Review: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.
Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.
While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

Published in US: May 3rd 2011
Source: From Publisher for honest review.

My Review:
   This is a perfect mixture of grief and romance. I really connected with the main character Anna, and Ms. Kirby wrote her emotions beautifully and they really evoke a response.
    I enjoyed reading about Anna's relationship with her father, there is pain that they work through, time honored family traditions that they uphold, and I really enjoyed the parts where they get honest with each other.
    Anna's relationship with Tyler is sweet, and he really is a good guy even though his reactions to some stuff still really has me puzzled. But, that is just the trademark of a well written and true to form guy.
    The friendships that are formed in this book are a bit surprising. Ashley is both the opposite and exactly what I expected, and I really like the competition and comradry between Anna and Jillian.

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

Hiatus

I'm sorry to announce that I'll be taking a break on most reviews and posts. I should be back in another month or so, and I will still post any scheduled reviews, interviews, or guest posts.
I am pregnant and the morning sickness is really getting the best of me. I'm also still chasing around my little girl and trying to decide on a house. So, right now, I'm watching lots of Grey's Anatomy, and trying to chill.
Hope ya'll understand and will still be around when I'm back!

Immb 54

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

Sorry that I've not been commenting on your blogs, I promise I'll catch up, I have all the emails. I'm just dealing with a lot of pregnancy sickness, and my 2 year old is running around like a crazy person. I haven't forgotten about you, so keep the comments coming, and I'll return them soon!

Here's what I got: 

Bitter End From publisher for honest review Review HERE

Brown, Jennifer

Moonglass From publisher Currently reading

Kirby, Jessi *

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

Review: Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.

Publishes in US: May 10th 2011

Standalone novel:

From publisher for honest review:

   This is a very powerful book, and it's about an issue that is close to my heart. I can see some of the same things in myself and in the main character of my book, Meredith that I see in the main character of Bitter End, Alex.
    Ms. Brown really nailed what makes it possible to fall in love with the abuser, and what it takes to stay there. I think at a distance, anyone can say that would never happen to them, but truth is that it can happen so much easier than anyone things. It doesn't have to be necessarily physical abuse, although they are usually linked, but it can be harsh words, isolation, or constant assault of character and looks. This never comes out on the first day--it builds slowly until you feel that the guy is the only thing that's important, the only one who understand and loves you.
    I saw this through Alex, and really felt along with her.
    I like the secondary characters such as Bethany and Zack, and I really wish that I had, and that everyone has friends this close. True-there's the isolation and the tension, but at the end of the day, they are still there for her. I also really liked her boss, Georgia, I just wanted to give her a hug.
    There is secondary plots, that is crucial to Alex discovering who she is like the quest to find out more about her mom, their trip to Colorado, and the different family dynamics that we get a peek at through the different characters.
    This is a really powerful book and I recommend that everyone give it a read.
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.
Here's my video review:

Character interview with Nick from I'm Not Her

Character interview with Nick from I'm Not Her

You can check out my review of I'm Not Her here

Thanks for being here Nick!
If you could draw one body part for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

I know some might expect me to pick something obvious and sexist, but honestly I’d choose eyes. There are so many subtle emotions artists can convey through eyes.  Drawing eyes would keep me interested.

How did you get the nickname of man-whore? And what's the DEAL with Bree?

My nickname is Man Whore? From Tess?  She’s sweet, so obviously she doesn’t mean it. If it’s coming from other people, I think maybe the origin of the nickname might be kind of obvious.

And Bree? She’s fun. She’s a nice girl who doesn’t want anything serious from me, and doesn’t make me work hard to be with her.  While I might not call her my girlfriend, we hang out. It’s cool.  

What's your favorite song? What memories come to mind when you hear it?

I Hope You Dance.  My mom used to sing it to me.

At the first party were you interested in Tess at all or was it all about Kristina?

Man, I was pretty out of it that night.  I guess I must have felt a little sorry for Tess. She looked kind of scared and out of place. Sort of like my sister.  Kristina looked hot. I remember that.

Is age the only factor holding you back from Tess?

Tess is the kind of girl who requires work. She gets under my skin.  She’s real. I don’t know that I’m that I’m ready for that kind of thing at this point in my life.  I don’t want to hurt her. 

If you know that you aren't good enough for her, why don't you change?'

Sounds pretty easy in theory but how many leopards do you see running around with new spots?

Do you see yourself immune to the effects of alcohol? How do you think that others see you when you're drinking?

I’m a chip off the old block, right? Definitely not immune.  I never thought much about how others see me. They probably think I’m an asshole.  They’re probably right. 

What's your favorite book?

Waiting to Score by JE MacLeod.   I like the author. 

Review: Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

As reality slips and time stands still, Consuela finds herself thrust into the world of the Flow. Removed from all she loves into this shifting world overlapping our own, Consuela quickly discovers she has the power to step out of her earthly skin and cloak herself in new ones-skins made from the world around her, crafted from water, fire, air. She is joined by other teens with extraordinary abilities, bound together to safeguard a world they can affect, but where they no longer belong.
When murder threatens to undo the Flow, the Watcher charges Consuela and elusive, attractive V to stop the killer. But the psychopath who threatens her new world may also hold the only key to Consuela's way home.

Publishes in US: July 7th 2011
Source: Library Thing Early Reviewers

My Review:

   Luminous is well crafted story and it kept me intrigued the whole way through. This is such a neat concept and Ms. Metcalf executed it so well. The characters were rich and developed... they also held mystery--there were layers to everyone we met, and they all played specific roles that I didn't fully understand until the end where they all wove together so beautifully.
    There was just a touch of romance, and it really added to the story for me. It had me wondering for a bit, just like Consuela, what were the real motivations.
    The idea of the flow, and their purpose being to save others really appealled to me. The addition of Tender and the mystery surrounding him was interesting. And when his whole story unfolded I was blown away.
    The relationships between the teens in the flow were very believable for me, and at the end I still wanted to know more about the secondary characters--were those wards because they were in love, and what were each's wishes.
    I def. recommend to give this a try.
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.
Here's my video review:

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.

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

"Well I wouldn't mind breaking a leg if it meant a hottie broke my fall."
"Uh-uh, I get dibs on the broken hottie," I said. 

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.

"God, I’d died and gone to heaven. We swayed and took little steps in a circle. Things only got better when she put her head against my shoulder.
Her hair smelled like cherries, and I inhaled, hoping that scent would stick to me forever. Before I realized what I was doing, I buried my nose into her loose curls. But, oh my god, it smelled even better this close. I led her in small circles, clinging to her like there was no tomorrow."

Netgalley April Wrap-up

Wow, can you guys believe it's already May? April went by like a flash!

What I read:

The Goddess Test

Carter, Aimee*

Clean

Reed, Amy *

Die for Me (Revenants, #1)

Plum, Amy *

Mercy (Mercy, #1)

Lim, Rebecca

Tried but couldn't finish:

Angel Burn

Weatherly, L.A.

IMMB 53

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: 

The Summer Before Boys Source: Galley Grab Review here

Baskin, Nora Raleigh *

Mercy (Mercy, #1) From Hyperion Disney Review here

Lim, Rebecca *

Luminous From Librarything ER Currently reading

Metcalf, Dawn *

Amaretto Flame From Trish review here

Spencer, Sammie *

I'm Not Her From Teen Book Scene Review here

Gurtler, Janet

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