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On the first day of Lillian’s summer-before-college, she gets a message on her cell from her sort-of friend, Penny. Not only has Penny faked her own kidnapping, but Lil is the only one who figures it out. She knows that Penny’s home life has been rough, and that her boyfriend may be abusive. Soon, Penny’s family, the local police, and even the FBI are grilling Lil, and she decides to head out to Oregon, where Penny has mentioned an acquaintance. And who better to road-trip across the country with than Lil’s BFF, Josh. But here’s the thing: Lil loves Josh. And Josh doesn’t want to “ruin” their amazing friendship.
Josh has a car and his dad’s credit card. Lil has her cellphone and a hunch about where Penny is hiding. There’s something else she needs to find: Are she and Josh meant to be together?
After my senior year I took the "road trip" that Lil & Josh took so this was fun to read. (Although my trip was with family and lasted full 7 weeks). As they described the places they were visiting I kept thinking - been there, done that!
Don't Stop Now was a fun, quick read that I really enjoyed. I liked the characters and found myself thinking about them when I was done reading. With as crazy as my life has been it's been hard to find the desire or time to read, but this book hooked me and I want to know how the story ended so I spent a morning reading it.
My only complaint is that the ending was just too easy. I'm a believer in fate and coincidence but I couldn't really buy how easily things all worked out - I've been to Portland and it's a big city - it just didn't seem plausible to me. That said it was a fun enough read that I let myself suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy the ride.
Rating - 3.5 Stars - Good Book
Content - language especially at the start of the book, implied teen sex but no details, abuse but again no details
Source - From author for review as part of The Teen Book Scene Blog Tour
For all the tour stops please visit
The Teen Book Scene
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler:“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.
I'm Not Her is a touching, emotional story that I enjoyed. It seemed like a realistic portrayal of how cancer can effect not only the person who has it but their family and friends as well.
There is a great cast of complex characters in this story, all of whom I cared about. This was not a depressing book to read but it was emotional. Just when it seemed like things were looking up for Kristina were thrown a devastating twist that I didn't see coming.
A book I would recommend to those who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction.
Rating: 4 Stars
Content: language, teen sex is mentioned but there is no sex scene
Source: Blog Tour
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 4/26/2011
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How does an intelligent woman find herself mired in a web of deception, abuse, and danger? In Depth of Deceit, author Betty Briggs pulls her readers into the life of Stephanie Saunders, a lovely young attorney with a big heart, keen mind, and a trust in others that nearly proves disastrous. Her handsome and wealthy boyfriend strikes her as perfect, but is he too good to be true? Her boss hovers around her like a protector and friend, but is he? Stephanie’s work focuses on defending the indigent, and one client earns her trust and friendship, but why is he showing up at the oddest places? It seems that she can trust only the horses she trains and loves, magnificent beasts who remind her of life’s purposes and meaning. In a dramatic turn of events, Stephanie must make a decision that will affect her life forever. While fans of the author’s earlier novels will be thrilled to discover a familiar character, this novel stands alone in plot and dramatic impact.Given the title of this book I was on alert from page one and had trouble trusting any of the characters assuming they were all deceiving the main character Stephanie. I was pulled in to a web of lies and deceit in this well told mystery. Although I guessed from the start who could be trusted, the book kept me turning the pages to the end to figure out just how deep the deceit went and how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Although I would classify some of the subject matter in this book as "adult" in nature, I would still consider it to be a clean read with nothing graphic, no language, no sex scene.
There were a couple plot points I had trouble buying... such as a lawyer not knowing how to use the Internet to do a background check... but those implausibilities didn't deter me from enjoying the storyline. I enjoyed the ending of this book. So many books end too quickly. There were still 50 pages left to wrap everything up after the book hit the climax which left plenty of time to answer all the questions I had and left me satisfied with the story. I'll definitely be adding another one of Betty Briggs' books to my to read list.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Author for Review
Thanks to Tristi Pinkston for asking me to be part of this blog tour:
Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey:
Emily Sue Harvey’s first novel, Song of Renewal, was praised by New York Times bestselling author Jill Marie Landis as “an uplifting, heartwarming story,” by bestselling author Kay Allenbaugh as a work that will “linger in the memory long after readers put it aside,” and by Coffee Time Romance as “a must-read book for anyone doing a little soul searching.” New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry said, “It captures your attention, and whets your appetite for more,” while Peeking between the Pages called it “quite simply a beautiful book.”
Now, in Flavors, this master storyteller of the human heart sweeps us along with twelve-year-old Sadie Ann Melton as she enters a life-altering season. The summer of 1950 will change everything for her. For in that summer, she will embark on an odyssey at once heartbreakingly tender and crushingly brutal. At times, she will experience more darkness than she has ever witnessed before. At others, she will thrill to lightness and joy she never imagined. By summer’s end, the Melton women in Sadie’s journey – loving her, coaxing her, and commanding her – will help shape her into the woman she becomes. And they will expose Sadie to all of the flavors of life as she savors the world that she brings into being.
Filled with charm, wisdom, and the smorgasbord of emotions that comes with the first steps into adulthood, Flavors once again proves Emily Sue Harvey’s unique ability to touch our souls with her unforgettable stories.This one started off really slow for me. It took me several attempts to get through the first 20 pages. I found myself skimming and just not caring about it, wondering why I had agreed to review it. However once I was 20 pages in I stopped skimming and started enjoying the story.
This had a memoir - remembering the past feel to it. The book takes place over the course of a summer and is the recollections of twelve year old Sadie. I saw this categorized as young adult on someones goodread shelf but think that is inaccurate. The way it is written seems to be a book aimed at adults looking back at the good old days with a sense of nostalgia.
A heartfelt touching story of love and loss.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Author for Review
Athena the Wise:Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills…
Athena isn’t the only new kid at Mount Olympus Academy. When a mortal named Heracles transfers in, Athena understands what he’s going through. She started at MOA a few months ago.
Not only does Heracles need help fitting in, he also has to complete twelve “labors” or he’ll be kicked out of school! When Athena’s dad, Principal Zeus, asks her to secretly look after the new boy, she winds up capturing mythical beasts and shoveling poop. It will take all of her famed wisdom to sort out her own problems and help Heracles succeed!
I can't praise this series enough. Athena the Wise is the 5th book in the Goddess Girls Series and I have enjoyed everyone.
The first book in the series was about Athena being the new girl at Mount Olympus Academy. Once again in book 5 Athena is the main character but now there is a new student at Mount Olympus: Hercules. Hercules has 12 tasks to complete in a weeks time and Athena is enlisted to help him.
Great stories that teach valuable lessons with a new spin on classic Greek mythology. I highly recommend this series!
Content: Clean
Rating: 5 Stars
Source: From Author For Review
To learn more about the Goddess Girls:http://www.suzanne-williams.com/http://www.joanholub.com/Goddess Girls Series:Athena the Brain
Persephone the Phony
Aphrodite the Beauty
Artemis the Brave
Athena the Wise
Aphrodite the Diva - coming in August 2011
Two more titles coming soon!
Don't forget you have until April 21st to enter to win a copy of Athena the Wise. To enter just leave a comment on
THIS POST.
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The Teen Book Scene Blog Tour for Athena the Wise.
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins:
Warning contains spoilers if you have not read book 1, Hex Hall.Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?HUGE Cliffhanger! - Seriously how can a book end on such a cliffhanger!! The next book doesn't come out for a year... Even with the cliffhanger I really enjoyed this book. I flew threw 360 pages in no time at all and can't wait for book 3.
Loved Sophie's snarkiness and all the twists and turns in the story. This was a sequel that did not disappoint. There is a little love triangle going on - although I'm fairly certain how it will end, (because it's a very lopsided triangle) however I honestly would be happy with either choice. Which is an interesting change because usually I'm really rooting for one or the other.
For those who enjoy YA paranormal stories I recommend you give the Hex Hall series a try.
Content: A little language and innuendo
Rating: 5 Stars
Source: From Publisher for Review
As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy into the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reasons to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI, and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town goes missing, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.
In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed—about God, your family, and yourself—is transformed.I started this book this morning - it sucked me in and I had to stay up to finish it. Once Was Lost is a young adult book about a pastor's daughter. Although religion plays an integral part of this book it was not at all preachy. Much more the story of a young girl questioning her faith, family and friends as she faces the trials in her life.
Sam's "perfect life" begins to crumble - her mother is in rehab, an acquaintance has gone missing, her father is too busy to be there for her, there is never enough money... Not knowing when her mother will return home or who is responsible for the disappearance of the missing girl creates a story that held my attention from start to finish.
Once Was Lost dealt with real life problems in a way that felt very realistic. Despite the subject matter this book had a hopeful, satisfying feel to it. I felt connected to the characters and cared about what happened to them.
Content: Mostly clean (2 swear words that I remember) but deals with more mature subject matter (kidnapping, financial & marital problems, alcoholism).
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: Overdrive Download
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 3/3/2011
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Author Joyce Preble,
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What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…I accepted a review copy of Haunted which is the sequel to Anastasia Dreaming. As I don't read books out of order I quickly read this one so I can start Haunted.
Dreaming Anastasia is a book that is right up my alley... magic, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, adventure, fairy tale with a little romance mixed in. The legend of Anastasia Romanov mixed with the Russian folktale character Baga Yaga meets modern day Anne Michaelson for a unique story that I enjoyed.
Without reading the epilogue this book could have almost been a stand alone. However after reading the prologue I'm intrigued and looking forward to reading the sequel tonight.
When I put this book down I was drawn back to it wondering how it was going to end. The story is told from alternating narrators of Anne, Anastasia and Ethan which meant great character development for all of them. Twists and turns kept this from being a predictable read.
Content: Language throughout, talk of boyfriend's groping hands, smoking
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Library
In the midst of World War II, a Midwestern infantryman falls deeply in love through a yearlong letter exchange, unaware that the girl he's been writing to is not the one replying.
Chicago, 1944. Liz Stephens has little interest in attending a USO club dance with her friends Betty and Julia. She doesn't need a flirtation with a lonely serviceman when she's set to marry her childhood sweetheart. Yet something happens the moment Liz glimpses Morgan McClain.They share only a brief conversation—cut short by the soldier's evident interest in Betty—but Liz can't forget him. Thus, when Betty asks her to ghostwrite a letter to Morgan, stationed overseas, Liz reluctantly agrees.
Thousands of miles away, Morgan struggles to adjust to the brutality of war. His letters from "Betty" are a comfort, their soul-baring correspondence a revelation to them both. While Liz is torn by her feelings for a man who doesn't know her true identity, Betty and Julia each become immersed in their own romantic entanglements. And as the war draws to a close, all three will face heart-wrenching choices, painful losses, and the bittersweet joy of new beginnings.
Beautifully rendered and deeply touching, LETTERS FROM HOME is a story of hope and connection, of sacrifices made in love and war—and the chance encounters that change us forever.Letters from Home is a Historical Fiction novel set during the last year of World War 2. It centers on and is told from the alternating perspectives of 3 friends Liz, Julia and Betty as well as a Private First Class Morgan McClain. At the start of the book I was really only interested in Liz & Morgan's stories but by mid book I was drawn into Julia & Betty's stories as well.
Portions of this novel were completely predictable but a couple of the characters lives did not turn out how I anticipated they would which kept my interest in the storyline.
Well written with a nice mix of romance, friendship and heartache. This book seemed to be well researched and true to what life was like during the war. If you enjoy historical fiction give this one a try.
Content: Language and innuendo as would be expected from enlisted men, implied sex but not graphically described.
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From author for blog tour
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/26/2011
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After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?
Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan. Pride & Prejudice is my favorite so I was excited to read this modern day retelling by Elizabeth Eulberg. A few pages in a burst into laughter as I realized all the characters in the book & places in the book were named after those in the original book. Lizzie attends Longbourn Academy, Darcy attends Pemberley Academy - their places of residency in the original Pride & Prejudice. Nearly the whole cast of characters was present from Lizzie, Jane & Lydia to Darcy, Charles, Caroline, Georgiana, Wickham, Charlotte and Mr. Collins. I noticed Mary & Kitty were left out but they were given a "cameo" appearance near the end. Having come to love all these characters in the original story it was fun to see them in this modern retelling.
Really cute and super clean, Prom & Prejudice is sure to delight fans of Jane Austen who enjoy young adult literature. I'm not sure I would have loved this as much as I did if I hadn't read Pride & Prejudice and seen the movies multiple times. I got a kick out of Eulberg's characters and the twists she added to modernize the story. All the elements I loved from the original version were present in this story.
I must admit Darcy in this retelling lacks much of the appeal the original Mr. Darcy holds, perhaps because he is still a teenager he just falls short when compared to the original Darcy. That said this was still a fun, humorous read I enjoyed.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: ARC Tour
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/25/2011
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Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.
As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.When I received this book in the mail I honestly thought "Oh no! What did I agree to review" - a 500+ page self published book? Honestly my expectations were not very high and I put off reading this book until the last possible minute. A great reminder to me that first impressions are often inaccurate!
My initial judgement of this book was completely wrong. This book is fabulous! I was surprised at how quickly I was able to read this book. Despite being 500 pages long Shadow of the Sun is a fast paced, quick read. The story was original, imaginative and held my interest through the entire thing. I loved the characters and the original take on angels.
This is a great start to a new series. A good mix of everything I love fantasy, romance, action, mystery, adventure... There will be 5 books in this series and I've added them all to my to read list. Well done Laura!
For all the stops on the The Teen {Book} Scene Blog Tour:
http://theteenbookscene.weebly.com/timeless-series-tour-details.htmlContent: Just a few swear words
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: From Author for Review
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/24/2011
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Obedience to the Lord's commandments does not exempt us from trials and struggles in life. But it does qualify us for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can comfort us. It can chasten us. It can confirm our choices or prompt us in new directions. It can give us feelings or strokes of ideas. And learning to understand the subtle communications of the Spirit is one of the most important thnings we will ever do in this life. The Spirit is our lifeline to heaven. Yet at times, when we are weighed down by feelings of personal inadequacy or distracted by the trials and busyness of life, we may feel that we have been left largely on our own.
Iin this book, Campbell Gray suggests that the Holy Ghost can be a constant presence in our lives, gently leading us through our inclinations and desires. By learning to be attentive to the Spirit above all, we will find grace that overcomes our own personal weaknesses - not just over time, but in the very moment - and find ourselves being carried "wither (we) wouldest not" (John 21:18).Unlocking the Power of the Spirit is a great read for a Sunday afternoon. There was nothing in this book that I hadn't heard before but it was a gentle reminder of things I already knew. It reminded me of an extended EFY or Fireside talk. My favorite parts were when the author used his personal life experience to illustrate the point he was trying to make.
The eight chapters could easily be read in one sitting or could be spread out and read over the course of a week by reading one each day. Helped me to remember the importance of feeling the spirt each day and the peace it can bring.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Won in a giveaway
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/24/2011
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Alissa never believed in magic. But then she went to the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers once learned magic from enigmatic Masters. Under the tutelage of the last surviving Master, Alissa discovered that she had inherited her father's magical ability. But the Hold is ruled by Bailic, the renegade Keeper who seized the First Truth, a book of magic he will use to harness the might of the city of the dead and wreak a war of total devastation. The book has thwarted Bailic's every attempt to access it, while it continually calls to Alissa--who must summon all her will to resist it. For if she gives in to the First Truth' s ultimate power and knowledge, she will be utterly changed--and the man she loves could be lost to her forever.Hidden Truth is the second book in the Truth Series by Dawn Cook AKA Kim Harrison. This will be a short review since I don't want to spoil this series for anyone who has not read the series. Great characters and story make this a fantasy series worth reading. The second book has a little more romance than the first. Ready to start book #3 of this enjoyable fantasy series. If you like clean fantasy give this series a try, I'm sure liking it.
This would be a 5 Star book but there are a few places where the story lags a little.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: Audio Download from Audible.com
It has taken centuries to recognize that all humans possess certain unalienable rights. There will come a time when we have to consider whether others deserve those rights as well. That time will come on July 3rd 1863.
When a stranger carrying a shiny,metalic valise steps aboard a train carrying Abraham Lincoln home from a 2 year stint in Congress, everyone stares, wondering about the stranger's odd clothing and strange footware with the word Nike emblazoned on them.
When the strange man shows up in Lincoln's office at the White house 14 years later, still wearing the same clothes, carrying the same valise and looking not a day older, the president and his staff know something is odd.
But when Edwin Blair opens his valise and projects a 3d image of the Earth on Lincoln's wall, then proceeds to tell a fanciful tale about time traveling aliens preparing to land at Gettysburg on July 3rd, they are sure they've met a lunatic.
Unfortunately for them, they're wrong.
A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor, is the first book in a new science fiction series that follows the adventures of Edwin Blair and the aliens known as Pests as they chase each other through all the centuries of Earth's past.This book was not at all what I expected. I was expecting Historical Fiction but didn't expect the time-travel, alien, science fiction elements. Had I read the summary above I would have had a better idea of what to expect.
The first 50 pages of this book I was confused and not at all interested in the story. It did pick up once I got further into the story but I just didn't love this book. I know there is a target audience who will really enjoy this, it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was just a little too far fetched and bizarre for me to really get into the storyline.
It seemed like the Historical Fiction portions of this book were very well researched and portions of it were interesting to me. If you enjoy Science Fiction with a historical twist and want to read a story about time travel and aliens at Gettysburg give this book a try.
Content: Clean
Rating: 3 Stars
Source: From Tribute Books as part of a Blog Tour
When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.
That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors was a quick, cute read. A good mix of mystery, romance and real life issues with a little mythology mixed in. The book held my interest through out but I never really connected with the characters.
I like how this book tackles the real life problem of bipolar depression. Alice has been dealing with her mother's depression and erratic behavior for years. Her mother is now secretly staying in a mental institution and her next book is overdue. Enter Errol who has a story that he wants told. Can they work together to get a book published in time?
I would recommend this book to those who are looking for an sweet, imaginative romance story with quirky characters and a good message.
Content: a couple swear words but otherwise clean
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Source: From Publisher for Review
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/14/2011
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Author Mary Hooper,
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Fallen Grace is a historical fiction novel set in London in 1861. It seems like a well researched novel sharing many details of life at that time especially for those in mourning from the death of a loved one. It was very predictable, almost diappointingly so, up until the last few pages. There was a twist at the end that I hadn't seen coming and was grateful for.
Despite the predictablity I really enjoyed this story. I like the characters and the details of the time period. A nice touch was at the beginning of most chapters there is a clip from a newspaper, an advertisement, invitation, epitaph from a tombstone that ties in to the story.
Recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction.
Content: Clean read
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Publisher for Review
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 2/9/2011
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When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York--and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future.
When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?Lorraine Zago Rosenthal's debut Other Words for Love had me completely engrossed in the story and I stayed up to finish it.
The summary makes this seem like it's all about Ari & Blake's relationship but they don't even meet until nearly the middle of the book. There are so many relationships explored in this book, relationships between parents, friends, and siblings in addition to the expected relationship with a first boyfriend. This book tackled an unbelievable number of subjects in a short amount of time: parental expectations, depression, teen pregnancy, first love, death, loss, teen sex, STDs, friendship... all surprisingly well fleshed out.
There was a large cast of supporting characters who were all well developed. Ari's parents, sister, brother in law and friend Summer as well as Blake's cousin, brother & father were all characters who I loved or loathed.
This book was set in the 80s and it made me laugh to see it on someones historical fiction challenge list - was the 80s really that long ago? Other than a few references to some cultural aspects of the 80s it could have just as easily been set today.
I would hesitate to recommend this book to "young" adults. I freely admit to being conservative and believing in no sexual relations outside of marriage. I have a hard time suggesting teenagers read books that portray teen sex as ok. At least in this one there was talk of concern over the consequences: pregnancy, STDS, etc. Even as an adult reader there was a scene in this book that made me blush, although I admit it doesn't take much to make me blush. That said this was very well written and I'll read Lorraine's next book.
Content: This is not a clean read and there is quite a bit of content that parents and conservative readers should be aware of including strong language and sex. Rather than go into detail here please check out the
Parental Book Reviews websiter for a through detailing of content.
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Publisher for Review
Between by Jessica Warman:Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death.
She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.
In her regular life, Liz was a runner. It wasn’t abnormal for her to run 8-10 miles per day. But as memories from closer to her death begin to surface, Liz finds that she’d been running much more than normal, and that she’d all but stopped eating. Liz’s mother, who died when Liz was nine, had battled with anorexia as well, and those around her worried that Liz was following in her mother’s footsteps. But something more sinister was consuming Liz from the inside out...Thanks to
teenreads.com I received a very early sneak peek copy of Jessica Warman's upcoming book Between.
In return I had to fill out a questionnaire with my reaction to the book. I'm not sure if there will be changes made to the book prior to its release later this year. If there are I'm sure they will be minor.
Since I don't want to give out any spoilers I'm just going to say this book is well written and drew me into the story from the first chapter. There is some content that would make me hesitate to recommend it to conservative readers. I liked the mystery element to this book and it's not until the very end that the pieces of the puzzle all come together. Often I know exactly where a book is going. I did figure out much of the story early on but there were enough twists and turns to keep me wondering.
The characters in this book are nothing like me but I could still relate to them and the struggles they were going through. The teen characters and their parents were very flawed and made many poor choices. I enjoyed this book despite the content I could have done without.
Between will be released in August or September of 2011.
http://jessicawarman.com/2011/02/sneak-peek-at-between/ Content: Without giving away any spoilers I would say this book is not for younger teens. There is a lots of content: drinking, drugs, smoking, language (including a half dozen F words), talk of sex (although no sex scene) and topics too mature for a younger audience.
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Sneak Peek received via teenreads.com
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 1/31/2011
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A COUPLE'S FAILING MARRIAGE, a family’s heartbreaking accident, and a woman’s excruciating childhood—these are just a few of the challenges confronting these individuals. But with struggle, patience and faith, they each discover that there’s no limit to God’s power to heal, strengthen, and transform.
PART TREATISE, PART NOVEL, Impractical Grace pulls you in as you learn with the characters how the grace of God and the grace we show one another really can change everything. Take part in these doctrinal insights to the Savior’s grace and love in this compelling novel full of true-to-life stories of hardship and hope.
What does Jesus offer us? What is the extent of the Lord’s power to heal, save, renew, and transform? In this novel, three broken lives find the transforming power of the Savior. Through this gripping novel, doctrinal insights of the Savior’s grace and love are shared. See the transforming work of God’s grace and love that moves through, and changes everyone in this compelling book.Impractical Grace teaches doctrine and principles in a story format. The book chronicles a new bishop attempting to help 3 members of his ward understand the Lord's atonement and his "impractical grace".
I would recommend this book to any and everyone who would like to better understand grace, a term that is often used but hard to describe. John S. Bushman uses scriptures, as well as quotes from apostles and prophets to teach how the Lord's grace can help and heal us.
I'm sure everyone can relate to at least one of the trials the characters in this book are experiencing: a troubled marriage, a tragic accident, abuse, the inability to forgive someone who has wronged us. The doctrine taught in this book has the ability to change those open enough to give these principles a try.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: From Author For Review
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 1/30/2011
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All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.
While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.
In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate. Such it a fabulous end to an amazing series. I LOVED The Last Olympian. Rick Riordan is such an amazing storyteller. This book made me laugh so many times while reading it. I've never had much interest in mythology until reading this series.
I highly recommend these books to readers of all ages. All my children love these books. The Percy Jackson series weaves elements of mythology into one great big adventure that will have you laughing and cheering for the Demigods. The Last Olympian was full of everything I loved about this series and seamlessly wrapped up story lines from the previous four books. If you have not read this series you are missing out!
I'm sad this series is over but looking forward to being reunited with the characters I love in Rick's next series Heroes of Olympus.
Content: Clean
Rating: 5 Stars
Source: Audio download from Audible
I give in... I'm joining another challenge: Outdo Yourself hosted by
The Book Vixen. This sounded like such a great challenge except for the fact that I read 250 books last year and I didn't plan to read that many again this year. I set my 2011 goal at 150 books.
January is not even over yet and I have already read 24 books. If I keep up at the rate I'm going I'll read 300 books this year. So I'm going to go ahead and join this tour with the goal to read at the I'm on Fire level which means at least 266 books in 2011.
For now I'm just tracking my book on my
Goodread's Read in 2011 Shelf.
I'm also participating in
Goodread's 2011 Reading Challenge. My goal for this challenge is 500 books in 2011. Why the difference in numbers between the challenges? In the goodreads challenge I include picture books that I've not read or reviewed before. The Outdo Yourself challenge only includes books at a reading level of middle grade and up.
The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz by Laura Toffler-Corrie:‘Told in wry emails and brilliant little one act plays, this laugh-out-loud debut novel offers quirky characters, a whimsical tour around New York City, and an appealing story about what it means to be a good friend.’If you are looking for a fun read, peppered with the sarcasm and wit of an 8th grader, give The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz a try.
Amy starts the book being quite self-centered. Everything is all about her. The story is told in the form of emails Amy sends to her friend who has moved away, abandoning Amy in NYC with no friends or social life. I enjoyed Amy's snarky comments and humor as she communicates the woes of her life to her friend. Through the course of the 4 months this book covers we watch Amy transform, grow and change for the better.
Aimed at girls ages 11-14 this book had me laughing out loud many times while reading it. The all email format worked for this story. Teaming up a geeky girl, an old lady and a religious zealot to create a "dream team" for a research project made for a fun adventure.
There is some mild language in it but nothing extreme.
Content: some mild language
Rating: 4 stars
Source: From Author For Review
Clara Lee likes her best friends, her grandpa, kimchi, candy necklaces (her signature look!), and the idea of winning the Little Miss Apple Pie contest.
Clara Lee doesn't like her mom's fish soup, bad dreams (but Grandpa says they mean good luck!), speaking in public, or when her little sister is being annoying.
One day, after a bad dream, Clara Lee is thrilled to have a whole day of luck (Like!). But then, bad luck starts to follow (Dislike!). When will Clara Lee's luck change again? Will it change in time for the Little Miss Apple Pie contest?Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dreams is a great book for girls in 2nd - 4th grade. A wonderful early chapter book with great illustrations. I enjoyed the multi-cultural element in this book. Clara is an American born Korean. Being able to learn a little more about Korean culture such as foods and dream interpretation brought a unique twist to this book. Clara shows us what it means to be as American as apple pie. If you enjoy Junie B Jones, Judy Moody & Clementine give Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream a try.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Publisher for Review
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 1/26/2011
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Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.
As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.
And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.I really enjoyed Falling Under. I was hooked from the first chapter and wanted to know just what Haden really was. It took quite a while for the revelation to be made and by then I was glued to the book. A great cast of characters and constant twists and turns made this a very entertaining book that kept me guessing until the end. Wrapped up nicely with plenty of room for a sequel.
This book is darker and more edgy than what I usually read. It is not a clean read and I would not let my teenager read it. There were just too many comments about sex and desire. Plus there was more language than I'm comfortable with.
Falling Under will be released on March 1, 2011.
Content: language including 2 uses of the F word and plenty of innuendo, sexual tension, desire and talk of sex although no actual sex scene - my teenager won't be reading this one anytime soon.
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: ARC Tour
By:
Inspired Kathy,
on 1/25/2011
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After running away from home, Krystal is transported to a faraway kingdom where an evil tyrant is bent on taking the crown - and Krystal's hand in marriage. But when she falls in love with the rightful heir to the throne, she must make an impossible choice: sacrifice her one chance at happiness or face the destruction of an entire kingdom. The Peasant Queen is a light, easy, sweet read. The story contains a good mix of adventure and romance with a strong heroine and a little magic. This is a book I really enjoyed and can easily recommend to readers of all ages, especially those who enjoy fairy tales. I was summarizing the book to my husband who commented it sound a lot like a Disney movie. Also reminded me a little of The Princess Bride.
Lovers of Shannon Hale's Goose Girls series are sure to enjoy this book. I wish the ending hadn't wrapped up quite so quickly and there was one other plot point that I felt wasn't adequately explained but still a wonderful story I would recommend.
http://cherichesley.blogspot.com/ http://www.cherichesley.com/ Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: From Author For Review
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Great review! Gotta pick this book up soon. I love books about road trips.
I love when I find myself thinking about the characters. It means that the book is great and engaging.
Great review
Olfa
I've been seeing a lot of buzz for this book and now I'm ready to go on a roadtrip!