Bad Apple
Author: Laura Ruby
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (October 6, 2009)
Full Disclosure: Borrowed ARC

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Summary:
Tola is different. She has candy apple green hair, dresses in ratty clothes, and is always talking about fairy tales. She's also an artist, and is accused of having an affair with her art teacher. At first the rumors don't bother her, but after awhile it starts to cause some big problems for Tola.

Bad Apple, was an incredibly fresh out look on why someone may be different. It shows how all the little things going on in someones life makes them who they are. For Tola it was her parents divorce, that started pushing her towards the book of fairy tales. It was the divorce that changed the way she looked at things. I enjoyed watching her life and situations change.

In between every chapter of Bad Apple is a comments section from some of the other characters. At first this threw me off, and I really didn't like it. But as the book went on it allowed me to get to know more of not only Tola, but of what everyone thought of her. There are several comments from Seven, the boy who is supposed to be the romance interest, that made me smile. They were really sweet comments that for me added a little bit of fluff to the story.

OH and can I just say how different the cover is? It's a different take on the standing out/being different/bad apple thing. Love it!

Rion
Author: Susan Kearney
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Forever (December 1, 2009)
Full Disclosure: Received from publisher for review

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Rion had traveled to Earth with Lucan and Cael when they made their heroic departure from Pendragon. Upon arriving on Earth, the first thing he did was attempt to warn Earth's leaders of the danger that they were in. Nobody believed him, and since Rion's flashes of the future were rarely wrong, he knew that something horrible was going to happen, not only on Earth but on his own planet as well.

Marisa is Lucan's twin sister, gifted with the same psychic ability that Lucan has, Marisa selflessly gave up her job as a newspaper reporter to help manage the newly turned dragons of Earth. She feels serious sparks for Rion, but since he is her brothers friend she doesn't act on it. So when Rion starts turning up the heat on her, she isn't sure what's going to happen but is ready for the ride.

Rion receives a flash of the future, his home planet is in severe danger, and the only way anyone can communicate with the people on his planet would be through the powers Marisa has. He will stop at nothing to save his planet, even if it means breaking Marisa's heart.

Rion for me wasn't as good as Lucan but was still a very entertaining read. I think for me the biggest problem was how deceitful Rion was towards Marisa. I understand wanting to save your own planet, but when he kidnapped her and she just kept taking it, it broke my heart. As a couple though, Marisa and Rion worked well together. They are both stubborn and pigheaded, and entirely nuts about one another.

The best part is that while Rion is the second book in the Pendragon Legacy, one doesn't have to read the first book (Lucan) to understand what is going on.

I am eagerly awaiting the next installation in the Pendragon Legacy, Jordan is scheduled to be released February 23 2010, and I for one cannot wait to get my hands on it and find out what happens next.

A Highlander Christmas
Author: Janet Chapman
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star (October 27, 2009)
Recieved: From Publisher for Review

Rating: 3 out of 5

My Summary:
Camry MacKeage has suddenly stopped becoming a rocket scientist in favor of being a dog walker and a bartender. Not that she'd ever tell her parents. As far as they know she's still locked away in her lab, being one of NASA's top scientists. So imagine her parents surprise when Luke Pascal shows up on their doorstep and tells them that Camry has quit her job and isn't answering any of his emails.

After Luke meets Camry's parents they get a mysterious card only signed F, that tells them where Camry is. Luke is dispatched by Camry's parents to find her and bring her home in time for the Winter Solstice.  But Luke knows that it's not going to be easy, because Luke is hiding his own secret from Camry.

This book was a decent read. Nothing super spectacular, but it was entertaining. Luke and Camry were nothing like I would imagine rocket scientists to be. They were both engaging and very active and each had their own presence. They both really popped off of the page and right into my living room. A Highlander Christmas was a decent read, and something I would happily recommend.

The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)
Author: Gina Misiroglu
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Visible Ink Press  (October 1, 2009)
Received:  From Online Publicist for review

My Rating:  3 out of 5

Summary:
First, I would like to apologize to Lisa who sent me this book awhile ago. This book has been been picked up many times by myself and by my family and friends who have young children who ask questions. But real life, such as it is, often gets in the way and the review for this book kept getting pushed back farther and farther. So thank you Lisa for being patient and for offering me this book for review.

The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) is one of the most handy books to have around. Many of my friends and family have young children, and this book has come in handy. The one thing I would say is that some of the answers were bit lengthy, and I would only use it for children over the age of 7 or so.

However, I personally had a blast finding out some of the information that is inside this book, such as how long a giant anteaters tongue is. This book will be a keeper on my shelves. Something that I can pull out whenever the questions of the universe plague me.

The nice thing about this book, is that the questions are arranged in chapters so I'm not flipping through looking for a specific question or topic. I can just flip to the correct chapter and BAM! Instnat question answering. Honestly, this book reminded me of a much bigger version of the Mickey Wonders Why! books, that I had as a child.

Lavender Morning
Author: Jude Deveraux
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Atria (March 31, 2009)
Received: Library

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This book kicks off a new series written by Jude Deveraux, that being said I don't know how I feel about this series. Jude Deveraux was one of the first romance writers that I had started reading. I love her work, and when I saw that there was a new novel out by her I knew right away that I had to pick it up. I don't regret doing so, because it was a good read, but for me it didn't live up to her other works.

Jocelyn grew up with a wicked step mother, two awful step sisters and a father who just didn't understand her. Jocelyn's idea of a good time was sitting with a cup of tea and reading a good book, her father's idea was riding a motorcycle or watching a race.

When Jocelyn meets Miss. Edi, her whole life changes. Suddenly, she has a best friend. Someone who understands her quiet demeanor and someone who she can share things with. When Miss Edi passes away, Jocelyn recieves a letter, stating that Jocelyn is the heir to Miss Edi's family home in a town that Jocelyn had never heard of, Edilean.

When she gets to Edilean, she is thrust into the middle of a love triangle. On one hand there is Ramsey, the gentleman that Miss Edi had written would be perfect for her, on the other there is the gardner of the estate, Luke, who is just like her father. Plus there are so many secrets in the small town of Edilean, that Jocelyn swears she's going to go mad.

I had a hard time figuring out who Jocelyn was going to end up with in Lavender Morning, usually when there is a love triangle like there was in this book, I can pick who's going to end up with who, but in this one it took me awhile to figure it out.

I was also sad that there was no mention of a Taggert or a Montgomery in this book at all. It would have made my day, because that is one of my favorite parts about reading a Jude Deveraux book. Knowing the family. I did like the little flashbacks that were thrown in though, honestly that is what made this book a 3 instead of something lower.

Overall, this was a good read. Not great, but good. I enjoyed it, and will read the rest of the books in the series.

To Desire A Devil
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Vision (October 27, 2009)
Received From: Anne at Hatchett for Blog Tour

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This is the fourth and final book in the Legend of the Four Soldiers, and even though I had not read the other books in this series I was able to follow along and not be too terribly confused. Even though I say I have not read the other books in this series, I have paged through them. I own a copy of To Beguile a Beast, but was not able to get into it when I started reading it.

Beatrice is in love with a man from a painting.The only thing is that he has been missing for several years and is presumed dead. When he comes crashing into her Uncle's political tea party, demanding to know where his father is, it sets tongues wagging.

Reynaud enters what is supposed to be his house, only to find it full of people he does't really recognize. While he was missing his title, land and house were handed over to Beatrice's uncle. Mad with fever, Reynaud collapses ontop of a table. Beatrice gets excited when this man came crashing into the political tea party, because he looked a lot like the gentleman from the painting.

From there Beatrice's life changes. She gets put in all sorts of difficult situations. She gets shot at and stabbed, all the while trying to figure out what it is about this savage man that exictes her so.

For me this book was actually pretty good. It wasn't one of those OH MY GOD I can't put it down types, but it wasn't one of the 'this is dragging on forever types' either. It moved at a very good pace, and all the ends that were opened in this book were tied together nicely by the ending.

I liked how while yes there was the villian in this book, there really wasn't much harming Beatrice's and Reyaud's relationship other than themselves. Their relationship seemed to grow naturally and while yes it was a bit rushed, it seemed to work.

One thing that did kind of throw me off while reading it however, was the rather random love scene. I understand that Reyaud had been kept in the presence of what are termed, savages, and that he really didn't care too much for what was proper and the like. But he compromises Beatrice before they are married. And to me it just seemed to be an awkward place for it to happen. Especially because the first time that him and Beatrice make love, it is right after Beatrice gets some rather bad news.

There are several characters that if there aren't stories about already, I would love to read more about. All of the characters in this book seemed to really have a presence. I'm going to go back and read the other books in this series now that I have finished this one.

The book trailer for this book, is really what made me want to read it, allow me to share it with you all.






Excerpt: Found at the authors website HERE

Vision in White
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (April 28, 2009)

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary:
Mac fell in love with photography after capturing a rare moment with her friends as a child. From there on out trying to get Mac to step out from behind the lens was like trying to make a mime talk.

The thing I liked best about this book was that there was no real bad guy or massive conflict. Unless you count Mac's extremly selfish mother or Mac's intense fear of falling in love.

I noticed while reading this book that a lot of Nora Robert's books follow the same MO. The heroine is super strong often absorbed in her work and kind of scatterbrained. While the heroes are usually kind of nerdy or studious, and either super clumsy or really over the top athletic. Not a bad MO, really because the stories work and it gives strong women a chance to realize that love is out there for them too regardless of what they've gone through.

It was a quick read once I got into it. Almost mindless since I was able to put it down when I needed to and I was able to pick it back up and be sucked right back into the story. It did take me a little bit to get into, but I can't quite pinpoint why that was. When I got to the end however, I was disappointed. I didn't want it to end. I'm looking forward to reading the other installments in this series.

The Cupcake Queen
Author: Heather Hepler
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 17, 2009)

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Penny Lane was forced to move from the city to Hog's Hollow. Penny isn't thrilled about this, and is convinced it's just a stage her mom is going through, that soon she'll be back in the city, back to her old life and things will be back the way they were before.

Penny gets stuck helping her mom at a birthday party for a girl her age, and when things go wrong Penny knows that she's in the wrong town. It's because of the massive mishap that happens at this party, that Penny's life is made miserable when school starts.

With the help of some new friends, Tally, Blake and the mysterious guy who runs on the beach with his dog Sam, Penny learns that life is what you make out of it.

Look at the cover! It's one of the most delicious covers I've seen in a long time. The cupcakes look so amazing. And Penny's full name: Penny Lane, so genius.

If I was younger, I would have loved this book. That being said, it was a great read. It would be an amazing read for anyone who is going through a tough time with their parents, since Penny's parents are in the middle of a separation. It really showed how much a tween needs someone to talk too, and what an open line of communication will help.

McKettrick's Pride
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Books (March 1, 2007)

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Summary:
Rance was broken, not in body but in spirit. His wife had died some odd years earlier, leaving him to raise his two little girls. However, he left most of that to his Mother In Law, and instead preferred to be a jetsetting business man.

Echo had been stranded at the alter, and decided that enough was enough. She packed up her pink bug, her bookstore and her online business and moved out to Indian Rock. A stray dog finds her while at a rest stop and becomes her best friend throughout her whole journey. When she meets Rance out in front of her shop, she dislikes him and his huge SUV. But she softens a bit when she meets his Mother In Law and daughters.

I think that Echo really started to fall for Rance when he helped her with a guy who was trying to say that the dog she found was his. I know that for me, that is when I really started to fall for Rance. A guy who is willing to go that extra mile for a stray dog ... yes please.

The start of Rance and Echo's relationship is so turbulent. She is mad at him, and he's mad at her but neither can deny the sparks that seem to shoot out every time they are near one another. Throw in a couple of kids and a dog, and you've got the makings for an awesome story.

The beginning of the book was amazing, you spend a lot of time learning things from Echo's perspective, and you feel her heartbreak and confusion. The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion, but such is to be expected from the middle book of a series.

I would recommend this book to other readers, especially if you like heart tugging cowboys.

McKettrick's Luck
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Books (February 1, 2007)

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Cheyenne has come a long way from the girl sent to fetch her father home from the local bar. She's now successful, grown up and over her teenage crush on Jesse. That is until she winds back up in her home town of Indian Rock, Arizona with her disabled brother and her mother.

Cheyenne needs to make a deal with the devil, the devil being Jesse McKettrick. She needs to convince him to sell her his land, so that the company she works for can build a set of condos on it. The situation gets sticky, when some accusations are thrown, and of course things get hot. Sparks are flying and eventually Cheyenne realizes that you can't out run your past. You can only embrace it.

After reading Lily and the Major, I wasn't sure if I would ever pick up another Linda Lael Miller book, but boy howdy am I glad I did. This book had a wonderful cast of characters. All of them felt realistic, and very much so alive. The setting was breathtaking, and the description of the scenery made me wish I could be there as well.

I would happily recommend this book to anyone who likes Western settings.

Secret Desires of A Gentleman
Author: Laura Lee Guhrke
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 30, 2008)

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
My only issue with this book is that for a historical romance Maria seemed a little too modern. Other than that this book fit right in with the Girl Bachlor series by Laura Lee Guhrke. Quick page turner that had enough romance and drama to keep it going, without it being too over the top.

Maria is so much closer to finally achieving her dream of owning her own pastry shop, when she finds out that Phillip Hawthorne, the man who prevented her from marrying her love twelve years later, has a chance to ruin her life.

There were some pretty steamy sessions between Maria and Phillip in the book. I also found myself really liking Phillip, but I blame that on the fact that I just love the name Phillip for a guy. Because in reality at least in this book, Phillip was kind of cruel. There are some parts where I wanted to smack him upside his head and ask him what he was doing.

Overall though good read. I wouldn't read this one again, but I'm planning on buying anyway to complete out my collection of this series.

The author has an expert up on her website HERE

Succubus Blues
Author: RichelleMead
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Kensington (March 1, 2007)


My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Georgia Kincaid is amazing, she's sexy, funny and smart. Of course that's how she's supposed to be since she's a succubus. Except that she looks at it as a job, that's it. Sure there are some amazing perks, but she doesn't even take advantage of them. It's the price she makes herself pay.

Succubus Blues was an extremely cute read, I don't know if that's what the author was going for but that's what it was. The characters were extremely lifelike, they all had flaws, Georgia most of all. They all seemed like someone that you would meet at the store.

It was a solid read, with enough mystery to keep the story going. I'm waiting to read the whole series, and really think it would be a cute movie. The sex scenes weren't graphic at all and even better they fit in with the story line and the love triangle that Georgia finds herself in was realistic. Drawn to one, but falling in love with the other.

A fabulous read, really. Great beach read. I rarely post quotes or anything from the books, even though I should. But this one really struck me and I have to share it. It's towards the end of the book and it just fit so well with what was going on that it made me tear up a little bit.

"There's always hope," he repeated more firmly, a commanding note in his voice that startled me. "No one is beyond hope."

Delia’s Crossing
Author: V.C. Andrews
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Pocket (October 7, 2008)

From the back of the book:

Secuestrado por sino cruel

After her parents are killed in a truck accident, Delia Yebarra’s life is turned upside down. At fifteen, she leaves the rural Mexican village where she grew up and embarks on a new life in America. Coming to her wealthy aunt Isabella’s huge estate in Palm Springs, California, should be a dream come true for a simple country girl like Delia — so why does it feel like a nightmare?

A PRISONER OF DESTINY…

Un preso del destino

Her aunt refuses to acknowledge Delia’s heritage, relegating her to servants’ quarters with a licentious language tutor intent on exploiting a beautiful young foreigner. Her cousin Edward is kind, but cousin Sophia is cruel, manipulative, and resentful of Delia’s smoky Latina looks. And just when Delia tries to embrace the life of a real American girl, a heartbreaking chain of events sends her spiraling back to a Mexico she hardly recognizes…. Will Delia find a place to call home?

Personal Review:
When reading a V.C. Andrews book you can be sure of 2 things. 1] Somebodies parents are going to die and 2] The main character may or may not fall in love with a relative.
Despite the formula that is apparent in almost every book of her’s, this book was a fantastic read. On par with Flowers in the Attic for me. Because of V.C Andrew's semi-cookie cutter story mold, I would often not read her books.

I picked this book up on a whim and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I found myself actually crying a couple of times. The switch from English to Spanish was confusing for me at first, but the fact that what was said in Spanish was explained in English really helped me to understand quickly.


Rating: 3 out of 5

Generation Dead
Author: Daniel Waters
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; Library Binding edition (May 6, 2008)

From the back of the book:

Phoebe is just your typical goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent — and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is happening. Some teenagers who die aren’t staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they are no longer the same — they stutter, and their reactions to everything are slower. Termed “living impaired” or “differently biotic,” they are doing their best to fit into a society that doesn’t want them.

Fitting in is hard enough when you don’t have the look or attitude, but when almost everyone else is alive and you’re not, it’s close to impossible. The kids at Oakvale High don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn’t breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the differently biotic from the people who want them to disappear — for good.

With her pale skin and Goth wardrobe, Phoebe has never run with the popular crowd. But no one can believe it when she falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids. Not her best friend, Margi, whose fear of the differently biotic is deeply rooted in guilt over the past. And especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has just realized his feelings for Phoebe run much deeper than just friendship. He would do anything for her, but what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?

Personal Review:

When Phoebe did the unthinkable and fell for a zombie it was her making a stand. Her best friends couldn’t stand it, and her other best friend was a DB (Differently Biotic) person as well. This book really touches on how people react to things they don’t understand, and how they react to people who are different from them. The author had an amazing grip on how the average teen would react to certain situations. This book was fast paced and the ending really threw me for a loop. I’m hoping that there is a sequel written, because there is a lot left to be explained. For example, what’s going to happen with the DB’s who made their own pack, and what’s going to happen with the Hunter Foundation. All in all though, a great read!

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Stranger in Her Bed
Author: Janet Chapman
Paperback: 368 Pages
Publisher: Pocket Star (January 30, 2007

From the back of the book:

When Ethan agreed to work at a sawmill his family is purchasing, he didn’t foresee getting fired on his first day. He should be mad at the fiercely outspoken female foreman, but something about her seems disconcertingly familiar - even though Ethan is sure he’d remember meeting a stunning beauty like Anna Segee before.

Anna has never forgotten Ethan - or the schoolgirl crush she had on him before her father whisked her off to Canada. Now the shy, gangly girl is grown up and back in Oak Grove with a new name, new confidence, and a newly inherited mill of her own. Her superb reputation in a male-dominated industry hasn’t come easy, but even harder will be ignoring the sexy man Ethan has become…

Personal Review:
The book wasn’t a real quick read, and some of the plot seemed a little under developed. Once I got into the book however, it seemed to speed right along. Plenty to keep you wondering what would happen. I was pleased though to see it all come together. I wish that Anna’s mother would have been introduced, it could have been an amazing dynamic. All in all though a satisfying read, love books about women who are in charge.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Wicked Game
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (May 13, 2008)

From the back of the book:

Late-night radio you can sink your teeth into

Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, 60s psychedelia, 80s Goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers how the DJs maintain their cred: they’re vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.

Ciara’s first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WMMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station—and the link it provides to their original Life Times—the vampires would “fade,” becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover becomes a matter of life and un-death.

To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara re-brands the station as “WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs’ vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around—next to Ciara’s complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the “gimmick” enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren’t so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher-and the perils graver-than any con game Ciara’s ever played…

Personal Review:
Music & Vampires? What more could a girl ask for! This book hit my love of vampires just right, and the story was fast paced and interesting. The author kept hinting at what Ciara had done, and why she was filled with such self loathing that it was fun to attempt to figure it out. My imagination was much worse then the crime that Ciara held herself accountable for. I won’t give it away, but this book is a sweet read, and the characters are all funny and while not well rounded they are much more realistic then one would think.

Rating: 3 out of 5