AFTER MIDNIGHT
A Youngblood Novel
Author: Lynn Viehl
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Flux (May 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 073872632X
ISBN-13: 978-0738726328

SUMMARY:

A Suspenseful New Series Featuring Vampires and Forbidden Love

Sophomore Catlyn Youngblood is used to the nomadic existence she and her two older brothers have shared since the death of their parents. When they settle down for good in the sleepy backwoods town of Lost Lake, Florida, Cat thinks they might finally fit in. Instead, they’re shunned by the locals.

While riding her horse late one night, Cat meets an enigmatic and handsome boy named Jesse Raven. Even more strange than her overpowering attraction to him is Jesse’s apparent aversion to the sun. As their attraction intensifies, long-kept secrets come to light. Cat learns that the Ravens are a centuries-old vampire clan . . . and worse still, that she and her brothers are descendents of Abraham Van Helsing, the world-famous vampire hunter. Mortal enemies by blood, the two families do all they can to keep them apart. But Cat and Jesse will risk everything to be together—including death.

MY THOUGHTS:

I don’t even know where to begin with this review since it was a book that I was really looking forward to.  While it was one I was excited to receive, it fell flat while reading the story.

After the death of her parents, Catlyn has been living with her oldest brother Patrick and middle brother Grayson.  While Catlyn is trying to adjust to another move and yet another school,  Patrick announces that they are finally going to settle down in one place and stay in Lost Lake, Florida.  Catlyn tries to make the best of it, but she still feels like an outsider after the way she is treated by the people in town.  When she decides to take a night ride on her horse Sali, she literally crashes into Jesse Raven, who just happens to be the mysterious boy who lives on an island in seclusion.

I felt the author did a great job at setting up the story in the beginning.  It was paced nicely, but as soon as Jesse entered the storyline, the author rushed everything and at times leaves the reader confused.  There were many times in the book that I wanted to stop reading the story even if I wanted to know what happens at the end.  The romance was forced between Catlyn and Jesse, the secrets were not so secret at times, and the revelations that are revealed near the end are predictable and cliche.  It seemed like the story had no outline and was just a jumble of thoughts and ideas rushed into a book.  This could have been an amazing story if the author would have paced the story like the first few chapters instead of forcing the plot in a rush.  I never could connect with any of the characters in the story.  There wasn’t much chemistry between Jesse and Catlyn, and what was there was too rushed.

Would I read the next book in the series?  Yes, but only if the author can sit down and time the plot better.  I am looking forward to see what the author will create for Grayson and Patrick, who in my opinion, were more exciting than Catlyn and Jesse.  For that fact alone, I am willing to find out what their stories will bring.

MY RATING:

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

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart
Author: Sarah MacLean
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061852074
ISBN-13: 978-0061852077

SUMMARY:

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is the third book in the Love By Numbers Series.  After reading the first book in the series, I was filled with excitement in finding the joy in historical romance.  Then I read the second book in the series and was less than thrilled.  Since I had already started the series, I decided to accept the review copy and give the author another chance to wow me with the third book.

Readers, this book surpassed my excitement that I had with the first book.  It was a complete turn around from the second book as well.  With Juliana and Simon focused on in this book, my love for Historical Romance has been renewed.  I admit that I had reservations on how the author was going to make Simon a character that I would enjoy.  Let’s face it, Simon could be a stuck up jerk half the time, but I loved how the author sucked me into his web of love.  Juliana was wonderful as well.  I loved how she was portrayed and how she was able to bring Simon down a couple of notches. 

I devoured this book in less than 3 hours!  If I didn’t have a bunch of books sitting in my to-read pile right now,  I would seriously consider rereading it again.  If you are a new reader to this genre or are just looking for a new Historical Romance to read,  then this is the book!  This author has made me open my eyes to this genre a little wider and it will leave you breathless!

MY RATING:

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

THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE
A Night Huntress Novel #5
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061783188
ISBN-13: 978-0061783180

SUMMARY:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.
  Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they’ve triumphed over the latest battle, Cat’s new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . . 

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous “ally”—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, Ms. Frost.  How much do you love to tease us?  I was looking forward to see how the author was going to create a new plot for us with her latest installment in the series.  I am so glad it was worth the wait!

I loved the chemistry that we have grown to love between Cat and Bones!  Can I get a shout out for Chapter 21? Sexy and hot are the first words that come to mind when reading that chapter even though I am sure there are stronger descriptive words for it.  Seeing the pair connect and stay true to the nature of personality the author created for them was great.

The side characters were wonderful as well.  I really wish the author would hurry and write Vlad’s book!  I am in desperate need to see him have some happiness! I also loved how we got to see a softer side of Mencheres in this book.  Kira has brought out his softer side and I love it!  We also get to see more of Spade and Denise as well.  I love how they are so protective of each other. Fabian, Dave, Tate, Don and even mentions of Juan were included in the story as well. 

Not only is the romance, witty dialogue, favorite characters and action packed scenes included in this story, but we also deal with sadness and heartbreak for Cat.  She finds out something is wrong with someone close to her and has to learn to let go of this person.  What does happen to this person was beautifully written and I wanted to cry with their last thoughts. 

While it wasn’t one of my favorites in the series, I still thought the author did a wonderful job of continuing the series for Cat and Bones.  It was exactly what we needed at the right time.  Now if we can just get her to write faster and produce even more stories!

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

THE UNDERTAKERS
The Rise of the Corpses
Author: Ty Drago
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402247850
ISBN-13: 978-1402247859

SUMMARY:

On a sunny Wednesday morning in October, a day that would mark the end of one life and the beginning of another, I found out my grouchy next door neighbor was the walking dead. When you turn around expecting to see something familiar, and instead see something else altogether, it takes a little while for your brain to catch up with your eyes. I call it the ‘Holy Crap Factor.’A” Forced to flee his home and family, twelve-year-old Will Ritter falls in with the Undertakers–a rag-tag army of teenage resistance fighters, who’ve banded together to battle the corpses.

MY THOUGHTS:

When you first get a glimpse of this book, you can tell by the cover that it is geared for the younger male teens.  When you read the summary, you still think it is for the younger male teens.  Even with that in my head, I still decided to read this book and give it a fair shot at review.  I may not be a young teen, or from the male genre, but there is something about zombie books that draw me into the plot.


Will joins a special team of people called The Undertakers after seeing his neighbor, principle and some of his teachers turned into zombies.  Not everyone can see the zombies, but Will happens to be one of the special ones that can.  The Undertakers are kids, yet they must leave everything behind to fight the zombies. 


I found this book to be adventurous and fun to read.  As an adult, there were some things that didn’t jive for me in it. If you have a younger male teen who has been reluctant to read,  I think this would be a great book to start off with though.  As an adult reader,  I had to keep trying to remember that it is a book geared for younger teens and some adults might not like the writing because of that.   While I was able to adjust to it and somewhat enjoy it,  if you have a problem with reading books like that, then you might want to consider borrowing the book instead of purchasing it.


Again, I think the author did a wonderful job though in creating a world for younger boys to dive into.  A fun read to spark the interest of reluctant readers and hopefully give them the push they need to start reading!


MY RATING: