Review: Temptation (A Temptation Novel)

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read TEMPTATION by Karen Ann Hopkins published by Harlequin TEEN.  The premise of this book seemed so appealing--Amish boy meets and falls in love with English (non-Amish) girl and they are not supposed to be together.  I really wanted to love this book but I just didn't.

I thought the idea of this story was a great one, I was really anxious to see how it would play out and if Rose and Noah would get their happy ever after.  I liked the alternating points of view between Rose and Noah, I think that added a depth to the story and we got to see how both characters felt throughout the book.  I also really liked Sam, Rose's older brother.  He played the part of the parent figure in Rose's life after their mother died and her father being absent most of the time because of his position at the hospital.  I also thought the author did a great job of showing the differences between the two cultures.

I had a hard time believing the "instant love" between Rose and Noah.  I get the whole attraction thing but I felt like they met and then were suddenly so in love that they couldn't think of anything or anyone but each other....and for being teenagers, that is pretty intense.  The length of this book also got me-I felt at times the story was so drawn out and then I reach the end of the book to find out the story doesn't end...there is another book.

I don't want to add any major spoilers but in order for Rose and Noah to be together one of them has to leave their "world" and fully join the others life.  I can't imagine a circumstance  where  a parent would allow their teenager to leave their life completely behind and join another's family for the sake of teenage love.  It just doesn't seem believable to me.

If you are a fan of romance, you may like this one.

Review: Something Like Normal

It is not often a book moves me to tears, like sobbing into your Taco Bell tears, and really I cried into my breakfast and lunch today because I could not stop reading this book.  I knew from reading the book description it would get to me but I had no idea how much.

Travis is one of my favorite characters I have ever read.  Why?  Because he is real.  Being inside his head was insightful and at times very painful.  The roller coaster of his life in Afghanistan, I can imagine, is portrayed to a tee.  When Travis returns from his tour, after losing his best friend in an attack, he has no idea where he fits in to his "normal" life.  His family life is messed up, to say the least, and he can't get the nightmares of Charlie's death out of his head.

Harper has quite the history with Travis that goes all the way back to middle school.  She is one kick butt girl that would be a heck of a friend to anyone...but don't cross her! She is a special person and is there for Travis in a way that no one else is.  She doesn't pry or push him but really challenges him in ways he doesn't even understand.

I can't imagine being in Travis' shoes.  He tries to put on a brave face but he is suffering with issues that not many of us will ever understand.  I challenge you after you read this to not look at the next serviceman you see in a different way or hear a news story about another fallen soldier and not tear up. This book made me realize once again what a valuable resource veterans our to our country.

This book is too important to not read.  I can't simply just recommend this book.  I give it my highest of recommendations.  I think everyone should read it.  In fact, I would a buy a copy for everyone if I could.  And I won't believe you if you tell me that when you read the last two pages you weren't be a sloppy, sobbing mess.  I'm thinking about it now and here come the tears again.

Review: Capture the Flag

Thank you to YABC for sending this book for me to review!

I am a huge history buff. I love reading and learning about the history of our country, so any book that is set in Washington D.C. I am drawn to. This book is fantastic for many reasons but the main one is that I think it has an appeal to both boys and girls. There are characters and stories that will appeal to all readers.

I included a 5 rating on illustrations even though there are just a handful of them because they are well drawn and funny. Capture the Flag is a fun mystery with great historical information in it as well. The book ends with an indication that Anna, Jose, and Henry will be back to solve more mysteries and help protect our nation's historical artifacts. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Overall, Capture the Flag is exciting and flows so well. This is perfect for a summer read and as a teacher and a parent, I highly recommend it.

Review: Flirting in Italian

Romance and Mystery

I was hoping that this would be a fun, light-hearted summer read. While I enjoyed it, I got caught up in the language. There is a lot of Italian phrases (obviously) and I found some of them hard to decipher. I also was hoping this would be a stand-alone novel and it turns out it is not. That would explain why when I was about 30 pages from the end I was wondering how the author would wrap everything up in such a short amount of time.

I liked the premise of this book. I enjoy books that involve romance, travel, and friendship. This book had all of those. I felt at times the story was weighed down by over description. When I read, I want to create a picture in my head, I don't want to read specific details for every single person, place, and thing along the way.

Overall, I think this book would be great for young teens. It has just the right amount of romance, fun, and mystery.


3 Stars

2012 Book List: Part 3

Part 3 of my ongoing list of what books I've read this year.  You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

38. In Honor by Jessi Kirby (Thanks YABC)
39. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
40. Timepiece by Myra McEntire (Thanks Netgalley)
41. The Selection by Kiera Cass (Thanks YABC)
42. In the Garden by Elizabeth Spurr (Thanks YABC)
43. Animals and Their Families by Barbara Nascimbeni (Thanks YABC)
44. Princess for Hire: The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt (Thanks YABC)
45. Temptation (A Tempation Novel) by Karen Ann Hopkins (Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Teen)
46. Pocket Cats 3: Feline Charm by Kitty Wells (Thanks YABC)
47. Picture My Day by Severine Cordier (Thanks YABC)
48. Daisy's Perfect Word by Sandra V Feder (Thanks YABC)
49. Whatever After #1: Fairest of All  by Sarah Mlynowski (Thanks YABC)
50. The List by Siobhan Vivian
51. Margaret and the Moth Tree by Brit Trogen and Kari Trogen (Thanks YABC)
52. The Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers (Thanks NetGalley and Arthur A. Levine Books)
53. A World Away by Nancy Grossman (Thanks YABC)
54. Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (Thanks Edelweiss and HarperTEEN)
55. Huff and Puff by Trish Rabe (a NOOK Book)

I got kind of lazy and didn't link all my reviews.  I'm sorry.

Review: Timepiece

Excuse me while I go all fangirl for TIMEPIECE and Myra McEntire. *flails* *cheers* *does a high kick* *end scene*

Second books always make me nervous.  I'm always initially very excited to read them but if they don't hook me, I won't read the third.  And I'm going to be honest, many second books make me lose interest and I often won't finish out a series.  Well, last year when I finished HOURGLASS I couldn't wait until TIMEPIECE was released.  I was so jealous of everyone who managed to score an ARC.  When I got my chance to read,  I devoured TIMEPIECE.  I simply could not get enough.  And I won't be quitting this series anytime soon.

TIMEPIECE is told from Kaleb's *swoon* POV.  I absolutely dug this.   I think McEntire nailed his voice.  Not only that but we got to see Kaleb's different sides.  His tough guy side and the vulnerable side that we didn't see in HOURGLASS.   And I must say that vulnerable side made me swoon and tear up at all at the same time.

Besides hearing more from Kaleb, I was hoping Myra would give us more about Em's best friend, Lily.  Once again, she delivered.  Lily is an amazing character and I want her to be my best friend.  She's beyond loyal and she's one tough cookie.

I don't want to give away too much more...I really want you to read it.  After you do, we can laugh, snort, and cry all together.

I cannot rave about this book enough...in a year of fantastic releases, this is sure to be tops on anyone's list.  It will not disappoint at all.  I can't wait to see what Myra has in store for us next.