Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

Title: The Collector (Dante Walker #1)
Author: Victoria Scott
Publication: April 2, 2013 by Entangled Teen
Pages: Paperback, 352 pages
Reviewed by: Isalys
Reason for Reading: ARC of e-book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

This is one of those books that lands on your lap and you think, "hmm, seems interesting" and then you end up devouring it!

Dante is your quintessential bad boy! He had looks, popularity and money to spare and he lived his life accordingly...which incidentally is how he ended up with the gig as Satan's Numero Uno Collector, aka a demon!  He is up for a promotion and if he earns it, then he gets a one way ticket out of Hell and he can roam earth among the living. In order to seal the deal though, he has ten days to collect one wittle soul.  Being such a badass, he's totally got this!  Right? Charlie, whose soul he must reap is nothing like he expected. She's perky and uber-nice and likes to do volunteer work and is not cute! He can't understand why "Boss Man" would be interested in her soul, but then it's not his place to question. Now, he has to work overtime to corrupt her because her soul is sparkly, squeaky clean!

Dante and Charlie are opposite in every way and yet it's because of their differences that you like them both so much.  Dante is cocky, sarcastic and brutally (sometimes painfully) honest.  He's the boy that you love to hate and hate to love (not unlike Daemon from Obsidian)!  His narration is unmistakably male and I thought Victoria did a very good job of capturing that "guy" mentality.  For a moment or two, I thought Victoria sneaked into my head in the middle of the night and stole my words.  Not because I think I'm a dude (lol), but because his snark is something that I related to.  I personally liked him far more than I disliked him.  While he was arrogant to the point of being obnoxious, it didn't bother me because 1) it came with the demon territory and 2) it made his character development that much sweeter.

On the flip side, Charlie is 'average' yet kind, forgiving and compassionate.  Charlie will immediately endear you to her because she's real.  She doesn't have the perfect body or perfect hair or perfect friends. She's a normal teenage girl with acne who wears glasses and is a nerd!  Perhaps a bit too trusting, you can't help admire her willingness to see the good in everyone, even a demon! You nor Dante could resist falling in love with her.

I do have to say that the plot takes a backseat to the main characters!  Charlie is caught in the middle of a potential war between Big Guy (God) and Boss Man (The Devil) and as Dante realizes that Charlie is so much more than he gave her credit for, his alliance begins to change.  Dante finds allies in the secondary characters which were interesting & entertaining, but not nearly as captivating as our hero and heroine.

It was Charlie & Dante who stole the show with their "shake my fist at them" or "made me all melty" moments. Victoria did an excellent job of making you invest your emotions into their complicated relationship!

With a delicious bad boy, a sweet heroine, romance, some action, and a pinch of hope, The Collector by Victoria Scott delivers a unique story about love and redemption with characters that could not be more opposite nor any more perfect for each other!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

And if you loveeee Dante [...and Charlie] as much as I do, then don't forget to add Victoria's next installment, The Liberator (Dante Walker #2) to your TBR pile :)

Note: Click on the image to be redirected to The Liberator's page on Goodreads so you can add it to your "Want To Read" list.

PS:  Dudettes, aren't these covers hawt?  Just making sure you noticed, too!

Victoria Scott is totes my new BFF (inside joke...at least it is in my head, lol) and is also a teen fiction writer represented by Sara Crowe. She's the author of THE COLLECTOR trilogy (Entangled Teen) and the FLOOD AND FIRE trilogy (Scholastic). Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband and hearts cotton candy something fierce.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

Title: Easy
Author: Tammara Webber
Published: Nov 6, 2012 by Berkley Trade (first published May 24th 2012)
Pages: 310 pages, paper back
Reviewed by: Isalys
Reason for Reading: Because everyone kept telling me how awesome it was!

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

I decided that my first review of 2013 will be of one of my favorite reads of 2012!  I sometimes shy away from books that have been hyped up to the point of near exhaustion for fear that it wouldn't live up, however, I'm pleased as punch to say that Easy by Tammara Webber was deserving of the hype.

Jacqueline is a classical musician, but decided to follow her long-time boyfriend to an academic university only to be unceremoniously dumped by him.  In an attempt to get her out of this post-break-up funk she was in, her best friend drags her to a Halloween party where something terrifying and nearly tragic happens to her.  It's at this point that her life begins to take unexpected turns.  It is with the help of two guys that she finally begins to get over Kennedy.  Landon, the tutor assigned to help her with the Economics class she was failing and Lucas, her tattooed and artistic savior (from Halloween night) who also happens to be in said Economics class.

At first, Landon is a bit condescending but that soon turns into a witty and casual repartee between them.  The only downside to her relationship with Landon is that it's relegated to just email.  Lucas, on the other hand, is mysterious, aloof, oh so sexy, and real.  Just when she feels that she needs to make a decision between them, secrets begin to unveil themselves. 

Lucas was by far the most interesting and complex character.  One day, he's non-existent and the next, he's everywhere.  Landon was a nice escape and it seemed that he kept Jacqueline grounded but it was Lucas who heated her blood.  Lucas' incredibly protective nature gives the reader clues into a very dark past; an event that had occurred that completely shaped the man he'd become.  He was damaged, yet so strong.  It was simply beautiful to watch them heal each other!

I started this book one day during my lunch hour and finished it before bed.  From the first chapter it pulls you in and doesn't let you go until you've read every last word.  I finished it and laid in bed savoring and reliving my favorite scenes, including the first kiss that was probably THE best first kisses I've ever read *le sigh*.

I was incredibly impressed with Tammara Webber's writing, particularly with the way she handled a very dark and sensitive topic.  If Easy is any indication of the rest of her work, then color me a fan!

Review: Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

Title: Jenny Pox (The Paranormals #1)
Author: J.L. Bryan
Publish Date: July 24, 2010 by J.L. Bryan (self-pub)
Pages:  214 pages, e-book
Reviewed by: Isalys
Reason for Reading: E-book provided by author for review purposes

Eighteen-year-old Jenny Morton has a horrific secret: her touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague, the "Jenny pox." She lives by a single rule: Never touch anyone. A lifetime of avoiding any physical contact with others has made her isolated and painfully lonely in her small rural town. Then she meets the one boy she can touch. Jenny feels herself falling for Seth...but if she's going to be with him, Jenny must learn to use the deadly pox inside her to confront his ruthless and manipulative girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.

I hadn't heard of this book until my "Month of Indie Epicness" co-conspirators recommended that we include it.  This is the reason I know those girls won't lead me astray because damn, Jenny Pox blew my friggin' mind, like whoa!

Jenny Morton, known as Jenny Mittens to all which was still a vast improvement from her days as Jenny Pox is a pariah.  She wears mittens to protect others from her deadly touch.  For reasons unknown, Jenny's touch spreads plague-like infections such as blisters, boils, and nasty open sores.  If she holds on too long, you can kiss your butt good-bye.

Even with a loving and supportive father, Jenny has never known acceptance or even another person's touch.  She's always been that weird girl that keeps to herself and is covered from head-to-toe even in the middle of summer, that is until. . .

Meet Seth, boyfriend of Ashleigh, the school's reigning Queen Bee.  We are introduced to Seth as your typical high school jock, but a sad incident involving Jenny's dog reveals that Seth is actually really sweet and compassionate and has a BIG secret of his own.  He also has an ability and incidentally, it nixes Jenny's which means they can touch, kiss and even have sex.  For the first time in Jenny's life, she is over-the-moon in love and she does not intend to let go.

As for Ashleigh, little Miss Holier than Thou.  She's got the whole town wrapped around her finger, except for one person and that is Jenny Mittens.  She is determined to rise in power and take Jenny down and reclaim Seth while she's at it.  What none of them realize is that they ALL have abilities and they're about to be pushed to their limits.

Holy shit guys!  I can't remember the last time that a book affected me so much. The premise is unique, the characters are intense, and the world-building is surprising!  Jenny's story broke my heart.  I can't imagine living life without human touch.  No hugs, no kisses, no high-fives, no smex *gasp*.  Seth was funny and sweet and genuinely cared about Jenny so the scenes with them together were a delight.  Ashleigh, well, she may or may not be the anti-Christ. She does a phenomenal job of convincing people that she's sugar and spice when she's really venom and claws.  Jenny and eventually Seth are the only ones who see her for what she is and they are determined to stop her!

Then we get to our big finale...the climax of our story and the part where Isalys's (yes, I'm referring to myself in third person) palms start sweating, my eyes are bugging out of my head and my heart is about ready to burst.  I'm reading the e-book so I've got my iPad in a death grip as I try to take it all in.  The bad guys think they're good, the good guys do bad things and it's all chaos and mayhem.  J.L. Bryan took the mind-fuckery to EPIC proportions.

And then, just when you think that this story is over, J.L. Bryan takes us for a little mythological ride with a taste of the backstory about why Jenny, Seth, and Ashleigh have those (particular) abilities.

*headdesk*  To quote my own comment on Smash's Goodreads page: "I just finished Jenny Pox and I need a drink OR a hug OR a drink while being hugged."

Go read it. Now!

WARNING: The characters may be young adult, but there is some very mature content/scenes.  Suggested for 18+ readers.

Review: Inhale by Kendall Grey

Title: Inhale (Just Breathe #1)
Author:  Kendall Grey
Publish Date: May 1, 2012 by Howling Mad Press
Pages:  pages, e-book
Reviewed by: Isalys
Reason for Reading: E-book provided by author for review purposes

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and some violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

**The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to whale education

You guys, I am so happy to be dedicating a whole week to Kendall and the EPICNESS that is her book, INHALE.  I'm talking stoopid-happy over here!!  As part of our "Month of Indie Epicness", I've been fortunate enough to read some really incredible books...but INHALE has surprised me the most.  Its ingenuity and complexity is beyond anything that I expected.  This will be my attempt to write a cohesive review about a book that makes me want to fangirl like a 13-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert, lol.

Our heroine Zoe Morgan is a whale researcher and advocate. She has dedicated her life and career to educating and protecting the majestic Humpback Whale.Haunted by the loss of a baby whale during a previous trip, she now has the chance to redeem herself by directing an expedition to Australia.

Gavin Cassidy, our hero, is an Australian rock star and a Sentinel. A Sentinel is a warrior and protector of The Dreaming, an alternate world controlled by Elementals. After the loss of his partner, he became imbalanced and dedicated himself to the life of a debauched rock star. No longer trusting himself or his abilities as a Sentinel, he is contented to stay in Realis (the real world)...that is until he gets a really big assignment. Zoe and Gavin's lives become entangled in a way that neither expected or understood and I'm so glad I got to be a part of that ride.

Zoe is so admirable! Raised by a cold and emotionally-distant mother, a failed relationship with her boss and the loss of that baby whale have really taken a toll on her self-esteem. However, her commitment to her whales is her priority and her strength. She is a fighter!

Gavin *hubba hubba grr baby* is just delectable! As the lead singer of a popular band, he is the picture of strength, confidence and sex appeal. Little does the world know that it's all a facade. He still struggles with the death of his partner, does not trust himself to protect Wyldings and has to practically beat Scarlet off with a stick (a Fyre Elemental with an agenda). Sidenote: Bitch is lookin' for a beat down! *gives her evil eye* He is the ultimate tortured hero!

I loved all of Zoe and Gavin's interactions. From talking, to working or fighting together, to doing other stuff *wink wink*, they simply oozed chemistry! They were lively, fun, and smexy as hell!

I'm not sure it's possible to describe this book without giving away too much. There is just so much to it! I have no doubt of the power of each character. Humility, strength, humor, manipulation, mystery; these are all part of the cast. But beyond the larger than life characters, the fascinating world-building, the do or die plot, what really shines is Kendall's writing. She has a talent for completely immersing you in a strange and vibrant world. These places she created are unlike any other I've read but I never felt lost or confused. It's her talent as a writer to guide us through her story and she did so beautifully!

As for the ending, well done! With this book being part of a series, it had to be open-ended enough that it leads into the next but satisfying enough that we're not left frustrated. I finished the last line, grinned like a goof and then scolded Kendall for toying with me like that!

This book was Urban Fantasy at it's finest!

Check out another review by one of my co-conspirators:

• Amy from Book Loving Mom

And if mine and Amy's gush fests *still* aren't enough to make you want to read this book RIGHT NOW...and frankly, I find that hard to believe...then check out the book trailer:

Wanna read it now, don't cha?! ;)

Review: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Title: Beyond The Highland mist 
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publish Date: March 9th, 1999
Pages: 375
Reviewed by: Vanessa
Reason for Reading: Pleasure! *evil grin*

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . 

An alluring laird...
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. 

I’m not usually one to pick up a romance novel. Lord knows I’ve been known to wrinkle my nose a bit every time Isalys mentions a ‘Lord’ or someone’s ‘quivering member’. So I was just as surprised, as some of you may be now, when I decided to pick up one of ‘those’ books. I knew that if any would catch my attention it would have to be one with a highlander. Luckily for me, I chose the perfect one!

Beyond the Highland Mist begins with Hawk, a devilishly handsome man who has made a name for himself by ‘tupping’ practically every lass he’s met. Including the Queen of the royal court - Tuatha De Danaan [the fae]. She speaks of Hawk’s ‘special abilities’ to her husband and thus sets the course for the book. Her husband, and his assistant [a.k.a ‘the fool’ a.k.a Adam Black] set to get revenge on Hawk for dishonoring them. Adam Black is commanded by the king to ‘Go now through the centuries. Go forward - women are more independent and self-possessed there.’ Adam who can time travel then travels forward through the centuries to find a scorned woman; one who has sworn off men and absolutely loathes the beautiful ones; one who would be perfect for breaking Hawks heart.

Enter, Adrienne de Simone. A beautiful, intelligent, broken-hearted woman who has...you guessed it…sworn off men! She is, quite literally, tossed into the 16th century, and as soon as she lands [on someone’s lap] she’s thrown into a marriage with a man who doesn’t even bother to show up, and instead sends his assistant to stand in for him! The nerve! Once she meets him, she immediately dislikes him. Not only is he gorgeous but he’s conceited as well and reminds her too much of the very man who made her loathe men to begin with.

Adrienne is determined to figure out what’s happening and find her way back to her own century, even if it means leaving the gorgeous highlander and going back to face her demons.  Hawk, on the other hand, is determined to make her his and wants her to see him for the man he really is; not the man he was forced to be. All the time, fighting for her love and affection against his competition; Adam Black.

In a bitter love triangle, will love win? Especially when the opponent uses magic, persuasion, and time travel?

This book is definitely on my ‘Top’ list! It was an incredible page turner that had me laughing, worried, screaming at the book and also looking for my fiancé so he could kiss me like the Hawk, lol. I especially loved Hawk’s fighting spirit. Adrienne frustrated me a bit because she was so adamant about hating Hawk, but when you finally find out her dark past, you realize why she does what she does…breaks Hawk’s heart.

Now, if only he were strong enough to find the truth for himself …

*sigh* I’m off to read the next one!

Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publish Date: Sept 27, 2011
Pages: 418 pages, hardcover
Reviewed by: ISALYS
Reason for reading: Given as a RAK gift :)

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Have you ever read a book that you loved so much, that had you so entranced and so completely emotionally invested that when you were done you felt like you were struck stupid because you had no idea how to put into words how incredible the book was?  Well, that is DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE for me.  I can't even attempt to write a cohesive review that includes words other than 'awesome' and 'favorite' because truth is that even though it's only the beginning of 2012, I know that this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year!

Laini Taylor is an artist of words and DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE was utterly captivating!  Set in Prague, it's the story of Karou, an extraordinary girl who straddles the line between two worlds not knowing how she fits into either. Believing she was orphaned, she was raised by Brimstone, a chimera (demon) who has fulfilled the role of father-figure in her life. Never explaining who or where she really came from, Karou's life and existence have been a mystery to her.  She has lived a mostly ordinary life which includes the fickle, annoying ex-boyfriend and the hilarious best friend, Zuzanna.  During one of her mysterious trips, she encounters the beautiful Akiva who is one of the seraphim (angels) responsible for the scorch marks left on the doors that separate her two worlds.  Quiet, haunted Akiva cannot bring himself to kill or even hate the girl who by all accounts should be his enemy.  Thus begins a complicated but beautifully choreographed dance that alternates between good and evil, love and hate, familiarity and confusion.

This book does not follow a linear timeline, but rather does a backflip between the first and second half.  The first half of the book is spent getting to know Karou and her band of misfit, but kind demon pals as well as her BFF whose snarky commentary amused me to no end.   The second half of the book, however, you get to know Akiva and his trials and the story of the one he lost his heart to.  It's a bit "Pulp Fiction-esque" in that the second half provides the backstory for who Karou is and how she came to be. The only challenge for me as a reader is that I found myself missing Karou and wanting to go back to her POV.  Once I finished though, I was able to much better appreciate why Laini felt that Karou's story needed to be told that way.

With this story, Laini Taylor gives us some lyrical quotes, a varied and fascinating cast of characters, a setting so lifelike it's like you're really seeing it through Karou's eyes, incredible world building, laugh out loud humor, mystery, and war all topped off with an intense and heart-wrenching story of star-crossed lovers.

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love.
It did not end well.”

Double Review Shade Series & Shift Giveaway!

Title: Shade (Shade #1)
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Publish Date: May 4, 2010 by Simon Pulse

Pages: 292, paperback
Read & Reviewed By: ISALYS
Purpose: Provided by publisher for review purposes.

Shade Review:
This is one of those books that I've walked past a dozen or more times.  I would sneak a glance, pick it up, contemplate it and then not buy.  Why? Heck if I know!  And the kicker is that I love me a great ghost story.

I was contacted and offered the chance to read and review both Shade books and I'm so super, über glad that I did because I have fallen in love with this series...and with a certain hottie Scottie ♥ *le sigh*

The world experience a "shift" of some kind that resulted in everyone being born after the event, including Aura, has the ability to see and communicate with the ghosts of those who have not moved on.  It has now been over 16 years and ghosts are so commonplace that laws have been set in place to help seek justice in the event of a wrongful death.  The real mystery is that no one know why or how "The Shift" occurred.

Everything is going great for Aura; she's working on a school project that will hopefully shed some light on "The Shift" and she's madly in love with her musician boyfriend Logan.  Logan is incredibly likable despite being pretty self-absorbed. He also has high hopes for a future as the mega-famous front man of a band he has with his siblings.  Unfortunately, Logan's future is cut very short when he accidentally dies leaving his violet-hued, ghostly presence behind.  Aura is crushed by this but how can she truly move on when Logan can't?

In walks in Zachary, the hottie Scottish exchange student {and my new YA book crush!}. He is a pre-shifter and cannot see ghosts, but he definitely noticed Aura right away.  He is assigned to help her with her school project but ends up giving Aura some much needed comfort & friendship in the wake of Logan's death. During the course of their project and growing attraction, they learn that they are more connected than they could have ever expected to be.  Unfortunately, that connection may also put them in serious danger. 

I absolutely devoured this book; I'm talking walking-while-reading, hoping for a red light so I can sneak in a few sentences and staying up til the wee-hours because I couldn't put it down!  Aura is such a great character.  She's smart and sassy, compassionate, fiercely loyal and all around genuine teenage girl. The concept of the love triangle has been done and re-done, but Jeri gave it such a refreshing and gut-wrenching new twist that made it a delight to read about.  With Twilight, you were Team Edward or Team Jacob, no questions. With Vamp Academy, it was always about Dimitri.  However, the two boys in this series were much harder to choose between.  They both had so much to offer that I could understand why Aura would feel so torn. Yet, she didn't beat it into the ground which was great.

I have become an instant fan of Jeri Smith-Ready and her ability to tell us an interesting, compelling story that's laced with humor, sweetness, bone-deep emotion, dynamic characters, and a mysterious plot!

Who loves Shade?  This girl

Title: Shift (Shade #2)
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Publish Date: May 3, 2011 by Simon Pulse

Pages: 367, hardcover
Read & Reviewed By: ISALYS
Purpose: Provided by publisher for review purposes.

Shift Review:
I'm not sure how to review this book because all I really want to do is gush about all its emotional awesomeness.

If I thought Shade was emotionally intense, then Shift left me stupefied.  We're left with a pretty gnarly cliffhanger in the end of Shade and Shift picks up right where it left off.  I don't want to spoil it for anyone so pardon my cryptic-ness *made up word* but something happens to Logan's ghost that flips Aura's world yet again and makes it even more difficult to choose between her first love and her new love!  Oh, these two boys...they make it hurt so good!  There were so many moments where I wanted to alternate between hugging them or bitch-slapping them!

Meanwhile, Logan's family is still reeling from his death and older brother Mickey is taking it especially hard.  While he's only a secondary character, you can't help but feel so much compassion for him.  (I would probably die if anything ever happened to one of my younger brothers! Perish the thought!)  Dylan, the youngest sibling is the only other person who can see Logan so he has his share of emotional struggle as well.  He quickly matures in this book and although I personally didn't care for the interesting turn his relationship with Aura took, I can certainly understand their need to seek comfort in each other as the only two people who can still communicate with Logan.  Oh and the prom scene, I totally wanted to high-five him too!

But wait, there's more!  We finally learn more about Aura's mother and her mysterious father (this will make sense WHEN you read it).  Unfortunately, while Aura is desperate to know about her mother's connection to "The Shift", some very powerful people are desperate to keep her from learning those secrets. Her and Zachary's lives become more threatened and even more entangled.

So there you have it folks - I pretty much loved everything about this book.  The writing was just stellar and JSR did a fantastic job of tying all these elements together without making it feel convoluted or over-bearing.  I probably felt some version of every emotion with this book: happiness, awe, irritation, concern.  It's a beautiful thing when an author can deliver a story that makes you feel so much!

In a nutshell my friends, Shift was the perfect follow up to Shade and I eagerly await the arrival of Shine!

Giveaway!
June 8 - June 15

Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Simon Pulse, we have a Shift prize pack for ONE lucky winner!  Winner will get a A Ghost Bead Bracelet and a copy of Shift!

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Rules:
• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form linked above and leave a comment indicating that you've entered.

• Prize will be delivered directly from the publisher so the giveaway is only available for U.S. residents. No P.O. boxes please. Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient!
• Winners will be drawn after the contest ends and posted soon thereafter.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions.

Review: Chime by Franny Billingsley

Title: Chime
Author: Frannie Billingsley
Publish Date: March 17, 2011 by Dial
Pages: 361, hardcover
Reviewed by: ISALYS
Reason for reading:  Read ARC provided by publisher for review purposes.

This may be one of the most challenging reviews I've ever had the joy of writing simply because this book is so wonderfully unique and cleverly written that it's nearly impossible to put into words why it's so unique and clever.  It's one of those "you have to just trust me and read it for yourself" books to truly understand the complexity of this story.

Intro to Chime:  
"I've confessed to everything and I'd like to be hanged. Now, if you please."

If that doesn't completely capture your attention, I don't know what will.   

Chime is the story of a wicked girl named Briony who does wicked things, who loves no one and feels no emotion. She is a witch you see, an Old One which is a secret that she's kept all her life.  No one must know for if they find out, she will be hanged.  Briony has also taken responsibility to care for her twin sister, Rose, who has the qualities of an autistic learner. I can, in all honesty, say that these are two of the most brilliantly written characters that I've ever read. 

Briony is nothing if not unabashedly honest.  She has such a strong and unintentionally witty voice.  Her internal conversations, in which she refers to herself in the third person were fascinating.  She was always reminding herself that she was not "allowed" to feel normal things because she was not a normal girl.  Rose, her twin, was also a favorite character of mine.  It was so interesting to see an author write about a character with a learning disability and still make her lively, playful, innocent, and interesting.  Like her sister, she was too honest and she took everything literally which made for some very funny conversations between the sisters.  The third most interesting character in the mix was Elric, Briony's eventual love interest.  She referred to him as the boy-man which was perfect for him.  He was adult and worldly enough to be part-man, but mischievous enough to be part-boy.

The setting of the book was like a character in itself.  The swampsea was a place of mystery and magic where witches go to do "witchy" things.  In the swamp, you will meet the Old Ones and creatures capable of manipulating the elements.  One would have to be VERY careful when traversing the swamp because if not, it will gobble you up.

This is not a light read. You cannot just flit through this book.  You need to sit down and spend time with it.  Let your mind sift through and absorb all the deliciously creepy details. 

I don't know if I'm doing this book justice with this review, but the best way for me to describe this book is by saying it's like one of those 1,000-piece puzzles.  It's chock full of interesting bits that don't make much sense at first, but once you finish, you have a beautifully crafted masterpiece that was worth the time it took to put it all together. 

This was my first Franny Billingsley novel but it won't be my last now that I know what a genius she is!  I am Isalys and I am a new Franny Fangirl !

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to sex. Attempted sexual assault.

Review & Giveaway: The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

Title: The Darkest Secret
{Lords of the Underworld # 7}

Author: Gena Showalter
{Bad-ass Fantasy Man Creator}

Publish Date: March 29, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 410, Paperback

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty…

Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.

Isalys's Review:
Amun, Keeper of Secrets, is suffering as a result of his sojourn to Hell with Aeron and William.  He is being battered, day in and day out, by the voices of evil that have taken residence in his head.  They are beyond his control and are threatening not only his life & sanity, but of those around him. He is a prisoner in his own home; chained to his bed for fear of the damage he will do to others.  Is death the only way to save him?

As Keeper of Secrets, he still knows enough that he cannot verbalize his pain for fear of releasing the vile secrets trapped inside of him.  Instead, he calls for help in his mind knowing that no one will be able to hear him.  However, someone does hear him.  Someone completely unexpected.

Haidee has been captured by Strider, Keeper of Defeat {side note: I am now in love with Strider, but I digress}.  She's been taken to the fortress where ALL her enemies reside.  As she tries to come up with a plan to get herself out of their clutches, she hears a tortured voice call for help - but why is she hearing that voice in her head? 

It takes Haidee some time to figure out that this man that she's compelled to help is in fact one of her enemies.  However, despite her hatred of his kind, she cannot help but feel protective of him and wants nothing more than to help ease his pain. And so begins their journey. 

Unlike some of the lords in the previous books, Amun did not fight his feelings for Haidee.  Their attraction was immediate and fierce {Gena is a master of this!}.  It wasn't just passion between these two though, there were some really great tender moments where they realized their original perceptions of the other was quite wrong. Ancient memories reveal that their lives were more connected than either realized.

I was not originally a fan of Haidee because of the way her character was painted in the previous book.  Then again, she was introduced to us by Strider who is not in the Haidee Fan Club.  This book gave us a lot of insight into her character and by the end, I really admired her strength, love and utter devotion to Amun.  Oh Amun, the strong, silent type.  As the most mysterious of all the lords, it was so refreshing getting to know him better.  All the lords at their core are benevolent, but Amun is one of the most noble.

The only area where I felt the book fell short of perfection was the finale.  I don't want to give anything away, but I was left with a few questions about Haidee's ability, so to speak.

What I do love about these books, and this one in particular, is Gena's ability to weave in elements of the other lords without taking away from the main attraction.  I loved the bits she gave us about Strider and William {who I hope also gets his own book and HEA}.

Bottom line, Gena is hands-down one of my very favorite paranormal romance writers.  She gives us incredible smex (not just scenes, but the sexual tension between our h/h), belly laughs, emotional vulnerability, badass heroines and top-notch warriors that are the stuff fantasies are made of. 

PS:  This is just me talking here, but seriously you guys, I cannot friggin' wait for Strider's story.  Him and Kaia are going to be combustible. It's going to be epic, EPIC I tell you!  {Gah, I ♥ Stider}

To celebrate the release of this FABULOUS book, I got to ask Gena a question of my choice. 

Gena, do you have any interesting, or even peculiar, writing habits? (The weirder, the better). Also, how do you organize your thoughts for your books? Do you have a system (ie: Post-It's, dry-erase board, etc.)?

Weird habits…Besides chaining myself to the computer, having my family slide food under the door and –when I finally finish the rough draft – emerging as a tack-eating, foul-mouthed beast woman? Nah. And no system for writing, either. I just sit down and start typing, letting the characters take me wherever they want to go.

and we have a Giveaway!

April 20 - April 27

Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Harlequin, we have TWO copies of THE DARKEST SECRET up for grabs.

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
{Important: Please leave a comment on this post stating you filled out the form! Thank you!}

Rules:

• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form linked above and leave a comment indicating that you've entered.
• Books will be delivered directly from the publisher so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.  Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient! 
• Must be 18 or older to enter!
  
• Winners will be drawn after the contest ends and posted soon thereafter.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions.

Happy reading!

Blog Tour / Giveaway: Notorious Pleasures by E. Hoyt

 Title: Notorious Pleasures {Maiden Lane Series #2}

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Published: February 1, 2011

ISBN-10: 0446558958 | ISBN-13: 9780446558952

Pages: 371 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Reason for reading: Participating in Blog Tour/Giveaway courtesy of Hatchette Book Group.

Synopsis:
A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES

Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in ...more THEIR LIVES WERE PERFECT...
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .

UNTIL THEY MET EACH OTHER.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

This title on Goodreads
Visit ElizabethHoyt.com
Follow @ElizabethHoyt on Twitter
"Like" Elizabeth Hoyt on Facebook

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Isalys's Review:

I've been a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt for a while now so I was really excited to get my hands on her latest novel.  It was everything that I love about Hoyt's books :)

Lady Hero Batten is the sister of a Duke and was raised to understand and accept her role as such.  She is to be wed to Thomas, the Marquess of Mandeville.  He is everything that she expects of an ideal husband.  On the night of her betrothal announcement, she accidentally walks into a room where a woman is being ravished by a man who is not her husband.  To get their attention, she throws her earring at the man where is hits him on the backside and immediately stops them.  Although she knows everything about this situation is wrong, she fears for them and warns the couple that they are about to be discovered by someone far more dangerous than she.

Griffin Remington is grateful to be spared a potentially ugly scene involving his paramour's husband, but he is irked by Hero's blatant disapproval of him.  He finds her seemingly perfect mannerisms and behavior to be downright annoying.  Their encounter will soon become even more interesting at the discovery that Hero is to be married to his estranged and uptight brother, Thomas.

One chance encounter leads to another and soon, Hero and Griffin are caught up in the events of each other's lives and this leads to an increasingly intense attraction.  Griffin feels compelled to help Hero in her endeavor to build a new home for the orphans of St. Giles while Hero tries to convince Griffin to get out of the illegal Gin distilling business before it's too late.

One of my favorite things about this novel is the evolution of all the characters, both positively and negatively.  Hero cannot possibly support what Griffin is doing, but she understands the responsibility that he feels to help care for his family along with the preservation of his sense of self.  Griffin is a very interesting character.  He is a rake by all accounts, but is also very astute, responsible, caring and protective.  Thomas who is the seemingly perfect male counterpart to Hero is in fact, far from perfect and falls from grace.

In addition to their individual problems, Hero and Griffin are fighting their attraction to one another while the already tense relationship between Griffin and Thomas put added strain on the families.  This culminates in a very dramatic and shocking scene involving a very honest Hero.

Hero and Thomas would make a very pleasant couple. However, it would lack any passion. Somehow, despite Hero Griffin's meeting and everything that happened since, you know that they belong together simply because they balance each other so nicely. They each didn't know what they needed until they found it in each other.

This book was steamy, heartwarming and emotionally satisfying.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Giveaway
February 9 - February 16
{3 Copies available}

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
{Important: Please leave a comment on this post stating you filled out the form! Thank you!}

Rules:
• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form (linked above) and leave a comment indicating that you've completed the form.
• Books will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.
Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient!
• Winners will be drawn soon after the contest ends and posted thereafter.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

♥ Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions ♥

Good luck!

Review: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Title: Succubus Blues
{Georgina Kincaid, #1}
Author: Richelle Mead
Publish Date: August 1, 2010

{First published March 1, 2007}  by Zebra

Pages: 320, paperback
Reason for reading: Reviewed for The Season

Review by: Isalys

Georgina Kincaid is a succubus (a female demon that seduces men and lives off the life force they release during sex), albeit a reluctant one. She was human once, hundreds of years ago, but she made a big mistake and paid for it with her life. Now hundreds of years later she longs for the life she could have had; love, a family and intimacy without the fear of killing her partner. All and all, she’s done well for herself though. She’s in good standing with the demon bureaucracy that she works for, has a trio of best friends made up of two vampires and an imp, a steady job at a book store with all the White Mochas a girl can drink, and stacks of her favorite Seth Mortensen novels.

One day, during an incredibly awkward and laugh out loud funny moment, she meets her favorite author only to discover that he’s not the clever and witty guy that he is via print. He is unsure and introverted yet incredibly sweet. While at the bookstore, she also meets Roman who is the polar opposite of Seth. Roman is tall, dark, handsome and a complete charmer. Georgina soon finds herself being drawn to both men but for entirely different reasons, all understandable.

Meanwhile, some of Georgina’s “frienemies” have mysteriously died and one of her real friends is attacked by an unseen force. Georgina is suspected of having murdered the first two victims since she had recently argued with them. However, she is quickly exonerated when other clues as to the real killer’s identity start appearing.

For someone who tried to live her life as simply as possible, life has become quite treacherous. She is now trying to investigate two murders (even though she was told to stay out of it) and discover a killer who has made his intentions all too clear all while balancing a rather precarious love life. She can only be with one guy and one of them is not who she thinks he is.

I loved everything about Georgina’s character. She was independent, assertive, sarcastic, and spunky. Seth is a guy you cannot help but love with his aloof, sweet and quiet ways. And Roman, although very charismatic indeed was the only character that you sense is a bit “off” but it plays into the story in some surprising ways. While this is not a romance novel, there are some fun love scenes and really tender moments between Georgina and her two “boyfriends” (although not all at the same time, lol).

As a fan of Richelle Mead’s YA series, Vampire Academy, I was very excited to read her adult novels. Richelle impressed me yet again with her ability to craft an engaging story filled with interesting and unique characters and outright funny dialogue. I will most definitely be reading the rest of this series!

Blog Tour / Giveaway: A Season of Seduction by J. Haymore

Title: A Season of Seduction

Author: Jennifer Haymore
Published: October 1, 2010 by Forever

ISBN-10:  0446540285 | ISBN-13: 9780446540285

Pages: 416 pgs, Mass Market Paperback

Reason for reading: Participating in Blog Tour/Giveaway courtesy of Hatchette Book Group.

Synopsis:

Although the widowed Lady Rebecca has sworn off marriage, men are another matter. London's cold winter nights have her dreaming of warmer pursuits-like finding a lover to satisfy her hungry heart. Someone handsome, discreet, and most importantly as uninterested in marriage as she is. Someone like Jack Fulton.


A known adventurer and playboy, Jack seems like the perfect choice. There's just one problem: Jack isn't interested in an affair. He needs the beautiful, mysterious Lady Rebecca to be his wife. And he doesn't have much time to persuade her. A secret from Jack's past is about to surface, and by Christmas Day he'll be either married to Rebecca or dead.

Isalys's Review:

A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore is the third book surrounding the Duke of Calton and his eclectic family. This book follows Becky (Garrett’s sister) and Jack’s story. Although the book stands alone very well, I highly recommend reading its predecessors because the heroes and heroines from the previous books will make several appearances in this one.

Lady Rebecca Fisk, better known as Becky, has been unlucky in love. At the young age of 18, she eloped with William Fisk only to learn that he was a complete scoundrel of epic proportions and she was nothing but a pawn to him. Now, four years later and no longer young and naive, she is contentedly single and decides that she is ready for tryst. She decides that Jack Fulton is just the man to take as a secret lover. He is incredibly handsome, charming, well-traveled, and adventurous; the perfect candidate for her sexual endeavors. Most importantly, he is as uninterested in marriage as she is – or so she thinks.

Becky, with the help of her friend Cecilia, thought she had it all figured out, but even the best laid plans can go hopelessly awry. Now with her reputation damaged beyond repair, she has to decide whether she’s ready to marry again because quite the contrary to her own plans, Jack doesn’t just want Becky to be his mistress but he wants her to be his wife. The dark past that he escaped so many years ago is quickly catching up with him and making Becky his wife would be the perfect solution. He must convince Becky to marry him before Christmas or his past mistakes may cost him his life.

Although Jack cared for Rebecca from the start, he finds himself falling more hopelessly in love with her with each passing encounter and yet she’s the one that remains aloof. Becky thought that she was strong enough to resist Jack, but she slowly realizes that he knows her and understands her in a way that no other ever has. How much longer can she hold on to her defenses? Through the act of properly courting Becky, Jack understands that his time is running out but that is secondary to his growing attachment to her. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s walking a very fine line for he cannot let Becky discover the real reason for his initial interest in her.

Jennifer Haymore has done it again! She’s given us a story that is full of romance, passion, intrigue, and suspense. Even though this is the third in a series, she has a true talent for making each book equally engaging in its own right. This story is unique in that it is the hero who pursues marriage while the heroine remains distant. While I do not want to give away any of the plot or dramatic scenes, I will say that I was proud of Becky’s character. She possessed an inner strength, independence and fearlessness that I find somewhat rare in many Regency heroines. There were certain scenes where these traits really shined. Jack, whose interest in Becky was a bit disingenuous at first, became really endearing when he put Becky before his own life. He proves himself to be a true hero in every sense. The only areas in which I felt this novel fell slightly short of its predecessors was that the plot was not quite as complex and the villain was a bit weak as compared to the previous villain. However, having said that, this novel was still a joy to read from cover to cover and I highly recommend it to all lovers of romance!

RATING: 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ of 5

HEAT LEVEL: 5 - Scorching

Visit JenniferHaymore.com

Friend Jennifer on Facebook

Follow @JenniferHaymore on Twitter

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Giveaway CLOSED!

October 6 - October 13

{5 Copies available}

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

{Important: Please leave a comment on this post stating you filled out the form! Thank you!}

Rules:

• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form (linked above) and leave a comment indicating that you've completed the form.

• Books will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.

Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient!

• Winners will be drawn soon after the contest ends and posted thereafter.

• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

♥ Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions ♥

Good luck!

Book Review Vlog: Blameless by G. Carriger

Good morning kiddos and happy Thursday!

I decided to conduct a little experiment and VLOG about a book I love instead of just writing a review!

Check it out and tell me what you guys think :)

Notes:*Please pardon my dog! He's a little lick-monster and I've simply learned to ignore him, lol.

**I realized after the fact that my hand gestures indicate that Alexia's prego belly starts at her boobs - whoops! Watching the video now, I realize how funny this looks! HAHA

Now, to vlog review or not vlog review - that is the question?

Would you guys like to see more video reviews?

Review: Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce

Title: Kiss of the Rose
{The Tudor Vampire Chronicles}
Author: Kate Pearce
Publish Date: Aug 3, 2010 by Signet
Pages: 320, paperback
Reason for reading: Reviewed for The Season

Refreshingly imaginative and deliciously sensual describe Kate Pearce’s new paranormal twist on the court life of King Henry VIII. Assassins, ancient cults and a love triangle make for an enthralling tale.

Rosalind Llewellyn is a Druid and the grand-daughter of one of the greatest vampire hunters of the middle ages. Expertly trained and sworn to protect King Henry VIII from a deadly vampire threat, she travels to court and manages to convince the king to allow a woman to guard him against a threat he didn’t even know existed. The vampire isn’t the only threat though. The insanely attractive and arrogant Druid slayer Christopher Ellis makes an unexpected appearance at court that throws Rosalind for a loop and makes her wonder what is really going on. 

The very same vampire threat that brought Rosalind to court also brought Christopher. It seems that this ancient and evil vampire has stirred enough trouble that even the Vampire Council wants to be rid of it. Although they are sworn enemies simply because of the very nature of their ancestry, they are forced to work together to protect the King and Queen. 

Rosalind and Christopher’s families want them to perform their duty by destroying the vampire threat while also getting rid of the “vampire lover” and “Druid wench” respectively. They are each instructed to seduce the other in an attempt to distract them from the mission. Rhys, Rosalind’s trainer and intended husband, is none too pleased about this. When he realizes that Rosalind and Christopher’s growing affection isn’t a ruse anymore, he makes it very clear to Christopher that Rosalind’s future is with him [Rhys]. Rosalind is now caught in a heartbreaking love triangle. 

The sexual tension and magnetism between Rosalind and Christopher is truly captivating. Pearce did a superb job in expressing their growing attraction to one another while they battle their inherent distrust. They are both characters to be admired. I found Rosalind’s single-minded focus on the task at hand in spite of everything going on made her very brave and Christopher’s strength really shined when he tries to protect her even though he is supposed to destroy her. I loved that he sees her as an equal to him in strength, courage and ability. Their deeply rooted loneliness and need to belong is incredibly endearing and it made me want to root for them. 

In addition, the tension between Rhys, Rosalind and Christopher is heart-wrenching and I truly felt for her when it came time for Rosalind to choose. If all that is still not enough, the mystery surrounding the vampire threat will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Kiss of the Rose is an exhilarating tale that will make you want to invest your time, your undivided attention and maybe even a bit of your heart. This novel will seduce you with all its sensuality, passion, intrigue, danger, and magic. The only drawback to this novel are a few unanswered questions and the cliffhanger ending. However, I am more than happy to overlook them because we have Blood of the Rose to look forward to next year, and I’m sure those questions will be answered and Rosalind & Christopher will get the happy ending they deserve.

Oh and how insanely HAWT is the guy on the cover? **Hello luvah!**

Book Club: August Discussion - Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hi everyone! We've decided to post the discussion questions on the blog as well as on our Book ♥ Soulmates Facebook page because let's face it.... not EVERYONE has a Facebook! So, we figured, this way it'd be easier for those of you who do not have an account to still be able to join our wonderful bookish discussions!

FYI: We will be breaking up the book into four sections. This week we'll be discussing Chapters 1 - 6! (Pages 1 - 85)

Here are some of the questions so far:
(Please feel free to add your own questions! But please do not skip ahead (we wouldn't want to spoil it for everyone right? lol)

• How do you feel about the book being written in the first person POV? Would you have liked to see what Gale or Peeta are thinking?
• Are you Team Gale? or Team Peeta? - I think it'd be fun to answer this now, that way you can come back and see if you've changed your mind! :)
• How do you feel about Katniss's mother? Do you feel sorry for her?
• How do you feel about her situation?
• How do you feel about her being the only "bread winner"?
• What do you think about Haymitch being their counselor? Do you think he's a good guy or a bad guy?
• Why do you think Cinna wants to literally, Light them on Fire?

More questions still to come!
If you have any please feel free to ask and I'll add your question to this main post!

Review: My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

Title: My Soul To Keep
{Soul Screamers #3}
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publish Date: June 1, 2010
by Harlequin
Pages: 304, paperback
Reason for reading: For fun =)


This series has quickly become one of my very favorite YA series {ranking next to Vampire Academy which most of you know how I feel about that series} with "My Soul To Keep" being my fave in this series so far. As much as I love reading about vampires and werewolves, it is so refreshing & exciting to read a series that explores other mythical, supernatural creatures. I've known what banshees were but never really explored the concept of a 'herald of death'. Rachel teaches us about these mysterious creatures and still yet manages to make them so "relatable".

For those of you who haven't yet read this series, it deals with all your typical adolescent pressures like drinking, drugs, sex, friendships, and family rifts. However, your typical teenage couple in this series are both bean sidhes...death hits closer to home for them than with most!

In the previous books, Kaylee realizes that she's not exactly normal. With the help of new boyfriend Nash *le sigh*, he helps her to understand why she's suffered from "panic attacks" all her life. Upon learning this, a whole new world and set of problems are exposed to her. By this third installment, Kaylee has immersed herself into her new role as bean sidhe.

In MSTK, some of the kids in her school have become addicted to a very dangerous substance that they think is called Frost but is actually "demon breath" which gives them a high unlike anything they've ever experienced. What they don't know is that demon breath will mentally incapacitate you if it doesn't kill you first. She and Nash are on a mission to rid their school of it. Unfortuntately, things will soon spiral out of control when they find out that a very powerful and evil source is planning a massive attack on her school. She also finds out that the person she trusted most, Nash, has a dirty little secret of his own which has put everyone, including himself, in great danger.

Up until this book, Kaylee and Nash had a seemingly perfect relationship with virtually zero conflict. Boy did that change in this book! By the last page, I felt like Kaylee was put through the ringer and we were both emotionally exhausted from it. Nash really messed up in this book but like Kaylee, you don't see it coming until it's too late. Vincent did an incredible job building up the tension until "boom".

"My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I had to force my grip on my phone to loosen. Anger and fear rolled through me like thunder across the sky, dark and low, and threatening. And accompanied by a vicious, white-hot bolt of betrayal that singed ever nerve in my body." ~ page 187

How can you not feel that right along with her?!

Kaylee and Nash are brilliantly written and the secondary characters are equally moving in both good and bad ways. Todd has become one of the most fascinating characters. Upon meeting him in the previous books, he's snarky and more of a nuisance than anything else...but he really comes full circle in this book. His devotion to Addy is so touching and the way he stood up for Kaylee at the end has really endeared him to me! He is a much more complex character than I initially expected him to be.

You know you love a book when you connect with the characters on an emotional level, so much so that you feel everything right along with them. You feel it ALL: Kaylee's love for Nash, her hurt at his betrayal, her frustration with herself for not seeing it sooner, her fear at losing those she loves most. This book is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you stunned and a bit heartbroken. I cannot wait for the next book, "My Soul To Steal"!!!

I highly, highly recommend this series!!