to five! While it takes a little to get into, you're soon sucked in. (pun intended c;) The characters, descriptions, just enough angst and emotions, ahh. It was a properly done Young Adult, friends. Not too clean, but just clean enough. 

Eternal by Chantelle Nay

Read in: May, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★

The author provided me with a copy of this novel. This has in no way altered my opinion of the novel, along with the following review. If you have any question or concerns, please message me here. 

Synopsis: 

17 year old Emma has floated through life in a small town as a loner...until she starts hearing a voice in her head. Now, some people might find this a little majorly strange. How does a seventeen year old even begin to describe this? Well, her guardian angel, Micah, sure enough has all of this answers. Emma happily floats through her last few months of senior year talking to Micah in her head, until Destry asks her to Prom. With Micah encouraging her to get out and talk to humans, can Emma shake the feeling of betrayal she feels about her feelings towards Micah or will she give it all up for Micah?

Prosecution:

Ah, love triangles. All of the wonderful things in life have involved a love triangle (or two). Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, JFK and Marilyn, even Princess Di and Prince Charles (actually, all of this things have been tragic, oops). So whats so different about Emma's? Well, its between an angel and a human. Yeah, no biggie. Except, sometimes the entire thing seemed a little too rushed. Emma, a typical loner, has an overly attached personality (which who can blame her, affection starved thing) becomes quite a predicament for solid Micah, who just wants her to form a human bond with Destry. If you read the novel, you'll find out why. 

What I really wish I could tweak is to make the writing not quite so formal. It would be readable for a few chapters, yet then break up and become rocky. It was distracting and I would find myself skimming through paragraphs waiting for something anything to happen. 

Defense:

While love triangles can be messy, I found this one to be pretty clean cut. I mean, hello, MAJOR PLOT TWIST. Seriously, never saw it coming (except for that little hint of foreshadowing, dun dun dun). Emma was likable and I found myself finding more than a few similarities between our personalities (Introverts, unite!). Destry was the perfect gentleman, if a bit short tempered and easily frustrated (no go man, no go). But the ending, like...whoa. It completely MADE the novel. There weren't really any loose ties or a suspenseful cliff hanger. Just the way I like things. 

Verdict: 

Barely squeaking into third. While the plot twist was pretty great, it basically saved the novel. The triangle was to the point and not messy. Emma battles her feelings of guilt while hers and Destrys' relationship is awkwardly sweet in that only adolescent way. Micah, eh. I wasn't really rooting for him as much as I thought I would, but that's okay, it'll work out, eventually. 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

      
Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie McGuire for sending me a copy of this book!
Rating: 5 STARS!
Format: Kindle Edition

Go like the review on Goodreads! http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251809495

I'll be honest. I got into this book with some high expectations. Were they met? Not at all of them, but enough for me to put this on my "Favorites" shelf. Let me explain..

Synopsis:
Abby Abernathy is a prim and proper college coed. She goes to class, does her homework, studies, rinse & repeat. That's how boring her general, everyday existence is. That is, until Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox steps onto the stage. He's everything she avoids. Tattoos, muscles, attitude, Harley motorcycle, need I say more? 
They resist. Well, she resists, Mr. Bad Boy is all for settling down, even though he has a very colorful history of one night stands. So eventually, with drama, she succumbs to being Susie Homemaker with very hot, very tattooed Bad Boy. Drama ensues. It goes down. More drama ensues, feelings are being pushed aside. This goes on for a few more chapters. And then, finally, the happy ending. ♥

Prosecution:
Although, Abby was likable, I tended to lean towards Travis more than her. While she was a very strong character and wonderfully developed, Travis tugged at my heart strings with his bad boy but with a heart of gold personality. He was what made this novel so page turning and definitely one of the best books I've read this year. 

Defense:
The situations they got into are kind of wild, but developed and handled beautifully. The vivid imagery and the cut throat scenes made my emotions run high and turn the pages faster, hoping for that happy ending. 

The intensity of their brand new relationship was little off putting. Travis seemed incredibly clingy and moving a little too fast, which was a turn off for me. But the end justified the means on this one. 

Thoughts:
"Travis, that dirtbag. If I had a dollar for every fictional bad boy that did this.." blah blah blah. I really loved Jamie McGuire's way of writing. You didn't read about Abby's emotions; you felt them! Every feeling of emotion she felt towards Travis, you felt it yourself. 
This really was a beautiful disaster. Their roller coaster, up and down every which one wild ride was so heartfelt, emotional, spell-binding, page turning, shock you into oblivion. 
5 STARS!

Favorite Quote: 
"It wasn’t just me, and it wasn’t just him, it was what we were together that was the exception.”  ♥