SING ME TO SLEEP
Author: Angela Morrison
Source: Library
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Razorbill (March 4, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1595142754
- ISBN-13: 978-1595142757
SYNOPSIS:
THE TRANSFORMATION
Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.
THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?
THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.
MY THOUGHTS:
I was really looking forward to enjoying this book. It was a young adult book that wasn’t focused on the paranormal and it seemed like it would be a touching book. It had the Beauty and The Beast feel to it, and the blurb sounded great.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book. The characters were not great. The only character in the book I cared to know about was Scott. He seemed honest and tender. I hated the extremes the author used to achieve beauty for the ugly girl. I can understand a slight makeover of say hair styles and makeup, but laser skin therapy and lasik for the eyes just to look good for a singing solo? I always felt like the beast in school because I had the thick glasses and slightly overweight, but I would never consider the treatments Beth goes through. The characters never had spark and the only thing that kept me interested was the characters of Scott and Derek. I wanted to know who she ends up with and why. I will say that tears will flow when you read more into Derek and Beth. You will get choked up and wish you had not made it that far in the book because of the pain you will feel. It was the only part of the book where I felt real emotion from the writing. It was the saving grace of this book. It is what I wanted it to be from the beginning instead of just the end of the book.
Overall I wouldn’t be reading this book again. I will say that the author does have writing skills that could be great! I just wish the characters would have been more realistic and warm instead of superficial and dull.
MY RATING:
I did not enjoy this book.
Today on My Overstuffed Bookshelf I am pleased to share an interview with you with best selling author Susan Mallery! As you can tell, if you have been reading my blog, I have been reading and reviewing her books for you alot lately. Her books are such wonderful books, that I asked her if she would be willing to do an interview and she agreed to one! WOOHOO! So lets get started!
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a romance writer and a romance reader. One of the fundamental truths in which I believe is that love exists, and it can last forever. So I write stories about the courtship period that every happy couple goes through when they first get together. And it never, never gets old. The first heated glance, the first kiss… they still make my breath catch in my throat.
2. Can you tell us a little about what your next book is about?
Chasing Perfect is the first book in my new Fool’s Gold series and will be released on April 27. Fool’s Gold is a Sierra Nevada winery town in California. The town has everything – quaint boutiques, a fascinating history, some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The only thing Fool’s Gold doesn’t have is enough men. And it’s City Planner Charity Jones’s job to attract more men to town. One of the few men who did stick around was world-famous cyclist turned local businessman Josh Golden. The mayor asks him to help Charity, but he’d be a lot more helpful if he weren’t so sexy, and his kisses weren’t so… distracting.
3. In your Bakery sisters series, you featured a character that was deaf? I have a daughter who is deaf and I was wondering if you based this character on somebody in real life?
Yes, I do have a family member who is deaf. While the character isn’t based on that person, she was inspired by our relationship.
4. When you sit down to write, what are 3 things that you must have?
An extensive outline, my computer, and… honestly, I can’t think of a third thing. And the computer is debatable because I would write longhand if I didn’t have the computer. I suppose the third thing could be silence. I’m not a writer who can work with music or TV in the background. In order for me to focus on my characters, I need to be able to block out the world.
5. Do you have any websites that fans can keep up with you and your books? Twitter?
My website is www.SusanMallery.com, and I would love to invite fans to join the Members Only area. It’s free, and it takes about 30 seconds to join. Anyone can go to the site to read free excerpts of my books, but Members get to read two chapters for free instead of just one. Members also get to play games, do puzzles, and they’ll receive an email when I have a new book out or I’m in their area for a book signing.
I’m also very active on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SusanMallery
Happy reading!
Susan
New York Times Bestselling Author
www.SusanMallery.com
Come to Fool’s Gold, the Land of Happy Endings!
Chasing Perfect, May 2010
Almost Perfect, July 2010
Finding Perfect, September 2010
Join my Members Only area for free games, excerpts, and sneak peeks into upcoming books. www.SusanMallery.com
www.Twitter.com/SusanMallery
www.Facebook.com/SusanMallery
SHADOW OF THE MOON
A Dark Guardian Novel #4
Author: Rachel Hawthorne
Source: Library
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: HarperTeen (March 23, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0061962902
- ISBN-13: 978-0061962905
SYNOPSIS:
I can feel every Shifter’s emotions except Daniel’s—the only one whose heart I long to know.
Hayden was born a werewolf, a Dark Guardian. But her ability to sense the feelings of fellow werewolves has made her life unbearable. She runs away, only to be tracked by charming, mysterious Daniel, a newcomer to the pack and the one Shifter immune to her powers. As she reluctantly follows him home, Hayden finds herself falling dangerously in love. . . .
But even as her feelings for Daniel deepen, Hayden begins to wonder if he is who he claims to be. Where did he come from and why has no one ever seen him transform? When they stumble upon the body of a Shifter still in wolf form, her worries grow. Someone is killing her kind. Is her handsome tracker really a hunter? And is Hayden now his prey?
MY THOUGHTS:
This series has been hit and miss for me. While I enjoyed a couple of books from this series, there was certain parts of each book that annoyed me.
With Shadow of the Moon, the author has grown with her writing skills. It flowed better and made more sense with the plot and characters. I loved the story of Hayden and Daniel. Both loners of the pack, but with a special skill in each one. The only frustrating thing about this series is the women of the pack. Can they please get over the sacraficial lamb part of their personality already? Can they just fall in love with their mate as quickly as their male counterparts and quit trying to sacrafice their feelings and emotions for others? Kick butt already and claim those hunky men the author is trying to pair you up with already! It is very annoying!
Overall, this book was my favorite of the series I think. The story of Hayden and Daniel was written so much better than the others. One I would read again.
MY RATING:
Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!
TEMPTING (The Buchanans : Book 4)
Author: Susan Mallery
Source: Contest Win
- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: HQN Books; Reissue edition (February 1, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0373775210
- ISBN-13: 978-0373775217
SYNOPSIS:
After three romantic flame-outs in a year and a restaurant career going nowhere, Dani Buchanan needs a fresh start. She goes looking for her biological father, but never expects to find a senator running for president. As his long-lost ‘love child, ‘ Dani could seriously derail the election– something his handsome campaign manager Alex Canfield isn’t going to let happen. Dani isn’t about to let Alex run her life, no matter how tempting she finds him–and Alex isn’t going to allow Dani to melt his cynicism, no matter how close he has to get. The last thing either of them wants is love, especially with scandals brewing and family trouble on the way. But Dani and Alex are forced to trust each other, and when trust turns to passion, the potential for disaster is only a tabloid scandal away.
MY THOUGHTS:
First of all, Dani rocks! She has been through so much in the last three books! She deserved some much needed happiness. She finally found it in Alex. They are both strong and independent but both of them have a soft and touching side to them. I was even more surprised by the turnaround with Gloria in this book. All of the characters came together in this final book and made a loud bang! This book gave the readers that final climatic story we wanted. The author has truly out done herself with this series. You will find yourself crying, laughing, and cheering for each character page after page.
MY RATING:
Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!