Review: I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

Brainy Tess Smith is the younger sibling of the beautiful, popular, volleyball-scholarship-bound Kristina. When Kristina is diagnosed with bone cancer, it drastically changes both sisters' lives. Sometimes the things that annoy us the most about our siblings are the ones we'd miss the most if we lost them.

Publishes in US: May 2011
Standalone novel
Source: Teen Book Scene

My Review:

  This was a really powerful and emotional story, about love, family and discovering who you are.
  I'm not her addresses popularity and letting who you are shine. Tess breaks my heart, and I'm able to relate with how she feels and what she battles with.  It's hard watching her learn about her friend, who her sister is to her, and discovering new things about what she once mocked.
  It's really eye-opening to see how cancer really effects the community and to see how even little things can make an impact.
  The family dynamics are well written and very believable. It's hard to read, but at the same time, I can see pieces of my family, my behaviors in each and it's hard to look down at all when you know where they are coming from.
  If you like emotional reads, contemporary, then I'd definitely recommend giving this a read.
I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.
Here's my video review:

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop 4.29

HI! Welcome to my blog! I am participating in Follow Friday! It is hosted by Parajunkee's View, so hop on over and visit and join!
Please comment, link your blog, and follow, and I will be sure to return the favor.
What happened this week:

• Review: Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer
• Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim
• Teaser Tuesday and Tuesday Teaser (from my WIP)
• Review: The Summer before Boys by Nora Raleigh Bas...
• My top literary crushes in celebration of Easter
• Review: Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

The question: Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?
Very hard but I'll give it a shot:
Bible
Light of Asteria
Vampire Academy
Forbidden
Twilight
Wither
Dawn Rochelle: I want to live
Redeeming Love
Night World
Harry Potter


What about you?


For Crazy about Books' Book Blogger Hop:

Question:

Which summer release are you most looking forward to? The next book in the Minder series. 

What about you?

Review: Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer

Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer

Olivia has spent her life learning about her enemies, the deadly Venator - including how to kill them. What she knows nothing about is whiskey, playing poker, or rugged, copper-haired musicians. As punishment for a small 'crime,' Olivia is sent to a safe house in a human town and forced to live as one of them for a summer. There, she meets the charming Jackson Vance, and her real education begins. She soon discovers that she's being hunted, and figuring out why means she uncovers a secret that threatens to end everything she's ever fought for.

Published in US: Mar 24th 2011

Source: friend

My Review: 



   A good friend recommended this one to me, and our reading and writing preferences match up a lot of the time, and boy was she ever right. Amaretto Flame has a cast of awesome and vivid characters, and a story that drew me in from the start.
   The main character Olivia is awesome, she's strong and independent but she still manages that vulnerability around the people that she trusts. I'm able to connect and relate with her on a deep level, and I'm wholly invested in her story and what happened to her.
   Her friends, from Everett to Jenny are well developed and all play a part in telling Olivia's story. The secondary character of Jackson is well written, he's got looks, intrigue and a guitar. A winner in my book. I love how their relationship develops and how they learn each other's secrets.
   I'd recommend this to YA, and paranormal lovers alike.
I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.

Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

There's something very wrong with me. I can't remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any one. It is always this way. There's nothing I can keep with me that will stay. It's made me adaptable. I must always re-establish ties. I must tread carefully or give myself away. I must survive.
Mercy doesn't realise it yet, but as she journeys into the darkest places of the human soul, she discovers that she is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer. Now she must atone for taking his side. To find her own way back to heaven, Mercy must help a series of humans in crisis and keep the unwary from getting caught up in the games that angels play. Ultimately she must choose between her immortal companion, Lucifer, and a human boy who risks everything for her love.\

Published: Oct 28 2010
1st in series
Source: Hyperion Disney

My review:

   Mercy is a mystery through and through, and kept me guessing the entire time.
   I read the blurb first, but it took me awhile, even longer than Mercy as Carmen did to figure out what was going on. I enjoyed reading it, and it was a great story but I was confused a lot.
   There are great characters, either that I could relate with and love like Carmen and Ryan, and the characters that were wonderfully written to make me hate them so bad.
   If you like mysteries and want a new twist on angels, this is the story for you.

Teaser Tuesday and Tuesday Teaser (from my WIP)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Tuesday Teaser is a twist that Melissa at I Swim For Oceans puts on TT, where you shares a few sentences from your WIP.
Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.



Original Sin by Lisa Derochers


Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

"Unholy Hell, forget turning human. We just need her to kick the shit out of King Lucifer." 

From my work in progress When I Wake

 After a jumping accident, sixteen-year-old Jessie has finally began riding again, and dating her long time crush, Ben, who’s on the fast track to a career in the NHL. But when something terrible happens to Jessie, Ben feels responsible, and both their lives will never be the same.

See current week

Review: The Summer before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin

The Summer before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Julia and Eliza are best friends, spending the summer together. Julia's mother is serving in the National Guard and Julia spends all of her time trying not to think about what could happen. So the girls lose themselves in their summer, hanging out at the resort where Eliza's father works. But when they meet a new boy, neither one of them is prepared for what it does to their friendship.
Nora Raleigh Baskin delivers a poignant look at the way a first crush can come between best friends and the importance of hanging on to the time you have as a kid before rushing into growing up.

Publishes in US: May 10 2011

Standalone novel

Source: Galley Grab

*My Review*

   The Summer before boys captures perfectly the awkwardness and transition of age 12 to 13. It had a real childlike quality to it, and I really enjoyed reading it.
   It's short, and I'm not sure if it's classified as MG or not, but it's very clean. It does have some darker (not extremely dark, but...) issues. It's the first book I've read where a mom is in Iraq. She's dealing with this in the whole book, and I think that it's a noble and needed thing to talk about in contemps. (maybe dark isn't right word... just hard)
   I love the complicated family structure, it really adds to the authenticity, because in real life, families are almost always complicated in some way or another.
   The friendship between Julia and Eliza is dynamic, and I like to see what causes it to change and grow in different ways. It was a neat touch how they had their imaginary world and it was a form of bonding that helped them.
   This is a great summer book, and I recommend to give it a try.
I'd love to know what you think of this book and/or my review.
Here's my video review:

My top literary crushes in celebration of Easter

My fictional boys that I wouldn't mind the Easter Bunny bringing to me--
Erikabee19 asked about my top ten literary crushes, so here we go.

Gavin from The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs
Dimitri from Vampire Academy (although I wouldn't mind me some Adrian) by Richelle Mead
Ash from The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Trevor from Minder by Kate Kaynak
Michael from Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison
Edward from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Luc from Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Will from Angelfire by Courtney Moulton
Aiden from Haven by Kristie Cook
Sebastian from Amber Frost by Suzie Davis

Runners up: Derek from Darkest Powers, Jace from Mortal Instruments, Stephen or Damon from Vamp Diaries, Jace from The Crystal Pendulum (an awesome WIP from my friend Trish Wolfe), Valek from Study series by Snyder, Lochan from Forbidden by Suzuma,

(links go to my review)

What about you?? Any you'd like? Any you'd add?

Happy Easter!

I'll be at church today and then celebrating with my family. What do you do to celebrate? Or do you not celebrate at all.

Immb 52

IMMB is designed to promote blogger interaction and put new books on the radar. It is started by The Story Siren.

Here's what I got: 

Original Sin (Personal Demons, #2) Review HERE Won, and its signed!!!

Desrochers, Lisa *

Ripple Review HERE From Around the World Tours

Hubbard, Mandy *

Forgotten Review HERE From ARC tour

Patrick, Cat *

Die for Me (Revenants, #1) From Netgalley Review HERE

Plum, Amy *

The Summer Before Boys Source: Galley Grab

Baskin, Nora Raleigh *

Mercy (Mercy, #1) From Hyperion Disney Currently Reading

Lim, Rebecca *

What about you? What did you get? What do you think of my books?

Review: Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.
Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.
Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.
And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Publishes in US: July 5th 2011
2nd in Personal Demons series
Source: Won--thanks Lisa!

My Review:

  Wow. Yeah, if I only had one word, it would be wow. And then holy hell. And then hot holy Luc. And then summer snow.
  Okay. I think I'm done now. End of review. LOL. Just kidding.
  Original Sin had so much that I wanted and hoped for and then lots of other things that I never expected. Lisa took me on a ride with Frannie, Luc and Gabriel, as well as a few new and complex characters. And it was a ride that I didn't want to get off of.
   So I am still on team Luc. I think. But Gabe. Oh my Gabe. He really shone in this book, and I totally want to pull for him. He's so self sacrificing, and his love for Frannie... wanting what is best for her no matter what, oh my Gabe.
   Luc is hot as ever in this one, although there are some moments that I want to start hating him. Which I think helped in the Gabe train. (Don't get mad at me Luc, I still wanna lick you babe.)
   The action is non-stop and the only thing I can complain about is: I WANT MORE. NOW.
   So, yeah, I definitely recommend this one, and if you haven't read Personal Demons yet, what are you waiting for???
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.
Here's my video review:

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop 4/22

HI! Welcome to my blog! I am participating in Follow Friday! It is hosted by Parajunkee's View, so hop on over and visit and join!
Please comment, link your blog, and follow, and I will be sure to return the favor.


What happened here this week:

• ARC Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

• Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

• Wanna win an awesome book (one of my faves ever)

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum


Question: 
What's on your playlist right now?
Shot in the Dark by Within Temptation
Forever by Red
How to Save a Life by Fray
Not Ready to Die by Demonhunter
Say You'll Haunt me


What about you?


For Crazy about Books' Book Blogger Hop:

Question:

If you find a book you love, do you look for other books by the same author. 

Yes, I do. 

Do you?

ARC Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

Publishes in US: July 21st 2011
Series? Her site says two book deal
Source: Around the World Tours

Review:
   Ripple is a beautifully crafted story with lots of surprises and an awesome paranormal aspect.
   Lexi's journey is very emotional, and I really cared about her and was rooting for her. Even when she made decisions that others viewed as bad, I could totally understand where she was coming from, especially since I was in on her secret. I totally wonder how I would handle her situation, having to swim, and trying to protect all the people in my life.
   Cole is hot, and sweet, though I guess the only thing I don't understand is: why all of the sudden after two years does he finally speak to her and act like the man that he is? But I don't mind it's a very sweet relationship, and I love how it happens.
   Some of the stuff in here really broke my heart, and that speaks wonderfully for the writing.
   When Erik comes in the picture, something just never sat right with me. I kept wanting to cheer for him because of what it would mean for Lexi's life, but yeah... I can't really say a whole lot about that, except for he's written wonderfully and I never quite know what to feel.
   The paranormal part with the sirens and the nixes were well thought out and believable in this world. The constricts and the pluses were somewhat balanced out.

I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.
Here's my video review:

Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Publishes in US: Jun 7th 2011

Stand-alone novel

Source: ARC Tour

My Review:

  The idea for Forgotten was a really unique one that intrigued me. Ms. Patrick wrote it well, and had me from page 1 and sucked in all the way until the end.
  How the main character, London, dealt with memories being reset was really cool, and I like that she could see into the future some to balance it out. If I were in her place, I don't know if I could handle something like that, but she lives a normal enough life.
  Luke was a great addition to the story. He was swoon-worthy and it was fun to see their relationship develop even with the unique challenges.  How he was a blind spot was interesting, and I didn't know what to make of it. I can't imagine trying to have a relationship when you can't see him in your past or future, and it was cool how Ms. Patrick pulled that off. I found it all to be very believable.
   The twists kept me guessing and I couldn't guess what was going to come next. The way that she weaved all together and I could've never put it all together.

I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.
Here's my video review:

Wanna win an awesome book (one of my faves ever)

Jenn over at BookCrazy is giving away one of my favorite books ever. I'm sure you've read my REVIEW and my other raving posts about it, so go enter by clicking here

The Light of Asteria: Kailmeyra's Last Hope by Elizabeth Isaacs

Teaser Tuesday and Tuesday Teaser (from When I Wake, my WIP)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Tuesday Teaser is a twist that Melissa at I Swim For Oceans puts on TT, where you shares a few sentences from your WIP.
Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

When I finally accept it, the truth stings. But there's no time to dwell on it, and there are only two choices: I can remind myself about someone who is not a part of my life, or I can leave him out of my note and save myself from going through this all over again tomorrow.

From my work in progress When I Wake

 After a jumping accident, sixteen-year-old Jessie has finally began riding again, and dating her long time crush, Ben, who’s on the fast track to a career in the NHL. But when something terrible happens to Jessie, Ben feels responsible, and both their lives will never be the same.

She smacked my hand “Quit that. I worked too hard on that do. And I’ve only been eyeing him for the past year. I wonder if he’s gay?”
“Kayla! Just because he’s not falling over you doesn’t mean he’s gay.”
“Just sayin’. He’s fine though. I’ll just have to be less subtle.”
“What? Jump his bones in front of the whole team?”
“No silly. But don’t tell me you wouldn’t jump at that opportunity with Ben if it presented itself.”

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Die for Me by Amy Plum



My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.
Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.
Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.
While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

Publishes in US: May 10th 2011

1st in Revenants series

Source: Netgalley

My Review:

   This is a beautifully written debut, about love and loss. Kate is a great main character. Her voice is compelling and I was drawn into her story, and cared about her almost immediately. Her grief was believable and written in a haunting and memorable way. 

   Vincent is mysterious, and the secrets that he guards are hard to swallow for Kate, which makes things seem all the more real though. I really like how she falls for him though, and how things work out. 

   The secondary characters like Jules and Charlotte really make this story rounded. They add to the story and have their own personalities and pasts. 

   Die for me left me wanting more but at the same time wrapped this storyline up nicely. 

I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.

Here's my video review:

Winner of A Love Rekindled

Winner is:
Meredith Miller
You have until 4/20 11:59 AM EST to claim your prize or a new winner will be chosen. Email me with your preferred email address. Congrats!
  

IMMB 51

IMMB is designed to promote blogger interaction and put new books on the radar. It is started by The Story Siren.

Here's what I got:

Sixteenth Summer Galley Grab Review here

Dalton, Michelle

Die for Me (Revenants, #1) From Netgalley Review to come

Plum, Amy *

Forgotten Dark Faery Book Tours

Patrick, Cat *

Original Sin (Personal Demons, #2) Won, and its signed!!!

Desrochers, Lisa *

I'm Not Her Teen Book Scene

Gurtler, Janet *

What about you? What did you get? What do you think of my books?