Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Summary:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Thoughts:

Grave Mercy was a beautiful book. The growth seen in Ismae is really unparalleled. She goes from unwanted, to a follower in the convent of St. Mortain, to coming into her own and being her own women. In the beginning she lets someone else make all of the decisions for her. Which is understandable because she doesn't want to have to leave the convent and she wants to prove her worth, but once she is out in the real world, she learns that St. Mortain is not so black and white. 

Ismae never dreamed of caring for a man either. I think that was the best unexpected part of the book. Watching Ismae slowly fall in love was so sweet and innocent!

The politics were enough to make my head spin. Very realistic writing and LaFevers really created a world that is very accurate and believable. 

Overall I would say this is a wonderful read for all YA audiences. This book doesn't end on a cliff hanger, but it still left me wanting to read the next book in the series!

Rating: 4 Stars!

Walking Disaster Fan Challenge

I didn't think it was possible but I as completely speechless last night. Jamie McGuire announced a new fan challenge...get up to 13k likes on her facebook page by Thursday and we would get the Walking Disaster Prologue. Instead of the four days, we all completed the challenge in 5 hours! Holy Cow! I can not wait to see what new challenge they will give us next!

There will never be enough Travis in the world!

Check out Jamie's facebook page for information!
https://www.facebook.com/Jamie.McGuire.Author

Follow the link to see the Walking Disaster Prologue!

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Summary:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. 

Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. 

There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. 

But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck. ( Summary by Goodreads.com)

My Thoughts:
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I first read this book. I almost didn't read it but I was sure glad that I did! I love the world that Jennifer has created with this new series. She has taken some old greek concepts and made it all completely her own!

Alex is by far the feistiest female character that I have read about in a long time. I love that even though her decision making skills are not the best, she puts everything she has into what she believes. She is a true fighter and it was really fun to watch her try to acclimate herself back into Covenant life. 

Aiden is what every girl wants. Wonderful body, caring, great personality, and one hell of a fighter. He thinks things through before he acts. The complete opposite of Alex in many ways, but they are just perfect for each other. I could not believe the rule about relationships between a Pure and a Half-Blood. Just seems ridiculous!

It was heartbreaking to find out the truth about what became of Alex's mom. There was no right or wrong way to deal with that information. Then to top it all off, she meets Seth. I really did not like this character, especially what him being the Apollyon meant for Alex and her connection with him. 

By the end I should have expected something so bold and rushed by Alex, but her decision once again blew my mind. I was so relieved when the whole ordeal was over for Alex and she was once again safe, even though nothing will ever be the same again. 

Rating: 5 Stars!

Easy by Tammara Webber

Summary:
A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. (Mature Young Adult) (Summary by Goodreads.com)

My Thoughts:

From the first chapter of this book, it is complete nonstop action and a roller coaster of emotions!

Jacqueline believes she has made the worst mistake of her life. Instead of following her own dreams, she allowed herself to be swept along the dreams of her boyfriend. Now stuck at a college majoring in teaching music instead of playing music, she isn't sure things can get any worse. But then of course they do. The car scene with Buck had me holding my breathe. I prayed that someone heard her call for help. I was never happier to read about Lucas. :)

While Jacqueline attempts to work through her demons and seduce Lucas at the same time, she comes to realize that Lucas has demons of his own. Demons that he has never shared with any other girl, and demons that he refuses to still share with her. 

The romance scenes were done very well. I was glad they weren't overly detailed but at the same time they didn't gloss over the entire scene and leave everything to our imagination. This is a mature young adult book to be sure. If you are easily offended by drinking or sexual activity, this book may not be for you.

I would recommend this book in a heartbeat! I was cheering by the end and so happy with the way that it ended! The growth from both main characters was very inspiring! 

Rating: 5 Stars!

Playing for Keeps by R. L. Mathewson

Summary:
Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to change starting with the aggravating neighbor who has too much charm and not enough restraint. 

What she didn't expect was to sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget just what the bad boy next door is capable of.

The last thing Jason expected was for his little shy neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers. After he decides to take her under his wing he can't help but that notice that she fits very nicely in his life. Now the only left is to convince her that this is anything but a game. (Summary by Amazon.com)


My Thoughts:
The first book in the Neighbor from Hell series, I can't think of any complaints or anything that I wish was done differently. When I first started reading the book I thought Haley was going to be a push over for most of the book and we would have to wait to see her grow into that, but within the first chapter Haley goes from meek to in your face and doesn't even back down when in Jason's face.

Jason initially sees Haley as a project and a good friend. Even though it is obvious to his friends and to the reader, Jason doesn't even see the way he starts to develop deeper feelings for Haley until all of a sudden he can't get her off of his mind and the idea of another man touching her sends him into a jealous rage!

I never knew a character that ate so much or was so obsessed with food like Jason. I too am amazed that he manages to stay fit in the book, but that food obsession led to some of the most hilarious parts of the book.

I liked how this was not an instant connection kind of love, but one they had to work through and almost didn't get see happen. I was actually scared for a minute towards the end thinking that things would never work out!!!!

Great hilarious read that must be completed in one sitting or you will regret it! :)

Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Perfection by R. L. Mathewson

Summary:
Zoe is used to taking care of herself and has long ago accepted that if anything bad was going to happen, it was going to happen to her. 

So when she loses her job over something most bosses would probably be happy with and her life starts going down hill from there she doesn't expect it to get any better. 

She certainly didn't expect any help from the loud jerk next door, but then again she has nothing to lose so puts her trust in him and hopes for the best. What she didn't expect was the once in a lifetime opportunity that he offers her through an arrangement where they both benefit and no one is supposed to get hurt, but she should have known better because her luck has never been that good.




Like most Bradfords, Trevor has a soft spot for food, but that's about all. He leads a pretty straightforward life and likes to keep things simple and that includes his relationships. He wants the perfect woman and knows exactly what she'll be like. 

So when he discovers much to his horror that he's thinking about his frumpy little neighbor he decides the best way to get his head straight is by working her out of his system. He'll keep her around, but only until he finds perfection

My Thoughts:

It is hard to come up with the words to describe this book. It was absolutely perfect! The Neighbor from hell series is wonderful. I have never laughed my ass of so much while reading a book.

Mathewson's Bradford characters are genius!

Zoe represents so many women in the world that are just down on their luck. They aren't happy where they are in life or how they look. Trevor is, in a nut shell, perfection on the outside, but still slightly shallow when it comes to women. The two of them make the most unlikely couple, and I think that is why at first their friendship works so well. 

Trevor's arrangement, I was so hoping that it would turn into more than that. I can't see how you can be around someone 24/7 while having an intimate relationship and not have feeling involved for the other person. I felt so bad for Zoe when she realizes that she is falling in love with Trevor, and that he still only viewed her as a friend in an arrangement with. 

The ending was shocking. I loved how he came to the realization before Zoe's condition was revealed. It was so good to see the protective and possessive side of Trevor for a change. He is not a man that many women can say no to, including Zoe. 

If you are looking for a good romance read that will have you laughing out loud making the people around you think that there is something wrong with you, then read this book. No, read the entire series!

Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Tell Me You Want Me by Amelia James

Summary: A steamy romance sure to get your juices flowing. FOR ADULTS ONLY.

"I can give you exactly what you're asking for, Janie, and I can give it to you all night long." 

Their first kiss is impulsive, fun, a little wicked--everything Jane Elliot isn't looking for in a man--but desperately needs. Their second kiss is slow, deliberate, an instant connection--everything Austin Sinclair never had with a woman--and doesn't want.

Jane isn't the easy conquest Austin's used to. She's a stubborn-as-hell bookworm who's more interested in studying than dating. She needs a little--no--a lot of fun in her life, and Austin's just the guy who can give it to her. Too bad she thinks love should easy. Too bad Austin knows it isn't. 

Everybody told her to stay away from the heartbreaker, but Jane knows there's more to Austin than full-body contact kisses and bad boy charm. All he ever promised her was a good time and wow, does he ever deliver.

My Thoughts:

I read the summary for this book and I was so excited to get to read it last night, but I'm not sure that it fully reached my expectations. 

There were many good parts to this book. I loved the back and forth banter between Jane and Austin. She is the first girl that doesn't put up with his BS and not only does he like it, but us readers like it as well. Makes for some very humorous scenes. I really liked jane. Sure she still has things she needs to over come in life, but she doesn't let the expectations of others get in the way of her goals. 

The two best friends, Sarah and Jack, were great supporting characters. eaching giving their friends different things, but needed for the story to fully progress the way that it did. 

It was also great to see Austin overcome his fears. He learned that he can be a one woman man and that he doesn't have to be scared of his father. He can do what ever makes him happy and be with whoever makes him happy.

While there are many good points to this book, there just seemed to be something missing. In most books you get to that pivotal point in the storyline, the climax. I just never felt that we reached one in this book. I felt like I kept waiting for sometihng to happen but never did. Yes Austin overcame his fears, but it that part just felt like another part of the story that should be leading up to something. I guess the word for is dull. I was left wanting more by the end of the book. 

I don't regret reading the book, because there were some times that I laughed my butt off while reading it, and the romance scenes were greatly done!

Rating: 3.5 Stars!