tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65379218920581276172024-02-19T10:05:10.551-06:00Claire's CharactersClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-66636045748089538412015-04-11T21:28:00.000-05:002015-04-11T21:29:04.606-05:00Changes are a ComingI've been thinking of new ways to revive my blog....I want to combine my interests in books, England--more specifically the British Monarchy, and still manage to add some personal touches about my family.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how this is going to work or what direction I am going to take. I enjoy reviewing books and sharing my love of reading with everyone but managing to post reviews on new releases in a timely manner doesn't always happen here (obviously). I also don't want to be tied down to a specific schedule that I will inevitably mess up.<br />
<br />
I read a lot about The Royal Family and I have A LOT of books...most of them old copies that I have picked up over the years at book sales and antique malls. I also keep up to date on various engagements and other things. Basically, I have an almost embarrassing amount of knowledge and facts rolling around in my brain and I want a place to put it all. BUT...is there an interest here in the middle of the US? Most people may ask me a question about something they read in PEOPLE and then I start rambling about way more information than they probably care about...I can't just say a simple answer like "Charles will be the next King and then William will follow." I go into a whole spiel about the line of succession and the roles and titles of each member. See, I'm a big nerd. <br />
<br />
So....I'll be thinking up a new title for this blog and figuring out how I want to move forward. Stay tuned for something new in the next few weeks. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-17897776900025543062014-07-30T06:00:00.000-05:002014-07-30T06:00:05.195-05:00Review: On the FenceTitle: On the Fence<br />
Author: Kasie West<br />
Released: July 2014<br />
<br />
My rating: 5 stars<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Fun, original, and endearing, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">On the Fence</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> is a romantic comedy about finding yourself and finding love where you least expect.</span></i><div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>My Review:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">There are a few authors that are "auto-buy" for me. Kasie West is one of those authors. Her writing and stories flow so naturally that I cannot put them down. I was hooked in immediately with On the Fence.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: On the Fence is a contemporary that really feels like a contemporary book to me. It hits every point on my list. I love Charlie's voice. I liked that she wasn't a girly girl-and I also liked watching her transformation throughout the book. I feel by the end of the story she found a happy medium and felt really good about who she was. And then there was Braden....seriously, is there a better book boy than Braden right now???? I don't think so. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I loved watching their story play out. They both have different family dynamics and they were both supportive of each other as true friends (who just happened to be crazy about each other). Their story was easy to sink into and I think every reader would be pulling for them to figure it all out.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: Nothing. This was absolutely ideal for me. Pick this up for a fun summer read!</span></span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-6660827298341434922014-07-29T19:21:00.000-05:002014-07-29T19:21:42.695-05:00Review: Hung Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFldyVHIJYD4cRw9axnRJtlsqjwNh03Z2rhT2TZIC8MF6elzaeFu2BJU0O8zjMA3DC1MnthKPLCtWcHTxKwuVB1zFTkD7KdDjql82vqC8WWdffcY4LlAtQgosZ71PxKTFpiZeEpZ8DfyD/s1600/Hung+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFldyVHIJYD4cRw9axnRJtlsqjwNh03Z2rhT2TZIC8MF6elzaeFu2BJU0O8zjMA3DC1MnthKPLCtWcHTxKwuVB1zFTkD7KdDjql82vqC8WWdffcY4LlAtQgosZ71PxKTFpiZeEpZ8DfyD/s1600/Hung+Up.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Title: Hung Up<br />
Author: Kristen Tracy<br />
Released: March 2014<br />
<br />
My Rating: 3 stars<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Can you fall in love with a voice? This witty romance, told entirely through phone calls, chronicles the tale of a wrong number gone right.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;">It all started with a wrong number. The voicemails Lucy left on James’s phone were meant for someone else—someone who used to have James’s digits. But then when James finally answers and the two start to talk, a unique bond forms between the two teens.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;">Gradually Lucy and James begin to understand each other on a deeper level than anyone else in their lives. But when James wants to meet in person, Lucy is strangely resistant. And when her secret is revealed, he’ll understand why…</span></i></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Review:</span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I liked: I really enjoyed the banter between Lucy and James. I'm huge on dialogue and since this book was entirely dialogue it would not have worked for me if the conversation had been flat. It was fun to read how Lucy and James' relationship developed over the course of the story. There was no insta-love or crazy immediate attraction. The relationship built from friendship, which is always refreshing to read. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: While I enjoyed this book, I didn't love it. As much as I liked the dialogue, I wish we would have gotten to know more supporting characters to the story. We heard all about them through Lucy and James but I think I would have liked to get to know them in a different way. I totally get that this wasn't the point of this book but it would have been nice for me.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Final thoughts: A quick-paced, light-hearted read that will make you smile.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-40263606778027712362014-07-08T06:00:00.001-05:002014-07-08T06:00:03.236-05:00Review: Sweet Reckoning (Sweet Evil #3)<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Title: Sweet Reckoning (Sweet Evil #3)</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXUzSf2ueZ_soqzk9WE4MkDJoTY0ck34e4xxl_o88B-bea1NbzTl797PML9lKT7loxm4paTzCxVvNp-DOtQkReVHv_KwgkMZuEdmB6zJFxI1JsO3LO5hS0_26LsIhQlCQlG6_I9iJXky3/s1600/sweet+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXUzSf2ueZ_soqzk9WE4MkDJoTY0ck34e4xxl_o88B-bea1NbzTl797PML9lKT7loxm4paTzCxVvNp-DOtQkReVHv_KwgkMZuEdmB6zJFxI1JsO3LO5hS0_26LsIhQlCQlG6_I9iJXky3/s1600/sweet+r.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Author: Wendy Higgins</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Release: April 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Summary:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It’s time. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>My Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I was so excited to read the conclusion of the Sweet Evil trilogy but I was nervous. Would it live up to my expectations? Would I be satisfied? Would it make me mad? Would I hide the book in the freezer? When I picked this book up to finally read it (and it had been on my TBR stack for a while) I was instantly captivated. Wendy Higgins delivered a third book like a third book should be.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: I loved that in Sweet Reckoning we can truly see how Anna has grown over the course of the three books. I was sitting on the edge of my seat rooting for her. She was able to be strong, brave, and fearless when she needed to most. She faced conflict head on without having any idea what would really happen. And as a reader, I had no idea what was going to happen...I like it that way!</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I could write PAGES about Kai....but I won't. I want you to read for yourself, and then get back to me...we can discuss all you want.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Final Verdict: I couldn't be more pleased with the way this trilogy ended.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">5 stars!</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-6773002909276083252014-07-08T06:00:00.000-05:002014-07-08T06:00:02.790-05:00Review: Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdIIwjxkchJU1uFlowgk5-EbrfHpZMfQmY_HkJAB1ibFuhqC5KQtHeJ9TqlYc4_wydXMrRsg3r9vb8dOB1OIqF56_-qO7CMfw2OcJJYOl5AXp_mXnQ-xUY42Zaw6qqVvk1GiqKyhXw25Y/s1600/biggest+flirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdIIwjxkchJU1uFlowgk5-EbrfHpZMfQmY_HkJAB1ibFuhqC5KQtHeJ9TqlYc4_wydXMrRsg3r9vb8dOB1OIqF56_-qO7CMfw2OcJJYOl5AXp_mXnQ-xUY42Zaw6qqVvk1GiqKyhXw25Y/s1600/biggest+flirts.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Title: Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1)<br />
Author: Jennifer Echols<br />
Published: May 2014<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>My Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I can't seem to rave enough about this book. First of all, there is high school band. I was in high school band, I was in college band. I get all of the high school band dynamics.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: I loved what a fast-paced, energetic story this was. Once I started reading, I really didn't stop. The whole "will they or won't they get together" story line is always one that I love. Echols manages to keep readers waiting until the very end to find out--but that didn't bother me so much. I felt like the story was a process....one that both Tia and Will (but especially Tia) had to go through before they could figure out what they really wanted. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: I don't think Will had his shirt off nearly enough....kidding...well, maybe... Seriously, I loved this story. I was hooked from the beginning and was sad when it ended. I hope Tia and Will make some appearances in the other books of this series.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Final Verdict: A fun book that you won't be able to put down!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">5 Stars!!</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-38214610718986848252014-03-03T00:00:00.000-06:002014-03-03T00:00:11.877-06:00Review: Ready to Wear (Sew Zoey #1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-0WGm79fqzID16lryA5bizgYtZI9S-tMG5cvJm29_V8G2Ulhw9mq6s6J8vpT4Zqcr14xmuMj0P2ETKS72-XA5HWgDDx98zdY7rReLWBz62LhTDSl0iwCGB2RRB_3VgP_949o_t7ecStm/s1600/sew+zoey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-0WGm79fqzID16lryA5bizgYtZI9S-tMG5cvJm29_V8G2Ulhw9mq6s6J8vpT4Zqcr14xmuMj0P2ETKS72-XA5HWgDDx98zdY7rReLWBz62LhTDSl0iwCGB2RRB_3VgP_949o_t7ecStm/s1600/sew+zoey+1.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
Title: Ready to Wear (Sew Zoey #1)<br />
Author: Chloe Taylor<br />
Publisher: Simon Spotlight<br />
Released: June 4, 2013<br />
<br />
Thanks YABC for sending this book my way!<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;">Over the summer, fashion-loving Zoey Webber gets the best news ever: Her middle school is getting rid of uniforms! There’s just one problem. Zoey has sketchbooks full of fashion designs, but nothing to wear! So with a little help from her best friends Kate and Priti, she learns to make her own clothes. She even begins to post her fashion design sketches online in a blog. That’s how the Sew Zoey blog begins, and soon it becomes much more.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;">Zoey’s quirky style makes her a bit of a misfit at middle school, but her Sew Zoey blog quickly gains a dedicated following. Real fashion designers start to read it! Yet even as her blog takes off, Zoey still has to deal with homework, crushes, and P.E. class. And when the principal asks her to design a dress for the school’s fashion-show fund-raiser, Zoey can’t wait to start sewing! But what will happen when her two worlds collide?</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><b>Review:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">The first book of the Sew Zoey series is everything that I like in a middle grade book. This book will most certainly appeal to young fashion lovers. Zoey is a creative young lady that gets the idea from her two best friends to start a blog of all of her fashion sketches. The blog inspires Zoey to actually start creating some of her very own designs. The process of her learning how to sew was funny and cute. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">My one complaint about this book is about Zoey's blog. When Zoey writes a post, her voice sounds older than she is. The dialogue she has with her friends and classmates seems much more true to age. I also know technology is a huge part of everyone's lives but I would hesitate to let my own middle-schooler have a blog and interact with followers that I didn't know. I'll be interested to see how and if this discussion comes up in other books of the series. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Ready to Wear isn't just a book for aspiring designers. It is a book that focuses on friendship, family and hard work. I'm hoping that the rest of the series is just as delightful and sweet as this first one is</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">.</span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-36849956848187600322014-02-25T06:00:00.000-06:002014-02-25T06:00:12.969-06:00Review: Better Off Friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQE3oeVX7eFQXo9qx7WQLf4sZ3_WRGTtBmExX3QrbHIrxXevW_9UF77nvNAvQBNhyphenhypheniMtgDhjqvtuQtwo_U-mCY5CmaeWRPFi_x5QNJdc3RWzHeioySGlkZiz6eJ4OgGI0j-ZOAyfbnyV/s1600/better-off-friends-56-1392521868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQE3oeVX7eFQXo9qx7WQLf4sZ3_WRGTtBmExX3QrbHIrxXevW_9UF77nvNAvQBNhyphenhypheniMtgDhjqvtuQtwo_U-mCY5CmaeWRPFi_x5QNJdc3RWzHeioySGlkZiz6eJ4OgGI0j-ZOAyfbnyV/s1600/better-off-friends-56-1392521868.jpg" /></a>Title: Better Off Friends<br />
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg<br />
Publisher: Point<br />
<br />
Thanks to Jen at <a href="http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/">Jenuine Cupcakes</a> for sending this to me!<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.09375px;"><i>WHEN HARRY MET SALLY . . . for teens, from romantic comedy star Elizabeth Eulberg. For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way. Eventually they realize they're best friends -- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated? From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again -- and one kiss away from true love?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.09375px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Review:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Eulberg. Every time I sit down to read one of her books, I know I won't be disappointed. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: So many things. I really enjoyed the flip flop between Macallan and Levi. Their voices were distinct but it felt so natural to read both of their perspectives. They meet in seventh grade and the book follows their relationship over the next five years. The evolution of their friendship was fun to read. They had a natural, witty banter between them and it was fun to get lost in their conversations.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I LOVED how Eulberg was able to convey how complex their feelings for each other are. Everyone knows that relationships are not two-dimensional and there are many sides and feelings involved in each one we have. Because of the alternating POV's I felt like I was really inside of their heads and really understood how deep their feelings were. It made the story believable and and engaging.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: Nothing. I love, love, loved it!</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Final Verdict: If you are looking for a fun, sweet romance look no further.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-29674072443675458682014-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:002014-02-20T00:00:03.084-06:00Review: Wedding Wings (Disney Fairies: The Never Girls Book 5)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm4AUALmdF9JbCf0KJaLz839AtU_ILWUeuNyoLCo9xG-fhSrRvk2UEJ0daF4H-BTYhWrv2mAjC8WpUHCdyx7U8ggdMksh2CH7TfJy6LjbR3op1uujz9gwi2o6Nr4vxc-AGvBb4uQ7RKWK/s1600/9780736430777_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm4AUALmdF9JbCf0KJaLz839AtU_ILWUeuNyoLCo9xG-fhSrRvk2UEJ0daF4H-BTYhWrv2mAjC8WpUHCdyx7U8ggdMksh2CH7TfJy6LjbR3op1uujz9gwi2o6Nr4vxc-AGvBb4uQ7RKWK/s1600/9780736430777_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" height="320" width="216" /></a>Title: Wedding Wings<br />
Author: Kiki Thorpe<br />
Publisher: Random House/Disney<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Gabby is going to be a flower girl in a wedding! But a Never Land fairy hidden in her basket causes big trouble on her big day. Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies star in a magical early chapter book series for girls ages 6 to 9—The Never Girls!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b>My Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">I've loved all the books in the Never Girls series. However, none have made me laugh out loud like Wedding Wings. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Once again, the clumsies and the fairies meet up for another adventure, this time at a wedding. When a fairy explores the set-up for the wedding reception, she causes all kinds of funny fairy trouble. The girls and the fairies have to work together to save the wedding and the results are a sweet, magical event. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">If you have a young reader who is making the transition to chapter books, I encourage you to give this series a chance. The Never Girls series has a lot to offer a young reader and I can't wait to see what happens next!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Thanks to <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> for the chance to read and review this!</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-24917506442581953612014-02-19T00:00:00.000-06:002014-02-19T00:00:07.012-06:00Review: Suddenly Royal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ij1qSrbEiXCSU-XJrjVSAdL0C5uWEbXTCCI55ZX7IuG_qRbeNDa-58dE8VVuRm1y8ECeVcqMPqME6r2CRZuCVMWBq6hA0yq3tYsDIQUXLfwHWX8zPnnasLC-ChNi8vYFaduyoON48Jv4/s1600/suddenly-royal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ij1qSrbEiXCSU-XJrjVSAdL0C5uWEbXTCCI55ZX7IuG_qRbeNDa-58dE8VVuRm1y8ECeVcqMPqME6r2CRZuCVMWBq6hA0yq3tYsDIQUXLfwHWX8zPnnasLC-ChNi8vYFaduyoON48Jv4/s1600/suddenly-royal.jpg" /></a>Title: Suddenly Royal<br />
Author: Nichole Chase<br />
<br />
Released: November 2013<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working on a master's degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it's to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed . . . As crown prince of Lilaria, Alex D'Lynsal has had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures in the press have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She's stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone's front-page news. While Sam tries to navigate her new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.09375px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b>My Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Anyone that knows me and my reading tastes, knows that I LOVE books with this type of story line. I love a good "royal" themed novel. Suddenly Royal exceeded my expectations and ended up being a fun, endearing story.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What I liked: I really enjoyed Samantha's character. At first I wasn't sure I would be able to get behind her 100% but by the end I was rooting for her completely. Samantha goes through quite the emotional journey throughout this book and I think readers will appreciate her growth and self-discovery. I appreciated that this wasn't just a "random girl becomes a princess" story. There is a lot more to it. The relationships Samantha has are true and honest and we see more than just a fancy house and a title.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Of course, I couldn't talk about what I liked without mentioning Crown Prince Alex. I think he is what you picture when you think of a prince. Dare I say, he is a good mix of both Prince William and Prince Harry. I love the chemistry between Samantha and Alex. They have some great moments between the two of them.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: Nothing. This book was the perfect blend of royalty and romance.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Final Verdict: This is a charming book. I definitely recommend it. However, there are some *steamy* moments. Definitely not for the younger readers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">Thanks <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> for the chance to read and review this!</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-39735722517858676232014-02-18T18:21:00.000-06:002014-02-18T18:21:23.036-06:00Review: Bright Before Sunrise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNhT_2zpUmZznzWnozToaFLZOoSc8RDbVoZ4depc66Etvu_oawo1EE6_MpHPoElS8zCss7KlyUFwbuLm5LClUYcwFsQZ-ed_bmSNF_KsRmK0qhbg1TaytruDW6ea9P3gT6vVjvukQiLzf/s1600/13634097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNhT_2zpUmZznzWnozToaFLZOoSc8RDbVoZ4depc66Etvu_oawo1EE6_MpHPoElS8zCss7KlyUFwbuLm5LClUYcwFsQZ-ed_bmSNF_KsRmK0qhbg1TaytruDW6ea9P3gT6vVjvukQiLzf/s1600/13634097.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a>Title: Bright Before Sunrise<br />
Author: Tiffany Schmidt<br />
Publisher: Walker Childrens<br />
<br />
Thanks, <a href="http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/">Jen</a> for sending me this one! I loved it!<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.09375px;"><i>When Jonah is forced to move from Hamilton to Cross Pointe for the second half of his senior year, "miserable" doesn't even begin to cover it. He feels like the doggy-bag from his mother's first marriage and everything else about her new life—with a new husband, new home and a new baby—is an upgrade. The people at Cross Pointe High School are pretentious and privileged—and worst of all is Brighton Waterford, the embodiment of all things superficial and popular. Jonah’s girlfriend, Carly, is his last tie to what feels real... until she breaks up with him. For Brighton, every day is a gauntlet of demands and expectations. Since her father died, she’s relied on one coping method: smile big and pretend to be fine. It may have kept her family together, but she has no clue how to handle how she's really feeling. Today is the anniversary of his death and cracks are beginning to show. The last thing she needs is the new kid telling her how much he dislikes her for no reason she can understand. She's determined to change his mind, and when they're stuck together for the night, she finally gets her chance. Jonah hates her at 3p.m., but how will he feel at 3 a.m.? One night can change how you see the world. One night can change how you see yourself.</i></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>My Review:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">I was initially intrigued by this book because of the fast-paced, one night can change everything hook. I was immediately drawn into this story line and could not read fast enough.</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: Tiffany Schmidt takes readers on a one night, life-changing journey of Brighton and Jonah. The chapters alternate between them. Sometimes that can bog a story down and readers can get caught up in the alternating view points....but not in this case. The flip-flop between Brighton and Jonah highlights both of their insecurities and their very different ways of dealing with their issues. I loved reading how their thoughts and actions changed throughout the course of the night. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">This story happens in one night so don't expect an intense romance. Instead, enjoy Brighton and Jonah's journey of friendship, self-discovery, and a few smooches along the way. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: Nothing. I loved it all!</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Final Verdict: You won't want to miss out on this one. Prepare to pick it up and read it in one night. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">**This review has also been posted on <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a>**</span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-9795453047925700562014-02-18T18:06:00.000-06:002014-02-18T18:06:55.537-06:00Review: Be With Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNneX79sDJegZky9U_liXPkXBYJWHixdQ-yqZKQ349_yHjDlKEo7GLGVkwUcVPT8t95um3Zv9ULha7_g6Q-zASEAsjKwA8ZcPP47963z7_rMn1udWTqNHmfjnUVk4-kWMlshVYJv04VVub/s1600/be-with-me-wait-for-you-2-69-1385233963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNneX79sDJegZky9U_liXPkXBYJWHixdQ-yqZKQ349_yHjDlKEo7GLGVkwUcVPT8t95um3Zv9ULha7_g6Q-zASEAsjKwA8ZcPP47963z7_rMn1udWTqNHmfjnUVk4-kWMlshVYJv04VVub/s1600/be-with-me-wait-for-you-2-69-1385233963.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Title: Be With Me (Wait For You #2)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Author: J. Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Publisher: William Morrow</span><br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> for the chance to read and review<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wait for You</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she's in love with her big brother's best friend, but he hasn't spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It's time for plan B: college. And maybe she'll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he's not telling anyone—especially not his best friend's incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn't have time for a relationship. But it doesn't help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">As they're thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can't keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they're willing to risk to be together and what they're willing to lose if they're not. . . .</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b>My Review:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Dare I say that I love Jase more than Cam? Because I do. Yes, there it is, I said it. J. Lynn once again delivers a fantastic NA story that had me sitting down and reading until I finished. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">What I loved: One thing that I love most about this series is how readable it is. When I sit down with one of J. Lynn's books I know I need to clear my schedule for the next few hours because there is no way that I will be able to put the book down. Tess and Jase are both likable characters. They are fun, energetic and fiercely loyal to those they trust. They both have issues in their pasts that weigh on them and these lead to some pretty dramatic moments between the two of them. Along with a physical chemistry that is off the charts they have the ability to really see each other and understand what makes them the way they are. They really are a great match. And really ladies, when you're feeling down in the dumps a cute guy showing up with a cupcake can fix almost anything, right?</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">What left me wanting more: Nothing, except I could have used a few more chapters of Jase but maybe that's just me. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Final thoughts: Fans of Wait for You will adore Tess and Jase's story. And don't worry, Cam and Avery make many appearances along the way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 22.09375px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
This review has also been posted on YABC.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-67611120483301186792014-01-07T18:32:00.001-06:002014-01-07T18:32:11.869-06:00Review: From the Mist (Disney Fairies: The Never Girls Book 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ZLkeiFnJTwHMPd1UWfO6LzVw1f4ZdnhlW7-8XYHS1w_PjL-dAME86A9OB2bomia1xNXYPFCbb8_nZXgpdj8XidUMSjj7q66iDp-y1-QO_VaCm282yA4ExoFcEWK7td21xZPCCjaHYk9/s1600/disney-the-never-girls-from-the-mist-book-rev-L-og9ZPy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ZLkeiFnJTwHMPd1UWfO6LzVw1f4ZdnhlW7-8XYHS1w_PjL-dAME86A9OB2bomia1xNXYPFCbb8_nZXgpdj8XidUMSjj7q66iDp-y1-QO_VaCm282yA4ExoFcEWK7td21xZPCCjaHYk9/s1600/disney-the-never-girls-from-the-mist-book-rev-L-og9ZPy.jpeg" height="200" width="137" /></a></div>
<b>Title: From the Mist</b><br />
<b>Released:</b> July 23rd, 2013<br />
<b>Rating: </b> 4 stars<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Summary</b>: <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.09375px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby are special girls. They know how to travel to Never Land, and this time Kate is craving an adventure. She gets her wish when mysterious mist horses arrive in Pixie Hollow and one takes her on a journey through the magical island. Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies star in a magical early chapter book series for girls ages 6-10--The Never Girls!</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>My Review:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">The seven year old me would have been so excited to read this installment of the Never Girls Series. In this book, Kate takes an amazing journey through the island with a magical mist horse. I loved how her ride was written. I would want to ride on one of those horses too! Neverland seemed especially enchanting with the added bonus of the mist horses. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; line-height: 19.5px;">This series continues to be one that I would recommend to young readers that are fond of the magic of Disney. You could pick this one up as a stand alone, although I would recommend reading all of the adventures the girls and the fairies have. I think your young reader will read one and want more!</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-49450047432333158302014-01-03T19:52:00.000-06:002014-01-03T19:52:25.357-06:00Review: Fangirl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SVQgzM0iTMwN0eysO1hwr2Hk3SGicD8XM9Xu3P4uJY8x3FwfT-FS9FGo88VSiiVTs1tbJu6On1pI8P-FFsWl1WhaeiYOfd7IYnoRbVmsVAQnieTg4Y_rwag4Dgo2B2JJc7SOnY2S0rp2/s1600/17286849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SVQgzM0iTMwN0eysO1hwr2Hk3SGicD8XM9Xu3P4uJY8x3FwfT-FS9FGo88VSiiVTs1tbJu6On1pI8P-FFsWl1WhaeiYOfd7IYnoRbVmsVAQnieTg4Y_rwag4Dgo2B2JJc7SOnY2S0rp2/s1600/17286849.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Title: Fangirl</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Author: Rainbow Rowell</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Released: September 2013</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">4.5 Stars!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Summary:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">In Rainbow Rowell's </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Fangirl</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">New York Times Book Review </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Notable Children's Book of 2013 (Summary via Goodreads)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>What I liked:</b> Cath is one of the most realistic and lovable characters I have read recently. Her anxiety and nerves about college and real life is just so real. I totally got her-I was her my freshman year in college, minus writing fan-fiction, having a twin sister and in general being much cooler and funnier than me. You can't help but love Cath and all she brings to the table in this book. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I also really liked Cath's roomate, Reagan. She's hardcore and the perfect roommate for Cath. Imagine if Cath and Wren would have been roommates...how different might this story have been.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">What left me wanting more: I could have stayed in Cath's world the whole time. I understand the importance of the fan-fiction aspect to the development of the story but Cath's real-life journey was my favorite.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Final verdict: The romance is sweet and the characters are as true to life as you can find. I highly recommend this book</span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-74399441773341311162013-12-30T19:51:00.000-06:002013-12-30T19:51:22.206-06:00Review: Secret GirlfriendTitle: Secret Girlfriend<br />
Author: Bria Quinlan<br />
Published: 2013<br />
<br />
Rating: 4.75 stars of awesomeness!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihabA9IqJbR7VF-mRbV3cf4VgYcULW1sJkyHXn8PAbnbORcmE6fCVwm1iFfJ4KyBpp6HSWk9KZMDW151aExbBqzft36K5dqug_t7VlhgUJbxzoiE_oUw6SAD1Fj7jT5kV3vE1AqCXAtIMd/s1600/18590825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihabA9IqJbR7VF-mRbV3cf4VgYcULW1sJkyHXn8PAbnbORcmE6fCVwm1iFfJ4KyBpp6HSWk9KZMDW151aExbBqzft36K5dqug_t7VlhgUJbxzoiE_oUw6SAD1Fj7jT5kV3vE1AqCXAtIMd/s200/18590825.jpg" width="130" /></a>Summary: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since her mom died, Amy Whalen’s been invisible—but not in the cool, superpower kind of way. Overlooked at school and ignored at home, Amy holds tight to her few constants: running, painting, and her long-held crush on soccer god, Chris Kent. But as senior year nears, Chris doesn’t just notice her, he needs her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Amy will agree to almost anything to be with him.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Everything is great—sort of—until Luke Parker shows up for soccer tryouts and sees through every one of Amy’s defenses. When Luke decides he wants Chris’s spot on the team and wouldn’t sneeze at the captain’s jersey either their rivalry spins out of control.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It doesn’t help that Luke also wants the gi</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">rl Chris kept hidden all summer: AMY. </span><div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">(Summary from Goodreads)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>My review:</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I could not put this book down. Secret Girlfriend is one of those books that you will stay up and read all night long because the story is so captivating and you just have to know how this one is going to end.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">What I loved: Amy's transformation throughout the book. She learns a lot about herself and has quite the emotional journey. I thought I had a lot of this story figured out but the twists kept coming and kept me reading. I may have even been a sobbing fool at one point. Quinlan's take on relationships is so realistic and honest. She writes about tough stuff and makes it real. Everything about this book is real--the insecurities, the doubt, the love, it's all there. These characters FEEL. And you know what, as hard as it may be to read sometimes it's refreshing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">What left me wanting more: I could read novels about those Parker boys!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Final Verdict: This book will tug at your heartstrings in the best possible way.</span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-36369965005147568062013-12-30T19:30:00.001-06:002013-12-30T19:30:27.890-06:00Blog FailSo I made a goal that I was going to do more blogging and reviewing this year and due to all kinds of things I have failed at both of those things. My reading schedule went a little off the map this year and I started reading A LOT of old Royal Family biographies. Most of them say the same thing but are still fascinating to me. <br />
<br />
I want to continue blogging and reading and reviewing so I need to get myself started again and find my groove....here's to 2014 reader friends! Stay tuned for what I hope will be a more eventful year.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-18695759578699233952013-04-13T09:48:00.003-05:002013-04-13T09:48:25.818-05:00Review: Code Name Verity (Audio Version)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8j9QItw0RkjogYMXm3YVip1TfVG9rJxTvSdyIN4G3rgP2HWRCyIzcZPYVuKNdbV7m-PWr-YgKeBIodQIvHq1XyqMfZAilR58bSqs5zPynTeDR1R3ISrQ54rgZyhaupKgQ0bbv7yiv8bI/s1600/Code-Name-Verity-2782995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8j9QItw0RkjogYMXm3YVip1TfVG9rJxTvSdyIN4G3rgP2HWRCyIzcZPYVuKNdbV7m-PWr-YgKeBIodQIvHq1XyqMfZAilR58bSqs5zPynTeDR1R3ISrQ54rgZyhaupKgQ0bbv7yiv8bI/s1600/Code-Name-Verity-2782995.jpg" /></a>Title: Code Name Verity (Audio)<br />
Author: Elizabeth Wein<br />
Narrated by: Morven Christie, Lucy Gaskell<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oct. 11, 1943 A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a shot at survival. The other has lost the game before it’s barely begun. When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she’s sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. They’ll get the truth out of her. But it won’t be what they expect. As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure, and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from a merciless and ruthless enemy? Harrowing and beautifully written, Code Name Verity is the story of an unforgettable friendship forged in the face of the ultimate evil.</span><br />
<br />
<b>My Review: </b>Pardon me while I wipe my tears away after finishing the audio of Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity. This book has been on my TBR list for a while and while I was at my local library I picked up the audio recording. I've not always been a fan of audio books because I find myself getting distracted and not really listening to the story. This was not the case for Code Name Verity.<br />
<br />
I was captivated by the story.<b> </b>I found myself taking the long way around just to hear more. Verity and Maddie's friendship is, for lack of a better word, amazing. Verity details their friendship as she writes her confession as a captive of the Nazi regime. The story had me guessing the entire time. While listening, I had moments happiness, surprise, and sadness. (I may have blubbered my way to work a couple of times).<br />
<br />
Overall, I cannot rave enough about this story and this audio. You are missing out if you don't read or listen to this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SzT403LxEPlo-sz5SQ1rgz4mIcTlp1V8JjH2IyXUI6-n8ljltEVysRph5TKSLoCge3odDR2RlkbyG9MzrP5qFId20NGmuUOqS0ALPHZlRWtf8Uzg3GeqG6gSeTkVHRQpYkGd22vZGlRp/s1600/Code-Name-Verity-2782995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SzT403LxEPlo-sz5SQ1rgz4mIcTlp1V8JjH2IyXUI6-n8ljltEVysRph5TKSLoCge3odDR2RlkbyG9MzrP5qFId20NGmuUOqS0ALPHZlRWtf8Uzg3GeqG6gSeTkVHRQpYkGd22vZGlRp/s1600/Code-Name-Verity-2782995.jpg" /></a></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-73254051507456147122013-04-07T20:12:00.000-05:002013-04-07T20:12:26.357-05:00Review: Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9RPLChBErMWBA-UcnjZXm4uEd5lb0gEjJ7AzhMKu_RC95RKXbG4ZAKb0A_wlXJwZXqdFB6Sh3krPYIS7S8MQ3wYbFPgV86mSj_R-J_FtYTfAPtI0lGUohzULsDPEJqGA7U1OsrwfE9YD/s1600/_9943270-1347977112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9RPLChBErMWBA-UcnjZXm4uEd5lb0gEjJ7AzhMKu_RC95RKXbG4ZAKb0A_wlXJwZXqdFB6Sh3krPYIS7S8MQ3wYbFPgV86mSj_R-J_FtYTfAPtI0lGUohzULsDPEJqGA7U1OsrwfE9YD/s320/_9943270-1347977112.jpg" width="217" /></a><b>Title:</b> Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2)<br />
<b>Author:</b> R.L. LaFevers<br />
<b>Release:</b> April 2, 2013<br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary:</b> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.39772605895996px;">Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.39772605895996px;">But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.39772605895996px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.39772605895996px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.39772605895996px;">This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.</span></span><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><b>My Review:</b> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I loved: Grave Mercy was one of my favorite reads from 2012 and I have been excited to get my hands on Dark Triumph for months. Sybella's story is much darker than even I had expected it to be. She had a painful childhood that has left her emotionally scarred and very untrusting. Sybella's hatred for d'Albret guides the plot and the cast of supporting characters is strong all around.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;">I also need to give a huge fan-girl shout out to Beast. I think he is one of my favorite historical men I have ever read. He may not fit the bill of everyone's favorite type of male lead but he is up at the top of my list. His brute strength alone makes him fascinating to read but once you uncover his personality you will find a loving, loyal, amazing man. I was surprised how much I ended up rooting for him.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;">Final Verdict: Dark Triumph is one of the most engrossing stories I have ever read. I was captivated and intrigued from the very beginning and I felt satisfied at the end, although I could have used a little more Beast. I think readers will root for Sybella despite the harshness of her personality and cheer for the successes in life and love that she finds.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;">Fans of Grave Mercy should not hesitate to pick this second book up. You will not be disappointed. Readers and lovers of historical fiction in the adult or young adult markets should look for this series as well, it is a gem! I am anxiously awaiting the next installment.</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.08806800842285px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 17.078125px;">Here is a link to my <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> review of <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/11933-his-fair-assassin-grave-mercy">Grave Mercy</a>.</span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-90758810066822904652013-03-31T16:34:00.003-05:002013-03-31T16:34:46.524-05:00In My Mailbox (4)In My Mailbox is hosted by <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a> as a way for us to share all of the books we received that week.<br />
<br />
Just a trip to the library for me this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumOYD8882gu1iY7MhP8Yafa5dHgSHtGdnBGYRWTSXDCdxfliifMT3vOrc7MGfhbSjC_eivaqbvtzAg65mHMXGrQT2GKuOjoLJ0Fo3sxIQl4pKuXQgKRhscWbKsFovyut7yb-q9vaYtu3n/s1600/IMG_20130331_162716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumOYD8882gu1iY7MhP8Yafa5dHgSHtGdnBGYRWTSXDCdxfliifMT3vOrc7MGfhbSjC_eivaqbvtzAg65mHMXGrQT2GKuOjoLJ0Fo3sxIQl4pKuXQgKRhscWbKsFovyut7yb-q9vaYtu3n/s320/IMG_20130331_162716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I checked out...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Name of the Star</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Room</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clockwork Prince</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More to come this week, I'm sure! There are a couple of books coming out on Tuesday that I CANNOT WAIT FOR!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leave a comment and let me know what you got!</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-76279125209750244492013-03-29T11:42:00.000-05:002013-03-29T11:43:19.923-05:00Review: Disney Fairies: The Never Girls Books 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILLFNauMPCHwzdkK61ARDCKPSxDax1IhjG9nmgngbbABaA5p4uVLfIPB1iV_H6jdb-zk8CCu_PO81ewzOGl9W_h6gdPoNS7Y5BzFTSSc-SVINPvdNavUMeixVz5khHpAMHQ7ouJUuMS9k/s1600/tn_14749_list__never-girls-1361490335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILLFNauMPCHwzdkK61ARDCKPSxDax1IhjG9nmgngbbABaA5p4uVLfIPB1iV_H6jdb-zk8CCu_PO81ewzOGl9W_h6gdPoNS7Y5BzFTSSc-SVINPvdNavUMeixVz5khHpAMHQ7ouJUuMS9k/s320/tn_14749_list__never-girls-1361490335.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf860ViMHxNJM3ToUT7MIoUXJKRX1ZKQV1b41hMGbC3JT0o5JT6VcgJxRLbhMxGaZ_SkP3FqT6qaD2nQc7nSiArQWwKRPOszLlgYYF55rcdY92R4RUEyN49Kh58vQ2Q44DCBEK_SC9Yqwn/s1600/9781423181576_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf860ViMHxNJM3ToUT7MIoUXJKRX1ZKQV1b41hMGbC3JT0o5JT6VcgJxRLbhMxGaZ_SkP3FqT6qaD2nQc7nSiArQWwKRPOszLlgYYF55rcdY92R4RUEyN49Kh58vQ2Q44DCBEK_SC9Yqwn/s320/9781423181576_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have you checked out the new Never Girls series yet? I've read the first two and loved them both. Click on the links to check out my <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> reviews!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/14749-the-never-girls-1-in-a-blink-disney-fairies">In a Blink</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/15052-the-space-between-disney-fairies-the-never-girls-book-2">The Space Between</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Reading!</div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-43303365659950380672013-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-26T06:00:12.462-05:00Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzX3Y8YL4P58uPe_b1ccpoYuc0QLe7EeX7tSCjoOsEwxcirQXIcdqx5bXNVqD9-X3WHDwOu8XglqJjz8gLwlOXsnnaIlbkmOko9ae6NfXCpMb0EndzxVBIJT4FOUr05cgJp_8WUxOhvbY/s1600/tn_10705__51k2qFJi4HL_1318817569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzX3Y8YL4P58uPe_b1ccpoYuc0QLe7EeX7tSCjoOsEwxcirQXIcdqx5bXNVqD9-X3WHDwOu8XglqJjz8gLwlOXsnnaIlbkmOko9ae6NfXCpMb0EndzxVBIJT4FOUr05cgJp_8WUxOhvbY/s1600/tn_10705__51k2qFJi4HL_1318817569.jpg" /></a>The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer</div>
Author: Michelle Hodkin<br />
Released: September 27, 2011<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">It can.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">There is.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">She’s wrong.</span></span><div>
<span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><b>My Review:</b></span><br />
I cannot believe I waited so long to read this book. This is an amazing start to the series. This is a unique story that will not only keep you up at night but it will keep you guessing the entire time. <br />
<br />
What I loved: This story had me in suspense. I had to keep reading because I had to find out what happened next. I also loved the romance, nothing hot and heavy but the feelings were intense. This book packed a powerful punch from the very beginning, there was never "down time" in the story.<br />
<br />
I can't say anything negative about this book, my only problem is that I didn't read it sooner!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-10586428634027925762013-03-25T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-25T06:00:05.824-05:00Review: Hide and Seek<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnyKl3vhmy8DNQPXDytqZCegpsh-9Rq0jIT3f3dFAN2zKyXeStQe0u0m_YDlZWsGoVmDnpxRXEynE90e8A1Ez1TG1uUPGVg5UOZV3FgXb6m1k_urgckXufj0kxYABDmNc7kfz5xily8E-/s1600/tn_14855__15843290-1362873972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnyKl3vhmy8DNQPXDytqZCegpsh-9Rq0jIT3f3dFAN2zKyXeStQe0u0m_YDlZWsGoVmDnpxRXEynE90e8A1Ez1TG1uUPGVg5UOZV3FgXb6m1k_urgckXufj0kxYABDmNc7kfz5xily8E-/s1600/tn_14855__15843290-1362873972.jpg" /></a>Title: Hide and Seek<br />
Author: Kate Messner<br />
Released: April 1, 2013<br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b>: <span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">A fast-paced mystery from the author of CAPTURE THE FLAG!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;">José, Anna, and Henry are junior members of the secret Silver Jaguar Society, sworn to protect the world's most important artifacts. When they discover that the society's treasured Jaguar Cup has been replaced with a counterfeit, the trio and their families rush to the rain forests of Costa Rica in search of the real chalice. But when the trail runs dry, new mysteries emerge: Who can they trust? Is there a traitor in their midst? With danger at every turn, it will take more than they realize for José and his friends to recover the cup before it falls into the wrong hands.</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><b>My Review:</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">What I liked: The second installment in this series by Kate Messner delivered all that I hoped for. The main cast of characters are back along with some new friends to help them solve their latest mystery. The setting of Costa Rica was absolutely perfect, the plants and animals were described so perfectly, I felt like I was there. </span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">There was a lot of action in this book, which is sure to delight readers. There are also some funny moments as well, that I can picture kids giggling as they read.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">Final verdict: Messner has a flair for writing awesome middle grade novels. This is a book that will delight her fans and hopefully engage new readers.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">Thanks, <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC</a> for this one!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-4915942427007949072013-03-24T12:00:00.000-05:002013-03-24T18:06:08.464-05:00In My Mailbox (3)In My Mailbox is hosted by <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>. Book reviewers and bloggers can share what books we received for the week.<br />
<br />
This week I rediscovered the 'free books' section on my Nook. I picked up a lot of fun romances that are nice when I need something light. The DaVinci Code was also free and I'm probably one of the five people on the planet that hasn't read that book so I downloaded that one as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZvvv7SEa3_gWHrHqvgtBy4MZgVArpeIEmRrTkOjhrmIX2yB4K6HXXmN5D8TTRYaq4UWjv7eQ02WHtPJJtJCFZyexu0Arduf0N3LDfU77FOJ-5_l3PXDJ34Jscqz8QQQkAA0pLdkB_LP4/s1600/15832947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZvvv7SEa3_gWHrHqvgtBy4MZgVArpeIEmRrTkOjhrmIX2yB4K6HXXmN5D8TTRYaq4UWjv7eQ02WHtPJJtJCFZyexu0Arduf0N3LDfU77FOJ-5_l3PXDJ34Jscqz8QQQkAA0pLdkB_LP4/s200/15832947.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOw3YO79lbwAVl2_SaFhqH1JUi7oTnLRiOoq7DstvZE60Qd5s0sFfHpeDMCX1cAj2JQsGCz1OwGJtQLh8EpGDjlaWY5ONEeD0M3oNJwA0ZfScyUmi8VKcJuTdu0LuY9-gc3YUIMRrat_5/s1600/17263388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOw3YO79lbwAVl2_SaFhqH1JUi7oTnLRiOoq7DstvZE60Qd5s0sFfHpeDMCX1cAj2JQsGCz1OwGJtQLh8EpGDjlaWY5ONEeD0M3oNJwA0ZfScyUmi8VKcJuTdu0LuY9-gc3YUIMRrat_5/s1600/17263388.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3suHsWkLSSCM1ONpwsAxQ4fnIci8R-fMoP-NxLLOER6zScOjb6rqPtr3ronaVDzCZYIl1L667laVjOYZ5hLisyQ2FGZg_fvDdpdKxU7EU176plOvMXNWnihilvA8LjP3y2M0li0eKOW-/s1600/6388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3suHsWkLSSCM1ONpwsAxQ4fnIci8R-fMoP-NxLLOER6zScOjb6rqPtr3ronaVDzCZYIl1L667laVjOYZ5hLisyQ2FGZg_fvDdpdKxU7EU176plOvMXNWnihilvA8LjP3y2M0li0eKOW-/s1600/6388.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZvvv7SEa3_gWHrHqvgtBy4MZgVArpeIEmRrTkOjhrmIX2yB4K6HXXmN5D8TTRYaq4UWjv7eQ02WHtPJJtJCFZyexu0Arduf0N3LDfU77FOJ-5_l3PXDJ34Jscqz8QQQkAA0pLdkB_LP4/s1600/15832947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
<br />
These are just a few of my freebies this week...<br />
<br />
And like many of you, I'm sure, I picked up Clockwork Princess. I'm in the process of reading Clockwork Angel and it will probably be a while before I get to this latest one but I couldn't pass it up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM69JD4-4amiBcFyGf20Y8z2qRQ-eeM_sSBMqmqf1MYALtHrqhvgkm52WZ4yrRCKZBHOWTAYXHDL4pnLWw7i82Kr2E0mVHroQ0Or__ET1rzq8wG5XSODobc8Yjo7-ltck4HEKf-wH2MWrX/s1600/6131164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM69JD4-4amiBcFyGf20Y8z2qRQ-eeM_sSBMqmqf1MYALtHrqhvgkm52WZ4yrRCKZBHOWTAYXHDL4pnLWw7i82Kr2E0mVHroQ0Or__ET1rzq8wG5XSODobc8Yjo7-ltck4HEKf-wH2MWrX/s320/6131164.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Leave me a comment and let me know what you got this week and any books you may be looking forward to this week!Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-90403055477210197852013-03-23T20:19:00.001-05:002013-03-23T20:19:42.621-05:002 Great Non-Fiction Titles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A_RSBus5EVQ-wSoPRkTD49WH63nPqSPc-Ip9Vhvxm5ZpOFX1HMbOrpdmSu63az150s8Zkww-72Ut6OdfkZaeQepSEngoIBZeY576Lm0DPT8ULkJ2Wc-f6Znx_SJC4_cRlpStqlKrDWQB/s1600/scholastic-discover-more-rainforests-penelope-arlon-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A_RSBus5EVQ-wSoPRkTD49WH63nPqSPc-Ip9Vhvxm5ZpOFX1HMbOrpdmSu63az150s8Zkww-72Ut6OdfkZaeQepSEngoIBZeY576Lm0DPT8ULkJ2Wc-f6Znx_SJC4_cRlpStqlKrDWQB/s1600/scholastic-discover-more-rainforests-penelope-arlon-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxeKdPTJxDK-cTEOxCegJPLug2J-NEmCTx8kcuDza5anSUCtjha88KkoIbZ4g8_g5FDPKCRiVLRT-T1MMngLpGCfX-GQs59-YKWAuUPWkQ3qbTeNyr91rl26GLt-FAEHlEHoU8QWcRfgl/s1600/shark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxeKdPTJxDK-cTEOxCegJPLug2J-NEmCTx8kcuDza5anSUCtjha88KkoIbZ4g8_g5FDPKCRiVLRT-T1MMngLpGCfX-GQs59-YKWAuUPWkQ3qbTeNyr91rl26GLt-FAEHlEHoU8QWcRfgl/s1600/shark.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are looking for some new non-fiction books to add to your classroom library, look no further than this Scholastic series.<br />
<br />
Check out my YABC reviews below...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnonfiction/14992-scholastic-discover-more-rainforest">Rainforest </a> <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnonfiction/14993-scholastic-discover-more-sharks">Sharks</a><br />
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-8718484301594668802013-03-23T19:15:00.000-05:002013-03-23T19:15:12.752-05:00Review: The Trouble With FlirtingTitle: The Trouble With Flirting<br />
Author: Claire LaZebnik<br />
Released: February 26, 2013<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxhqpAPKqqQxlpSOZzyZoEBbr2daFx34o61g2mWnpMKXda4i2FJ71MTKkbjr6EjT9mmrvajrW_557E32rpuWaprj90p_zQPxuAudTsvzHJItMQZi4nrnAPtDD5jObeFdzBGWQHjeC3euF/s1600/tn_14493__14813841-1356361929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxhqpAPKqqQxlpSOZzyZoEBbr2daFx34o61g2mWnpMKXda4i2FJ71MTKkbjr6EjT9mmrvajrW_557E32rpuWaprj90p_zQPxuAudTsvzHJItMQZi4nrnAPtDD5jObeFdzBGWQHjeC3euF/s1600/tn_14493__14813841-1356361929.jpg" /></a>Summary: <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.390625px;">Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . . Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady. When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Review: </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">What I liked: The romance in this book hit the mark for me. Harry was utterly charming and the kind of guy you want to be friends with and as you get to know him more smoochy with. While I thought the beginning of the story felt a little slow, the middle and the end quickly flew by and had me hooked.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">What left me wanting more: There were a lot of characters and a lot of relationships going on in this book. At times, it was difficult to keep up with. I would have liked some more closure at the end for some of the characters. All of a sudden the book was over and I would have liked to know how certain relationships carried on or didn't.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">Final verdict: I enjoyed this book but it didn't pack the big punch that I was hoping for. If you are a fan of contemporary romance, this one is worth checking out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 17.09375px;">3.5 Stars</span></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6537921892058127617.post-59337314020641126202013-03-17T19:30:00.001-05:002013-03-17T19:45:38.150-05:00In My Mailbox (2)In My Mailbox is hosted by <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a> and a way to share with fellow readers and bloggers what books we got in that week.<br />
<br />
Hi everyone! I got a great package of books to review from <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/">YABC </a>this week...and the picture I have is refusing to load so I'll just say that I'm really excited to have received this one. I'll post the rest of them later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I1tfGiOPpnL52JWDU1qRx1A5VmWoq1ctctCG65OtFg9UpG_K-PLilAI8yBCl5ttlaN_16FZ1m0iFT2rEjl-GE9ANCfF0232fLjp9ucc4CdHJ_nsS6cSQ89-rNLnLOkTLzxXYa1gGy778/s1600/13628374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I1tfGiOPpnL52JWDU1qRx1A5VmWoq1ctctCG65OtFg9UpG_K-PLilAI8yBCl5ttlaN_16FZ1m0iFT2rEjl-GE9ANCfF0232fLjp9ucc4CdHJ_nsS6cSQ89-rNLnLOkTLzxXYa1gGy778/s320/13628374.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13628374-dear-cassie">Dear Cassie</a> by Lisa Burstein</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also bought <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14296788-a-royal-pain">A Royal Pain</a> by Megan Mulry</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBPLJkINIPWGFw9fzDvK3QRe-u532G6grBKjjatQh0kl4H-_KkgJY-WCb39iPPBAVMgMMjlgGHW6l6RphstC7lpdSGK9PB3W3g49yGqMzBm-d6mRWvIcExohVMCNdKKOWG0J95f4N5XQy/s1600/14296788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBPLJkINIPWGFw9fzDvK3QRe-u532G6grBKjjatQh0kl4H-_KkgJY-WCb39iPPBAVMgMMjlgGHW6l6RphstC7lpdSGK9PB3W3g49yGqMzBm-d6mRWvIcExohVMCNdKKOWG0J95f4N5XQy/s320/14296788.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was Book Fair week at my school last week, so naturally I went shopping....I got lots of books for Easter Baskets and then I picked up this one for me</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #382110; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 2px; text-align: center; width: 455px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812344-confectionately-yours-3"> Confectionately Yours #3: Sugar and Spice</a></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiQ5A1EKMU7RRL4FpzY9xhm3wV72XA38QsG-ay4ysvxMxQ3ypYpE2PV6BUkvs1mhRbYFN98ivugLBymDASx4q7w4XOyWYW-nfpbtpDOLDtlegVs38xhSYPYCgbIlOSDNkke8lxZRB45C5/s1600/15812344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiQ5A1EKMU7RRL4FpzY9xhm3wV72XA38QsG-ay4ysvxMxQ3ypYpE2PV6BUkvs1mhRbYFN98ivugLBymDASx4q7w4XOyWYW-nfpbtpDOLDtlegVs38xhSYPYCgbIlOSDNkke8lxZRB45C5/s320/15812344.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leave me a message in the comments and let me know what you guys got. Happy reading!</div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783168610940432778noreply@blogger.com1