Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

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MOONGLASS
Author: Jessi Kirby
Source: Amazon Vine
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (May 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442416947
ISBN-13: 978-1442416949

SUMMARY:

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I’ve thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna’s life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It’s bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface. 

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna’s mother’s death- stays buried forever.

MY THOUGHTS:

I had heard great things about Moonglass and when the chance to review it came along, I jumped on the chance to read it!  If you are looking for a beach filled summer read, then Moonglass is the book to pick up.


I admit that it took me a bit to get into this book.  To me, the beginning started out slow with the move to the new town.  I was tired of reading about Anna’s pity party of having to relocate when her father gets the chance for a better job.  I wanted to reach into the book and shake her silly!  Get over it Anna and just deal!  Then when Anna meets Tyler at the beach, I was intrigued. My ears perked up at a possible romance and some angst when Daddy found out.  Then there is Ashley that she meets on the beach as well.  Typical stereotyped rich girl trying to make friends with another new girl who happens to just be average.  Ashley cracked me up with her theories on losing weight. This book is not just about romance and friendships though.  Anna is dealing with the loss of her Mother as well and trying to work through the grief that she is left with.  


The perfect summer read featuring romance, loss, and starting a new life after the pain! Great book from a great debut author!


MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

SEALed Forever by Mary Margret Daughtridge

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SEALed Forever
Author: Mary Margret Daughtridge
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402246196
ISBN-13: 978-1402246197

SUMMARY:

He’s got a living, breathing dilemma…

In the midst of running an undercover CIA mission, Navy SEAL Lt. Garth Vale finds an abandoned baby, and his superiors sure don’t want to know about it. The only person who can help him is the beautiful new doctor in town, but she’s got another surprise for him…

She’s got a solution…at a price…

Dr. Bronwyn Whitescarver has left the frantic pace of big city ER medicine for a small town medical practice. Her bags aren’t even unpacked yet when gorgeous, intense Garth Vale shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night with a sick baby…

But his story somehow doesn’t add up, and Bronwyn isn’t quite sure who she’s saving-the baby, or the man…

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading previous books by this author, I was a little excited to jump into her story telling of romance.  While the book was nice, it wasn’t a great  read for me. 


While the characters were detailed nicely and the author tried to make us love them, they each fell a little flat for me.  It seems the series started out great, but by the time you get to this book it is too predictable and boring.  I honestly had to force myself to finish the book just so I could read the ending that I knew was coming. The story was slowly paced and even when the plot seemed to pick up, the pace always returned to a lull. 


Overall, if you have read the series then you might has well read this one if you are someone who likes to see a series through.  Otherwise, if you haven’t read any of them yet, go ahead and give it a pass for now. 


MY RATING:

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

Blog Tour Review: Hunter’s Fall by Shiloh Walker

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HUNTER’S FALL
The Hunters #13
Author: Shiloh Walker
Source: Blog Tour through The Book Vixen

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425241807
ISBN-13: 978-0425241806

SUMMARY:

Nessa lost her memory following a near-death experience. Dominic is a Hunter dealing with his own problems with memory and sanity. When the two are put together to battle the forces of darkness-while trying to restore what they’ve lost-their all-consuming passion becomes an even greater unknown.

MY THOUGHTS:

First, I will admit that I have not read these books in order.  I know that is a bad thing to do, but when you find an awesome author to read you can’t help yourself! What makes it easier is the fact that the author writes the book to where you don’t have to read previous books to understand the world that is created on the pages.  I love it when an author can suck you into a series that is this far along without confusion.


Nessa was an emotional character to read about. You could feel her pain and you could sympathize with her even at the lowest of times.  After losing her husband at an early age, she is desperate to just end things.  Oh, and by the way, Nessa is a witch who is hundreds of years old.  The author did a wonderful job of conveying her pain into words for the reader.  It tugged at my heart and I wished I could jump into the story and hug her.


Dominic has been having dreams of a mysterious woman.  You would think men would love to have these sort of dreams, but Dominic is no ordinary man.  He is a vampire hunter who is curious to know who the mystery women is.  Dominic decides to go on the hunt to find this woman when he realizes she could be real and in need of help.  When he finds her, you can feel the connection between the two.


Yes, the book is action filled along with some steamy scenes that this author writes beautifully!  At times, I found myself wanting to skip everything else just to see the connection between the two more!  If you are a new reader to this series, I feel you could enjoy this book just as much as if you have read the other books in the series.  The author created another masterpiece to add to her library of great achievements!  Even though this book is still a week away, I am anxiously awaiting the next book!


MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!
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Want to read more reviews on this amazing book? Stop by each blog on the tour to get a different view point from different bloggers!

The Reluctant Vampire by Lynsay Sands

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THE RELUCTANT VAMPIRE
An Argeneau Novel #15
Author: Lynsay Sands
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon; Original edition (May 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061894591
ISBN-13: 978-0061894596

SUMMARY:

Has this immortal finally met her match? 

Rogue hunter Drina Argenis (from the Spanish side of the Argeneau family) has been many things in her years as an immortal, but bodyguard/babysitter to a teenage vampire is something new. There’s an incentive, however: the other vampsitter, Harper Stoyan, may be Drina’s life mate. 

Trouble is, having just lost a life mate, Harper is resigned to being alone. He’s completely unprepared when sexy and unpredictable Drina bursts into his life to reignite his passions. Can Drina, with a little matchmaking help from their teen charge, tempt this reluctant vampire to take a chance? 

Or will a dangerous, unseen renegade kill Drina and Harper’s one chance at happiness?


MY THOUGHTS:

Finally! Another Argeneau Novel to quench my thirst for a little while.  I am a HUGE fan of this author.  She knows I stalk her website and own every novel in the series including the ones with the original covers!  I have begged and pleaded for her to make me the life mate of Bricker in one of her books.  I have interviewed her several times on the blog and even hosted a reading challenge featuring her books.  So it is no surprise that when the publisher sent me this book for review, I moved it to the top of the pile to read first!

In the latest installment we get to meet Harper again.  He has been keeping a low profile since the death of his first “life mate” Jenny.  When Drina arrives to help watch over Stephanie, Harper finds himself attracted to her in a way he never felt with Jenny.  Together they work together in trying to not only keep Stephanie safe, but also discover the second chance at love that Harper didn’t expect.

While I enjoyed the story, this is not one of my favorite books in the series.  To be honest, Harper never really made an impact on me enough to be anxious for his story.  He was sweet and romantic, but he was just okay in the sex appeal department.  Drina had a hot streak in her that could put a Jalapeno pepper to shame! She is not one that is going to take Harper’s pity party lying down!  She is excited to have found a life mate and she intends to make sure Harper knows it as well! Even though they were a good fit together, I just couldn’t connect with their romance like I have done with the others.  I didn’t like the forced feel to it that the author brought this time around.

I did enjoy seeing familiar faces again though in this book.  We get to see Anders, Beau, Tiny and even Teddy again.  Lucien even makes an appearance and steals the small scene that he is in with his bossy, yet sexy, personality.  I love when an author brings back past characters and reminds us that they still have some story to tell long after their book is over.  The author also brings her usual witty and laugh out loud humor to the book that quickly made me a fan of her writing.

Overall, I felt this book to be a good book to pass the time with.  Not much happens story wise, but the characters were fun to read about.  Still a great book to read if you are a fan of the author and the series.  Not one to miss if you are looking to continue reading the Argeneau series.  Now, if you will excuse me, I really must go back to stalking the authors web page and emailing her about Brickers book which includes me as his life mate. 

MY RATING:




Very Good! I would recommend this book!
 

CONTEST: The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir by Kathie Denosky

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THE BILLIONAIRE’S UNEXPECTED HEIR
By Kathie DeNosky

SUMMARY:
Becoming the new owner of Hickory Hills Thoroughbred farm was not in billionaire Jake Garnier’s plans. Becoming a father was even more unimaginable. For his new business came with one Heather McGwire, ranch manager…and mother to Jake’s secret child.

After barely surviving his own father’s desertion, Jake knew he couldn’t walk away from his responsibilities. Marriage seemed the only solution. Yet Heather wouldn’t settle for simple sweet talk and seduction. If Jake wanted a real family, he’d have to saddle up for the long ride.

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Thanks to Harlequin Ambassadors, I have three copies to giveaway!
Three books = THREE WINNERS!

CONTEST RULES:
  1. To enter, please leave a comment with an email to contact you with.
  2. Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
  3. Contest deadline is June 4th, 2011
  4. Contest open to USA only!
  5. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON!