LOVIN’ BLUE
Author: Zuri Day
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Dafina; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780758259998
ISBN-13: 978-0758259998

SUMMARY:

Thanks to a stroke of bad luck, Eden Anderson’s childhood tormentor, Jansen McKnight, is now her temporary roommate. He’s also a badass, gun-toting cop who relishes a steak dinner. As a peace-loving vegetarian, there’s nothing Eden hates more than guns—and meat. And there’s nothing she’d love more than to deflate Jansen’s overblown ego. So when Jansen bets Eden that he can seduce her within two weeks, she can’t wait for him to lose. But as Eden learns more about the man beyond the badge, their teasing turns tantalizing. Soon, Eden starts to believe that opposites may indeed attract, and she can’t stop thinking about the man in blue…

MY THOUGHTS: 

This is my first read by this author and is a stand alone novel.  The chemistry between the two main characters made the book enjoyable and sexy.  I loved Jansen and his personality in the book.  He is strong willed and not afraid of a challenge.  Eden, at times, could be annoying and naive.  Even though she had her moments of flaws,  I did enjoy reading about the two characters. 


When I finished the book, my overall feeling for it was just okay.  It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. It kind of fell in the middle for me in ratings.  I thought the love scenes were sexy, but not over the top.  The characters balanced each other out nicely and the ending was a little too neatly wrapped up.  There was parts of the book were the narrative dialogue goes a little overboard. 


Overall just an okay book for me.  If you are looking for a fun and sexy read to pass the time, then this book would do in a pinch.  I wouldn’t say it is a must have read, but one to pick up and read when you have a little extra time.


MY RATING:

DIVERGENT
Author: Veronica Roth
Source: Amazon Vine
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (May 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062024027
ISBN-13: 978-0062024022

SUMMARY:


In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

MY THOUGHTS:

Just when I thought that The Hunger Games series was going to stay at my number one spot for books read in 2011, along comes Divergent. I know everyone has been reading the awesome reviews on this book–I sure have!– but I can honestly say that the reviews are nothing compared to the book!  I understand now why people like myself, who try to review and express their feelings on something they have read that is so great, why we have a hard time putting it into words.

There is not a word I can think of off the top of my head that can express my enjoyment and excitement for this book.  At first glance, you look at the sheer volume of this book –487 pages in ARC format– and wonder if it is even possible to finish this book in a week.  As soon as I cracked open the front cover and started reading chapter one though, the time flew by! I devoured this book in two days.  It might have been only one day if I didn’t need things such as food or sleep.

I loved everything about this book.  The characters were phenomenal and they each brought a certain balance to the book.  Their are people you will swoon over  (hubba-hubba Four!),  people you will loathe  (boo Peter!), and characters you will cry over (Tris’ Mother –sniff,sniff). There is action, romance and strong characters that will blow you away!

There is not much more I can say to convince you to read this book if you haven’t yet.  When release day is here, you will want to have one in your hands!  I personally can’t wait to see how the author plans on topping this first installment in this series! One choice is all you need! Get the book!

MY RATING:

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

IT HAPPENED ONE SEASON
Author(s): Stephanie Laurens
Mary Balogh
Jacquie D’Alessandro
Candice Hern
Source: Publisher

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Avon (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780061993374
ISBN-13: 978-0061993374
ASIN: 0061993379

SUMMARY:


We asked our readers what story they would most like to see from four bestselling authors. They responded . . .

have come together to create one of the most unforgettable events of the year. The results are spectacular—each story is as unique as a lover’s first kiss.

MY THOUGHTS:

Have you ever read a book and wondered what would have happened if the story had went a different way?  Well in this story, there are four authors telling different takes on a certain storyline.  Basically, you get four different reads in one book!


I really enjoyed this book.  I liked how each author brought something different to the story.  Each one of them had their own writing style while using the same basis of a plot.  What made it even more enjoyable was the fact that I found myself excited to be reading a Historical Romance!  I have been trying to enjoy this genre and it has been a hit and miss for me.  I will say though that this book was a hit!


Each story flowed nicely and each one was amazing as a stand alone.  I was able to finish one story and continue on shortly after into the next one without any hitches.  I will also mention that while I enjoyed the book as a whole, the last story by Candice Hern was my least favorite of the bunch. It was a little slow going, but it still wasn’t that bad.


If you are looking for something unique, then I say pick up this book.  If you are a fan of Historical Romance, or just wanting to try it for the first time, this would be perfect!  You get to read 4 different stories by 4 different authors of this genre in one book!


MY RATING:

THE GODDESS TEST
Author: Aimee Carter
Source: Gifted

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210264
ISBN-13: 978-0373210268

SUMMARY:

It’s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he’s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was in awe of this story!  To think an author can take a subject that I had no desire in learning in school,  then turning it into a subject that I loved was amazing!  I was never a fan of Greek Mythology in school.  To me it was confusing and not worth my teenage time to learn.  As I started reading this story though, I found myself looking up the tales of the Greeks and finding a spark of interest in it that I didn’t realize I would ever find.

The story was amazing and the characters were great!  I seriously am having a hard time trying to think of new and amazing words to describe this book.  I loved how the romance between Henry and Kate was slow building and felt real.  I felt the two connected in a way that is rare in teen books today.  They start as friends, eventually discover they love each other, and they both are real together.  They have issues to deal with that are not only dangerous,  but issues that have happened in the past and present that they face together.

I was constantly looking at each character as a test.  I wanted to know exactly which character was actually which Greek God or Goddess.  While a few were simple enough to figure out,  some where a mystery that is revealed in the end.  The seven tests that Kate must pass to save her Mother and Henry were great.  I loved wondering what was a test and what wasn’t throughout the story.  When the tests are revealed in the final scenes,  I found myself wondering if she passed each one since she didn’t know what exactly they were.  The author kept me guessing at who was behind the betrayal and how it would play out.

Again, I am in awe with the story!  I feel like rereading the book just so I can get my fix of sweet romance and Greek mythology again. It has been awhile since an author has made me feel so connected in a young adult book to the characters and hooked me for another must read series!  Thank you Ms. Carter for opening my eyes to the Greeks and the story of innocent young love again!

MY RATING:

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