COLD KISS
Author: Amy Garvey
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006199622X
ISBN-13: 978-0061996221

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart. 

I am not usually a big fan of zombie themed books.  With the exception of a select few,  I never understood the appeal to either cold, dead bodies for romance or brain eating shells of humans for entertainment.  That could be why I was a little hesitant on reading Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey.  After reading the first chapter though,  I just knew I was going to like this book though.


When Wren is devastated after losing her boyfriend Danny in a car accident, she does the unimaginable and brings him back from the dead.  Not an easy task to do, especially when your Mother refuses to tell you much about the family magic that is inside her.  Even though Wren does bring him back from the dead, she quickly realizes that Danny is not the same as he was before.  At first she keeps him locked in a neighbors garage while she attends school and such. While she is away, Danny feels confused and can’t stop thinking about Wren.  When she does see him after school and at night, he is cold to the touch and trying to remember things.  The only things he seems to remember though are events including Wren.  


She desperately wants to fix her mistake and give Danny peace finally, but she doesn’t know how to do it or if she is ready to let him go.  When Gabrielle, the new boy in school tells Wren that he knows about her powers, she is afraid of what he will do.  Instead of calling her a freak, he falls for Wren and tells her that he has certain powers as well.  Together they try to figure out a way to deal with Danny being undead and how to give him the peace he needs.  When Danny starts to remember the accident though, he escapes the garage and everything starts to fall into place in his mind.  


I loved Gabrielle as the third character in the book.  He was patient, kind and supportive without being too pushy or jealous.  Wren was okay, but I wished we could have seen more of her with Danny before the accident so I could have connected better with their relationship.  I understand that it hurts to lose someone that you love, but at times I wished we could have had more glimpse’s into their relationship before Wren brought him back.  I enjoyed the friends Wren had in the book and wished we could have seen more of them.  They were hurt the Wren had strayed from them since the funeral, but they could only be pushed so far before walking away from Wren.  I felt bad for them and wanted Wren to open up to them more. 


Overall this book has made the zombie romance a little more tolerable for me.  It made me stop thinking of zombies as brain eaters and started to enjoy them as a storyline that can be sweet and tortured in a good way.  I can also say that Amy Garvey is going to only get better with each book she writes.  Her storyline and pacing is perfect and she does great with details without going overboard.  I personally can’t wait to see what she will bring us next!

WATCH ME
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (July 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781442402553
ISBN-13: 978-1442402553

She thinks she has nothing to hide…

As suspicions and lies start pulling Ally and Corey apart, she’s not sure if she can trust anyone, not even herself. Ally is about to learn the hard way that life is what happens when everyone is looking, and it doesn’t always capture her good side…

Books by author Lauren Barnholdt are always hit and miss for me.  I love some of her books, but others tend to fall flat for me.  In the case of Watch Me,  this is not one of my favorites.  While I liked the idea of the whole reality TV show,  the execution of it in this book was not well thought out.


Ally decides on a spur of the moment to try out for a TV reality show.  When she is accepted as one of the college roommates for the show, she has no idea how it is going to change her life.  She is in a dorm with several stereotypical housemates that are chosen to create some drama for the show.  Ally is also dealing with the fact that her boyfriend of two years, Corey, is also away at college.  Long distance romance proves to be hard, but also being on television all the time proves to put the biggest strain on their relationship.


I don’t know what to say about Ally.  When she was around her other roommates, she seemed to actually care about their feelings.  Yet, at other times I felt she was a snob and not worth reading about.  I did like the character of Drew, but we didn’t really get to see him interact that much with Ally and the rest of the cast.  Their budding romance that is suppose to happen in the book felt forced and didn’t have much substance for the reader to grab onto and enjoy.  The reality show is also like an afterthought in the story.  The author throws it in whenever the story starts to drag in hopes that it will help.


Overall it is a quick and easy read, but not one to get your hopes up for.  Like I said, her books are hit and miss for me so this might be the hit for you.

FATEFUL
Author: Claudia Gray
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062006207
ISBN-13: 978-0062006202

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets….

Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.

I was a little worried about reading another book involving the Titanic because we all know how that story ended — the boat sinks and people die.  Even though I knew what to expect with the Titanic and its voyage,  I had no idea the author would suck me into such a wonderful story involving Tess and Alec!


Tess has been a maid servant for the Lisle family for years.  She is maid to Lady Irene and the only nice one of the Lisle family.  She plans on resigning from her position once the Titanic docks in America unbeknownst to the Lisle family.  She wants to start a new life in a new country doing things her own way.  During the voyage, she meets the stranger that rescued her from a wolf attack the night before the ship sails.  He is handsome and mysterious which leads you to believe that it is going to be a sweet romance.  Unfortunately, Alex warns her to stay away from him for reasons Tess can only imagine being because she is a servant and he is rich.  What she doesn’t know is the secrets Alex is hiding along with danger at every turn!


I fell in love with the sweet and tender romance between Alec and Tess.  I loved how it progressed and the mystery and suspense that is involved.  I admit, I kept waiting for Jack and Rose to appear, but I settled with Astor and Ismay.  The author did a wonderful job detailing the ship without going overboard and I felt myself wandering the ship along with Tess in my mind.  It was nice to see the life of a servant aboard the Titanic instead of just the rich and famous.  We get a peek into the life that they lived and how much they went through aboard the ship and in life. 


Even though we know how the Titanic ends, you won’t see the ending of Fateful coming!  I loved how it ended and I do hope that the author will find some way of continuing this story!  With the 100 year anniversary of Titanic approaching, Fateful is a book that help you remember the people of Titanic of all classes.  Throw in some love, suspense, destruction and supernatural and you have a book to keep you afloat all day and all night!

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

BOUND BY NIGHT
Author: Amanda Ashley
Source: Author Submission
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (August 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420104454
ISBN-13: 978-1420104455

A VAMPIRE’S KISS IS FOREVER…

Once featured in a horror movie, the crumbling Wolfram estate is said to be haunted by ghosts, witches, and worse. But Elena doesn’t believe a word of it—until she spends the night and wakes up in the arms of a compelling stranger…

Tall, dark, and disturbingly handsome, Drake is the most beautiful man Elena has ever seen. For centuries, he has lived alone, and Elena is the first woman to enter his lair—and survive. And Drake is the first man to touch her heart and soul. By the time she discovers who he really is—and what he craves—it’s too late. Blood lust has turned to love, and Elena is deeply under Drake’s spell. But forever comes at a price for each of them.

Author Amanda Ashley has done it again.  She has swept me back into the world of Vampire Romance in its true form. She takes the root of Vampire Paranormal Romance and puts it into a story to captivate the reader.


I loved the characters of Drake and Elena.  While Elena was pure and innocent, Drake was her balance in danger and mystery.  After living with her drunk Uncle, Elena flees to the castle called Wolfram Estate on the hill.  She has heard numerous stories of it being haunted and abandoned, but she feels she has no choice to hide away in the castle and leave the abuse of her Uncle.  She discovers that the house indeed has someone living there and he is the most gorgeous man she has ever seen.


Drake has lived for a long time and humans barely interest him anymore except for nourishment.  Yet when he sees the lovely Elena at his castle, he is intrigued by her.  He develops feelings for her that he has never felt before.  Even though he is suppose to marry another woman to secure his rightful place in the Vampire Royalty, he has no desire to be with anyone but Elena. Together they share a love that is deep and true even if there is danger to come. 


Both characters were great in Bound By Night.  I loved how Drake treated Elena like a princess and cared for her well being over his own.  Elena handled the supernatural better than most people would have.  Her courage was just as great as Drakes, but in her own way. 


Again, Amanda Ashley has delivered an amazing paranormal romance that will quench your thirst of vampire lore!  I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book which is suppose to be based on a character you will discover in this book! 

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