Review: The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts

 The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts

With Weston's self-imposed forty-eight hour deadline having already lapsed, Sophie's patience is pushed to the max- especially with her realization that his concern is not for his own well-being, but for hers.
Just when they embrace a reconnection, she'll learn that her greatest threat is not necessarily something that might happen in the future, but something that's happening...right now. And this time, Sophie and Wes will need the help of more than one person to fix it -even if it means giving up his secret.
With time forever moving, and the dark cloud at its lowest, the third book in the Pace Series stays true to its signature grace and determination as Sophie and Weston take the biggest detour so far.

Published in US: Aug 1 2011
3rd in Pace Series
Source: publisher for honest review

My Review:
  The Pace Series is one that since I discovered it, the next installment is always on my anxiously waiting for list. The Iron Quill, like it's predecessors did not disappoint. The characters, the writing, and the pacing are right in line with what I expected, and the ending left me with that longing and expectation for the next chapter in their story.
   There was no time wasted getting right into the plot and it was like I didn't miss a beat. It was like picking up with old friends, a comfort level, and a sense of completeness. That isn't to say that it started with Sophie and Wes in an easy place--that seems next to impossible with their situation, and their history, but I was glad to be back in their lives nonetheless.
   There are old characters that we're used to, and a new and intriguing character that we get inside his head. He's a great addition, and I love how he's introduced and then how he impacts the story.
    Ms. Shorts gives the right information at the right time, and kept me breathless on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would turn out. She writes with an obvious passion, and I really appreciate how she can flesh out what the characters are feeling and thinking, putting me right into their shoes. She isn't afraid to blow up the character's worlds though, and no matter how hard it is to read, this really is a feat of a writer. Especially when I see no way to really reconcile it all, but have faith that somehow she will get them to the end!
   This is a wonderful series, a great installment, and I can't wait until more from Sophie and Wes.
I'd love to hear what you think of the book and/or my review.

Review: Red Heart Tattoo by Lurlene McDaniel

Red Heart Tattoo by Lurlene McDaniel

At 7:45 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving break, a bomb goes off at Edison High. Nine people die instantly. Fifteen are critically injured. Twenty-two suffer less severe injuries. And one is blinded. Those who survive, struggle to cope with the loss and destruction. All must find new meaning for their lives as a result of something they may never understand.
Lurlene McDaniel’s signature expertise and finesse in dealing with issues of violence, death, and physical as well as emotional trauma in the lives of teens is immediate and heartrending.

Publishes July 24th 2012
Source: Netgalley

My Review:

  Red Heart Tattoo is a new addition to Lurlene McDaniel's masterpieces. I've always loved her writing style, and the way that she has an eye for grief and hard issues. She addresses them head-on and with characters that I can't help but care about. This book is no different.
  At first it is a bit confusing because there are several rotating point of views, but I quickly got a handle on the personality and voices, and found myself caring, despising, cringing, and rooting for the different characters. It may seem that it's hard to encapsule a voice and several lives in so few pages, but I  think she did a superb job.
  Morgan is probably my favorite character, and the one that I connected with the most. It surprised me a bit because I have never been that popular, but she had a personality that I couldn't help but like.
  Roth was also a very developed character, and more like someone that I would have been found hanging out with in school. I liked the different layers that were peeled back and how I got to know and care for his character.
   The pace never lets up and Red Heart Tattoo kept me flipping until I reached the satisfying conclusion.
 
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.

Review: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Published in US: Oct 25 2011
Source: Netgalley

My Review:


   Ms. Dolamore writes a captivating novel, with characters that match the stunning cover. I enjoyed this book and the world she created. I've read about mermaids and sirens before, but I think that she had a unique take on them. I was intrigued by the Fandarsee, the winged people in the novel, since I've never read about anything quite like them.
   The focus of the story is our main character Esmerine trying to find her sister Dosinia, and I love how it shows love and devotion to family. Many stories have gravitated toward the romantic tendencies, and I enjoy more and more the familial connections when I see them like they're featured in this book.
   Not to discount the love story that exists within Between the Sea and Sky, because it is sweet, and I had fun seeing how it unfolded. Alandare is quite an intriguing character, and I enjoyed learning more about him and what makes him tick. It was hard until near the end to really get a good handle on him, and that's a good thing, he kept me in mystery and suspense.
   I loved being in Esmerine's head and could really understand her struggles and where she was coming from. Her pain, her joy and her emotions were clear and it was easy to get in her head. I wasn't sure exactly what she would choose at each turn, and Ms. Dolamore made her conflict real and challenging--she didn't get anything without a price.
   I hope there's more to this world, and I'd love to get my hands on it.
I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or the book.

 

I'm alive...

But sorry if I'm behind on getting back to you! I will once everything settles down! We closed on our house yesterday and moving truck is coming on Friday, so everything is kinda crazy now.
Not to mention that baby #2 will be here in less than 5 weeks!

So enjoy the giveaways that are up, and I'll be sporadically posting reviews and other stuff.

Here's my house:
[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc489/blkosiner/New%20house/IMG_20110924_122122.jpg[/IMG]

Giveaway and Guest Post: Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate by TK Richardson

Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate by TK Richardson
Everything tastes better when it simmers. If you’re hanging out with friends and want a quick snack, or just want to eat something you have cooked, the recipes in this cookbook are simple and easy, but big on taste. A cookbook for teens and beginning cooks SIMMER is easy to follow, easy to use, and offers a variety of great recipes. Fast food is expensive and eats away money few teens have to spend. SIMMER can help! Mixed with step by step easy directions and common ingredients, these recipes will help the beginning cook prepare food that will satisfy and delight. From bacon cheeseburgers to simple spaghetti, or grilled pizza sandwiches to taco pie – these recipes are always a hit. Easy to prepare, even better to eat – the teen cook will have fun making their own meals. From my kitchen, where everything has a splash of olive oil, to your kitchen – I hope you find these dishes tasty.Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate contains over 70 recipes, including more than 30 vegetarian recipes.

I loved her YA novel Return the Heart, and she has graciously agreed to write a guest post and do a giveaway for her latest tasty book.

Cooking Up Characters and Main Dishes by TK Richardson

            Writing books is such an important part of who I am and I’ve had great fun writing my novels Return the Heart (2010) and Shield the Heart (2011). These books are geared for young adults and are filled with great characters. But when the opportunity presented itself to write a cookbook I couldn’t resist.

            Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate was so much fun to write and I found it wasn’t all that different from writing my fiction books, either. I cooked up main dishes like I cooked up my characters. I had to make them both easy to read and easy to relate to. And like my novels, this little cookbook is geared for teens.

            When asked why I wrote a cookbook for teens and beginning cooks the answer was simple: cooking is a basic life skill that many kids don’t learn anymore. Fast food is easy, but expensive and even worse – it’s unhealthy. So the idea for Simmer was born!

            My plan was to create an easy step-by-step beginner’s guide to cooking using common ingredients and simple instructions. In addition to this, I’ve listed which pots, pans, and utensils you’ll need for each individual recipe. No guess work involved!

            Cooking up characters and main dishes proved to tie together nicely. And to celebrate Simmer’s release in paperback and as an ebook I’m giving away a signed copy of Simmer along with a custom t-shirt that reads, “Everything tastes better when it simmers…”

            I hope you enjoy this cookbook as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate is available at Amazon in paperback for $8.99 or on Kindle for $2.99. It’s also available at Barnes and Noble and on the Nook.

About the author ~ When she’s not in the kitchen whipping up something new to eat T.K. Richardson can be found writing her next novel, visiting the beach, collecting books for PartnersInPrint.org, or hanging out with her children. Be sure to look for her first book for adults Imagine Short Stories & Poems due out December 2011.

Visit the author at http://tkrichardson.com

Available now at

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

And now for the Giveaway!
Open internationally- signed copy!