THE CARRIER OF THE MARK
Carrier #1
Author: Leigh Fallon
Source: ATWT Tours

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062027875
ISBN-13: 978-0062027870

A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

Look at that gorgeous cover! I love the effects that the art department did with it and as you read the book, you will realize the significance in all of it as well.  When I first started hearing about this book, I was excited to read a new author.  If you are being talked about in the book blog world, you know your book is going to be popular.  So when I had the chance to read and review it, I was excited and thrilled to read it early!


If I had to make a comparison for this book, I would have to narrow it down to two books combined.  It had the feel of the House of Night series by P.C Cast and the teen angst of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.  I loved how the author captivated me with the Irish settings and the mystical supernatural that she created within the pages.  While Adam and Megan are the main characters of the book, the author made sure to include the supporting characters in a way that makes me anxious to read more about them in future books.  My favorite character by far was Adams older brother, Rian. I can’t wait to see his story unfold in a book!


While some of the story was naive and predictable, the story surrounding those parts made up for it.  I liked the progression of the supernatural and the relationships.  At first I thought the romance moved a little too quickly, but the author does explain why it could happen so fast.  


Again, another new author for me to follow and keep on my radar for future books.  I am excited to know about another young adult debut author that has made her mark in the genre!

SPELLBOUND
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210302
ISBN-13: 978-0373210305

What’s a girl to do when meeting The One means she’s cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she’s irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

After Emma moves in with her Aunt Christine, strange things begin to happen in her life. To add to the strange things that keep happening to Emma, she also must contend with starting a new school full of new people.  She finds a few friends she learns to trust, but she also finds a few people who she would rather forget.  When she lays her eyes upon Brendan Salinger though, she is instantly drawn to his attractiveness and to a mysterious connection.  When things start going haywire though, she realizes that she is connected to Brendan in more ways than just teen attraction.

I was absolutely spellbound with this book!  I loved the characters and the setting of Spellbound.  While there were a few people I wanted Emma to beat the crap out of, there was a balance of friends who made it bearable for her and the reader.  I loved the story of Brendan and Emma.  I struggled with the obstacles that they needed to overcome and hoped for the best in the end.

While the book will capture you from the first page, the ending will send you in a tailspin wanting more of Brendan and Emma.  I personally can’t wait for another book to follow this one so we can see what they will handle next!

WHEN YOU DARE
Men Who Walk the Edge of Danger #1
Author: Lori Foster
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373775717
ISBN-13: 978-0373775712

The tougher they are, the harder they fall…

Professional mercenary Dare Macintosh lives by one hard and fast rule: business should never be personal. If a cause appeals to him and the price is right, he’ll take the mission he’s offered. But then the lovely Molly Alexander asks him to help her track down the men who’d had her kidnapped—and for the first time, Dare’s tempted to combine work with pleasure.

Fiercely independent, Molly vows to trust no one until she’s uncovered the truth. Could the enemy be her powerful, estranged father? The ex-fiancé who still holds a grudge? Or the not-so-shy fan of her bestselling novels? As the danger heats up around them, the only anchor Molly has is Dare himself. But what she feels for him just might be the most frightening thing of all…

It has been a while since I have read a book by author Lori Foster.  When I saw various reviews popping up about this series though, I got sucked back into her world of suspense and romance. 


When Dare goes on a rescue mission to find his best friends sister, he comes across the beautiful Molly as well.  At first he considers her a complication to the mission, but quickly discovers the beauty within Molly along with a mysterious cover-up.  I loved Dare in this book.  He was strong, sexy and independent.  I loved his ferocious protectiveness of the people he cared about.  I also loved his friendship with his assistant, Chris. Chris had the perfect balance of smarts, sexy and humor that this book needed. 


Molly was not one of my favorite characters.  I felt she was too needy and weak.  While she tried to come across as a strong woman, she was always relying on others to lead the way.  I wanted her to stand on her own two feet and learn to protect herself in certain parts of the books.  She whined quite a bit which became annoying as well.  I wanted her to get a spine and be as strong as Dare when needed.  


Overall, while this wasn’t my favorite book by this author, it was one that kept me interested enough to continue on with the series.  I am looking forward to see how the other characters will evolve in the next books.  Hopefully, we will get to see more of Chris as well and maybe even get his own book in the series!