And the Winner for my paperback copy of There You'll Fine Me by Jenny B. Jones is....

I am so excited to announce the winner who will receive a paperback copy of

There You'll Fine Me by Jenny B. Jones!

Are you ready?

Are you sure?

Is the suspense killing you?

Do you just want me to get it over with already?

Okay, Okay, enough of that.

The winner is.....

jls521!!

Huge congrats jls521!

I will be emailing you shortly for your info.

BIG thanks to everyone who entered!

And keep checking back, I have more ARCs to giveaway including a copy of After Obsession by Carrie Jones!

Somebody Tell Aunt Tille She's Dead by Christiana Miller

In honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday I decided to go ahead and post my indie book of the week a little early because this weeks read is perfect for Halloween.
So without further ado, I give you Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead by Christiana Miller!

Title: Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead
Author: Christiana Miller
Series: Stand Alone (although there is a short story featured in Every Witch Way but Wicked)
Published By: Create Space-Self Published (May 1, 2011)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:
A little magic can go a long way -- to really screwing up a girl's life!

Mara is having the worst month of her life. At least, that's what her cards tell her and they've never been wrong. She's evicted from her apartment, loses her job and is banned from Beverly Hills. So when the tarot cards predict her imminent demise, she uses a little magic to make her world right.

Suddenly, an aunt she's never met dies, leaving Mara as her sole heir. But when Mara moves into her inherited home, she discovers Aunt Tillie never moved out. She's still one pissed-off old lady, even post-mortem, and she blames Mara's magical meddling for her death.

When Mara accidentally releases a demon and awakens the spirit of the most powerful witch in history, Tillie's ready to kill her -- literally. It's the only way she can think of to save the girl from herself. The witch and the demon, however, have other plans for Mara's body.

My Review:
This is such a great fun read. It has a little of it all. It has magic and mystery. Mayhem and humor. A little bit of dark magic, a little bit of light magic. Ghosts and demons. Big city, small town. Witty best friend, death and destruction. Love interests and did I mention magical toads?

Okay, so you sort of get the idea, this book will appeal to just about everyone and has just about everything you could ask for in a great paranormal/urban fantasy read.

A great heroine, Mara, who is no push over and knows how to take charge and get the job done and while she isn't perfect and is still learning about who she is and what she can do, she didn't run away from her troubles. Instead she faced them on head first and did what needed to be done.

I loved the humor and just the all around witchiness (totally made up that word) of it all.

And then we have Gus. Ah Gus. How to describe thee. Actually, I can't describe him other than to say he is the kind of friend that you would want in a crisis. The kind that is loyal, funny and always has your back.

I really hope that there will be a second book out soon because I definitely plan on reading it. I want more adventures with Mara and Gus and I want to know more about what becomes of them and the new life they took on and what more is in store for them.

So in short, if you want a great indie paranormal adult read that will keep you turning the pages and guessing what will happen next, then pick up this book and give it a read.

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Title: Fracture
Author: Megan Miranda
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Bloomsbury  Children's Books (Jan. 17, 2012)
Source: E-galley ARC Copy
Genre: YA
My Rating: 4 Stars out of 5


Goodreads Description:
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?
For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

My Review:
After first reading the synopsis for this book I knew I wanted to read it. It sounded so unusual and interesting and just...different that I knew I had to check it out and see what it was all about.
Plus, come on, we all know I am a cover snob, yes I judge a book by its cover, and lets face it, this has a pretty great cover so that caught my interest as well.

I am so glad I did pick up this book because it was everything the synopsis promised it to be. It was different and interesting and kept you turning the pages.

I didn't really think this book was going to have such a feel of mystery to it but it did and I loved that about it.

I loved that I didn't know what to expect with each new chapter. That each page held something new and different for me to take in and ponder. I love that I didn't see what was coming and I could just read and enjoy the adventure.

I really enjoyed the storyline and Miranda's writing style. Everything just flowed together nicely and the story never felt rushed or made me wonder what in the world was going on. I think anyone that enjoys YA and a little mystery will really enjoy this read.

I am pretty sure we can except some great things to come from this new, very talented author.

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Between the Sea and Sky
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Series: Stand Alone Book
Published By: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (Oct. 25, 2011)
Source: E-galley ARC Copy
Genre: YA Fantasy/Fairy Tale
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

My Review:
Between the Sea and Sky has such a wonderful cover that I knew I had to read it and although I haven't read many mermaid books the synopsis combined with the beautiful cover drew me in and demanded that I give it a try.
I was excited when I got approved to receive an ARC copy of this book and although I had a few others that I really needed to read first I went ahead and decided I would start this one.
This is the first book by Dolamore I have read and her writing is just beautiful.
This whole book read like a fairy tale. It reminded me so much of the stories I use to love to have read to me as a little girl that I got completely wrapped up in the world that Dolamore created.
I love the idea of a "fish" and "bird" falling in love.
And while I didn't feel any real connection with the main characters Alan and Esmerine, I did really enjoy the uniqueness of the story.
It was cute and fun and just something different and nice to read.
I really enjoyed Dolamore's writing style so I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future.
I think anyone that loved fairy tales as a child will really enjoy reading this cute love story as well.

Indie Book of the Week: Vampire in Denial by Dale Mayer

This is always my favorite time of the week when I get to share a new book I read by an indie author. 
I love indie authors. Many of them are so very talented and have so many wonderful ideas and books out there. I love the originality so many of them have and I have read so many exceptional books from them. In fact some of my most favorite series are by indie authors, so it is no wonder I love them so much.


This week, I had the pleasure of reading Dale Mayer's book, Vampire in Denial. Isn't the cover great?


It was such a great book! Imaginative and refreshing. Just something different and fun in the vampire YA genre.

The story is about a young 16 year old who is a half vampire trying to fit into two worlds, the world of her vampire family and the world of humans. She doesn't quite fit into either world yet she is strong and determined to make the best of it and to find out who she is.


When humans suddenly start disappearing, including her new boyfriend, she decides to take action and to rescue him.
And what she unearths is like nothing she or her family has seen before. 
She must choose between her two worlds and what she believes is right.


I really truly had so much fun reading this book. It was just a fun read. Before I knew it I was done and wanted to find out what was going to happen next. The ending was kind of a cliffhanger so I can't wait to see what Mayers has in store for Tessa and all her friends.


Overall I rate this fun read 3.5-4 Stars.


And thanks again to Dale for letting me read and review her book! 
I know that in the future we can expect more great things from her.

Enter For A Chance to Win Jenny B. Jones' New Book There You'll Find Me!

Hello my lovely Followers!

So I had the amazing opportunity to read and review There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones (review posted here: http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/2011/10/there-youll-find-me-by-jenny-b-jones.html ) and I loved it so much that I wanted to let one other lucky reader have the chance to read and review it as well (or just read it and gush to friends and family about it. :P ) so, what better way to do that then hold a contest here for one lucky follower to win my paperback copy of it?

So here goes, if you want to enter to have a chance to win my copy of There You'll Fine Me, please make a comment below with why you would like to read it and your email address that you can be contacted with if you should win.

A week from today (on Halloween!) October, 31st I will be randomly choosing one luck follower to receive my copy that will be mailed to them free of charge. 

If you aren't a follower already would like a chance to win then all you have to do it become a follower and make a comment below saying you are a new follower and would also love to enter with your email info.

That's it, it is that simple!

Good luck to everyone who enters!!

Dearly, Departed (Dearly #1) by Lia Habel

Title: Dearly, Departed
Author: Lia Habel
Series: Book One in the Dearly Series
Published By: Random House Publishing (Oct. 18, 2011)
Source: E galley ARC Copy
Genre: YA Dystopian/Parnormal
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:
Love can never die.Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

My Review:Okay, so I am going to start off by admitting that this wasn't anything at all, like I thought it was going to be. For some inexplicable reason, I had no idea this book would be about zombies. How I missed that, I am not sure but I did.
At any rate, I was pretty excited to read this book, which looks like it is the first in a new series.
What first caught my eye about this book was the cover, it is pretty amazing. I was pretty sure with a cover like this, it would have to have a steampunk theme to it and to my delight it did. It also had that old Victorian feel to it even though this book is set in the future.
Already, it combined to of my favorite things to read about so adding that paranormal element to it (with zombies) was an even bigger bonus.

And while this book was not what I was expecting, it was definitely a great read.
It alternated between 5 character's POVs, which surprising wasn't distracting at all and was beautifully done. And while I liked some POV's way better than others, it was still nice to see all the POVs of the story and you could still tell who the main characters of the story were (Nora and Bram).
Ah, Bram and Nora. Their relationship and love, well definitely like no other. In fact this whole book was like no other that I have read.
Habel managed to create a very real feel to a world full of chaos pretending to be order and people pretending to still be alive that most definitely aren't.
And while Nora and Bram's relationship was far from the norm, I still liked seeing it develop. And while it did weird me out a little bit, I mean come on, he is DEAD! It was still a sweet romance nonetheless and I was rooting for them the whole way.
It will be very interesting indeed to see where Habel takes the story from here.
I loved all the twists and turns and just the sheer uniqueness of it.
Habel is a very talented writer and I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be picking up the next installment when it is released.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Title: There You'll Find Me
Author: Jenny B. Jones
Series: Stand Alone Book
Published By: Thomas Nelson (Oct. 4, 2011)
Source: Publisher DTB Copy
My Rating: 5 Solid Stars

Goodreads Description:

In a small cottage house in rural Ireland, Finley discovers she can no longer outrun the past.

When Finley travels to Ireland as a foreign exchange student, she hopes to create a new identity and get some answers from the God who took her brother away and seems to have left her high and dry.

But from the moment she boards the plane and sits by Beckett Rush, teen star of the hottest vampire flicks, nothing goes according to Finley's plan.

When she gets too close to Beckett, a classmate goes on a mission to make sure Finley packs her bags, departs Ireland-and leaves Beckett alone.

Finley feels the pressure all around. As things start to fall apart, she begins to rely on a not-so-healthy method of taking control of her life.

Finley tries to balance it all-disasters on the set of Beckett's new movie, the demands of school, and her growing romance with one actor who is not what he seems. Yet Finley is also not who she portrays to Beckett and her friends.

For the first time in her life, Finley must get honest with herself to get right with God.

My Review:

This book completely blew me away. I don't even know where to begin to describe all the emotions I felt while reading this book and to describe just how good and real it was.
This is the first book that I have ever read by Jones and I was in awe with it after the first chapter, actually if I am to be completely honest here, I was already tearing up after reading the dedication. I knew after reading it, this book was going to be something special.
I had a really hard time putting it down and even though life was crazy while I was reading it, I still managed to read it all in one day.
I adored the characters in this book, every single one of them. They were all so flawed and those flaws just made them all the more great. Completely believable and I love that about this book.
Any book that can make you laugh one minute and have tears in your eyes the next is an exceptional book in my opinion.
This will definitely be right up there as one of my all time favorite reads from this year and will be one I know I will read again in the future.
Finley and Beckett were amazing. They were both so strong despite having some very real, very hard challenges in their lives and some very real flaws in their personalities, but, I think that is why I loved them so much. They were just so great together and (yes I keep saying this) but just believable in every way.
The only other thing I can really say about this book is that you really should read it for yourself. It is just amazing and so heartfelt. Jones is a very talented writer and it shows in this book.
This will definitely not be the last book I read by Jenny B. Jones, she has a new fan in me!

No Rest For the Wicca by Toni LoTempio

Title: No Rest For The Wicca
Author: Toni LoTempio
Published By: Self Published (Oct. 20, 2010)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:
Communing with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad, until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance. Someone's killing pureblood witches- and the SFA's convinced Morgan;s voodoo heritage could be instrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing the two of them must fight their deep attraction as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world.

My Review:
I really loved LoTempio's short story in Every Witch Way But Wicked so when she offered to let me read and review her book, I jumped right on it. I knew I was going to like it.
And I really did enjoy this read.
There were a few editing errors, which is to be expected, but nothing that distracted from the story in anyway.
I really liked how unique this story was, it isn't every day you read a story not only about witchcraft but voodoo as well. The main character Morgan was one of my favorite characters. I really liked her witty lines and how rough and tough she was while still caring for those she loved.
I liked watching her grow as she learned to let love in and accept her past wrongs and to learn to accept who and what she is. It was nice reading about a character that wasn't a push over and who stood up for what she believed in and wanted to right her wrongs and who didn't take crap from anyone.
And it wasn't hard reading about Cole either! :P

Overall I think this is a great book that anyone who loved the genre would really enjoy and I am looking forward to the next book.

Bloodstone (A Stacy Justice Mystery #2) by Barbra Annino

Title: Bloodstone
Author: Barbra Annino
Series: 2nd Book in the Stacy Justice Series
Published By: Dane House-Self Published (October 7, 2011)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 5 Solid Stars

Goodreads Description:
Book Two of the Stacy Justice Series has more magic, more mystery and more twists and turns than your average amusement park.

A long-lost sister
A missing mother
And murder

Stacy Justice finds herself caught in a web of deceit, betrayal and family secrets that run deeper than the Mississippi in this follow up to Annino's debut novel, OPAL FIRE.

Not only must the reluctant witch determine if the teenager on her doorstep is her sister--she's forced to confront her mother's disappearance--again. Add to that a dead guy in the kitchen and Stacy's at her witch's end. She's pretty sure the Blessed Book of her family's ancestry holds the key. Except she can't find it. And if the killer does--it may be over Stacy's dead body.

Is Ivy really her sister? Where is Stacy's mother? And what does the dead guy have to do with it all? Find out in Bloodstone.

My Review:
Can I just say for the record that I love this series? It has quickly become one of my favorite new series. It has a little bit of everything in it that I love to read about, witches, a mystery, a little romance, some witty fabulous one liners, a loveable goofy dog side kick, amazing characters. Really I could go on and on but what it comes down to is that this series is just amazing.

Barbra Annino is amazing. She is a very talented writer that has a way of pulling you into the story and into the characters lives and not only caring about them but falling in love with them.

You want to know them and you want to be them. You want to be a part of their world and join them in their adventures. 

Her characters are so real and funny that you just love to read about them. I love every single one of them, to the crazy aunts, the swoon worthy leading men (yes men!), to the adorable Thor, Stacy, Cin, heck even the bad guys are great. 

This book had me laughing out loud numerous times through out. 

It never had a dull moment or felt like it dragged in places and in fact it was really hard to put down. I had to make myself put it down so I could get some sleep, if I didn't' need to get up early in the morning to get my girls off to school I would have read this through the night and not regretted it at all. 

I really enjoyed the first book Opal Fire but this one was even better and although I really think you should read Opal Fire before picking this one up (you will love it too!) this one is my new favorite and will be hard to top but if anyone can do it I have faith that Barbra can!


I will be (not so) patiently be awaiting her next book and will grab it as soon as it is released her books are just that good.


So if you are looking for a fun new series that will have you laughing out loud, in love with the characters and just having a great time reading about all of Stacy's mishaps and adventures then this is a series you really need to try.

Indie Book of the Week...Every Witch Way But Wicked!

So this Friday instead of doing posting about a specific indie author I love, I am going to be doing something a little different. I am going to be posting about a book written by multiple indie authors, that's right, an anthology written entirely by indie authors.

And not only is this anthology full of amazingly talented writers but it is also perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Each story focuses on the paranormal. They are creepy and funny and just amazing.

This is truly one of the best anthologies I have ever read.

I liked every single story and found so many new series and authors to try, it was crazy. That is just something that doesn't normally happen when you pick up a book like this.

Usually you are lucky if you like half the stories and more than likely you only picked it up to begin with becuase of that one author you just love and have to suffer through the rest of the stories.
Not this book, this book was chalked full of great stories, wonderful characters and some pretty fantastic writing and while I did manly read this book because of one author, Barbra Annino, all of the authors did a fantastic book on the stories in this book.


So without further ado, I give you Every Witch Way But Wicked.


This book starts off with a story written by Christiana Miller (Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead) and Barbra Annino (Stacy Justice Series). I adore Barbra Annino's Stacy Justice series, it is so much fun to read, the characters are brilliant, the dialog is funny and her writing style is great so I knew I would love this story and I wasn't wrong. 

This story combined both Annino's characters in with Miller's from her book and it was beautifully done. Even though I haven't read (although I now plan to!) Miller's book I didn't feel lost or confused at all. It was a great mystery to read and it was nice to have a Stacy Justice mystery to hold me over until the next book came out.

I really enjoyed this story, it was one of my favorites in the whole book.

One of the next stories was by Toni LoTempio and again, I hadn't read their book before this story but I really enjoyed this story as well. It was a little bit creepy and interesting and just a fun read. I will definitely be picking up her book as well to read. This story really caught my interest and held it, so much so that I want to read more about the characters.


Edie Ramer wrote another of the stores, this one called The Kiss. This was a different story that not only had a light paranormal element to it but also a slight sci fi feel to it. It was nice story and I really had fun reading it.


The Trouble With Spells by Camilla Chafer, this was such a cute fun story to read. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was funny and just, I don't know a great story. In fact it might have been my second favorite story in the bunch. I will definitely be picking up her Stella Mayweather series and reading them. I just adored the characters in this story and her writing style.

Rose Pressey's story The Witch is Back was also one of my favorites. It was a really cute story with a great sexy guy, a cat, a crystal and mystical powers. What more can you ask for? 

Rianna's Revenge by Dale Mayer, this story had a more fantasy feel to it unlike some of the others but again, just a really good story. I know I keep saying that but honestly, it is so true!

Misty Evan's next story was also probably one of my favorites. It was a really entertaining read and so different. It has demons and angels and voodoo and dare I say, Lancelot? 
This is one story you have to read to believe. ;)


A Samhain Surprise by Debora Geary was also a different crazy read and really added another element to this book making it truly unique and something that will appeal to everyone.

Cats and Dogs by J.L. Bryan. I am familiar with Bryan's other works and while this one was completely different from his Jenny Pox books this was still a very cutsey story and made me laugh in more than one place. I think fans of his would really enjoy this short story as well.  


Terri Reid, I love her Mary O'Reilly Mystery series, it is a really good series so I was pretty sure I was really going to enjoy her story Orion's Moon as well and I wasn't disappointed. In fact this short story only reminded me that I really need to buy more of her books because I really enjoy her work.


The Hazards of Desire by Wren Emerson made me look up their name on Goodreads because I am ashamed to admit, I just didn't recognize her name until of course I saw that I actually owned one of her books and after reading this really good short, I will definitely be picking up that book and giving it a try.

So, my overall consensus? This book was awesome. It was full of very wonderful talented writers that you really really need to try. Also the beautiful cover and foreword was written by the very talented Amanda Hocking. If you haven't picked up any of her books, please check them out also, they are fabulous reads!! She has more than series and a little bit that will appeal to everyone!

And the best part of buying this book? All proceeds go to Kid's Need to Read which is a charity set up by Nathan Fillion! Hello, Nathan Fillion star of the hit TV series Castle is one of my all time favorite shows, I never miss an episode. I love Fillion so if that alone wasn't enough to make me want to buy and read this book, the fact that it is going to help children as well, well, that just sold me.

This book deserves it high rating of 5 Stars. Check it out, you won't be disappointed and you just may very well discover and new favorite author and series to enjoy. ;)

Indie Author of the Week, Jamie McGuire and her book Providence (Providence, Rhode Island #1)

Title: Providence
Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: 1st Book in the Providence, Rhode Island Series
Published By: Self Published (November 20, 2010)
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4.5 Stars


Goodreads Description:
In the old world shadows of Providence, Rhode Island, Nina Grey finds herself the center of a war between Hell and Earth.

Struggling with her father’s recent death, Nina meets Jared Ryel by chance…or so she believes. Although his stunning good looks and mysterious talents are a welcome distraction, it soon becomes clear that Jared knows more about Nina than even her friends at Brown University. When questions outnumber answers, Jared risks everything to keep the woman he was born to save—by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect.

When her father’s former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father is not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. Searching for the truth behind her father’s death, Nina stumbles upon something she never expected—something Hell wants—and only she holds the key.

My Review:
So like most people who read McGuire's book Beautiful Disaster, I feel in love with her characters and the story and when it ended I was so sad and had such a hard time finding something to read again.
Well, then I saw this series, also written by McGuire and I knew I had to try it as well because if it was even half as good as her stand alone, I knew I would love it.
And I did really enjoy it. And while Jared is no Travis he is still a very swoon worthy character and was great. 
Nina however did remind me a lot of Abby, some of the choices she made, her denial about her feelings for Jared and just some of the things that happened through out the book.
This story had a lot more mystery and suspense involved since we still don't know exactly what Nina's dad was involved in and we don't really know who Jared is at first and what role he plays in Nina's life.
This truly was a great love story above all else though. My only complaint is that my heart about broke for Ryan. He seemed like such an amazing guy as well and I really really hope in the next books we will see him get his HEA as well. 
Either way, one thing is for sure, Jamie McGuire can write a leading man that will make you swoon and leave you wanting more.

Trust Me by Rachel Hawthorne

Title: Trust Me (First Kisses #1)
Author: Rachel Hawthorne
Series: 1st in the First Kisses Books
Published By: Harper Teen (Jan. 1, 2007)
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
My Rating: 4 Stars


Goodreads Description:
Oh. No. This can't be happening. Me and Sean Reed? "Trust Partners" for the entire counselors-in-training program? Sean may have deep blue eyes that make my heart flutter whenever he looks at me, but he's always been a troublemaker. Being thrown together all summer? That is so not going to work. Even if he does have a really, really nice smile.

Trust me on this.

My Review:
So I have been sick this past week and whenever I get sick I usually want to surround myself with things that are comfortable to me. My favorite place to snuggle up on the couch with a blanket, favorite movies, favorite books, that sort of thing. 

This time I really wanted to just read something that was going to be light and sweet and just something to put a smile on my face. Thankfully I found that in this book. I mean, look at that cover and that face! How could anyone resist that face and not look at it and just want to read it?


This was such a cute story about a girl learning to take life as it comes and to not judge a book (or person) by it's cover.
This story was pretty short but it didn't feel too short at all. The characters were all very loveable and fun and it was nice to see them grow through out the story.

Definitely a heart warming story about first love, first kisses, trusting others and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Falling For Romeo by Jennifer Laurens

Title: Falling For Romeo
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Published By: Grove Creek Publishing (Oct. 1, 2007)
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
My Rating: 4 Stars


Goodreads Description:
John can have any girl he wants. Jennifer's never been kissed.
Everybody thinks he's perfect. She's got issues with pride and jealousy.
They were best friends-once. Now, they're playing Romeo and Juliet. Virgin lips Jennifer must have her first kiss on stage with John, the guy every girl in school wants. The pressure and tension build along with each staged kiss. Both are shocked when feelings bloom. Can either tell which kisses are real and which are for show?

My Review:

I love Jennifer Laurens' books. I know that whenever I open one up I can count on a well written story with some loveable characters, realistic story lines, great dialog, some swoon worthy scenes and just something that I know I will get completely immersed in and not want to put down and thankfully this book was no different and did not disappoint!

Two of my most favorite works of literature are Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and then William Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet so when I saw that this book incorporated both of those into the storyline, well, I knew I was going to be in love with this story too.

I loved the building romance in this book and how both main characters had to fight some of there own pride and yes, prejudices, to be able to really look at the person in front of them and see beneath the surface and not judge them by their outward appearances and actions. I loved watching them struggle with their emotions and seeing how they would overcome them.

I am a hopeless romantic so it is nice to be able to read a story that you know will have a happy ever after and leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling when you finish the story.

I think we all need some happily ever afters in our life and I know that I can count on Laurens to deliver when it comes to that, which I think it why I enjoy her stories so much.
If you haven't tried her books yet you really should. They are just cute fun reads that will leave a smile on your face and make you think about the characters long after you have finished the story.

The Sleepwalkers by J. Gabriel Gates

Title: The Sleepwalkers
Author: J. Gabriel Gates
Published By: HCI (October 3, 2011)
Genre: Horror
Source: ARC Copy (e-galley)
My Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
 
Goodreads Description:
A chilling and masterfully crafted teen horror novel guaranteed to keep the pages turning, the mind reeling, and the lamp on any reader's bedside table on long after midnight.

Privileged and popular Caleb Mason is celebrating his high school graduation when he receives a mysterious, disturbing letter from his long-lost childhood playmate, Christine. Caleb and his jokester friend Bean decide to travel to his tiny hometown of Hudsonville, Florida, to find her. Upon arrival, they discover the town has taken a horrifying turn for the worse. Caleb's childhood home is abandoned and his father has disappeared. Children are going missing. The old insane asylum has reopened, and Christine is locked inside. Her mother, a witch, is consumed with madness, and Christine's long-dead twin sister whispers clues to Caleb through the static of an a.m. radio. The terrifying prophesies of the spirits are coming to pass. Sixteen clocks are ticking; sixty-six murdered souls will bring about the end of the world. As Caleb peels back layer after layer of mystery, he uncovers a truth more horrible than anything he had imagined, a truth that could only be uttered by the lips of the dead.

My Review:
I am going to be honest, I don't read a lot of horror books. I went through a Stephen King phase in high school and then for what ever reason kind of gave up the genre but, with the upcoming Halloween season I decided I would give this book a go. Why? The synopsis sounded so good, I just knew I needed to try it. 
And this book was good. Creepy good in fact. I admit, I got goosebumps in parts and found myself looking over my shoulder and listening for noises that weren't there and, well, suffice to say I think I remember now why I gave up the genre. I. Am. A. Chicken.
This book was pretty suspenseful and intense at moments. It definitely had me turning the pages wondering what in the world was going to happen next. Wondering if the whole town was crazy or if it was just a select few. Wondering about the mystery of it all and who was whom and what was what.
Overall I was pretty satisfied with the ending, although it kind of was a creepy ending too, I mean, what happens next? Is it over or has it just begun?
I don't want to give anything away but I will say this, if you want something fun and different and something that will keep you on your toes then try this book, you won't be disappointed.

The Girl in the Steel Corset (The Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset (The Steampunk Chronicles #1)
Author: Kady Cross
Published By: Harlequin (May 24, 2011)
Genre: YA Historical/Steampunk
My Rating: 5 Solid Kick Butt Stars


Goodreads Description:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

My Review:
What can I possible say about this book that will even come close to doing it justice other than it absolutely rocked? Well, how about that I think Kady Cross is pure genius and come on, who doesn't want that gorgeous dress on the cover?

I LOVED this book. I mean, I really truly loved reading it. It was my first full length steampunk novel and I can now say that I am completely in love with the genre thanks to Cross. So much so, that I am completely bummed her next book isn't out yet and I will be anxiously counting down the days until it is.

This book was just brilliant. The characters, the inventions, the storyline, the mystery, the romance, the adventure, the slight paranormal aspect, the world, the time period, the clothes....okay, I could truly go on and on.
It is rare that I find a book these days that completely blows me away and it not what I was expecting or anticipating and I have to say, I love it when that happens!
I will be honest, I read a LOT of books and it is so nice to just pick one up and get completely carried away in it so much so that you wish you were there. That you were apart of their world and that they were your friends too.

So Kady Cross, you have a new fan! I will definitely be reading all of your work in the future, I only regret that I didn't pick this up sooner.