BUT I LOVE HIM
Author: Amanda Grace
Source: Library

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Flux (May 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780738725949
ISBN-13: 978-0738725949

SUMMARY:


Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn’t stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can’t recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor’s rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

MY THOUGHTS:

As most of you already know, this book is by author Mandy Hubbard under the pen name of Amanda Grace.  If you have ever read anything by Mandy Hubbard, you know her writing is phenomenal.  Even with the pen name, you can still feel the emotional writing that this author can write so well.

I liked how the story starts with the ending.  Confused? Don’t be.  Basically the author is taking that final moment in the abusive relationship and going backwards in time.  The character of Ann is beaten by her boyfriend Conner and she is trying to figure out the exact moment everything went wrong.  What Ann starts to realize though is that when a relationship involves abuse physically and emotionally, there is no certain point that it all begins.  Everything starts to blur together and become one entire event.

While I enjoyed how the author created the timeline for the book, there was one thing that bothered me about it.  We get to only see glimpses of the present day, leaving us to wonder what led up to that particular event in the minutes before it.  I wanted to know what was the thing that finally pushed Conner that far.  While I am not excusing Conner for his previous actions or glossing over the fact that he did other things just as bad.

This book goes to prove that the author can conquer the art of writing emotional issues that others are afraid to touch on in the young adult genre.  I look forward to reading more books from this author and hope that she continues to write books that are on touchy subjects but ones that need to be heard.

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

THE IRON QUEEN
The Iron Fey #3
Author: Julie Kagawa
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210183
ISBN-13: 978-0373210183

SUMMARY:

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

MY THOUGHTS:

Just when I thought the author couldn’t throw any more blows to my heart, she turns around and produces a heart wrenching and action packed read titled The Iron Queen.  Just when you though the Fae were safe for a time being, the author brings her “A Game” with and action packed book full of romance, Fae, heartbreak, and everything in between.


It was amazing to read the creativity that the author has in portraying the Fae and their Kingdoms.  I wish I had the imagination that it takes to create something as masterful as this series.  I couldn’t stop reading this book even when real life wanted to interfere.  I told the family to fend for themselves and I hid in the bedroom engrossed with my book.  I was not to be disturbed until the last page was finished and burned into my brain. 

It is hard to explain what happens in this book without giving spoilers away from the previous novels in the series.  I can say that familiar faces return, love is tested, and Realms will be thrown through unlikely circumstances.  Your heart will pound with excitement, heartbreak, sorrow and happiness.

The Iron Queen is, in my opinion, the best book in the series so far!  I cried at the end like a great big and blubbering baby.  I couldn’t believe the author did this to me after three books!  All I can say is she better write with lightning fast speed and bring us the next book quickly!  If you haven’t had a chance to read this series, or if you haven’t even heard of it before now, you need to get it in your hands fast!  Take it from me, a person who procrastinates in reading about Fae and such, you will not be disappointed in this series!  


MY RATING:

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

FLESH EATERS
Author: Joe McKinney
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Pinnacle; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780786023608
ISBN-13: 978-0786023608

SUMMARY:

Battered by three devastating hurricanes in a row, the Texas coast is flattened. But for the people of Houston–and soon all of America–the most terrifying events are just beginning. . .They Rise. . .
Out of the flooded streets of Houston, they emerge from plague-ridden waters. Dead. Rotting. Hungry. And as human survivors scramble to their rooftops for safety, the zombie hordes circle like sharks. The ultimate killing machines.
They Feed. . .
Houston is quarantined to halt the spread of the zombie plague. Anyone trying to escape is shot on sight–living and dead. Emergency Ops sergeant Eleanor Norton has her work cut out for her. Salvaging boats and gathering explosives, Eleanor and her team struggle to maintain order. But when civilization finally breaks down, the feeding frenzy begins.
They Multiply. . .
Biting, gnawing, feasting–but always craving more–the flesheaters increase their ranks every hour. With doomsday looming, Eleanor must focus on the people she loves–her husband and daughter–and a band of other survivors adrift in zombie-infested waters. If she can’t bring them into the quarantine zone, they’re all dead meat.

MY THOUGHTS:

Stand back everyone! I have found a new reason to continue reading paranormal!  Why have I procrastinated in reading books about Zombies?  As if that cover is not creepy enough, the story left me with chills along the way as well.

I realize that this is the third book in a series, but I didn’t care.  I figured authors tend to recap things anyway.  So I also figured if I liked how this story evolved, then I could always go back and read the first two as well.  I have never heard of this author before, and frankly I was surprised at his writing. He does a wonderful job at his creative world, and the characters were great as well!

In this book you will find suspense in nearly every chapter, zombies that are not that hard to imagine in the future, destruction, and the gritty feel that is ever present in urban fantasy and end of the world imagination. I loved the characters and what each one of them brought to the story. If you are looking for a shocking and explosive read featuring the evil zombies of urban legends, this is the next series you need to read! 

MY RATING:

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