Silver Bourne - Patricia Briggs

TITLE: Silver Bourne

AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs

SUMMARY: All-new action in the #1 "New York Times" bestselling urban fantasy series

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live... - From Publisher

REVIEW: This series never gets old or boring and kicks ass over and over again.

I need to start off by saying I have such a hard time reviewing this series because I love it so much I just want to squee and write incoherent sentences because my brain is all over the place in excitement. I hope that for those that love this series understand. So, please bare with me as I try to settle my squee.

What I love about Briggs is that while the romance is there it's never the driving force. I feel like it drives the characters into directions and gives them more to fight for. There are scenes in this book that are just so potent and brought tears to my eyes and no words are exchanged it's just Briggs' style of writing. She's the master at conveying emotions and struggles without the words, just body language.

I feel like the plots as the series has continued have just gotten stronger. I like that the main plot is there but you still get so much more. The packs interaction with having a coyote as their alpha's mate is wonderfully written. I love that Mercy is still struggling with the aftermath of Tim. That alone makes me love Briggs so much more. That she's written it all so tastefully and hasn't swept it under the rug and watching Adam struggle with how to deal is beautiful. His struggle with not wanting to frighten her but his wolf being, well, his wolf was so perfectly well written and well balanced.

The story with Sam was strong and it makes me wonder if Briggs is going to do a little side story with him. I hope she does, I'd be all over that!

Such a fantastic book and a wonderful addition to a strong series.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong

TITLE: The Reckoning

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

SUMMARY: Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I''m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We''re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We''ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we''d left behind and take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope. - From Publisher

REVIEW: A perfect ending to a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy that had me hooked with each book.

Armstrong has such a strong style to her writing that seems to always keep me engaged her works. I never feel like skimming over a page out of boredom and when she's giving what would normally be yawn worthy information, that you sorta need to know, she keeps it spicy so you don't lose interest and it doesn't ruin the flow of the book. Never do I hit a spot where I feel like she lost her way. Everything she puts in this book is required and while she does play with the card of 'who dun it' she never gives too much information where it spoils the mystery. She builds it all up and you wonder if there are spies and she keeps you guessing, which I love. I think it's because she doesn't put it at the front that it's always in your mind but not. She's a crafty one.

Her characters are so driven and so strong. I have fallen in love with them all and I've got to say, I was sad to see this story end. I'm happy with the various outcomes and how much they've grown through this journey. Chloe has finally gotten that backbone and when Derek is pushing her I love that she'll push back and won't let him get away with some of the crap he tries to pull.

For those that haven't bothered to pick up this trilogy what is wrong? If it's the whole teen/ya angle don't worry. These books are not written simplistically and... basically you must read these! Now. Go!

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Kiss and Tell - Shannon Tweed

TITLE: Kiss and Tell

AUTHOR: Shannon Tweed

SUMMARY: "By the time I was 24, I was pretty jaded--I thought I''d seen and done it all. Then I met Gene. My life is divided into two sections: PG (well... maybe R) and AG (after Gene)." Shannon Tweed--model, actress, - From Publisher

REVIEW: Tweed bares all (and in the case of some of the pictures I mean literally) in this humorous and exposing biography.

I enjoy the show Family Jewels I find the various antics that the family goes through humorous and the interviews with Nick (their son & oldest child) are always a sure bet for some laughter. This book was a really in-depth look into Shannon's life. I loved the way she wrote her childhood, which was funny but informative without getting stuck on the small details. After reading it I feel like I know lots about her childhood but it didn't take 300 pages to get there. Her days in the Mansion with Hef was insane. I never knew she was actually one of Hef's girlfriends and while I've watched the Playboy Bunnies Reality TV show I got more info from this book. Life at the Mansion is definitely in its own genre.

Some of my favorite portions of the book was when Gene entered her life. Those two amuse me. And again, I learned so much about him and their life, which is really the point in reading biographies.

All around I thoroughly enjoyed this bare all biography.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting

TITLE: The Body Finder

AUTHOR: Kimberly Derting

SUMMARY: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies-or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer-and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself. - From Publisher

REVIEW: A kudos to Derting for writing a strong female lead.

Violet has captured my heart and she's the sorta female lead that I love. The struggle she has with these new-found feelings for her best friend Jay was beautifully written and so realistic. The push and pull and fear of 'outing' herself and ruining their lifetime friendship was a thrill to read. There were so many aspects that made me love their story. How long they'd been friends and the comfort they had with one another along with Jay knowing her secret ability and him never viewing it as creepy or doubting it. Finally, we had a female that wasn't going to be walked on. There are scenes where Jay and her are arguing and I love that Violet didn't back down. She wasn't annoying stubborn or written in a way that rubbed you the wrong way, she just wasn't a pushover or a lovesick puppy. What clinched my love for this character was that when Jay was being obtuse or they was friction between the two she didn't allow him to walk over her or push her into anything. Often, I feel like the female lead allows for poor behavior because she loves him. It was refreshing to see how healthy and strong a female she was. To appreciate what he did but still not excuse bad behavior.

The plot itself was amazing! It had a far more adult feel to it and that often came from chapters being written from the villains point of view. It gave it a grittier, darker edge to the book, which I loved. Plus, Violet and her family had already come to terms with her special skill. It wasn't a taboo topic or something they shunned. In fact her parents worked around to try and discourage her searching out some of the 'echos' but at the same time finding answers (the little cemetery) to give her peace. The parent child dynamic was very refreshing. They were as normal as you could be considering that their child could hear the echos of those (human and animals) that were murdered. The way the book started off with Violet (at a young age) going for a walk with her father and her discovery was chilling and the perfect answer to set the stage of her skills. I love when an author shows us rather then tells us.

All the characters were well rounded. I enjoyed that Violet wasn't an outcast with one or two friends, but rather she was like most kids in school. She had her own group of friends, she wasn't in the 'it' group but she wasn't the kid that got picked on. It gave the book a far more realistic feel to it and it allowed for you to connect with the characters.

Derting's debut novel knocked it out of the park! I'll be eagerly awaiting her second book Desires of the Dead and highly recommend that you all pick up The Body Finder.


RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Fallen - Lauren Kate

TITLE: Fallen

AUTHOR: Lauren Kate

SUMMARY: There''s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price''s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He''s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can''t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story. - From Publisher

REVIEW: I was sadly disappointed with this book.

I found it to be far too much like other books I've read. The whole school being more than it appears has been done and in my opinion done much better. I found the way the school was set up and controlled far too dramatic and sorta felt like a ploy to make the kids isolated. I think Kate could've found a way to bring this group of troubled kids together without the school or maybe doing the school in a way that hasn't been done.

The characters themselves bored me and were really predictable and cookie cutter. Each character filled the 'formula' and nothing about them was really unique. And then we hit the major pot hole that always rattles me.

Yes, I do realize that I am not a teen and so my view on relationships is naturally different. With that said while I understand that teen books will have a relationship occur far quicker and not with the same layers and detailing that an adult book will I don't think that means that the female should be weak minded. Can someone please explain to me why so often in teen/ya books the female lead is written as a smitten kitten who will forgive any slight and the male lead always has some excuse as to why he flops on and off on the girl. Why in the world are we teaching young females that it's okay if the guy goes hot and cold and to just keep going back for more? I know this is just fictional but I feel like it's setting up unrealistic expectations for girls or that they should stick with a guy that does that whole yo-yo thing and that he'll have this 'reason' for his behavior.

Okay, I'll put that rant on the shelf... for now.

The story/plot was interesting but I felt like it took ions before we got to the meat of it all. I wish we'd gotten more of Luce's back-story and the events of the 'incident' that brought Luce to the school. I'm all for being shown the events rather than told for important plot points. I think in this case it would've added to her character.

This first book is definitely a set up for the next book and sadly nothing about this book really makes me want to pick up the second book. All around I think the younger age group will enjoy but for those adults that enjoy reading teen/ya books I'd venture to guess you won't.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult

TITLE: Nineteen Minutes

AUTHOR: Jodi Picoult

SUMMARY: Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of My Sister''s Keeper and The Tenth Circle, pens her most riveting book yet, with a startling and poignant story about the devastating aftermath of a small-town tragedy.

Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens--until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state''s best witness, but she can''t remember what happened before her very own eyes--or can she? As the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show--destroying the closest of friendships and families. Nineteen Minutes asks what it means to be different in our society, who has the right to judge someone else, and whether anyone is ever really who they seem to be. - From Publisher

REVIEW: A must read!

This was one of those books where I loved but at the beginning it had some lull moments. I liked that Picoult jumped back in time to give us history but at the beginning I was so desperate to get into the actual shooting that I was a tad frustrated that I was being pulled out of the present to be in the past. However, this could also just be my small level of patience I have. I did enjoy the past segments as it got closer to the shooting. I found those more relevant however; after reading the book those early years of Peter showed events that happened that morphed and changed him and tied things together.

Content. This book was heavy. It broke my heart in more ways than one and just sorta rammed home the after effects. Often the news covers the current and you sorta forget that for the victims the sound of a loud bang will send them falling to their knees looking for cover long after the camera crews have packed up. That's heartbreaking and Picoult gave us so many moments of the after. Of Peter receiving letters, the court description and pictures and how it shook up the town. It was all overwhelming and Picoult never shied away from the content. I feel like if you're writing about such heavy issues that you need to fully dive in because not and skimming or glazing over takes away and trivializes the events.

As always Picoult writes in detail and definitely not one that you can sorta breeze through. Every page has important information and the characters go through lots of changes and there's twist and upsets and you end up feeling for people that you wouldn't normally feel for.

A potent and beautiful book about events that are horrific and painful. One of the best books I've read and a must read for all, especially if you're in a book club.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

TITLE: Hush, Hush

AUTHOR: Becca Fitzpatrick

SUMMARY: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She''s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora''s not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can''t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life. - From Publisher

REVIEW: A brilliant start to this new series!

The character of Nora Grey sorta fell into the cookie cutter shape that seems to be drifting about in teen/ya genre. And I've got to admit I didn't really like that. I don't like reading about the same character in book after book and that makes me wish that perhaps things were changed up. That Nora was a bit different and wasn't the typical teen that was clumped in the reject group of HS. I do have to say that I liked that Nora's Mom wasn't what I expected. I expected her to be distant and not really take an interest in Nora's life but I enjoyed reading that her Mom was there, just simply trying to make ends meat for the family. Was a refreshing change, but didn't make up for Nora being the expected.

Patch, thankfully was not what I expected. He was probably the most refreshing of them all. I sorta popped him into dark/brooding sort and while he did have some of those qualities as the book progressed things were just exposed and I ended up loving him. I don't want to give too much away because no one likes spoilers in reviews but I am most looking forward to this series due to his character. Fitzpatrick wrote him full of angles and edges and while reading this I was never quite sure who he exactly was and what his motives truly were. She kept me on my toes and I love when the unexpected happens with a character that you feel will be expected. Make sense?

The story itself I found to be an enjoyable read. The plot was laid out nicely with a good pace. Things were in constant motion but I never felt like she tried to put too much into this book. She set the stage beautifully and left enough loose ends that her second book Crescendo is going to be eagerly anticipated by this reader.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Hunting Grounds - Patricia Briggs

TITLE: Hunting Ground

AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs

SUMMARY: Anne Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son--and enforcer--of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn't know how dangerous it could be either...
Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan--and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all--or risk losing everything... - From Publisher

REVIEW: I love the character of Anne, but I sorta wish we got more of her inner struggle.

It's not a secret that I'm in love with Brigg's Mercy Thompson series and that I'm also a fan of this series. I love her writing style and characters. My issue with Anne is that I want more of her turmoil. I feel like we got some of her inner conflict and her trying to deal with her past issues but I would love more. I would love to feel that oppressive feeling she gets when surrounded by dominates and her struggling with things. Meshing her human and wolf sides together. I guess, in short, I want her to be a bit more broken and for us, the readers, to get a better handle on how broken she truly is.

However, in no way do I think Briggs is gliding over her past or changing Anne's character I just want more. I did think we got some beautiful and touching moments in this installment but I'd like more. I'm a bit greedy that way.

What I have loved is Charles dealing with her. I love how off balance she makes him and I love reading how torn he is with trying to ensure he doesn't hurt her or scare her away with his past. It's all frustratingly beautiful.

As always, reading Briggs is pure reading enjoyment. I love her plots and characters and how she weaves things together. Will be eagerly awaiting more.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥