"Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick

Started May 28, 2013 - Ended May 29, 2013

From Amazon:Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.



Absolutely beautiful. I give "Wonderstruck" an A.





#41

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Currently reading: "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick

"Safe Word" by Teresa Mummert

Started May 27, 2013 - Ended May 27, 2013
This book was NOT what I was expecting. I've been reading teasers, and snippets for weeks. Anxiously awaiting the release of this book on June 1, I was so psyched when she decided to release it an entire week early. Squee!

From Amazon:A chance meeting with a stranger can turn your entire world upside down.

When Colton 'Colt' Bishop enters a bar in New York City, he has a plan. His job is to find an easy target and take her back to his place for a few days. He is working his way up the crime ladder doing a job he never wanted.

Lily Hilton has it all, but is hiding from a troublesome past. When she enters a bar downtown, and runs into her old high school crush, her entire world is turned upside down. She is determined to make him notice her, but that plan may work better than she expects. Colton does not hesitate to take Lily home and use her as his new pawn, but their past begins to catch up with them as their secrets unravel and he must decide what is more important to him, protecting Lily or himself.


I can't lie. I was a little disappointed. Based on everything I read on Facebook, the direction this novel went in was not what I assumed. I'm still not sure if I "loved" the book the way I was hoping, but it didn't stop me from enjoying Cole and Lily's story. Because it's a self-published work, I was a tad distracted by a handful of errors throughout, but was still able to follow the storyline without issue. Altogether I give "Safe Word" a B+.




#40

Currently Reading ...

Currently reading: "Safe Word" by Teresa Mummert

"Wicked in Your Arms" by Sophie Jordan

Started May 24, 2013 - Ended May 26, 2013
I *LOVE* free stuff! I also love trashy romance novels. This happened to be the best of both worlds. By clicking randomly upon the internet, I somehow have found myself 'following' a lot of authors on Facebook. Sophie Jordan happened to post at the beginning of the month that her novel, "Wicked in Your Arms", was free for one day only. I hopped right on that bandwagon!

From Amazon:One of the most notoriously eligible bachelors in Europe is finally ready to marry . . .

For fiercely independent Grier Hadley, being the illegitimate daughter of one of London's most unsavory characters has only one advantage: an enormous, ill-gotten dowry.

Prince Sevastian Maksimi knows where his duty lies: he must find a well-bred young lady—one with a considerable fortune to her name—wed her promptly, and get to the business of producing an heir.

The last thing Grier needs is some unattainable prince curling her toes with his smoldering glances and wicked suggestions. As far as Sev is concerned, she lacks the breeding to become a princess. And yet one kiss from this arresting female is all it takes for him to realize that anyone else in his arms would be unthinkable . . .



This was a cute little story. I really felt like the book could have been longer in order to flesh out the characters a bit more. Apart from the completely random names, Grier and Sev, the book is fast-paced and fun. It fits very nicely into the romance novel outline ... meeting, conflict, sex, drama (misunderstanding, kidnapping, or pregnancy), happy ending. I give "Wicked in Your Arms" a B-.




#39

"Fever" by Maya Banks

Started May 22, 2013 - Ended May 23, 2013
Cookie cutter.

From Amazon:Jace, Ash, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Jace, it’s a woman whose allure takes him completely by surprise...

Jace Crestwell, Ash McIntyre, and Gabe Hamilton have been best friends and successful business partners for years. They’re powerful, they’re imposing, they’re irresistibly sexy, and Jace and Ash share everything—including their women.

When they meet Bethany, Jace begins to feel things he’s never experienced before: jealousy, and a powerful obsession that threatens him, overwhelms him—and excites him beyond control.

Jace isn’t sharing Bethany—with anyone. He’s determined to be the only man in her life, and it’s jeopardizing a lifelong friendship with Ash. Bethany will be his and his alone. Even if it means turning his back on his best friend.


I get it, I get it. I really do. After reading "Rush" I was quickly drawn into the world of Jace, Ash, and Gabe. Gabe's story was somewhat believable. Falling for a best friend's younger sister, sexual deviancy aside, happens. Getting into the story of Jace and Bethany was a chore. She's homeless. And he falls in LOVE/LUST/S&M with her immediately upon sight. Wait. What? In turn, he then immediately engages in a ménage a trois with Bethany, Ash, and himself ....
It, of course, ends happily and everyone has a swinging good time. No pun intended. I give "Fever" a C.




#38

Currently reading: "Fever" by Maya Banks