THE EMERALD TALISMAN
Author: Brenda Pandos
Source: Personal Purchase

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing (March 24, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 057805339X
ISBN-13: 978-0578053394

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother’s mysterious disappearance ten years earlier – an event she witnessed, but can’t remember. Julia’s situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience–past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

I had been seeing this book all over the internet, but it took me forever to finally get it and read it.  I don’t know why I was so hesitant on reading it, but I think it might have been because of the mixed reviews.  So I finally caved and picked up my copy of The Emerald Talisman and dove into the world the author created.


While I liked the basic story plot, I felt the story lacked things to make it great.  At times the writing was choppy and stalled.  I kept waiting for it to pick up pace only to have it do it but only for a few pages.  I also felt that the instant attraction to Nicholas that Julia feels was overdone.  She acted as though she is in love with this boy after just an hour or so of meeting him.  At times, it felt like she was obsessed and almost on the verge of stalker with her feelings towards him.  I wasn’t a big fan of Nicholas in this book either.  At one moment he is nice and sincere, then he disappears only to reappear rather rudely.  It isn’t until almost the last third of the book that he is even a prominent and engaging character.  


I felt the author has a great base for a story and just needs to get some things reworked for the books that will follow.  With a little tweaking of the writing and stabilization of the character personalities, this series could be even better. 

 
  If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it! 2 STARS

NIGHTSHADE
Author: Michelle Rowen
Source: Personal Purchase

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425239829
ISBN-13: 978-0425239827

Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires-until she was unwillingly injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to them. Now, tormented half-vampire Declan Reese wants her blood to destroy the undead kingdom. Unfortunately, the serum has also made her blood irresistible to all vampires-including Declan, whose desire for Jillian is more than mere hunger.

I have always been a big fan of author Michelle Rowen! I loved her feisty and fun Demon Princess series, but I also fell in love with her Immortality Bites series that was full of romance and quirky humor.  When I noticed she was starting a new and darker series, I jumped on the fan band wagon and purchased a copy to read!  The author did not disappoint even if the series is darker than her other books.


Jillian finds herself held captive during a stand off between Declan — a vampire assassin — and a scientist.  When the scientist injects a poison called Nightshade into her neck, she doesn’t realize she is now a pawn in a vampire war.  Declan is not only a vampire assassin, but he is also half vampire himself.  He takes a serum to keep his vampire side suppressed  but it also makes him a cold robot of a man.  When he takes Jillian with him to his compound, he realizes that her blood is different and she has an addictive scent to her now.  The Nightshade that is poisoning her system is the ultimate weapon to destroy vampire’s.  They can’t resist her blood, but it kills them within minutes of drinking it.  Together, they have to find a way to cure Jillian of the poison, but they also have to fight their growing attraction.  


I loved Declan and Jillian.  She was strong and determined, but she also had a soft side.  She didn’t fall fast for Declan as most heroines of a book do.  She couldn’t stand him for a bit.  Declan is horribly scarred and cold.  He is not your typical and gorgeous hero.  He has flaws, but ones that make him into the hero we want.  He protects Jillian with everything he can and his only fault is trusting the wrong people.  When they confront the King of the Vampires, I thought there was going to be a huge show down.  What you get is not what you expect though.  The author pulls the rug out from underneath you and leaves you not knowing who is the bad guy, the good guy, or who to cheer for!  I loved the way it ended even if there were some tears in my eyes.  It leaves you craving the next book in the series so we can see what will happen next, but it also leaves the reader satisfied at the conclusion of the book.


Another great series to add to my obsession with this authors writing!  I can’t wait until I get my hands on the next book in the series!

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

PERFECTLY YOU
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 282 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (March 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416953558
ISBN-13: 978-1416953555

Kate Brown’s life has gone downhill fast.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn’t realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen — but only if she lets them…

It is so gratifying when an author’s writing sucks you into the story the moment you read the first page.  Author Elizabeth Scott knows how to write! I fell in love with Kate’s witty and sarcastic mouth while trying to deal with a family that is falling apart. It is hard to find an author who can create teen’s in a book that act and talk like actual teens!


Kate’s Father quit his job and decided to follow his dream of selling Perfect You Vitamins at the mall.  I couldn’t help but laugh out loud with the opening scene of him in a bee costume trying to sell his vitamins to people. Not only is Kate embarrassed by this, but she is actually holding in a bunch of anger from what he did.  Not only has he practically made his children help out working the booth that is suppose to be his dream, but he has put the family in financial trouble as well.  The whole time her family is dealing with the new job scene, Kate is also missing her friend who has turned her back on her.  Add in the cute Will who seems to be flirting with her, and Kate seems to have a full plate!


While I loved the family struggle with the job struggles and the sweet romance that was emerging with Kate and Will,  I was not a big fan of the scenes with Anna and Kate.  Anna is Kate’s childhood best friend.  Up until this current school year, Anna has always been there for her and vice-versa.  I could tell from the beginning that Anna was just using her throughout the story.  I couldn’t stand it when she was on the page.  I wanted Kate to stand up to her, quit whining about losing her as a friend, and tell her to go stick it where the sun don’t shine!  


If you are looking for a quick and fun read by an awesome author, the Perfect You is perfect for you!  Humor, teen angst and romance that will keep you turning the page.