Mirage by: Kristi Cook

Publication Date: June 2012

Overview: Danger looms large in the sequel to Haven, which Booklist called “a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan’s thrillers.”

Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But while their love for each other is as strong as ever, their troubles are far from over.

News of a rogue vampire on a killing spree sets everyone on edge. While Aidan is determined to stop the killer, Violet is chilled by a horrifying vision she simply must prevent...for if she can’t, two people she loves will meet a violent end.

In the midst of Violet’s fear, a mysterious newcomer enters her life—and he has some vital information not just about her past, but about her future as well. Now everything Violet held as truth is upended, and she is left not knowing whom to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.

My thoughts: I would be lying if I said this was an easy read. There is  much to remember. All the kids have special talents, some more then others. 

Then you must remember whom is with who. It's quite confusing at times. 

I think with that many characters you must keep the story line simple and this is anything but simple. 

I do love several of the characters, especially the new ones: Matthew and Tyler. 

My rating: 4 stars

Nevermore by: Kelly Creagh

Publication Date: August 2011

Overview: And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted - nevermore!

— from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

At once an homage to one of America's greatest writers and a page-turning psychological mystery that is equal parts horror, humor, and romance, NEVERMORE is the story of Varen — a Poe-fan and goth — and Isobel — a cheerleader and unlikely heroine. When a Lit. project pairs the two together, Isobel finds herself steadily swept into Varen's world, one that he has created in his notebook and in his mind, one where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel slowly learns that dreams can be much more powerful than she'd ever expected, and that pain and despair come in all sorts of shades. As labels of "goth" and "cheerleader" fade away, she sees more in Varen than a tall, pale outcast, and a consuming romance is braced against the ever-clearer horror that the most terrifying realities are those within our own minds.

When Isobel has a single chance to rescue Varen from the shadows of his own nightmares, will she be able to save him — and herself?

My thoughts: I'm not really a fan of Poe, so parts of this that referred to him just got under my skin. It's a good thing this story revolved more around the characters then him:)

I love Isobel and Varen together, I enjoyed their story of discovery in each other... amazing. They are in love and although she never gets to tell him and vice versa, I  am sure they both feel that string connection they have to one another. 

The ending left me cold, yet wanting more. I hate the way things turn out, but I know the author thought it best to leave us hanging and keeping us begging for more.

My rating: 4 stars

Up Next for author: Enshadowed 

Starcrossed By: Josephine Angelini

Publication Date: May 2011

Overview: Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—now it's getting harder. She's having nightmares of a desperate desert journey, visions of three women weeping tears of blood. And why is she possessed by the sudden, unstoppable urge to kill the handsome new boy in school, Lucas Delos?

A love written in the stars . . .

A feud started in ancient Greece . . .

A curse not even the gods can break.

My thoughts: This one was wonderful. IF you get pass the never ending, but well written history lesson, you will fully enjoy this.

For some, you may totally enjoy it, but for others like myself; I found myself frustrated by the Greek  mythology that we were forced into. We all know the stories of love, hatred and war,  and yet we had to read it all over again. And not just once, the author referred back to it at every chance. 

It's sad to see this family torn apart by killings. Even if it was by mistake, your heart breaks for Hector. I know that Helen and Lucas will find a way to help Hector and hopefully find a way to be together again. I'm positive that Daphne is up to no good and she'll be found out.

My rating: 4 stars

Up Next by author: Dreamless

The Selection by: Kiera Cass

Publication Date: April 2012

Overview: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My thoughts: It's not very often you find a book that cal real you in rather quickly, and when you find said book you want to read it all the way through as fast as you can to know all you can. This is one of those books. So well written it broke my hear when it was over. I read it twice thinking I must have missed something, but no I got all the details.

America is beautiful but doesn't realize the beauty, out and in. She's in love with a boy whose to  low for her and finds herself thrust into a game of chance to win the prince's heart. -Now just reading that doesn't it make you want to know more. 

This girl must face all the same things as the other contestants, but she doesn't want to be there. Striking a deal with the Prince could have been deadly for her, but in the end she finds a friend in him, could it be more......Let's just say I hope so....Loving this book:)

My rating: 5 stars

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by: Rae Carson

Publication Date: September 20, 2011

Overview: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa has always felt powerless, useless. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could save his people. And he looks at her in a way no man has ever looked at her before. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn't die young.

Most of the chosen do.

My thoughts: How in God's name could a father allow his daughter to marry at 16? OMG!!!!

I know she's a princess and it's normal to wed them off, but even I know 16 year-olds aren't mature enough to handle marriage and other things that go with it. 

Elisa grows up a lot. she gains friends, enemies, and a son to go along with that husband. She's a fighter though and hangs in there destroying the enemy, losing her new husband, but gaining knowledge and power.

My Rating: 5 stars

Cured

          So over a month later and my reading habits are picking up again...Life seems to have settled and I'm getting use to life again. I have read a book and plan to post about it. I have also had several authors write to me in regards of wanting me to read their books. I have great hopes to post on these books very soon. I hope you all will pass the word along to everyone that I am back in the groove of things.

Reader's Block

      So I have to tell you, my readers, that I have readers block. I have been trying to read these past few weeks and just can't get into it. I am taking a quick break and hope to find a book that inspires me enough to read. Plus it's all about finding the time to read as well.  I do have a few post to add and I will hopefully update the blog as soon as possible. I just don't want to leave you all hanging. Please don't leave me check every week or so to find out if I have post anything new. Maybe a break is what I need.