Thursday, February 14, 2013

Mind Games
Kiersten White

Mind Games 
By Kiersten White
ISBN: 9780062135315
Reviewed from: eARC 

Publication Date: February 19, 2013



Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Reading Time: a few hours—I DEVOURED this book quickly and happily


One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
Sarah MacLean


One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
By Sarah MacLean
ISBN: 9780062068538 

Reviewed from eArc as well as finished copy I purchased.






Overall rating: 5 stars
Reading time: 1 day 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Top Ten Favorite Romances


A perfect Top Ten Tuesday weekly meme seeing as Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, this week we are giving our Top Ten Romances. Want to participate? Head over to The Broke and The Bookish to link up your own post.

Adult romances 

· Cynster Series by Stephanie Laurens

I know it is cheating to list a series, but if I had to pick just one, Devil’s Bride is probably my favorite. I discovered her books one afternoon in Borders bookstore while we were living in Champaign, IL. I have not looked back since. She is one of the authors that I will pick up most anything with her name on it.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Sweet Evil
Wendy Higgins


Sweet Evil 
By Wendy Higgins
ISBN: 978006285610


Reviewed from: an eBook from my library 





Overall rating: 5 stars 
Reading Time: 1 day 





Story Summary from Goodreads:
Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?



My Thoughts: 

Young adult paranormal novels are not a new breed of books. Even looking specifically at fallen angel, there is the Hush, Hush saga by Becca Fitzgerald. Good versus Evil. Light versus Dark. There is something about books exploring darker sides, faith and more that draws us to them. These are common themes within YA novels, so could this title really be any different? Let me know just say that this book is spectacular. 

Let’s start with Anna. Anna is the perfect protagonist. She is smart, beautiful and strong (stronger than she realizes). She wants to make her adoptive mother, Patti, proud of her and has a wonderful friend in Jay. None of these things prevent her to be drawn to drugs and alcohol but yet she knows she is and tries to steer clear of them. Then there is Kaidan Rowe. The bad guy but good guy too. I love how complex he is without even him truly even knowing it. Like he knows he is compelled to work but yet he cannot bring himself to work on Anna even when she wants him to do it. Why not? The story moves along at a steady pace so you are not left with feelings of boredom or frustration. It grabs you and takes into a familiar world but offers explanations as to why we might do the things we know we should not do, but we do. The secondary characters add to the humor, drama and appeal to this story.

Overall, this has easily been one of the BEST books I have read recently. Run—go get this book if you have not read it yet. You will not be disappointed!! I am so VERY HAPPY that the second book has been picked up so we can continue on with Kaidan, Anna and the rest of their crew. I look forward to reading Sweet Peril once it debuts April 30, 2013.

Stand-In Star
Rachael Johns


Stand-In Star
By Rachael Johns
ISBN: 9781426894909



Reviewed from: eARC from NetGalley




Overall Rating: 4 stars
Reading time: 1 day
Steaminess rating: 3 stars


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Best Bookish Moments Top Ten Tuesday

A Weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish


First off, it has been several weeks since I have been able to participate in this meme. It has just been so hectic that I have barely had a chance to write any blog posts, let alone participate in any weekly memes. I have been working on finishing up a couple reviews and hope to do so this week.

Here is my list:

Interacting with authors and publishers on Twitter. Social Media and all its platforms get bad raps and there are without a doubt those who use it for harm instead of good. What I treasure is just being able to connect with authors and publishers through Twitter (@scharle4). It has really changed the way authors, publishers, readers and librarians act with each other. 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

January Bingo Challenge Update



Hosted By: Kristilyn, Reading in Winter and Anne from Creativity's Corner
Challenge: To get a Bingo or go all the way and fill up the card! 
Goal: I am shooting to fill up the card and be a “Super Reader” 



Here's the Bingo Challenge Board I am working on this year.