Wrap Up: July

The list of July reviews! I swear, July was overflowing with great reads. :) I love months like that.

Teaser Tuesday (21)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Fierce Dawn (Kindle Loc. 1330-32)
  -Amber Scott

"She could be a changeling and she definitely was in danger. Though it knotted his gut with tension, Elijah knew he couldn't wait any longer. He had to warn Sadie."


Should Be Reading @ Wordpress

Taking Charge

Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?

American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it?

Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He’s tall, dark, hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings - or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

With an ill father, a trailer trash step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Can she start again? Does she really want to? And can two people really fall in love in three days? - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

Let me just say this and get it out of the way: This book was beyond amazing! I loved it and couldn't put it down. After all, I started it last night and finished it about ... five minutes ago. I've never read anything by Mandy Baggot before, but wow! I'll have to add her to my list of favorite authors. Especially if all of her books are as great as this one. 

Taking Charge is a novel aptly named. It focuses on Robyn, a young woman who can't seem to run far enough away from her past. So she does the only thing she can: takes charge. And after everything she's been through, readers will have no issues connecting with her, feeling her pain, and hoping that her life will get better. Just her gumption alone will have readers loving her. Even if she talks way too much, is a little snappy, bossy, and over the top. 

But she's also determined, loving, trusting, and laugh-out-loud-hilarious, even with the baggage she carries around. And trust me, it's heavy baggage. I can't tell you how many times I couldn't stop myself from laughing. 

And the love interest. Mr. Cole Ryan, yummy, hockey-playing scientist who wants to find a vaccine for certain cancer types. Well, readers won't have any problem falling for him either. 

The main thing I loved about this novel was the story line. It had so many twists and turns throughout it that will keep readers guessing as to what's going to happen next and to whom it will happen. All characters are set up against different obstacles. It's great to encounter a book where the author makes the supporting character work just as hard as the main characters.

Taking Charge called upon so many different emotions, it's almost unbelievable how believable the book is. I was blinking back tears, laughing out loud, and feeling the anger begin to boil. Baggot really knows how to evoke feeling from her readers, for all of the characters in the book, not just the main cast. Outstanding. Just outstanding. 

Taking Charge 

on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups

note of source: Sapphire Star Publishing for review

UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale)

Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular and uncoordinated, that is until she saves her crush's life on a field trip, changing her High School status from loser to hero overnight. But with her newfound fame brings misfortune as an old family curse come to light. For Mina is descended from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all of their unfinished fairy tale business. Which includes trying to outwit a powerful Story from making her its next fairytale victim.

To break the fairy tale curse on her family and stop these deadly events, Mina must finish the tales until the very Grimm end. - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

Chanda Hahn rose above all my expectations in her novel, UnEnchanted. It was an unbelievably great book with a leading lady the impressed me with her strength and determination. 

Mina, short for Wilhelmina, is the clumsiest girl ever and she's set up against a lifetime of fairy tales that all want one thing: to beat her. It doesn't help that most people around her think she'll fail, which means death for dear Mina. I was impressed by her strength to dare take on the fairy tales. To break her family curse she must live through over 200 fairy tales. That's enough to make anyone a little nervous. And the worst news: if she does fail, the curse continues on to her little brother. 

I must say I have a lot of respect for Mina. Hahn wrote Mina as such a clumsy, unsure, nobody that it's hard to believe she's willing to attempt to break the curse so she can save her little brother from the same fate. She is the perfect underdog. Readers will love her character, as a whole, and definitely cheer her on as she faces the main villains of certain stories. 

However, there was one aspect of her personality I didn't like. Mina is a strong character, don't get me wrong, but she tends to run away from things too easily. There is a second book in the series and I hope in that one Mina stands tall all of the time, instead of hiding until she has to fight. 

The supporting characters in the novel are wonderful. Nan and Brody are the perfect  people to have on Mina's team. Though, they do tend to lose Mina. Or, perhaps, she just wonders off a lot. Reader perspective. But they do try to help Mina in any way they can and come to her rescue when able. 

As way of plot, Hahn works wonders! I didn't even realize that Mina was already living through fairy tales before she learns of the curse. And I was actually looking for the signs! I caught a couple of them, but still couldn't pinpoint the exact tale she was working through. The way that Hahn writes the story gives readers the chance to guess what fairy tale Mina will find herself in, like a game within the novel. 

Look for Fairest, after reading this book. It's the second in the series. :)

UnEnchanted 

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

WWW-Wednesday (12)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?
 
• What do you think you’ll read next?

01. Currently Reading:
UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale) by Chanda Hahn. Mina Grime has the worst luck. Ever. Clumsy, doesn't even begin to describe her. Then all of a sudden, she's a hero(ine). Add this to some secret family history and let the excitement begin. 


02. Recently Finished:
Tremble by Addison Moore. This is the second novel in the Celestra series and I absolutely loved it. Read it in one sitting, it was that good! Cannot wait until the third one makes it to the top of my TBR list. 


03. Reading Next:
Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot. Robyn keeps running away from her past, but with her father in the hospital, she has no reason not to return home. A novel that questions if going back is the only way to move on. Can I say, super excited? :)

Tremble (Celestra #2)

Sixteen year-old, Skyla Messenger is determined to bring back the dead.

For Skyla, being an angel from the coveted Celestra faction hasn't been easy.

An entire band of wicked angels is after her blood, a Sector is after something far more sinister, and her newfound powers lead her on a quest to save her dead father.

Skyla and her boyfriend Logan try to piece together a plan to take down the Countenance in order to maintain their relationship, but will Skyla's burgeoning feelings for Gage get in the way?

And when Skyla decides to use her powerful blood to change the fate of another deceased soul, just who is going to stop her? - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

It took me a little while, but I finally got a day to read Addison Moore's novel, Tremble. It's the second book in the Celestra series and I devoured it, like a fem. (You'll get it after you read the books...) The first one, Ethereal, was a YA novel that caught me in it's web. If you haven't had the chance to read it, it's quick, easy, and a fun read. (Read my review here)  

I must say, Tremble is definitely better than Ethereal. I like them both, but you can really tell how Addison Moore evolved as an author from the first book to the second. She still writes from Skyla's point of view, which makes everything require a teenage-mindset. But the evolution of Moore means the evolution of Skyla. Both of which are good things. :) 

I'm still not to privy to Skyla, per se. She's still selfish and a little b*tchy, not to mention she can not make her mind when it comes to boys... but she is determined, loving (in her own way), and the filter between the brain and mouth... yep, still not there. Which I'm honestly happy about. 

I am coming to like Gage and Logan a lot more. We learn secrets about Logan in this installment which will blow your mind. And Gage... he's trying to win Skyla's heart. He's such a sweet character, I think that readers can't help but like him, even with his stalker-ish tendencies. 

The plot in this installment is definitely as well thought out as the first and easier to understand. Skyla doesn't jump around too much and actually explains things that need explaining. All the while, Moore intentionally leaves certain things out leaving us all craving more. I absolutely loved learning more about the Counts (evil guys!) and a couple of specific characters that hold that title... 

And I'm off to buy the third book. Happy Reading! :)

Tremble

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Teaser Tuesday (20)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

                                  Tremble (Celestra Series Book 2) Kindle Loc: 4229-33
   - Addison Moore

"Easy for you to say. Your dad doesn't die in a fire over and over each time you visit."

"I know, I know." His eyes oscillate beneath his lids. "Skyla, we need to be careful. We could all burn and it'll be over. We have to do this right."

Should Be Reading @ Wordpress

The Jazz Cage

Prohibition-era mobsters collide with Underground Railroad abolitionists in The Jazz Cage.

It is 1924—sixty years after the South’s victory in the Civil War.

Frank McCluey, bounty hunter for the mob, is sent to help out a wealthy Virginian bootlegger. Frank’s job: track down two female slaves who’ve run away from the millionaire.

But the mob has made a bad choice. Instead of capturing the women, Frank decides to help them escape to Canada, his mission now aided by the pint-sized but steel-willed runaway Della and the outlawed Underground Railroad.

Soon Della and Frank become the target of slave catchers, cops, gangsters, and most chilling of all, a Confederate agent nicknamed the Hound for his ability to always sniff out and kill his prey. - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

In Ray Chen Smith's novel, The Jazz Cage, the history learned in class isn't how The Civil War ended and slavery was never abolished. Now it's the twenties with twisted territories and two young slaves, Della and Cece, are trying to escape their owner. Enter Frank, used-to-be gangster who's determined to do right or die.

The entire novel is like a compilation of scenes from a diary. Smith's writing puts readers directly in the thick of the action. And it never lets up. Readers will feel as if they are living history through the words on the page as the plot line carries them through the South and up into the North, trekking toward freedom with Della and Cece. 

The main thing I loved about this book: the obstacles that Smith put in front of Della, Cece, and Frank. When trouble was catching up with the three freedom searchers, Smith didn't shy away from the situation or cheat his way through. Smith matched up the fugitives and those tracking them, letting it all play out, describing every second of the action. I have to give kudos because the characters ended up in increasingly tight spots all the way until the end. 

And the characters themselves were amazing. Each person had their own problems, past, quirks, flaws, and personality traits. It was astounding to observe the characters, who were so different from each other, interact and work together toward a common goal. Della was definitely my favorite character. She's the woman who doesn't know her own strength but discovers it in her own moment of weakness. I loved her rambunctious personality and her ability to care for others more than herself. 

Although the beginning of The Jazz Cage seemed a little slow, it picks up and races along at dangerous speeds. And after about 3/4 of the novel, I doubt any reader will be able to put it down until the last period. Great, satisfying read. 

The Jazz Cage

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Note of Source: From the author for review

Wuthering Nights

When Heath and Kate meet as children they form a bond that lasts forever. In this magical, modern retelling of a classic novel, Wuthering Heights, Heath and Kate grow up in an unusual family. As teenagers, they discover dark secrets, immortality and everlasting love. By the author of Pride & Princesses, Wuthering Nights is inspired by the classic, gothic novel Wuthering Heights. - Goodreads

*May Contain Spoilers*

Summer Day retells the classic story of Heath and Katherine in her novel Wuthering Nights, adding a vampiric twist that will haunt readers. 

One of the best things about this novel is that it seems to follow the plot line of Wuthering Heights. Summer Day subtly adds the vampire aspect without having it overtake the story line. Day explains that vampires exist because of a gene that is usually dormant. I respect that Day explained how the character came to be a vampire through biological terms. It made the story more believable. 

The characters in the novel are a mix-matched bunch. Some of them readers will like, and others they won't. I liked both Katherine and Heath. They had equally good and bad traits. Both also responded to events based on their emotions, which is more true to life. Especially since Heath is the vampire, reading about how he changed brought reality into the fictitious world Day created. The emotions that rule the characters will be how readers connect with Heath and Katherine, even if they are a little over the top at times. 

I did find certain parts of the novel a bit confusing. Various events happened in two different ways. I'm not sure if this was a writing technique, an accident, or Day trying to stay true to the style of Wuthering Heights. Only the author knows her true intent. I didn't find these mistakes bothersome and I don't really think it took away from the overall story. I honestly enjoyed it and read it in less than a day. 

Wuthering Nights 

on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

WWW-Wednesday (11)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

01. Currently Reading:
Wuthering Nights by Summer Day. A re-telling of Wuthering Heights in which Day creates a new story for Heath and Kate. Apparently it even has vampires. :)

02. Recently Finished:
Maid for Love by Marie Force. Finished this book today after starting it last night. It was wonderful, though a bit naive. But I can look past that for a love story. Adding the next installments of the series to my TBR.

03. Reading Next:
The Jazz Cage by Ray Chen Smith. The author asked me to review this and I'm really excited about it. It's set in the roaring twenties and written as if the South won the United States Civil War. I'm looking forward to Smith's take on how history would have been different had this happened.

Maid for Love

Maddie Chester is determined to leave her hometown of Gansett Island, a place that has brought her only bad memories and ugly rumors. Then she’s knocked off her bike on the way to her housekeeping job at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. He’s back in town to help his father with preparations to sell the family resort and has no intention of staying long.

When Mac accidentally sends Maddie flying over the handlebars, badly injuring her, he moves in to nurse her back to health and help care for her young son. He soon realizes his plans for a hit-and-run visit to the island are in serious jeopardy, and he just may be “maid” for love. - Goodreads Blurb

*May Contain Spoilers*

Marie Force creates a modern fairy tale in her novel, Maid for Love. It's the first book in the McCarthys of Gansett Island series and if the others are as wonderful as this one, I'll no doubt be reading them. 

The main character in this novel is Maddie, whose reputation is scratched and scarred from the rumor mill of Gansett Island, which never seems to slow down. She's a true to life single mother who worries constantly about her son and their financial situation. Readers will be able to connect with her through her wrecked reputation and her desire to either rise above it or escape from it. 

Though never treated the way she deserved, Maddie is still able to walk with her head up. Force wrote her as such a strong character, connecting with her is almost instantaneous. Readers will join Maddie's side, cheering her on as she attempts to let herself feel love. Something she never had a lot of. 

The love interest of the story, Mac, is an unimaginable hero. Readers will witness how finding true love changes him completely. At times, it did seem a little far fetched, with Mac stopping at nothing to bring happiness to a woman he only knew for a day before falling head over heels. But I'm sticking to the "modern day fairy tale" label and loving it. 

Force does a wonderful job with the plot, creating and adverting disasters up to the last page. Readers will questions which disaster will threaten Maddie and Mac the most while watching their relationship strengthen with each obstacle. 

Maid for Love is an endearing love story full of passion and strength. A quick, great read when you're in the mood for a romantic comedy. Highly recommended. 

Maid for Love

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Teaser Tuesday (19)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Maid for Love (The McCarthys of Gansett Island) p.33
     - Marie Force


"Ya know, sometimes life puts things in yer path to show ya where ya belong." Ned fixed his eyes on the marina. "Don't miss what's right in front of ya."


Mac had a sudden vision of the lovely but bitter woman who'd crossed his path earlier in the day and was filled with a profound sense that something huge was about to change.

Should Be Reading @ Wordpress 

Finding Out

Getting dumped on the sidewalk by her live-in boyfriend of seven years and finding he nearly emptied their savings account is the first of Sheila Davenport's problems. At 36, Sheila had thought her life was on track.

Now she's saddled with a mortgage that is about to skyrocket, a psychotic boss, and she has to train someone who is unqualified and just doesn't care about the rules. Life no longer makes sense.


Her friends advise her to date immediately, preferably someone rich and successful, or risk being old and alone. But Sheila's trying to figure out what went wrong and how she got to this place. Since Prince Charming has ruined Sheila's life, who can save her now?

Help comes unexpectedly from her 86-year old neighbor who has had her own share of life's ups and downs. After each get together, Sheila begins to find the strength to put the pieces of her life together while fighting not to lose her head.

Will Sheila succeed at work or walk away? Can she save her home? And why do her friends think their lives are any better?

A story of love found and lost, true friendship, and how the human spirit endures. - Goodreads

**

Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn is a heart-wrenching story of what to do when your life falls apart around you, on the surface. Digging deeper into the plot and characters, readers will notice that it's much more than that. 

MacMunn explores how losing everything can empower you. You know what they say, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." And sometimes it just takes a little perspective. When Sheila's life, literally, falls apart at the seems, she realizes that she has no one to rely on but herself. 

Throughout the novel, readers will see Sheila grow and evolve as a character. Beginning as a woman relying on those around her and ending as a woman who fights for what she wants. As her naivete wears away, MacMunn reveals a very strong female character who doesn't sit idly by watching her life move on without her. 

Perspective comes in the form of an elderly next door neighbor, Ruth, who shares her story of WWII with Sheila. Surviving the war and following her dreams inspires Sheila to re-build her life, one step at a time. As Ruth says, miracles are waiting but you have to find them and make them your own. 

As this is MacMunn's first novel, I think we can all expect more good things from this author. And we, as her audience, will be able to see how she evolves as a writer. In Finding Out there are, of course, a few mistakes here and there, a few less-than-perfect transitions, and maybe even an avoidance of writing how certain obstacles play out. Overall, it's an inspiring novel that relates two women from different eras in a life goal of finding out how to be happy. 

Finding Out

on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

The Transformed

Dr. Robert Newman is a man obsessed--obsessed with the death of his wife from a rare genetic disease--obsessed with finding a cure to save her sister from the same fate. After years of single-minded effort, he has developed a revolutionary gene therapy procedure. Now the most devastating of human diseases can be stopped in their tracks. But within weeks, his discovery has unleashed a deadly cancer epidemic. His life is threatened and everyone he loves becomes his enemy. As he searches frantically for clues, he discovers a long dormant secret hidden within the human genome. 


Dr. Newman realizes that malignant transformation in human cells is not a random event. The marked increase in malignancies has a more horrific explanation. Silent for millennia, Cancer is now awakening as a rationale entity with an agenda of its own. And unless it can be stopped, no one--least of all Dr. Robert Newman--has long to live. - Goodreads 

*May Contain Spoilers*

Oh my scary! The Transformed by Raphael Hirsch is a novel epidemic. The entire book has completely dumbfounded me. The science background that I have has instilled within me a need for explanation, documentation, and theoretical support. Well, Hirsch gives so much more than that. 

The idea that we, as humans, could be sharing our bodies with a parasitic organism that was "created" the same time that we were is unbelievable. Until Hirsch explains it to you, in depth. Dormant for thousands, perhaps millions, of years, it now chooses to come out of the DNA, so to speak, and wage war against humans. 

A plot line like this is so creative and fantastic, I fail to do it justice. I found myself wondering, countless times, how the hell Hirsch was going to jump the hurdles of this plot, and each time I was amazed, and impressed. And the characters, oh goodness. What to say? And I never run out of words... 

The characters are human (until they aren't...) carrying emotional baggage and a hope to achieve their dreams. Bob Newman, one of the main characters, is a ball of tense emotions that he refuses to express. The death of his wife destroyed him and all he can focus on, as a scientist, is curing her disease. Readers will connect with him on the foundation of love and what it does to everyone it touches. 

Ellen is a wonderful, strong female character. Which is more than needed in novel overrun with men. As a med student, she helps Newman and other characters explore their deepest thoughts while pushing them to make the right decisions when faced with absolute human extinction. As a character, she coincides with the motherly role while Newman and his friend, Malcom, face the collapse of the world. She's the support system, cheering them on. A role that is vital in an apocalyptic visionary novel.  

Overall, I think Hirsch's writing style made the novel. He went into just enough eloquent detail that anyone reading this novel will understand it. It was simple and to the point with only key elements included. And trust me, everything in the novel is key. It was an astounding read, even if it did scare the daylights out of me. 

The Transformed

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups