Book Review: Storm (Elemental Series Book 1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Storm
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elemental #1
Pages: 432
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming...

Becca Chandler has a reputation, and not by choice. As a result, she is thought to be "easy" and is constantly harassed. This doesn't stop her from being her kind sweet self though. She, a small girl, saves Chris from being beaten to death by not just one, but a group of guys!

Chris goes to Becca's school and the two have virtually never even talked to each other. After she rescues him, things start to change. The two start actually acknowledging each other, and soon they find themselves in the middle of a huge mess. You could say a storm is brewing (yes I am a dork and went there!).

There are so many questions that the book brings up. Why does Becca have a reputation? Why does Chris have this thing for water? Who would put a pentagram on someone's door?

This book has twists, turns, and a whole lot of action. There were times I thought "What is happening?" Now, when I say there is action, I don't just mean a little bit, I mean just about the whole book is packed with action. The last quarter of the book was especially intense and I could not put it down until I finished it!

The writing style made me feel as if I was watching a movie instead of reading a book, if that makes sense. Instead of being in a characters head (first person) we were instead an outside observer (third person). This is different than most of the books I usually read, but I was still able to picture the characters and what was going on.

I have already looked at the descriptions for the rest of the books in the series, and it seems like each book focuses on a different male character and his love interest. I honestly don't know if I would like that or not. I just want to see more of Becca and Chris!

Book Review: Becoming Alpha (Alpha Girl Volume 1) by Aileen Erin

Title: Becoming Alpha
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #1
Pages: 267
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

One stupid party. One stupid boy. One stupid kiss. And my life was virtually over.

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into one of “them” and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Alibe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

For her whole life, Tessa has been considered a freak and an outsider. She has to wear gloves, because she sees things when she touches objects. How would you like to have a vision every time you touch something?

Her dad gets a new job and moves the family from star-studded L.A. to a Texas town. Tessa is thankful for the change, she thinks she may finally be able to not be "freaky Tessa." She may be able to have actual friends!

Things are different in this town though, she is told to stay away from the St. Ailbe's kids (a school). What's even more strange is that she seems to have a connection to one of St. Ailbe's young instructors.

Life as she knew it was about to change...

I don't think I have ever encountered a character that is not afraid to voice her opinion...ever. Compared to others, Tessa is fairly small, but that does not stop her from telling you what she thinks or standing up for herself. It is very refreshing to have a heroine who does not just roll over when the hot guy says to. Even though I had to get up early the next morning, I found myself unable to put the book down. Thing is I didn't even regret it, next morning I got in the car and just kept on reading!

 

Book Review: Fate (My Blood Approves #2) by Amanda Hocking

Title: Fate
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: My Blood Approves #2
Pages: 334
My Rating: ❤❤❤

Alice Bonham thinks she's finally found a balance in her life between the supernatural and real life with her brother Milo. Jack - her sorta vampire boyfriend - keeps her at arm's length to keep her safe. As for his brother Peter... she's not sure where he's at, or what he wants with her. Worse still, she's not even sure what she wants with Peter.

When tragedy happens, Alice finds herself struggling with a terrible choice. Her decision has consequences that reach farther than she'd ever imagined...

Fate is the second book in the My Blood Approves series by Amanda Hocking. I do not really know how to say what the book is about, I really do not want to give too much away. What I can say is that it picks up about where the first book ended.

There is a certain stereotype about second books, and it is not a very good one. Second books are usually considered the kind of boring books that you sometimes struggle to get through. Despite having a bit of a shocker towards the beginning, Fate lived up to this stereotype for me.

I found myself upset at Alice throughout the book, I just wanted to tell her to stop whining already. She seemed very depressed and kind of needy throughout the story. I could understand where she was coming from, but jeez she needed to stop dwelling on it, and could have used her time to do something else instead of just moping around.

Once you get through most of the book, the story does start to pick up again at the end, and in doing so ends not so much on a nail-biting cliffhanger, but more of a "Oh my gosh, what does this mean?" and "What are they going to do about this?"

Walking on Sunshine!

Today I got my first glimpse into the upcoming days of spring and summer. There is just something about going outside and feeling the sun on your skin that instantly puts you in a good mood. I was able to not where a jacket today and it felt so great outside. I have always been a lover of the outdoors, despite my terrible allergies. One of my favorite things to do is read or study outside. On TV they always make it look so glamorous, someone is always just laying on a blanket or leaning on a tree. What TV does not show you is the bugs! It's a terrible feeling when you look down and find that there is an ant on your arm, because somehow you managed to sit on an anthill. You may be thinking there is no way I would sit on an anthill, I would be able to see it, but trust me you may not know one is there until it is too late! Despite this bug issue, the outdoors is something I love, although it can sometimes be a love/hate relationship. Today's perfect weather just excited me about all of the amazing sunny days to come!

Hang In There!

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but I have not finished another book yet. I am currently on the second book in the lovely My Blood Approves series. After being able to read anytime I wanted to the past two weeks, I have suddenly been thrust back into the real world. Now, I am still  reading, but who really wants to read about physics and organic chemistry? The missed days due to snow really got some of my classes behind schedule and we are now rushing around to catch-up. I keep telling myself, only one more week until spring break! If you are like me and need some inspiration to help get you through, enjoy these awesome pictures!

Book Review: My Blood Approves (My Blood Approves #1) by Amanda Hocking

Title: My Blood Approves
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: My Blood Approves #1
Pages: 261
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood...

After finishing the Trylle Trilogy and remembering how great a writer Amanda Hocking is, I decided to re-read the My Blood Approves series. It has been almost 4 years since I read the series, and I have to say I love it now just as much as I had then!

To me, Alice just exists, she goes to school, goes to parties, and hangs out with her brother. Even though he is younger, he is the one that actually takes care of her, which leads to some very amusing dynamics between the two.

One night, Alice is attacked by a group of guys, but is saved by an unlikely character. Jack does not seem like a real tough guy, in his pink shirt and blue converse. The two begin an unlikely friendship that makes her wonder how she could ever not have him in her life. As she starts hanging out with him more and more, she gets to meet his family. They are not all they seem though, and everything Alice knows starts to change.

Filled with lots of witty humor and even one great reference to batman, the first book in this series kept me smiling the whole time. I almost don't want to read this book in public in case I actually start laughing out loud. I'm glad that Amanda Hocking was able to get these books out there and I somehow magically found them!

"I Wanna Grow Old With You..."

The Wedding Singer

After finishing the fourth book to the Hidden Wings series, I did not want the good feeling to end. The series ended on a great note and it was a very happy ending. I wanted to keep that same feeling going, so I ended up putting in one of my favorite movies. 

How can you not love The Wedding Singer? It stars Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler and it is a fantastic movie. If you have not seen it I will give you a little overview, but you should definitely watch it. 

The film follows Robbie Hart, who is a wedding singer. All he has ever wanted is to fall in love and get married to the love of his life. After getting left at the alter, he goes into a bit of a tailspin, but is pulled out of it by Julia. There is a little problem though, Julia is getting married to a "jerkoff" named Glenn. The more they spend time together, the more Julia questions a life with Glenn. Will Robbie get a happily ever after?

This movie not only is hilarious, but it is also packed full of some great music from the 80s. How could it get better you ask? Oh, by having Billy Idol and a rapping grandma in it!

Snow Day!

My Hidden Wings Binge

I don't know what other people do on snow days like I had today, but I ended up somehow on the fourth book of the Hidden Wings Series by Cameo Renae. Earlier this week I posted a review of the first book in the series, Hidden Wings. Needless to say, I am really loving this series. I actually stayed up until 4 this morning trying to finish the third one! These are great quick reads that kept me engaged the whole time and I would have been having withdrawals if classes would have been in session. I was able to have a much needed break from physics and organic chemistry and just lounge around in my pjs and read. I hope that everyone is able to have a day like I had today, because we all need a break to just enjoy the things that we love to do. 

In regards to the Hidden Wings series, I highly recommend it. These books are action packed and were able to keep me entertained and engaged. Also, in case you are wondering the series is currently finished, so there will not be any waiting for the next book to come out. So, here are the books in this wonderful series...

How Could You Do This Veronica Roth?

To Finish or Not to Finish...

Be aware, this is not a review, but instead a rant. Over Christmas break I read Divergent by Veronica Roth and thought that it was pretty interesting. After finishing, I quickly went over to my local bookstore and bought the second book, Insurgent. It has been a few months since that moment and I have actually still yet to finish the book. How did this happen you may ask? 

Well, it all started when I went to dinner with one of my friends. We started talking, and eventually are conversation ended up centered around books. I thought that this was great, hey I finally had someone to talk books with. Turns out she had actually read the whole Divergent series over break, and she decided to tell me all about it. Against my better judgement, I did not plug my ears or walk away. If you do not know how the series ends, all I'm going to tell you is that it does not have your typical ending. I really want to finish the series, but now that I know what happens, is it really worth it? 

If you are reading this, please I beg you, DO NOT tell people the ending of books, tv shows, or movies. I am currently sitting at a crossroads. Not only that, but Insurgent is just sitting on my bookshelf with my bookmark sticking out of it just taunting me. 

Book Review: Dark Secrets (Dark Secrets Book 1) by A.M. Hudson

Title: Dark Secrets
Author: A.M. Hudson
Series: Dark Secrets #1
Pages: 614
My Rating:❤❤

Lost in the struggle to find happiness again after losing her family and moving to a new country, Ara befriends the oddly alluring David Knight. Torn between the love of a childhood friend and the deep connection that’s forming with David, she will be asked to make a decision about their relationship before she’s even ready to admit her feelings. But a cruel stranger enters her life on the night of the town masquerade and forces her hand, taking away what little innocence Ara had left.

Found on my recommendations list, Dark Secrets seemed to actually be something that would interest me. When I looked up this book, I found a sentence surrounded by asterisks that stated "This is not a vampire book, but instead a romance that involves a vampire." Upon seeing that I did not really know what to think. After reading, I came to realize that that statement was even more true than I thought.

The story centers around a girl who has been uprooted not only from her town, but her whole continent. After the death of her mother and baby brother, Ara Rose moves in with her dad. She trades in Australia for the United States. Ara feels responsible for what happened to her mom and brother, and this leads to her going into a sort of depressive state. It does not help matters that her step-mom has training in psychology and is constantly trying to get Ara to talk about her feelings.

Only one thing or dare I say person can get Ara remotely out of the darkness she has enveloped herself in, and that is David Knight. He is able to connect with Ara and make her see that maybe she is not the piece of scum that she thinks she is. He becomes her rescuer and she falls hard for him, but he is not all that he seems. Turns out that, you guessed it, David is a vampire. This development definitely changes their relationship. Ultimately, Ara must choose to live life with David as a vampire, or live without him as a human. What will she decide?

While reading the book, I had a love/hate relationship with Ara.....and David. There were times I would throw my book down and just walk away, but only to pick it back up again about five minutes later. It was nice to see how Ara was coming out of her depression, but it really saddened me that she was always and will always be battling with it. I can usually make up my mind pretty easily about who I like in a book, but this one was much more difficult. I just wanted Ara to be happy, but it seemed as if the odds were just stacked against her.

Personally, this book wasn't for me. I like strong main characters that are not afraid to stand up for themselves. I don't like characters who's life revolves around some guy, and when that same guy leaves, they feel like they have nothing left to live for.

The book seemed to go on for ever and I found myself wanting to get it over with. It actually took me a long time to get through it. Ara Rose's depressed state throughout the book, actually started to make me feel depressed, it was that much of a downer.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

A Book Nerd's Survival Guide to Winter

Winter is a season of short days, freezing rain, ice, and snow. Don't get me wrong, I do love building a snowman, but my one of my favorite parts of winter is staying warm inside and reading a great book. I know that winter is almost over, but somehow there is an upcoming wintery mix in the forecast for me...still. So, I thought that I would share one of my favorite parts of winter (better late then never, right?). This is a time where I catch up on a lot of movies and tv shows. In addition to that though, I also re-read some of my favorite books or discover some new ones.

So, here is my recipe for having the perfect winter day indoors reading:

1. First off you definitely need a good book! I like to re-read something I found really entertaining.

2. You'll also need a warm, fuzzy blanket

3. The perfect hot beverage (Hot Cocoa (with marshmallows), Apple Cider, etc...) 

4. If you find yourself lucky enough to actually read by a fireplace (that is actually lit), it is pretty awesome

5. You can stay in your pajamas!

I know everyone is different, but these are just a few things that make reading really awesome on a cold winter's day!

Book Review: Hidden Wings (Hidden Wings Book 1) by Cameo Renae

Title: Hidden Wings
Author: Cameo Renae
Series: Hidden Wings #1
Pages: 204
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

What happens when Darkness and Light collide?

Seventeen is a life changing age for Emma Wise. As her family's sole survivor in a car crash, she is left with a broken arm, and a few scrapes and bruises. But these are only outward marks; inside, her heart is broken and the pieces scattered.

Whisked away to Alaska, to an aunt she’s never met, Emma starts over. Secrets unveil themselves and now…she doesn't even know who or what she is.

A centuries old prophecy places Emma in the heart of danger. Creatures of horrifying and evil proportions are after her, and it will take Emma, her aunt, and six, gorgeously, captivating Guardians to keep her safe. But, if she can survive until her eighteenth birthday... things will change.

What would happen to you if tragedy struck? Emma miraculously survived a car accident that resulted in the death of her parents. After waking in the hospital and learning of this, she believes that she is alone. A social worker comes in and explains that she is now going to be under the care of her aunt Alaine. Emma had never heard of this mysterious aunt before. Not only is she going to live with a relative she never knew about, but she is also going from sunny California to Alaska. Does she even have the right clothes for this?

An escort arrives to take her to Alaska, and as soon as Emma sees him she feels something. When they touch, there is this surge of electricity between them. Emma does not even realize that she is about to be thrust into a world filled with angels, nephilim, and an ancient prophecy. She's not alone though, she has some attractive guardians on her side that would do anything to protect her.

Renae does a great job of creating a world filled with angels, that actually has some great story behind it. Instead of studying for my upcoming physics exam, I was reading, because I could not put the book down. Now, the edition I got my hands on was riddled with some grammatical errors, but it did not really distract me from the story. I'm sure I have a ton of errors just in this little review. I wish that the book would have been longer, because I did not want it to end.

"Selective hearing...typical male. Maybe he was human after all..."