Review: Descendant (Starling #2) by Lesley Livingston

Descendant (Starling #2) by Lesley Livingston

Published: August 27th 2013 by HarperTeen

 Rating: 3 out of 5

✤✤✤✤

Available from:
 

✤✤✤✤

Synopsis:

The last thing Mason Starling remembers is the train crossing a bridge. An explosion . . . a blinding light . . . then darkness. Now she is alone, stranded in Asgard—the realm of Norse legend—and the only way for her to get home is to find the Spear of Odin, a powerful relic left behind by vanished gods.

The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Starling, Lesley Livingston delivers another electrifying blend of nonstop action and undeniable romance that will leave readers breathless.

✤✤✤✤

Review:

Continuing exactly where Starling left off, Mason is catapulted into Asgard (not literally) and introduced to her mother, whom she's never met. Or is it her mother?

All the hands of fate are at work and pushing Mason to grab that spear of Odin, but Mason doesn't want to. She knows she'll turn into a Valkyrie - a chooser of the slain - and it's not in her nature. But trickery is at work and Mason falls for it bigtime.

Fennrys is no stranger to Asgard, and he knows if anyone can save Mason from her fate its him. He travels by other means to get to Odin's hall, with the help of Egyptian God Anubis, otherwise known as Rafe who was briefly introduced in the first book.

I could never decide whether Rafe was doing his own bidding or working for someone else. We know he works with Daria, who is Calum's mother, but he's much older and wiser than anyone else, so this stumped me for much of the story. Calum also gets to grips with his love sickness for Mason by realising he has a part to play in the deceit of his mother. I didn't like him much in the first book, he was too hot and cold for me, but I did actually get on his side in this one.

Heather also has a bigger part, and though her uses are smaller, she certainly is an important cog in the wheel. Roth, Mason's older brother continues to intrigue while the other brother, Rory becomes engrossed in his own darker, more evil side.

The sprinkling of other gods from other mythology actually works well in this middle book of the Starling series. Any hurdles in the storyline get placed down in this one firmly and we finally get the full backstory of Mason's father and why he wants to bring on Ragnarök, the Norse end of the world, or its beginning, whichever version you wish to believe.

With a much stronger, beefed up character plot and an ironing out of a somewhat confusing storyline I can safely say I liked this one more then the first.

Mason and Fennrys are great characters to follow and you just want to will them to win in the end. It's another cliffhanger, of sorts, with all paths now narrowed for what is going to be an epic finale.

If you were disappointed in Starling, then Descendant will clear all of this up. I definitely recommend this series now, and the third and final book is already a shoo-in!

-CBx

✤✤✤✤

About the Author

LESLEY LIVINGSTON is a writer living in Toronto, Canada. She is the author of twelve books to date. Her first novel, WONDROUS STRANGE, was winner of the CLA Young Adult Book of the Year 2010, a White Pine Honour Book, shortlisted for the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Speculative Fiction, and in 2015 was named one of CBC’s “100 YA Books That Make You Proud To Be Canadian”. DARKLIGHT, the second book in this series was a finalist for the Indigo Teen Read Awards. The concluding volume in the trilogy, TEMPESTUOUS, was a finalist for the Monica Hughes Award. These books have sold to more than ten countries to date, and WONDROUS STRANGE has been optioned for film/TV by Shaftesbury Films. Her other trilogies have both won the Copper Cylinder award for Young Adult fiction.

You can find Lesley Livingston here:

✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤

Follow and Like to Read More Bookworm Blogger #YA Reviews:

✤✤✤✤

Review: Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Published: May 28th 2013 by HarperTeen 
Rating: 4 out of 5

✤✤✤✤

Available from:

✤✤✤✤

Synopsis:

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

The 100 by Kass Morgan

Published: September 3rd 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4 out of 5

✥✤✤✤

Available from:

✥✤✤✤

Synopsis:

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.

Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents -- considered expendable by society -- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission.

CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves -- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.

Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.

Review: Words Once Spoken by Carly Drake

Words Once Spoken by Carly Drake

Published: October 2013 by Escape Publishing

Rating: 4 out of 5

Available from:




~~~~

Synopsis:

YA meets high fantasy in this lush series debut about a girl who never quite fit in — and the reason why...

Evelyn might not love the confines of her village life, but she takes her small freedoms where she can get them. But everything changes when her parents decide it’s time for her to wed. Suddenly she loses her tunic and breeches, her bow, her horse, and gains rigid gowns, restrictive manners, and carriage rides.

The best way to escape is through her dreams, but as they become more and more real, Evelyn begins to worry that she is losing her grasp on reality. It is only when she makes two new friends that the truth is revealed: she is destined for far, far more than even she could imagine.

~~~~  

Review: Remember When 2: The Sequel (Remember Trilogy #2) by T. Torrest

Remember When 2: The Sequel (Remember Trilogy #2) by T. Torrest

Published on: June 20th 2013

My Rating: 4 out of 5
From: Bought

~~

Synopsis:

You know how sometimes, your high school crush grows up to be an insanely famous movie star? Okay, probably not. But I do.~Layla Warren

Back in high school, Trip Wiley’s fanbase only encompassed the denizens of the nothing little suburb of Norman, New Jersey.

Ten years later, all that is about to change.

In the summer of 2000, Layla Warren is enjoying her career as a journalist in New York City (well, sort of), while Trip spends most of his time grabbing Hollywood by the balls. In the days before what will turn out to be his skyrocketing fame, they’ll find themselves confronted with some life-altering choices.

Remember When 2 is the second story in an NA romance trilogy. It will bring you back to that exuberant and riotous time of life in your twenties when you struggled to figure out your place in the world and the person you were meant to be…

…and the person you were meant to be with.

~~

Review:

10 years after Remember When and we find Layla working for a Sunday pullout magazine Now! she done college, living like an adult in her own apartment, and keeping up with Lisa, her bestie. Turns out that her job is going nowhere because her boss won't allow her any freedom to expand her journalistic skills for the magazine, perfering to keep her on classifieds. Also turns out that she's just got engaged to her boyfriend of 2 years, who is..also her boss. Yes, the very one who is keeping her back.

While her romance is okay, it isn't the sparks-that-fly type of romance she had with Trip. The very same high school romance that even now she still thinks about and dreams about. He's a hot actor now on the verge of hitting it big time. that's not to say he isn't famous. He has the smile, the good looks, and the talent. He's a hot commodity in a break neck game, but he's working hard and playing hard. Well, that's what the rumours say anyway.

Layla and Trip's relationship petered out a few years back when he stopped writing to her. But he's back in town filming locally. And this gives Layla the perfect idea to see him. Once she's got the green light from her boss/boyfriend it's all set up. She takes on the role of an actual journalist and puts her reporting skills to good use...finally.

The one problem is...Layla meeting Trip again begins a rolling ball of uncertainty on both sides. For a brief moment they're both teenagers again in high school enjoying each others company. Then it starts getting personal. Layla has to figure out who she is, and what she wants from life. Trip, despite his charm and self assuredness is a heavily concealed powder keg underneath. He realises that the one thing in the world he wants is not his for the taking.

And then everything spirals out of control.

What I loved most about this sequel was that it was set so far into the future from the first. So much has changed for both characters but underneath they're both the same people. And for Trip, Layla is the only person who actually sees him for who he really is. Layla struggles with her doubts and fears for the future, especially feeling guilty when it comes to her fiancé, but is Trip just playing with her? Does her fiancé really love her?

The story is set in New York and apart from small cameos from Lisa, Pick and the gang, is mostly Layla and Trip trying to work out their feelings. There is a cliffhanger where you're left wondering what happens next. Your heart will be in your mouth near the end hoping and waiting for that epic moment but....it's in book 3! 

-CBx

~~

You can reach T. Torrest  here:

Twitter

Goodreads

Review: Remember When (Remember Trilogy #1) by T. Torrest

Remember When (Remember Trilogy #1) by T. Torrest

Published on: January 1st 2013

My Rating: 4 out of 5

~~

Synopsis:

Years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.

This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.

In case you live under a rock and don't know who Trip Wiley is, just know that these days, he’s the actor found at the top of every casting director’s wish list. He’s incredibly talented and insanely gorgeous, the combination of which has made him very rich, very famous and very desirable.

And not just to casting directors, either.

I can’t confirm any of the gossip from his early years out in Tinseltown, but based on what I knew of his life before he was famous, I can tell you that the idea of Girls-Throwing-Themselves-At-Trip is not a new concept.

I should know. I was one of them.

And my life hasn’t been the same since.

~~

Review:

There's something very refreshing about reading a book set in the '90's. If you think about it, it isn't that long ago but boy, how little things have changed. No mobile phones, no internet, no IM's. Talking to someone means you use a landline phone or speak to them in person. And to get to know someone you actually have to have a conversation with no stalking their fb page or following them n twitter.


The '90's wasn't the greatest era for fashion either. Banana clips, MC Hammer trousers and big hair are mentioned among the plethora of memories forgotten.

Layla Warren has lived her whole life in the same area of New Jersey. Most of the kids from school have known her since kindergarten. Known her or know of her. Everyone knows her mother left the family home when she was 12. Everyone hears the stories that followed as to why she left. Layla was left with the knowledge that her mother just didn't love her enough to stay with her, her brother, Bruce and definitely not her father. But the family survived and got on with life.

Excitement spills around the school, especially among the girls when new boy, Trip Wilmington arrives. A kid whose moved around a lot thanks to his fathers hotel business, Layla is excited when she finds out Trip won't be moving away again. He's enticing, incredibly gorgeous and they forge a small but tangible connection on his first day.

For the next few weeks and months Layla and Trip grow together as friends even though Layla may have stronger feelings for him. she's not stupid. He got a girlfriend soon after arriving. Someone who's equally tall, gorgeous and rocks an awesome body, just like Trip. Beautiful people come together like magnets in Layla's eyes and there's no way she can compete so she settles for being friends. But Trip gives out signals that confuse her.

When her friend Lisa finally puts perspective to Layla's apparently transparent crush, Layla decides enough is enough. She's done with being the puppy following something she can't have. And so Trip and Layla fall out. And remember, this is the 90's. They can't make up unless they actually make the effort.

So was Layla right in her thinking that Trip just saw her as a conquest, someone to keep on her toes and ensure she still follows him? Does Trip really think Layla is worth breaking down the barriers to attempt a relationship? Time is running out as graduation and college dreams loom.

And no one and nothing will ever be the same again.

The first book in the Remember Trilogy is an engrossing trip down memory lane of the Senior year variety. Based mainly at school the story brings to light all the emotions, ego's, and reminds us how important it was to be a senior and fall in love with the one guy that everyone else wants.

The romance between Trip and Layla will keep you reading, no matter the time of day or night, wanting to know more. 

-CBx

~~

You can reach T. Torrest  here:

Twitter

Goodreads

Also available from Amazon:-

Remember When Trilogy (The Remember Trilogy)

Review: The Moment We Began (Fairhope #2) by Sarra Cannon

The Moment We Began (Fairhope #2) by Sarra Cannon

Published September 15th 2013 by Dead River Books

From: Net Galley

Rating: 2 out of 5

~~

Synopsis:

The moment they both believe all hope is lost is the moment something real finally begins. I have loved Mason Trent for years, but I've only been sleeping with him for one.

None of my friends know about our secret passion. He's in my bed one night and in the arms of someone else the next. And it's tearing me apart.

I've done everything I can think of to make him mine, but the more I cling to him, the harder he pushes me away. I'm spiraling out of control, not sure how much more of this I can take. A girl can only bend so far until she breaks. And when I do, I break completely. I'm talking about one night of bad decisions, all leading to a my-world-will-never-be-the-same kind of moment. A moment where I need Mason more than ever. True to form, though, he's running.

But I intend to go with him this time. I'm willing to leave my money, my family, my friends behind for this one last chance to see if he could ever really love me the way I deserve to be loved. I'm willing to sacrifice forever if it means one real moment with him.

~~

Review:

Sometimes you can't help who you love. In the case of Penny, she's loved Mason for what seems like forever. Mason doesn't love her. They spend nights together but then he's with a different girl two days later.

Some men are mean't to break our hearts. It's how we cope with it after that builds us into the people we are now.

I was excited to continue Cannon's Fairhope series. I really enjoyed the first book so my intrigue wanted to know how Penny and Mason's relationship would pan out. I think Sarra has done a great job of leaping from YA to NA. Her writing is still very very good and reaches new climbs that she wouldn't have been able to get to in YA.

Unfortunately I wasn't enamoured with this story. I enjoyed it to a certain extent. I had hopes for a fun, diverse road trip but it panned out to be a little too safe.

The first thing that I really enjoyed when reading about Penny's growth of character was when she decided to help Delores gain more financial stability with regards to the diner. This showed all of us that Penny was bright, courageous for sticking her neck out, and was definitely a brain with many talents. I thought this would be the way of the story and as Mason and Penny drive a swarth along their map into the unknown, Penny would reach out and help people along the way and learn that not everything profits even if you throw money at it. In this scenario her parents would hear of her great adventures and the good she was doing for ordinary people. She would be redeemed.

Sadly it didn't even get this far. Even more sadly an incident regarding Mason and the girl under the pier happened and I felt misguided. 

The story turned sallow, selfish, and a little too blinkered. As we reached the end Penny ended up being someone who runs a charity and does exactly what her parents had been doing all along i.e. funding charities and holding events. None of the Penny with a brilliant brain and an eye for turning businesses around stuck with her. In my honest opinion the author did Penny a discredit but I did like how Mason turned out. As a character he did show his merit.

Haven't read the first book, The Trouble with Goodbye (Fairhope, #1)? Read my review here.

-CBx

~~

You can reach Sarra Cannon here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: Very Bad Things (Briarcrest Academy #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Very Bad Things (Briarcrest Academy #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills 

Published September 9th 2013 by Little Dove Publishing

From: Net Galley

Rating: 4 out of 5

~~

Synopsis:

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She’s perfect...

Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex. 

Then she meets her soulmate. But he doesn’t want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about... until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy... where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.

~~

Review:

I lost a lot of sleep by reading this book. It kept me up until well after 3am this morning. Does that mean its good? Well, for the most part, yes.

We're brought into Nora's world very abruptly. Early on we begin to see the relationship between Nora and her mother. How patronising the woman is, and completely uninterested in Nora in any way, shape or form, other than a walking human doll to dress up and tell how to act. And then Nora did what she did and blew me out of the water.

We get introduced to Leo at this point. Leo is a lot older than Nora. When it began I did have this skeevy feeling because of the age gap. I thought it wrong. But gradually as the story continued this didn't bother me.

Nora and Leo DO have an insta-lust thing going on from the start but it doesn't amount to much when Leo puts the brakes on any kind of relationship happening between them other than friendship. As we continue through Nora's days and weeks we see a side of her character actually bloom. The freedom of getting over her guilt (her step-brother did a terrible thing to her) and her mother's denial of the incident. 

One thing that stood out to me when I finished was that Leo was entirely right to stay away from Nora in the beginning. Nora grows leaps and bounds in this book. Almost like going through the stages of grief. Finally at the end she becomes someone else. Someone who is well grounded, someone who has a family as such who help her and nurture her, someone who has learnt by her mistakes. 

 I loved the romance, the will-they-won't-they. I loved how Nora and Leo became this 'entity' even before they became a couple. There were moments when I thought Leo was an idiot and he didn't appear to have any friends of his own age. But the ending rounds everything up nicely. Yes, we don't know why her mother treated Nora so badly, and we don't know who her mother was before she became Mrs Anchor-woman. But, frankly, I couldn't care less!

~~

You can reach Ilsa Madden-Mills  here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: The Trouble with Goodbye (Fairhope #1) by Sarra Cannon

The Trouble with Goodbye (Fairhope #1) by Sarra Cannon

Published May 21st 2013 by Dead River Books

From: Bought

Rating: 4 out of 5

~~

Synopsis:

One night can change everything…

Two years ago, Leigh Anne Davis shocked everyone in tiny Fairhope, Georgia when she broke up with her wealthy boyfriend to attend an Ivy League university a thousand miles away. At school, she finds a happiness and independence she’s never known.

Until one terrifying night takes it all away from her.

With no place else to go, Leigh Anne heads home to reclaim her old life. A life she worked so hard to escape. On the outside, she seems like the same girl everyone has always known. But deep inside, she’s hiding a terrible secret.

That’s when she meets Knox Warner, a troubled newcomer to Fairhope. His eyes have the same haunted look she sees every day in the mirror, and when she’s near him, the rest of the world fades away. But being with Knox would mean disappointing everyone all over again. If she wants to save what’s left of her old life, she has no choice but to say goodbye to him forever.

Only, the trouble with goodbye is that sometimes it’s about courage and sometimes it’s about fear. And sometimes you’re too broken to know the difference until it’s too late.

~~

Review:

It's hard to dismiss a book that deals with such a hard hitting subject. I especially liked The Trouble with Goodbye which is a story about honesty, truth and courage against adversity.

Leigh Anne is a likable character. At little naive at times but still working out what it means to have her independence on her own terms. She makes mistakes. We all do. Sometimes she makes choices based on her 'before' life which only reminds her of why she left her small town in the first place. Sometimes she sucks it up and makes new steps to begin living by her own rules and not those of her well-to-do parents. These decisions she could certainly be commended for. 

I especially liked Knox but as a character he didn't really have any flaws that would mar his credibility as a hero of the story. His past life, as painful as it was, seemed to be exactly that. He was well on his way to living in the 'now', and with a little help from Leigh Anne, developed as his own person.

I've given this review 4 out of 5. The only things I felt lacking were a sense of drama or emotional tension that is common in New Adult books now. At times I was reading dialogue and descriptions of the tragedies that happened but I didn't altogether feel the pain behind them. Having said that, the subject detail is given openly and without bias, and for that Cannon can be commended for tackling this delicate subject.

Now I'm looking forward to Penny and Mason's story. And I pretty much think there'll be fireworks!

-CBx

~~

You can reach Sarra Cannon here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: Deeper We Fall (Fall and Rise #1) by Chelsea M. Cameron

Deeper We Fall (Fall and Rise #1) by Chelsea M. Cameron 

Published by: DRC Publishing

Published on: January 24th 2013

My Rating: 3 out of 5

~~

Synopsis

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves To Kill a Mockingbird as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache

~~

Review:

This is one of those books that gets you thinking. Firstly, the story is so so. By that I mean, yes, its touching and I do feel sorry for Lexie's condition and I pretty much hate Zack Parker from the outset. As the characters start to come together in the book as friends I began to pick more than a few clichés though, and that was disappointing.

Charlotte and Will are twins, and Zack and Zan are brothers. Will's best friend is gay. Charlotte's new best friend, Audrey, is a Harry Potter fan and her other friend from work, Trish, is a little off the wall, Stryker has things pierced and Katie is in adoration of a certain colour. These aren't sidekicks that I haven't read in many other New Adult books and as the book begins to develop I couldn't help wishing for a little more originality.

So, the brothers Zack and Zan were in the same car as Lexie when it crashed. They were all victims of drink driving but it was Zan that was driving. Charlotte blames the brothers for putting her friend through hell and reducing Lexie's quality of life to that of a child. I don't blame her. Her emotions on meeting them at college are of hatred and I can empathize with that. But when Zan, the younger brother, keeps popping into her life, Charlotte eventually gets beyond the verbal insults and has a semi-discussion with him.

All things come to a head when Zack turns on his current girlfriend who is also Charlotte''s roommate. Initially I didn't like Katie but she did begin to grow on me. Charlotte, I think, also felt the same way. Katie has a cliché being obsessed by the colour pink with shallow uninteresting friends of her own.

Zan and Charlotte begin a relationship which the book is mainly focused on. While I was reading the build up I just couldn't seem to get to the guts and glory layer of their feelings. Yes, there was lots of kissing, sighing, biting, nipping. I don't know whether it's because the writing isn't as explicit as a lot of NA, but I just didn't feel it from Charlotte's point of view. Zan, I did get. And then, all of a sudden, we have the ILY's. I thought this was too soon. I do agree that they make a solid couple, but the whole love story part of it wasn't deep enough for me.

I will be interested in reading the follow on books in the series to see what happens to them all but this wasn't a stand out book. The writing is quality though, the pace did drift at times but I'm not knocking the author on her ability in any way, she can certainly write. Hmm, now I'm back to thinking again :)

-CBx

You can reach Chelsea M. Cameron here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: Meeting Trouble by Emme Rollins

Meeting Trouble by Emme Rollins

Published Date: November 3rd 2013

My rating: 3 out of 5

~~

Synopsis:

Sabrina can't believe her luck-she's always dreamed of front row seats to see her favorite band, "Trouble," but when she bumps into lead singer, Rob Burns, and he invites her backstage, she finds herself hoping her luck doesn't run out-and that maybe, just maybe, all her dreams will come true.

~~

Review:

I love anything to do with rock stars meeting the girl next door. this book had a great story line. Sabrina bumps into Rob, literally, and gets injured. He takes care of her and makes sure she's looked after during the concert. Afterwards they meet again backstage and begin their wild couple of days.

The only thing wrong with this book was it was a little too safe. Yes, there's an abundance of sexy scenes and lots of talking in restaurants about food. Apart from that if you want wild rock stars being raucous and downright dirty, then this isn't the book for you. 

Simply, a girl meets a rock star who is an ordinary guy at heart and they fall in love. The ending was also a tiny, teeny-weeny bit disappointing with a perfect opening for another book...or not.

A quick read and a cute story.

-CBx

You can reach Emme Rollins here: 

Web

Goodreads

Review: Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel 

Publishers: All Night Reads

Published Date: May 8 2013

From: NetGalley

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Synopsis:

Due to heavy subject matter, Crossing is recommended for readers 17+. He stole her lipstick…and her heart. Twenty-year-old Dani Walker can’t believe her luck when she’s paired up with the gorgeous Liam Garrett as her Acting I scene partner – or when he ends up in her bed. Being a Plain Jane with a mouth on her hasn’t exactly served Dani well in the guy department. In fact, she’s had nothing but one night stands. Still, she lets go of her insecurities and falls for Liam, despite feeling like he’s holding something back. When Dani finally discovers Liam’s secret, she must learn the true meaning of accepting the ones we love for who they are, or risk losing the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

Review:

Firstly, isn't the cover beautiful? So pretty. I have to say, I adored Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel. I haven't read any of her other work but as a New Adult story this sums up the genre perfectly. Discovering who you are, not what everyone expects you to be. Dani meets, gets on well with and soon becomes good friends with Liam Garrett. He gets her, matches her and accepts her. Dani has very low self-esteem and constantly talks down about herself to others. A trait that takes time to accept if at all, so Dani initially has problems understanding why Liam likes her. She isn't tall or exotically pretty or stick thin, she's just normal and Liam is gorgeous. Eventually, after a night of tequila they become an item and I really loved their relationship to begin with. But then Liam starts hiding away, pretending to be busy. Is he having an affair? He seems so 'into' Dani when they are together. 

When Liam comes out with his secret it wasn't hard to guess what it was. Some of the doubts Dani harbours are an instinct reaction and she sticks with it even after living with weeks of second guessing herself not believing she was good enough for him. But as before they find a work around and settle back, again, into their relationship being truer and more open and honest with each other. Liam's story is fascinating. I have a friend who had trouble in his early years too. His parents refused to accept who he was and even kicked him out of their house. But much like being gay, the hardest part is admitting it to yourself. Others will accept you as you are and if they don't then they weren't real friends in the first place. 

In Crossing, the aftermath of the hospital scene was gut-wrenching. But I totally saw through Liam not being in contact. Of course his mother would be screening every form of contact Dani could possible make to get hold of him. But Dani was right to wait for Liam this time. I've tried not to give too many spoilers away for this one. We live in a day and age where judging people for what they look like is dead and gone. People are people, what's inside is all that counts. And, oh go on then, a small spoiler. Who else can admit that Eddie Izzard in heels, eye-liner and lipstick looks absolutely gorgeous. I think he does!! Well done, Stacey, I loved it! 

You can reach Stacey Wallace Benefiel here: 

Web

Goodreads

Review: The Offering (The Pledge #3) by Kimberly Derting

The Offering by Kimberly Derting

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published December 31st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

~~

Synopsis:

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.
Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

~~

Review:

It's always sad to reach the end of a great series with wonderful characters. I almost feel like I'm saying goodbye to them. The exceptional writing and story shows what a gifted writer Derting is. Of the three books, this one is the weakest. It holds such character development and most of them come out better than before. Sadly Charlie didn't live up to my estimation but that is only because she's still a new queen and understanding what exactly that title means. POV's are from nearly all the characters with Charlie's still being the only 1st person.

Pro's

While the last two based themselves on saving people or the city, this one is to save Charlie's country of Ludania. From the outset, we're launched into the adventure and its sad news in the beginning for Max and Charlie when they receive an unexpected message and gift. From here on in, Charlie is focused on one thing and thats to free Max's brother from Astonia. I applauded her dedication to her friend.

Great advancements in technology are slowly bringing Ludania into the new century. This was a nice twist in an otherwise odd-medieval-modern dystopian land.

Insight into Eden's past when we meet her little brother. There's definitely a feeling of foreboding when the girls reach the work camps. Charlie realises how hard life really was for the unwanted kids.

At last, Charlie finds a way of getting rid of Sabara.

Con's

After Charlie becomes Queen and builds into her role from The Essence, she slips up in this instalment. I didn't like the way she thought she could singlehandedly take on Elena. Especially after receiving the message and the parting gift. Other characters including Max built Charlie up to be selfless, determined and brave. But when she takes Eden and Brook on her secret mission she only shows how selfish she's being. Not only does she leave her family vulnerable but also her country.

Not so many twists and turns in this one. The episode with Deirdre seemed almost as a filler.

Available from Amazon:

Review: The Essence (The Pledge #2) by Kimberly Derting

The Essence by Kimberly Derting

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published: January 1st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry

~~

Synopsis.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within

~~

Read my review of The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberley Derting here

Review: 

The Essence is every bit as good as The Pledge, if not better. This sequel focuses more on Charlie, or Queen Charlaina as she now is, and her role as ruler of a kingdom. We get inside the heads of more key characters. This is a story of love, espionage, mystery and a little murder too.

Pro's

Charlie, Brook, Aron, and Max all have POV's in this one although Charlie is the only 1st person. And there's romance and lots of it! *swoon!*

Rather than base the book around keeping Angelina safe, as the Pledge was, the Essence delves into the history behind Sabara and her Essence which now lives inside Charlie. Sometimes this is spooky, sometimes I wondered how Charlie was still sane. She's a tough girl.

Max *swoon!* and Charlie! As a couple they really come out of the pages with this wonderful love affair. There may be a few hiccups on the way, it isn't all plain sailing by any means, but they really do have a beautiful love.

Lots of mystery, a kidnapping, a mysterious assassin, Florence (who's a man), Avonlea who is named by Charlie, and the Scablands. Many new characters to get your teeth into to love or detest. A great backdrop of dystopian nastiness.

The Queens! Got to love them. All so quirky but full of character and frivolity!

Con's

Not really much to Con about. Maybe wish it was longer?

Note: The ending all pulls to the next book. Not so much of a cliffhanger, more of a 'and in the next episode...'

Available from Amazon:

CB Note to readers: This is a new type of review I'm starting aimed to get to the point and exclude waffle. Points are easier to read. If you prefer this than the usual review please let me know!