Opal Cover Reveal

Here is the official cover to Opal, the third book of the Obsidian series!! More information below.

I reviewed the first book [here] and the second -- Onyx -- [here]

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

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Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page!

http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

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Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Author: Simone Elkeles

Title: Chain Reaction
Publication: August 16th, 2011
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Purchased

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Synopsis: Like his brothers, Luis Fuentes is a risk taker; whether he's scaling the Rocky Mountains or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis is always looking for the next thrill. Nikki Cruz lives her life by certain rules -, don't trust a boy who says "I love you", boys lie to get their own way and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Then she meets Luis at his brother Alex's wedding and suddenly she's tempted to break all her rules. Getting Nikki to give him a chance is Luis's biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by the head of the gang that nearly destroyed his brothers' lives. Will Luis's feelings for Nikki be enough to stop him from entering a dark and violent world that could prove to be the ultimate risk?

Thoughts:  This book is the third and final installment of the Perfect Chemistry series. (I reviewed the first here) Luis is a bad boy just like his two brothers, but he's academically smarter than they were. He's on the swim team, gets A's in all his classes, and makes all the ladies swoon... all ladies but Nikki. No matter what Luis does, Nikki won't take a second glance. This isn't because she's a prude, it's because of what guys have done to her in the past. Will Luis be able to show her he's different?

What's nice about Chain Reaction is knowing what happens to all of the characters in the past two books. You'll get to see Brittany being pregnant, Carlos in the army, and other fun situations that will hold the first two books together. Luis is truly different than his brothers. He has his eye on being an astronaut and has to grades to prove it. There's one thing that I don't understand and believe is a cop out situation. Luis learns about a huge secret that changes his views on life. So much in fact, that he randomly throws out logic that was shown within the first half of the book. He does some stupid things based on this one secret, and the plot sort of falls apart. Don't fret! After this little bump in the road, everything turns out fine. The end is definitely sweet and keeps the readers satisfied. It's a to-read book if you're into the Perfect Chemistry series!

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: The Boy Next Door
Publication: October 8th 2002
Publisher: Avon Books
Source: Purchased
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: To: You (you)

From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book

Dear Reader,

This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:

• Humor
• Romance
• Cooking tips
• Great Danes
• Heroine in peril
• Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures

If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.

We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?

Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal

Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.

*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********

Thoughts: What the heck did you read in the summary? It's not your average paragraph. That's because The Boy Next Door is all written in emails. That's an example of an email that is given to a character. The format is also email based. On top there's a "to", "from", "subject", and body so it looks like a legit email. In order to know who's talking you have to look at the "from" line. It's hard to get used to at first, but once you get the hang of it the book is really fun to read!

This book starts off with Mel who is a reporter for the New York Journal. She has a lovely older lady next door to her apartment, but one day her grandson -- Max -- came to visit and she "fell down" into a comma. Max, to put it bluntly, is an ass hole. He's self centered and a player who photographs naked women as a job. He freaks out and calls his friend John and asks him to take his place. John agrees and takes the identity of Max. Shortly after he moved in meets Mel and finds her very attractive, funny, witty, and all around a good person. John works for the New York Chronicle which is the rival journalist company to Mels. The challenge is to keep his identity is safe, but it gets harder when his family gets involved. All of this is sent via emails. They talk about their day and what they think about people to their friends and family so that's how you understand the plot.

This book made me laugh multiple times; Megs humor never fails to amuse me. Mel is a smart woman who doesn't care for romance in her life but get's it anyway. Same with John, he doesn't think about love until he meets Mel. All of the secondary characters (like Max, Mels best friend, all of her co-workers) play a huge part in the plot. It's not just John and Mel creating emails to each other, sometimes the secondary characters have an email chain of their own. The Boy Next Door is very clever, and I provided two examples email below... sorry it gets cut off. You can fill in the blanks pretty easily. This is an example of her humor, It's a conversation between John and his brother Jason. On the side of the first example you can see a snippet of Max and Johns conversation. It gets complex sometimes, but again you'll get used to it.

Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Publication: July 10th 2012
Source: Library

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead ... and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

Thoughts: This is the fourth installment of the Heather Wells series. Heather is a former teen sensation and toured with her then boyfriend, Jordan. He was the hottest celebrity around the block, and decided to pick up Tania – a growing pop idol – along the way. She found Jordan in bed with Tania, and broke up with him on the spot. After, the label dropped her. Over 10 years later, Heather gained weight (to a size 12, if you didn’t get it by the title) and works at the “death dorm” in a New York City college. Don’t say dorm around her, she’ll correct you with “resident housing”. It’s called death dorm because of how many deaths there are… all of them include Heather finding out why it happened and who the culprit is. She starts living with Jordans older brother Cooper, and they fall in love. In this book she’s engaged to him but they want it a secret.

Tania – the girl who Jordan cheated on – is hosting a camp for teens that want to become stars. It’s sort of like the Disney Channel movie “Camp Rock” where everyone is talented and getting ready for the final battle. In this book the winner gets to sign on with Cartwright Records. Problem: Someone wants to kill Tania. Heather and Cooper take it upon themselves to figure out why she’s in danger, and keep the public out of it.

This book has tons of humor in it. Heather is known for being a teen idol, and when people recognize her they say “Ah! It’s Heather Wells! *pause* Uh… what happened to you?” (regarding her weight) It hurts her, but her new fiancé always tells her how beautiful she is which is so adorable! Unlike other books, both Cooper and Heather don’t fight or disagree with each other. The only drama is trying to figure out who the killer is. That’s a definite relief... books usually have more dilemma between characters to keep you on your toes. This one has enough to keep you intrigued. It’s a light read, so you wont have to trudge through it. As a Meg fan, I recommend this book.

Matched by Ally Condie

Author: Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Publication: September 11th, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 out 5

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Synopsis: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Thoughts:  Matched is about 16 year old Cassia needing to make a dire choice. Does she want to live in her world -- safe and sound -- forever, or take a chance at her true love and break all the rules. The problem with breaking rules are the horrible consequences. Exile, taking memorable posessions away, swiping minds clean... there's no stopping the government from taking control. Everything starts out great. Cassia is about to find out who her one true love is, and when the image is on screen Ky (a quiet boy she doesn't really know) pops up, then the screen goes blank. Once the computer turns back on, her best friend Xanders face replaces Kys. She has a feeling (a correct one) that this isn't the government -- also known as the "society" -- messing up because the government NEVER make flaws. Cassia has to dig deep down and find her true feelings. Is everything really what it seems? Can Ky or Xander give her the answers she seeks?


This plot is amazing! The main character has grown up to be naive and relient on the Society. Reading how her views change through out the book was interesting... it makes you want to learn more. I really don't like characters that makes stupid decisions and don't learn from them, and Cassia is a prime example of it. BUT, it's understandable. She literally doesn't know any better, and I would make the same mistakes in her situation. It's confusing when you think everything is happy and controled, then realize controling isn't the best way to live, so I forgive her actions. In a way she does learn from them. Well, kind of. The whole book she's scared to think differently and takes her a while to come out of her bubble (hence, she's in a green bubble on the cover).


I take one star away because of how terrible the writing is. It's very childlike and hard to get used to. An example of one of her paragraphs: I said yes. He shook his head. I didn't know why. Then he looked at me. I looked back. We looked at each other. -- That's not a quote from the book, but it's very close. There are. So many. Periods that aren't. Necessary. And the grammer. Is very. Childlike.

It was hard to get used to and I had to ignore the sentence structures after a while. It just doesn't deserve to be taken half a star away, it's that bad. I looked her up and the interwebz said she's an english teacher which worries me. I don't have great grammar and spelling and am totally owning up to it. I probably put commas that aren't necessary and forgot apostrophes multiple times through out this review, but you know what? I'm not a published author, I'm a reviewer. Millions of people are not reading this review.

If you forget about the horrible writing, I say go for it! The books plot really sucks you in, and I can't wait to start the third. It's a trilogy so the first book leaves you in a cliffhanger.

Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast

Author: P.C. Cast

Title: Goddess of Spring
Publication: November 4th, 2008
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis:  Lina's trendy bakery in Tulsa is proving to be less than lucrative, and she must come up with a plan. When she stumbles upon an Italian Goddess cookbook, Lina can't help but think she's found the answer to her problem—even if it means invoking a goddess to save her business.

Soon enough, Lina finds herself face-to-face with Demeter, who has a plan of her own. She proposes that Lina exchange souls with Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, who will breathe new life into the bakery. In return, Lina must set order to the Underworld.

Before all this, Lina's problems mostly involved sourdough and second dates. Now that she embodies the enchanting Persephone, Lina has weightier things on her mind—like the formidable task of bringing Spring to a world of spirits. But when the handsome, brooding Hades kindles a spark in her heart, Lina wonders if this Lord of the Underworld might be the man of her dreams..

Thoughts: This book is the second installment of the Goddess Summoning series. It's a twist of the Persephone / Hades story. Recap if you don't know the greek myth: Persephone (the goddess of spring) gets tricked into staying in the underworld by Hades (god of the underworld). Demeter (her mother) gets pissed and tattle tales to her brother Zeus (king of the gods). In the end, Persephone must stay in the underworld for six months. The end. I recommend reading the longer version of this myth. Almost all Greek gods have some sort of horrible ending to them. Persephone / Hades has a bittersweet ending which is better then every-other myth. Seriously, the stories get depressing.

Let's move onto the book, shall we? This story is a different version of the myth. Lina has to stay in the underworld with Hades and help with the gloomy spirits. She starts getting to know him and likes what she sees. Hades is kind, a little rusty on social skills (which you have to look past), and really wants the best for the souls that live in his realm. The other gods don't like visiting because... well... it's a world full of dead people, so when he tries to lighten up, he sometimes fails. It's cute and charming how he tries his hardest to make Lina feel at home. The whole time he thinks she's Persephone, so Lina has to act like a goddess. Unlike her other Goddess Summoning book Warrior Rising (which I reviewed here), this has no steamy sex scenes. It's very sweet and PG-13 rated. I would recommend this to a young adult that's looking to take a step up from books that revolve around high school.

I love PC Cast, and she's definitely tied with Gena Showalter and Meg Cabot on my "who should I marry" list. I don't have a ring yet... saw one at the mall that was beautiful but it was way to expensive. Plus all three authors are already married. That's okay though, I'll win them over. Oh yes... I'll win. *insert evil laugh*

The Mediator series by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: The Mediator
Publication: December 28th, 2004
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

Thoughts:  I love you Meg. Will you marry me?

Nah, just kidding (mostly). Everything she writes, I love. All of her adult and young adult books are addicting. I haven't read her kid/tween selections yet, but I'll get there sooner or later. For now, let's start on her series The Mediator. The main character Suze is a kick ass character that can see ghosts that need help passing over to the afterlife. She's strong willed, quick on her feet, street smart, real, and good with weapons. Not like swords or hammers will do anything to a ghost, but they'll for sure slow one down. On her first day in her moms new house, she finds a hot ghost named Jesse and tries to get him to leave. His argument? I was here first. Pretty legit reason, so Suze copes with a really attractive spanish speaking ghost that not only wont leave her alone, but protects her when other spirits try to harm her... which is so adorable. They become a really good team, and feelings start to grow.

Her mother remarried when her father died (a father she still sees from time to time *wink wink*) and now she's stuck with three brothers. Suze names them after Snow Whites dwarfs because their personality matches. There's Sleepy (the oldest and I believe to be written like he does marijuana), Dopey (same age as her and attractive but not too bright), and Doc (because he's really smart). Doc sometimes helps Suze on her adventures, and he figures out about Jesse pretty quickly. There's lots of humor in it as well, so you'll find yourself laughing in some of the situations she puts herself in.

The series is action packed and written very well. The character development progression is great, I didn't think there were any slow parts in any of the books, her friends are likable, and the cutesy romance doesn't disappoint. You'll get addicted fast, and you're welcome for recommending such a great book. *pats self on back*

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Title: Can You Keep a Secret?
Publication: December 27th, 2005
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets: Secrets from her boyfriend: I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken. Secrets from her mother: I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur. Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world: I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is. Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.…Until Emma comes face-to-face with Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her...

Thoughts:  Emma is having a midlife crisis. She doesn’t love her “perfect” boyfriend, her job is at a standstill, and let’s not forget the spiteful sister making life miserable. She bottles up her feelings until a fateful incident on a turbulent plane ride. She spills all of her darkest secrets to a stranger, then finds out the next day that the man is her companies CEO Jack Harper.

All of the characters in the book are well developed. Everyone has secrets – Emma more than most – and watching her get caught sparks the life she’s been wanting (and at the same time not wanting). Through out the book you see her evolving into a better, mature person. It’s humorous with a tad bit of drama. Definitely a chick lit feel-good read. You really feel for Emma, which means the character is relatable. One of the biggest reasons people like books is to feel an emotion for the characters situation. You certainly have these feelings in this book. Jack is also someone you want to get your hands on. He’s so gorgeous, funny, smart, and successful. Mmmmmm.

Sophie Kinsella is the author of the famous series Shopoholic, which I had no desire to read (shopping isn’t my thing). After reading this book I’m having second thoughts. I would love to follow this author closer, and give this book five stars.

Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase Review + Giveaway! -- INT

Author: Yuu Watase

Title: Absolute Boyfriend

Publication: February 7th, 2006

Publisher: VIZ Media
Reads: Right to Left

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Shy high school student Riiko Izawa aches for a boyfriend but guys just won't look her way. Then one day she signs up for a three-day trial of a mysterious "lover figurine," and the next thing she knows, a cute naked guy is delivered to her doorstep--and he wants to be her boyfriend!

Has Riiko died and gone to heaven? The cute naked guy turns out to be smart, super nice, stylish and a gourmet chef. Plus, he looks like a million bucks.... Trouble is, that's about what he's going to cost Riiko because she didn't return him in time!

Thoughts: Absolute boyfriend is about a high school girl – Riiko – who falls into a situation that involves having a robot boyfriend. She was chosen to help the robot – Night – gain information about how to please women in order for his type to act more human. When Night wakes up, all he wants to do is please her, not caring how *wink wink*. After freaking out (What high school girl wouldn't?) she gives him lessons on reactions, emotions, and how to live a daily life.

Riiko is extremely lovable. She's witty, fun, smart, and independent. Helping Night puts a bit of stress on her, but she deals with humor and looking on the bright side of things. All she wanted was a boyfriend, and now that she got someone with all the qualities girls want, what’s there to complain about? She starts caring for Night, and when women hit on him, she gets fiercely (and adorably) protective. Riiko cares for people, and doesn’t want them to get hurt. Her best friend Soushi confessed his love after Night showed up, so there’s a love triangle in the story as well.

Night… ohhhhh boy. Again, he’s every womans dream. At first he’s very calm, self assured, and not hassled easily. After a while with Riiko, he shows more emotion and tries to please her in different ways then when his system first started. In time he starts caring about her too. Night becomes extremely protective of Riiko and sometimes tries to fight her battles. They both become a team and end up having tons of fun together. It’s a great read for people who want to sit down for a romantic comedy, and there’s only six books in the series so it’ll take you about six hours to read all of them. You’ll love Riikos fierceness and Nights quirky actions. I recommend this book for all comic readers. Absolute boyfriend is one of the most popular Shojo mangas, so get your hands on it while you still can!

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Goddess of the Rose by P. C. Cast

Author: P.C. Cast

Title: Goddess of the Rose
Publication: January 6th, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out 5

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Synopsis:  When modern-day Mikki ends up in the strange Realm of the Rose, Hecate has been waiting for her. So too has her gorgeous guardian beast, who soon has Mikki swooning. But to save the realm, Mikki will have to sacrifice her life-giving blood.

Thoughts: In P. C. Casts 4^th installment of Goddess of Summoning, she tells the tale Beauty and the Beast with the goddess of choice: Hecate. Mikki (aka Beauty) gets sucked into the “Relam of the Rose” by accidentally summoning Hecate. It’s then told that Mikki’s family line gives drops of blood in order to fuel a garden full of the finest roses.

The first thing I’m going to say is: Bestiality. Yes lady and gents, the book has bestiality in it. He’s described as a minotaur (part man part bull), mostly covered in hair, hooves as feet, and blood red horns. Personality I’m not into that kind of stuff, I’m more of a woman/man relationship. The connection between Beast and Mikki is remarkable. Cast writes the story in detail – too much detail sometimes – so you really get a sense of the world she got herself into. The reason why Cast is one of my favorite romance authors is because of her main heroines. They’re always independent, strong, and have attitudes that aren’t wishy-washy. The women always know what they want and have a goal to strive for. You’ll always root for them, and in this book it’s not different. Mikki is a wonderful woman, and the relationships between her and everyone else are sincere, kind, and honest.

Again, the sex scene didn’t do it for me, I skipped over that part... which is sad because they’re my favorite. *sulk* The storyline and character development overcame my sadness of no hot sexyness. Some parts of the book are in a little too much detail (I end up saying “I get it! Move forward please!”) so it lost 1/2 point. I recommend this book if you like Casts other works, but if you’re just starting the romance novel world I wouldn’t start with this one… unless you’re into bestiality. Then go for it.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Title: Twilight

Publication: October 5th, 2005

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 3 out 5

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Synopsis: Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Thoughts: Yes, I’m going to be the person to review Twilight. I read this book when it first came out in 2005. I was 15 years old and hated books. My friend recommended it to me, so I thought “meh, why not?” After reading I was hooked, everything was about Twilight. I tried to get my friends to read it, I couldn’t wait for the next book to come out, yadda yadda yadda.

I just picked up the book last week to re-read it and my view altered. I thought to myself “what changed? I loved this book!” Bella is whiney while Edward is conflicted and it goes on for more than half the book. The reason why most adults don’t like Twilight is because of the target audience. It still baffles me how I can change from loving a book to not want it in my hands again. Then again, I did re-read the fourth book and liked it. So let’s not get too hasty. I also saw every Twilight movie on its midnight release. Hey, it was a tween favorite of mine. *Shrugs*

The reason why I’m writing this review is to be on both sides. Twilight is a good read for girls that are into drama and conflicted love, and women who like to kill time. No, it doesn’t have the best writing. No, it doesn’t have strong characters. Yes, some of Bellas actions are extremely confusing. Yes, the vampires sparkle. This being said: if you’re iffy about reading the book, I think you should watch the movie first because it goes by the plot line. If you like what you saw then read it.

This review is all opinion based so if you disagree with what I’m saying write a comment rebutting your answer. I’d like to hear your side. What appeals Twilight to adults and children? What doesn’t? 

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Publication: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4.5 out 5

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Synopsis: Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 
If I don't kill him first, that is.

Thoughts:  The main character – Katy – is written beautifully. She’s strong willed, fun, doesn’t take crap, loyal friend, and intelligent. Her love interest – Daemon – is the complete opposite. He’s arrogant, rude, bossy, and argumentative. You would think these aspects in a guy are awful (which they are) but it actually makes the story interesting. He will do anything for his family, which is an “awww” moment. Daemon is also extremely hot (so many muscles it will make any girl swoon) and can be charming, which means you can almost forget how bad his attitude is. During the book he warms up to Katy, and you end up loving him.

The plot is semi-slow. You read the same thing over again, such as “He’s so rude and bossy but he’s so hot!” which gets old when it’s written in every chapter. When it comes to the storyline, it rocks. Cute bad-boy alien with charming qualities? Sign me up! I’m personally into the whole “I’m a bad boy but actually good and charming when you get to know me” or “I drive everyone away but not you because you’re different”. Those two statements are in the book, but it’s not the main character development.

You can see both Katy and Daemon grow, which is an aspect that I admire. Again, my personal taste is character development in a book instead of someone doing the same thing without learning consequences or thinking the same thing through out the whole storyline. I don’t want to read the same character traits chapter after chapter! Katy learns from her mistakes and is a better person because of them. She's very relatable and you're definitely going to be team Katy all the way! This book is an entertaining read. I recommend it if you’re into hot and steamy romance. It loses 1/2 point for the repetitive paragraphs.

Wild Card by Lora Leigh

Author: Lora Leigh

Title: Wild Card

Publication: August 26th, 2008

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Genre: Romance

Rating: 4 out 5

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Synopsis: 

A FATAL ESCAPE

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.
A DANGEROUS DESIRE…

Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

Thoughts: This story has an interesting and hilarious plot. Nathan left his home and wife for a mission. Sadly, he got caught and was brutally beaten. When he was rescued, his corpse was so destroyed and had to go under surgery in order for him to have a functional body. A few months later (and after tons of physical training) he was back on the field. Instead of flying back to his wifes arms, he continued to work for the army. Bella, thinking Nathan is dead, morns him for three years. Nathan -- now known as someone else -- had mission that made him go back to Bella. She didn't recognize him because of all the surgery, so Nathan started over.

The story is pretty much Bella talking and mourning her husband in front of her husband. You get a point of view from both of them, and at one point Nathan admits that he's jealous of himself. Bellas love for Nathan is incredible. She's faithful and cares about relationships, which makes me want to hug her for the loss. Even though Nathan doesn't tell her who he really is, the love he has for her is heartwarming. During his time with her, she showed some traits and desires that he never knew she had. He saw a new Bella, and liked it.

The book loses one star for a few reasons. One: I love her faithfulness... it's endearing. The downside is her friends having to hear her complain for her loss for three years. Every time they're together the conversation veers to how she lost the love of her life. I can understand she's sad, but having every conversation end up about him for three years is a bit much. Second: The ending was a weird twist. It's one of the endings where you're like "Where the hell did that come from?" I would like some backstory to why it happened, but you just get random scenes. Otherwise, Wild Card is an entertaining read and will make you laugh.

How to Ruin by Simone Elkeles

Author: Simone Elkeles

Title: How To Ruin (three books in one)

Publication: October 8th, 2006

Publisher: Flux

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: 

One girl

Two guys
Three hot summers

'How to Ruin a Summer Vacation'
Leaving Chicago to go to Israel with her estranged father is the last thing sixteen-year-old Amy wants to do--until she meets handsome but aloof Avi, an eighteen-year-old soldier in the Israeli army.

'How to Ruin My Teenage Life'
Can a guy truly be your boyfriend if he lives in a different country? Avi might think it's possible, but Amy's edgy classmate Nathan wants a chance to prove him wrong...

'How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation'
Signing up for a ten-day boot camp at the Israeli military base where Avi is stationed might not have been Amy's greatest idea--especially since Nathan is there, too.

Thoughts: This three pack book is only sold in Borders, which is currently closed. Now you have to buy them separately. This review is all three together so it'll be fast, fun, and easy!

First off, I have never in my life heard of a Young Adult book that circled around Judaism. None. Simone bases this book on life in Israel, and is very interesting for the people who've never been there or want to learn more. Let's start with the main character, Amy. She's half Jewish, fun, strong willed, stubborn, high-maintenance, and impulsive. If you give her a challenge, she'll take it and wont stop until it's done. She does it without breaking a nail, which is always important to her. In the first book, she's in a type of farmland in Israel, so it's very difficult adapting. Being JAP (Jewish American Princess) where she's spending her "vacation" is impossible, so she learns how to cope in the new environment. Book two is based in Chicago, and three is back in Israel. You get to see Avi's home town in the first book, Amy's in the second, and how both their worlds collide in the third.

Now, let's talk about Avi, also known as "Mr. Extremely Sexy". At first he doesn't hit it off with Amy, seeing her as spoiled (which she is), lazy (which she is), and whiny (which she definitely is). Even though they both had a mutual dislike for one another, they also have a pull that get's them into situations which bring them closer. It's fun to see their feelings grow, and you'll see how they balance each other out. Avi has a calming effect on her, and that's one of the reasons they randomly end up together. He's also known to have an extremely healthy body. Amy narrates, "Avi is wearing black boxer briefs. That's it. His military-ripped bod should be outlawed. He's got a serious six-pack and has muscles in places I didn't even know existed." That's just a little teaser to get you started. How to Ruin has adventure, romance, comedy, teen angst, and morals. It's a definite to-read!

Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy

Author: Dakota Cassidy

Title: Kiss & Hell
Publication: June 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out 5

Website Goodreads | Amazon | BN

Synopsis: 
Delaney Markham doesn't just see dead people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances to make ends meet—that is until one incredibly annoying ghost just won't go away.

Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's going to happen on the first date.

Thoughts: Delaney has had one hell of a life. She can see spirits that always want things from her, and there isn't an off switch. Instead of having a family she's always wanted, she adopts unwanted dogs and treats them like children. Now, let's meet Clyde. Mr. sexy, nice, caring, and all around good person demon that wants to drag her to Lucifer. This wacky adventure leads these two characters learning about life that they haven't found pleasure in. Delaney always had to live with her demons, and Clyde... you have to read that part. They feed off each others energy, and it's super cute. The characters definitely have spark, and they're addicting to read. Clyde is super adorable, and Delaney is just like "Yeah, sure, you're cute, but you'll be cuter if you don't try to bring me down to hell." (which is completely understandable).

The only part that bothers me -- and why I'm taking away one star -- is the language Delaney uses. In almost every sentence she throws the f-bomb, or swears for no reason but to just be crude. Now, I'm all for swear words... you can use them. Whatever, right? This book overuses it, and I felt like I had to skip some parts when she got off on rants. I understand she's pissed off sometimes, but it would be nice if the author toned it down.

Otherwise it's a very nice storyline. If you're a big reader it can definitely be finished in a few hours. You're also introduced to a few other characters that bring comic relief, which balances out the book. The adult content is more steamy than sweet, so be aware of that.