MELT by Selene Castroville

October 30, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

MELT by Selene CastrovilleMelt by Selene Castrovilla
Published by WestSide Books on 2011
Pages: 328
Source: Publisher

Reviewed by Dani

Tells in alternating chapters of prose and free verse what happens when privileged, sixteen-year-old Dorothy falls in love with Joey, an abused teenager with a violent past.

Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?
Melt was an amazing read, I think It’s one of my new favorites for this year. The prologue of this book was so gripping after I read it I could not put this book down. We were first introduced to Joey, a teen that has a bad reputation and a bad situation at home. Then there’s Dorothy, the sweet girl who’s new to town. When Joey and Dorothy are together they have this amazing chemistry that just clicks. The book has two points of view Joey’s and Dorothy’s. Joey’s point of view was so heart breaking I felt like I was there with him seeing what he saw. I loved Dorothy’s point of view too but I just preferred Joey’s. The writing is amazing I felt like I was there with the characters. I had so many emotions while reading this book. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it!
Filed Under: Reviews

BITTERSWEET SIXTEEN
Lexi Witcher

October 17, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

BITTERSWEET SIXTEEN Lexi WitcherBittersweet Sixteen by Lexi Witcher
Series: Dodie Jenks #1
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on 2014-02-22
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 252
Source: Publisher
Goodreads

Reviewed by Dani

A 300 year old curse... Bernadette's Curse Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. In the 1700s, Bernadette loved young Walter Doherty more than life itself, but when he chose another to be his bride, she vowed on his wedding day that the union would be cursed forever and that if a daughter was born unto them, the eldest would know her fate upon her sixteenth birthday and every generation afterward. 30 days to live... Dodie Jenks is your typical teenager until she learns of the three hundred year old curse that will claim her on her sixteenth birthday. She doesn't want to believe this is her fate, but what if it's true? Visiting a seer does no good. She's warned to not try to break the curse. Her family struggles to keep her alive, but none of them are prepared for what lies ahead. One Hot Warlock... Leopold. A powerful warlock seeking to regain acceptance by his coven agrees to help Dodie and her family try to break Bernadette's Curse. At eighteen he's a college graduate and a social outcast. He's awkward around others, but somehow he and Dodie connect on a personal level as he works to keep her alive.

Dodie is a typical teenager until her family tells her that she is destined to die at 16. One of Dodie’s distant relatives did something to get a curse put on the oldest daughter and every generation afterward. Now Dodie has to suffer the consequences. Dodie’s family hires a warlock, Leopold in an effort to escape the curse. Dodie and Leopold had an awkward and cute relationship I liked it. I really enjoyed this book. After finishing the book I’m still not sure who can be trusted and who can’t. This book left off on a cliff hanger and I would definitely read the rest of the series.

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TORTURED SOULS
Kimber Leigh Wheaton

October 17, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

TORTURED SOULS Kimber Leigh WheatonTortured Souls by Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Series: The Orion Circle #1
Published by Sea Dragon Press Genres: Young Adult
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Reviewed by Dani

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.
When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim. But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul. Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

Tortured Souls is about a girl named Kacie who can see ghosts. Kacie finds out she’s not the only one when Logan sees a spirit following her. Logan then introduces Kacie to the Orion Circle a group of students at her school that are supernatural hunters. Kacie feels at home with the group but there is still a spirit after her and she has to stop it before it claims her body. I really enjoyed this book. It was creepy at times but it was a fun read. I liked the relationship between Kacie and Logan, he was always there for her and supporting her. I also liked the members of the Orion Circle. The one thing I didn’t like was when Kacie would be immature about some things. I’m looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

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THE DIAMOND THIEF
by Sharon Gosling

October 17, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE DIAMOND THIEF by Sharon GoslingThe Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling
Published by Capstone on 2014-10-01
Genres: Action & Adventure, Historical, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher
Goodreads

Reviewed by Dani

No-one performs on the circus trapeze like 16-year-old Remy Brunel. But Remy also leads another life, prowling through the backstreets of Victorian London as a jewel thief. When she is forced to steal one of the world's most valuable diamonds, she uncovers a world of treachery and fiendish plots.

Remy is a trapeze artist by day and jewel thief by night. Remy is sent by her boss to steal a diamond from the Tower of London. But someone else is already there trying to take the diamond for himself. While trying to hurry, she accidentally swipes a copy of the diamond from the coat of a detective. The detective, Thaddeus Rec, is accused of stealing the diamond for himself. Thad ends up losing his job over this. Remy and Thad team up to find the real culprit, to clear Thad’s name. The Diamond Thief is a fun and enjoyable book. I loved the premise and the characters. I would read the sequel.

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Filed Under: Reviews

TRISTANT AND ELIJAH by Jennifer Lavoie

October 17, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

TRISTANT AND ELIJAH by Jennifer LavoieTristant and Elijah by Jennifer Lavoie
Published by Bold Strokes Books on 2014-07-15
Genres: LGBT, Young Adult
Pages: 264
Source: Publisher
Goodreads

Reviewed by Dani

Tristant Whitfield has had a secret crush on straight Elijah Cambridge since the start of high school. He’s okay keeping his distance, but when Elijah starts visiting him at work and bringing his favorite coffee, Tristant begins to wonder if there’s something more there. Then Elijah uncovers a scandalous old letter from Tristant’s great uncle tucked away in a book, and the two boys begin a journey through journals and letters to discover the real Uncle Glenn and the secrets he hid from his family. And Tristant realizes that Elijah has been hiding something as well. A secret that just might change everything.

Tristant and Elijah is a story about Tristant an out teenager and his straight crush Elijah. When Tristant finds a letter in his great uncle’s belongings, Tristant and Elijah become determined to uncover the secret Tristant’s uncle was hiding. This book has a slight mystery, but the end result was amazing. I loved the relationship that Tristant and Elijah had. I would recommend this book to my friends.

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Filed Under: Reviews

GIVEAWAY! GET EVEN by Gretchen McNeil

September 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

GIVEAWAY! GET EVEN by Gretchen McNeilGet Even by Gretchen McNeil
Published by Harper Collins on 2014-09-16
Genres: Death & Dying, Emotions & Feelings, Friendship, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Reviewed by Dani

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars in Gretchen McNeil’s witty and suspenseful novel about four disparate girls who join forces to take revenge on high school bullies and create dangerous enemies for themselves in the process. Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot have nothing in common—at least that’s what they’d like the students and administrators of their elite private school to think. The girls have different goals, different friends, and different lives, but they share one very big secret: They’re all members of Don’t Get Mad, a secret society that anonymously takes revenge on the school’s bullies, mean girls, and tyrannical teachers.When their latest target ends up dead with a blood-soaked “DGM” card in his hands, the girls realize that they’re not as anonymous as they thought—and that someone now wants revenge on them. Soon the clues are piling up, the police are closing in . . . and everyone has something to lose.

I can't even explain how much I loved this book. I think I have a book hangover, I can't stop thinking about this book. Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot are all apart of Don't Get Mad a group that gets revenge on people they think deserve it, like bullies. When one of their targets end up dead everything gets turned upside down. Someone wants their own revenge on the girls and they don't know who it is. I finished this book in two days I could not put it down. In Get Even you see things from each of the girls point of view so you won't get bored. Each of the girls live very different lifestyles and it's interesting seeing things through each of their eyes. I loved the characters even though the girls are different I felt like I could relate to each one of them. My favorite thing about this book is that they're all in DGM but when things get crazy they realize they don't know each other as well as they thought they did. Get Even had the biggest cliff hanger. Gretchen McNeil is a genius! I will definitely check out some of her other books, I can't wait until the sequel Get Dirty comes out! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers.

 

In honor of GET EVEN’S release today. Reading in Wonderland will be giving one lucky ready some swag. Author Gretchen McNeil graciously sent some swag for us to share with our readers!

To enter for the swag leave a comment below for extra entries like our Facebook page & Twitter page. Leave the extra links in your comment.

arock_bright&merry_elements_owlstickers (5)

 

 

Xoxo,

Miranda

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

POPULATTI by Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper

September 15, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

POPULATTI by Jackie Nastri BardenwerperPopulatti by Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on 2014-05-02
Genres: Girls & Women, Young Adult
Pages: 338
Source: Publisher

Reviewed by Dani

Getting in is hard. Staying in is harder... Joining social network Populatti.com let sixteen-year-old Livi Stanley trade her awkward middle school past for the social life of her dreams. Because Populatti isn't just a social network. It's a club, providing access to friends. Parties. And Livi's crush, star baseball player Brandon Dash. Yet lately, online rumors have been threatening Livi's place in the group. And not even her friends are doing much to stop them. Leaving Livi to prove them wrong, and fast. Before her life as a popster is over. Visit www.populatti.com for more!

Livi is the perfect example of a typical teenager, who is going through the daily struggles of school and life. I relate to Livi and I’m pretty sure a lot of girls in middle and high school can to. I loved this book Livi is a main character any girl can relate to. When rumors about Livi start circulating on Populatti the drama starts. Of course Livi becomes upset especially when her friends don’t want to be around her, because of these rumors. I’ve had this happen to me before so I knew how Livi felt. The book deals a lot with social media, which helps Populatti become more relatable.   A lot of teens are on social media and could probably relate to the things that happen in this book. Populatti was a quick read and I’d recommend it to my friends.

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Filed Under: Reviews

THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES by Jeaniene Frost

September 10, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES by Jeaniene FrostThe Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost
Published by HQN Books on 2014-08-26
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

Reviewed by Dani

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate. Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her. Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…. The first in a stunning new series, this is New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost at her dazzling, inventive best.

Ivy didn’t have the easiest of childhoods. She grew up believing she was crazy. She had visions of parallel realms of existence. It didn’t take her long when she was a child to figure out she was the only one seeing these things. Her adoptive parents took her to Dr. after Dr. Her one true supporter was her sister Jasmine. When Ivy’s sister Jasmine goes missing Ivy decides to go looking for Jasmine. As Ivy is searching for her sister, she finds herself in trouble and fighting for her life. She than meets her handsome, rescuer Adrian. When she first meets Adrian he wouldn’t answer any of her questions but Ivy soon learns that Adrian and her are descendants and are the last in their line. There’s a lot of attraction between Adrian and Ivy but Adrian tries to fight his feelings because its in his destiny to betray her. This book was a fast read, it ended with a cliffhanger so I plan on reading the sequel when it comes out.
 
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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: ,

ETERNAL NIGHT
by Carina Adly Mackenzie

September 10, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

ETERNAL NIGHT by Carina Adly MackenzieEternal Night by Carina Adly MacKenzie
Published by The Studio, a Paper Lantern Lit imprint on 2014-08-26
Genres: Action & Adventure, Legends, Myths, Fables, Young Adult
Pages: 334
Source: Publisher
Goodreads

Reviewed by Dani

There are gods among us... Six young gods are hiding in plain sight among mortals, living secretly in cities across the world. From lavish penthouse soirees to pulsing underground clubs, for them, the party literally never ends. Until now. On a hot June morning, the body of a beautiful girl is found floating in the rooftop pool of the Jefferson Hotel, her white-ink tattoos revealing the story of a life much longer than seems possible. Only the immortals know the truth: Nadia was the goddess of hope. Now she’s gone, and the world as they know it is ending. The Hudson River has turned blood red. Storms rage overhead. Mania is rapidly spreading across the globe. It is up to the remaining gods—Lola, Dean, Weston, Mark, Nike and Peitha—to put aside centuries of betrayal and heartbreak, and stop the mysterious source of darkness that is taking over… before the sun sets forever.

I loved this book! This book has six points of views, one from each of the Gods. It wasn’t confusing at all.  It helped to know everyone’s perspective on what was happening. The book revolves around six main characters which includes Lola, Dean, Mark, Weston, Nike and Peitha who are all Gods. Most of them live in New York City among the mortals. When a girl is found dead in a roof top pool at a hotel all chaos breaks out.
 
 
The Gods and the City are faced with plagues that are taking over that they believe to be the chain reaction of the girl’s death. They soon figure out it is Nadia the Goddess of Hope. The Gods deal with a lot of conflict, love and tension once they find Nadia dead. Nadia was the last descendant of hope, without her they don’t know what will happen. However, they have to try and stop the world from going into eternal darkness by the demons they now face. This book has a lot of action and romance. There were a lot of dramatic twists and turns of events. The ending came as a surprise that I was not expecting. Over all, I thought the book was great and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read about mythology and fantasy.
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Filed Under: Reviews

DARK TIDE by Greg Herren

August 21, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

DARK TIDE by Greg HerrenDark Tide by Greg Herren
Published by Bold Strokes Books on 2014-09-16
Genres: LGBT, Young Adult
Pages: 264
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Reviewed by Dani

For Ricky Hackworth, a summer job to save money before he leaves for college is a necessity. When he lands a job as a lifeguard at the Mermaid Inn in Latona, Alabama, on the beautiful Gulf Coast, it’s like a dream come true. But once he moves into the Inn, he starts hearing stories about the lifeguard from the previous summer…and how he vanished without a trace right in the middle of the summer. Before long, Ricky realizes the Inn and the town are hiding some dark secrets…secrets someone is willing to kill to protect, and Ricky has to find out the truth before he, too, vanishes without a trace.

DARK TIDE started off good. I was excited to read about a mystery. Ricky decides to get a job in Latona as a lifeguard to make some extra money before he goes off to college. On his first day, Ricky discovers that the last lifeguard who worked at the inn went out one night and just disappeared. Ricky decides to take it upon himself to figure out what happened to the last lifeguard. The book was going well until 70% through the book when I got a bomb dropped on me. The plot twist that occurred surprised me, and then it made me a little angry. I wasn’t expecting it and it kind of ruined the book for me. The ending was kind of abrupt.

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Filed Under: Reviews