Fall Into Reading 2009 Wrap-Up

The Fall Into Reading 2009 Challenge was officially over yesterday. Here is my original post with my "hope to read" titles - I only read two of those... gosh, I suck. I always set aside books but then something I've been "needing" to read comes along... and well, so much for pre-planning. Here are the final titles I used for the challenge.


1- The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening - L.J. Smith
2- The Peruke Maker: The Salem Witch Hunt Curse - Ruby Dominguez
3- Hellbound Hearts - Paul Kane w/ other contributors
4- Ginger High - Melissa Burmester
5- Skeleton Creek - Patrick Carman
6- Another Faust - Daniel & Dina Nayeri
7- Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road - Kate Klise
8- The Return - Victoria Hislop
9- Tall, Dark & Fangsome - Michelle Rowen
10- The Magician’s Elephant - Kate DiCamillo
11- A Certain Slant of Light - Laura Whitcomb
12- Ruined: A Ghost Story - Paula Morris
13- Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror - Chris Priestly
14- Oh. My. Gods. - Tera Lynn Childs
15- Beastly - Alex Flinn
16- Hate List - Jennifer Brown
17- Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout
18- Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen - Susan Gregg Gilmore
19- Willow - Julia Hoban
20- Legacy - Cayla Kluver
21- Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
22- The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
23- Hot & Irresistible - Diane Castell
24- Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
25- To Desire a Devil - Elizabeth Hoyt
26- Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
27- A Courtesan’s Scandal - Julia London
28- Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
29- Sins of the Flesh - Caridad Pinerio
30- Thirsty - Tracy Bateman
31 - Hannah: Daughters of the Sea - Kathryn Lasky
32- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo
33- Matchless: A Christmas Story - Gregory Maguire
34- Perfect Timing - Jill Mansell
35- After the Moment - Garrett Freymann-Weyr
36- Over the Holidays - Sandra Harper
37- The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship - Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel
38- Meridian - Amber Kizer
39- Half Broke Horses - Jeanette Walls
40- Ciao Bella - Gina Buonaguro & Janice Kirk
41- Home in Time for Christmas - Heather Graham
42- Knight of Pleasure - Margaret Mallory
43- Genesis - Bernard Beckett
44- Fallen - Lauren Kate
45- The Christmas List - Richard Paul Evans
46-When Autumn Leaves - Amy S. Foster
47-A Blue and Gray Christmas - Joan Medlicott
48-A Better Part of Darkness - Kelly Gay

And there you have it. As always, this is a fun challenge that I look forward to joining again next year.

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay

Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right. [borrowed from GoodReads]

Firstly can I say that I absolutely loved this book. This is Ms. Gay's debut novel and she has totally kicked butt with it. Not only does she make you love her main character - but she makes her so unique and likeable and the Atlanta that she depicts in her story so unique and detailed that you almost wish you were in this world.

Charlie is a single mom/police officer who makes it her mission to uncover and take down the people pushing the drug "Ash" that has recently hit the streets. Along with her partner Hank (who is a Siren - yes, a male Siren) they go up against all sorts of bad guys to help protect the innocent. Not only was Charlie a fantastic heroine, but so were all the other characters. There are a slew of characters that were very well-written and I can only hope but to hear/read of again.

My only complaint would be that there was no romance in the whole story. I expected Charlie to have a love interest and, in a way she did, it just was not a man, it was her daughter. In the end, I found that refreshing - I liked that Charlie's world revolved around the love for her daughter.

This was a fantastic start to a series that leaves you feeling closure but anticipating the next installment. This was very well done and I highly recommend to lovers of urban fantasy.

This book was provided for review by Pocket Books.

A Blue and Gray Christmas by Joan Medlicott

Although a Blue & Gray Christmas is part of a series - I felt it was a wonderful stand-alone book... and one that is perfect for the holiday season.

It is a heartwarming story about three friends - Grace, Amelia and Hannah who discover a tin full of Civil War-era letters written between two soldiers - one from the North and one from the South. They were both injured during the war and were found lying wounded in a field by Miss Ella Mae. Ella Mae took both of them in and brought them up as her own sons - but upon reading the letters the friends are appalled that these two men never returned nor advised their families that they had survived the war. So the girls take it upon themselves to contact the living descendants of both soldiers and invite them for a Christmas gathering at their farmstead.

I really enjoyed Ms. Medlicott’s writing and her wonderful, lively characters. I especially loved reading the letters of the two soldiers that were so honest and heartfelt. This was a touching story about families coming together and celebrating not just the lives of these two soldiers but also celebrating the season.

This book was provided for review by Pocket Books.

When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster

When Autumn, the town of Avening's resident witch, gets news that she must move away from her beloved town because of a promotion to a higher coven, she must find a way replace herself as town witch. But who in Avening is in tune enough with her own personal magic to take over this huge responsibility?

Autumn has a list of likely candidates for the position, but she takes it upon herself to put an add in the paper seeking an apprentice. She has a year to find a high witch and the women who will be part of her coven - but how can she get them to open their eyes and believe in the magic in their lives?

This was actually surprisingly really good. I was a little thrown off when I realized that each chapter was a (loosely related) short story. As some of you might know, I am not a fan of short stories and after recently reading Olive Kitteridge, which sadly was a massive fail for me, I honestly thought this would fall in that same category. But, to my endless surprise, this was really good. I felt that I could relate to each story and each character in one way or another.

Throughout the book we encounter many of the town's gifted and unusual residents... but in the end who will she choose? Will it be Ellie the invisible researcher - who thanks to a magical pair of shoes becomes the life of the party? Ana - a married woman who falls in love with another woman's husband? Stella - a healer who needs change in her life and can only do that by capturing lightning in a bottle? The letters continue to arrive and, as each applicant's story entwines with Autumn's, the suspense begins to grow as to who her successor will be.

I was initially intrigued by the title and the (oh, so pretty) cover. But the tales in this book were all heart-warming, touching and, on more than one occasion, brought a tear to my eye. Although magic plays a big part in this novel, the subject matter was anything but light. These were real women, with real, everyday problems - none were perfect, but each was endearing in her own way.

As a woman, I felt that this book called to me. These women were brave, strong, and I saw aspects of myself as well as of my family and friends in some, if not all, of the characters. This is a heart-warming debut of coming to terms with the magical things we take for granted every day - our friends, our community, and, most of all, ourselves.

All in all, this is an exceptionally imaginative story riddled with vivid and quirky characters - making it a delightfully magical escape. It is a charming, cozy and very enjoyable book that I highly recommend.

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

James Kier is a very powerful and wealthy real estate mogul. He has done everything possible to get to this status and has no qualms about the unscrupulous things he’s done to get there or who he’s crushed along the way to his rise to glory.

He's exactly where he wants to be in life - he has a young girlfriend, his business is doing well, he’s in the last stages of divorcing his wife - so what if he had her served with the divorce papers on her first day of chemo... or that his son won’t talk to him and basically hates him. More or less life is good - until he wakes up one morning and he finds that he is dead.

Well, that's what the paper says. Now Kier's first reaction is to sue the paper but he quickly decides to use his "death" to his advantage. As people he's known throughout his life talk about what a terrible person he was and how glad they are that he is dead, he begins to realize that his "perfect" life is not so wonderful after all. He makes a pact to try to change and embarks on a journey to apologize to the ones he's wronged - but he quickly realizes that's easier said than done.

The Christmas List is intentionally a lot like Charles Dickens' -A Christmas Carol. Kier had no cares for anyone or anything but himself, he made fun of people who were joyful that it was Christmas or who celebrated the holiday. He was mean and just downright despicable.... a regular old Scrooge. This is his story of forgiveness and redemption.

As with all Mr. Evans' books, this story is presented to you in a small little package - a pretty shiny cover and short chapters. And, same as his previous work, it was a page-turner - making it easy to just sit down for a good hour or so and just enjoy a good story, shed a tear or two, and in the end come out feeling that you want to be a better person. This is the third book I read by Mr. Evans and I can actually say they all keep getting better and better. I've also read Grace and The Christmas Box - which were outstanding as well.

This is an original twist on a timeless story - it is about love, loss, forgiveness, family, but mostly it is inspiring. A wonderful Christmas read.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

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. [borrowed from GoodReads.com]

Although Fallen starts at a slow pace - the characters and its descriptions of the derelict reform school - will give you the feeling that you are walking down the halls with Luce, or hanging out at the cemetery or taking a stroll through the school grounds.

I will confess that what originally attracted me to this book was its stunning cover art. Because yes, I'm fickle like that. But the story was captivating and I really liked its unique and clever plot twists (which I personally didn't see coming).

Luce was very likeable, a bit naive and, I will confess that at times I found this frustrating since I was understanding things before she would. But nonetheless, I also felt that she needed protection and guidance. Daniel was dark, mysterious, and I think, by far, the most interesting character in this story. I mean the guy flipped her the bird at first sight. That alone was like "Wah?" I needed to know everything about him - who, what, when, where, why? He was very intriguing and although I wish he would have been nicer to Luce and they have had more time together - I truly get why there wasn't.

There are plenty of characters to love and hate in this novel - Arianne, Penn, Cam, and a couple of others. One other factor that I really enjoyed in the book - was the feeling that you never truly trusted anyone. Who was good? Who was bad? You were always questioning everyone's motives. Call me jaded - but I love the indecisive feeling of whether to like a character or not.

All in all, I really liked this. I thought Ms. Kate did a fantastic job keeping you in suspense the whole time. Nothing was revealed too early in the story and although the ending leaves many unanswered questions - it only leaves you anticipating the next book in the series - Torment.

Fallen has something for everyone. If you like your love stories with a dark, supernatural twist, then you should definitely pick this one up.

My Rating:

Genesis by Bernard Beckett

Anaximander, with the help of a tutor, has been studying in order to take the four-hour exam she must pass in order to become a member of The Academy. This book is mostly a transcript to her oral exam before a three judge panel.

I found Mr. Beckett's writing style unique as the whole story is told mostly through Anax's interview with The Academy elders and through several flashbacks. Through this interview we learn what has become of the world after wars and a deadly plague have ravaged the planet and its inhabitants. Behind the great sea fence, the people who reside on her island keep it safe by shooting any vessel that comes within sight. We also get a lot of detail on how their precious island came to be, the forefathers who had the knowledge to create their walled-in sanctuary, a man named Adam and how history was changed when a young woman named Eve washed ashore.

As you read Anax's story you quickly become immersed in the history of this post-apocalyptic world and you become just as intrigued by Adam and his interactions with a robot named Art. But Anax slowly begins to suspect that the history she knows so much of might not be as correct as she once thought... making you, as the reader, wonder if the truth will set her free.

I have become quite the fan of dystopian / post-apocalyptic novels recently. And,this is, by far, one of the best I've read. Although it's really a short read (only 208 pages), it is packed full of philosophical ideas - from living in the ideal society to what it is to be human. I was pretty awed that this would be considered YA fiction - since it is so philosophical, but do not let that stop you from reading it. This can definitely be a cross-over into adult fiction. Oh, and have I mentioned that surprise ending that I was caught totally unaware by and left with a big "O" on my mouth. Love when that happens! This one will definitely appeal to science fiction and philosophy lovers.

Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory

Lady Isobel Hume has been betrayed by the men in her life. Firstly, her father weds her to the highest bidder - a very old man whom luckily for her dies shortly after they are wed. Then before she can rejoice at the fact that she is finally out of her terrible marriage, she finds that her late husband has left all his fortune to someone else, leaving her with no choice other than to marry the man who now claims "her" lands or be at the mercy of their King. The King feels that Isobel can best be used to secure an allegiance to Normandy- and she chooses this rather than to succumb to her late husbands successor.

Once under the King's protection, Isobel is provided a chaperon and there she meets William and his younger brother Stephen. Sir Stephen Carleton is known for being a ladies man. But once Isobel crosses his path he is taken in by her beauty, charm and innocence. Isobel is also smitten with Stephen but they can't defy the King's wishes. Through some instances of major flirting, several heated encounters, and a few not-so innocent rendezvous' - their attraction for one another grows. Isobel has always done everyone else's bidding and she feels that it's time for her to have one thing before she moves on and marries the next man... and that is to be with Stephen. But when the seduction quickly escalates and what starts off as a fling becomes something much more - they find themselves in a tight spot, for a fling will never suffice for either of them.

I LOVED THIS STORY! And let me tell you, I really liked Ms. Mallory's first in the series, Knight of Desire - but I absolutely fell in LOVE with Knight of Pleasure. Call me a sucker for historical romance - but it was also so much more than that. Yes, the time frame the book is set in does play into my romantical notions... but Stephen and Isobel are just to die for.

Isobel is this tough girl who knows how to wield a sword and although she's always followed rules (her father's, her late husband's and now her King's), she is a rebel at heart. I loved this about her. She was proud, she was strong and she was courageous. Stephen is carefree and light-hearted, he has a great sense of humor and his flirting and seduction of Isobel were just a treat to read. He's deadly with a sword and protective of Isobel... yep, be still my heart... what more could you want in your hero, right?

This was just a beautifully written tale where you jump in and quickly become engrossed in the lives of these two characters. They are likeable, relateable and absolutely dreamy or, should I say, "steamy" together. I found myself rooting for them from the start. Ms. Mallory has once again done a fabulous job and has definitely recruited herself a devoted fan in me. I can't wait for the next one!

If you haven't already signed up for the giveaway, click here.

This book was provided for review by Hachette Book Group.

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

Melody Tarleton is driving home for Christmas when a man—clad in Revolutionary War-era costume—appears out of nowhere, right in the path of her car. Shaken, she takes in the injured stranger, listening with concern to Jake Mallory's fantastic claim that he's a Patriot soldier, sentenced to death by British authorities. The last thing he remembers is the tug of the noose.

Safe at her parents' house, Melody concocts a story to explain the handsome holiday guest with the courtly manners, strange clothes and nasty bump on the head. Mark, her close friend who wishes he were more, is skeptical and her family is fascinated—though not half so fascinated as Melody herself. Jake is passionate, charming and utterly unlike anyone she's ever met. Can he really be who he claims? And can a man from the distant past be the future she truly longs for?

With the aid of enchanted petals, ancient potions and the peculiar magic of the season, Melody and Jake embark on an unimaginable Christmas adventure—and discover a love that transcends time. [borrowed from GoodReads.com]

This was a light, Christmassy read - with great characters and an ending that leaves you feeling all warm and toasty inside. Exactly what a Christmas story should do.

All the characters were fun, witty and had their own distinct personalities that quickly wormed their way into your heart. Although Melody and Jake were the main characters, there were some supporting characters that were so fun. For one, Melody's parents and her brother were so funny. I loved her mother's love of the season and her open and inviting home (reminds me of my grandmother). Melody's brother was just a hoot. Although I did find Jake and Melody's relationship a bit on the lukewarm side, it was still a pleasure to read how it flourished. I also really liked how Ms. Graham acknowledged various Christmas beliefs - it was something she made mention of various times and I really enjoyed that.

This is the perfect book to read while snuggled under a blanket with a couple of hours on hand. It is a wonderful story that will definitely get you in that Christmassy mood.

Ciao Bella by Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk

For Graziella, the quiet, cultured life she lived in Venice with her musician husband, Ugo, was everything she could have hoped for. But when Italy allied itself with Nazi Germany in 1940, her world changed forever. Ugo, trading in his violin for a gun, joined the Resistance, while Graziella was forced to seek refuge at his family’s farm in the nearby Euganean Hills. “Just until the war is over,” Ugo had promised, but it has been months now since the Nazis retreated, and no one has seen him since.

With Ugo gone, it seems as if she will be trapped forever on this remote farm with her lost husband’s difficult family. So when an American soldier named Frank is stranded on the mountain, Graziella embraces this unexpected chance at being happy again. But as tempting as it is to leave behind this war-torn country and her painful memories for a new life in America, can she go without learning her husband’s fate? [borrowed from GoodReads.com]

Where to start with this one? I actually enjoyed it - although I did have a hard time getting into it at first. I found the beginning a bit slow and I was having a hard time memorizing the names and associating them with who they were and how they were associated with Graziella. Once I got past this though, I could not help but falling in love with this quirky Italian family. Graziella and Ugo's story is quite touching - they were in love and the war came between them. The love that grows between Frank and Graziella was done so well... in very short increments. It felt real, something that grew gradually, until it just was. It wasn't sporadic or something that caught you off guard. I really liked the "real-ness" feeling to it. I also loved reading about Italy and the effects the war had on its residents.

All in all, I was happy with this one. It leaves you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. With it's zany characters and wonderful writing - this is definitely one you won't want to miss out on.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Firstly I want to start by saying that I absolutely love and highly recommend Ms. Walls' The Glass Castle. I read this early last year and have loaned out my copy countless times - not to mention I even forced everyone at work to buy a copy for our book club, because yes, I was fascinated by this book and Ms. Walls' tale of coming-of-age, the skedaddle, home-made braces and the scrapes, bumps and bruises she went through to get there.

With that said, I could not wait to get my hands on Half Broke Horses. In this book we go further in time and are now reading about Ms. Walls' maternal grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. The story takes you through Lily's childhood in the early 20th century, all through the desert, living in ranches, teaching at one-room school houses, to the Great Depression and World War II.

Although I will admit to it not being as phenomenal as I found The Glass Castle to be, Half Broke Horses was still very entertaining. It's the type of story that grabs you and the next time you stop to look up you're done with the it...there was never a dull moment.

Lily Casey Smith was an amazing, courageous woman - I'm so glad that Ms. Walls was able to create such a beautiful tribute to her. She mentions at the end of the book that these are stories she remembers hearing from, or of her grandmother, while growing up. She was able to piece them together and fill-in (where needed) with her own ideas - thus the story is labeled fiction.

I absolutely loved how the ending tied in to what we already knew of the Ms. Walls and her eccentric family from The Glass Castle. This was just a fun, light read that I would recommend to anyone who's read The Glass Castle or is a fan of Jeannette Walls.

Meridian by Amber Kizer

16 year-old Meridian Sozu is a Fenestra. She has always known she was different from the rest of the girls her age - for one, she has always been sickly, feeling ill and tired.. then there's her main problem, ever since she can remember - tiny animals (rodents, insects, etc.) have made their way around her... to die. Her parents and her younger brother have always gone out of their way to make her feel normal - but all that quickly changes when she witnesses a terrbile accident and unexplicably her body is wracked with pain.

Her parents quickly pack her up and send her off to live with her 106 year-old Auntie, in Revelation, CO, while they pick up all their belongings and try to make new lives for themselves. Leaving Meridian with instructions to never look back, that Auntie will explain everything and only the hope that one day they will meet again.

With the help of Auntie and her protector, Tens, Meridian discovers that she is a Fenestra - part-human, part-angel, who are born to assist souls into heaven. Yet she has very little time to learn exactly what she is, for Auntie, the town residents, and even Meridian herself, are all threatened by the presence of a sinister pastor who has transformed the idyllic town into a place of mistrust, intolerance and fanaticism.

I truly enjoyed this. I loved Meridian's innocence. She was such a likeable character. You felt for her and wanted to be there for her. Auntie, Tens and even their wolf friend, Custos - are all well developed and you quickly feel like part of their makeshift family. Tens has this dry sense of humor that I immediately felt drawn to and quickly brought a smile to my face. His witty banter back and forth with Meridian was a treat to read. This was a very unique story. It is dark and, it mostly revolves around death, but I thought Ms. Kizer did a fantastic job with it.

I will forewarn that it did start a bit slow for me, but about 50 or so pages in I became hooked and had a hard time putting it down. I thought it was well-written, evenly-paced and with a protagonist that you quickly fall for. Although I think Meridian could be a stand-alone novel, it seems a series might be in the works, not to mention the ending gives you the feel that there is more to come. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next installment.

The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel

Lilly and Val have been friends their whole lives.

Yet the story starts with an e-mail where you soon learn that they have not talked to each other in over two decades.

Although you are initially introduced to Val and Lilly in the 21st century, you quickly jump to their first letters and the start of their Recipe Club some thirty years earlier when they are young girls. Although the story is told in epistolary fashion - I found it quite unique and entertaining to read it this way. Through their letters and e-mails you learn of Valerie and Lilly's friendship, their parents, school and how each girl grows up to be the woman you first encounter at the beginning of the story. You are taken through a young girl's insecurities, to first sexual encounters, college, drugs, dreams of being famous, etc., and through it all there is a recipe that somehow coincides and goes perfectly with whatever situation or mood they are in.

I loved all the little details - from the doodling on the corners, to the different fonts, titles and colored papers used for the recipes. I love the signatures at the bottom of each letter (ValPal; Lillypad) - just by that you could tell how each girl was growing up as they slowly change throughout the course of the book.

I will forewarn that since it is basically a compilation of e-mails and letters, you are only privy to their lives as they write about it - you only get glimpses as to what happens between each letter, and that includes the times when the girls are together, unless they write about it you don't truly know what goes on. But in the end it really worked for me. I found it engrossing andI couldn't help but want to read more and more in order to get to the heart of their strife.

It is a heartwarming tale of two girls that you can only hope can overcome their differences and make it through stronger in the end. It is a story about friendship, love, loss, forgiveness and hope. This is feel-good chick-lit that I can definitely recommend.

This book was provided for review by FSB Associates.

Over the Holidays by Sandra Harper

The best holiday traditions are meant to be broken.

It's only December 1, and Vanessa Clayton has been dreading Christmas since she spotted tinseled trees at her local mall in September. Thankfully, she and her husband, JT, can't afford to drag their twin boys across the country to New England for the annual celebration at her stuffy sister-in-law Patience's home. Not that Vanessa has prepared a proper Christmas for her family in years, and she has less time than ever since she agreed to consult on the script of a local play. Her older sister, Thea, is no help -- she'd rather make art and flirt with surfers than babysit her nine-year-old nephews. Then Patience drops a holiday stress bomb: Her family will come to California instead.

In between "baking" cinnamon rolls for the school potluck and overbearing Patience testing her patience, Vanessa can't stop thinking about the difficult but charming playwright at work. Meanwhile, Patience's teenage daughter, Libby, obsesses over a college boy she has met by the pool, and Thea searches desperately for the meaning of Christmas -- for her latest installation, of course. As their holiday plans go comically awry, these four women discover the true spirit of the season is hidden in every festive surprise. [borrowed from GoodReads]

Three women, three different ideas for the perfect Christmas... and, of course, nothing going as planned. I thought each character - Vanessa, Patience, Thea - were well fleshed out and, although flawed, were fun to read about.

Patience had that Martha Stewart appeal to me. She wanted the perfect Christmas - I sympathized with her the most, because I myself get all stressed and worried about making everything absolutely perfect for the holidays (sans the snow since we're in South Florida). Vanessa was the most relateable though. She was the one dealing with her kids, job, stressing over money, impressing her sister-in-law and her family; all while trying to make their Christmas traditions as perfect as possible with everything that could go wrong, going wrong. Thea was just a free spirit with no cares - you just had to love her.

This was a fun, fluffy read. All sorts of holiday hoopla ensues. It had plenty of laugh out loud moments. Ms. Harper's writing was fun, young and hip. I will forewarn there was some cussing, but nothing that can't be overlooked. I really enjoyed this and though t it was the perfect read for this time of year. I guarantee there is at least one moment in this book that you can relate to. If you are a fan of chick lit with a fun holiday twist or just in the mood for a light, entertaining read, you won't want to miss out on this one.

This book was provided for review by Pocket Books.

After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr

Leigh Hunter is getting ready for the summer before his senior year in high school, he’s going out with an amazing girl, is already worrying about college applications, and the like - he’s a typical 17 year old boy. But when his step-sister Millie requests that he come live with her at her time of loss, he has no qualms about picking up and moving to a different state to live with his father, stepmother and stepsister.

Although his main goal is to help Millie overcome her loss - he soon begins to fall for Millie's friend Maia. Maia Morland is a veritable train wreck. She has issues with her mother, her beloved step-father is in jail, she's suffering from anorexia, cuts and has even burned herself at times. Leigh can't help but want to help Maia, but sometimes best intentions don't always work out as planned.

I absolutely love how this story starts. Leigh is at a party at a posh apartment in New York City and in walks Maia... it's been years since they've seen or heard from each other. And although you are reading in the third person, you know Leigh still has some feelings for Maia. What happened? How did they get here? Why? I love that!

Thus my interest was piqued and I read the whole thing in a few hours flat. I loved Leigh. He was such a good boy. He was helpful, selfless and just the all-around perfect boyfriend that all girls dream of. Maia, although flawed, was also likeable. Although she had issues with self-mutilation, you just couldn't help wanting to take her under your wing and protect her from everyone, including herself.

I am surprised that this is considered a YA novel - since it did touch on some heavy issues, yet I can understand why since most of the main characters are all teens. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this.

It is a story about love, loss, heartbreak, trust and betrayal. It is about coming-of-age and first loves. Ms. Freymann-Weyr's writing is simple, her characters are relatable, and her story is immensely engrossing. This is one that shouldn't be missed.

This book was provided for review by:

Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

Poppy Dunbar and her friends are out on the town - having a good ‘ol time celebrating Poppy’s last night as a single lady. But when Poppy stumbles - practically into Tom’s arms - he definitely throws a kink in her plans. Before the night is out, Poppy comes to terms that marrying Robbie might not be the best thing for her. She breaks the news to her father and to Robbie and his family and quickly packs up her bags and heads off on a new adventure.... a new life in London.

Poppy's life in London - is the perfect romantic comedy. The acquaintances she makes, her new living arrangement, flatmates, possible love interests, and all these comic mishaps, that will have you laughing out loud.

This is my first Jill Mansell book - and I can't believe what I've been missing out on. I need to get my hands on another one stat. This was fabulous. It is British Chick Lit and it is just plain wonderful. I loved Poppy and all the shenanigans that ensue shortly after you start reading about her. All the characters you meet along the way are just so unique and quite special really. This was a ton of fun to read, with plenty of nail-biting moments as to who Poppy's love interest would finally be. I read this rather quickly as I was intrigued from the start. This is chick lit at it's best - especially with all the hilarious situations Poppy finds herself in. I highly recommend.

This book was provided for review by Sourcebooks.

Matchless: A Christmas Story by Gregory Maguire

Matchless is a “reillumination” of Hans Christian Andersen's story The Little Match Girl. This book was originally commissioned by NPR and read by Mr. Maguire on "All Things Considered" on Christmas day 2008.

The story is told in four parts. In it we meet Frederik. Frederik and his mother live in a fishing village. They are poor - have very little food and only one match to help keep them warm. His mother is the queen's seamstress and is constantly being called to rescue the queen from her "iron foot" (or so his mother calls it, since she constantly steps on the hems of her dresses).

Frederik has a vivid imagination and has found a way to entertain himself (while his mother is away) by making a small town out of cardboard boxes, broken bowls and even thread-less spools. This is his way of escaping the bleak reality of his life.

One night while prowling the town for more items for his little town, his path crosses that of the little match girl. If you've read Hans Christian Andersen's tale then you know how that part of the story ends, but Mr. Maguire leads Frederik and you, as the reader, down a path that will have you believing in miracles, the permanence of spirit, and the continuity that links the living and the dead.

Mr. Maguire did a fabulous job intertwining the story of The Little Match Girl (which he leaves mostly intact, except for some very minor details) and that of Frederik. The illustrations are all drawn by him - which alone were a treat. This very short (only 112 pages) story - brings the heartbreaking and desperate tale of The Little Match Girl and suffuses it with a bit of magic, yearning and warmth that will leave you feeling hopeful. This one should be read out loud and savored and, although a bit on the tragic side, it has a timeless feel to it.

I wouldn't say I recommend it to everyone, but for fans of Gregory Maguire, Hans Christian Andersen, or those who like fairytale remakes, this is one you should pick up.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

This is the story of a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. Now this rabbit is loved unconditionally by his owner Abilene... but he loves no one but himself. He is so pleased with his home on Egypt Street, his silk suits, his perfect manners, his lack of want or need, and is just so utterly pampered, that he hasn't a care for anyone, that is until the day that he is lost.

When Edward loses his way from Abilene he has no other choice but to wait. For Edward can't walk or talk... he is a china rabbit after all. But that's just the beginning of his journey, a journey where he will not only learn to accept his fate, but learn to love, to lose and, eventually (although reluctantly) to love again.

Along with Edward you are whisked away on the ocean tides, fished out of the ocean, dumped with the garbage, live life as a hobo, acting as a scarecrow, dancing for money and even the companion to a dying girl.

I absolutely fell in love with this tiny masterpiece. Edward's journey is heartbreaking and at the same time uplifting. The characters he meets along his journey are each very special in their own right. Whether it's the fisherman and his wife or living with the hobo and his companion dog... they all have real problems. Although this story is geared for young children, I think it might be better understood if read by a parent or teacher. There were several instances where I felt a young child would not fully grasp the meaning of the real-life problems some of these characters were dealing with.

I really commend Ms. DiCamillo for never faltering in forgetting that Edward was a porcelain doll. I really enjoyed that she never brought him to life. He had all these feelings and emotions, and even though most of his owners treated him as a real person, he was never nothing more than a toy.

Edward Tulane's tale is charming, beautifully written, amazingly illustrated and just a treasure to own. I highly recommend this to readers of all ages.

Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Hannah has lived in the Boston Home for Little Wanderers all her life. As the other orphan girls dream of being the long, lost daughter of a wealthy family whom they will eventually be reunited with and live happily ever after, Hannah has never had such dreams. Instead, all she dreams of is the sea... the salt water, the sea breeze, a cottage to live in with a view of the ocean. She has always been different from the other girls and they have definitely made her feel the outcast. As she reaches an age where she has to leave the safety of the orphanage and make her way in the world, she gets shipped off to dry, Kansas, to work as a farmer. But the further she gets from Boston and, more importantly, the ocean, the more she starts to realize exactly how different she is from other girls.

With faltering health, she is returned to Boston where she secures a job as a scullery maid with the Hawley's, one of Boston's most elite families. While learning her duties, she meets the dashing, Stannish Whitman Wheeler, an artist who has been hired by the Hawley's to paint a portrait of the three, young Hawley daughters. But while Hannah catches the eye of Stannish, she also catches the attention of the eldest Hawley daughter ,Lila, who is quite creepy really. Lila and her equally evil cat Jade, dislike Hannah from the start and will do anything to wreak havov with poor Hannah's feelings.

The bulk of the story is mostly about Hannah's life as a servant at the turn of the century. And to be honest, I really liked this part of the book. I loved reading about the in's and out's of servant life - from the butler to the scullery girls. I loved the evilness of Lila and her sidekick cat and all the trouble that ensues. I almost felt as if the mermaid part was an oversight and just tacked on at the end. So there definitely wasn't as much mermaid action as I would have hoped.

Knowing this book is a trilogy explains why there were some things that just felt unfinished - although the story did end. I'm not sure how to really explain it, but in the end, I just felt like... that's it? Don't take me wrong, it's not a cliffhanger ending, but it was very anti-climactic and left much to be desired.

All in all, I can definitely recommend this to young teens as well as older teens. I think the pacing was a bit slow but in the end it did hold my interest throughout. Once again, my main complaint would be the ending, but hopefully the next two books in the series will redeem that. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series (although it seems a publication date has not yet been announced.)

Thirsty by Tracey Bateman

There's no place like home, they say.

"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."

For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end. [borrowed from GoodReads.com]

I agreed to review this book because I was intrigued to see how vampires would fit into a Christian novel. And although the vampire subplot was well done, Nina's struggle with substance abuse was just so much more gripping. Thirsty is a compelling story of how substance abuse can wreck a family, but with strength, love and the will to overcome this addiction, one can be a better person in the end. Ms. Bateman's characters are so real and full of life. You feel as if their struggle is yours, as if Nina can be someone you know, even a friend.

I was taken in from the first page and read the whole thing through (late into the night). I also loved the title - I thought it was so fitting. There is some violence - but it is definitely not overly done nor overpowering to the story and although it is classified as Christian Fiction, it is not preachy. Thirsty is perfect all around. It is fast-paced, has wonderful characters, suspenseful and even has a paranormal twist thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed it and I'm sure readers of the genre will too.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

GIVEAWAY: 2 copies are up for grabs.

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Rules: This contest is open internationally. Winners will be drawn Saturday, December 5.