Review: Broken

Author: A.E.Rought
Format: eBook
Print Length:320 pages
Publisher: Angry Robot
Published: Jan. 3, 2013

Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein where a young couple’s undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all.

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry’s boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetary and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.

When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she’s intrigued despite herself. He’s an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely…familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel’s. The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there’s something very wrong with Alex Franks.

And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks’ estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

My Thoughts

I received this book via the publishers through NetGalley. That in no way influenced my review

If they gave standing ovations for books, Broken would receive one- and then an encore.

When the love of her life, Daniel falls to his death Emma withdrawals from everyone.  Only her best friend Bree understands the pain that she is going through and stands beside her.  Daniel’s best friend, Jason was there that night.  He has been a little bit flirty with Emma lately, much to her cringe.

Emma goes about her day an empty-shell of a being, frustrated that Daniel is no longer there.  She suffers from survival guilt, and sees memories of Daniel everywhere.  She and others blame herself for Daniel’s death.  You can literally feel her pain, and aimlessness with every turn of the page.  You cannot help but feel that Daniel truly was the love of her life.  Which is why her feelings for Alex cause her such anguish.

Alex is the new guy, a transfer student from a local private school.  There is something about him that is well so Daniel like.  Alex has got to be one of the nicest guys on earth- although he has not always been this way.  It wasn’t until his daddy stitched him back up that he changed.  Why that change happen he does not know, all that he does know is that he is drawn to Emma. Alex is amazing in that he wants to protect Emma from the instant he met her.  Yet he fights the attraction- he knows that it will cause her pain.  He knows that he is not ready, he knows that something is not right.

As they exam and explore their attraction they are painfully aware that something strange is going on.  What and why are running through their heads.  The answers to those questions could be the thing that tears them apart forever.

I am not sure if it is the emotional side of the story.  The story teller  guarantees that you will feel Emma’s pain and Daniel’s confusion with every turn of the page.  It could be the gothic like setting or even the premise of the story itself. Regardless Broken has got to be one of the best stories released this year.  

My Rating 5 out 5 stars

Other People

Bree- Emma’s best friend, and the only one who stands by her.
Jason- Daniel’s best friend, a jock who is also a jerk.

Teaser Tuesday (18) Broken

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

At night, when I’m alone, it’s easier to fantasize about who’s buried there.  I drift along the sidewalk skirting the graveyard toward the mausoleums, chain link fence clinking beneath my dragging fingernails.

Broken by A.E. Rought Kindle Location 5

An expression of wonder, disbelief maybe, lights his face.  My head’s a mess, my chest’s tingling, and all I can think is that he feels like an echo ringing through the hollow left inside me, undeniable and utterly dwarfed by Daniel’s memory.

Broken by A.E. Rought  Kindle Location 149

I cannot rave enough about this book!  It is absolutely amazing.  You can seriously feel Emma’s pain through her description.

Swoon Thursday (17) Elemental Rising

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

“Sometimes I have to be able to make the choice to protect myself.”

Just then Keller burst through the door.  “Are you insane?” he nearly yelled at me.  I had known Keller for a few months, but never once had I seen him lose his cool.  Now his crystal blue eyes were glaring at me, much like Lisabelle’s black ones had done seconds earlier.

“I’m fine,” I muttered.  “Thanks for asking.”

Ignoring our audience, Keller took two long strides to my bedside, where he proceeded to sit next to me and wrap his strong arms around me.  I was too tired to fight it, even if his aunt would have a fit if she found out.  Instead, I relaxed into his chest.

“How dare you?” he breathed into my ear, so that only I could hear.  “Don’t you know I would be lost if something happened to you?”

Elemental Rising Kindle by Maddy Edwards Location 4882

Review: Unspoken

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Format: eBook
Print Length:370 pages
Publisher: K-Teen
Published: Sept. 11, 2012

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

My Thoughts

Can you imagine being able to have a conversation in your head with someone you’ve never met?  Can you imagine thinking that this person doesn’t really exist and yet still be comforted by their presence?  Imagine this person being always on your side.  The one person you could always count on.  Imagine having to pretend this person isn’t real!

Imagine growing up with one person who always believed in you.  A person that regardless of everything was on your side.  A person you loved, who loves you back unconditionally.  Someone who comforts you when you’re scared, laughs at your jokes and listens to you babble.  The only problem- you’ve never met and no one else has spoken to him.  For 16 years you have talked to this person in your head- your imaginary friend.  You’ve hid them away from everyone else to avoid being labeled crazy.

Then one day out of the blue, the voice has a face.  An actual face attached to a body standing right in front of you.  What would you do?  Would you stay away from him or would you try to get closer?  Would you be too shocked to do anything?

As your shock wears off and you get to know the real person behind the voice, you begin to see just why you love them.  You understand why they need you to love them.  Yet, people talk.  With talk comes doubt.  They say your connection could kill him.  They say that you could control him.  They say that it is best if you break away from him.  What would you do? 

Kami is strong, and smart.  She does not listen to idle gossip- instead she investigates it.  Only her investigation is causing attempts on her life.  Jared just moved to the Sorry-in-the-Vale.  He looks rough, not as polished as his uppity cousin.  They are blaming him for the bad things that are happening.  His only concern is protecting Kami.  He is wary of their connection, but clings to it.  She is his one and only- she just has to acknowledge it.  Until she does he will protect her, watch over her and maybe just maybe love her.

Unspoken blew my mind away.  What a fabulous story.  I absolutely adore Kami.  Jared is the perfect non-perfect hero.  Their relationship before they meet is one of the most solid and real relationships ever portrayed on paper.  The distance between them that meeting causes is believable and heartbreaking.  At the end of the book, my heart ached for Kami.  How?  Why?  Seriously how much long do I have to wait for the sequel?  Will what happened get fixed?  Can someone please do away with Ash- he was the annoyingly perfect cousin.  Of course, I have a soft spot for Kami’s best friend Angela.  She well, she hates people and I love that.  Hilarious!  Run do not walk to the bookstore and grab this book.  It will be well worth it.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Other Characters

Holly- beautiful  gal at Kami’s school that cons her way into their group.
Angela- Kami’s anti-people best friend.
Ash- Jared’s perfect cousin, me hates him.

Before you read this amazingly fabulous story- you could preview the characters with the short stories that are linked below.


Jared's story: The Spring Before I Met You













Kami's story: The Summer Before I Met You

Teaser Tuesday (17) Team Human

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

“Have you ever felt kind of…” She paused.  “Detached from the world?  As if you didn’t fit in, and you weren’t interested in what everyone else was interested in?  As if you belonged in a different world?”

“Everyone feels that way sometimes,” I said.  “But you eat chocolate until the endorphins kick in, and the crazy thoughts go away.”  I grinned at her.

Team Human Kindle Location 813

I can totally relate to Cathy here.  Not fitting in, not belonging what is a gal to do?  Ice cream therapy, retail therapy or maybe just maybe Mel is right.  You eat chocolate until it goes away.  Although I am with Mel on this one- team human all the way- my heart can not help but hurt for Cathy.  Just a little.

Swoon Thursday (16) Unspoken

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

“And where is your shirt?”

“Let me explain,” said Jared.  “I had just gone to bed, like a reasonable person, when you decided to get tossed into a well like a crazy person.  And then it was a matter of some urgency to reach you.  You’re lucky I tripped over my jeans on the way out the door.”

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan Kindle Location 723

Jared met Angela glare for glare.  “For Kami,” he snapped.  “I’m going to write for the paper because Kami’s here, and I’m not going to leave Kami’s side.  Someone’s trying to kill her."

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan Kindle Location 1130


As you should know I love Jared.  What you may not know is that not everyone does.  A lot of people see him as well a thug.  I see him as a knight in tarnished armor.  He proves it when he saves Kami's life and then continues to protect her.  If that is not swoon-worthy then I am clueless as to what is....

Teaser Tuesday (16) Unspoken

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

Maybe things would be better for you if you do what your mother wants.  Maybe it’s the right thing to do.

Jared said, I don’t care.

Too many of their walls were coming down with their shared distress, blazing a channel open between them.  She should pull back.  She would in a moment.

I don’t want to be sane.  I don’t want to be normal, said Jared.  I just want you.

Unspoken by Sarah Rees  Brennan Kindle Location 360

I puffy heart adore Jared.  He seriously had me "I think I'll keep her around." Which can be found here in The Spring Before I Met You.

Cover Reveal: Apollyon

Deity (The third book in the Covenant Series)
Available in both print and digital version on Nov. 6, 2012
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Official Deity Book Trailer
http://youtu.be/RIqKBYMSTU8

Did you read an ARC of Deity and been dying to get your hands on Elixir, the novella told in Aiden’s POV and picks up right after the end of Deity? Well, you don’t have to wait any longer. The free novella is available now. DO NOT read Elixir if you have not read Deity. It will spoil Deity for you and not to mention, you will have no idea what is going on.

Elixir will be available in print. Kindle, and Nook formats on November 27, 2012.

Click HERE to read Elixir.

And we’re super excited to share the cover for the 4^th book in the Covenant Series, Apollyon, which is due out April 2013.

 

 

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Official Website

Entangled

Author: Nikki Jefford
Format: eBook
Print Length: 280 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Pulishing Platform
Published: Feb 20, 2012

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene's body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she's stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn't half as bad as hanging out with Charlene's snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The "normals" of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection while working out a way to disentangle herself from Charlene's body before she disappears for good.

My Thoughts

I received this book via the publishers through NetGalley. That in no way influenced my review.

Graylee and her twin sister Charlene  were born into a magical family.  With a witch for a  momma and a warlock for a dad it is no surprise that they both rock with magic, except well Graylee doesn’t.  In the beginning she did, she was actually the best in her class.  Then something happened in the sixth grade, since then Graylee freezes up every time she tries to perform a spell in front of her peers.

Graylee had the misfortune of Charlene as her twin sister.  From the very first line in the book the reader knows that Charlene is the attention seeking, drama-rama kinda gal.  Whereas Graylee just wants to be left alone.  So one night Graylee goes to bed and wakes up two months later inside her twins body.  She had apparently died and her mother gave up her magic to resurrect her.  Unfortunately her body was rotting so she ad her sister had to share one.  Every 24 hours there was an involuntary switch.  Thus begins the search for a way that Graylee can be permanent again.

Secrets are revealed, families will be broken and others will come together.  But one thing is certain, Graylee’s life will never be the same.

There is something about Graylee that draws the reader to her.  Maybe it is her “are you serious kinda attitude?” or maybe its “her gotta deal attitude” that brings causes the reader to cheer for her.  Her sister on the other hand well Charlene is the evil twin.  When Graylee wakes up every other day it’s almost with anticipation of darn it what id Charlene do yesterday?  I love that she is shocked by her sister’s actions.

The attraction between Graylee and Raj is cute.  I like that she doesn’t instantly fall for him.  I like that she is weary of trusting him.  I like that he is standoffish to the world and well tenacious in his regard for her.  When he tries to give her crap, she gives right back.  Their relationship blossoms under all of the confusion- which is nice.  Raj almost becomes Graylee’s tower if strength, as long as he believes there is a way then there must be.

The story does start off a little on the slow side but Jefford makes up for that after Graylee dies.  From then on the tit for tac interaction between the sisters is surprising.  One of the best scenes involves Graylee and Charlene’s boyfriend.  Boy, does she accidentally screw that relationship up- it was actually already screwed up but still.  You will understand more one you read the book.

Overall this is a charming story that will capture your attention.   There is no way that you will not want to read the next book in the trilogy.  Lucky for you it is already out Duplicity.

My Rating 4 stars out of 5

Other Characters

Raj- warlock, has a crush on Greylee, recognizes when she is her and not Charlene, attempts to help her
Nolan- warlock, knows Graylee’s secret
Charlene- Graylee’s twin

Favorite Character from Inbetween, EASTON

It was love at first read for Easton from Inbetween.

We all have them- that one friend who no matter what will stand by us, be brutally honest with us and even hurt us to save us if need be.  Easton is that friend for Finn. 

Never mind that he really is Hell’s reaper.  Ignore that he truly does not understand why Finn is in love with Emma.  Instead focus on the stuff that really matters.

Easton may be Hell’s reaper but he is also friends with Heaven’s angel and an Inbetweener reaper.  Now you and I both know that an angel would not hang out with a guy that was pure evil, so there has to be one or two redeeming qualities to him.  So I decided that Easton needs his own cheering squad!

Let’s hear it for Easton!

Give me an E! E!

Give me an A! A!

Give me a S! S!

Give me a T! T!

Give me an O! O!

Give me a N! N!

Now I am sure that you want to know just why I like Easton so much.

Easton is extremely loyal and protective of those he cares about.  This is shown throughout the book through not his words (which are grumpy most of the time) but instead through his actions.  He may not understand Finn’s need to protect Emma but he will babysit her when need be.  He may not understand Finn’s actions in the name of love for her but he will of course stand by him.  He understands that those actions have serious consequences and does point them out to Finn.  At one point he even shows Finn what could happen if his actions cause him to end up in hell.  This allows Finn to make a well-informed decision about what to do.  But the best thing about Easton is that he is jaded- yeah every gal has a secret bad boy they like and well Easton is mine.  I love that he is so sarcastic and yet truthful all at one.  Easton is also very sensitive- a total contradiction which makes him a mystery.  He even helps Finn gather his wits about him when they go on a reap that well takes him back to his own D-day.  But in the end the very best thing about Easton is that he will come through in the well end. 

 

Dream Casting: Milo Ventimiglia

As for who I would cast as Easton well...  there really is only one person that comes to mind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We know from his past roles that he does cynical very well.  He has a soft side to him too, just like Easton.

Swoon Thursday (15)

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the gals at YABound!

“Who’s a better kisser? Me or jerkoff Stacey?”  It was so unexpected that she burst out laughing.

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer Kindle Location 2958

First things first- Stacey is the guy's last name.  SMH...  Okay to be honest, I would never had thought Gabriel would ask this of Layne.  That is why it is my swoon.  To have someone so tough seem so well unsure of himself.  Oh it just makes me weak in my knees!

Spark

Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Format: eBook
Print Length: 432pages
Publisher: K-Teen
Published: August 28, 2012

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.
Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

My Thoughts

Spark is an intriguing story that will captivate the reader.  Gabriel may burn hot then cold but when it involves Layne he is sizzling. When we last left the Merrick brothers, they had just had a really bad week.  A guide had been sent to eliminate them.  Nick had been badly injured, but they were alive and for the most part well.

Spark picks up a few days after Elemental had ended.  Gabriel is wallowing in guilt over Nick’s leg and taking his emotions out on everyone in sight.  Unfortunately, the one way that Gabriel use to tame his emotions was well cut in half.   With Nick’s injured leg he cannot play his varsity sports, okay so Nick doesn’t actually play but Gabriel pretends to do be him.  Now the injury makes it so they cannot trade places- in sports and in math.

On top of his already sucky month, Gabriel’s math teacher takes an extended break.  The sub figured out something that 5 certified high qualified math teachers did not.  Nick had been doing Gabriel’s math work.  Once caught, graduation is in danger and so eligibility to play any sport.

In his math class is a nerdy sophomore, Laney that keeps to herself.  This is due to an accident she had as a child.  She notices that Gabriel is struggling and offers help.  Gabriel unsure but seeing no other way out does take her up on it.

This series just keeps getting better.  Gabriel’s reaction to Nick’s injury is so realistic that you almost want to cry for him.  The fact that Hunter becomes his friend as his relationships with his brothers go from mild to bad in about 4.2 second is also telling of both characters.  But mainly it is his reaction to Laney that draws me to him.  For some reason even when he is mean to her, he is gentle with her.  His mouth can get him in trouble and more often than not does.  His reaction to what he says to upset or anger Laney is telling of his true character.  The one that he keeps hidden from all others.  Laney, is about as realistic as they come.  She does not hide her feelings from Gabriel or walk on eggshells around him.  The best part is that she doesn’t follow him and try to boost his ego all the time.  I love that Laney will stand up to him and for him.  She does not back-down, and that is just the kinda gal that Gabriel needs.

My Rating 4.5 stars out of 5

Other Characters

Nick- Gabriel’s twin brother, the non-screw-up one
Taylor- Resident mean gal, high school cheerleader to boot
Simon- Layne’s brother, this is his first year in public school.  He is deaf but plays some mean basketball.
Mr. Forrest- Layne’s dad, a lawyer who is extremely protective.

Teaser Tuesday (15)

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

“Not in my house, you won’t kill me in my house!”  She screamed it repeatedly, like a mantra, until she was flung backward off the female vamp and jerked to her feet.

Life and Death of Lily Drake by T. Michelle Nelson Kindle Location 1169

Could you imagine?  Someone trying to kill you in your own house?  What would you do to protect yourself?  How about those you love?

Velveteen's Book Birthday!

Today is the day that many of you have been waiting for~ Velveteen's released day!

Do you like ghost?

Do you like revenge?

Do you like romance?

Do you like gals with spunk and guys who stand by them?

If you answered yes, than Velveteen is the book for you!

Happy Reading!