JacobsBeloved

Review: Last Breath by Rachel Caine

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Last Breath
By Rachel Caine
Genre: Fantasy
Published November 2011, New American Library
Hardback, 335 pages
ISBN: 9780451234872

Synopsis:

With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?

I always crack open the next Morganville book knowing that I will love it before I read a single word. Rachel Caine is a writer I can depend on. In this book, she takes the concept that she used in the previous book of sharing the P.O.V. with another character and multiplies it. In other words, while Claire still gets the most narration, the reader also gets to read a bit of narration by Amelie, Shane, Michael, and Eve. Shane's thought process is familiar from the previous book, and Eve's reminds me of her diary entries from the early books in the series. Michael's are interesting because I got to see some of the darkness that he struggles with on a daily basis, while trying to hide it from the other members of the Glass House. I enjoy Amelie's P.O.V. the most because she obviously has the most secrets and history to reveal. Caine could easily make Amelie the main character of a prequel series about the founding of Morganville (how I wish!).
Claire is in top form as usual, as she has the unique -- and unexplained -- ability to see Magnus before anyone else, or before Magnus even wants to be seen. Magnus is quite the horror-movie creature, the draug, whom even the local vamps fear. Reading the detailed descriptions of what he can do with water gives me goosebumps. As for how Magnus retaliates against Claire, I simply refused to believe that Claire's state was permanent -- she is simply too essential to the series. Now I am wondering, though, how the series would fare if Claire went vamp -- but that's all up to Rachel Caine.
The one thing I really disliked, of course, was how the book ended -- the first cliff-hanger of the series. There was just way too big of a loose end hanging to leave me feeling satisfied. The rest of the book was still fabulous, though, and I can't wait for Black Dawn to hit the shelves.

The Cover: I always love the covers for this series. The white and blue of this cover lend a cold, icy feel to the book.

First Line: "Shane's lips felt like velvet against the nape of her neck, and Claire shivered in delight as his breath warmed the skin there."
I never tire of the sweetness between Shane and Claire. This is certainly a good way to hook my interest.

Favorite Quote: “Well,” Naomi said cheerfully, “what’s the worst that can happen?” They were silent, considering that, because there were just so many possibilities. But in the end, it was a better idea than Facebook.

Read For: Just for Fun Challenge, Young Adult Challenge

Review: Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Summer of Secrets
By Charlotte Hubbard
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Published February 2012, Zebra Books
Paperback, 352 pages
ISBN: 9781420121698

Synopsis:

In the bestselling tradition of Beverly Lewis and Jan Karon, Hubbard presents a beautifully drawn new series, which follows the charming residents of Willow Ridge and the conflicts involving the old Amish ways in a modern world, and the temptations of leaving this plain heritage behind.

I know very little about the Amish lifestyle, though there is a similar community near where I live. This book was a good introduction to their beliefs and practices without the details getting in the way of the plot. Tidbits of the Dutch language are also interspersed throughout the dialogue to make it more realistic. Food plays a prominent role in the plot, with several of the main characters running a restaurant together called "Sweet Seasons." Many of the recipes featured in the back of the book were served up in the restaurant, and many descriptions of the food sparked my appetite, such as the cinnamon rolls and orange knots. So many of the Amish ways focus on Plain living, such as an old-fashioned washing machine and garden-grown fruits and vegetables. While some aspects could be considered inconvenient, such as no telephones except for businesses, other practices make for a healthier lifestyle. "Modern" society could certainly learn a few things from the Amish.
The characters were easily relate-able, even with such polar opposites as Rachel - high-maintenance and emotional - and her long-lost sister, Tiffany/ Rebecca - withdrawn and goth. I also rather liked Micah, Rachel's fiance, for his desires to help others and be responsible while also being honest with himself. Rebecca is the perfect dichotomy to the Amish faith, as she questions everything and behaves and dresses nothing like the Plain people, though she was born in the community. Miriam, the triplet's widowed mother, is also a subtle example of how even the women can gain independence and self-sufficiency by operating her own restaurant with the aid of her daughters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially for its conservative approach to romance and drama, and I know that I will be delving into more Amish literature.

The Cover: I like the simple beauty of the cover, though I'm not really sure exactly who the young woman is supposed to represent in the story.

First Line: "And what shall I bring for your dinner, Micah?"
This opening line is a good introduction to the central part that food plays in the book.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher for review purposes.*

Guest Post: Covert Dreams by Michael Meyer

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Today I have Mike Meyer here, author of Covert Dreams, to tell us a bit about himself and his new book. Here is the synopsis of the book:

Is the mysterious disappearance of an American in today's Saudi Arabia somehow linked to a terrible murder in Munich back in 1984? What is real, and what is not? Who is really who, and why? What is behind the murder, the kidnappings, and the nightmares all leading up to what end? COVERT DREAMS is an international thriller that will keep you on the edge of your chair. It grabs you in the very first sentence and then never lets go. The mounting intensity moves from the beer gardens of Munich to the burning sands of Arabia. Just as you think you have things figured out, wham, another twist! Do you love mysteries? Do you love thrillers? Do you love suspense? If so, then COVERT DREAMS is for you.

Welcome, Mike Meyer, and please tell us about yourself:

Readers may sometimes wonder, “Who is this person who wrote this book I am reading?” My name is Michael Meyer, the author of a suspenseful thriller entitled COVERT DREAMS, and I have lived a very interesting life.
I have resided in and have visited many places in the world, all of which have contributed in some way to my own published writing. I have literally traveled throughout the world, on numerous occasions. I have lived in Finland, Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, on the island of St. Croix. I gained the wanderlust to see the world, to experience other cultures, at an early age, and this desire has never left me. If anything, it has only gained in intensity as I have aged. I try to travel internationally at least once a year. In the interim, I spend lots of time traveling around both my home state of California and other nearby states.
I spent my early years in the small town of Lone Pine, California, the home of almost every western movie, in addition to a wide variety of other genres, made in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. In fact, Hollywood still films parts of big-time movies there today. My dad, the town’s lifeguard at the time, personally knew John Wayne, Lloyd Bridges, and Lee Marvin, all of whom came to the town’s pool, the Memorial Plunge, at times to cool off after a hectic day of working in the sun. I was even an extra in a movie filmed there in 1957, MONOLITH MONSTERS, a B-cult favorite even today. I was ten years old at the time. Even though I resided in a small town hours from the big city, I was exposed to the excitement of action and heroes at a formative age.
From the beginning of 5th grade until I finished my first two years of college, at my hometown’s community college, I lived in Ventura, California, just south of Santa Barbara, where I lived the magical life for which Southern California is so famous. The sunshine, the waves, the surf, and the idyllic location—I recognized the wonderment of all of them.
As a college graduate, I taught at universities throughout the world, and my international thriller COVERT DREAMS was born, in my mind, as I traveled throughout Europe and the Arab Middle East, the two most prominent locales in this novel of suspense. I am currently hard at work at my next novel of suspense, this one set on the island of St. Croix, in the middle of the enticing Caribbean, where I spent four of my forty years as an English professor at the University of the Virgin Islands.
As a recent retiree, I now live in Southern California wine country with my wife, Kitty, and our two other cats.

What an interesting life! Thank you for stopping by!

Free Excerpt of Witchful Thinking by H.P. Mallory

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

H.P. Mallory is new to Random House but has previously self-published her witchy wonders, which are fun romantic stories. I received a link to this free excerpt for President's Day weekend, which is Family Day weekend in Canada, as well. Here is a synopsis of Witchful Thinking:

Jolie thinks she’s seen it all, but life continues to spring surprises. The latest shocker? She’s just been crowned Queen of the Underworld. Jolie may possess a rare gift for reanimating the dead, but she doesn’t know the first thing about governing disparate factions of supernatural creatures. She can barely maintain order in her own chaotic personal life, which is heading into a romantic tailspin.
First there’s sexy warlock Rand, the love of her life, from whom Jolie is hiding a devastating secret. Then there’s Sinjin, a darkly seductive vampire and Jolie’s sworn protector—though others suspect he harbors ulterior motives. As the two polar opposite yet magnetic men vie for Jolie’s affection, she must keep her wits about her to balance affairs of state and affairs of her heart. Overwhelmed, under pressure, and longing for love, Jolie decides it’s time to take charge—and show everyone that this queen won’t take jack.

Witchful Thinking: A Jolie Wilkins Novel by H. P. Mallory (Free Excerpt)

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Across the Universe
By Beth Revis
Genre: Young Adult
Published 2011, Razorbill
Hardback, 398 pages
ISBN: 9781595143976

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

The opening of this novel was a bit too nauseating for my tastes, with the details of how the people aboard the spaceship Godspeed are cryogenically frozen turning my stomach, but it certainly served to make the book more realistic. I had wrongly assumed that Beth Revis would open the novel with Amy already frozen, or just waking up, but this approach has me evaluating my own life and what it would take to volunteer for such a mission. Waking up 300 years in the future, leaving behind everything you have ever known, without even the option to return to it -- such an existence feels very lonely to me. Already I have a certain respect for Amy's choice.
The perspective of the male main character, Elder, alternating with Amy's thoughts and dreams in her frozen state were interesting. I kind of expected Amy to finally wake up mad as a hatter from her conscious entrapment. Eldest likely would have just dumped her into space if that had happened.
The encased world that had been created inside the spaceship Godspeed was both mind-boggling in its vastness and claustrophobic in its simplicity. Many things are seen as commonplace, such as genetic manipulation and mass control through brain-washing and the widespread use of drugs. Many things are backwards from what I know in today's reality, such as Eldest's support of Hitlerian tactics, and the idea that those of creative and genius-level intellect are "crazy", while the mind-numbed masses are "normal." The language has also evolved into a kind of slurred and shortened English that Amy struggles to understand, as well as the addition of new slang terms.
Amy has quite an uphill battle in enacting change on this ship for the better, especially with her red hair, green eyes, and pale skin. I certainly would not want to be in her shoes, but I admire her resolve and determination despite how alone and trapped she feels. Elder is ignorant and immature at the beginning of the novel, but Amy's presence wakes him up to the reality of his world and his responsibility towards it.
The book does not have a real "ending" so much as a place to pause -- until the next book comes out. There were a ton of questions I had at the end that I hope are resolved in the next book, such as Doc's lack of an apprentice. On to A Million Suns!

The Cover: The cover was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book, even though I am usually not a science fiction fan. I just keep going back to that cover.

First Line: "Daddy said, 'Let Mom go first.'"
Just from that first line, I can guess that the main character has a closer connection with her father than her mother. I am intrigued.

Favorite Quote: "This is the secret of the stars, I tell myself. In the end, we are alone. No matter how close you seem, no one else can touch you."

Read For: Young Adult Challenge, Dystopia Challenge

Teaser Tuesday: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. 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!).
5. Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

The most amazing thing -- to Meena, anyway -- was that she never would have guessed he was a killer. Not at first glance, anyway. He was dressed so nicely, in dark form-fitting jeans, a cashmere sweater, and a long, black leather trench. The scarf around his neck looked as if it were made from cashmere, too -- at least from where Meena was standing -- and brought out the blue in his eyes... the kind of bright blue eyes that wouldn't have been out of place on some hunky blond heartthrob making his way down a red carpet or paddling a surfboard off a sandy white Australian beach.
They hardly looked like the eyes of a killer. - pg. 212, Insatiable by Meg Cabot

What are you reading this week?

Guest Blog: The Forsaken Series by Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I have the authors of The Forsaken Series here to talk a bit about themselves and their books. Elise Whyles wrote the first book, Forsaken Heart, and Ciara Lake wrote the second book, Curse of the Dragon's Claim. The first book will be released in April 2012. Here is the series overview:

Among us walk immortal beings – cursed to hide within the shadows they live along side us as they have for centuries. Using, feeding, living off the mortals so reviled for their weakness – yet there are some who will be awakened and immortality will be given.
Now, an ancient evil stirs – rising to threaten not only the Immortal Realms but the mortal world. A cursed vampire General stirs, plotting his revenge on those who have forsaken him…but he’s forgotten about the innocent, who like him have been punished.
There are those who are Forsaken.
It could be anyone among us…

Please welcome Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake:

Elise Whyles: Thank you for opening your blog, it’s nice to be able to come by and chat about writing, our series, and life in general.
I’ve been writing for years, it’s always been such a large part of me. If I’m not writing I’m usually reading – and thus opening my mind to inspiration. The industry is as fluid as a raging river, which is good because it allows authors like me a chance to play in genres and ideas outside of the box.
I’m currently writing with another author, Ciara Lake, on the Forsaken Series. This is a near and dear project because it combines our love of world building with our love of writing a sexy, hot romance guaranteed to make you want to turn the pages. When we started on the journey to do this series we spent weeks brainstorming what species we’d use, how long the books would be, even the details on word count and heat were discussed…one thing we didn’t discuss but probably should have is the size of the series.
It was born of an idea and we’d anticipated four books maybe six – just goes to show what anticipation can do. Now we’re working on more ideas and hoping to really build it into something much larger and something readers are going to be hooked on.
We often talk about goals, aspirations, and inspirations for the series and one of the things coming up more and more often is the dream to have the entire series made into a mini-series or movie. Frankly, we’d love to see the dream bear fruit, but it may not – it's about who you know, not what.
What’s next? For me, I’ll be working on a few romances featuring some sexy heroes and even sexier heroes.

Ciara Lake: Hello and thank you for having me on your blog. Elise gave such a good introduction to our Forsaken series. I am very excited to work on this fantasy world with her. I love to create worlds of sci fi and fantasy. I met Elise through another publisher and we hit it off. We talked about the industry and our dreams. We started to brainstorm about the Forsaken series and everything came together.
I love coming home each night and writing after a stressful day at work. These fantasy worlds are a great escape and I hope our readers find them as equally entertaining as we do.

www.Ciaralakeromancebooks.com www.Ciaralakeromanceauthor.com

Review: The Elephant Mountains by Scott Ely

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Book Details:
The Elephant Mountains
By Scott Ely
Genre: Young Adult
Published 2010, Orca Book Publishers
Paperback, 203 pages
ISBN: 9781554694068

Synopsis:

An unprecedented series of hurricanes has swollen the Mississippi River to unheard-of levels and is threatening to put New Orleans and most of the low-lying areas of the South under water. Fifteen-year-old Stephen is spending the summer with his father near a small town north of Lake Pontchartrain when another powerful hurricane arrives and the levees on the Mississippi River completely fail. In the anarchy and chaos that results, Stephen's father is killed, and the boy is left to fend for himself. Stephen soon encounters Angela, a college student whose parents have also been killed. Navigating the labyrinth of flooded fields and towns in an airboat, the two set out in search of Stephen's mother and higher ground.
Armed with both guns and the skills his survivalist father has taught him, and repeatedly confronted by those who will kill for food, water and weapons, Stephen struggles to maintain hope and his humanity in the face of violence and desperation.

This book is set in New Orleans and the surrounding areas, which is near where I am from, so I was intrigued by the book. The post-apocalyptic story line is reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but on a grander scale. The language, the culture, the people -- all are true to the New Orleans area.
Right away I was struck by the simplistic nature of the writing. This is Scott Ely's first book in the Young Adult genre, which I could easily guess from what the writing lacked. One major thing that bothered me throughout the book was Ely's habit of "telling" instead of "showing." He repeatedly made statements in the book like this: "She went on to tell him that their house was close by, on high ground, and they thought they could live upstairs." (page 38) Why couldn't Ely have written this out in dialogue. This kind of writing is littered throughout the text, and it left me feeling like I had been shorted a proper book. At a little over 200 pages in length, this book was too short for my expectations. I normally love dystopia, but this one was disappointing.
The main character Stephen was a likable character, but he seemed to be both extremely lucky and a kind of talisman for death. I understand that the conditions of the area that Stephen was traveling through were extremely dangerous with very limited resources, but did just about every single person that Stephen came across have to die? That strikes me as overkill, pardon the pun.
I also did not understand the ending. If there really was as much flooding as the radio continuously announced, then Stephen would have needed to travel much further than he did to find dry ground.
I gave the book three stars because I really liked the premise of the book, though it fell short of my expectations.

The Cover: The cover is simple, but is a simple reminder of the swamps of Louisiana, with a radio in the corner to reference the radio station that Stephen often listens to in the book.

First Line: "Stephen lay on the cot on the screened porch and looked up at the stars."
I always wanted a screened porch, and just this opening line reminds me of Louisiana.

Read For: Read Your Own Books Challenge, Dystopia Challenge, TBR Pile Challenge, What's in a Name Challenge, Young Adult Challenge

*I received this book free of charge from a random draw.*

Guest Post: Love Again Anthology by Melissa Kendall

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Melissa Kendall is one of seven authors of the Valentine's Day-appropriate anthology from Ruby Lioness Press, Love Again, which features seven tales of a second chance at love. The book is set to release on Valentine's Day (of course!), February 14th, 2012. Melissa Kendall writes the short story, Life in Suitcases, and I have her here today to tell my lovely readers about how she became a published author. Enjoy!

How I became a published author.

I never expected that when I was a teenager, spending hours in my room writing down the words that kept revolving around in my mind, that one day I would actually be a published author. I might have had dreams, but really no one ever expects that kind of thing to happen.

Of course as I got older, life got in the way. When I gave birth to my son three years ago, I suddenly had all this time on my hands. What was I supposed to do at three in the morning when my son was having a feed? Well, I got out my laptop and discovered the wonders of ebooks.

Ebooks were definitely the saving grace of my sanity in the first year of my son’s life. I could quite often be found, son nestled feeding on one side, and laptop perched on the arm of the chair on the other side, an ebook of some variety open. It didn’t take long however for my reading to turn to writing.

Then of course those long since forgotten dreams of becoming an author returned, though I still never expected it to actually happen.

But it did, and I definitely did a happy dance when I received my first contract offer.

How did that happen, you may be wondering?

Well, I was on a publisher's site one day looking to purchase a book, when I saw that they were holding an original fiction contest, one of the prizes being, having your story published.

I had been writing for fun in one way, shape, or form for years, and I'd had an idea for a story kicking around for a while that I was considering writing, but just hadn’t. It was long and complicated compared to the short stories I usually wrote, and I just didn’t have the time.

When I saw the contest though, I decided I would give it a go -- worst happens no one likes it, and I keep writing for fun, best happens they like it and I get published.

You couldn’t have wiped the grin off my face when the email came through letting me know they were interested in publishing my work.

Suddenly a whole new world was opened to me. All of the stories I had been writing that no one really read, I wondered whether people would like to read those as well.

That was when my friend Tamaria Soana, a fellow author, brought the Love Again Anthology to my attention. She told me she was going to write a story for it and I knew straight away that I already had a piece I had written a while ago that suited the anthology perfectly.

So I submitted Life in Suitcases to Ruby Lioness Press’s, Love Again Anthology. Low and behold, they liked it and suddenly I had two publishing contracts.

Life in Suitcases

Elise Morgan’s childhood is seemingly perfect until one tragic event changes everything. Moved to Abbotts Home for Displaced Children she meets Anthony Scott and they become fast friends. Once they are out of the 'system' fate sets them on separate paths. How will they do on their own? One tries life away from their past, only to decide that the only family they'd ever known was what they had needed all along.

Of course, as fate would have it, my publishing career didn’t stop there. I currently have four contracts for publishing, two novellas and two novels.

I guess what I wanted to share with you by telling you how I got published, is that you never know unless you give it a go. If you had told me six months ago that I was going to have four of my works published, I would have laughed in your face, yet here I am.

Anything is possible even if you are an Australian from the remotest city in the world.

If you would like to find out more about my original fiction, check out my blog at
mkendallauthor.blogspot.com/.

Review: Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale
By Rebecca H. Jamison
Genre: Christian Fiction
Published March 2012, Bonneville Books
Paperback, 227 pages
ISBN: 9781599559476

Synopsis:

When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she'd never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil's brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil's return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen's most romantic novel.

I said yes to reviewing this book because even though I have not yet read the Jane Austen classic that this book is based on, I was curious about the Mormon aspect of the book and how the author would modernize it. I know some about Mormon customs and traditions, but it was still interesting to read the book from the perspective of a practicing Mormon and see how this specific religious sect influenced the main character in her daily life.
I am sure other reviews will compare and contrast in detail this book with the original Persuasion, but I will write about this book from the perspective of someone who has not read Persuasion by Jane Austen, though I have read some of her other works and I am a fan.
The book as a whole was an enjoyable romantic read with a bit of suspense and drama thrown in to create conflict. While I was reading some of the situations, I did often wonder how Jane Austen would have written them were she still alive today, such as Lily's jellyfish sting or Anne's stalker. The use of modern technology, such as computers and cell phones, also contributed to the modernization quite obviously.
The characterization that Jamison employs closely resembles Austen's skill, with personality traits that translate across any era, such as the ones' whose main concern was about money and what it can buy. There were the females whose only concern was obtaining a husband, as well as the mother who had little regard for disciplining her children. Matchmakers also abounded and many of the characters were related - either by blood or marriage.
The Mormon influences are easy to pick out, such as Anne's avoidance of alcohol and caffeine, and sometimes these little changes did not blend well with the plot, likely because I did not always understand what the terminology referred to, such as references to a "Fireside." I believe the book would have benefited from more explanation of the Mormon practices woven into the background details.
Ironically, my favorite characters were not the main characters, Anne and Neil. I had more interest in the ones that seemed to have a smaller part, such as Jay, who lost his wife after only 8 months of marriage. Anne's character seemed to fall a bit flat, and even when she was supposed to be in a highly emotional state, such as when she gets angry at Will, I had a hard time believing it. I also would have liked more emotion from Neil, as he always seemed to be too cool and collected for the events that were unfolding.
I did enjoy the book, though, and any fan of Jane Austen would enjoy this modernized tale, as well.

The Cover: I like the simplicity of the cover and the font of the title -- just the cover alone reminds me a bit of Jane Austen.

First Line: "How much should I ask for the chocolate fondue fountain?"
This is one of the more unusual opening lines for a book that I have read, but it's about chocolate, so my interest is peaked!

Favorite Quote: "Romance -- it's one of those things that seems so unimportant, yet, in a way, it is at the center of everything."

Please visit http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-persuasion-a-latter-day-tale/ to view the other participating blogs!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher for review purposes.*

Author Website: http://www.rebeccahjamison.com

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/RebeccaHJamison

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgM9tuCzSo

Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/

Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks

Teaser Tuesday: Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

My Teaser:

I can't deny it anymore. I'm in love with Neil Wentworth. I don't know quite how to explain everything I'm feeling. I just know that being with Neil is right for me. He makes me a better person. It's not just an emotional feeling. It's spiritual too. I know Heavenly Father approves it.
The fact that my mother disapproves still worries me. I think she's wrong about Neil -- I think he has plenty of ambition. I just have to convince him to give up this whole police officer idea. He's so smart, he could be anything he wants. - pg. 114, Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

What are you reading this week?

Review: Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Rugged and Relentless
By Kelly Eileen Hake
Genre: Christian Fiction
Published 2011, Barbour Publishing
Paperback, 317 pages
ISBN: 9781602607606

Synopsis:

Roll into Hope Falls, Colorado, where three women are seeking mates to help them establish a sawmill. Evelyn Thompson never dreamed their husbands-for-hire ad would bring so many bachelors to their tiny town. How will she ever figure out which feller to choose? Jacob Granger, a logger-turned-bounty hunter, is hot on the trail of his brothers unexpected adoration of this sweet cook prompt him to speak vows before getting vengeance?

This book had quite an intriguing premise -- four women decide to place an ad for husbands in order to revive a dead mining town and turn it into a sawmill town. Their good intentions did not account for the reality of the kind of men who would be showing up for such a curious promise, and the likelihood of their being able to maintain control of a town full of men. I also found it a bit ironic that the book is marketed as a Christian fiction book, though the four women have made themselves heads over the men and are anything but submissive -- even Cora, the one woman actually engaged. Still, the scenario presents some humorous situations as the women interact with the various men of many colorful backgrounds.
The major issue of control is a point of contention for the women throughout the book, as it is obvious that food and lodging won't be enough to corral the men into subservience, even food as delicious as Evie's. Jake is one of the men that steps in to act as bodyguard to the women and leader over the men, since he conveniently has a background in running a sawmill. Jake's presence in Hope Falls is an accident, though, as he had no previous interest in obtaining a wife and was more interested in pursuing revenge for the murder of his brother. He adopts the name Jacob Creed to hide his identity, and uses the husband ad as a cover for his true intentions, but his attraction to Evie is obvious to all but Evie herself.
Evie's self-esteem issues regularly get in the way of her being able to build a relationship with any of the men, especially the one man who gets under her skin, Jacob. She covers her low self-esteem with a bossy pride that annoyed me throughout the book, as her main obstacle seemed to be herself. But Jacob's approach to her low self-image will have any woman with "heft" cheering, especially when he almost force-fed her cookies.
This book was a fun and humorous read, with an original concept that I found refreshing.

The Cover: The cover alludes to both of the main characters, Evie and Jake, without being too ostentatious.

First Line: "You don't have to do this, Jacob!"
Possibly melodramatic for a beginning line, but it nonetheless interests me.

Favorite Quote: "Razzlefrass," Evie muttered.

Read For: Read Your Own Name Challenge, TBR Pile Challenge, Read Your Own Books Challenge

*I received this book free of charge from a random draw.*

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
Bloodlines
By Richelle Mead
Genre: Fantasy
Published 2011, Razorbill
hardback, 421 pages
ISBN: 9781595143174

Synopsis:

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

As a huge fan of the Vampire Academy series, I anxiously awaited this book. What little I knew of the Alchemists fascinated me, and I felt like Adrian got the short stick in the final book of the series, Last Sacrifice. Richelle Mead does not disappoint in this book, and she keeps just enough mystery in the plot to keep me engrossed to the last page. Rose and Dimitri even make a few appearances, which was neat to see how other characters viewed them.
Sydney is the central character, and at first glance she seems to be the antithesis of Rose's personality. She wants to be obedient and cooperative with her bosses, and she had no interest in rebelling against the system. Unfortunately, her innate desire to do good and root out evil forces her into some rough situations. Her extreme phobia of magic also creates some interesting conflicts and a very promising revelation that I can't wait to see play out in further books.
Adrian's role is at first a secret, but with a few clues from the previous series allowed me to figure it out before Mead revealed it. Gone is the Adrian that Rose brought out -- instead he is back to as much smoking and drinking as at the beginning of the previous series, back when I did not like his character. BUT, this all seems to be a facade after awhile, when Adrian shows an avid interest in painting.
Jill is the one that Sydney is protecting, along with a collection of other new and old characters. As a fifteen-year-old girl also striving to have some semblance of normal life, Jill gets mixed up in problems of her own as she strives to define who she is. While her character could have had more development, as the first book in the series, there is plenty of room for growth.
I could not get through this book fast enough, and I can't wait for the second book, Golden Lily.

The Cover: I'm not crazy about the way the design seems to be cut off -- from the swirls around the title to only half of Adrian's face. I do like having a visual for the golden lily, though.

First Line: "I couldn't breathe."
While not particularly enlightening, because I am familiar with some of the characters from the Vampire Academy series, I still want to know what is happening.

Favorite Quote: "You know, you can be scary as hell sometimes."

Read For: Young Adult Challenge

*I received this book free of charge from a random draw.*

Teaser Tuesday: Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Aside from those first few moments when she first spotted him, Evie made special effort to ignore the stranger from Charleston. Well, he'd been a stranger in Charleston instead of a regular, but he'd visited her cafe, so that's the only way she could think of him for now. I need to stop thinking about him!
Then Dodger showed the nerve to try to oust the one man she knew she wanted to stay. Evie didn't know why she wanted the tall, rangy stranger with his easy smile to stick around. She didn't have to. All she knew was that the weasely man who'd dared snatch a biscuit and think she wouldn't notice also dared to act like he owned Hope Falls. Her eyes narrowed in preparation to set the upstart in his place -- the men needed to know who ran things and respect it. From the very beginning. - pg. 100, Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

What are you reading this week?

Books Read in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0000

1. Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

2. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

3. Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

4. The Elephant Mountains by Scott Ely

5. Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

6. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

7. Last Breath by Rachel Caine

8. A Cold Creek Secret by RaeAnne Thayne

9. Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard

10. Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Review: Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Book Details:
Beauty and the Werewolf
By Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Published 2011, LUNA
Hardback, 329 pages
ISBN: 9780373803286

Synopsis:

The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella— Isabella Beauchamps, daughter of a wealthy merchant—vows to escape the usual pitfalls. Anxious to avoid the Traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with "Granny," the local wisewoman.
But on the way home she's attacked by a wolf—who turns out to be a cursed nobleman! Secluded in his castle, Bella is torn between her family and this strange man who creates marvelous inventions and makes her laugh—when he isn't howling at the moon.
Breaking spells is never easy. But a determined beauty, a wizard (after all, he's only an occasional werewolf) and a little godmotherly interference might just be able to bring about a happy ending.…

I have enjoyed every book in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey, and I eagerly waited for her to cover my favorite fairy tale, that of Beauty and the Beast. This book combines my favorite fairy tale with Little Red Riding Hood and a dash of Cinderella, all with its own unique twist characteristic of the series. While I had the ending predicted quite early in my reading, I still enjoyed following the character development and watching it all play out.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.

The Cover: I like the cover, but it has one major error -- the main character Bella is actually a blonde.

First Line: "The door opened, spilling out light and heat and laughter and a snatch of music into the darkened street."
This is beautiful imagery to open with, beginning the book on a lighthearted note.

Favorite Quote: "I must say, though, this may be the first time in history when the Royal gift to the bride and groom is going to include the Royal crest on a big leather collar, a leash and fleabane --"

Read For: Just for Fun Challenge, Finishing the Series Challenge

Free Excerpt of Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Loveswept, a digital imprint of Ballantine Bantam Dell at Random House is offering a free inside sneak peak of one of their Loveswept Original ebooks that releases on February 13, 2012, Ride With Me by debut author, Ruthie Knox.

Here are some of the quotes coming out from those who have reviewed the book:

“A sweet yet sultry, honest and heart-tugging ride. Everything a love story should be!” Carly Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author

A fantastic, sexy, and fun story! Ruthie Knox’s, RIDE WITH ME, was a delight to read.
Jill Shalvis, NYT Best Selling Author

“Ride With Me, is a unique kind of road trip with the best kind of bumps and curves!”
Sandra Hill, New York Times Best Selling Author

“Smart, sexy, and downright fun–I loved every moment of the ride!”
Julie James, National Bestselling Author

“Ruthie Knox writes a devil of a good book! Ride With Me is one wild and fun ride you’ll enjoy from the first page to the last!”
Christie Craig, award winning author of romances with heart, humor and suspense.

Here is the free excerpt from Ride With Me:

Scribd.Ride With Me Excerpt - by author Ruthie Knox

Teaser Tuesday: Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

'I don't know if enthralled is the word I would use,' he said, making a sour face. Unlike Eric, who seemed to have two expressions, arrogant and sullen, Sabastian practically radiated everything he was feeling. 'It's not very pleasant reading. It's about accidental Transformations, times when something went wrong and a person or object got transformed that wasn't supposed to be. I thought I would see if there were any were-creatures that had ever been created that way, and if there were, if they were infectious afterward. It's just not fair for you to be locked up here for three months if there's no need, and before I can say 'there's no need' I have to have evidence. So since no one knows how I got this way, it seems reasonable that the same rules would apply.'
Good heavens, he is taking his responsibility to me seriously! This was somewhat unexpected. She'd thought she would have to keep at him about it. - pg. 144, Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

What are you reading this week?

Challenge Failed: Black Dagger Brotherhood Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

This challenge was hosted by Reading with Tequila, and the goal was to read the 9 books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward by the end of January 2012. I was only able to read the first two books in the series, as I just had too many other books to read to keep up with the series. I will finish the series eventually, but for now, it is not a main goal for me. The books I have read I did enjoy, though, so I look forward to having the time to continue with them. Here are the reviews for the first two books in the series:

1. Dark Lover
2. Lover Eternal

Review: The Lost Angel by Javier Sierra

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
The Lost Angel
By Javier Sierra, Translated by Carlos Frias
Genre: Fiction
Published October 2011, Atria Books
Paperback, 378 pages
ISBN: 9781451632798

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Javier Sierra returns with a heartpounding, apocalyptic thriller about mankind’s most ancient desire—and the modern evil some will unleash to obtain it. Every religion has a story for how our species came to mix with yours and was doomed to this planet. We are the sons of exiles. Cursed. Even man condemned us, blaming us for all the evils of the world. On the one hand you worshiped us, these beings who brought knowledge from the heavens. But you also feared us for what we might want in return. . . .”
In approximately seventy-two hours, a little-known Middle Eastern terrorist group plans to bring about the end of the world. Convinced that they are the descendants of angels, they believe they are on the verge of at last being returned to heaven. Central to their plan is the kidnapping of Martin Faber, an undercover American scientist whose research has led him to an extraordinary secret.
Martin’s only hope for survival is his young wife, Julia Alvarez—a woman born with a rare psychic gift. But she must find the courage to save her husband, all while running from religious extremists and clandestine government agencies.
Sierra takes readers on an adventure across the world, from the summit of Mount Ararat to the high desert of New Mexico, from the monuments of Washington, DC, to the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Sierra spent years investigating scientific and historical mysteries related to mankind’s efforts to engage directly with the Almighty.
The Lost Angel bears all the hallmarks of Sierra’s erudite yet fast-paced brand of storytelling, combining historical fact and fiction with dazzling narrative feats.

This book had almost too much going on, with an extensive glossary in the beginning pages - complete with color photos - that I needed to read beforehand to keep up with the plot. Javier Sierra made a point of mixing fact with fiction in this novel, and the book reads like an extensive 'conspiracy theory.' My husband is much more familiar with many aspects of the plot, and I often asked him if what I was reading about was really true or not. The book opens with a quotation of Genesis 6: 2-3, which states "...the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.'" This is followed by a quote from John Dee, who figures prominently in the plot, though I did not find the quote to be especially inspiring.
The main focus of the book is about a group of people who consider themselves descendants of those angels that joined with "the daughters of man," and want to find a way to get back into heaven. They will use any means necessary to accomplish this -- murder, deceit, even putting the whole planet in jeopardy.
The main character, Julia Alvarez, is a psychic who is completely duped by their antics. I understand that the author means for the reader to feel sympathy for the angelic descendants through Julia's narration, but the way that Julia allows herself to be used and deceived by even her own husband disgusts me. She believes whatever they tell her and does not question anything. In fact, anyone that does question this main family is characterized as foolish and forgettable, such as Ellen Watson and Inspector Figueiras.
There was one main problem I had with the plot, which is that in the Bible, the angels that mate with human women are 'fallen' because they disobeyed God, which is never addressed. What is also never addressed is any scriptural substantiation for what they believed about Noah and the ark. They believed they could force God to take them back into heaven with their thrown-together mish-mash of technology. How is that believable? God kicked the angels out - they certainly can't force their way back in! Not to mention, this family does not back up their belief that they are descendants of angels with actual scientific proof, such as DNA tests, even though they all claim to be men (and woman) of science.
Overall, the book twists a blasphemous tale of Biblical scripture, using factual information to support a fictitious plot. It has suspense, intrigue, and even a bit of romance, but the end is neither believable nor enjoyable. While books of this nature became popular thanks to the works of Dan Brown, (yes, I've read his stuff, too), I found this book to be merely an okay read.

The Cover: The cover works well with the book, as it contains several hints of the plot, such as the shadow of a symbol that shows on the floor, the black suitcase, the architecture, and the explosion in the background.

First Line: "The glow from an enormous flat-screen monitor illuminated the National Security Agency director's office just as the electric blinds obscured the adjacent waiting room with a whispered hum."
There is not much here to entice the reader to continue, though it does hint at the plot with the reference to the NSA.

Read For: Outdo Yourself Challenge, Twenty-Eleven Challenge

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher for review purposes.*

English Pronunciation

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

As a lover of the written word, I just had to post this poem that I came across on the internet. The poem is all about pronunciation in the English language, and after reading this poem, you have to admit that the English language is pretty messed up sometimes!

If you can pronounce correctly every word in this poem, you will be speaking English better than 90% of the native English speakers in the world.
After trying the verses, a Frenchman said he’d prefer six months of hard labour to reading six lines aloud.

Dearest creature in creation,
Study English pronunciation.
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse, and worse.
I will keep you, Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy.
Tear in eye, your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.
Just compare heart, beard, and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word,
Sword and sward, retain and Britain.
(Mind the latter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak, but bleak and streak;
Cloven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.
Hear me say, devoid of trickery,
Daughter, laughter, and Terpsichore,
Typhoid, measles, topsails, aisles,
Exiles, similes, and reviles;
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
Solar, mica, war and far;
One, anemone, Balmoral,
Kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel;
Gertrude, German, wind and mind,
Scene, Melpomene, mankind.
Billet does not rhyme with ballet,
Bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood and flood are not like food,
Nor is mould like should and would.
Viscous, viscount, load and broad,
Toward, to forward, to reward.
And your pronunciation’s OK
When you correctly say croquet,
Rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
Friend and fiend, alive and live.
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
And enamour rhyme with hammer.
River, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
Doll and roll and some and home.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Souls but foul, haunt but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand, and grant,
Shoes, goes, does. Now first say finger,
And then singer, ginger, linger,
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, and age.
Query does not rhyme with very,
Nor does fury sound like bury.
Dost, lost, post and doth, cloth, loth.
Job, nob, bosom, transom, oath.
Though the differences seem little,
We say actual but victual.
Refer does not rhyme with deafer.
Fe0ffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
Mint, pint, senate and sedate;
Dull, bull, and George ate late.
Scenic, Arabic, Pacific,
Science, conscience, scientific.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, ache, moustache, eleven.
We say hallowed, but allowed,
People, leopard, towed, but vowed.
Mark the differences, moreover,
Between mover, cover, clover;
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice;
Camel, constable, unstable,
Principle, disciple, label.
Petal, panel, and canal,
Wait, surprise, plait, promise, pal.
Worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
Senator, spectator, mayor.
Tour, but our and succour, four.
Gas, alas, and Arkansas.
Sea, idea, Korea, area,
Psalm, Maria, but malaria.
Youth, south, southern, cleanse and clean.
Doctrine, turpentine, marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
Dandelion and battalion.
Sally with ally, yea, ye,
Eye, I, ay, aye, whey, and key.
Say aver, but ever, fever,
Neither, leisure, skein, deceiver.
Heron, granary, canary.
Crevice and device and aerie.
Face, but preface, not efface.
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass.
Large, but target, gin, give, verging,
Ought, out, joust and scour, scourging.
Ear, but earn and wear and tear
Do not rhyme with here but ere.
Seven is right, but so is even,
Hyphen, roughen, nephew Stephen,
Monkey, donkey, Turk and jerk,
Ask, grasp, wasp, and cork and work.
Pronunciation (think of Psyche!)
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won’t it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It’s a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Finally, which rhymes with enough,
Though, through, plough, or dough, or cough?
Hiccough has the sound of cup.
My advice is to give up!!!

English Pronunciation by G. Nolst Trenité

Teaser Tuesday: The Lost Angel by Javier Sierra

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

The young man with the tattoo on his cheek looked worried.
'Sheikh, do you know this man?'
His leader, the one with the thick mustache, nodded absentmindedly. He felt like the walls of the narrow cafe were closing in on him. It was clear he was trying to hold back a torrent of emotions and memories that came rushing to the surface even as he merely stood next to the enormous man collapsed on the floor in front of him. Waasfi was right when he said that 'they' -- their ancient enemies -- were in the city.
'His name is Nicholas Allen, brother,' he whispered. 'For years, each of us has been chasing the adamantas.'
Waasfi looked down again at the fallen soldier. The amrak's electromagnetic pulse had left him in a catatonic state that could very well be irreversible. - pg. 101, The Lost Angel by Javier Sierra

What are you reading this week?

Challenge Completed: I Am a Reading Challenge Addict

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

This challenge was simply about keeping track of my other reading challenges for the year, so it's okay that I did not complete the list. Eight out of Nine is good enough anyways. I am still a Reading Challenge Addict.

1. Off The Shelf Reading Challenge (30 books)

2. Read-A-Myth Reading Challenge (8 books)

3. Strong Heroine Reading Challenge (12 books)

4. Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge (75 books for the year)

5. I Want More Reading Challenge (8 books)

6. What's In A Name Reading Challenge (6 books)

7. Foodie Reading Challenge (6 books)

8. Twenty-Eleven Reading Challenge (20 books)

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Book Details:
The Scorpio Races
By Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult
Published 2011, Scholastic Press
Hardback, 407 pages
ISBN: 9780545224901

Synopsis:

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

I loved this book right from the beginning. Though I am familiar with Maggie Stiefvater's writing style from other books, reading it in this one still felt fresh and new. I loved her imagery and witticism and how she described people and situations in new ways to me.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.

The Cover: I love the mysteriousness of the cover, with an image of a girl on a horse. It is both simple and powerful.

First Line: "It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die."
What a strong opening line - she gets right to the point and pulls me in immediately.

Favorite Quote: "It's easy to convince men to love you, Puck. All you have to do is be a mountain they have to climb or a poem they don't understand. Something that makes them feel strong or clever. It's why they love the ocean."

Read For: Outdo Yourself Challenge

New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

So it's New Year's Resolution time. Does it freak anybody else out that it's 2012? Anyways, I thought I would keep my blogging resolutions simple this year, as I have big plans in my regular life that will likely take me away from book blogging at some point this year. I kept my Goodreads goal the same as last year, to read 75 books for the year. I would actually like to top that goal, but as I struggled to get to the end in 2011 with that goal, I kept it the same.
My blog design also needs a refresher, which I wanted to do last summer, but failed miserably at. I know there are sites out there that will do it all for a price, but I like to do my own designs. Plus, it forces me to get better with my Photoshop program.
I also cut down on the number of reading challenges to eight, with a focus on reading the books that I already own. I feel guilty that I have all of these books stacking up from various sources -- prizes, gifts, review requests, library discards -- and I am not reading them fast enough, so hopefully this will be motivation enough to read them.
I also want to read more classic literature. I only read one book in 2011 that is considered a classic, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, and that is just unacceptable. Hubby wants me to read Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, plus I own Emma by Jane Austen, so that's a good start.

Do you have any Resolutions for the New Year?