(ARC Review) UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand

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UNEARTHLY
Author: Cynthia Hand
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (January 4, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061996165
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061996160
SUMMARY:

In the beginning, there’s a boy standing in the trees. . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she’s part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what it is, though, isn’t easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place–and out of place, at the same time. Because there’s another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara’s less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make–between honesty and deciet, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

MY THOUGHTS:
In her debut novel, author Cynthia Hand has created a realistic world full of angels, paranormal visions, suspense and romance.  When I first saw the reveal of the cover, I fell in love with this book.  As I read the summary, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy to read and review.  When I received this in the mail, I couldn’t wait to read it!

Clara knows that she is part human and quarter percent angel.  Her mother was half angel and her father was human.  Even though she only has a smidgen of angel in her, she still has the abilities to have visions and have a purpose.  When she starts having these visions, her mother moves Clara and her brother to Wyoming.  Since California is where Clara has lived all of her life, moving to Wyoming is not what she had expected.  

When she attends school in Wyoming, she finally finds the boy from her visions.  Christian is everything a girl could want — Handsome, polite and God-Like status at school.  When Clara makes friends with Wendy though, she also finds Tucker.  Tucker is Wendy’s brother and in my opinion the better match for Clara.  

As Clara tries to piece her visions together and figure out what her purpose is, she also starts to fall for Tucker even when her mother doesn’t approve.  

This book had everything and more.  I loved the romance triangle, the suspense, the fun, and the secrets that are revealed in the last half of the book.  The pace was great and flowed nicely as well.  The only thing that I was not a fan of was the ending.  Some things were not wrapped up and left you wondering about it.  I understand that this book is the first in a trilogy, but some things could have been wrapped up in this book while still leaving a little suspense for the next in the series.  I still had a bunch of questions finishing this book which means others will as well.  Hopefully the next books will answer those questions.

Overall this is an outstanding read from a debut author!  One I would recommend for any reader! 

Now where is the line for a signed copy from this author? I am ready to start bribing her for a copy to sit proudly amongst my favorite reads of the year!

MY RATING:



Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

(ARC Review) A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

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A TOUCH MORTAL
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Greenwillow Books (February 22, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062004999
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062004994
SUMMARY:
Eden didn’t expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.

And that’s only the beginning of the end.

MY THOUGHTS: 

First of all, let me say this book is not a light or quick read.  It is 418 pages in ARC format.  It is also has a romance with a darkness to it that is not what you would normally see in a normal young adult romance.  

The first half of this book was very difficult for me to get through.  It was confusing with talk of Touch, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Bound, The Fallen and everything in between.  Afterlife is not what Eden thought it would be.  She thought heaven with angels, or hell with demons.  What she didn’t expect was living on Earth still — forgotten by everyone she knew– yet immortal.  Add onto that the ability of Touch and it can leave you even more confused than Eden the first few chapters. 

In my opinion, there were too many people to keep track of, too many paranormal trends, and the romance between Eden and Az felt forced.  Yet, when you get past the first half of the book, everything starts to fall into place.  The things start clicking in your mind like a puzzle that has finally been solved and it all starts to make sense.  When Az reappears in Eden’s life, the romance turned up a notch and took off.  Between Az struggling not to completely Fall, Gabe trying to keep his friends secrets from the Bound, and Eden trying to find her way with new abilities, you find yourself hoping for each character to find happiness and love.  

Then for the last half of the book, it EXPLODES!  The suspense, drama and climatic scenes will leave you in awe at the excitement that follows.  Usually, you expect a huge and climatic ending in the final chapters, but the author used the last half of the book as one giant climax for the reader.  

The ending was frustrating in the fact that now I have to wait forever for the next book to see what is to come with each person in the story.  

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS
 

Sleeping With The Lights On by Brenda Whiteside

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SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON
Author: Brenda Whiteside
Source: Author Submission
* I received this ebook free of
charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (April 19, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1601547242
  • ISBN-13: 978-1601547248

SUMMARY:

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny. 

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again. Only this time, nothing’s as it seems. A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth. As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off? 

MY THOUGHTS:

First, I want to apologize to the author of this book.  I am running WAY behind on my ebook reviews and she was very patient and kind about it.  Then there was a mix up with the book in the mail, it never arrived, and she was gracious enough to send me the ebook version of it.  Thank you so much for your patience Brenda!

Sandra has lost her way. She thinks she has found love again, one that she believes can last, when she is thrown into a suspenseful turn of events.  She finds herself being stalked by a mysterious person and she does not know what to do or believe.

The suspense was great and kept my interest throughout the book.  The romance was great and the author knows exactly how to keep you guessing and wanting to know more.  When Sandra makes her choices you can’t help but pretend to be right there with her and supporting her.  I loved how the author kept me guessing and not wanting to even step away to do anything until the last page was read.

A new debut book from a wonderful author who I will definitely be looking out for in the future.

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Website: 
Buy the book:

Angel Song by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman

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ANGEL SONG
Author(s): Sheila Walsh 
& Kathryn Cushman
Source: Book Sneeze
* I received this book 
free of charge in exchange
for honest review*

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 10, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595546855
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595546852

SUMMARY:

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.

Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.

God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

MY THOUGHTS:

Angel Song is a Christian based fiction book that reminds us of family and the importance of God in our lives.  Annie is an interior designer who is returning to Charleston to see her youngest sister Sarah receive her master’s degree. Instead of seeing this wonderful event for her sister, she instead watches her sister Sarah fight for her life after a tragic event.  While watching over her, Sarah hums and talks to someone who is not there. 

Annie finds herself struggling with her childhood past, her career and the neighbors son who believes he can speak to the angels.  When Annie starts to open her eyes more and believe, God starts to give her blessings of friends and unusual events.

Thought the story can be a bit predictable, this book did have the heartfelt and inspiring theme that the author wanted to get across to the reader.  I am not a big fan of this sort of genre, but this book made me a believer in them with this story of love and friendship.

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed by Tracy Anne Warren

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WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED
Author: Tracy Ann Warren
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of
charge in exchange for
an honest review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Avon (August 31, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061673447
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061673443

SUMMARY:

To her surprise, Lady Mallory Byron finds herself walking down the aisle with the last man she ever expected to ask for her hand . . . .

Everyone knows the Byron brothers are “mad, bad and dangerous.” Now their sister shockingly discovers she’s the newest talk of the Ton when she marries the scandalous Earl of Gresham. Faced with a tragic loss, she’d sought comfort from him as a family friend. But soon consolation turned to passion, scandal—and a wedding! In the bridal bed, she finds pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. But can nights of wicked delight change friendship into true love? 

Charming rakehell Adam, Earl of Gresham, has secretly loved Mallory for years. He lost her once to another man, but now he has a second chance to win her love—and plans to do so by any means necessary. Will Mallory’s heart give him what he so dearly desires? Or is the past too much to overcome? 

 MY THOUGHTS:

Even though I feel this book is great as a stand alone, I wanted to let the readers know that this is book four in the Byron family series by this author.  If you want to know more about the family and other characters involved in more detail, I do recommend reading the first three books first.

That being said, I truly was captivated by the story and romance that the author created in this book.  Mallory has been through a lot. She lost her fiance in the previous books and she is in deep mourning for the loss.  She has basically given up on life without her fiance.

then we get to meet Adam.  He has always secretly loved Mallory and respected her enough to give her space.  When he finally steps in and tries to bring her out of her depression, they are found in a compromising position.  They are forced to wed and Adam doesn’t seem to mind since he has loved her for a long time anyway.  Mallory is hesitant and scared because she is starting to have feelings for Adam.  She thinks she is betraying the memory of her fiance for having feelings for another man.

If you are looking for an easy romance though, the author has a few surprises in store for you.  While I think they could have been easily resolved in some spots with the two just sitting down and talking, we all know that easy is not what is written in romance novels.  They do have bumps and crazy turns to work through.  I enjoyed the book and will definitely be on the look out for the first three books in this series.

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS