Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

YA/New Adult Romance, Published July 2012

Read August 2012, 384 pp.

❤ Team: Noah

Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

4/5 STARS

Book Blurb:

“I WON’T TELL ANYONE, Echo. I promise.”

Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone TOUCHED ME like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins?

His DARK BROWN EYES shifted to my covered arms. “You didn’t do that—did you? It was done to you?”

No one ever asked that question.

They stared.

They whispered.

They laughed.

BUT THEY NEVER ASKED.

SO WRONG FOR EACH OTHER…AND YET SO RIGHT.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Thoughts:

This romance is definitely on the borderline of YA and the “New Adult” genre.  While the characters are still in high school, the content still seems quite mature for younger YA readers.  Echo Emerson has problems.  She has survived a very abusive home life and only has a few friends in school.  Noah used to be the popular jock, but now has a few secrets of his own.  While Noah is portrayed to be the bad boy, he really hasn’t done anything wrong, other than defend his younger brothers.  I loved the chemistry between the Noah and Echo and how they truly begin to support one another as friends before anything else.

Can’t wait to read Noah’s friend Beth’s story in Dare You To.  I have a feeling her story is going to be very interesting!

Quotes:

Luke used to give me butterflies.  Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls. (p. 84)

Similar Reads:

• Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry
• Chelsea Fine – Sophie & Carter
• Jessica Sorenson – The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden (Mature – New Adult)
• Jamie McGuire – Beautiful Disaster (Mature – New Adult)

Thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTEEN for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: All He Ever Needed by Shannon Stacey

All He Ever Needed by Shannon Stacey

Kowalski Family #4

Romance, Published 2012

Read March 2013, 304 pp.

Rating: 3/5

• #1 – Exclusively Yours
• #2 – Undeniably Yours
• #3 – Yours to Keep
• #3.5 – Slow Summer Kisses

Book Blurb:

He won’t stay put for a woman, and she won’t chase after any man…Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase—and he likes it that way.Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he’s called home to help with the family lodge, he’s intrigued by the new girl in town and her insistence that she doesn’t need a man. If there’s one thing Mitch can’t resist, it’s a challenge.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto “Men are a luxury, not a necessity.” But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she’s tempted to indulge.

They’re the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize their sexy affair has become anything but casual…

Thoughts:

Shannon Stacey has quickly joined my must read list for contemporary romances.  I love her writing style.  Once you pick up one of her books, you won’t put it down until you’re finished!

I liked both Mitch and Paige’s characters.  The only thing that bothered me was that they both fight against admitting they like each other so much – it’s almost too cliche.  I also didn’t like the fact that it seemed like Mitch had already slept with practically everyone in town and that these women were constantly telling Paige stories about him.  While I understand the workings of a small town, it still seemed weird.

Aside from the two main characters, I was very interested in Mitch’s youngest brother Josh’s character and his relationship with Katie, the daughter of the Kowalski family lodge’s longtime housekeeper.  Looks like we’ll get to read their story in Book 6 – All He Ever Dreamed.  I’m interested to see what happens with the Northern Star Lodge.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley and Narrated by Jayne Entwistle

Flavia de Luce #1

Mystery, Published 2010

Challenges: Mount TBR, Audio Book RC

Shelf Life: 2 years, 10 mos. – bought April 2010

Read March 2013, 10 hrs unabridged

Story: 4/5

Narration: 5/5

Book Blurb:

It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.

For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”

Thoughts:

I loved quirky Flavia.  She is a 10 year old chemist, lover of anything poisons, amateur sleuth, and always looking to get back at her older 2 sisters.  The book is told from Flavia’s POV and she is always sure she sees things the right way.  When a dead black snipe shows up at the back door with a postage stamp stuck through its beak, Flavia is at once intrigued.  Then when a mysterious man shows up to talk to her father in the middle of the night and a dead man shows up in the cucumber patch, she knows something has gone awry.  Flavia takes the reader on a very interesting and usually amusing trip to solve the mysteries surrounding her grand home, Buckshaw.  There are several mysteries that run throughout the book and they are slowly unraveled, leaving plenty of time for Flavia’s character development.

The audio is very well done and I’m looking forward to listening to the next in the series.

Quotes:

Unless some sweetness at the bottom lie,

Who cares for all the crinkling of the pie?

The Art of Cookery, William King

It was as black in the closet as old blood. (First line)

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Top 7 Books I Read In 2012

Don’t miss my blog giveaway – Hardcover copy of Princess of the Silver Woods (Princess Series #3) by Jessica Day George!

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1. How to Dance with a Duke by Manda Collins
2. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Anew and Awry by Chelsea Fine
4. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
5. I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
6. Shannon Stacey’s Kowalski Series
7. To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

Check out my Top Ten Archive!

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

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Review & GIVEAWAY: Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George

Princess #3

YA Fantasy, Published December 2012

Read: December 2012, 336 pp.

Book Blurb: When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor’s twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery.  But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist.  Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory.  But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it’s not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse.

The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

Giveaway: Enter to win your own hardcover copy of Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George!! Please leave a comment on this blog post with your email address and you will be entered into the giveaway.  I would LOVE for you to become a follower of the blog as well!  You can find all the links on the right sidebar.  You have until midnight CST on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 to enter.  The winner will be picked randomly next Wednesday, January 3, 2013.  I will post the winner on the blog as well as contact the winner via email and that person will have 48 hours to respond with their address.  The book will be sent to you by the publisher. Only US residents please.

Thoughts:

Interesting take on not only the Robin Hood and Red Riding Hood fairy tales, but also the Twelve Dancing Princesses.  This story follows the youngest of the 12 princesses, Petunia, and how one coach ride across the countryside led her to meeting the two-legged wolves in the forest that would forever change her story’s ending.  I haven’t read the first two in the series, so I was left without a lot of the background information on her sisters and the story of how they first got away from their dancing curse.  However, I found the story easy to follow along and enjoyed meeting all the great characters along the way.  Petunia sure finds herself in lots of pickly situations.!

If you love twists on the traditional fairy tales, don’t miss out on Jessica Day George’s Princess series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  The giveaway has also been provided by the publisher.

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Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

YA Fantasy, Published August 2012

Challenges: Big Book Challenge 2012, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012

❤ Team: Capt. Chaol Westfall

Read September 2012, 404 pp.

4.5/5 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Book Blurb:

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King’s Champion and be released from prison.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she’d have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival–and a desperate quest to root out the source of evil before it destroys her world.

Thoughts:

With comparisons to Game of Thrones, I was very excited to read Throne of Glass.  It is evident that a lot of love has gone into the writing as well as good editing (Maas has been working on this story of 10 years now).  Good editing can go a long way.  As the first in a new high fantasy series, the author does a good job setting up the characters and world as well as the various plot lines.  I thought the story does a good job with having a complete story arc contained within this book and while I still want to know what happens in the uncompleted story arcs, I was satisfied that they were not all left open-ended.

There are a lot of things I loved about this book.  I didn’t know what to expect from a character like Celaena and to find her immediately off the bad as witty and sarcastic with the two main men characters was great.  It definitely made me like her as the heroine.  She has a great rapport with Chaol almost throughout the entire book and I LOVED her letter exchange with Prince Dorian and his response.  I wish they could have kept the letters going throughout the story.  I felt like a lot of their “relationship” was a little forced and I think if they had exchanged more letters, I wouldn’t have felt that way so much.  Celaena’s character, in general, for me seemed to lose this rapport the further into the story we went, but I guess she has a lot on her plate – winning the role of the King’s Assassin, running down the secret passages underneath the old part of the castle, having both Dorian and Chaol sneaking into her chambers in the middle of the night, dressing up for balls, escorting the Princess Nehemia, figuring out why her fellow champions are being murdered – the girl has a lot to do!  The reader follows along more inside her head as well as from various other characters than actual conversations.  I want to hear more from Chaol!!

I can’t wait to read Celaena’s backstory in the novellas and to see where the story continues in book two. 

Quotes:

After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines at Endovier, Celaena Sardothien was accustomed to being escorted everywhere in shackles and at sword-point.

~Opening line

“You like to read?”

She raised an eyebrow.  “Don’t you?”  Not waiting for an answer, she moved farther into the library, the train of her gown sweeping across the floor.  She neared the shelf and looked at the titles.  She recognized none of them.

Grinning, she whirled and moved through the main floor, running a hand across the dusty books.

~p. 55

Book Trailer:

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I have also purchased my own hardcover copy for my shelves.

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September Wrap uP

Books I Read:

1. Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins – Dystopia 2012 Challenge, 391 pp, Sept 2012, 4.5/5
2. How to Romance a Rake (Ugly Ducklings #2) by Manda Collins – Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 336 pp, Sept 2012, 4.5/5
3. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, 287 pp, Sept 2012, 5/5
4. City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Ed Westwick and Molly Quinn – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 15 hrs, Sept 2012, 3.5/5
5. Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire – Big Book Challenge 2012, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 432 pp, Sept 2012, 4/5
6. Room by Emma Donaghue and narrated by Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Robert Petkoff, and Suzanne Toren – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged,7 hrs, Sept 2012, 3.5/5
7. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – Big Book Challenge 2012, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 404 pp, Sept 2012

Books Reviewed:

1. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
2. Love on the Range by Jessica Nelson
3. The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
4. How to Romance a Rake (Ugly Ducklings #2) by Manda Collins
5. Victoria Dahl’s Close Enough to Touch

Other Posts:

• Top Ten Books I’m Looking Forward to this Fall!
• R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII
• WWW Hump Day – 9/12
• Teaser Tuesday – Scarlet
• WWW Wednesday – 9/19
• Teaser Tuesday – Throne of Glass
• Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Haven’t Finished – Want to Finish/Won’t Finish/Confused About
• WWW Wednesday – 9/26
• Summer Wrap Up

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Summer Wrap Up

Well I was thinking about doing a September wrap-up post now that OCTOBER is upon us (can you believe it!!) and realized I hadn’t done one for June, July, or August!  So here it is! If there are any books that I haven’t posted a review for yet and you’d like one – please request it in the comments below!

Books I Read:

1. Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 383 pp, June 2012, 5/5
2. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 395 pp, June 2012, 4/5
3. The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 250 pp, June 2012, 3.5/5
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and Narrated by Christopher Evan Welch – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 7 hours, June 2012, 3/5
5. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, June 2012, 3/5
6. Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 331 pp, July 2012, 3.5/5
7. Slow Summer Kisses (Kowalski Family #3.5) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012 ,80 pp, July 2012, 3.5/5
8. Anew (Archers of Avalon #1) by Chelsea Fine, 385 pp, July 2012, 5/5
9. Awry (Archers of Avalon #2) by Chelsea Fine – Big Book Challenge 2012, 495 pp, July 2012, 5/5
10. Hourglass by Myra McEntire – Mount TBR, 390 pp, July 2012, 3/5
11. Out of Control (Kincaid Brides #1) by Mary Connealy – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, 336 pp, July 2012, 5/5
12. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, August 2012, 4/5
13. Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, August 2012, 3/5
14. Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Jennifer Ehle – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 15.5 hrs, August 2012, 3.5/5

Books Reviewed:

1. Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked by Mary Miley Theobald with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
2. Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins
3. Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel (DNF)
4. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Other Posts:

• Monthly Wrap Up – April & May
• Summer Reading – June TBR
• Teaser Tuesday – The Summer My Life Began
• Teaser Tuesday – My Life Next Door
• July TBR
• Back from the Road & a Tuesday Teaser
• Teaser Tuesday – Out of Control
• Top Ten Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With For 24 Hours
• Books Out the Door
• Top Ten Blog Posts that Represent YOU the Best
• Teaser Tuesday – Catching Fire

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Review: Victoria Dahl’s Close Enough to Touch

Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl

Contemporary Romance (Adult), Published Aug. 28, 2012

Read August 2012, 384 pp.

3/5 STARS

Book Blurb:

Can a city girl make it in the wild, wild West?

For makeup artist Grace Barrett, Hollywood is less the land of golden opportunity and more the land of difficult
divas, cheating boyfriends and unemployment. So when her great-aunt offers her a free place to stay in Jackson Hole, Grace thinks she’ll spend a little time in the sticks to figure out her life, and then move somewhere exciting to live out her dreams. But it turns out that there are a few more thrills in this small town than Grace was expecting…

Cole Rawlins is a rugged Wyoming cowboy born and bred. Yet he can’t help but be drawn to the fascinating big-city girl who moves in across from him. As they discover a sizzling attraction, it’s Grace who finds herself surprised. Cole’s the only man who’s ever dared to get close enough to see through her tough facade. And his mysterious past only makes him sexier.

They’ll need more than scorching-hot passion to make this opposites-attract affair work. But if they can learn to trust one another enough to reveal their secrets, they just might have a chance at forever.

Thoughts:

I adored Dahl’s Donovan Brothers Brewery series so when I saw Close Enough to Touch, I quickly grabbed a copy to read.  While I didn’t love this book as much as the Donovan Brothers, it was still very entertaining and enjoyable – I just didn’t fall in love with Grace and Cole like I wanted to.  They both carry a lot of baggage and are stubborn about letting people in, especially Grace.  I love the opposites attract aspect, but found it hard to ever really warm up to Grace or her relationship with Cole.  I absolutely loved the setting of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and can’t wait for more from some of the other characters.  I would love to see more from Grace’s crotchety Aunt Rayleen and all the cowboys in her bar.  Overall, I enjoyed this read – which really speaks for Dahl’s impeccable writing because even though I wasn’t loving the characters, I love her wit as well as her ability to not let me put the book down until I was finished. A new must read author for me!

• Check out my review for Victoria Dahl’s Donovan Brothers Brewery trilogy – Good Girls Don’t, Bad Boys Do, & Real Men Will

Thanks to netGalley and Harlequin for providing me with a copy of these books in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: How to Romance a Rake

How to Romance a Rake by Manda Collins

The Ugly Ducklings Trilogy #2

Romance – Historical, Published July 2012

Challenges: Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge

Read September 2012, 352 pp.

4.5/5 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Book #1 – How to Dance with a Duke

Book Blurb:

You can lead a wallflower to the ball, but you can’t make her bloom—unless one daring young bachelor turns up the heat…

What’s a nice girl like Miss Juliet Shelby doing at a place like Lord Deveril’s ballroom? With her shy demeanor, she’s a total stranger to the dance floor and a source of mockery for the ton. So imagine her surprise when Deveril gallantly comes to her defense—and offers to teach her to dance! Juliet can hardly believe the most handsome bachelor in London would notice her, until he takes her in his arms and sets her heart ablaze…

Lord Alec Deveril has never felt such a spark of attraction for an unmarried lady before. Unlike the “fashionable” ladies he’s accustomed to, Juliet possesses a generous spirit, a fiery intelligence—and an explosive secret. Deep in the London underworld, a dear friend has vanished, and Juliet fears the worst. Deveril insists on helping, escorting her through the darkest alleys in town. But he too is hiding a shocking secret—and the only way he can defeat the devil in his past is to seduce the angel in his arms…

Thoughts:

Again, I’m in love with The Ugly Ducklings!  I adored the first in the series – How to Dance with a Duke – a great combination of romance and mystery.  The same is true with book two.  This time it’s duckling Juliet’s turn to find a husband, but she would have never guessed who it would turn out to be.  Her mother has a husband picked out for her, but Juliet cannot stand the sight of him!  But she and her cousins have a few tricks up their sleeves to get around her mother’s match.  When Juliet discovers her dear friend Anna has gone missing and left her baby behind, she knows it has to be foul play.  It is Lord Deveril who comes to her rescue and insists on accompanying her in finding out the truth behind the disappearance.  I love the chemistry between the three cousins and the men in their lives and while the story focuses on Juliet and Lord Deveril, we still get to see glimpses of characters from book one.

Can’t wait for Book 3 – How to Entice an Earl - about Ugly Duckling #3 – Cecily and Juliet’s cousin, Madeline – comes out January 29, 2013.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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