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May 8th, 2013
 The Last Academy
Author: Anne Applegate
Pages: 320 pages
Publisher: Point (April 30, 2013)
Received From: Library
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
What is this prep school preparing them for?
Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam’s new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don’t seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam—and readers—stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.
What I Thought: It felt to me like The Last Academy was super disjointed. There were some parts where the story really flowed and as a reader you could get into it, and then with little to no warning you were jolted out of that and reminded that you really don’t know what is going on at all.
As a character I felt that Cam was a little flat. However I did enjoy watching her kind of flesh out as the story went on. There were plenty of times where I feel like had I been in her shoes I probably would have acted the same way.
The one huge issue I have with The Last Academy, is that there are so many things left unexplained. Why did the guy single her out on the plane? And why was she having all these flashes of what had happened to her friends? These things were never fully explained and never fully developed.
I’m also not a huge fan of how quickly she fell in love with Mike. I feel like that … was just weird. And out of character for her, to say the least. But in the end it is kind of explained, so I guess that’s okay.
I do have to say that even though I did see the plot twist coming, I like the way it was handled. I like the idea of people being broken in order to be put back together. I know that doesn’t make much sense if you haven’t read the book, but if you do read it, it’ll make plenty of sense.
Do I Recommend: I do. I think that The Last Academy is perfect for younger readers. My little cousin is a Freshman in high school and I think this would be a read right up her alley.
May 7th, 2013
TEASER TUESDAYS is a weekly event, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, where you ‘tease’ others with a little bit from the book you’re currently reading, making them want to read it, too! How to participate:
- Grab your current book and open to a random page
- Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page
- Make sure what you share is NOT a spoiler
- Include the title, author and page number so that others can read the book if they like the ‘teaser’
- Head on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment on the Teaser Tuesday post there
This weeks teasers:
The rest of the day was the loneliest of Lucas’s life. He stayed shut in his room, dazed by a bewilderment so heavy it was if he’d been drugged.
Found on page 83 of Burn Mark by Laura Powell
May 6th, 2013
 Visions of Magic (The Awakening #1)
Author: Regan Hastings
Paperback: 345 pages
Publisher: Signet (February 1, 2011)
Full Disclosure: Purchased
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
In the ten years since magic has reemerged in the world, witches have become feared and hunted. For weeks Shea Jameson has been haunted by visions of fire. When she unintentionally performs a spell in public, she becomes one of the hunted. Her only hope is Torin, a dangerously sensual man who claims to be her eternal mate.
What I Thought: Honestly I don’t remember Visions of Magic all that much. It was one of those books where I kept reading it even after I knew I should have put it down, simply because I wanted to see what would happen.
*Warning: this review contains spoilers*
The two main points for this book are coming straight from my status updates on GoodReads, because they pretty much sum up my feelings.
“The hero in this book reminds me of one of those guys who complains that because he bought the girl dinner she should have sex with him like now. I hope this gets better.”
Seriously Torin was such an asshole, for lack of a better word. Shea almost lit a man on fire, then is being chased by the magic police and all Torin can think about is getting into her pants? Give me a break. From there on out it was really hard for me to connect with either one of them. I understand the whole “long lost soul mates through reincarnation” and stuff like that but for him to be a complete ass about everything really rubbed me the wrong way.
“Finding myself skimming through the pages instead of actually reading it. Still like the idea behind the story, but hating the characters and story.”
87% through the book and I’m still skimming the pages. I should have put it down then. I really should have. But part of me wanted to see where else this would go. How much more ludicrous this story could get. I honestly didn’t think it could get any more unbelievable. And then Shea’s aunt, or mother, or grandmother, I don’t even remember what type of female relation she was, was suddenly alive. She had been dead and Shea had mourned the loss of this family member and had been alone in the world, and then suddenly HEY FAMILY MEMBER THERE YOU ARE! And Shea is a little miffed but then she’s just like Oh okay and goes about her merry way. No. No. No. No. NO!
Up until a point I’ll suspend belief. I really will. A story about witches and magic means that yeah, you’ll have too. But to believe that a family member isn’t really dead just went into hiding because oh yeah they’re a witch as well? Nope, not buying it. I’m glad that that plot twist happened towards the ending because it was bad enough to put the book down and walk away.
Do I Recommend: Sadly, I don’t. It might be the book for you if you have a super strong interest in witches and a modern take on the Salem Witch Trials, but for me Visions of Magic just fell flat.
March 26th, 2013
TEASER TUESDAYS is a weekly event, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, where you ‘tease’ others with a little bit from the book you’re currently reading, making them want to read it, too! How to participate:
- Grab your current book and open to a random page
- Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page
- Make sure what you share is NOT a spoiler
- Include the title, author and page number so that others can read the book if they like the ‘teaser’
- Head on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment on the Teaser Tuesday post there
This weeks teasers:
The darkness had simply opened up. There was somthing pure there, past the pitch-black perfection of her makeup. Something young and untouched.
Found on page 116 of Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl/p>
March 25th, 2013
 First Grave on the Right
Author: Darynda Jones
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (2011)
Received From: Library
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper
Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
What I Thought: Charley has been cursed since birth. She can see the dead, and even worse than that she can help them cross over. She is the Grim Reaper, much to her dismay. However, it is something she has learned to live with and something that she has used for good. Be it by helping her father and her uncle solve murder cases, or by using the knowledge she has to keep herself out of trouble (some what) and operating her PI Business.
As a character Charley was memorable. She is equal parts snarky and sassy. She also comes across as the type of character who may pretend to be a hard ass but deep down really cares about her friends and family. There are some parts where I found myself feeling sorry for Charley, because of the things her step-mom has put her through or some of the other things Charley has gone through because she is able to see the dead.
Now for the story, I honestly don’t remember much of it. I know that she was helping her uncle solve a triple homicide but that’s about all I can remember.
Do I Recommend: I do, while the story wasn’t memorable Charley sure was, along with some of the other side characters in First Grave on the Right
Other Books in this Series:
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past the Light
Sixth Grave TBA
February 28th, 2013
So I know normally on Thursday I post about a book that has been on my TBR list for a long time that I really want to read, but after looking at my TBR list and seeing just how many books are on there I decided that I really need to clean it up. So a couple of Thursdays a month I’m going to be posting about 5 books that have been on my TBR list and decide if I should remove them or keep them.
What’s the point of me showing off all these books if I’m going to be removing some of them from my TBR list? Why to possibly add to yours of course! Just because I’m deciding that these books no longer sound interesting for me, doesn’t mean that they won’t entice you just a little bit!
So without further ado, allow me to introduce the first 5 books up on the chopping block!
 Siren Song (Blood Singer #2)
Author: Cat Adams
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
In Celia Graves’s world, vampires roam the alleys of Tinseltown, street corner psychics have real powers, and cops use memory enhancement spells. But Celia thought she was an ordinary human, albeit one with a clairvoyant best friend and a ghostly little sister.
The vampire attack that made Celia an Abomination forces her to take food in liquid form and gives a whole new meaning to the word “sunburn.” She’s slowly adjusting (therapy sessions and all) when she discovers that the attack awakened a hidden part of her heritage: Celia is part Siren, able to enthrall men—and enrage women.
Her best friend’s murder is unsolved; the cops think Celia should be in jail or staked; and her old lover, mage Bruno DeLuca, has something important to tell her. To top it all off, Celia’s been summoned to the Sirens’ island.
Celia Graves has more than one enemy. Some of them want her blood. Some of them want her soul. All of them want her dead.
Verdict: I read the first book in this series, Blood Song , and as I remember I wasn’t all that impressed. So this one is an easy CUT for me.
 Arranged
Author: Catherine McKenzie
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.
After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?
A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.
Verdict: This book still sounds pretty interesting to me and it has some pretty good reviews so Arranged is STAYING on my TBR list.
 Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Julie James
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
Behind closed doors, they’re laying down the law.
When it comes to the laws of attraction…
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason: to make partner at the firm.
There are no rules…
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar.
Verdict: I’ve read other books by Julie James and liked them, so this one is also STAYING.
 Flowers from the Storm
Author: Laura Kinsale
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
The Duke of Jervaulx was brilliant – and dangerous. Considered dissolute, reckless, and extravagant, he was transparently referred to as the “D of J” in scandal sheets. But sometimes the most womanizing rakehell can be irresistible, and even his most causal attentions fascinated the sheltered Maddy Timms.
Then one fateful day she receives the shocking news – the duke is lost to the world. And Maddy knows it is her destiny to help him and her only chance to find the true man behind the wicked facade.
But she never dreamed her gentle, healing touch would alter his life and her own so completely – and bind them together in need, desire…and love.
Verdict: I don’t even know what pushed me to put this book onto my TBR list, it doesn’t sound like something I would be interested in. CUT
 Where Dreams Begin
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
“We’re strangers in the darkness,” he whispered. “We’ll never be together like this again.”
Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power, but all London knows is not a gentleman. He needs a wife to secure his position in society—and warm his bed in private. But one alluring, unexpected kiss from Lady Holly Taylor awakens a powerful need within him beyond respectability.
An exceptional beauty whose fierce passions match Zachary’s own, Holly always intended to play by society’s rules, even when they clashed with her bolder instincts. But now a dashing stranger has made her a scandalous offer that does not include matrimony. Should she ignore the sensuous promise of a forbidden kiss…or risk everything to follow her heart to a place where dreams begin?
Verdict: Lisa Kleypas has come highly recommended to me and this one sounds interesting enough so it’ll be STAYING as well.
Well there you have it, 5 books from my TBR list. I managed to CUT 2 of them and 3 of them will be STAYING. What about you? Did you add any of these books to your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below!
February 27th, 2013
 Something Wonderful (Sequals #2)
Author: Judith McNaught
Paperback: 418 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (April 1988)
Recieved From: Bought
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
The tempestuous marriage of Alexandra Lawrence, an innocent country girl, and Jordan Townsende, the rich and powerful Duke of Hawthorne, is about to face its ultimate test of tender loyalty. Swept into the endlessly fascinating world of London society, free-spirited Alexandra becomes ensnared in a tangled web of jealousy and revenge, stormy pride and overwhelming passion. But behind her husband’s cold, arrogant mask, there lives a tender, vital, sensual man…the man Alexandra married. Now, she will fight for his very life…and the rapturous bond they alone can share.
What I Thought: I liked Something Wonderful well enough, the characters were engaging and the story line was a bit predictable but still had a couple of great twists and turns. However the story seemed to drag on and on, there were a couple of parts where I found myself just skimming the pages hoping that something amazing would happen.
I have to say I really did like Alex though. I’ve read several reviews where the reviewer didn’t like her at all, but for some reason she enchanted me right away. Maybe it was the fact that she was working really hard to build a life for her family and didn’t really want to rely on a man. I also like how she stood up for her ‘servants’ who were more like her family to her.
I love Judith McNaught’s books, for some reason they are like romance gold to me and whenever I get burnt out on my current reading or just want something I can lose myself in while I’m in the bath tub, 9 out of 10 times it is one of her books that I will grab. I don’t think this will be one of the books I will be keeping on that shelf though.
Do I Recommend: Yes, it is another look at characters in some of her other books. And even though it is part of a series it can be a stand alone!
Other Books in this Series:
Once and Always
Something Wonderful
Almost Heaven
February 26th, 2013
TEASER TUESDAYS is a weekly event, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, where you ‘tease’ others with a little bit from the book you’re currently reading, making them want to read it, too! How to participate:
- Grab your current book and open to a random page
- Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page
- Make sure what you share is NOT a spoiler
- Include the title, author and page number so that others can read the book if they like the ‘teaser’
- Head on over to Should Be Reading and leave a comment on the Teaser Tuesday post there
This weeks teasers:
A flash of her old humor briefly lit her eyes. “Your memory is short, your grace. I was never more than passable-looking.”
Found on page 123 of Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught/p>
February 25th, 2013
 Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer #1)
Author: Karen Chance
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Roc (June 6, 2006)
Received From: Library
Whats it About According to GoodReads:
Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits—talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk…a lot.
The undead are another matter.
Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.
The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire—and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay….
What I Thought: My first thought about Touch the Dark was how glad I was that I checked it out from the library. The idea behind it sounds amazing. I love a good vampire and ghost story. Which is why when I found it on my TBR list and then featured it on my TBR Thursday post I was pretty excited to actually read it.
I just couldn’t get into Touch the Dark though, no matter how hard I tried. I felt as if I was thrown into the middle of a series, where everyone knew just what was happening except for me.
I couldn’t understand WHY Cassie was afraid of the vampire who made her, and I really didn’t understand WHY she was on the run. And sadly I feel like Karen Chance just didn’t give enough of a back story in the beginning to hook me into reading about Cassie.
Do I Recommend: I cannot because I did not finish Touch the Dark. I think that it might be the perfect book for you though if you are a die hard vampire fan and don’t mind being a little confused in the beginning.
Other Books in this Series:
Touch the Dark
Claimed By Shadow
Embrace the Night
Curse the Dawn
Hunt the Moon
Tempt the Stars
February 20th, 2013
The winners of the Scottish Seduction have been drawn. Seriously guys Rafflecopter made running a contest super easy I’m totally glad I started using it.
Helen R.
and
Sarah B.
Congratulations!
I will be passing on your information to the publisher. You should have also gotten an email from me 
A big thanks to everyone who entered, and to the authors for stopping by and commenting. Also to Forever for providing the books for this contest!
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The Last Academy
