THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER by Stephenie Meyer

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THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Source: Library Loan

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st Edition, 1st Printing edition (June 5, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 031612558X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316125581

SYNOPSIS:

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Since Eclipse is releasing this month on the big screen, I thought I would give this book a chance now.  Eclipse was one of my favorite books in the Twilight saga.  Even though I still wanted Midnight Sun to become the next book by this author, I guess anyone who is in love with this series will have to settle with this book for now.

I would say settling is the best way to describe this book to me.  It wasn’t what I wanted and it didn’t live up to the hype around it.  Maybe because I wanted a book like Twilight that will capture me and keep me reading instead of eating or sleeping.  This book to me was only mediocre.  I just couldn’t enjoy this book as much as I should have.  To me, Bree just wasn’t a person I wanted to read about.  I mean come on, give me Edward! Give me Jacob! Hell, give me Kristin Stewart as Bella over a vampire that I know is not going to be around for Breaking Dawn! I also felt that the author just didn’t give it her all with this one.  The writing wasn’t as captivating as her previous books. 

Overall, if you are a serious Twilight junkie, read it.  It wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t great either. It needed something more to make it great.

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

THE SUMMER OF SKINNY DIPPING by Amanda Howells

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THE SUMMER OF SKINNY DIPPING
Author: Amanda Howells
Source: Sourcebooks
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (June 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402238622
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402238628
SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I’m jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life.
My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.
MY THOUGHTS:
I know you have probably heard this from other reviews, but don’t let the carefree cover fool you.  This is a great emotional and deep read.  It’s not all about fun and laughter in the summer time on the beach. The romance can be sweet and cute at times, but it also can be sad and heartbreaking as well.  It explores love, family secrets and growing up over a summer that will keep you thinking from page one up until the end. 
While I was not a huge fan of this book, it was still a good read.  The author tended to fill the pages with words at time that didn’t really have to be there.  At times I even wanted to skip parts just to get it going again.  Yet, even with that problem, I still enjoyed finishing the book and getting the entire feel of the book.
A great beach read for romance lovers who don’t want sex and steam, cute but not over done, and has a touch of real life teen drama.  Great for adults and young adults
MY RATING:


 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

NEVER LET YOU GO by Erin Healy

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NEVER LET YOU GO
Author: Erin Healy
Source: BookSneeze
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 4, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595547509
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595547507
SYNOPSIS:

Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.
Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant’s choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything—work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially—just to see Molly smile.
When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter’s life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi’s doorstep, demanding payment of Grant’s old debts.
But that’s just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell’s fury is great, but Heaven’s power is greater still.
MY THOUGHTS:
This is my first book by this author.  She has written other books with other authors, but this is her first solo book.  I didn’t know what to expect from this author since I had nothing else to go on.  The author did a wonderful job of including the right amount of suspense and drama to keep you interested in the book. This isn’t a light read though.  It deals with a lot of subjects that aren’t happy or fun.  It reminds you that no matter how bad and hectic life can get, God is with you the entire way.  With all that being said, some things could have been better.  The author left some things unresolved up until the last chapter.  Some things could have been worked out a little earlier and the book could have been better.  It dragged a bit throughout the book. The author also throws in some paranormal to add to the story.  At times, it seemed a little too much. 
Still, for this being the authors first time at writing an entire novel by herself, she did a great job. 
MY RATING:


 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

ON A WING AND A PRAYER by Charles A Filius

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ON A WING AND A PRAYER
Source: Author Submission
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 123 pages
  • Publisher: Charles A. Filius; First Edition edition (December 11, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615177972
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615177977
SYNOPSIS:
In Selections from On A Wing & A Prayer, Charles A. Filius, America s very own Extra-Large-Medium, serves up a collection of humorous and poignant essays documenting his own unique spiritual journey. He has astutely chronicled the day-to-day existence of a medium who refuses to take himself – or just about anyone else – seriously. There s one thing I ve learned that s a constant in life – and in death: you must learn to laugh, says Filius. And nobody knows that better than dead people. Other than John Wilkes Booth – that man has zero sense of humor. Charles profound gifts as a medium and humorist have made him a favorite amongst folks from coast-to-coast. His easy-going humor gives much-needed balance to sessions that can often be emotionally draining. Labeled one of the great undiscovered heroes of this work, by noted psychic Hans Christian King, Filius s use of humor and compassion during readings has been well-received, particularly among his peers. His distinctive voice and style are clearly apparent in this touching and laugh-out-loud-funny chronicle of a former non-believer who has stepped into his own as one of the most unique mediums around. 
MY THOUGHTS:
I was skeptical to read a book about a medium.  I had read the Crossing Over books by John Edwards and loved those, but I had loved his shows on TV as well.  So when the author asked me to read an review his book, I wasn’t sure if it would live up to the more popular mediums.
What I liked about this book is the humor that the author throws in with his story.  It is written in little stories, or moments, in his life like a diary.  The author was a skeptic at one time too, so the unbelievers can relate to the book.  He lets you come to your own conclusion without being pushy of the subject.
What I didn’t like about the book was the cover. I know, some of you are yelling at me that I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Well, when you are publishing a book that is not a well sought-after genre, your cover needs to capture the reader right away or they will pass it by.  I think the cover should have had the cartoon from the web page on it.  I think it would capture more people’s attention that way.
Overall not a bad book to fill in some reading time.
MY RATING:


 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

TREADING WATER TODAY by Emily Angelica Roldan

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TREADING WATER TODAY
Author: Emily Angelica Roldan
Source: Author Submission
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 146 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace (March 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1449973035
  • ISBN-13: 978-1449973032
SYNOPSIS:
This collection is presented from a teen’s view of life. From love, to pain, to joy, to loneliness.
MY THOUGHTS:
This was a quick read for me because this book features poetry and short stories.  This book is written by a girl who is a Sophomore in High School and has already had some of her work published in magazines.  The book is poems and stories from a teen’s point of view and with each one focusing on sometimes one and sometimes many different emotions.  
If you are a fan of poetry or short stories, this would be a good book to read, especially for teen girls. I liked the style of writing and enjoyed almost every piece of work in the book.  I had some favorites, but I also had some that I didn’t like, but overall the book was great for the age of the author. 
MY RATING:


 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more!