Thursday, August 18, 2011

Made the Grade: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 526 KB | Release Date: August 2011 | Publisher: HarperTeen

"Epic Fail" by Claire LaZebnik

My Book Summary : Elise just moved, with her parents and 4 sisters, to L.A. and started at a private school where her parents both work at. Her older sister, Juliana, and her are very close, since they are only a year apart (Elise a junior and Juliana a senior in High School). On the first day Elise isn't so sure about their new place since everyone seems to be wearing designer clothes more so then anything she's used to (or can afford) and she doesn't seem to fit in. However, Juliana fits in real well, so well in fact that they get to sit at the "popular" table because of a guy she hit it off with.

Derek has been going to this same school for years, and is the best friend of the guy Juliana starts hanging out with but he seems to be very standoffish when Elise meets him. One of those reasons he is that way is because of his movie star parents making it so everyone wants to get close to him and be his friend (or more). Because of his best friend and Elise's sister they spend a lot of time together. Making Elise the envy of all the girls and her trying to figure out the mystery that is Derek. But when things are said about another guy that Elise has made friends with but isn't told the reasons, conclusions get made, and things get a bit colder between Derek and Elise especially when their pride and prejudice come into play.

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars .... I'm very sorry to say but I was disappointed by this novel, not a Disappointmentville type, but after all of the glowing reviews that I've read I guess I expected it to be a bit more. However, I will say that this author has taken a great spin on the Jane Austen novel "Pride and Prejudice" and turn it into a first rate plot for this century. I do like how she made Elise's younger sisters to have a bit more of a head on their shoulders. I liked the interaction between Derek, Elise, Juliana, Chase, and Chelsea. I am kinda disappointed that she basically drops off on the side story about Elise's mother and the school. And I guess I expected more out of Derek's mother too.

I don't know ... I just wish there was more to it then how it ended I guess. But it was very creative and on amazon.com there are a lot of glowing reviews about this novel ... so you never know, if you like Jane Austen novels then give this novel a try, you might like it a lot more then I did.

Maybe I'd like it better if there was a sequel to wrap all the loose ends up in. *shrug*

Book Teaser(s) :
"Why'd you come tonight?" I asked abruptly.
"Chase wanted to."
"You always do whatever he wants?"
"Pretty much. He's more like a brother than a friend at this point."
"I know what you mean. Juliana's just like a sister to me."
"Now that's a little weird," he said, with that brief shadow of a smile I'd seen once or twice before. ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Claire, then please check out her Amazon Page.



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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Made the Grade: Learning Curves by Elyse Mady

- This is an ARC book - Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 383 KB | Release Date: June 2011 | Publisher: Carina Press

"Learning Curves" by Elyse Mady

My Book Summary : Leanne has had to deal with her mother pushing her to be more like her (a beauty queen type) all of her life but it seems she was good enough. Or at least never as good as her mother's goddaughter, Gillian, who can seem to do no wrong in Leanne's mother's eyes. Because of all that, Leanne went in the complete different route, then what her mom wanted, by being the studious type of girl.

Now years later Leanne is just about finished getting her PhD in English, and because of her mother she gets dragged to Gillian’s bachelorette party. While at the party, located at a strip club, Leanne is enamored with one of the male strippers and Gillian soon decides that she wants to proposition that same stripper. So, out of regard for Gillian's fiancĂ© Leanne decides to make sure that nothing will happen between Gillian and the stripper. But once she gets into the greenroom in the back things completely change for her when she meets Brandon, the stripper she liked, and they have scorching encounter, afterwards though they go their separate ways.

That is until they both find out that they go to the same college for their PhD's, so it's harder then they thought to not be involved. Especially when Brandon starts acting like a friend and whenever they get close to each other their attraction seems to get harder and harder to deny. However, just when things start going good for each of them, the bottom seems to fall out when a certain nemesis makes plans to ruin both of them and their relationship.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! This novel was sweet and sexy!! The sex scenes were very HOT and I could not get enough of Brandon!!!! Brandon pretty much made this novel for me! Since Leanne is nice, but the way she acted within the first half of the book made it hard for me to relate to her, but in the end the plot was great and everything fell into place.

Book Teaser(s) :
Teaser #1
Brandon was going to explode.
Here, in his pants, next to his ten-speed, in his narrow hallway. Next to his ten-speed and just down from his closet.
And it was all Leanne Galloway’s fault.
She was driving him out of his ever-loving mind. ~ within Chapter 9

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Elyse, then please check out her Amazon Page.



** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts.
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"Waiting On" Wednesday: Destined

  • Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here


  • "Destined" [House of Night Series, Book 9] by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast
    Publication Released Date: October 25, 2011

    Author's Book Description:
      Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…

      But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him…

      Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

    I hope this novel will be good since the series is getting a bit dragged out now ... but I still love the characters so I'll definitely be reading it!

    My Previous Review(s) for these Authors : Tempted | Divine By Blood | The Avenger | Burned | Elphame’s Choice | Awakened



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    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    Teaser Tuesdays: Learning Curves

  • Today's Teaser Tuesdays by MizB - click here


  • "Learning Curves" by Elyse Mady

    Book Teaser:
    Either one of them had only to move a fraction of an inch for their mouths to meet. He wanted to kiss her so badly but forced himself to be still as he whispered, “You were sitting so still, but I knew you were thinking about me. Tell me, what were you imagining I was doing to you?”
    Their eyes met, the unspoken answer hanging between them, drawing them even deeper into a bewitching, erotic haze. ~ within Chapter 2



    ** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts.
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    Monday, August 15, 2011

    Feasted On: The Mercian Trilogy, Book 1

    - This is an ARC book - Format: Hardcover | Pages: 263 | Release Date: September 27, 2011 | Publisher: Egmont USA

    "Blood" [The Mercian Trilogy, Book 1] by K. J. Wignall

    My Book Summary : For over seven hundred years Will (William of Mercia) has known the thing that bit him, in 1256, changed him. Until the recent years, through knowledge he gained in books, he wasn't sure of what one of his "type" was called, as no one was there to tell him or show him what he could or would have to do now. However, he does plan to get vengeance on the one who did this to him and his family though, no matter what happens.

    Now during his recent exit from "hibernation," Will is in another time period and it seems the rules have completely changed. Especially when you now have your "food" giving you prophesies about your destiny, a person comes into your life that you would now do anything for, and you have spirits/demons and other magical beings out to see you killed.

    For a guy who always wondered why this happened to him, or what the purpose might be for this to have happened, it looks like his questions might start being answered ..... if he can just not get killed (or any of his new friends killed) along the way.

    My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!!! This is an EXCELLENT novel, that takes on a wonderful new twist to the YA vampire theme!! I love how this novel tells you what happens in a rapid pace format but then also fills you in on Will's past in a diary-type setting. Very well written. And for someone like me who doesn't like mystery novels that much, this one kept my attention the whole way through!!

    Book Teaser(s) :
    "What happened?"
    Will turned to look at the girl who was sitting on the edge of the step, rubbing her head.
    "I think you banged your head."
    "Cute but dumb, just my luck."
    "Sorry?"
    "Nothing. I know I banged my head. What I mean is . . ." She sounded incredulous as she said, "Did you beat them up or something?"
    "No, not really," he said, relieved that she hadn't seen most of what had happened.
    "So I don't owe you anything?"
    "Of course not, nor would you if I had fought with them." ~ within Chapter 7

    For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by K. J., then please check out his Amazon Page.



    ** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts.
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