Friday, June 24, 2011

E-book help!

So I am taking my Nook with me on my honeymoon this Saturday.  I need to know some good books to download.  I am looking for ones that you can only read by downloading them.  Some of the ones I've already downloaded are Reaper and My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent, Outta the Bag by MaryJanice Davidson.

What other ones should I get?

*ETA:  I'm looking for morstly YA books, or chicklit or light paranormal (like MaryJanice Davidson)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Book Review- Sweet Valley Confidential

I stayed up late last night to finish Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal. 

From Goodreads:

Now with this striking new adult novel from author and creator Francine Pascal, millions of devoted fans can finally return to the idyllic Sweet Valley, home of the phenomenally successful book series and franchise. Iconic and beloved identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are back and all grown up, dealing with the complicated adult world of love, careers, betrayal, and sisterhood.

*************There are major spoilers in this review***********

Oh man, writing this review makes me so sad.  But I haven't felt this strongly about a book in a while and it's not a good thing.

I grew up reading Sweet Valley Twins, then Sweet Valley High, then Sweet Valley University.  And then in a college course a couple of years ago, I had to write about books that I read when I was younger and I wrote about these series, which made me start to read Sweet Valley University again.  And it brought back a rush of good emotions.  I was addicted to this series!  I watched it on TV, I had the board game, I wanted to name my first daughter Elizabeth.  I missed these characters.  So when I read that my beloved series was going to have a new book out, set ten years later, I absolutely couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

So I sat down, all excited to dive in.  And was immediately disappointed.  And it only got worse.  The whole book was about cheating and betrayals.  I mean, there was always drama in the books before, but it was Sweet Valley.  There was always some sunniness to the book.  But not in this one.  There was just anger and sadness and it was depressing.  There were so many times that I wanted to throw the book across the room.  And there were so many times that I rolled my eyes.  If Jessica said "like" one more time, I was going to scream.  That phrase is like, very old, and like 27 year olds don't really, like, use it.  Grr.

And the characters.  I get that people change.  But there wasn't one character that stayed the same.  And with the exception of Bruce, they were all worse as older characters. I wish that this was more of a reunion book and that the characters had stayed the same.  Elizabeth--I get that she wasn't going to stay completely goody-goody, but now all of sudden she's sleeping with guys right off the bat and drinking and cursing.  Jessica---what a whiny brat!  I get that she's sad and upset that she hurt her twin but the old Jessica would have found strength and gone to get her twin back.  Winston---umm, still can't see him being a jerk like he apparently was after college.  Steven--gay.  Okay, didn't see this one coming.  And there was no mention of Billie at all.  I dunno, I could go on and on.  And then at the end, Elizabeth forgave her twin just as soon as she showed up on her doorstep.  Come on!

I really don't think it was necessary for Francine Pascal to write the book this way.  The book never really needed to be written.  I think she did it for her fans, who missed the twins and Sweet Valley.  And if thats the case, then she should have written for her fans, many who I think would have liked a happier version of the grown up Sweet Valley.

I gave this book a rating of 2/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:

2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 49

*FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for free for an honest review.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday- June 22, 2011

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

I Still Dream About You
by Fannie Flagg
Publication Release Date: June 28, 2011

From Goodreads:

Though her friends think Maggie has the perfect life, she's actually perfectly miserable. The former Miss Alabama is worried about how her life has turned out - she's given up on her dream of living in a beautiful home like Crestview, and instead is a real estate agent in Birmingham.


But just when Maggie begins to wonder if there's much point in going on, her life takes a wild turn, and she finds herself catapulted into one surprising discovery after the next. As Maggie learns valuable lessons about the nature of friendship, the challenges of modern life, and the dangers of impossible dreams, she starts to see how much more there is to life than what can be listed in a Miss Alabama bio.

Bestselling author Fannie Flagg's trademark comic flair is out in full force in this fabulous new novel about the unpredictability of life.

Book Review- The Rivals

I stayed up late last night to finish The Rivals by Daisy Whitney for an Around the World Tour.

From Goodreads:

When Alex Patrick was assaulted by another student last year, her elite boarding school wouldn’t do anything about it. This year Alex is head of the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police and protect the student body. While she desperately wants to live up to the legacy that’s been given to her, she’s now dealing with a case unlike any the Mockingbirds have seen before.


It isn’t rape. It isn’t bullying. It isn’t hate speech. A far-reaching prescription drug ring has sprung up, and students are using the drugs to cheat. But how do you try a case with no obvious victim? Especially when the facts don’t add up, and each new clue drives a wedge between Alex and the people she loves most: her friends, her boyfriend, and her fellow Mockingbirds.


As Alex unravels the layers of deceit within the school, the administration, and even the student body the Mockingbirds protect, her struggle to navigate the murky waters of vigilante justice may reveal more about herself than she ever expected.
 
Just like the first book (The Mockingbirds), The Rivals deals with an important topic not only at boarding schools, but at all schools in general--a cheating ring.  While I really enjoyed this book, it didn't quite have the power that the first book did.
 
While I'm still not sure that a system like this would work in a real school (and we kind of see that in the book) I'm the type of person that definitely sees right from wrong.  I think I would be on a board like this, if I attended the school.  So it makes the story all the more interesting to me. 
 
And this story definitely had me guessing...wrongly, I  might add!  I definitely didn't see the culprit coming.  My theories on who was behind the whole cheating ring kept changing, but I never guessed right.  The violence at the end really shocked me.  I couldn't believe that the scandal went as far as it did.
 
Since The Rivals isn't due out until February of next year, I guess it's too far away to guess if there will be a third book, but I sure hope there will be one!
 
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
 
The Rivals will be released on February 6, 2012.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 48
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 41
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 36
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 7

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Mailbox Monday- June 20, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


TUESDAY
Cast Member Confidential- Chris Mitchell--PaperbackSwap











Dead is So Last Year (Dead Is #3) –Marlene Perez--PaperbackSwap










Floors- Patrick Carman--for review from publisher











THURSDAY
A Glimpse of Evil (Psychic Eye Mystery #8)- Victoria Laurie--PaperbackSwap










FRIDAY
Anna Dressed in Blood- Kendare Blake--review for The Teen Book Scene










SATURDAY
Ghost Huntress Book 5: The Discovery- Marley Gibson--PaperbackSwap










Hungry for You (Argeneau #15)- Lynsay Sands--Bookmooch









A Witch in Time (A Bewitching Mystery #6)- Madelyn Alt--PaperbackSwap










The Rivals- Daisy Whitney--review for an Around the World Tour

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Sunday Salon- June 19, 2011

The Sunday Salon

So this week's Sunday Salon is for the past two weeks.  I got married last Saturday and it was everythinig I'd ever dreamed it could be!  I had so much fun and I wish I could go back and do it again, without changing anything!  I will be away on my honeymoon starting next Saturday, so I won't be posting for a bit.  Here's a preview of my wedding pics.


I finished and reviewed the following books the past 2 weeks:
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Priceless by Nicole Richie
Supernaturally by Kiersten White
The Rapture by Liz Jensen
Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley











I fulfilled items in the following challenges the past 2 weeks:
2011 A to Z Challenge: R, Y
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 17, 43, 44, 45, 46
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 15, 37, 38, 39
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 14, 34

I am currently reading Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake and up next is The Rivals by Daisy Whitney.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Book Review- Wish You Were Here

I finished reading Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley earlier today.

From Goodreads:

Jack Thornfield, new CEO, is shocked to see his long lost love, Beth Allen's resume come across his desk. After 8 years apart they have a second chance at happiness in this romantic story about love and secrets.

This is just the book I needed to read after my wedding.  Nothing too heavy.  Nothing requiring a lot of thought.  Something light and fun with a happy ending.  Wish You Were Here fit that perfectly.

Now, let me say that the writing of the book seemed a little, off.  Kinda inexperienced or something.  I'm not sure.  But that didn't stop me from enjoying it at all. I loved the setting of the story and the background of Beth and Jack working for a touring company.  Such fun!  And while it was the typical chick-lit story, I just enjoyed Beth and Jack so much!  Beth wanted to be so strong when she met up with Jack after 8 years, but sometimes fate just steps in! 

This was a great romantic comedy, chick-lit book and I can't wait to read more by the author!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 46
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 39

Friday Finds- June 17, 2011

Friday Finds


Dead Beautiful- Yvonne Woon
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul. (From Goodreads)



Sirensong- Jenna Black
When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented at the Seelie Court, it’s no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead. But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggests Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne. So she and her father better do as they're told…

The journey through Faerie is long – and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend Ethan and her bodyguard’s son, Keane, just can’t seem to get along, and Kimber’s crush on Keane isn’t making things any easier. When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time… and makes it clear that he hasn’t given up on making her his own.

Arriving at Titania’s beautiful palace should be a relief. But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania’s granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives. Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court – or, worse, the Erlking – catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead? (From Jenna Black's website)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Book Review- The Rapture

I finally finished reading The Rapture by Liz Jensen.

From Goodreads:

It is a June unlike any other before, with temperatures soaring to asphyxiating heights. All across the world, freak weather patterns—and the life-shattering catastrophes they entail—have become the norm. The twenty-first century has entered a new phase.

But Gabrielle Fox’s main concern is a personal one: to rebuild her life after a devastating car accident that has left her disconnected from the world, a prisoner of her own guilt and grief. Determined to make a fresh start, and shake off memories of her wrecked past, she leaves London for a temporary posting as an art therapist at Oxsmith Adolescent Secure Psychiatric Hospital, home to one hundred of the most dangerous children in the country. Among them: the teenage killer Bethany Krall.

Despite two years of therapy, Bethany is in no way rehabilitated and remains militantly nonchalant about the bloody, brutal death she inflicted on her mother. Raised in evangelistic hellfire, the teenager is violent, caustic, unruly, and cruelly intuitive. She is also insistent that her electroshock treatments enable her to foresee natural disasters—a claim which Gabrielle interprets as a symptom of doomsday delusion.

But as Gabrielle delves further into Bethany’s psyche, she begins to note alarming parallels between her patient’s paranoid disaster fantasies and actual incidents of geological and meteorological upheaval—coincidences her professionalism tells her to ignore but that her heart cannot. When a brilliant physicist enters the equation, the disruptive tension mounts—and the stakes multiply. Is the self-proclaimed Nostradamus of the psych ward the ultimate manipulator or a harbinger of global disaster on a scale never seen before? Where does science end and faith begin? And what can love mean in “interesting times”?

With gothic intensity, Liz Jensen conjures the increasingly unnerving relationship between the traumatized therapist and her fascinating, deeply calculating patient. As Bethany’s warnings continue to prove accurate beyond fluke and she begins to offer scientifically precise hints of a final, world-altering cataclysm, Gabrielle is confronted with a series of devastating choices in a world in which belief has become as precious - and as murderous—as life itself.

Gah! Unfortunately I am one of those readers who has to finish every book I pick up.  Otherwise, I would have quit this one a long time ago.

I found this book so incredibly boring and cold.  While the idea of some natural disaster like the one in the book could happen, the chances are so slim and far off.  And there was so much religion in the book. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I wanted to care about the characters.  I wanted to root for Gabrielle, who is in a wheelchair.  And I wanted to be sympathetic for Bethany.  But I just.  didn't.  care.  Not at all. 

Everything was told in such a factual way that it was long, cold and drawn out.  I hate writing negative reviews, but all I can say is that I am so glad that I am done with this book!

I gave this book a rating of 1/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 45
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 38

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for the publisher for free for an honest review.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday- June 15, 2011

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Marked (Delcroix Academy #2)
by Inara Scott
Publication Release Date: April 3, 2012

(This was previously going to be released as The Watchers.  The first book was previously released under the title The Candidtaes, but is now being released under the title The Talents)

From Inara Scott's website:

Dancia’s back at Delcroix, but this year, everything’s different. Dancia’s Talented, and her powers have earned her an invitation to join Delcroix’s real raison d’etre –the Program. Dancia’s wanted to use her powers to help people all her life — and now Delcroix is going to give her the training she needs to use her Talent for good. At least…that’s what the school saysshe’ll learn to do with her powers. Her cuter-than-cute boyfriend Cam insists that it’s true, and so do all the other students. But there’s still a little voice inside her head that wonders — if the Program’s so great, why did her almost-only-a-friend- Jack run away rather than join? And why would the school be getting attacked by angry ex-students? Dancia’s a loyal student…and a loyal girlfriend. But if finding out what’s really going on means talking to Jack, well — it’s a risk she just might have to take.

Book Review- Supernaturally

Early this morning, I finished reading Supernaturally by Kiersten White.

From Goodreads:

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.


But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.


So much for normal.

Paranormalcy was my favorite book that I read last year. So I couldn't wait to read Supernaturally.  And while it wasn't as good as the first book, I really enjoyed it.

One again I just absolutely LOVED Evie.  I love her sense of humor.  I love how she was totally kick-butt, but wanted to be normal.  I love how she got so excited about the little things (ahem, lockers).  I love how she was so in Love with Lend.  She's just the epitome of the perfect heroine, to me anyways.

And once again, I loved how this book was written.  I loved the humor of it all.  And the way Kiersten White writes like the characters are talking to a friend.  (then again, I love reading her blog too). 

The plot in the book was the only thing that didn't really grab me this time.  But the part about the Faerie Paths just kind of lost me as well as the role of the faeries, on the universe, I guess.  And I wasn't too keen about the part with Evie's dad.  It was a little odd to me.  But I did really like the addition of Jack.  He was a great, surprising character. 

But oh man, I can't wait to read the third book!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

Supernaturally will be released on July 26, 2011

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 44
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 37
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 34

*FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers for an honest review.

Paperback Release!

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger has been released in paperback!

From Simon & Schuster:

Brooke loved reading the dishy celebrity gossip rag Last Night. That is, until her marriage became a weekly headline.

Brooke was drawn to the soulful, enigmatic Julian Alter the very first time she heard him perform “Hallelujah” at a dark East Village dive bar.

Now five years married, Brooke balances two jobs—as a nutritionist at NYU Hospital and as a consultant to an Upper East Side girls’ school, where privilege gone wrong and disordered eating run rampant—in order to help support her husband’s dream of making it in the music world.

Things are looking up when after years of playing Manhattan clubs and toiling as an A&R intern, Julian finally gets signed by Sony. Although no one’s promising that the album will ever hit the airwaves, Julian is still dedicated to logging in long hours at the recording studio. All that changes after Julian is asked to perform on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno—and is catapulted to stardom, literally overnight. Amazing opportunities begin popping up almost daily—a new designer wardrobe, a tour with Maroon 5, even a Grammy performance.

At first the newfound fame is fun—who wouldn’t want to stay at the Chateau Marmont or visit the set of one of television’s hottest shows? Yet it seems that Brooke’s sweet husband—the man who can’t handle hot showers and wears socks to bed—is increasingly absent, even on those rare nights they’re home together. When rumors about Brooke and Julian swirl in the tabloid magazines, she begins to question the truth of her marriage and is forced to finally come to terms with what she thinks she wants—and what she actually needs.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Mailbox Monday- June 13, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


MONDAY
Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2)- Ally Carter--from publisher for review









THURSDAY
Sweet Valley Confidential- Francine Pascal--from publisher for review










The Patron Saint of Butterflies- Ceclia Galante--Bookmooch












If You Were Here- Jen Lancaster--Bookmooch













FRIDAY
Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (Ghost Hunter Myster #5)- Victoria Laurie--PaperbackSwap










Jealousy (Strange Angels #3)- Lili St. Crow--PaperbackSwap











SATURDAY
Through My Eyes- Tim Tebow--wedding present

Monday, June 6, 2011

Mailbox Monday- June 6, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


TUESDAY
Legend- Marie Lu--from publisher for review










WEDNESDAY
Undead Much?- Stacey Jay--PaperbackSwap

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Book Review- Priceless

I just finished reading Priceless by Nicole Richie.

From Goodreads:

Meet Charlotte Williams… Rich, gorgeous, blonde and a talented singer, she has everything going for her. Spoiled and indulged, her life has always revolved around fashion, gossip, partying and men. When Charlotte’s father – her only family since her mother’s tragic death years ago – is arrested on fraud charges, her glittering world shatters around her. Alone and penniless, she must make her own way for the very first time. Harassed by paparazzi and the outraged victims of her father’s crimes, Charlotte flees to New Orleans to escape the scandal. But what happens when a Park Avenue Princess is forced to fend for herself? How will she adapt to the Big Easy’s bohemian lifestyle? And in the face of anonymous death threats, can she keep herself out of danger? From the stylish avenues of Manhattan and dark clubs of the French Quarter to the bright lights of Los Angeles, Nicole Richie’s scintillating tale shows that the very life you run from is the one that won’t let you hide.

When I was offered the chance to read Priceless, I accepted, but my expectations weren't really all that high.  This is the first novel I've read from a celebrity (that's fiction anyways) and I thought that it wouldn't be good.  But I was surprisingly, and pleasantly, wrong!  Now, there's nothing extraordinary about the book.  But it definitely kept my interest and I enjoyed it!
Reading the summary of the book, I just knew that I would hate Charlotte.  And just the first couple of pages proved me right!  But then things turned around.  And I felt myself feeling sorry for her and I actually started to like her.  I found that she wasn't such a spoiled brat and actually had a real personality and heart.  And I really liked Kat, a girl who Charlotte meets in New Orleans.  In fact, I think a whole book could be written about her, and I would definitely pick it up.

The thing I didn't like about the book was how people treated Charlotte after her father was in jail.  I can't imagine people being that violent towards her and saying what they did, just because of what crime her father committed.  Sure, I get that the people would be angry, but I think how it was portrayed in the story was a little over the top.

Overall, a light, easy read and a nice surprise of a novel!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: R
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 43


*FTC Disclosure: I recieved this book from Cristina of Simon & Schuster and Atria Publicity for free for an honest review.

Book Review- A Need So Beautiful

I just finished reading A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young for a Teen Book Scene review.

From Goodreads:

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

There have been others before who’ve felt the Need, but they’re gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can’t. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she’ll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.

This was an interesting story.  I liked the idea of having a superpower where you felt compelled to help someone.  And the identity of a Forgotten is interesting too.

I liked Charlotte.  She was a sweetheart but had a funny sarcastic side too.  And I liked her relationship with Harlin.  I think this might be the first time that I've like the "Bad boy."  I usually like the good guys, but with Harlin, its just his exterior that is "bad boy"ish.  Their relationship seemed pretty intense for being so young, but it made sense when you find out something at the end (which I saw coming). 

I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel to this book, but if there is one, I definitely want to pick it up.  I want to find out what happens to Charlotte next!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

A Need So Beautiful will be released on June 21, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: Y
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 17
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 15
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 14

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the The Teen Book Scene.

The Sunday Salon- June 5, 2011

The Sunday Salon

So we are less than 1 week away!  Next Saturday, I get married!  I can't wait!  It doesn't seem real!

I finished and reviewed the following books this week:
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 42
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 36
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 33

I am currently reading Priceless by Nicole Richie and up next is Supernaturally by Kiersten White.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Book Review- The Girl in the Steel Corset

Yesterday I finished reading The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross.

From Goodreads:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

Sigh, I really need to stay away from books that aren't in modern day.  I never fully enjoy them.  And then I can't truly appreciate them either.  This book just didn't keep my interest.  It wasn't horrible by any means.  I just didn't find myself wanting to read it and it took me forever to get through it.  Sure, there was plenty of action to keep things going, but I just had a hard time finding myself caring.  And I hate feeling that way about a book. 

I didn't really care about the setting or the plot, but I did enjoy the characters.  I liked how strong Finley was and how kick-butt she was.  I LOVED that Emily was so incredibly smart.  And Griffin and Jack Dandy made a fun love triangle.  So the book had the characters going for it.

I've read a lot of great reviews about the book.  It just wasn't my style.  But if you like steampunk, then I would give it a try.  Chances are, you'll probably like it!

I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 42
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 36
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 33

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for a review

Friday Fill-In- June 3, 2011

Friday Fill-In

1. Hey! This is my last weekend as a single lady.

2. In every lie, there is usually some kernel of truth.
3. Eat drink and be married.
4. Monkey in the middle.
5. First thing to note: the end of the school year on Wednesday is stressing me more than my wedding on Saturday.
6. I don't need a distraction.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include taking dance lessons with my fiance and Sunday, I want to pack up all my stuff to go in bins to take to my wedding planner!

Friday Finds- June 3, 2011

Friday Finds


Passion- Lauren Kate
Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series hits stores Tuesday 14th June 2011. (From Goodreads)
Forever Summer- Alyson Noel
Summer. A break from the burdens of school. Deep tans, deeper thoughts. Far away from the everyday. Closer to making dreams come true...What does summer mean to you? For the two teenage girls in these two unforgettable novels, summer means being torn away from the familiar and finding new friends. A new place in the world. A new sense of self. And maybe even new love along the way...  (From Alyson Noel's website)