A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Title:  A Reliable Wife

Author:  Robert Goolrick
Pages:  291

Genre:  Fiction

Source:  Purchased

He placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for "a reliable wife." She responded, saying that she was "a simple, honest woman." She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination to marry this man and then kill him, slowly and carefully, leaving her a wealthy widow, able to take care of the one she truly loved.

What Catherine Land did not realize was that the enigmatic and lonely Ralph Truitt had a plan of his own. And what neither anticipated was that they would fall so completely in love.

Filled with unforgettable characters, and shimmering with color and atmosphere, A Reliable Wife is an enthralling tale of love and madness, of longing and murder. [via GoodReads]

I must admit that the synopsis for this book was what intrigued me.  I'm quite fascinated by the time period it's set in (early 1900s). but at the same time I was never quite sure whether or not I would actually like the story.  Well let me say, that I was quite surprised.  I actually enjoyed this story much more than I thought I would.

While the story itself revolves around characters whose pasts have left them all miserable, struggling with their present lives and looking for ways to atone for their sins - quite frankly, none of them (Catherine, Ralph nor Antonio) were likeable.  Yet I found myself rooting for them... hoping that they would find some hope in this cold and dark, gothic tale.

When Ralph places an advertisement for "a reliable wife" - Catherine responds that she is "a simple, honest woman."  Exactly what he's looking for - yet she's nothing like what he expected.  Catherine has her own agenda... marry Ralph and then kill him.  Simple, tidy and no one would be the wiser... but she didn't expect Ralph to marry her and quickly ship her off in search of his long lost son Antonio.  

Mr. Goolrick's writing is compelling from the first page.  I found that the descriptions of the bitter cold and desolate Wisconsin countryside gave this dark story the perfect atmosphere. The story itself was tense and engaging with a few surprising twists that I did not see coming.  

Full of betrayal, bitterness and the hope of love and forgiveness - I simply could not put this one down.

My Rating:

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Title: Girl, Stolen 

Author: April Henry

Pages:  224

Genre:  YA/ Teen

Source: Purchased

From the moment I read what this book was about I just knew that I would have to read it.  

Sixteen year old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of her stepmother's car when a young man opens the door and takes off with the car with her in it.  Griffin did not mean to kidnap Cheyenne, he just wanted to steal the Cadillac Escalade she was in and impress his father.  But when his father finds out that Cheyenne is the daughter of the president of a very powerful corporation they realize that the car is really only a consolation prize... she is worth a whole lot more.  But what they don't know is that Cheyenne was sleeping in the back of the car because she has pneumonia and even worse than that, she is also blind.  Although she uses her blindness to her advantage, making her captors feel as if she isn't a threat, little do they know that by using her other senses she may be able to get herself out of this dangerous situation.  

Ms. Henry captures Cheyenne and her blindness perfectly.  This is the first book that I read told through the eyes (no pun intended) of a blind person and I think this made it an even more suspenseful read.  I enjoyed the insight we get into the life of someone who is blind.  In her case, Cheyenne was in an accident that caused her to lose her sight, and through flashbacks we get to see how her life has changed since, how she had to accustom herself to a walking stick and the use of a guide dog, etc. 

Told in alternating chapters, you also get to hear Griffin's perspective.  Although he's the one who unintentionally abducted Cheyenne, he's also the only one to look after her.  He makes sure that she's fed and he's even given her some expired aspirin to help with her pneumonia.  Throughout the ordeal the two of them get to know each other and although they form a reluctant friendship - they still understand that they are on opposite teams.

I really enjoyed the way the author captured it all.  I think Ms. Henry does a wonderful and credible job of slowly building the unlikely friendship between Griffin and Cheyenne.  I fought it for a while at first thinking she would fall for her captor, but I found that Cheyenne was a big girl, and she definitely had her big girl pants on and never lost sight of her goal... her freedom.  The suspense was intense and although it did have a slow start towards the end I was at the edge of my seat. All in all, this was a very entertaining read - one that I found scary, tense and, in the end, hopeful.

My Rating:

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title:   The Goddess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Pages:  304

Genre:  YA/ Teen

Source:  Netgalley  

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails... [via GoodReads]

I loved, loved, loved this book!  That should suffice as a good review, right?!

What can I tell you?  Ms. Carter "had me at hello" when I read that her book revolved around Greek mythology and even more so around the story of Hades and Persephone.  le sigh.  I'm a sucker for a romance riddled with heartbreak and despair.  

I found that I read this story without over-thinking it too much and this may be why I enjoyed it so much.  I didn't really give too much thought to the characters or scenarios, instead I just read the story, enjoyed Kate and the part that Henry played in her life.  This may be why I was surprised by the twists and turns the story took.  I was fascinated by the Greek mythology (of course!) and I really liked the modern twist on the Gods.  Not to mention I found the whole premise - a girl undergoing various tests and if succeeding becoming a goddess - to be a very intriguing one.

Kate was a great heroine.  She was brave, tough, selfless and you find yourself truly invested in her.   Her maturity and strength are something that you know she's acquired during the years of taking care of her mother.  She brought me to tears when it came to the love she felt for her dying mother... I definitely found myself sniffling more than once over it.  Then there's Henry (a/k/a Hades) -  I love a dark, brooding and tortured hero... and he's definitely that.  While he was quiet and reserved most of the time, I found him  very appealing.  I liked that he wasn't portrayed too severely  as the God of the Underworld but instead someone whose strength and power can be felt as underlying threads in the story.

In the end, (and I'll say it again) I loved, loved, loved this book! From the first page, I found myself rooting for Kate and hoping that she'd find some happiness in her bleak life.  Ms. Carter has crafted a beautiful love story- but be prepared, for Gods have the same feelings as humans do and there is no shortage of jealousy and insecurity amongst them.  With twists and turns that I definitely did not see coming, this was an edge-of-my-seat read.  Fans of YA fiction but especially ones who enjoy fantasy and paranormal stories with a clever twist on Greek mythology will love The Goddess Test.  I know I did! 

My Rating:

It Happened One Season by Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D'Alessandro & Candice Hern

Title:  It Happened One Season
Authors: Stephanie Laurens, Jacquie D'Alessandro, Candice Hern & Mary Balogh
Pages:  432
Genre:  Historical Romance
Source: Netgalley

A reclusive former soldier, the younger brother of a titled lord, must marry in order to ensure the succession of his family line. The heroine is shy and/or unattractive and has never had a suitor.  These are the underlying threads in the four stories you'll find that It Happened One Season revolve around.  The fun part - each author uses this thread and the stories they weave are all so very unique and different from one another. 
 
The Seduction of Sebastian Trantor by Stephanie Laurens - Sebastian Trantor has no choice but to find himself a wife.   His older brother has just had his fifth daughter and he knows that gh is the only one that can ensure the succession of the family line.  When he meets Tabitha Makepeace she is trying to break into a desk at a ball that they are both attending.  He immediately knows that the feisty and clever young lady is "wife material".  He just has to convince her of that.

Only Love by Mary Balogh - Cleo Pritchard is making the best out of her widowhood.  Her belated husband was not a very nice man and she has found that, although she is alone, she can live with that.  Plus, there is always the thought of a memorable kiss she shared years ago with Major Jack Gilchrist to keep her warm at night.  When by chance Cleo bumps into Jack at a ball, she fibs, giving him the impression that she is content with her life.  Jack, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about Cleo and that kiss they shared.  Knowing that he must find a wife, he tries to woo Cleo into that role, but Cleo knows that Jack only wants an heir and she is not sure that she can have children.  It will be up to Jack to convince Cleo that his feelings for her are true and an heir is the least of his worries.

Hope Springs Eternal by Jacquie D’Alessandro - Alec Trentwell is still plagued by guilt over the death of Edward Markham.  In fact, he feels that to make up for it, he must take care of Edward's sister, Penelope.  But Penelope is nothing like what Alec imagined.  She is a beautiful woman, an artist surrounded by scandal and in dire need of funds.  Since she refuses his charity, Alec commissions her to paint his portrait, but when she is threatened by more scandal and ruin he does the only thing a gentleman would.. he proposes.  But how will she feel about him once she learns the part that Alec played in her brother's death?

Fate Strikes a Bargain by Candice Hern - Nathaniel Beckwith is in no mood to court the young ladies and their mama's in order to find himself a bride... thus he finds himself hiding behind a strategically-placed orange tree.  But to his surprise, he meets Philippa Reynolds... also hiding behind said orange tree.  Phillippa is there for different reasons... she has a disability that renders her unable to walk or dance without a severe limp.  Nat can't help but find himself enchanted by her friendly and kind demeanor... so he finds himself striking a bargain... an engagement.
 
I thought the premise of these stories was so fun.  I was interested in seeing if these authors would be able to use the same plot points and come up with different stories and I was not disappointed.  These stories could not be any more different.   I think out of the four, Fate Strikes a Bargain, was my favorite.  I loved the sweet tale of a handicapped heroine and her brave hero.  I also enjoyed the introduction to mostly all new authors  - since I had only read Mary Balogh in the past. 
 
These four stories will leave you feeling satisfied with their enchanting heroes, delightful heroines and requisite happy ever afters.  Fans of historical romance will rejoice over this wonderful anthology.  

Feed by Mira Grant

Title:   Feed

Author:  Mira Grant

Pages: 608

Genre: Horror

Source:  Netgalley 

In 2014, two experimental viruses—a genetically engineered flu strain designed by Dr. Alexander Kellis, intended to act as a cure for the common cold, and a cancer-killing strain of Marburg, known as "Marburg Amberlee"—escaped the lab and combined to form a single airborne pathogen that swept around the world in a matter of days. It cured cancer. It stopped a thousand cold and flu viruses in their tracks.

It raised the dead.

Millions died in the chaos that followed. The summer of 2014 was dubbed "The Rising," and only the lessons learned from a thousand zombie movies allowed mankind to survive. Even then, the world was changed forever. The mainstream media fell, Internet news acquired an undeniable new legitimacy, and the CDC rose to a new level of power.

Set twenty years after the Rising, the Newsflesh trilogy follows a team of bloggers, led by Georgia and Shaun Mason, as they search for the brutal truths behind the infection. Danger, deceit, and betrayal lurk around every corner, as does the hardest question of them all:

When will you rise?  [via GoodReads]

Mira Grant (a pseudonym for Seanan McGuire) has written about two of my favorite things... blogging and zombies.  Put them together and you have a winner - at least with me.  In Feed, Bloggers are seen almost as heroes.  If it weren't for them and their blog posts humanity would have had a lot more casualties during "The Rising".  Thanks to their posts giving pointers on how to kill a zombie humanity survived.  

It's been 20 years since the initial "Rising" and, bloggers/sister and brother team, Georgia and Shawn Mason along with their sidekick and all-knowing technological guru Buffy, have been selected to follow Senator Ryman throughout his presidential campaign.  As part of the Senator's press team, their mission is to bring the truth to the people.  To those people who remain indoors most of the time (obviously as part of their survival tactics), to see and learn of the man that may one day be their President.   They were hoping that their honest reporting might get them new followers and increase their blog ratings... they were definitely not thinking that their lives might be in danger - zombies being the least of their problems.

This book was excellent!  At a little over 600 pages it was a little intimidating at first and although it did have a slow start (there was a lot of explaining taking place in the beginning) about 100 or so pages in when conspiracies start flying, it really picks up.  I had a tough time putting it down actually.  I must confess that what initially made me want to read the book were the zombies, but I found that I was more captivated by the characters - Georgia, Shawn, Buffy, their blogs, the Senator, his campaign and the iminent danger caused by humans than I was by the actual brain munchers.

Told mostly in the first person through Georgia Mason's perspective and scattered blog entries (including Shawn and  Buffy's) you get a full scope of what's going through each of their minds.  Using these methods you are really able to connect with these characters.  Ms. Grant has a sense of humor since you can see it shine brightly in her characters.  You can also tell she did her research since there are a lot of pop culture references, George Romero idolizing... I'm sure many zombie flicks were watched in the making.

Now if you're looking for a zombie book full of blood and guts... this is definitely not the one.  The zombies are more like background noise.  You know they are there, you are even scared of what you might find just around the next corner, but they are not at the forefront of the story.  This story is about the characters, about a world that was changed by this zombie epidemic, a world left scarred but that survived nonetheless.  

I loved it!  There was action, adventure, betrayal,  political intrigue, even weapons of mass destruction... and through it all the possibility of becoming a zombie's main dish.  Needless to say, I have no complaints about this one.  I've been ranting and raving to anyone that will stop and listen.  So yes, read it!

My Rating:

Stay by Deb Caletti

Title:  Stay

Author:  Deb Caletti

Pages: 320

Genre: YA/ Teen

Source: Simon & Schuster

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough.... [via GoodReads]

Ms. Caletti has written a very strong and powerful story  in Stay.  Although I've never been in a situation like Clara's, I can very easily see where this work of fiction may ring true to women.

In Stay we meet Clara who is leaving behind her home, friends and especially Christian for the summer.  Her father believes that by not telling anyone where they are headed she'll be safe and provide the space needed for Christian to get over their break-up.  Through alternating chapters we learn of Clara's present and her future.  We see how she's dealing with her break-up and how she's moving forward, but we also see how she met Christian, how they fell in love and how it got to the point where she had to run away from him.

I think the cover of this book is perfect for it.  Because in ways that is the way the story is told.  Although the story mostly has a light feel to it, there is a dark overcast throughout most of it.  You always have this niggling creepy feeling of impending doom so you can never truly enjoy the moment.  Ms. Caletti did this so expertly.  She was able to invoke so many feelings into her story and pass them on to me as the reader (i.e. the confusion, frustration, and eventually fear).  I also really enjoyed the setting... on the coast, the lighthouse, the sudden changes in weather.  It provided the perfect atmosphere and exactly what was needed for such an emotional roller-coaster type read.

In the end, I think Ms. Caletti believably captures the intricacies of relationships - not just the abusive one between Clara and Christian, but that between father and daughter, the camaraderie of best friends or two brothers and even that of a budding romance. Her writing, character and plot development are phenomenal and very relateable.

If you are a fan of Ms. Caletti and/or contemporary young adult fiction I recommend you get yourself a copy of Stay.  You will not be disappointed. 

My Rating:

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title:  Switched

Author:  Amanda Hocking

Pages:  330

Genre: YA/ Fantasy

Source: Purchased

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might have been telling the truth.

With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of. [via GoodReads]

I have to say that what originally intrigued me about this book was its high ranking on Amazon's e-book bestsellers list and secondly it's low price of $.99 (Price has gone up since Ms. Hocking broke into NY Bestsellers List). But I was truly surprised by how good this story really was.  

I found Wendy to be a very refreshing character.  I liked her disposition and her "who cares" attitude.  Along comes Finn and the tale he weaves is unbelievable to her, yet Wendy knows that she has never been a normal girl.  In search of her roots and to keep her family safe, she flees with Finn into a world that she never dreamed of.

I really liked the growth and maturity that Wendy shows throughout our story.  She's stubborn and headstrong and I truly appreciated that she didn't stray from her feelings.  Considering the drastic change she goes through - from leaving the only family she's ever known behind and thrown into a fantasy world that she never imagined existed, I think she handles herself very well.  

I think Ms. Hocking does a great job in her world building and character dynamics.  I was sucked into the story right from its start.   Although I must confess that it did slow down a bit for me in the middle (there was only so much I could take of daily activities).  But aside from that I think this was a great start to the Trylle Trilogy.  

I really commend Ms. Hocking for self-publishing her series - but I will forewarn that it does show in some places.  There were some typo's and a few instances where a word was used incorrectly.  But if you can overlook these minor flaws, you will find a gem in this series.

Full of twists and turns, romance and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you hooked - you'll definitely want to check this series out.    

My Rating:

The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black

Title: The Poison Eaters and Other Short Stories
Author: Holly Black
Pages: 224

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: Simon & Schuster

The Poision Eaters and Other Short Stories was my introduction to the awesomeness that is Holly Black.  In it you'll find a variety of stories written by Holly (most have been previously published in other anthologies).  But in this volume you'll find them all in one place.  

Fans of paranormal will rejoice in this book.  There is a little  bit of everything thrown in here - vampires, shape-shifters, elves, and, my favorite... faeries.  These stories are dark, edgy and even show a flair for the macabre,  but I could easily see Holly's humor interwoven throughout. For a collection of stories, I was really impressed by the world building and character development found in such brief entries. 

Among my favorites were The Night Market (about a girl who ventures to save her sister after a fairy has cursed her), The Coat of Stars (a costume designer bribing the fairy Queen for his friend's return), Paper Cuts Scissors (a story where favorite characters leap out of their books and interact with each other), and The Poison Eaters (a story about poisonous sisters, and my favorite in the bunch).

Ms. Black has a distinctive style of storytelling and I was very impressed by this collection.  For fans of Holly's previous works and lovers of all things paranormal, this is one book you won't want missing from your collection.

This collection of stories includes:

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

A Reversal of Fortune

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

The Night Market

The Dog King

Virgin

In Vodka Veritas

The Coat of Stars

Paper Cuts Scissors

Going Inside

The Land of Heart's Desire

The Poison Eaters  

My Rating: 

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

Title: The Water Wars
Author: Cameron Stracher
Pages: 256

Genre: YA/ Dystopian

Source: Purchased

First off, let's start with the cover for this book... Amazing, right?!  I helped pick it.  [I took part in the poll that helped choose the cover ... so, you're quite welcome (brushes shoulders off)- haha].  Secondly, let's talk about the very seductive premise to this story.  I mean we've seen all sorts of dystopian story lines as of late (i.e. zombies, war, lack of oil, even too much water), but this is the first story where I've read where it's the water that is scarce.  

The world's inhabitants live in a parched world where you can literally feel their thirst.  Imagine how important water is for even the minimalist things.... like a common cold for instance.  Without water and being properly hydrated you can just imagine the complications your body might suffer.  Well, that is the world that Vera and her brother Will live in.  While waiting for her bus to school one day, Vera meets Kai. Kai, who isn't suffering from the same waterless existence as everyone else... who is driven to school in a limo, has bodyguards and lives in a very posh home.  As their friendship grows, Vera and Kai begin to develop stronger feelings for one another.  And then one day, Kai disappears.  Vera and Will set off to find him and won't let anything stand in their way until they are reunited.

Mr. Stracher has phenomenal world-building skills.  Not only was I enthralled by the world unfolding in the pages of The Water Wars but for some reason I kept getting up to get glass after glass of water.  Reading of this waterless world made me dang thirsty the whole time I was reading it.

While I did find the world-building suspenseful and creative, I had a hard time liking the characters.  Vera, our narrator, was not someone I could relate to.  Sadly, she was not very memorable at all.   It was like living the story through her eyes but not really getting the full emotions of it.  Her friendship/relationship with Kye was brief, rushed and the ensuing adventure/danger, felt unwarranted after knowing someone for only a few short weeks.  That's just my opinion though. 

I also had a slight problem with the overall message of the story.  Don't take me wrong, I'm all about "going green" and saving the planet, but I really don't like when this message comes across in a preachy/propaganda-ish manner.  I also found it strange that Vera (the narrator) is a girl,  when the book totally feels like a "boy" story to me (that may also be a boy on the cover)... hmmmm.  I truly tried to enjoy this story, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.

All in all, this was a fast-paced story, full of adventure, danger, mystery and even some (very mild) romance.  I honestly cannot say I would recommend this one since I felt the characters were too under-developed to be ignored, but if you can overlook that and just enjoy the action sequences, then you might want  to check it out.  For me, it just fell flat.

My Rating:

Beauty's Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure

Title:  Beauty's Punishment
Author: A.N. Roquelaure
Pages: 256

Genre: Fiction / Erotica

Source: Library

Beauty's Punishment is the sequel to The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.  The second in the trilogy and just as full of bondage and kink as the first.  

It has been almost a year since I read The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty and I figured, why not read the next in the series.  I can't really say I loved the first but I was intrigued in finding out where our poor innocent Beauty's adventure would take her.  

**Some spoilers**  

We know at the end of the first book, Beauty finally grew a back bone stands up to the Prince and ends up being banished and carted off to the village along with rebel Prince Tristan.  A much worse fate than being spanked, tied up, and being the sexual playthings of the royals... now they'll be done all that and more but by the working class citizens in the village.  They'll have to endure labor at the hands of new masters/mistresses and enjoy none of the pampering they received in the castle.

**Spoiler free**

Here we have alternating chapters between Beauty and Tristan.  Beauty almost felt like a secondary character in this one - since Tristan's chapters were a lot more graphic and intense than hers.  Since I already knew what to expect, I wasn't surprised by the BDSM scenes, but nevertheless I still read in a sort of repulsed/fascinated way.  Does that even make sense?  I'm curious to see where the story will go.  What will happen to Beauty next? 

In the end, there were some aspects of the story that I did like and I found it interesting, if somewhat disturbing.  Ms. Roquelaure/Rice really knows how to push the boundaries - she makes you feel uncomfortable and has you questioning these characters motives.  But at the same time she explains the mindset of a sex slave - why they endure their "punishments" without trying to escape. 

My final say:  refrain from reading it in public since you don't want anyone to question why you have a permanent blush on your face, not to mention the constant looking over your shoulder to make sure no one is peeking.  This is definitely not your everyday erotic novel and it is not for the faint of heart.  If you're into smut, and really, every once in a while, it doesn't hurt, then this is by far one of the smuttiest books I've read. 

My Rating:

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Title: Full Dark, No Stars

Author: Stephen King

Pages: 384

Genre: Fiction / Horror

Source: Purchased

As someone who has read Stephen King since her Junior High School days, I might be a bit biased on my reviews of his books.  For some reason, I especially enjoy his short story/novella compilation books.  Which is a big deal, considering I don't normally "do" short stories.  But Mr. King expertly finds a way of getting the full gist of his story even if he is confined to a small word count.

Full Dark, No Stars consists of four stories.  They are dark, strong, terrorizing, graphic (really graphic, at times), scary... well exactly what you would expect from Stephen King, I would think.

1922 - Reads like "classic" Stephen King.  It has an old world feel to it... this might be since it's set in the early 20's, in an isolated farmhouse in Nebraska.  Wilfred James is making a confession as to the murder of his wife, Arlette, and how the consequences of his actions and ensuing guilt changed his life and that of his young son (who he manipulated into helping with the murder).  A very creepy story full of creaking floor boards and rats, lots and lots of rats.

Big Driver - Features Tess, an author who after giving a reading and signing at a local bookstore decides to take a shortcut home when a flat tire causes an unexpected delay. After being raped, beaten and left for dead, she manages to escape but decides to take matters into her own hands.  A tale of vengeance... my favorite.  I find these types of stories much more sinister and scary since they are the stories we hear of in the news. Tess didn't want the backlash of reporting to the police the crimes committed against her so she decides to seek her own justice.  With a few unexpected twists, I was at the edge of my seat reading this one. 

Fair Extension -  This one held the most WOW for me - it was also the shortest in the group.  It is the simple story of  Dave Streeter who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  On a random meeting with a stranger he is offered a "fair extension" in life - at least for the next 15 years.  The only draw back, he has to choose someone else to get the short end of the stick... or his misfortune.  I loved the way that this story was told.  It was stark, blunt and told in a voice that I found to be bitingly cold.  I almost didn't want this one to finish.        

A Good Marriage - or is it?  Darcy and Bob have been together for 25 years.  They live in a lovely home, empty-nesters now, since their children have left home in pursuit of their own goals. They are comfortable with one another, they rarely disagree and know and understand each other perfectly.  Things might be a bit dull now but otherwise they are content with the lives they've shared.  At least Darcy feels this way, until she discovers a horrifying secret that her husband has been keeping.   This story gave me chills.... to think you know someone only to find out that they are a complete stranger.  Goosebump-inducing!

This may very well be my favorite Stephen King book.  Mr. King's focus on everyday topics - whether it be the consequences of a bad decision, getting a flat tire on a remote street, being jealous of a friend's good luck or the discovery a spouse's dark secret - made this a much more horrifying read then ones with paranormal aspects.  Each story was amazing - the plot and characters were very well done in such short stories.  I was fully gripped within each of the four worlds depicted - I was haunted along with Wilfred, abused along with Tess, seduced by greed along with Dave and disgusted and shocked in Bob along with Darcy.  These are ordinary people meeting extraordinary circumstances - yet they were believable. 

If you're looking for a good scare, this is the book for you.  If you're a long time fan of Stephen King - well, don't hold off on reading this one - he is at the top of his game here.  And, if you've never read Mr. King then this is the perfect book for you to start on.

My Rating:

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen

Author: Julie Kagawa

Pages: 368

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: NetGalley

**May contain spoilers for those who have not read previous books**  [Shame on you!! What are you waiting for?]

In the Iron Queen we find Meghan contemplating returning back home to her mother, stepfather and little brother.  She dreams of returning to her normal life and away from the dangers of the Never Never.  She has even gotten as close as her front door, but she knows she can't stay for long, not without putting her family at risk.  Instead, she and Ash are swept back to Faery and the imminent threat of the Iron King.  The NeverNever is suffering gravely and the Winter and Summer Courts have formed a delicate alliance with one common goal in mind... the destruction of the Iron King.  Luckily Meghan has done a lot of growing up since the first book in the series.  She understands the role she plays in the bigger scheme of it all and is not reluctant in taking charge.

Wow, Wow Wow!  I keep reading the word EPIC in reviews and I must admit that the word EPIC really does fit in decribing the awesomeness that is The Iron Fey series.  It may very well be one of my favorite YA series.  Ms. Kagawa surpasses my expectations with every book she writes.  I can honestly say that I have no complaints (not one!) about this series.  In each and every book you fall even more in love with her characters, her world building, the action gets more intense and the romance gets more provocative.  

Meghan has shown so much growth throughout the story.  In The Iron Queen you can't help but feel proud of who she's become.  She's brave, smart and tough. She sees a challenge and she takes it by the reins.  The girl has some serious guts.  With the help of her loyal friends:  Grimalkin (who always comes through when they're in a pinch), her bitter yet always the BFF Puck, Ash (her Knight in shining armor), and some new friends they make along the way, they will set out to save the NeverNever.  I also want to make note (and this is the pure FanGirl in me) Ash was phenomenal in this book.  His icy cold demeanor from the previous books has warmed up and he's all-melty and yummy throughout this book.  The love between him and Meghan is downright sigh-worthy. 

 
In the end, I laughed, I cried, I stayed up late into the night reading it and when I finished it , I opened the first page and re-read it again.  I really can't gush about it any more than I have.  This is definitely a winner.

My Rating:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Pages:  448

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: NetGalley

Clara Gardner found out a few years ago that she's part Angel.  When she begins to have the same visions / dreams over and over, her mother (also of the angelic nature) explains that her "purpose" is becoming known to her.  Every time Clara's visions occur they become more and more involved until they are finally able to pinpoint the location of where it's going to occur.  She and her family pack up their bags and move away from sunny California to a small town surrounded by mountains. 

There she meets the boy in/of her dreams... Christian.  He's exactly how she thought he would be.  Handsome, friendly, popular - but he also has a girlfriend.  She knows he's her destiny and is determined to make him see that they belong together.  But while figuring out her angelblood abilities, making new friends and getting Christian to notice her - she ends up falling for another boy - placing herself and her purpose in jeopardy.

Oh but I loved this story!  Clara was a great heroine.  As an angel you'd think she'd be more secure of who she is and what she looks like, but instead she suffers the same insecurities any girl her age would.  I loved that she wasn't perfect.  It wasn't all harps and angelic voices when she walked into a room.  She was clumsy at times, her hair was bright orange so she stood out in a crowd, she was whiny and sometimes she was even selfish - yet it balanced out perfectly with all her other endearing qualities.  I loved how this other boy (the non-Christian boy who I refuse to name although I'm sure once you pick up the book you'll figure it out soon enough) comes into her life.  The love/hate relationship they have at first is great.  I loved how it slowly progressed and became a sigh-worthy romance. 

Aside from the romance and the great leading lady, there were some other aspects of the story that I really liked.  For one, I think Ms. Hand does a phenomenal job in getting across how important family is to Clara.  Her mother and younger brother, although they play smaller roles in this first book of the trilogy, will most likely have bigger roles in the upcoming storyline.  I also really enjoyed the friendships Clara forges with some of her classmates.  And then, of course, there was the mystery of it all.  Her Angel-ism (yes, I made that word up) is a big mystery.  I truly loved learning along with Clara.  You feel the joy and adrenaline when she first learns how to fly or the comfort and relaxation of a day spent lazying away on a river. 

All in all, I loved Unearthly.  I must admit Angels are not my forte, but this angel book is definitely one I cannot recommend enough.  It was a lovely story - one that although ends with some questions answered, leaves you with many new questions.  I cannot wait to see what happens next! 

My Rating:

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Title: Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Pages:  352
Genre: YA/ Dystopian
Source: NetGalley

The world you'll find in the pages of Awaken is not as far fetched as you'd think.  Which, quite frankly, makes it a very scary world.  Imagine not having the need to leave your home.  You go to school online.  Talk to your friends online.  Watch favorite tv shows, the news, or even read books online.  You can even go on a virtual date online.  Why bother leaving your home - when you are doing all this in the safety and comfort of your home.  It doesn't matter what you're wearing or how you look.  You are an avatar.  You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be.  It's the perfect world... or is it?

Maddie has been content living her life in the digital world.  After the incident a few years ago (when she was going through that rebellious phase that threatened to tear her family apart) she has been more than happy to lay low and live the way her father wants her to.  But then she meets Justin Solvi.  Justin who questions everything she believes in.  Who convinces her that living behind a computer is not living at all. 

I loved this book!  I especially loved that it seemed a very realistic fate for humankind.  My favorite type of dystopia, I might add.  The year is 2060, not so very far down the line, and I can definitely see a world where computers are at its forefront.  I mean 15 years ago who would have thought we would be where we are now when it comes to electronics and the world wide web.  Just think how much time we normally spend in front of our computers.  My job has me sitting in front of a computer 7 hours - plus at least 1 to 2 hours at home on week nights... and then there are the countless hours on our phones, iPads, etc.  I don't know about you, but I'm definitely hooked.  This book really gets you thinking.

Obviously, I am a fan of the world building.  Putting that aside, I also really enjoyed the characters.  The interactions between Maddie and Justin were enjoyable.   I loved how their relationship develops slowly throughout the story.  Even though I had a few moments where I didn't trust Justin (his interest in Maddie seemed too much about "the better good", as well as he had this terrorist vibe to him), but little by little he grew on me and I ended up really liking him.  I also really liked the push and pull between those who believed in being "digitalized" and those who wanted more human interaction.  As the reader, you are conflicted because both sides have some very interesting points.  It's not all good vs. evil or black vs. white.  I really found it thought provoking and it surely had me thinking about it long after I was done with it.
 

I'm not sure if this is a stand alone... I guess it can be, but I feel that we need more closure.  I truly hope that there is more to come.  Either way, Ms. Kacvinsky is definitely an author you'll want to keep an eye out for. All in all, I found Awaken to be a very powerful story, with three dimensional characters, action, suspense and romance.  A very worthy read and one that I highly recommend.

My Rating:

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Title:    Darkness Becomes Her

Author: Kelly Keaton

Pages:  288

Genre: YA/ Paranormal

Source: Simon & Schuster

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. [via GoodReads]

This book completely took me by surprise.  I was not expecting  how awesome it would be.  There was a great mixture of paranormal characters - from vampires, shifters, witches, Goddess's and Gods, Demigods, and even a Voodoo Priestess (and these were just a few of them).  Aside from the very cool characters, the setting, New Orleans (post-hurricane destruction) was very neat.  You could feel the mystery and the magic of it all - since one moment you were in a dilapidated mansion and the next you were dancing in the splendor of a ball gown.  

There's not much more I can say without giving too much away, but I will say this, Ms. Keaton did a phenomenal job in her debut novel. Ari is a kick-ass heroine and her story is one full of adventure, mystery, magic and romance.   I cannot wait to see what happens next!  Oh, and did I mention it was awesome?  It was!  Do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this one.  I guarantee it's like nothing you've read before. 

My Rating:

2011 E-Book Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

I plan on going with OBSESSED.  I feel I must put my new Nook to good use.  :)