Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.~Goodreads~
I loved this book. The characters, the plot, the romance. I'm pretty sure why I liked it so much. It definitely has a Twilightish feel to it, and I am a huge Twilight fan. It actually has a lot in common with Twilight, but Patch is definitely not Edward. Patch is a bad boy, and I have to say, I love this bad boy. He was cocky, blunt, and I loved how he made Nora so uncomfortable sometimes with some of the things he told her.
I believe this is Becca Fitzpatrick's debut novel, and I can't wait for the sequel. I want to find out more about Patch, and his troubled past. Also, there is still a villain lurking around, and I can't wait to see how that gets wrapped up. The end doesn't really leave you hanging, but it still leaves a few unanswered questions. Anyway, great read for anyone who likes Twilight. That's all I can really compare it to, so I know you will either love it or hate it!:) I recommend this book to teens 16 and up. Although there were no sex scenes, there was some innuendo throughout the book. Nothing too strong, but I still wouldn't let a younger girl read it.
*Cover Comments: LOVE the cover. Fits the book perfectly of Patch "falling". Love it!
Grade: A
Rating: 1,3,2

Next book in series:
Crescendo: Release Date: October 30, 2010

The Visions of Ransom Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure

Youthful beauty, naïve innocence, a romantic imagination thirsting for adventure-an apt description of Vaden Valmont, who would soon find the adventure and mystery she had always longed to experience-in the form of a man. A somber recluse, Ransom Lake descended from his solitary concealment in the mountains, wholly disinterested in people and their trivial affairs. And somehow, young Vaden managed to be ever in his way-either by accident or because of her own unique ability to stumble into a quandary. Yet the enigmatic Ransom Lake would involuntarily become Vaden's unwitting tutor. Through him, she would experience joy and passion the like even Vaden had never imagined. Yes, Vaden Valmont stepped innocently, yet irrevocably, into love with the secretive, seemingly callous man-Ransom Lake. But there were other life's lessons Ransom Lake would inadvertently convey to her as well. The darker side of life-despair, guilt, heartache. Would Ransom Lake be the means of Vaden's dreams come true? Or the cause of her complete desolation?~goodreads~
What better way to start off the month of love than with a good romance? I am a sucker for good clean romances, and Marcia Lynn McClure does NOT disappoint. I've read two other books of hers, and I think this one is my favorite so far. I loved the main character Vaden, and the hero Ransom Lake. I think the author did a great job creating chemistry between the two, even with a simple touch or look. I love stories like that, where you can just tell how they feel about each other from a simple sentence.
The story pulled me in, and I just had to keep reading to find out how it ended. I have a feeling I need to get an interview with this author! If you are looking for a clean romance writer, look no further. Marcia Lynn McClure has so many novels to pick from, and the ones I have read have been filled with beautiful love stories and hero's stealing kisses from young ladies.:) I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance. And, it's 100% clean, with a few kisses here and there that will knock your socks off!;) There is a bit of violence, and some passionate kisses, but nothing graphic of course.
*Cover Comments: Nothing spectacular about this cover. I'm not really a big fan, but it just goes to show... "Don't judge a book by it's cover".
Grade: A-
Rating: 1,2,2

Booking Through Thursday

Jackie says, “I love books with complicated plots and unexpected endings. What is your favourite book with a fantastic twist at the end?”

So, today’s question is in two parts.

1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings? I don't mind complicated plots, but only if they are written well enough that you know what is going on. Sometimes authors try to put too many twists into their novel's, and by the middle you have no clue what is happening. I love/hate unexpected endings. In a series, I like unexpected endings, as long as they are resolved at the end of the trilogy or whatever. For stand-alone books, I have a hard time with the book ending abruptly with no explanations, or some cliff hanger that you sit and stew over for days.

2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
Two books that come to mind that I loved, were The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. They kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! They both ended with me eager to read more. Angels and Demons, and The DaVinci Code had some crazy twists in them as well, but ended pretty decent. I'll have to think about other books I've read.

Hearts Blood by Juliet Marillier

This is a stunning gothic love story based on the legends of Beauty and the Beast. Whistling Tor is a place of secrets, a mysterious, wooded hill housing the crumbling fortress of a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the district in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan's family and his people; those woods hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom. For young scribe Caitrin it is a safe haven. This place where nobody else is prepared to go seems exactly what she needs, for Caitrin is fleeing her own demons. As Caitrin comes to know Anluan and his home in more depth she realizes that it is only through her love and determination that the curse can be broken and Anluan and his people set free.
I discovered Juliet Marillier when I heard some good reviews about her YA novel Wildwood Dancing. I read it and loved it! I haven't read her Sevenwaters Trilogy, although I've heard it's amazing. Anyway, I was happy to pick this book up, and what can I say...I loved it. The story is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, as I figured out halfway into the novel. The beautiful scribe Caitrin, full of love and hope, and the disfigured and unhappy Anluan who's life it full of demons. Even though it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast in a way, the author made the book entirely her own. Every sentence was woven with magic, and I can't tell you how much I love how Ms. Marillier writes. The two main characters were compelling, and I loved how the each faced their demons, and put their fears behind them. Most of the other characters also had their own sad stories, but the one thing they found they had in common at the end, was hope. A beautiful new novel that I would definitely recommend to fantasy lovers, and if you like a little romance and magic you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next! Love her! While I loved the story, I probably wouldn't let teenagers under 18 read it. It had a few adult situations/themes in it. Nothing graphic, but you do know what is going on.
*Cover Comments: I have seen several versions of the cover, and I think my favorite is the one I have on this post. It shows Caitrin looking into a mirror, although, it is not an ordinary mirror, which you find out throughout the novel. I like how it shows the dusty books behind her as well. It fits very well with the story.
Grade: A
Rating: 1,3,2

Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham

A young girl sets out to save her sick mother and records her
adventures in quilt pieces.
Ludelphia Bennett may be blind in one eye, but she can still put in a good stitch. Ludelphia sews all the time, especially when things go wrong.
But when Mama goes into labor early and gets deathly ill, it seems like even quilting won’t help. That’s when Ludelphia decides to do something drastic—leave Gee’s Bend for the very first time. Mama needs medicine that can only be found miles away in Camden. But that doesn’t stop Ludelphia. She just puts one foot in front of the other. What ensues is a wonderful, riveting and sometimes dangerous adventure. Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make her mother proud, and ends up saving the day for her entire town.
I am starting to love middle-grade fiction. I don't read it a lot, since I am partial to YA, but I'm starting to change my mind on how I feel about middle-grade. This novel was a great debut for author Irene Latham. I was sucked into Ludelphia's story at page one, and honestly read the entire book in a day.
The feel of this book just stays with you, and makes you think how blessed we are for modern medicine, and the miracles doctors perform each day. Ludelphia's mother is so sick for most of the book, and I loved how she puts her whole life on hold to travel to a place she has never been to find medicine and a doctor for her mother. She doesn't let the fact that she can only see out of one eye stop her, or her young age.
The power of family is strong in this book, and since I've read quite a few books recently that the character either doesn't have a family, or is not getting along with them, it was very refreshing to read about a loving family. I love strong family relationships, and the author did a great job of showing how much the Bennett's cared for one another.
The only thing I thought was strange, was Ludelphia's name. Isn't that a strange name? Maybe it's just me. :) Anyway, I recommend this book to older children, teens, and young adults. It's one of those books that will definitely stay with you, and it's clean as can be!:)
*Cover Comments: Love the cover. I love how the girl is barefoot and it shows her in an old dress, walking in the dirt towards the sun. It is very appropriate for the feel of this book.
Grade: A
Rating: 1,1,1

**Huge thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the book and letting me review it!**

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

17 year-old Kelly Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what shethinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelly's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.
Out of all the fairy/fae books I've read lately, this one is my favorite. I found out after I read this that it was a debut novel! This author has great things coming her way!:) The writing was solid, the characters strong and interesting, and the plot had me guessing almost the entire book. There were so many twists that I didn't even see coming! What a wonderful debut for Ms. Livingston. I loved it.
While there were a few swear words, the book was amazingly clean. I wasn't quite sure if I liked the main character Kelly at first, since she was not the nicest person to her "love interest", but I thought about it and if I would have been followed by some random guy claiming crazy things about me, then I don't think I would have been nice either. She reacted like a normal person instead of just believing. She had to figure things out for herself. Anyway, I liked this book a lot, and recommend it to teens and up! Can't wait to get my hands on the sequel! Which, in fact, is already out!;)
*Cover Comments: I really like the cover. The girl on the front is mysterious, a little seductive, and the colors are cool and a little dark, just like the feel of the book. Not my favorite cover, but it is really pretty.
Grade: A
Rating: 2,1,2

Other books in series:
Darklight: Book 2
Wondrous Strange: Book 3 Release date: January 7, 2011

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera - ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, beg Mac for attention and money. Mac's foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.
Carter Maquire is definitely not her type: he's stable, and he's safe. He's even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There's something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bridezillas and screening her mother's phone calls. But a casual fling can turn into something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends - and business partners - Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories...
This is my first Nora Roberts book I have read. I saw it on another book blog and they raved about it,so I thought I would try it out. Sadly to say, I was somewhat disappointed. I did like the premise of the story. The four best friends running a bridal business and all that goes into preparing a wedding. The romance was cute, but this is where I kind of had a hard time. I know this is an adult romance, but I didn't really expect to read about several of their sexual encounters. I don't get offended that easy, and honestly I wasn't, but I didn't see the author's need to put all the sex into detail. I felt like I just read about one "encounter" and then another one crept in right after. There was also a lot of swearing, which I usually glaze over, but it just gets annoying. Needless to say, I'm not sure if I will continue the series or not. I liked how Mac changed throughout the book, and learned to put her foot down with her mom, and also learned that it was okay to love someone. That said, while the story was interesting enough, I would not recommend this book to teens under the age of 18.
*Cover comments: Loved the cover. Beautiful bridal gown, and pretty shoe. It is as if the main character took the picture.
Grade: C
Rating: 3,4,1