ABANDON
Author: Meg Cabot
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Point (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545284104
ISBN-13: 978-0545284103

SUMMARY:


Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can’t help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she’s never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she’s moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can’t. Because even here, he finds her. That’s how desperately he wants her back. She knows he’s no guardian angel, and his dark world isn’t exactly heaven, yet she can’t stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a fairly new reader of books by this author. I have read Insatiable by her and loved it, but I haven’t read any of her other books before that one.  When Abandon arrived to me for review, I jumped into it excited to read about how she was going make a story based on Greek mythology.  Seeing how I never actually paid attention in high school — and my grades will confirm that  — my mythology is a little rusty. I did however recognize the great writing that the author used in the book!

While I am not a huge fan of the story,  I can see the appeal and desire to read the book.  I liked how the author made the characters seem so real.  While she didn’t go overboard on descriptions, I still felt the characters come alive in my head while reading the book.  Yet, while the author kept me interested in the story, I kept finding myself wishing it would have revealed some things sooner rather than later in the book.

For instance, we don’t even find out what what actually happened to Pierce and the event that is questioned through out the chapters until well over half of the book.  I can understand needing it for the wow factor, but the constant referring to it and not revealing much kept me feeling frustrated.  I also didn’t like how it was slow going for a long while, and then near the end a ton of stuff happens with not enough resolutions.  I can understand the author wanting to leave you with a cliffhanger, but I also expect some things to be resolved before I finish the last page.

Would I read the next book in the series? Absolutely. I want to see how the author is going to work out some of the problems from this book and hopefully structure the plot better to make it more appealing to the reader.
If you are a big fan of this author, you will more than likely enjoy her take on the lore and mythology that this book contains as a step up from what the author usually writes.  If you are a new reader to this author, you could enjoy it based on the fact that it has the elements that this genre is well known for as well.  You will just have to be patient with the story and be willing to see the book through and future books in the series.

MY RATING:

FATED
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Brava (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758259239
ISBN-13: 978-0758259233

SUMMARY:

Marry Me

Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem. . .

Or Else

Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice. . . 

MY THOUGHTS:

Fated is the first book of a three part series.  I will admit that I had a hard time reading this book.  Usually I love the main male character being in Alpha mode.  With this book though, the Alpha male seemed more of pushy and forceful male that was not as attractive as I wanted him to be.


Yes, the book was steamy in in the sex factor, and yes it had the paranormal vampire story that is hot right now, but the way the two are thrust together was not impressive to me.  Cara has a daughter to think about and she was suppose to just accept being away from her daughter? For five weeks? Um, no.  She was just suppose to fall in love with Talen and jump into bed with him while there is danger lurking around? Um, again no.  While some of this plot could have been believable, the way it was written left me with the feeling that the author was trying to force their relationship to work when I was having too many doubts. Plus he practically forces her to “mate” with her after she tells him repeatedly no.  


Again, I wasn’t a big fan of the story.  If you like your alpha’s with a very forceful nature, then give it a go.  You might enjoy it, yet I think Talen could have been a better character if it was toned down quite a bit. The only thing that saved this story from getting a one star rating was the fact that I fell in love with Cara’s daughter. She was a delight whenever she was in a scene.


MY RATING:

THE WELCOME HOME GARDEN CLUB
A Twilight, Texas Novel #4
Author: Lori Wilde
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006198843X
ISBN-13: 978-0061988431

SUMMARY:

Traditional meaning of Pink and White Roses: I love you still and always will.

Caitlyn Marsh stopped believing in happily-ever-after when high-school sweetheart, Gideon Garza, left for Iraq. Now she raises her small son while her matchmaking gardening club members drive her crazy. Then Caitlyn’s world turns upside-down when Gideon swaggers back to Twilight.

Gideon had left town in the middle of night with threats ringing in his ears. A lot of things have changed since then. This bad boy-turned-Green Beret bears scars from the war, the timid girl he loved is an independent mother, and the father who refused to recognize his son in life has, in death, left him a vast cattle ranch.

He still aches for Caitlyn, and now there’s a dark-haired boy who looks exactly like Gideon did at that age. Could the child be his? And can this war-weary soldier overcome the scars of the past to claim the family he so richly deserves?

MY THOUGHTS:

I am in love with this author and her novels!  I always love the people of Twilight, Texas that she introduces me to with each new installment of the series.  Not only does she bring new romance with each book, but she also does my favorite thing and bring back characters from the previous books!  I love when an author reminds the reader of previous books in the series by integrating them into the current read. 


With this book, we meet Caitlyn Marsh who owns the florist shop in town.  After having a whirlwind romance as a teenager with Gideon Garza, she discovers that she is pregnant and hires a detective to locate him after he enlists in the army after a run in with the law.  The detective informs her that he died in service and she finds herself devastated.  What she doesn’t know is that someone paid off the detective back then and made him lie about Gideon being dead.  Caitlyn moves on with her life and marries the local florist in town.  Her son is given a name, but everyone in town knows the truth of who the father really is. 


Gideon was the result of an affair between one of the richest men in town and the hired help.  His true father refuses to acknowledge him when Gideon confronts him with the paternity issue and it angers him to the point that he burns the rich mans barn to the ground.  Caitlyn’s father, who happens to be the judge in town, offers him the ultimatum of jail time or army time.  While Gideon chooses the army, he never expected to lose not only the love of his life, but also his hand in a bombing. 


When Gideon’s father passes away, he is shocked to learn that he has just inherited the ranch and the bulk of his monetary estate.  Add to this the anger from two half brothers still coping with the death of their father, and you can guarantee there is going to be some turmoil and revenge.  Now Gideon must return to Twilight and figure out if he wants to accept the money and ranch, or stay away from the love of his life for good.  Upon returning to Twilight, Gideon finds out he is a Father and is shocked at the lengths that people took to keep Caitlyn out of his life.  When they both discover the truth though, their romance blossoms again and second chances are given.


While I enjoyed this story, it is not one of my favorites of the series.  I enjoyed the writing and the characters discovery of second chances, but I wish the author would have give us a chapter or two of the couple as a teenagers first before starting the current time frame.  I think if I would have read how the interacted as teens, I would have enjoyed their story more and could have understood how much they each suffered over the years.  


Other than that one point above, the book was a great new addition to the series.  I still wish I could find myself in the fictional town of  Twilight, Texas and enjoy each character on a daily basis.  A sweet romance to satisfy that sweet tooth when we want a true romance book to read. 


MY RATING: