Wednesday 30 January 2013

Unbreakable Love By Angela Carling Review


SUMMARY

Jennie Townsend is unlucky in love, so she is immediately suspicious when a mysterious new student named Nate tries to gain her friendship. But there is something special about Nate, and in spite of her best efforts Jennie finds her feelings for the boy growing deeper every day. In fact, Nate is more special than Jennie can even imagine. He is a guardian angel, sent to protect Jennie during a most dangerous time in her life. To do so, he must first become close to her - but not too close. The rules for Protectors warn against physical contact and strictly forbid falling in love. But the more time Nate spends with Jennie, the harder the rules are to follow. Will Nate be able to save Jennie from a premature end, or will his own emotions - and Jennie's - get in the way of completing the task for which he was specifically chosen?

With Unbreakable Love, Angela Carling has created a captivating story for young adult readers, with a refreshing twist on relationship issues. It is an ode to the magical power of true love, a tribute to belief in a benevolent higher power that watches over us and surrounds us every day of our lives.

REVIEW

Awwww.
This would be my new way of saying that I loved the book.This was such a cute love story.Unbreakable Love is about Jennie , our everyday high school girl & her guardian angel Nate. Its a forbidden love. Will they end up together???...why dont you read it and find out!

Jennie’s character captured my heart. She is a strong and compassionate heroine. She is genuine and kind. She is a good person, and she has a strong relationship with her parents. Nate’s struggle between his duty to protect Jennie and his growing love for her were really interesting to watch although I wanted to punch him once or twice for giving up what he loved easily. But then again considering the ending of the story I'd take back my punch ;) .

 The writing style was different from what I am use to and the book was written like the author was telling a story. It was not necessarily from one character's point of view. It was interesting to read a book written this way.

In the end, I'd say the book actually turned out to be pretty perfect and I was left with a smile on my face.

None of the Regular Rules By Erin Downing Review


SUMMARY

Sometimes, a few dares can change lives…

The weekend before the start of senior year, Sophie Erickson and her best friends, Ella and Grace, discover a handwritten list of dares tucked away in the glove compartment of Sophie’s beat-up old Toyota. But this isn’t just any list; it’s a dead girl's bucket list.

Sophie's beloved aunt Suzy died as a teenager in a fatal fall, leaving Sophie with an overly cautious family, a few fading photographs, and a bucket of bolts that barely passes for a car. But now, Sophie has Suzy’s list of the things she wanted to do in her last year of high school. Sophie can't help but wonder: What would happen if she tried to fulfill Suzy’s last wishes, to live out the longed-for life of her aunt, her hero?

As Sophie and her friends attempt to knock off the things on Suzy's list of dares, love blossoms in unexpected places and Sophie begins to feel that her life is finally coming together...when in fact, everything is slowly unraveling around her. When the truth about a long-held family secret threatens to shatter everything she believed to be true, Sophie is forced to question everything she knew about the life and people she believed in, and ultimately herself.

REVIEW

This was such a wonderful story. None of the Regular Rules is a book about growing up and learning who your friends are, living for now and taking chances. It's also about the lasting power of friendship and admitting when you're wrong in order to move forward. Sophie, Ella and Grace's personalities were all so different that they occasionally clashed, and to me that was the interesting part of the story.

 And the sweet romance too, of course! I could have done with more of Johnny Rush hehehe but when it came down to it, I appreciated that he wasn't the focus of the story.

This is the kind of YA book that leaves you with a feel-good feeling of hope for the future.

Saturday 26 January 2013

Good Oil By Laura Buzo Review



SUMMARY

A wonderful, coming-of-age love story from a fresh new voice in YA fiction.

'Miss Amelia Hayes, welcome to The Land of Dreams. I am the staff trainer. I will call you grasshopper and you will call me sensei and I will give you the good oil. Right? And just so you know, I'm open to all kinds of bribery.'

From the moment 15-year-old Amelia begins work on the checkout at Woolworths she is sunk, gone, lost...head-over-heels in love with Chris. Chris is the funny, charming, man-about-Woolies, but he's 21, and the 6-year difference in their ages may as well be 100. Chris and Amelia talk about everything from Second Wave Feminism to Great Expectations and Alien but will he ever look at her in the way she wants him to? And if he does, will it be everything she hopes?

REVIEW

It goes without saying that this is a well written book. The story is engaging and the dual narration adds depth to the story and has so many subtle details that come together to create this image of what being a young adult is really like, not what people think it’s like.
Smart, sensitive, and a bit naive Amelia couldn’t possibly help falling in love with jestingly funny Chris. Chris treats Amelia like no one ever has. He pays attention to what she has to say, and it makes her giddy with the idea of where their heartfelt conversations could lead. The possibilities seem endless. But as Amelia moons over Chris, he moons over girls that are far different from Amelia. Why can’t he see that they don’t deserve even a minute of his attentions? And will she ever be able to get him to see that the girl of his dreams is standing right in front of him?

Despite the six year age difference, I found myself wanting to see Amelia and Chris have their happily ever after, but the fact that they couldn’t really, at least not at that juncture in their lives, was the best thing about the story.

This isn’t your typical love story; it’s honest, bittersweet and insightful with the characters lending you their lives to let you look into your own.

United Eden (Eden Trilogy #3) By Nicole Williams Review


SUMMARY

Life’s been many things for twenty year old Bryn Dawson, but one thing it’s never been is easy. And it’s only about to get harder.

As the gossip of Bryn being Betrothed to Patrick, her true love’s little brother, becomes more reality than rumor, Bryn does her best to think positive thoughts, ignore Patrick’s odd behavior, avoid Paul’s relentless advances, and attempts to conjure William back from his latest overseas mission. She fails on all fronts.

The night an army of Inheritors set out with an agenda to deliver vengeance on any Guardian surrounding Bryn, the Betrothal Ball becomes the least of her worries. Instead of worrying about who she’ll be marching down the aisle towards, she has to accept she might not be making the journey down the aisle ever. 

Happily ever after is about to take a serious hiatus and Bryn’s about to discover the only thing waiting for her at the end of that aisle is a grave.

REVIEW


This series just keeps getting better, what a fabulous ending to a wonderful series. This book was fantastic – I was laughing out loud, a lot, at the inside family jokes, the love that has pulled this family together. The plot of this third and final Eden is gripping and keeps you turning pages.I absolutely loved it. I liked it more than the first two. It seems like in every book death was nipping at Bryn and Williams heals and it not only was nipping at them in this book, it caught up. Both of them are faced with a few life or death situations.

 Bryn is her usual self, throwing herself in deaths way to save her family any chance she can get. Then we have our William, he finally gets to take some revenge on certain people and that was really exciting. THEN there is Patrick Hayward, I fell in love with him all over again in this book. He is just the sweetest thing ever, I like the part he had to play in this book. It was really heart wrenching to have to see him sacrifice his feelings and put them aside to help Bryn and William. I found myself wanting to cry, laugh, and scream all at once after reading the last page.

All in all, this series was amazing and I'm so glad I decided to continue with it till the end.

Wednesday 23 January 2013

My Beating Teenage Heart By C.K. Kelly Martin Review


SUMMARY

Ashlyn Baptiste is falling. One moment she was nothing—no memories, no self—and then suddenly, she's plummeting through a sea of stars. Is she in a coma? She doesn't remember dying, and she has no memories of the life she left behind. All she knows is that she's trapped in a consciousness without a body and she's spending every moment watching a stranger.

Breckon Cody's on the edge. He's being ripped apart by grief so intense it literally hurts to breathe. On the surface, Breckon is trying to hold it together for his family and his girlfriend, but underneath he's barely hanging on.

Even though she didn't know him in life, Ashlyn sees Breckon's pain, and she's determined to find a way help him. As her own distressing memories emerge from the darkness, she struggles to communicate with the boy who can't see her, but whose life is suddenly intertwined with hers. In alternating voices of the main characters, My Beating Teenage Heartpaints a devastatingly vivid picture of both the heartbreak and the promise of teenage life—a life Ashlyn would do anything to recover and Breckon seems desperate to destroy—and will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, John Green, and David Levithan.

REVIEW

My Beating Teenage Heart was incredibly sad - Breckon's younger sister has just died and he's trying to deal with the grief. And since it was a totally unexpected accident, it was that much harder. In comes Ashlyn, who is like a spirit, but she's tethered to Breckon and is forced to watch him. At first she can't remember who she is, but then suddenly the memories start coming back. I liked learning more and more about Ashlyn, and finally seeing what happened to get her to this state.

The book is narrated by both characters. Going into the book is a little overwhelming, but it has to be. Since Ashlyn's the initial narrator, and since she's suspended in a place she doesn't understand, we don't get a completely clear sense of story from the beginning. But that's what drives the novel. The topics covered in the story are incredibly emotional, and as readers, we're able to trust Martin to tackle these things gracefully. 

Overall, I thought My Beating Teenage Heart was very well-written.

Monday 21 January 2013

Fallen Eden (Eden Trilogy #2) By Nicole Williams Review


SUMMARY

If happily ever after were a place, twenty-year-old Bryn Dawson would be on the farthest planet from it.

Reduced to stolen glances and secret meetings as they await a Betrothal the Council is bent on stalling, William and Bryn have to settle for happily right now, but with a man like William Hayward at her side, Bryn’s hardly settling.

The day John Townsend sends an army of Immortal mercenaries intent on destroying everyone Bryn loves, she must make the decision generations of star-crossed lovers before her have—live alone or die together. William’s made his decision, Bryn’s the one fate’s waiting on.

But fate will only wait so long until it makes the decision for her.

REVIEW

First of..Fallen Eden did not disappoint! Eternal Eden, had been a little slow for me, but I knew it was to set the scene of this amazing world of Immortals. The book started with Bryn being sad because she and William couldn’t officially be together due to The Council not granting them a union. That didn’t stop them from being in love (their chemistry is fabulous) and it went back to happy.I found myself loving so many characters, like Joseph and Cora, but especially Patrick. The author again has done a fabulous job of creating a twisting and turning plot that keeps your attention at every page. The events are so nicely snaked together through the story that it has an incredible flow and smooth pace. I'm definately looking forward to book 3!

FAV QUOTES

“My sense of teasing is completely lost on you.", Patrick said, hoisting himself back up. "It's a shame too. Most people tell me my sense of humor is my best quality, only outdone by my otherworldly good looks.” 

“Happily ever after wasn’t a destination, it was a journey. And we were well on our way.” 

All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #7) By Charlaine Harris Review

























SUMMARY

Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life—the shapeshifter Quinn—but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.


REVIEW

All Together Dead is the seventh book in the series. This installment covers Sookie’s adventures at the vampire summit in Rhodes. Sookie has a complex and sometimes uncomfortable relationship with the vampires in her life. She has been left with little choice but to work for the vampire Queen of Louisiana even though the Queen and the vampires in her entourage frighten Sookie greatly.
Of course, all of her beaux are in attendance in one capacity or another. Bill is selling the vampire database discs he has been working on for months. Eric is there as, well, Eric. And Quinn is there running the show. In her usual style, Sookie unwittingly finds herself torn between Eric (whom she is coerced into sharing blood with for the third time), and Quinn (who she discovers has a deep, dark secret). As for Bill, he is so low on the totem pole that he is being referred to as “nameless.” LOL.

I was thoroughly entertained with this one. I would say All Together Dead ended up being my favorite book in this series so far.

FAV QUOTE


“Ha," I said. "Oh, ha-ha. Yeah, ’cause they love me. You see how many vampires are up here? Zero, right?"One," said Eric, stepping out of the stairwell.” 

Wednesday 16 January 2013

What I Didn't Say By Keary Taylor Review


SUMMARY

Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. 


His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

REVIEW

What I didn’t  Say is a heartbreaking, and totally loveable story.

I absolutely adored the characters in this novel. Jake and Samantha were amazing and real and totally believable which is awesome but more incredible were the background characters...Jake’s family, friends and all. The male POV was incredibly well done. The devotion, dedication and sheer force of will of both Jake and Samantha in this gripping story made it all the more amazing. I also loved the reality of consequences in this story. Not to be spoilery, but I actually expected that somehow Jake would overcome his disability and miraculously regain his speech and I was pleasantly surprised when that didn't happen. Instead the author left the story to play out believeably and realistically. 

Overall, What I Didn’t Say was gripping and completely beautiful.

Eternal Eden (Eden Trilogy #1) By Nicole Williams Review


SUMMARY

College sophomore Bryn Dawson is a self-proclaimed poster child for normal. However, the day William Hayward enters her life, normalcy is the last thing Bryn will be able to count on if she wants to be with him. Too mysterious and appealing to be good for a girl, Bryn feels drawn to him in a way that seems out of her control—as if fate is orchestrating it.

Despite every red flag and warning siren going off in her head telling her not to, Bryn falls hard for William, knowing he’s categorically different from anyone she’s ever met. She never imagined how right she was. When William takes her deeper into the rabbit hole of his world, Bryn must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to be with him, knowing no matter what, fate always finds a way to have the last laugh.

Spinning a new twist on star-crossed lovers, Eternal Eden will put Bryn through a gauntlet of turmoil, challenging her to find the power within herself to become the heroine in her own story.

REVIEW

Nicole Williams’s character’s live and breathe and create such a strong and captivating romance. Bryn and William's romance is passionate and just so romantic, to put it mildly.

 Other characters brought forth throughout the novel are absolutely perfect as well, as they add tension, humour and more love to the story. Some would say Bryn and Williams love to be a little unrealistic, but first off all, this is a young adult paranormal romance novel… Of course not everything is going to be realistic, paranormal love is always way more passionate and strong anyways.

I absolutely loved William’s family and look forward to learning more about them in the next installment; Nathaniel and Abigail were mysterious, Cora & Joseph wonderful and Patrick hilarious! I like knowing an author has put a lot of thought into her characters and come up with some surprising and delightful detail that makes the whole reading experience enjoyable.

Just like any great book, there is an element of good versus evil. This leads to action, heart racing drama, and some great page turning twists.

Friday 11 January 2013

Reaping Me Softly By Kate Evangelista Review


SUMMARY

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

REVIEW

Reaping Me Softly was a great start to a promising new YA series. Niko has been a reaper for lifetimes upon lifetimes, but he has found himself questioning his existence, until he meets Arianne. Soon Arianna discovers than Niko is anything but human, and from there, their romance, adventure, and journey begins. The relationship between Niko and Arianne was incredibly sweet, and being able to read through both of their POVs allows you to connect with them better as a couple. 

My one concern with the book was how ridiculously accepting Arianne is when she finds out about Niko's true identity. I understand that over-dramatic heroines can be annoying, but I just found it really unrealistic for Arianne to be completely unconcerned with the fact that Niko is a reaper! With all that being said, I will point out that Niko had no trouble in making me swoon with some of his incredible lines.

Overall I'm really glad I read this book- it was a really great first installment for what I hope to be an even greater trilogy! Reaping Me Softly is a quick, fun, emotional, and swoon-packed YA read for anyone looking for a good paranormal romance!

The Sea of Tranquility By Katja Millay Review

























SUMMARY

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

REVIEW


If you’re up for some tragedy story, life-changing book, go grab it right now. If not, still pick it up. My first impression of this book was that I would be reading between the lines. Even the title makes me think! What the heck does The Sea of Tranquility even mean? I feel like there is a meaning behind the whole story. It isn’t just a story to entertain readers.

The book is written in 1st person point of view and switches back and forth between our 2 main characters Nastya and Josh. They’re both mysterious, witty, and kick-ass which I really liked about their character! Although sometimes I didn’t understand why Nastya acted the way she did. I don’t understand why she just randomly went and chilled inside Josh’s garage? Drew an outgoing unapologetic man whore is Josh’s best friend and the closest thing to family he has. What I adored about Drew was his larger than life personality, with the ego and charm that easily paints the full picture of the most valuable player on campus.

Overall the characters were all just plain awesome and realistic.The story is unpredictable, and you’ll keep asking questions to yourself. The thing that really made this book a page turner was that it kept me wondering how Josh and Nastya would end up together and who really is Nastya. In the end it was an emotionally satisfying book.


FAV QUOTES -

“I wished my mother was here tonight, which is stupid, because it’s an impossible wish.” He shrugs and turns to me, drowning the smile that cracks me every time. 
“It’s not stupid to want to see her again.” 
“It wasn’t so much that I wanted to see her again,” he says, looking at me with the depth of more than seventeen years in his eyes. “I wanted her to see you.”



“Daylight won’t protect you from anything. Bad things happen all the time; they don’t wait until after dinner”



“I know at that moment what he's given me and it isn't a chair. It's an invitation, a welcome, the knowledge that I am accepted here. He hasn't given me a place to sit. He's given me a place to belong.”



“There are so many things that can break you if there's nothing to hold you together.”



“People who go around advertising their birthdays are douchebags. It's a fact. You can look it up on Wikipedia.”



“Do real boys actually call girls baby? I don't have enough experience to know. I do know that if a guy ever called me baby, I'd probably laugh in his face. Or choke him.”


“What did you call her?" she ask's but I don't think it's her real question.
"Sunshine," I say, and she smiles like she believes it's perfect and she may be the only person other than me who would think so.



"What is she to you?" she whispers. The real question and I know the answer even if I don't know how to say it.
Drew's muffled voice rises up from the floor before I can respond.
"Family," he says.
And he's right.” 

Thursday 10 January 2013

Charade (Games #1) By Nyrae Dawn Review


SUMMARY

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection. 

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too. 

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.


REVIEW

Such an amazing story. I loved how these two characters Colt & Chey came together. Their charade was really a way for them to distract themselves from the tragedies in their lives. A way to help their situations. Cheyenne was dealing with abandonment issues caused by the abrupt departure of her mother when she was a small child and a nightmare inducing incident that happened right before her mother left. Colton on the other hand was facing an impending tragedy. His mother was dying from cancer and he's sad and can't quite accept the inevitable even though he knew that it was going to happen.

I really loved Colton. Behind the tattooed, sexy, blue eyed blonde, bad guy facade, Colton really loved his mom and couldn't imagine being without her. He was sexy, gorgeous but at the end he was a really good friend and a good guy for Cheyenne even if he was a bit of a bastard at times. It was an emotional read throughout but I really started to tear up and cry at the end. I didn't expect it to happen but I cried. It was a really beautiful novel.

Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #6) By Charlaine Harris Review

























SUMMARY

As a person with so few living relatives, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse really hated to lose one. But she never guessed that it would be her cousin Hadley—a consort of the Vampire Queen of New Orleans. After all, technically speaking, Hadley was already dead. And now, as unexpected heir to Hadley’s estate, Sookie discovers the inheritance definitely comes with a risk. Someone doesn’t want Sookie looking too deeply into Hadley’s past—or for that matter, Hadley’s possessions. And they’re prepared to do anything in their power to stop her. But who? The range of suspects runs from the Rogue Weres who reject Sookie as a friend of the Pack to the Vampire Queen herself, who could be working through a particularly vulnerable subject—Sookie’s first love, Bill.

Whoever it is, they’re definitely dangerous—and Sookie’s life is definitely on the line…

REVIEW

Definitely Dead is another good addition to Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series. It has all the creatures and characters that we have come to know and love from previous novels as well as a couple of interesting new additions. The book is still an excellent read and I would recommend Definitely Dead to anyone who likes the vampire and supernatural fantasy genre.

Monday 7 January 2013

The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game #1) By J. Sterling Review



SUMMARY

He's a game she never intended to play. 
And she's the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind... like getting Cassie to give him the time of day. 


They're both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together. 


Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful...


REVIEW

This book was one roller coaster of emotions. Breathtaking. Heart-wrenching are some of the words I'd use to describe this book. I loved that it made me question how I would act or feel in the situations Cassie went through. The beginning was more of a good/typical start. College good girl sees and swoons over college bad boy at a party and of course she catches his eye, too. Friends immediately intervene with the whole “Stay away, he’s bad news.” You know. He’s a player… and everything that goes with that. Of course he’s a superstar amongst his peers (this one is a baseball hero), and he’s a sexual  legend, too!

Cassie Andrews doesn't trust guys. She's sealed herself from them. Well, until Jack Carter walked in. Her father never followed through on his promises so learning to trust Jack is going to be a challenge. Can he follow all her rules? Or will everything they've worked for disintegrate until there's no going back?

The supporting cast in this story was wonderful as well- I absolutely adored Cassie’s best friend and felt so humbled by Jack’s sweet brother, Dean. I’d love to see either character’s book in the future! This was my first novel by J. Sterling and it most definitely won’t be my last. Overall, The Perfect Game was a devastatingly wonderful read.

FAV QUOTES-

“Sometimes letting go is the only way to find out who you're meant to hold on to.”

“ANYONE SEEN MY KITTEN?” 


“Watching the two of you interact, it was like watching fireworks light up the night sky. You two burn brighter when you're together.” 


“My head questions everything and believes nothing."

"So your head wants proof and your heart wants reassurance?” 

“Kitten, I’d break my fucking pitching arm if it meant keeping you safe.” 


“Oh my God! You little slut! You want to have a good date with him and want to have ten thousand of his little baseball babies! Cassie!!!” 


“Jack: I’m going to kiss you.

Cassie: This doesn’t change anything
Jack: It changes everything.
Cassie: Prove it.” 

“Half of me wanted to punch his gorgeous face, and the other half wanted to make out with it.” 


“Don’t make me beg, Kitten. Don’t make me beg in front of all these people. It’s embarrassing.” 


“Kitten,

Letting go of someone who owns your heart is hard.
Sometimes holding on to that person is even harder. I
know I'm not the easiest person to love, but you are.
I'ts not that I can't live without you; it's that I don't want to. There's a difference. We all make choices in life and I choose you.
My heart belongs to you. And I'm not asking for it back, even if you don't want it anymore. I'm just asking for the chance to have yours again. I promise I'll be more careful with it this time.
Love Always,
Jack” 

Heaven (Halo #3) By Alexandra Adornetto Review


SUMMARY

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and Xavier can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?


REVIEW

Heaven starts where Hades left off; Xavier proposing to Beth. I really enjoyed the book overall; it was easy to follow and the constant action always kept me intrigued. I really enjoyed reading Heaven and wrapping up this series. It tied up most of the loose ends, there was only one thing that left me unsatisfied and that was the ever-turbulent sort-of relationship between Bethany's best friend Molly and the Archangel Gabriel. Other than that, I think that Heaven did an extraordinary job at tying up.

Bethany grew up. After being in Hell in the last book, she has certainly come into her own. No longer the little angel we first got to know, Beth gets a bit more bite in Heaven. Xavier is still a quick-tongued smart ass who is nothing but protective and tender to Beth and that is one of the things I love most about him. 

Oh, and we get to see another side of Gabriel. He certainly comes out of his shell in this book. 
All-in-all, I think Heaven was pretty great. I could totally see a spin-off series around Gabriel though, which I would pick up in an instant since he was one of my favourite characters.

Friday 4 January 2013

Hades (Halo #2) By Alexandra Adornetto Review

























SUMMARY

Jake Thorn and his demons have been banished and Xavier and Bethany settle down to resume a normal life. But on the night of Halloween, a childish prank goes terribly wrong and Jake is summoned back to the sleepy town of Venus Cove. Bethany is deceived and like the mythical Persephone she finds herself dragged into the nightmarish underworld of Hades.

While the angels call on higher powers to help recover Bethany, Hell decides to play dirty and goes after the one thing she loves more than anything. But to spare Xavier′s life, Bethany must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Will she make a deal with the Devil? And what will happen to an angel in Hell?

REVIEW

Jake Thorn is back, and manages to trick the angelic Bethany into getting on his motorcycle, where she’s unknowingly in for a one-way trip on the highway to Hell or as Jake prefers it "HADES". The story starts off pretty innocently but at a Halloween party when a game played for fun turns out...well...not so funny anymore it releases the demon that Gabriel & Ivy had banished to the pits of hell. That's right people Jake Thorn is back with a bang!

 Jake practically kidnaps Bethany with the intention of making her his bride as well as the princess of Hades which in turn has unleashed a war between Heaven & Hell which will result in the form of Apocalypse. Although after he brings Bethany to his home i.e hell...she still doesn't lose faith and hopes that her family will come to her rescue.

 We also get to meet the "Big Daddy" AKA Lucifer as well as the Archangel Micheal in this book. The description of the nunnery and the nun who has been possessed was both frightening and intriguing.

The further you get to the end of the novel the pace quickens and the drama over takes. As a reader you are on the edge of your seat. Overall I'd say this book left me interested enough to find out how the story concludes..so yes I am on my way to read Heaven i.e the third & final book in this trilogy.

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Halo (Halo, #1) By Alexandra Adornetto


SUMMARY

An angel is sent to Earth on a mission.

But falling in love is not part of the plan.



Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

REVIEW

Halo is a tale of two star-crossed lovers, Bethany (THE ANGEL) and Xavier (THE HUMAN). Its about the 3 angels i.e Gabriel, Ivy & Bethany,sent down to earth by the higher powers to take out the dark and evil forces increasing on earth. 

In Bethany you can literally feel her empathy and love towards all humans as well as her desire to please those above her. She doesn’t quite understand why she is so enamored with humans or why she of all angels was sent on this particular mission. Her brother and sister, Gabriel and Ivy do not feel the same towards humans, although they are here to protect, it is easy for them to keep them at arm’s length. 

Part of Bethany’s quest begins when she starts to have feelings for a human, Xavier. Everything is starting to finally go well when bad boy Jake enters the picture and once again turns Bethany’s life upside down.

Halo was a good read & I’m definetly curious about the next in the series, Hades. Overall, I'd say it was a decent start to a new series.


FAV QUOTES-

“A man in love can do extraordinary things, I don’t care if you’re an angel, you’re my angel, and I won’t let you go.” 


“Did I mention I've finally decided on a nickname for you?"

"I didn't know you were looking."
Well, I've given the matter some serious thought."
"And what have you come up with?"
"Cookie," I anounced proudly.
Xavier scrunched up his face. "No way."
"You don't like it? What about Bumblebee?"
"Worse."
"Snookie-Wookie?"
"Do you have any cyanide?"
"Well, some of us are just a bit hard to please.” 


“When's your birthday?"

I was taken aback by the question. "I don't like presents,"I said quickly, in case he got any ideas. "Who said anything about presents? I'm just asking for your date of birth."
"Thirtieth of February," I said, throwing out the first date that came to mind.
Xavier raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure about that?"
I panicked. What had I said wrong? I ran through the months in my head and realised my mistake. OOPS--there were only twenty-eight days in February! "I mean thirtieth of April," I corrected and grinned sheepishly.
Xavier laughed. "You're the first person I've ever known to forget her own birthday.” 


“Molly: So how do you think of Bryce Hamilton crowd so far? Boys hot enough for you?

Bethany: I wouldn't say hot. Most of them seem to have a normal body temperature.” 


“Sit, Phantom!" Ivy cooed. "On your bottom!"

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" Gabriel put down his book and pointed a longer finger at Phantom. "Sit," he commanded in a deep voice. Phantom looked sheepish and sank straight to the floor.
Ivy scowled in frustration. "I've been trying to get him to do that all day! What is it with dogs and male authority?” 


“She had the face of an angel

I saw mirrors in her eyes
We were the same, she and I
Both bound by potent lies.

In him I saw my future
In him I saw my friend
In him I saw my destiny
Both my beginning and my end.”