*New Adult* Holding On by Meg Jolie

Holding On by Meg Jolie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary:  

Quinn Johnson has known the McGrath boys for as long as she can remember.


Luke has been her best friend for most of her life. He’s always been there for her, catching fireflies with her, maneuvering the hazards of high school with her, attending college parties with her, and protecting her. He was the boy that she could always trust, the boy that stole her first kiss.

His older brother, Jake, was the one who teased them mercilessly while they were growing up. Yet, he was the one who would ultimately steal Quinn’s heart.

A surprise pregnancy and an unexpected tragedy are about to change everything.

Forever.

Friendship and family will be tested.

Quinn will find out that sometimes the only way to get through life is to hold on with everything you have. And other times…the only thing you can do is let go.

This book was a freebie I found on Kindle. I sometimes enjoy a good New Adult book if it's pretty clean. This one was cleaner than most and the story line was pretty good.

Most of the book felt like it was just character building. Don't get me wrong, I love diving into characters thoughts and getting to know them, but I just felt it was all the book was doing. In the middle of the book, I said.. Oh great, I know exactly where this is going.. so I kept waiting for something to happen, waiting for the big BAM of SOMETHING! When it did finally happen I was actually SHOCKED! Even though I felt like it was a long time coming, I didn't have a clue what it was going to be. It wasn't what I thought would happen!

I couldn't decide if I liked it to 4 stars or not, or maybe a 3.5. I think I didn't give it a 4 because it didn't give me much to latch on to until the end. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series, but my curiosity has grabbed me now.

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Divergent Trailer is here!

I am so excited to share this with you! It looks like it should follow the book pretty closely as far as  I can tell....




I heart FOUR!! Wooot Woot!  

If you haven't read the Divergent series by Veronica Roth I highly recommend them!   It's one of my all time favorites!

Review: Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary:

 Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

Yes, sadly I only gave it 3 stars. I don't know if it was just my attitude going into this book, but it took me a LOOOONG time to really get back into the plot. After the downer of an ending in the last book, I just couldn't get out of the depression of not having one of the main characters!! I missed ____ way too much! (Don't want to give away spoilers) Silly, I know, but I just didn't feel anything until half way through the book.

So much was lacking! There wasn't the quick wit and banter between Gwen and her friends. Daphne wasn't even irritating or annoying! It was just facts and Gwen feeling sorry for herself. I'm sorry, but Gwen's pity-party was really bothering me this time.

After the book picked up, I felt a little relieved things were changing and Gwen would come through and be her stubborn bad-A self. I was happier with this ending, but it still didn't have the depth and spark of the other Mythos books.

Getting a new character was one of the highlights of Midnight Frost which brought answers I didn't even know I had. My favorite thing of all was the introduction of new mythological creatures. They won my heart over immediately! Estep once again delivered on her ability to bring these creatures to life and build an incredible world.

Like I said, I felt there was a lot missing in this installment when it came to the characters being true to themselves, but in the same breath I felt the beautiful world of mythology still grab me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review an ARC copy of Midnight Frost.

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More by T.M. Franklin

More by T.M. Franklin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:  Ava Michaels used to think she was special.
As a child, she fantasized about having magical powers . . . making things happen. But Ava grew up and eventually accepted the fact that her childish dreams were just that, and maybe a normal life wasn't so bad after all.
Now a young college student, Ava meets Caleb Foster, a brilliant and mysterious man who’s supposed to help her pass Physics, but in reality has another mission in mind. What he shows Ava challenges her view of the world, shaking it to its very core.
Because Caleb isn't quite what he seems. In fact, he's not entirely human, and he's not the only one.
Together, the duo faces a threat from an ancient race bound to protect humans, but only after protecting their own secrets—secrets they fear Ava may expose. Fighting to survive, Ava soon learns she's not actually normal . . . she's not even just special.
She's a little bit more.

Even though I wasn't blown away, It caught my attention enough I read it in almost one sitting.

It begins with Ava, a college student, having a recurring nightmare of being chased by someone with 2 different color eyes. She soon meets a physics tutor, Caleb, who seems to be a little nerdy, but not... at the same time. The story was written in 3rd person so I did get a glimpse at what was going on, and who (as in what kind of paranormal) this is about.

More was so creative, and out of the norm of what everyone else has been writing, it was nice to get caught up in a world that so closely resembled my own but with a lot MORE. I enjoyed getting to know the new world the author created, intense but not so complicated that I got a headache trying to keep up.

Ava. I enjoyed her character, being feisty, smart, but yet not afraid to ask for help. Caleb was my favorite. Perfection of a man trying to be clumsy, bland and terrible at it. Being a protector and a physics tutor was the perfect cover for him, but he seemed to struggle trying to be the nerd he was supposed to be. I cracked up a few times at his ways he tried to seem to be a klutz. He seemed to be hiding something, which just made him mysterious and therefore more attractive.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series!!

Thank you to NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House for giving me the opportunity to read this e-book.



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Ink by Amanda Sun

Ink by Amanda Sun
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Bummer! I really tried to get into this book. The whole idea was intriguing and I so wanted to love this book. I looked forward to getting to know the Japanese culture, especially with kids and teens. I wanted to get into their heads and see how similar their pop culture measured to my childhood... But, I was just too confused.

I just couldn't catch the flow of the book, the names (not easily pronounced)were hard to keep track and follow. I think if I had been to Japan and experienced the names, places and customs this book would have been perfect. You know the saying.. "had to be there"? Thats how I felt. Lost and missing something important... like missing the punch line, or storyline in this case.

I'm sorry Amanda Sun, but I just couldn't keep up. I am sure you will have a great fan base of those who are into anime, or understand the language or culture. I wish I was one of them. (sad face)



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Goodbye Google Reader!!

Have you heard the news?  Google Reader is going away!! That means if you are following me this way, you need to switch to something else, like Bloglovin'!You can also follow me through Google + This is just one way to follow me and is where I have moved all my favorite blogs. It's easy to sign up and move.  If you look to the right ----------->  You will find the Bloglovin' button, Linky followers, and NetworkedBlogs widgets as other ways to follow.  Of course you can always just sign up to follow by email if that is easier for you!  July 1st is when Google friend connect, Google Reader will be GONE!!!  

Just so you know, in honor of this big switch, here is a Throw-Back photo of myself. Taken back in 2008.  Alright, its not that far back, but it's the best I can do.   

GameBoard of The Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Summary:  In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

I am well known for my rushing-into-things-without-thinking.... the OH-LOOK!-It's-Richelle-Mead-I'm-going-to-request-it-immediately-ZONE.  I didn't even consider this book could be and ADULT book!! DUH Karen!! Being so excited to read something new from Richelle Mead, I didn't realize it wasn't a Young Adult read until I started reading. *sigh* Mentioning that I was disappointed would be an understatement.  But... I got over it and decided to read it anyway.

The first part of the book seemed to be really great. I loved Justin's character as well as Mae's. Soon I was a little lost with the whole story. Then it became...INFORMATION OVERLOAD!! I realize that each character has a past that we are slowly uncovering, but for me it was too slow, but then the world building, the politics, the semantics of it all just jumbled in my head. I had to go back and re-read things a few times to try and make sense of each character.  Maybe I am not up to reading something this complex or what but I just couldn't finish this book without a headache. 

I'm sorry Ms. Mead. I hate giving bad reviews, but I just can't bring myself, or focus my attention on this book.  I am a fan of the Vampire Academy novels and can't wait to see it on film or tv.

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. 



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Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary:  Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

WOW... This is so not what I thought it was going to be! I even (mistakenly) thought it would be lame. How can you really make a story, especially with romance involved, interesting when one person is invisible? Boy was I ever wrong!

Listening to this book was an added bonus to the beautiful writing. The narrators were AWESOME! They did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. Each chapter changed point of views switching between Steven and Elizabeth. LOVE LOVE LOVE that! I fell in love with Steven right from the very beginning.. wandering through life not just ignored but completely void from everyone and everything. He could only watch other peoples lives never to be part of them, until one day... SHE SEES HIM!

Elizabeth. Not exactly my favorite person in the story. She was just too abrasive, stubborn, and a little selfish at times. I know I may be in the minority, but I don't like heroines who end up being the martyr. I understand this is an equal-opportunity world and I'm very glad it is, BUT... I still am old fashioned in some ways, wanting men to be MEN!(Ok, off my high-horse.)

Oh how I enjoyed Laurie! When I first heard his name, I was thinking he was a girl. NOPE! When I realized it was a Little Women reference, I had to smile. His personality brought so much light, joy and laughter to the pressing issues they were faced with. Laurie was definitely my favorite!!

FINALLY!! An ending I can live with!! No huge cliffhanger! This left me satisfied but yet leaving me wanting questions answered. It was great!


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