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. 

True by Erin McCarthy

Read in: April, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Netgalley.com

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): 

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

Prosecution: 

As much as I loved Tyler, he could have had a little more common sense, along with development. He was just this stereotypical bad boy from a bad home, trying to take care of his brothers...and that was it. There were no little quirks. No other sides. I was a little disappointed, but this didn't take away from the story. The ending was a little rushed, too. 

Defense:

Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good GREAT romance! It was right up my alley with the falling in love in college with the bad boy. There were the added kicks of her little sorority sisters (still not really understand THAT friendship) friends and their random hook-ups (and hook-downs) along with the wild and crazy emotions of first love. Rory reminded me (not only because of her name) but of Rory from Gilmore Girls (who couldn't love that??). A few mishaps here and there spiced up the story, but its so worth the afternoon to read it. 

Verdict: 

Four stars! It was cute, it was fun, but the ending was just a little too rushed. I'd have preferred the ending to be way longer and not as rushed. 

Walking Disaster by Jamie Mcguire (Beautiful Disaster #2)

Read in: April, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Bought

Star Rating: ★★★★★

The Run Down: 

Travis and Amy are back in the compelling sequel to Beautiful Disaster. Walking Disaster, however, is told through Travis' POV. They go through the ups and downs found within the first novel, but there's an extended Epilogue! 

Prosecution: 

To be honest, I didn't like Abby as much! With Walking Disaster, you read everything through her eyes and through her thoughts and feelings. I prefer Walking Disaster. Her actions are more harsh now as she and Travis have no communication, whatsoever. I did enjoy the peak into his thoughts, but it really could have been a short story, he was that predictable. 

Defense: 

The drama!! It was just as slam packed as the original! Oh lawdy. I love love love the fights and the, um, different thought process of Travis. Reading how he rationalizes his tantrums and his almost tantrums are, uh, something else! 

Verdict: 

FIVE STARS! Its a great sequel to the beginning, however, I found that I preferred the first. But the epilogue at the end was just enough to squeak into five stars. :) 

Discovering Pride (The Pride #2) by Jill Sanders

Read in: April, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Bought during a Promotion 

Star Rating: ★★★

The Run Down: 

Lacey Jordan was a woman who knew what she wanted…and she wanted nothing to do with the new doctor in town. He had the perfect smile, perfectly tan muscles, and a way with people—her people. This was her town, her family, and her life. He’d come into town and shaken everything up including her heart.

Aaron was running away from a hard breakup where more then just his heart had been broken. At this point all he wanted to do was take over his grandfather’s medical practice, work on his new house, and turn it into the first place he could call his home. He liked the town of Pride; in fact, he had spent the only good parts of his childhood here. What he hadn't expected was to bump into a fairy goddess, bumping hard enough to get a concussion and have his heart mended at the same time.

Then, the town gets a visit that will change their lives forever, if they can survive.

Prosecution: 

It was..cute. It definitely wasn't YA or New Age, this is meant for adults! But, there were so many typos and run on sentences! This novel could definitely use an an editor, as I saw more than a few garish typos. It was written in a way that made it seem like it was typed out on an iPhone or iPad, with all of the typos that seemed more like auto-corrects. I would hire a more thorough editor, or possibly have more people read the manuscript.

Defense: 

The story line was to the point! I hate waiting around for a novel to pick up. Aaron and Lacey's romance was pretty precious! It was a quick read. 

Verdict: 

2.5 stars. I'm glad I picked the book up during a promotion, as I wouldn't have been happy spending money on it. It was quick for a freebie and pretty short, but it lacked the umpf or cuteness factor in a romance. 

Review & Blog Tour!! Elementris (The Vangeretta Curse #1) by Christina Mobley

Read in: March, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis: (From Goodreads.com) 

There are people born in this world with a powerful connection to the earth itself...

They have an unbreakable and extraordinary bond. Every seven years, five people are born on the same day, at the exact same time. The elements bind them; earth, fire, wind, water, and spirit. They call them, Elementris.
Ava Vangeretta is seventeen years old and different. Unlike most born of the element, she was born alone. She has the power of all five elements. Ava is the first True Elementris to be born in many years. As her eighteenth birthday approaches she is faced with a choice. Give up this rare gift and live the normal life she has always craved or accept it and challenge the current True Elementris in a battle to the death! 
Ava's past haunts her as she struggles to decide. In her present, the seasons are colliding together, storms are destroying lives, and love is a dangerous curse. The current True Elementris is behind it all and she will do whatever necessary to keep Ava from making it to her eighteenth birthday. Ava's decision threatens the lives of the two people she cares about most. Can you choose between love and friendship?
Get ready for the storm...

Prosecution: 

Honestly, I didn't know what to think. Some areas were a little dry and the beginning was hard to get into. I don't handle a lot of information well, especially with Ava being so wishy-washy (though it was obvious what she would choose).

Defense: 

But ohhh lawdyy, that twist! I for one, didn't see that one coming!! Usually, I pick out the twist pretty well. But Mrs. Mobley certainly crafter a great one! I loved the sucker punch that it was. The book itself was a quick read, especially for someone like myself who doesn't pick up fantasy or paranormal as a first choice. But that cover grabbed my attention, and I sure am glad she offered up this little bit of wonder! The twists and turns, the scenery, and descriptions were definitely something. Alec and Ava had chemistry, while the elements gave it a little bit of The Last Airbender vibe. 

Verdict: 

Overall, a solid four stars and worth the price. I enjoyed Ava's twists and turns through this new world while there wasn't an overabundance of out there fantasy. The author kept everything as real as it was magical while giving the novel a twist that is to die for. 

Excerpt from Book 2,Exposure: 

Ava glanced at the world map on her wall; the one matching the giant one in her office. There was work to be done. She felt the power of the elements begin to surge through her as she looked at the maps. There had been an awful drought in Georgia for weeks now and it looked as if her help was needed. She closed her eyes and instantly her throat went dry and she felt the heat rising from the parched earth. With her eyes still closed she could see the blinding sun and cloudless sky. She let the magic of the element work its way through her body as she thought of rain. She smiled as the blue sky darkened and she sent a rumble of thunder as a warning to those who might not be paying attention. She could feel the relief of the earth as it began to absorb the soothing rain. She was careful to make sure the rain would provide a slow soaking—the earth was so dry that anything heavier would cause flooding. She opened her eyes, feeling a little dizzy as her energy level returned to normal, and sighed. If only she could really be there. Element Island was amazing, but she longed to be able to visit all the places her mind took her.

Riverboat Landing: A History of the Ocklawaha River Steamboats by Michael C. Mason & Edward A. Mueller

Read in: March, 2013

Format: Paperback

Source: Provided by Author

Star Rating: ★★★★★

The Author provided me a copy of this novel. This has in no way altered or changed my opinion of the book. 

Synopsis: 

The only history of the Ocklawaha River Steamboats in color, this mastery of the history of the Ocklawaha and the Steamboats that made it famous are in vivid display along with photographs, diagrams, interesting side notes and of course, passages on the history of the owners and operators of the most famous Central Florida steamers.

Prosecution: 

During the reading, I found that when reading, the boat titles were capitalized instead of italicized. It was a little distracting. 

Defense:

This book took fifteen years to create. Do you realize that many of my readers weren't even alive 15 years ago? This piece of work is packed with information on the barges, their captains, and of course, the river that carried them. Diagrams and photos of the boats and river are in vivid color and put onto display for everyone, young and old. This is the complete history of all boats that ran the Ocklawaha and Silver Springs River. As a native Floridian, I saw the beauty in the land that I've grown up on. A native Floridian would understand the annoyance of ducking under tree limbs while on a boat ride and the Spanish moss floating on the river. I've heard stories of alligator "hunting" while on the boat rides, which was how many men made their living. The steamboats carried supplies, people, goods, and produce (not to mention mail!) up and down the Ocklawaha. These boats are truly a HUGE part of Central Floridian history. Without them, what would have happened to Marion County? 

Verdict: 

Five Stars! This book has so much history packed into 204 pages. You'll follow the river from its early boating days until even the popularity of the Silver Springs Attractions (which is still in operation today!). This book is truly a masterpiece and well worth all of those years. 

About the Author:

Michael C. Mason is a dedicated Lions member with a passion for the Ocklawaha and the riverboats that traveled it. He developed a mobile display unit on the boat and traveled throughout Central Florida displaying the unit while telling stories and showing images & memorobilia with his father. He currently resides in Central Florida. This is his first book.