Book Review: Lament

Title: Lament (The Faerie Queen's Deception)

Book 1 of 3 in Books of Faerie

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Paperback, 325 pages

Published October 1st 2008

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand -- one who can see faeries.Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy named Luke who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. But his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. When a sinister faerie named Aodhan shows up with deadly orders from the Faerie Queen, it forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie.  Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.

Deirdre is a brilliant harpist. She has gigs and competitions almost everyday. The only problem is: she hates being in front of people. Aside from that, she throws up before her performances. On the day of a particularly important competition, she has just fled to a bathroom and is starting to throw up when someone holds her hair back and tells her its almost over. 


The strange boy who helped her is Luke; who is actually a guy from her dreams - literally she dreamed of him the night before. As things progress we learn Dee has more power and strength inside than she ever expected and that Luke has some dark secrets. This is only part of the problem for Dee is being hunted for her powers that rival the Faerie Queen's, and the Hunters want to torment and play games with her. 


The only thing that has a chance of stopping the Faerie Hunters is Iron and a strange substance her grandmother made. What happens when Luke tells her he loves her and the same day she gets a text saying that James loves her? Who will she choose? Is Dee strong enough to take on the Faerie Queen and her minions and rule the Faerie world?

Truth is, I kinda liked the story. It's something new compared to those other fairy-infested myths I've read. I had fun with the characters, especially James.  I really liked that about this book it had a great message and that is about the difficult choices one has to go through in life and how those choices make up the person you become.


Looking forward to reading the 2nd book - Ballad; which is about James this time. 

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About this author :

Maggie Stiefvater

New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.


All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

Jumper & Friends

Title: Jumper & Friends
Author: Rebecca Scarberry
ebook
Published September 5th 2014

Jumper, the friendly talking red ball, goes on more great adventures with his owner, Tony Thompson and Bouncy Brianna, Emily’s red ball. They both experience new things like tubing, sailing, and Jumper has a wonderful Christmas.



I love this book, not because my own kids’ names were in the story, (yes, my sons Kyle & Kian are characters here!) but also because the story of Jumper and his friends brought so much joy to those who read it.

Jumper made new friends and enjoyed every minute they’re all together – festivals, sailboat rides, Halloween, Christmas, and yes, even when the thought his friend Bouncy disappeared because the magician “magicked” her, Jumper still had a lot of fun being a red ball.

My kids really enjoyed listening to me when I read them this book. They actually jumped up and down everytime their names were mentioned in the book. It was an awesome experience!

Thanks so much Miss Rebecca Scarberry for this wonderful book, for including my kids’ name and making them friends with Jumper, and bringing unlimited supply of smiles to everyone. I am personally touched by this book. Again, thank you!

Lucky Stars

So for today, my choice for a funny book is the hilariously lovely comedy by Jane Heller - Lucky Stars!

This is a really funny book about the crazy relationship between a mother and daughter. The book was easy to relate to, as i see myself in Stacey's place & my mom on Helen's.

For the Book Description, read below. But in my own simple terms, it is about an upcoming actress or a starlet taking her chances in Hollywood to find fame and fortune and in a twist of fate- her mother gets discovered and becomes very famous. Believe me, this Mother-Daughter Tandem is neurotic!

There are times when i find myself in Stacey's shoes and can't help but be "angry" with my own mom. I loved my mother, really I did. But there are times when she drives me nuts. And I don't mean nuts as in she aggravates me. I mean nuts as in she made the tiny vein in my left eyelid twitch. But I definitely love everything about her..

So if you got time and want a funny moment, I suggest LUCKY STARS and you won't regret it!

I'll rate this book with 4 smiling stars!

Book Description:

Stacey Reiser left Cleveland for Hollywood to pursue an acting career—and to escape her lovable but meddlesome mother, Helen. But her plan backfires when the widowed Helen sells her house and follows Stacey to tinsel town, invades every aspect of her daughter’s world and drives her crazy. As in eye twitch crazy. Insomnia crazy. Acid reflux crazy.

“If only Mom would get a life,” Stacey wishes after her mother has called for the zillionth time that day to nag her about her clothes, her hair, her lack of a wedding ring. “If only she’d get a life and stay out of mine.”

How could Stacey ever imagine that Helen would get a life – the very life Stacey craves? Just as Stacey's career takes a dive, a twist of fate lands Helen in a television commercial that catapults her to stardom. Now it’s Helen who’s the media darling and Stacey who’s the meddler. And while Stacey is hoping for a commitment from her boyfriend, it’s Helen who snares the catch of the century. Or does she? Helen’s new beau isn’t what he seems, and it’s up to Stacey to expose his shady past before it's too late. But it’ll take the acting job of a lifetime to do it, not to mention a whole lot of heart. Lucky Stars is a novel that’s as keenly observed as it is entertaining, and it will have mothers and daughters laughing out loud and nodding in recognition.

The Emperor's Edge

Title: The Emperor's Edge
Author: Lindsay Buroker
Kindle Edition; 197 pages
Published December 2010

Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. 

But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed. Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down.  

Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.

This is one of my favorite steampunk e-book and I actually LOVED it! Lindsay Buroker crafted a master-piece with lovable characters like Amaranthe, Sicarius and Maldynado.


A high fantasy novel in the era of steam - it simply has all the ingredients I am looking for in a story - magic, swordplay, politics, womanfolk and a little bit of romance on the side. The characters - simply amazing! A renegade enforcer (Amaranthe Lokdon), a deadly assassin with a good heart (Sicarius),  an evil & cunning commander (Hollowcrest), a lovestruck emperor (Sespian), a viscious team working in conspiracy (Books, an alcoholic ex-professor; Maldynado, an aristocratic ladies man, and Akstyr, a skeptic young wizard-in-training, who doesn't want others to know that he practices mental sciences)   and another group that is willing to do whatever it takes to take down the empire (Forge).. and don't forget the monsters or creatures that rip out the hearts of its victims!

From start to finish, I was at the edge of my seat, thinking about the strategies that Lokdon and Sicarius had done in order to ensure Emperor Sespian's well being, amidst all the chaos and poison circulating around the palace. Amaranthe Lokdon is a spectacular heroine, quick and witty, full of punk & steam (yeah literally), a little intimidating maybe, but is all business when it comes to protecting the Emperor. She's got a likeable persona even though she keeps on wearing her hair in a bun!

Sicarius, on the one hand, is still a mystery to me - although his relation to the Emperor has been discussed, I still believe that there is more to him than meets the eye. While I would love to see him get all goody-goody & lovey-lovey with Amaranthe, I think that Emperor Sespian and the lady enforcer look better together.

Maldynado, on the other hand, is quite a handful of a character. At first, I didn't really like him at all, but on the succeeding chapters, his humorous character has shifted into someone that can melt your heart and put smile on your lips.. He is truly a ladies man.. I'd love to read more about him on the rest of Lindsay Buroker's  trilogy.

The whole story is fast-paced, deep, a little dramatic in the end and a cliffhanger, too. The action scenes are imaginable (at least, to me!) and the dialogue will certainly never bore you. No dull moment at all.  But there was certainly something amiss in the end..

Where was the kiss?! Hahaha.. Just Kidding..

My bookmark rating for The Emperor's Edge: 5 stars!! An awesome feat! Kudos Lindsay Buroker :)

I already bought Dark Currents. I'll read it very very soon!! I promise!

Neverwhere

Title: Neverwhere
Author: Neil Gaiman
Paperback, 370 pages
Published September 2003

Under the streets of London there is a world of which most people could never dream. When Richard Mayhew accidentally stumbles on this hidden city of monsters, saints, murderers and angels, he is catapulted from a safe and predictable world into one that is eerily familiar yet utterly bizarre.

This is my second Gaiman book, and I can't help but compare it with another children's book, Alice In Wonderland.  Neil takes me to an underworld of doors and creatures I actually never wanted to meet.

The protagonist, Richard Mayhew, as I have mentioned above, was actually like Alice In Wonderland where he embarked on a journey with Lady Door, a girl who can open any door, (of course), locks, windows, even handcuffs. And there he also met two vicious men, Mr. Vandemar and Mr. Croup who would do everything and anything just to get the girl. And there was also an Angel in disguise. An angel holding a deep secret that only Door can unlock.

Neverwhere is a good book. At first, I found the story boring and predictable, but I pushed through it and the second half was entertaining. In the end, everything ties together with mystery and makes you want to keep reading after some really interesting revelations and plot points. I consider the end to be the best chunk of the novel, which is concluded well and inventively, preceded by an unlikely climax.


I'm having a hard time deciding whether to give this 2 or 3 as a rating. But then, since this is a Gaiman story, I believe he deserved 4 stars ****!

Where Angels Go

Title: Where Angels Go

Author: Debbie Macomber
Hardbound, 296 pages
Published: December 2007

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are back! These three irresistible angels love their assignments on Earth. They especially love helping people who send prayer requests to Heaven (even though the Archangel Gabriel, their boss, knows they’re going to break his rules)!

This Christmas, Mercy is assigned to bring peace of mind to an elderly man…who discovers an unexpected answer to his prayer.

Goodness is sent to oversee the love life of a young woman afraid to risk commitment a second time.

And Shirley has the task of granting a little boy’s fondest Christmas wish.

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy go wherever they’re needed. These three charming angels often find themselves in trouble, but somehow things always work out for the best - especially at Christmas.

This was a heartwarming Debbie Macomber trademark book and I was impressed. When I read this book, it is only then that I learned about Shirley, Goodness & Mercy who were already featured in her previous books Now I wanna read them!

Definitely one  of the best angel stories I've ever read. Yes, it's Christmas in August! I love the positive vibes that the three naughty angels have brought to each of those who needed them.

Three prayer requests, three different benefactors - a young boy prays for a pet dog; an elderly man prays for the welfare of his wife when he dies; and a Mother's prayers for her daughter to find true love.

It's a perfect story about Angels, Families and Relationship with God. After reading, three heartfelt lessons were learned - the act of giving, forgiving & loving. Truly, Debbie captured my heart with her "angelic" moments and I can't help but sigh after reading this. Wait, actually, I  cried buckets of tears with this one and I'm not shy to admit it. I really love this book. 

Valley of Silence

Title: The Valley of Silence
Author: Nora Roberts
Hardcover, Large Print, 506 pages
Published November 1st 2006

Having traveled through the Dance of the Gods to the land of Geall, the circle finds themselves convincing then training the people of Geall to defeat Lilith’s vampire army. The Valley of Silence is a forbidding place for the battle of all battles, but the circle continues to prepare through magic and a few early stakeouts that test their strength individually and as a team. 

Moira finds herself playing the roles of warrior and royal, as she follows the tradition of her people and prepares to take the crown before leading them into battle. And if that isn’t enough, she finds her thoughts turning to Cian more often than not. 

So what’s a chaste and intelligent young woman to do when given less than a month with the man she loves, who’s not a man, but a vampire? And how will the people of Geall fare against an army of blood-thirsty vampires who have had centuries to prepare?

Cian, the undead twin brother of Hoyt, must learn how to trust the circle and not let love get in the way, even if he had to work hand-in-hand and face-to-face with the one who made his heart beat after a millennium. The fact that Cian is a vampire and his lover is a fighter of life, complicates matters more. What’s worse is, his kind was the very same beings who have killed the parents of the one he love, Queen Moira.

Since vampires are known to be evil & do not have place in this world, Cian set himself apart from the others. He was the only one of his kind who drank pig’s blood and treated people as friends instead of killing them. He vowed to kill his creator Lilith and perish all her minions and live again for a thousand years, but he had to turn his back on Moira and forget her, even if it broke her heart.

Will there be an end to their suffering? Will Cian ever find love? Will Moira ever move on from her heartbreak?
This is my favorite among the three books. I learned more about Cian and how he came to be, and how his life was changed when he met Moira. The war war that took place in the Valley of Silence was crisp and detailed. I even forgot about the old man who was story-telling in the end.

The twist about Cian is a must read, too!

And yes, I was more than satisfied with the ending – the way a Nora Roberts’ book should be. and honestly, among the three pairs, i liked Cian & Moira’s story the most! so I’m rating this last book with 5 Bookmarks!

Dance of the Gods

Title: Dance of the Gods (Circle Trilogy 2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback, 321 pages
Published October 3rd 2006

Second part of the Circle Trilogy – Dance of the Gods – features the relationship between Blair, the vampire slayer of the 20th century New York and Larkin, the shape-shifter, who belonged to the 16th century Geall.

As the circle of six prepare for their final clash with the dark army of the vampire Lilith, the battleground shifts. In Ireland, a stone circle serves as the portal to another land and an ancient time. 

It is in Geall that all will meet their fates—the sorcerer, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one who was lost. And as their courage is tested, hearts will bond as never before.

Set in the luscious green fields of Ireland, home of the undead Cian & sorcerer Hoyt, and training grounds of the Circle of Six, the warriors met Lora, the cunning French beauty brought up & sired by the evil tyrant, Lilith. When Blair failed to vaporize her on their first meeting, Lora swore to kill her in the end after numerous tries of luring the girl to join the coven. Larkin, the shifter of shapes, flew side by side with dragons in the air to keep Blair away from their nemesis. Two equally strong but hard-headed warriors strove to keep the circle together but can’t keep their hands off of each other, even when faced against the greatest evil of all. Will their love continue to flourish beyond the transcends of time? Who will sacrifice to join the other in the Old World? Who will decide to face the new world in the future?

After a week-long marathon, Nora Roberts never failed to amaze me. This second book is much better than the first one, complete with details of chivalry, tall-tale adventures and passionate encounters of two unlikely beings. I liked the way the author set my mind to a whole new perspective about dragons and sorcery. Ohhh.. Dragons! My weakness!

Blair as a warrior and once-a-hopeful bride, shows prowess and class in the midst of a fight. Larkin, on the other hand, was open & accepting, even to the new & modern things that seemed impossible in his homeland, Geall. PLease forgive when I say that I want to read the next book, Valley of Silence because of Cian, the vampire! I’d love to see more of him and his cunning personality.

Of course, I recommend this book to all who wish to be fascinated with fairy tales, romance & war.. Onto my review of the third book… soon!

Morrigan's Cross

Title: Morrigan’s Cross
Author: Nora Roberts
Mass Market Paperback, 326 pages
Published August 29th 2006

In the last days of high summer, with lightning striking blue in a black sky, the sorcerer stood on a high cliff overlooking the raging sea…
Belting out his grief into the storm, Hoyt Mac Cionaoith rails against the evil that has torn his twin brother from their family’s embrace. Her name is Lilith. Existing for over a thousand years, she has lured countless men to an immortal doom with her soul-stealing kiss. But now, this woman known as vampire will stop at nothing until she rules this world—and those beyond it…
Hoyt is no match for the dark siren. But his powers come from the goddess Morrigan, and it is through her that he will get his chance at vengeance. At Morrigan’s charge, he must gather five others to form a ring of power strong enough to overcome Lilith. A circle of six: himself, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one he’s lost. And it is in this circle, hundreds of years in the future, where Hoyt will learn how strong his spirit—and his heart—have become.

Morrigan’s Cross – the first on the Circle Trilogy - the story of Hoyt & Glenna - the sorcerer & the witch

the Goddess Morrigan tells Hoyt he has a mission that must be completed by him and 5 others:

"There is a battle to be fought, the greatest ever waged. Good against
evil. You must gather the forces."

"You must leave this place and go to another, and another still. Some will
come to you, and some you will seek. The witch, the warrior, the scholar, the
one of many forms, and the one you've lost."

"A circle of six, as strong and true as the arm of a god. When that circle
is formed, others may be formed. But the six will be my army, the six will make
the ring. You will teach and you will learn, and you will be greater than the
sum of you. A month to gather, and one to learn, and one to know. The battle
comes on Samhain" ..

..and so the Goddess Morrigan created the Circle to protect the world from the wrath of the uncanny vampire – Lilith – creator of the undead. But before this happened, Morrigan first called upon Hoyt Mac Cionaoith – the sorcerer of the 14th century to gather up the circle and must time-travel to the present to persuade his twin brother into joining…

But how can this be possible, when the sorcerer’s brother was just like the creature that they are trying to defeat – a Vampire??
I love this book the instant I read about Hoyt strongly facing up against his enemy and sworn to protect his family and bring justice back to his “undead” brother..

Basically, the story started in Ireland over 900 years with the goddess Morrigan calling on a circle of six to stand against an immortal enemy. the tale continues as we are transported to present time and the characters found themselves a little bit pre-occupied with the modern world.

Hoyt struggled dealing with his undead brother and building a circle that would destroy Lilith once and for all. I really loved the spin on the brothers, especially how they were going to form the circle of six and hoped that the war would soon be over. Of course, the love story between Glenna & Hoyt was something that made it even more interesting to read. The first fight scenes went so well, I loved it!

I have read Morrigan’s Cross three years ago, and up to know, it has remained one of my favorite Nora Roberts creation. I actually wished she would write more like this. I enjoyed how she breathe life to her characters. Truly a remarkable talent.

Red Mojo Mama

Title: RED MOJO MAMA

Author: Kathy Lynn Hall

Kindle edition

March 2011

RED MOJO MAMA Synopsis from Goodreads:

 Lydia “Red” Talbot has lost her mojo after three years of mourning for her husband, but not for long. She’s inherited a valuable mobile home park in the Gold Country of California, filled with a cast of eccentric characters. Her plans to sell it and take a world cruise are threatened by a hot handyman, a sizzling story in the rapidly growing town of Nuggetville and the appearance of her husband’s ghost, who has decided to hang around awhile as he searches for his next life.
Boredom sets in as she waits for her fortune to materialize, so she takes a part-time job as a reporter. Fancying herself the community newspaper equivalent of Christiane Amanpour, Lydia uncovers some shady doings by the City Council and a slick land developer. Citizens are bullied and her life is threatened, as she struggles to both expose the crooks and stay emotionally independent of the community of crazies she has been left by her beloved Aunt Esther.
Red is a spunky, smart-alecky thirty-something with more heart than she’d like others to see. She’s absolutely fearless and too honest for her own good sometimes. She’s also torn between love for her dead husband, Mac, and the new man in her life, Joe - handyman and chef.

I definitely love Red :) Oooh.. I suddenly miss my red hair!

Lydia "Red" Talbot got spunk... she's sassy, fierce, dedicated and intuitive. I have learned to love her mobile home as time progressed, especially after I got to meet Joe the Chef.

Red may have mourned three long years after her husband's death, but boy, what a reprieve it was when Joe came along. Sure, Mac (the dead hubby) made his appearances (as a ghost), but Red soon moved on.

Having Joe on her side, she discovered what life has to offer in The Spring, where she inherited a mobile home from her aunt. The place crawled with interesting characters and places you would love to hang out on.

I applaud Ms. Kathy Lynn Hall for a superb book. I am always pleased after reading a well-written story. Sure, I knew beforehand that someone from the higher ranks in the City Council had something to do with her aunt's death, but still, the mystery kept me hooked. I will definitely read the next in the Red Talbot series.

My rating for Red Mojo Mama: 4 stars! ;-)

Sophie's Secret

Sophie's Secret (Whispers #1)
Author: Tara West
Kindle Edition
Published November 16th 2011

After shedding 30 pounds of baby fat, Sophie Sinora has grown into a pretty, but insecure, teen in bloom. To make her life more complicated, Sophie can sometimes read minds. Sophie's BFFs, AJ and Krysta, are also 'gifted' with paranormal abilities. Keeping their gifts secret proves difficult, as their powers are strengthening, making them feel more and more like freaks. When Sophie falls for Jacob, she hopes he'll ask her out to the Freshman Formal. But when she's forced to cheat and lie for him, she wonders how far she'll have to go to make him like her. Add to her growing list of problems - her teacher's suicidal thoughts, a locker bully who wants to kick her butt, the hot school flirt who won't stop teasing her, her pregnant sister who boots Sophie out of her room, and the growing tension between Sophie and her best friends. Sophie's got issues. Hopefully, she can fix them in time to save her teacher's life and her social life.

Sophie's got a secret. You have to read her mind if you want to know it.. Or, is it the other way around?

Yes, Sophie can read minds. And this  gift is getting stronger while she gets older. She's got friends who also have hidden abilities: AJ can see visions and Krysta gets visits from the dead. Together, they get on with their everyday lives, crushing on boys, harboring hidden anger on their moms, pretending that life is rich and glorious like those in Cosmo magazine.


Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book; it was a quick read. But I noticed, at first, there wasn't much characterization and depth on the story. I would have loved to know more how the three girls got their powers. And why their abilities were not fully used. Why was Summer always picking on Sophie and how did Frankie got his "ladies man" reputation when he clearly got his eyes on Sophie alone.

But as I went through the whole book, I was pleased to know that this coming-of-age story is every bit exciting. I liked Sophie's new friend Lara and the ever-loving teacher, Mrs. Stein. I liked how Sophie and her sister finally realized what a dumb@ss their choice of men was. Well, evidently, the author Tara West got my attention with her book. In her next story, I would like to read more about Sophie's other sister and Jacob's fate with Summer. But I don't think I'll get much further with that because Book 2 is about AJ. Yes, I would love to understand AJ and her family more. I'm sure I'll have a good time reading another West story :)

The World of Karov

Title: THE WORLD OF KAROV
(The Children of Demilee)
Author: Elyse Salpeter
Kindle Edition
Published December 2012

Adam and Alec look like identical twins, but their personalities are as different as possible. Adam is gentle and kind, whereas Alec is the essence of nightmares. Always jealous of his twin, Alec does everything he can to destroy his brother’s happiness, including kidnapping Adam’s fiancée on their wedding day and disappearing with her deep into the Canadian mountains. Adam searches for them for months, but he never finds them. Just when Adam is at his most grief-stricken point, a stranger appears and offers him a chance for a new life in a land filled with magic, gems, and powers unimaginable; a world mysteriously led by a special tribe of children who have hidden themselves away from a great evil that is seeking to destroy them. Adam takes the chance and goes with the stranger, but his past is never far from his mind. Eventually, reality comes back to haunt Adam, resulting in a final showdown with his brother…. and this time, only one will win.

I have been reading a lot of stories revolving around twins, the good and the bad, mostly about sisters. There's The Lying Game by Sara Shepard, Entangled by Nikki Jefford, and The Man in the Iron Mask (by Alexander Dumas) to name a few. But the World of Karov is a totally different story. The evil twin, Alec is the very son of the Devil, killing animals, driving his mom crazy, taking away everything that his good twin, Adam loves. Including the one he was supposed to marry.

Adam spent so many months looking for Arianna, the love of his life while his health dangerously failed. Then came a stranger who soon took him to the world of Karov. A world filled with promise, mystery, and a dark future that looms upon Adam's existence. Just when he thought he could fully live the life he dreamed of, his evil twin made it a nightmare.

How much pain does he had to take just to live a normal life? Will he lived to see that happen?

I'd like to say, this is one of those fantasy-themed stories which is dark yet illuminating. The fast-paced approach was riveting, the story depiction was well-delivered and the characters were developed as the tale progressed.

I'd like to give a round of applause to Elyse Salpeter for creating a different kind of world.  I have actually felt the pains that Adam experienced; the joys he had felt, and the sufferings he had undergone. Not a lot of authors have that capability to make their readers feel what their characters actually portray. Bravo, Ms. Elyse Salpeter! Looking forward to reading more of Adam and Alec's tale soon.

The Book of Lost Souls

Title: The Book of Lost Souls
Author: Michelle Muto
Kindle E-book format
Published March 2011

summary from goodreads:

When teen witch Ivy MacTavish changes a lizard into her date for a Halloween dance, everything turns to chaos. And when no one is powerful enough to transform him back except Ivy, it sparks the rumor: Like father, like daughter. Ivy has heard it all before - that her father, who left when she was seven - was involved with the darkest of magic.
Making the rumors worse, someone uses an evil spell book to bring back two of history's most nefarious killers. Ivy's got a simple plan to set things right: find the real dark spell caster, steal the book, and reverse the spell. No problem! But she'll have to deal with something more dangerous than murderous spirits that want her and her friends dead: the school's resident bad boy and hotter-than-brimstone demon, Nick Marcelli. Nick's offering Ivy more than his help with recovering the missing book - he's offering her a way to ditch her scaly reputation as a lizard-lover. Demons are about as hard to handle as black magic, and as Ivy soon discovers, it's going to take more than a lot of luck and a little charm if she wants to survive long enough to clear her status as a dark witch, get a warm-blooded boyfriend, and have her former date back to eating meal worms before the week's end. 

Meet the Regulars or the humans and the Kindreds or the supernaturals. These beings keep the town of Northwicke peaceful and in order. Until teenage witch Ivy turned her friend's pet lizard, Spike, into a human, just to make her crush Dean get jealous. Spike soon got away and never wanted to be turned into a lizard again. That's when no one wanted to get involved with her. And everyone thought she was just like her father - evil.

But Ivy has her best friends by her side. The vampires Raven & Gareth, and the werewolves, Bane & Shayde. Together they got entangled on a web of mystery and witchcraft. Together, they had to make sure that Spike, the lizard boy, in order to bring him back to his original form. And together, they had to clean up a cemetery as part of their punishment. That's when two mysterious books appear from under a tree. The books 1001 Quick Recipes and A Botany of Spells, Magic for the Garden. Although these books seemed harmless, the other one was The Rise of the Dark Curse, by the name itself, is definitely a book of pure black magic. However, it was obvious to Ivy that there was still one book missing. And that was the most dangerous book of them all - The Book of Lost Souls.

Suddenly, a murder happened in Northwicke. And then a couple of dead people had risen, wrecking havoc and causing the murders in the once peaceful town. Soon Ivy's life has turned to worse.

However, there was one hot demon named Nick who was willing to help. Was he really into Ivy, or did he have a hidden agenda? How about Dean? Would Ivy get a chance with him?

I actually found this story fun to read. The characters' personalities were greatly detailed and the history of their names were even discussed. I love the mystery surrounding the books and the people or the supernaturals who were holding them. And the voices that we hear when the books are being opened - creepy!

Michelle Muto knows how to keep her readers interested and engaged. The story may seem a little predictable, but in a good way. I actually found myself smiling because the banter between Ivy and Nick was catchy and fun! Like this one:

Ivy asked, " What do you want, Nick?"
The corner of Nick’s mouth eased into a grin that made Ivy’s insides somersault unexpectedly. “You,’ he said without breaking eye contact.”

Oh! I feel like  I'm in high school again.. Whew!

My rating for Michelle Muto's Book of Lost Souls: 4 bookmarks!

Hoping to read more about Ivy MacTavish soon!

The Willows: Haven

Title: Haven (The Willows #1)
by Hope Collier

Paperback, 284 pages
Published October 14th 2011

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.
Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?

Pardon me for not posting this review as soon as I read the book. I actually finished this a year ago, but I was too caught up with lots of books and reviews that this particular one has been sitting on my Draft list for three months. Good thing, my son, Kyle was with me when I was reviewing some books and he noticed this wonderful book cover. He said, hey mom, isn't this the one you read before, the one that has my name on it? And there I was, nodding to him and thanking him for helping me out! Soon I was reminiscing about Ashton and her magical realm.

First, let me just say that this had been a very  enthralling book. It's actually my first time to read a story focused on dryads and Naiads; I didn't even know what they were. But I have heard about this mythical creatures in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books. At least I had an idea when I read The Willows: Haven.

I love how the author Hope Collier created a story about love for family, friendship, loyalty, and acceptance. I was instantly drawn to Ash the moment she left her birthday party and ditched her boyfriend. The main characters,  Ashton, Gabe and Kevin, as well as Kyle, were the main reasons why i couldn't put the book down. It's as if I was transported into their world and I have no intention of getting out because theirs is a magical and captivating.

I hope to continue reading their adventures soon. And I am looking forward to more stories to be catered by Hope Collier. :)

Entangled

Title: Entangled (Spellbound #1)
Author: Nikki Jefford
Kindle Edition; 303 pages
Published February 20th 2012

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.
Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.
The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.
Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

I got this book immediately after the finale of The Secret Circle was aired on TV. I have this thing for witches, warlocks and the sorts, that's why I was kind of sad when The CW network announced that The Secret Circle was cancelled. Good thing, a friend of mine suggested Entangled, where I could enjoy reading about witches and bitches. And bad boys too! Oh Boy! I was spellbound!

Get this... Twin sisters; both are witches, GrayLee and Charlene, total opposites -  the other wanted to jump off from the roof but flew; the other died mysteriously because of SUDS (Sudden Death Syndrome)...

The other girl resurrected but had to be alive every other day - using her other twin's body.. Freaky right? It was and it was full of twists! Twin life has never been this so much.... entangled!

OKay, so it was like a battle of the good twin versus the bad twin. Only they could communicate with each other through letters. Because they cannot see each other, they are unable to slap each other.. Ha ha ha.. Their friends and boys are mystified with their behavior, especially since the other one was supposed to be dead. I love how the author Nikki Jefford build Gray's character. But I would want to know what goes inside Charlene's minds when she did those dark magical stuffs.. I want to understand why she had to resort to doing those crazy spells and incantations - what.. just because of a boy who gropes her butt whenever he has the chance? Ugh! I wanna punch Blake in the face whenever he did that.. Double Ugh!

Anyway, before I get carried away, I am making sure that by September I'm gonna read Book 2 of the Spellbound series, entitled Duplicity. I learned that Graylee finally got her own body - not one but two! OMG!!!

This series is much better than The Secret Circle. Kudos to Nikki Jefford for creating this one-of-a-kind spellbinding tale. Can't wait to read more! :)

I'm awarding 4 (stars) bookmarks for Entangled.. Well deserved :)

Blood Debt

Title: Blood Debt
(Touched series # 1)
Author: Nancy Straight
Kindle Edition; 304 pages
Published July 2012

Her whole life, it had just been the two of them. Before her mother’s last breath, she gave Camille the information she had craved her entire life: the identity of her father. Daring to contact him, Camille was welcomed by an entire family she never knew existed. But nothing comes without a price, as she discovers when her family claims a legendary heritage tracing back to a centaur touched by Zeus. 

As she learns the secrets of her Centaur bloodline, she is drawn into a forbidden love with Drake. Her life may be the blood debt required to pay for her mother’s transgressions. The same person who once held her mother captive, and forced her into decades of hiding, now controls Camille. Her only chance is to seek a piece of her mother’s past that will win her freedom and the life she desperately wants.

Let me just say that I absolutely love this book!

When Nancy Straight first announced on Goodreads that she was having a contest for the title of her series about a bloodline that goes way back to the time of Zeus, I was excited.

At first I was thinking of the title The Centaur Bloodline, but I felt like, the title might already reveal the mystery of the story, so  I agreed with the others that Blood Debt would be a perfect title. To me, it sounded mysterious enough :)

Truth is, I haven't read any book touching a topic about centaurs (well, except for the Percy Jackson series but that was a children's book and centaurs there were of the minority) so I was ecstatic about Straight's concept that I made sure of getting the book once it got released on amazon. And of course, I was not disappointed. I couldn't put the book down! It's definitely a page-turner!

The story began with Camille and her dying mom where she learned about her long lost father ten minutes before her mom's last breath. Cami soon embarked on a journey to finding her real father and found out that she actually have, not one, but five attractive brothers. I really enjoyed the characters especially the Strayer brothers and their strong kinship with their step sister Camille. When I noticed how they were more than willing to welcome her in their threshold, I got this strange feeling that something was up. And there's Gretchen, the family's matriarch who was so sweet and accepting;  and that's when I realized I didn't want to put my Kindle down until I finished the story.

I thought I would hate Gage, the man who was supposed to be Cami's future husband, but I was wrong. I actually liked him. And there's mysterious Drake! Cami and Drake seems to belong with each other, but I cannot really say that they're gonna end up together because there's still a second book to watch out for. I would love to see Cami get her Centauride powers 'cause that would definitely be a kick!  I am also definitely intrigued with the other characters, like Gage and Bianca, Daniel and grandma Zandra and I am excited to read more about them and how they would fare on the sequel Blood Ties.

Once again, Nancy Straight created a masterpiece! I loved her previous series (The Destiny series) and I am sure that Touched would be a bestseller too.

My rating for Nancy Straight's Blood Debt: 4 bookmarks!!

Vive La Paris

Title: Vive La Paris
Author: Esme Raji Codell
Hardcover; 210 pages
Published October 2006

Taken from the back cover of the book:

Paris has come for piano lessons, not chopped-liver sandwiches or French lessons or free advice. But when old Mrs. Rosen gives her a little bit more than she can handle, it might be just what Paris needs to understand the bully in her brother's life...and the bullies of the world.  

This companion novel to the award-winning "Sahara Special" is an affecting look at what it means to be your brother's keeper, and how we hold onto hope when the world seems dark. (Rose-colored glasses optional.)

I had an exceptionally great experience reading this book. I learned a lot about Paris and the Holocaust.

Paris is a special black girl who is living in New York, aspiring to go to the City of Love one day. She and her brother Michael took piano lessons from Mrs. Rosen - a Jew, who taught her not only about keys and high notes, but also about life. Eventually, Paris learned about the Holocaust and became saddened, but in the end she bounced back and made good about her discovery.

The book also relates to us the value of acceptance in order to make new friends. It also touches on racial discrimination and personal responsibility. Esme Codell did a great job in reminding me about how we see the world through other people's eyes - and yes, through rose-colored glasses too!

My rating for Vive La Paris - 4 bookmarks :)

The Shop On Blossom Street

Title: The Shop On Blossom Street
Author: Debbie Macomber
Paperback; 416 pages
Published May 2005

This is another Debbie Macomber book that I couldn't put down. I'm a sucker for family-related stories and with this one, I ended up with tears on my eyes, not because of loneliness but because of the warmth and love depicted on the story.

By the way, here's the summary at the back cover of the book.

Four lives knit together ...
There's a little shop on Blossom Street in Seattle called A Good Yarn. You go there to buy knitting supplies and patterns -- and now it's offering a knitting class. The first lesson: how to knit a baby blanket.
For owner Lydia Hoffman, the shop represents her dream of beginning a new life free from the cancer that has ravaged her twice. A life that offers a chance at love ... and maybe marriage.
Jacqueline Donovan is stuck in a marriage that has dwindled into an arrangement of separate rooms and separate lives. She disapproves of the woman married to her only son, but if she knits a baby blanket, she can at least pretend to like her pregnant daughter-in-law.
For Carol Girard, the baby blanket brings a message of hope as she and her husband make a final attempt at in vitro pregnancy.
And tense-looking Alix Townsend -- that's Alix with an "i" -- is learning to knit her blanket for her court-ordered community service project.
Brought together by an age-old craft, these four women make unexpected discoveries -- about themselves and each other. Discoveries that lead to love, to friendship and acceptance, to laughter and dreams.

Interestingly, The Shop on Blossom Street is the first in the Blossom Street series and it deals with knitting. It also deals with a woman who is surviving cancer and striving with her life after her father's death. She gets a scare when the cancer may have come back and she finds out who is truly there for her. The development of her relationship with her sister's characters had a great impact on me.

There are 4 women, thus four stories, with Lydia and her yarn shop (the tie that binds the stories together) at the center. Each woman has their own crisis and are very different from each other. Yet, they all become friends and learn to support and receive support from each other.

It was awesome for a feel good story. It's a romance book, but not a bodice ripper. The women are complex, have issues, and you can see why they made the choices that landed them in the position. Somehow, I got into the lives of the 4 main characters. I look forward to reading the next book and learning more about these 4 women.

My rating for The Shop On Blossom Street: 3 Bookmarks!

Winter Rose

Review # 34
Title: Winter Rose
Author: Patricia McKillip
Paperback, 262 pages
Published May 1997


This is the last book I'm reading for the month of August. 


Rois and Laurel are two very different sisters. The story follows Rois, the wild girl who feels at home outdoors. Both girls become fascinated with a man named Corbet. 


Corbet Lynn is a young man who has come to claim his inheritance, the Lynn hall. He soon charms the town, mostly by his hiring of the workers to help rebuild the home. However there are also rumors of the curse that Niall left his son with (Corbet's father) as he died. It was suspected that Corbet's father killed Niall and ran off though it could never be proved. 


Soon, Rois becomes tangled in enchantments and mystery as she seeks to rescue the man she and her sister both love.


The book has this fantastic drama, which could make it almost realistic fiction but McKillip throws in fey mythology. The woods are truly a home the the fey and Corbet may have returned from that other world, not simply another city.


It is an exciting and engaging novel. Rois is a pleasure to read and the romance between Rois, Corbet, and Rois's sister Laurel adds a great twist. 


My rating for WInter Rose: 3 bookmarks :)

Pretty Little Liars

Review # 31
Title: Pretty Little Liars
Series 1-8
Author: Sara Shepard
Hardcover, 286 pages
Published October 2006

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic, sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

I first learned about Pretty Little Liars on TV, when I was browsing through various channels and then I saw Toby Cavanaugh and Teacher Ezra Fitz on one episode. They were rather cute! A week had passed and my colleague, Anneth, told me that her superfriend had been asking her to watch PLL and she asked me if I knew about the series. Honestly, I've only watched 1 episode but it intrigued me.

Together, we Googled more about PLL and I learned that it was based on a book by Sara Shepard. Being a bookworm that I am, I immediately tried finding copies of PLL and its other 7 books on the Internet and happened to find a site for E-books. I was so thrilled when it had 8 books and so I downloaded them.

And then my addiction to Hannah, Spencer, Emily & Aria had begun. Intriguing plot - 5 friends, the queen bee went missing and then got murdered, suddenly her other 4 friends began receiving anonymous texts, emails and letters from A.. and their lives were never the same again.

I was just dead-tired when I've finally finished reading the eight books. 8! mygosh.. The Liars have come a long way.. It's only on Book 8 that I discovered who the real A is.. and who the real murderer was. Although I didn't expect the twist, I was a little bit disappointed with the outcome.

Anyway, my rating for Pretty Little Liars and the rest of the books - collectively - 3 bookmarks!