Coffee Table Reviews

Review: Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Released: January 1, 1998
Publisher: Avon
Rated: Adult
Series: Chinooks Hockey Team, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

TRULY UNFORGETTABLE
Georgeanne Howard, charm school graduate and Southern belle extraordinaire, leaves her fiance at the altar when she realizes she just can't marry a man old enough to be her grandfather, no matter how rich he is. John Kowalsky unknowingly helps her escape, and only when it's too late does he realize that he's absconded with his boss's bride. At the height of his hockey career, this bad boy isn't looking to be anybody's savior but his own, no matter how beautiful this angel may be. But a long night stretches ahead of them--a night too sultry to resist temptation.
When Georgeanne and John meet again, she is on her way to becoming Seattle's domestic darling and he is past his hellraising days. But he is shocked to learn that their single unforgettable night in paradise produced a daughter, and he is determined to be part of her life. Georgeanne has loved John since the moment she jumped into his little red Corvette seven years ago, but she doesn't want to risk her heart again. Is he really a changed man? And will he risk the wrath of his boss, and one final chance at glory, to prove that this time his love will be everlasting?

What I thought

I've been wanting to read this series for a while, being intrigued by both the hockey aspect (hot hockey players is always a plus) and hidden child surprise plot. It definitely turned out to be much better than what I thought it would be. I was expecting a decent, simple story, instead I got a very well written, detailed plot to pull me completely under its spell.

Loved the characters. All of them. They all have their own personality and they don't blend together, like you see in other series. I wasn't sure what to make of Georgeanne at first, but the more her story unraveled the more she wiggled into my heart. She has a great story and she's overcome a lot, especially for the time period of when she was a kid.

I'm pretty excited to read on in this series. I loved the subplots and the secondary romance and the very engaging writing style. I definitely look forward to meeting more of those hunky hockey players as well.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2012 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Scent of a White Rose Blog Tour

2012-01-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

It's not everyday that my friends decide to write a book. I've known Tish for a while now, thanks to such sites as Shelfari, and I'm really excited to see her put her work out there and to see what her hard work has come up with. I admire her courage and work. Since I know writing a book isn't easy (I've started many, never followed through), I'm honored to have her on the site to day and to introduce her work to my readers.

Be sure to check out the next stop at http://bookshelfsophisticate.blogspot.com/ tomorrow!

About the Book

A vampire's love...
An innocent's guilt...
A secret no one could've imagined...
A paranormal romance that entices with a heroine that isn't quite what she seems, a vampire whose love story is filled with dark surprises, and a vampire clan whose Sire has lost the ability to inflict "the change".
~ ROSE ~
I'm Rose Reynolds. I have recently lost my Mom in a "freak accident".
Now everyone sees me as an innocent girl.... a “white Rose”.
But I have a secret that no one can imagine.
I'm not as innocent as everyone thinks…
~ CHRISTIAN ~
I'm Christian and I’m in love with Rose. I also have a secret as old as time.
I’m a vampire.
No, she doesn’t know…yet.
But when our new Sire is revealed, I'll petition them to change her.
Because truly, I can't live without her...

Guest Post from author Tish Thawer

I would first like tothank Aimee for hosting a stop on my blog tour. I have been a follower of heramazing blog for quite some time and am truly humbled by her review andgrateful for her constructive criticism.

So...with her accuratewords of "less telling, more showing" ringing in my ears, I thoughtfor today's guest post I would have some fun and show you who I would choose as my fantasy cast for Scent of a WhiteRose.

Christian: AlexPettyfer

Rose: Elisha Cuthbert

Evangeline: EvangelineLilly

Dax: Cam Gigandet

Dominique: ScarlettJohansson

Tori: ChristinaHedricks

Bobby: Stephen R.McQueen (with blonde hair)

Terrance: EduardoVerastegui

Jillian: Camilla Belle

I'd love to hear whoyour fantasy cast is...if you have someone in mind for a particular character,let us know by leaving it in a comment below.

Now don't forget tofind the smoking roses and follow them to leave a comment for the TreasureHunt. Tell me how many roses you found today and where you were when you foundthem. (And p.s., make sure you follow Coffee Table Reviews if you haven'talready!)

Thanks for playing,

~ Tish Thawer

Review

Scent of a White Rose is a simple, easy and fast read. I read the whole thing in a span of an afternoon. Told from the point of view from a variety of characters, we get to see into the mind of almost the whole main group.

Ms. Thawer sets up her vampires a bit differently than everyone else. From their creation story, to who is able to make more vampires. This isn't a book where just any old vampire can bite someone and turn them. I liked that because it gave a bit of conflict for the novel. The only thing I would like to see more in the second and third book is less "telling". The characters lay everything out for the reader instead of showing the reader what is going on. But overall, it's a good read with a promising storyline.

3/5 stars

Author Sites

@TishThawer | tishthawer.blogspot.com | The Rose Trilogy

ARC Review: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

2012-01-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Released: Pocket Books (February 28, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books (February 28, 2012
Rated: Adult
Series: Elemental Assassin, Book 6
Buy: Amazon
*Book was provided by author for honest review*

Can’t a cold-blooded killer catch a break?

When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.

Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.

What I thought

Warning: Review contains series spoilers!

Gin Blanco is one of my favorite characters. I loved her in this book. I wasn't sure what would unfold for her now that her life long goal has been fulfilled. But I loved this one. I loved the idea behind Gin taking a vacation and trying to enjoy herself after the fallout of the death of Mab. The change of scenery worked really well for this stage of the series to break up the previous plot to slide into a new one.

I have to say it, I love Owen. A lot. I think he's great for Gin. But, I was also happy to see the reappearance of Detective Caine. There are unresolved feelings when it comes to the man who walked away from Gin and not only was I hooked to the main story of Gin trying to help out a new friend, but also to the storyline between Gin and Donovan.

This was fast paced and exciting. It kept me glued to my book until the very last word. Very imaginative series that is definitely worth picking up and reading. Jennifer Estep has a talent for weaving great stories with great characters.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2012 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

2012-01-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Released: October 5, 2010
Publisher: Roc
Rated: Adult
Series: Alex Craft, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Not even death can save her now. As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead-she's even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she's seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she's raising a "shade" involved in a high profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn't want her to know what the dead have to say, and she'll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why...

What I thought

I have to say, I really liked the storyline of this one. I read a few reviews before finally buying this one and all the talk of how hot Death was I was excited for a romance. It wasn't really a romance, but more of a paranormal murder mystery. And I'm not disappointed in the least over that. I loved the mystery, I loved the detective work and I loved watching Alex deal with the lead detective on the case.

I liked Alex. I did. While there are romantic elements (very few, but they exsist), I really liked watching her deal with the world around her. She's strong. She has her vulnerable moments that come with her abilities but she doesn't let it hold her back. She strives to do what is right and to find the truth. She's not a whiner, which is a huge bonus for me.

Pretty promising start to a series. I do plan on getting the next book and seeing where the story takes me.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Giveway: To Kill a Mockingbird DVD 50th Anniversary Edition

2012-01-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Oscar^® Winner Gregory Peck Gives the Performance

of His Career in the Timeless Classic Available on Blu-ray™

for the First Time

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

50^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Digitally Remastered and Fully Restored with Over Three Hours of Bonus Materials Including Two FullLength Documentaries

On Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack,

Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD

Available January 31, 2012

To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the screen’s most beloved and critically acclaimed films, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a commemorative Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack as well as on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 31, 2012. The powerful and poignant adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel hits the half-century mark, digitally remastered and fully restored from high resolution 35MM original film elements, plus more than three-and-a-half hours of bonus features chronicling the making of the cinematic masterpiece.

The Limited Edition Collector’s Series Combo Pack of To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition will include a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy of the film, packaged in a hardcover book featuring exclusive movie memorabilia including script pages with Gregory Peck’s handwritten notes, storyboards, poster art and much more.

Released theatrically in 1962, To Kill a Mockingbird won instant accolades for its nuanced performances, splendidly crafted narrative and bold endorsement of racial tolerance, fairness and honor, a combination that still resonates with audiences today. It earned eight Academy Award® nominations and three wins including a Best Actor statuette for Gregory Peck in one of his most iconic roles asthe principled Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Art Direction. The prestigious American Film Institute lists To Kill a Mockingbird as one of the 100 Greatest American Films and also names Atticus Finch as the No. 1 Film Hero of All Time. A timeless, enduring classic that remains as relevant and impactful today as it was at its release, To Kill a Mockingbird’’s appeal continues to span generations.

In honor of its centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100 years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of our first 100 years, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of our many beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio's rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.

Click the link below to view the official trailer for the To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ release: http://universal.wiredrive.com/r/p/?presentation=de63fe7c0c348f500d6a2a476a96a02d

The Giveaway

US/Canada only. No PO boxes. Enter by leaving a comment with your email below, one entry per person. Contest Ends 2/1. Prize will be mailed by ThinkJam.

Review: Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

2012-01-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Released: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Point
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles's friend, Will Darcy, who's snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk - so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

What I thought

I'm a little on the fence on this one. I love Austen retellings but I tend to shy away from the ones that seem to follow in the exact same footsteps as the original. The names, for the most part, stay the same while some of the connections change (as far as who is family and who isn't in this version). But the story is much the same.

I did enjoy it enough to not hate it, but it seemed like every little thing I could predict before it happened. Which isn't a bad thing, but it took the element of surprise out of most of the scenes when it unfolded much like the book. Some were more noticable than others, but enough for me to have a hard time picking out something new that the author brought to the story. It wasn't anything amazing, I think the original is much better and more in depth as far as story and character development.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

2012-01-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Released: September 8, 2010
Publisher: Flux
Rated: YA
Series: Leaving Paradise, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.
Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She’s determined to make a new life for herself.
But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie’s accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.

What I thought

I'm not going to lie. After the ending of the first book, I wanted to slap Caleb upside the head. I understand he has some things he needs to work out and I'm glad that he gets stuck doing the same summer trip as Maggie. And I also want to through out there that I loved Damon. He was just awesome. Caleb was just lucky to have him in his corner.

At first, I wasn't sure about this book. Then I realized that it would be silly to think that all of their problems would be solved in such a short time span of the first book. Watching as they both worked out their issues was great because you could see the healing slowly working through them.

And on a side note, I couldn't believe what Maggie's mom almost did to destroy her own happiness! I was really glad when things didn't turn the way I thought they would. I'm glad I picked up the first book and the second. These books were well worth the read.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

2012-01-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

Released: April 8, 2007
Publisher: Flux
Rated: YA
Series: Leaving Paradise, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

What I thought

I don't know why I put this one off as long as I did. But I'm glad I finally read it. It was a really emotional read seeing the two different sides of how drunk driving can destroy lives. There were hardships on both sides and while at first I wasn't sure I would like Caleb, I actually started to feel for him pretty fast after really getting into his story.

I was able to figure this one out pretty quick. While I was a little disappointed (only a little) about figuring that out, I did discover I didn't figure out the whole thing. Watching as both Maggie and Caleb struggled pulled on the heart strings a bit. In the end, I was rooting for them both. I thought they both deserved someone who truly understood them, and it happened to be each other.

Both had a lot to deal with. I was really glad it wasn't one sided. We got to hear from both Caleb and Maggie and I think if the story had been written in only one characters point of view, it would have fallen apart. Definitely not your average ya romance, but definitely worth the read.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

2012-01-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

Released: May 31st, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Rated: YA
Series: The Ghost and the Goth, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive ), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like. Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess. Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea

What I thought

I'm not sure I liked this one as much as the first one. I still enjoyed the story, but at times Alona's childishness got to me. But, I do have to say, that she learns her lessons so I do look forward to continuing with the third book.

I really like Will and I felt bad for him through this book. He still does act like a kid sometimes. And when he thinks he has a way to get answers about himself and his dad, things just don't seem right as much as he may want them to. But not everything is going bad for him. He does seem to have an easier time of things having his ghost guardian.

This series is interesting and I do look forward to the next one. The only thing I'm hoping for is for Alona to start growing as a character. The first book was okay, since she was transitioning, but in this one I started to resent her just a little bit. Hopefully in the next we see some growth.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

2012-01-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Released: June 11, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Rated: YA
Series: Oh. My. Gods., Book 2
Buy: Amazon

Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer. Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers. It’s another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine’s quest that’s sure to bring out the goddess in anyone. Especially when she does what she loves best!

What I thought

At first, I was just a little disappointed that this wasn't an audiobook. Yet. But then I was glad that it was available to read the old fashion way. I was glad to be able to continue Phoebe's story. I really loved her in the first and was glad to have a chance to see what happens after all the revelations of the last book.

What I liked most about this book was the interaction between Stella and Phoebe. It had some outcomes that I really didn't see coming and I really liked to see the relationship evolve. This was more than just another Phoebe story, most of the characters get some time to grow and change and I really liked watching them develop instead of staying the same.

This series is great and I do hope that there might be more in the future. I really enjoyed all of the characters and the school. But in the meantime, this is definitely going on the shelf along with my other favorites.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Book Trailer: Tempest by Julie Cross

2012-01-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

ABOUT TEMPEST:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps– it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

A success in the making: Pre-empted by Summit Entertainment (producers of Twilight) for feature film, with foreign rights sold in more than a dozen countries, Tempest, on sale January 17, is the first book in the buzzed about Tempest series by Julie Cross.

“Julie Cross's thrilling debut is brimming with excitement, romance, and intrigue. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!” —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

THE TEMPEST SERIES FACEBOOK FAN PAGE:Read the first 4 chapters of TEMPEST by Julie Cross now at http://on.fb.me/AoQyaQ

Audiobook Review: Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

2012-01-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Released: April 26, 2009
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
Rated: YA
Series: Oh. My. Gods., Book 1
Buy: Amazon

A modern girl’s comedic odyssey in a school filled with the descendants of Greek gods. When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and moves them to an island in the Aegean, Phoebe’s plans for her senior year and track season are ancient history. Now she must attend the uberexclusive academy, where admission depends on pedigree, namely, ancestry from Zeus, Hera, and other Greek gods. That’s right, they're real, not myth, and their teen descendants are like the classical heroes—supersmart and superbeautiful with a few superpowers. And now they’re on her track team! Armed only with her Nikes and the will to win, Phoebe races to find her place among the gods.

What I thought

Let me just say, this was a fabulous audiobook. The story was really good and having it read by Jessica Almasy (I've now heard her read a few times and I love her!) just made my day. Jessica is able to bring the characters to life, each person having their own distinct voice. Oh. My. Gods. was a really fun, light story that kept me entertained thoroughly.

Okay, the story itself was truly fun. I liked the school. I've read a few other books with schools that separate themselves from the human/normal world and I have to say that this is my favorite among them. It doesn't hurt that this follows the lines of the Greek Gods, which anyone who knows me knows I love anything Greek Mythology. I loved reading Phoebe's interactions with her old friends, her new family and her new classmates. Phoebe is such a lovable character that had found a way into my heart.

I really recommend this story, but even more, if you have the chance try out the audio. It is well worth your time and money.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

2012-01-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Released: June 29, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Rated: YA
Series: The Ghost and the Goth, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

After a close encounter with a bus, Alona Dare goes from homecoming queen to Queen of the Dead. She’s stuck as a ghost in the land of the living with no sign of the big, bright light to take her to a better place. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser outcast.

More than anything, Will wishes he didn’t have the rare ability to communicate with the dead, especially the former mean girl of Groundsboro High. He’s not filling out any volunteer forms to help her cross to the other side, though it would bring him some welcome peace and quiet.
Can they get over their mutual distrust -- and quasi-attraction -- to work together? Readers of this spirited paranormal comedy won't want this odd couple to ever part.

What I thought

This sat on my shelf for a while. I was on the fence about whether I would really enjoy it or not. But I'm glad I finally picked it up. I really liked Will. I even liked Alona, if you can believe it.

I really liked the mystery aspect of this. I really did not see that ending coming! But it was really good. Will struggles with trying to do everything well enough to graduate and to avoid being locked in a padded cell with the key thrown away. I'm not going to lie, I had a love/hate relationship with that aspect of the book. It was a really great conflict for Will that left me rooting for him all the way.

Alona really pulled through in this. I wasn't sure she would. But I did like her role. I even felt sorry for her after everything that she reveals to Will about her past life. I'm pretty excited to pick up the next book and see where the story goes from there.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz

2012-01-10T09:55:00.001-07:00

Released: December 22, 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Summer is here, and 16-year-old Allie, a self-professed music geek, is exactly where she wants to be: working full-time at Berkeley’s ultra-cool Bob and Bob Records. There, Allie can spend her days bantering with the street people, talking the talk with the staff, shepherding the uncool bridge-and-tunnel shoppers, all the while blissfully surrounded by music, music, music. It’s the perfect setup for her to develop her secret identity as The Vinyl Princess, author of both a brand-new zine and blog. From the safety of her favourite place on earth, Allie is poised to have it all: love, music and blogging. Her mother, though, is actually the one getting the dates, and business at Allie’s beloved record store is becoming dangerously slow—not to mention that there have been a string of robberies in the neighbourhood. At least her blog seems to be gaining interest, one vinyl junkie at a time….

What I thought

I really liked this one. I couldn't help it, no matter how the author described Allie, somehow I pictured her as Watts from Some Kind of Wonderful. She even had some of the same attitude.

I really liked that this was more than just a romance. So many things happen in this, all of it feeling well connected to the story. I really hadn't seen a few things coming, like things with Mystery Guy. This was more of a coming of age story than a romance, and I think the novel was better for it. I liked seeing Allie and her growing blog. I liked seeing her deal with things that would have been hard on anyone. I just really enjoyed her story.

I really liked the setting of this. The record store, the feel of neighborhood. It didn't feel like I was reading a book that was just like a ton of others I have read.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

2012-01-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Released: June 14, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Rated: YA
Series: Hourglass, Book1
Buy: Amazon

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

What I thought

Hourglass was a different sort of novel from what I was expecting. It is a little more complicated that I had originally thought it would be. I liked that it was more than just seeing ghosts. I'm not sure that I loved it, but I still enjoyed the story.

I liked Emerson. I liked that she struggled with what she sees. It wasn't something that she had dealt with since childhood. I loved her older brother. He was a great character and it was clear just how far he would go to help out Em. Even if they had no idea what was happening to her.

The part that I struggled with was with Jack. The before and after didn't seem to sit well with me. It just didn't seem to mesh well. But I'm holding out for the second book to see how things play out.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

2012-01-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

Released: February 4, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

What I thought

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this one, but I have to say I really loved it! I thought it was really funny and not everything worked out like I thought (and I'm glad). The story was really well planned out and I lost myself in the pages waiting for the next thing that would happen. And there was always something interesting going on.

The matches in this couldn't have been more perfect. While things start out rough for some of the characters, things really evolve and some surprising things develop. I loved watching the transformation of the different "spouses" as they made their way through the marriage course. And it didn't affect just the students. It also seemed to affect some of the faculty, some more than others.

And it had more than just romance, it had a few storylines going on that really made the novel feel like you were living through it with Fiona, as she struggles with this new development and her life. This is definitely reread worthy and I definitely believe it is one of the better young adult novels out there. I'm glad I stumbled upon it and gave it a chance.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

2012-01-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Released: September 15, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody...and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.
But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.
As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad -- and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance....

What I thought

Give up the Ghost was better than I thought it would be. I didn't love it, but I did enjoy the story. What I liked about it most was probably the real life issue of the grief that Tim is dealing with that really made this story worth reading.

I liked the plot of this one, about the ghosts being gossip mongers, giving Cass what she needs to survive high school. But what held back the story was that Cass didn't really have any real living friends. Just ghosts. So, really, Cass didn't have to worry too much about hiding what she is and what she can do. I think I would have liked to see it to complicate her social life a little more, more than just giving her the ammunition she needs to deal with the popular crowd that picks on her.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Audiobook Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

2012-01-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Released: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Rated: YA
Series: Curse Workers, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.
That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.
When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?
Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

What I thought

I don't think I can stress enough how much I love Jesse Eisenberg reading this series. The story is pretty awesome on its own, but Jesse really adds life to the story in a way that few would be able to do justice to.

I love the curse worker series. It's far different from any other paranormal young adult book out there. While I'm a bit sad it is only a trilogy, I am pretty excited to see how things end for Cassel. Things are not going so well for him.

The ending blew me away. I didn't see it coming at all. I had thought I had figured out the who-dun-it part a few times, but somehow I didn't make the connection. I'm also surprised with everything that relates to Lila. Poor Cassel, he can't seem to catch a break. It kills me that he loves her so much, but knows that things aren't right with how Lila feels about him. This is one of the biggest things I can't wait to see in the final book.

I really do recommend the audiobook for this one. I have very few that I would want to listen to over and over and this series will definitely be on that list. I'm not sure if Jesse will continue to lend his voice for audiobooks, but if he does, I'm there.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

2012-01-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Released: May 5, 2009
Publisher: MTV Books
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out -- doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T -- and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest -- and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize -- Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare....

What I thought

I absolutely loved this! I had a really hard time putting this down until I read every last word! Tere is such a great character who is so shy, people think she's deaf and mute. But her dream is to be a DJ, where speaking is pretty essential. I was pretty shy in high school, not quite as bad as Tere, but I was able to really identify with her and what she felt when it came to talking to or in front of people. I knew what she was going through and was excited when she pulled through.

I am not a fan of rap or the music that Tere listens to. While it plays a huge role for the book, it doesn't come up in a way that had me rolling my eyes or anything. It was important, but in the background. I really liked watching Sweet T come into her own when offered the chance at spreading her wings a bit and shining.

I'm not going to lie, I loved the whole idea behind this even if Tere didn't. I really had hoped for the best with the contest. It's a huge deal for Tere, who has had control ripped from her when it came to Prom. Loved the contest and loved the ending. It was brilliant and romantic and gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling on the inside. This needs to be on your to be read list, wishlist or buy list!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Wolves, Boys, & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

2012-01-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

Released: May 13, 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon
KJ Carson lives an outdoor lover's dream. The only daughter of a fishing and wildlife guide, KJ can hold her own on the water or in the mountains near her hometown outside Yellowstone National Park. But when she meets the shaggy-haired, intensely appealing Virgil, KJ loses all self-possession. And she's not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that they're assigned to work together on a school newspaper article about the famous wolves of Yellowstone. As KJ spends time with Virgil, she also spends more time getting to know a part of her world that she always took for granted . . . and she begins to see herself and her town in a whole new light.

What I thought

I bought this not really knowing what it was about. The cover got my attention, but it was the title that made me buy it without checking it out. I was pretty happy with what I got. I enjoyed the story and the road to discovery that KJ was on.

This had quite a lot on the wolves of Yellowstone in it and about those who are for it (wildlife enthusiasts, scientists, the government) and those against it (hunters, ranchers) and it was interesting to see how something like that might affect a community. We all have our opinions on it (including me) and it was interesting to see the other side of it.

The romance aspect of this wasn't the main focus. We still got some romancing in here, but it was more about KJ and learning who she really was, living her life with her dad who wasn't always the easiest to live with and discovering what it is that she wanted.

I really liked this and I'm really glad it didn't suck since I didn't take the time to really check the book out before buying. I'm glad I read it.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

2011-12-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Released: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Point
Rated: YA
Series: Clarity, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

What I thought

I had bought Clarity when it came out, but just never picked it up. I had finished reading another young adult psychic series and had wanted to wait and put some time between the two. Now that I had the other story out of my head, I was glad I had waited. While both are great novels, I think I would have spent so much time comparing the two and would have lost out on a really good story.

While it didn't blow me out of the water, I still had fun as I tried to figure the story out along with Clare. And of course, the boys. I have already latched on to Justin. And I also liked her brother. Ugh! I fell for the womanizer! But Perry is in a tight spot in this one, so it was hard not to feel for the guy.

The mystery was a really good story. There weren't a whole lot of obvious clues that were lying around all over the place to ruin the Who-Dun-It part and I really love that about this book. I love to be surprised by the ending. I'm glad I waited on this one and I'm glad I finally pulled it out!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Friday Follow (16)

2011-12-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

Q: The New Year is here — and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

Answer: There are a few things that went wrong this year for me. Not on the blog itself, but with my home computer. Like not being able to load my blog in FireFox/Chrome or any other platform. So, my participation and comments went down to zero. Now that I have a working laptop and saving towards a new computer, I hope to visit more blogs and participate more if my technical issues are done. Hopefully they are. Another is to find a few good memes to help connect with other bloggers again.

Let me know if you are a new follower and a link to your blog so I can return the favor!

Don't forget to add me to Twitter, your favorite reader and Facebook!

Review: Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Cruise

2011-12-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Released: December 1, 2008
Publisher: HQN Books
Rated: Adult
Buy: Amazon

Lucy Savage is finally getting rid of Bradley—and his hideous green recliner. Bradley is out of her life for good. Or so she thinks. Turns out Officer Zack Warren wants to arrest the very same Bradley for embezzlement and figures the lovely Lucy can lead him straight to his target. Good thing there's a cop around. Because someone shoots at Lucy and then blows up her car. Zack insists she needs twenty-four-hour protection. What does he think her three dogs and attack cat are for? Still, he insists on moving right in to Lucy's house.
Now there's danger lurking outside and in her own kitchen, bathroom—and bedroom. Or maybe Zack is just what Lucy needs.…

What I thought

I bought this quite a while ago on the recommendation from a friend. And it sat there, waiting patiently for me. I don't know what took me so long to finally pick it up and actually read it, but I highly enjoyed the story.

This was pretty stinkin' funny. I laughed quite a bit. Lucy and Zack were just two fantastic main characters that had me giggling. I even loved the kids, aka, the dogs. Even they brought in a huge amount of entertainment.

Okay, so it isn't all giggles, there is an actual mystery going on. What I liked about this is the mystery of it all. Things aren't as they seem and as time goes on Lucy starts to think that all that is happening isn't as harmless as she previously thought. Even better, the investigation brings Zack and Lucy together, even if that isn't where they had wanted to be.

I highly recommend this! Pretty darn cute and a great story to get lost in.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

2011-12-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

Released: September 15, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Ava wakes up in a house she doesn't know, into a life she doesn't recognize. Recently released from the hospital, she is welcomed home by a devoted mother, loyal friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest...but everyone is a stranger. Ava can't remember any of them, and can't shake the strange feeling that she's not who they say she is.
Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze and remember the past she's been told is her own. But the memories that begin to surface are of a different life entirely--one filled with danger. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions in which she and familiar-faced friends play very different, and very deadly, roles. But when Morgan appears--the one boy able to step from her memories into her reality--the high stakes and ultimate sacrifices of eternal love become the fiercest truth of all.

What I thought

I really love Elizabeth Scott. She really has some great YA Romances out there. I really wanted to love this one, but in the end, I just wasn't feeling it. Going into the book, I had read a few conflicting reviews. I decided to try it anyway. I'm not sorry in the least for buying it and trying it out, it just wasn't my favorite.

This is not like any of the previous romance novels at all. Maybe that is why I didn't love it. We get a mystery of just what is going on and why Ava doesn't seem to be going back to the way she was. Once I found out everything that Ava does, I started to skim. The book lost it's hold on me pretty quickly.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2011-12-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Released: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

What I thought

This was a fantastic read. I'm not really a fan of football. I don't really understand the game a whole lot and really have no interest in learning more about it. So, I was a little apprehensive about picking this one up and reading it. I'm glad I took a chance though. Because it was pretty great.

This was a little different from what I thought it was going to be. But I loved it. I loved watching Jordan realize a few things and finally go for what she really wanted, not just what she had. I was definitely Team Jordan. Reading her struggle with wanting to play college ball but having the disadvantage of not being born a guy really does play a role in this and I was glad to see Jordan work her way through all of it. I also loved the chemistry between Jordan and her teammates. They really had her back and didn't make her feel second rate because of her gender.

Loved the romance in this. It didn't play out like I thought it might (hence the vagueness) but I really got behind this aspect of it and really wanted Jordan to get what she wanted.

This was just a great read. Definitely worth buying and adding to your shelf.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

2011-12-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

Released: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire . . . fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil . . . until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don’t exist), and they’re shocked she survived. They’re even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl’s family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King’s feast—as the entrÉes.
The only problem? Pearl’s starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she’s definitely dead if she lets down her family. What’s a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

What I thought

I have to say, this was pretty entertaining. This was different from other YA Vampire books I have read. What I liked most about it was that Pearl starts evil and then grows a conscience. Plus, what girl doesn't like a story with a unicorn?

This was better than I had expected it to be. I'm not going to lie, the cover threw me off a bit. I'm not sure what about it I don't like, but it didn't grab me the way it has a lot of other people (it's okay! I don't mind being in the minority!). The story was pretty captivating and held my attention to the very end.

I really liked Pearl's conflict of interest. She starts to change and doesn't quite know what to do, if she should just give in and follow the orders of her family, or if she should follow the new voice of reason in her head. It made for a very fun read. The dynamic of Pearl's family was great. I liked them more than maybe I should (since they are evil). It was just a fun read all around.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

2011-12-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Released: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe. Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back -- if Cassie will agree to be his bride. That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her -- until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

What I thought

I was pretty intrigued with the storyline for this. I actually enjoyed about the first half or so of the book, getting to learn the new world and a different kind of paranormal young adult novel (I haven't read the original story that this was suppose to be a retelling of). But, unfortunately, that feeling didn't last through the book.

About halfway I really struggled to keep reading. It felt too much tell and not enough show. The first half, to a point, felt good. When Cassie started her trek across the arctic is where I felt the story change to where I didn't like it so much anymore. It's almost as if the story hit a brick wall and continued the story crippled.

The ending seemed abrupt. If it had played out a bit more, if we got to see the resolve of the book, I think I could have rated it another star. There were a few questions I had at the end that I didn't get answers for.

Overall, it's not a terrible book, but I think it could have been so much more.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

2011-12-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Released: February 1, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.
She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?
Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty.

What I thought

This wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. It was much better and more emotional than I would have imagined. It wasn't just a story about a girl and her journey to find true beauty, it was also a story of a family who needed a map to come back together.

This was remarkable on so many levels. It wrapped so many stories into one. A mom's struggle to please her husband and to make her only daughter feel beautiful any way she can. A teen who struggles with self image, trying to overcome the opinion of her peers and family. It was a very well written, well thought out story.

I loved Terra and Jacob. They were both great characters and I really enjoyed their journey through Christmas vacation and beyond. I thought they were perfect for each other because both were able to see the other as they truly were, not just what their skin shows.

I went to school with two girls with similar birthmarks. One had the mark on her face, the other's covered her hand and splashed across her arm. It was interesting to see the opposite side to having such a mark. What it might do to someone's self image. I was glad to come across this book and I was glad to see such a great book written.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

2011-12-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Released: June 29, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Rated: YA
Series: Gallagher Girls, Book 4
Buy: Amazon

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth.as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past.

What I thought

Probably the best book of them all so far, Only the Good Spy Young kept me flipping the pages eager to find out what happens next. I knew, from the third book, that this story arc would be a really good one. I wasn't disappointed at all. We still don't find all the answers in this book, but I'm looking forward to the next two to finding out the whole story.

What made this my favorite so far is that everything we thought we knew is now called into question. Those who were trusted before probably shouldn't have been. I love the mystery. We finally get the name of the group after Cammie, but we still don't know a whole lot about them. We are left to stumble along right with Cammie through every step of the way.

This had one hell of a cliff hanger. I went in research of the next book. I'm one of the lucky ones that waited on this series. Other fans of this series have been waiting two years for answers after this cliffhanger. Two years!!! I only have to wait a few more months and even that feels like torture. I'm really hoping I'm not left waiting two years on the 6th and maybe the last book of the series.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

2011-12-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Released: June 9, 2009
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Rated: YA
Series: Gallagher Girls, Book 3
Buy: Amazon

When Cammie "The Chameleon" Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she's in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she's there to watch Macey's father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world's best school (for spies), "exciting" and "deadly" are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers' plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.
As her junior year begins, Cammie can't shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn't feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion's corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?
Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey's private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth....

What I thought

I think the first two books built up to this one nicely. While there wasn't an over all story arc in the first two, it has built up the spy world and characters to make this story arc a very interesting one. In truth, I'm pretty excited for this because while before the stories were fun, I'm hoping things get a lot more complicated as Cammie works to figure everything out.

Things really start to change in this one and it had me on the edge of my seat through most of the book. There is now an unknown enemy out for one of the Gallagher Girls and Cammie doesn't know why. I loved following along as Cammie tried to hunt for the answers and getting more questions in the process.

I think that from this book on things will get very interesting. If you haven't read the first book, do so now! This series is really starting to heat up!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

2011-12-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Released: October 2, 2007
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Rated: YA
Series: Gallagher Girls, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

After the excitement of the fall, all Cammie Morgan wants is peaceful semester at school. But that’s easier said than done when you’re a CIA legacy and go to the premier school in the world...for spies.

Despite Cammie's best intentions, trouble crops up quickly. Cammie, Bex, and Liz learn that the Gallagher Academy is hosting guests from another spy school -- a school that is known to the world as the Ethan Frome Academy--a secret spy school for boys. After her fiasco with Josh last fall, Cammie isn't sure she's ready for daily encounters with boy spies – especially after she meets Zach -- an incorrigibe cutie who everyone thinks is just perfect.

Cammie is right to be worried about their new guests. Soon after the boys’ arrival, she's blamed for a series of security breaches that leave the school's top-secret status at risk. And the perfectly crushable Zach is her prime suspect.

The Gallagher Girls will need to use all their skills to investigate the Frome Boys. Even though they're confident about their guy-spying (as if they haven't done it before!), the playing field is level this time, and the stakes for Cammie’s heart—and her beloved school— are higher than ever.

What I thought

I loved adding the boys to this one. The Gallagher Girls, save one, haven't really had any contact with the male persuasion their own age. As Cammie learned in the last book, it isn't so easy to assimilate when you have no idea what to do when it comes to something you've never dealt with before.

Zach was great. He's a great character. I really enjoyed Cammie and Zach and their very interesting dealings with each other. And not just them, but the other girls as they fight for the attentions of the other boys. What I liked about this was we don't really get the full picture when it comes to the boys. There was a few lingering questions (at least for me) even after the book was done about the boys.

So far, this series has been fun. I love how while this isn't a typical young adult series, there isn't anything in here that could never happen. I love paranormal romance, a lot, but there is just something about a book/series that takes place in our world that I could actually imagine happening.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

2011-12-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

Released: March 20, 2007
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Rated: YA
Series: Gallagher Girls, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

The Gallagher Academy for exceptional young women is fairly typical all-girls school--that is, it would be if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses, but it's really a school for spies.
Cammie Morgan is a second-generation Gallagher Girl, and by her sophomore year she's already fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different way (one of which involves a piece of uncooked spaghetti). But the one thing the Gallagher Academy hasn't prepared her for is what to do when she falls for a boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl.
Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and trackhim through town without his ever being the wiser--but can she have a relationship with a regular boy who can never know the truth about her?
Cammie may be a elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's beginning her most dangerous mission--falling in love.

What I thought

I don't know why I kept putting off this series, I loved the Heist Society series and I knew this would be just as great or even better. This was a really fun story. I love the idea behind it and I was quickly drawn to the story and to the characters.

I loved Cammie and her friends Liz and Bex. I wasn't so sure about Macey at first, but in the end I came to love her as well. It was interesting to see Cammie going through spy school and finally meeting her first boy. I felt so bad for Cammie, since obviously she couldn't tell him who she was and what she does. It really made you feel for Cammie and her not so normal upbringing.

This was a great, light read that kept me entertained. It's well worth reading.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Audiobook Review: White Cat by Holly Black

2011-12-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Released: May 11, 2010
Publisher: Listening Library
Rated: YA
Series: Curse Workers, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.
Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love -- or death -- and your dreams might be more real than your memories.

What I thought

Not only was this an absolute amazing story, it was also a brilliant audiobook. I loved listening to Jesse Eisenberg tell this tale. I've never really had any feelings either way for Jesse as an actor, but Jesse as a reader... I highly enjoyed it.

This book has a lot going for it. One, the unique world of curse work. While you have read plenty of other books with mob characters or con artists, I have yet to come across another with anything close to a curse worker. And it's all the better for it. I loved getting to know the different possibilities of talents that curse workers can hold and seeing how the 'blow back' can effect them. I'm not going to lie, the blow back was probably one of my favorite parts about this book because while these guys have some amazing talents, they don't come free (like they might in another book).

What an incredible mystery! The audiobook kept me glued to my laptop/mp3 player until I had listened to the whole thing. It was suspenseful and completely captivating. I loved the characters and I loved how the author led false clues around (at least, I'm assuming she did) about the who or what because I thought I had it all figured out a time or two only to be proven wrong.

White Cat was just brilliant. I highly recommend this book, but more so the audiobook. I don't know what took me so long to finally read this book... but I am so glad that I finally got around to getting into this series.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

2011-12-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Released: March 29, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Rated: YA
Series: Shadow Falls, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.
Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

What I thought

I'm glad I finally gave this one a chance. I've had it on my tbr list for a while now, I kept looking at it and for some reason, always left it on the list to pick something else up. Born at Midnight was a fun read.

Going in, I knew I was going to have something to snipe about. I really do hate love triangles. I always feel like I pick the wrong guy. (I'm not telling you who I picked). I haven't taken the time to go around to the authors blog to see if this series has a number of books planned out or not, but I'm hoping that the love triangle gets cleared up.

I found the story line interesting. I liked the idea of the camp. I really did. Even more, I liked how we have to learn, along with Kylie, what she really is. And if we want to believe, even if she may not. I loved the mystery aspect and I loved how we weren't in the know when Kylie wasn't.

I'm definitely going to pick up the next book. There are a lot of great characters and great potential for this one. I am definitely glad I finally got my hands on it.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Audiobook Review: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

2011-12-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Released: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Rated: Ya
Series: Sky Chasers, Book 1
Buy: Amazon
*Book was provided by the audiobook publisher for honest review*

What if you were fifteen, bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you’d been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival – not love – the issue? Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth’s collapse, the ship’s crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader’s efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don’t know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them… Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager – until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage – and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth. But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren’t all from the outside.

What I thought

I'm a little on the fence with this one. On one hand, I loved the audiobook. I've listened to a previous audiobook with both Matthew Brown and Ilyana Kadushin and have enjoyed them reading previously and for this book. I do believe Matthew Brown will be one of those names I look for when picking out future audiobooks. On the other, I'm not sure I really enjoyed the story itself.

The whole story seemed to go at a slow pace. I had to restart several scenes multiple times because I would tune it out. While there were some really great conflicts in the story, for the most part, I had wanted something to happen. Anything. There seemed to be a lot of world building and explaining and that is where I found myself tuning out the book and found myself doing something else to entertain myself.

The plot interested me. It still does. I haven't decided if I will try out the next one or if I will let the series go. It does seem to hold promise for a good series. And it didn't hurt that one of my new favorite readers (Matthew Brown) read for Kieran.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Happy Birthday to Me Again by Brian Rowe

2011-12-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Released: September 22, 2011
Publisher: CreateSpace
Rated: YA
Series: Birthday Trilogy, Book 2
Buy: Amazon
*Book was provided by author for honest review*

Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day… again. And this time... he's going backward! When Cameron proposes to his beloved witch of a girlfriend Liesel, he thinks life can’t get any better. But when he reluctantly breaks off the engagement just days before the wedding, Liesel angrily unleashes another curse on the unlucky guy, this time making him age backward, from eighteen, all the way to zero. Making matters worse, Liesel mysteriously disappears, leaving Cameron with no options, except watching himself rapidly shrink into a helpless child. Will Liesel be able to save his life again? Or will Cameron ultimately fall prey to his girlfriend's wicked spell?

What I thought

This was a little hard to rate. I liked the first book but I wasn't so sure about this one when I realized everything was going in the opposite direction as last time. As in, Cameron is now aging backwards. I'm glad it is a trilogy and has a plan for the series. When I wasn't feeling to great about where the story was going, it actually made me feel better knowing that the series had a direction and in the next book, we should see something pretty great stuff.

Things seemed a little harder as Cameron aged backwards. Getting shorter, finding clothes that might fit his new, smaller body all while trying to find his missing girlfriend. It was obvious something was up but I wasn't sure how it all fit into the story.

Mostly, I think it was the ending that left me feeling a little weird. In the previous book, we didn't get a cliffhanger, but in this one, we get two very big cliffhangers. Maybe it was the glimpse of the impending doom and not having the next book to read and see what happens or just the massive scale that things have been taken to. But, I do look forward to finishing the trilogy.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

2011-12-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Released: June 7, 2011
Publisher: FSG
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.
Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.
But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!
Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.
But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

What I thought

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I went it expecting a novel I would like well enough, but didn't hold too much expectations for it. But from the first pages I found myself laughing out loud, snickering and even feeling the pain of Brooklyn's decisions.

The blog was a genius thing. Not only did she write a blog, but the author included the pages of the blog as if we were really looking at what would be posted online. Well, all but the actual voting boxes. We got to see the results like she did and everything. I wasn't expecting this, but honestly, it really added to the story versus just a paragraph of what she had written.

This is definitely a keeper. I just loved the whole book and definitely plan on reading it again. Very amusing. I'm excited to see more from Jessica Brody and I highly recommend this book.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Cover Reveal with SM Reine

2011-12-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Scavenger Hunt was a success! SM Reine had a great response and a lot of people participated. Well, now it is time to show you what those puzzle pieces made! And here are the covers:

Aren't they beautiful?! I love the new covers! I'm pretty excited that the author, SM Reine, included me in this. I had a lot of fun hiding the pieces and following along! I hope you guys take a moment and check out the books and consider buying them.

Review: When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

2011-12-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Released: May 4, 2006
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything , a debut novel for all those searching for "The One"! Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she’s thrilled. But then there’s Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. It just so happens that one of Tobey’s goals is also to make Sara fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

What I thought

I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Susane Colasanti is not an author for me. I didn't mind the romance so much, but I found myself gritting my teeth through most of the novel. It has a Pride and Prejudice storyline, which I usually love, but I'm going to admit, the writing drove me up the wall.

I don't mind slang when used in character speech. But I don't like to see it in a form of writing. Let me give you a little example: Instead of: She said "I found it over here!" the author used: She's like "I found it over here" and He's all "No way, man!". Every time I read that, I wanted to snap an imaginary rubber band at the author to get her out of the habit of doing the "She's all, I'm like" crap. It may just be this novel, but I think I can honestly say I won't be missing out on anything by making this my last Colasanti novel.

Like in the other novel of hers I've read, the characters don't come to life for me. I don't connect in any way and I end up rushing through just to say I finished it and so I can move on to something good. This was definitely a novel I did not enjoy.

So I leave you this, my thoughts rolled into one short but effect thought. In the words of Meatloaf (the singer, not the food), I want my money back.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

2011-12-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

Released: November 1, 2011
Publisher: NAL
Rated: Adult
Series: Chicagoland Vampires, Book 5
Buy: Amazon

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.
That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.
Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

What I thought

This was a hard book to rate. So much has happened in the last part of the previous book so I dug into this one with reservation. I knew something was up, along with everyone else, I just wasn't sure how everything would be dealt with. And that is what made it hard to rate.

There is a lot that happens in this book. I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with the new storyline, but I will have to see here it goes in the next book. *Major Cliffhanger Alert!!* I wasn't sold on either ending (you'll understand when you read both parts). One felt too easy, the other left me wanting to hit my head upside a brick wall.

The story itself, was interesting. I'm not going to lie, I love Merit. I love this character and as much as I hate the cliffhanger to this one and the last book, I will probably keep reading and keep hoping the best for Merit. While the endings left me a little unsatisfied, I enjoyed the mystery (maybe not so much the outcome) of the book.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

2012 YA Contemporary Challenge

2011-12-02T10:21:00.001-07:00

Angela from Reading Angel and Katie from Katie's Book Blog are hosting a YA Contemporary Challenge for 2012. I'm pretty excited because I love YA Contemp and I have a feeling that I'm going to fly through this challenge. The part I'm going to struggle with is the part where I list my top favorites from the 2012 list that I picked out from the GoodReads list.

I'm choosing Level 3: 15+ books. So, in no particular order, my top 15 chosen books are:

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
~~The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith~~ *Read*
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams
The Princesses of Iowa byM. Molly Backes
A Midsummer's Nightmare byKody Keplinger
Fracture byMegan Miranda
This Is So Not Happening byKieran Scott
One That I Want byJennifer Echols
52 Reasons to Hate My Father byJessica Brody
The List bySiobhan Vivian
Bittersweet bySarah Ockler
Isla and the Happily Ever After byStephanie Perkins
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
~~Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom~~ *Read*
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Books Read not on my original list:

Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler

I'm sure I'll read more than this, since there are some amazing looking books being published in 2012. I'll link all reviews to this page and update with reviews and any additional books I may read. I'm excited to see what 2012 brings for YA Contemporary and I'm sure I'll struggle as some of these I will have to wait a while on while I try not to succumb to the "But, I want it now!!" syndrome.

Review: Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

2011-12-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Released: February 17, 2011
Publisher: Dial
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

What I thought

I was pretty excited to finally get around to reading this one. I had hoped for some outrageously funny events. I admit, I had She's the Man (Amanda Bynes movie) in my head when I started out with this. In the end, I think I had too much built up for the story to really love it.

I have a hard time really imagining something like this would really work (even in a movie, like the above referenced). But it is fun to watch as Nat, aka Natalie, tries to hide the fact that she's female in an all boys school. It was fun, but failed to truly impress.

I did like the theatre aspect of this. I thought it was interesting how Natalie had viewed her competition and how it plays out in the book. I wasn't so keen on the romance part of it, it seemed a little rushed.

This is read worthy, I just might suggest picking it up from the library before buying a copy.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Pride & Popularity by Jenni James

2011-12-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

Released: July 13, 2011
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press (2011
Rated: YA
Series: The Austen Diaries, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Chloe Elizabeth Hart has found she cannot abide the conceited antics of the popular crowd. –Or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who is determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico is in love with Taylor, but he seems to be only interested in her.

What I thought

I liked the idea behind this book and lost myself in it for the first half. But it was getting to the second half where I started to lose a bit of interest. I really do like Jane Austen type novels. I love remakes of the same kind of story. I'm just a Jane Austen fan.

What drug this novel down was that it was too close to the original. I liked the struggle for the characters to come together, their pride getting in the way. Let's face it, that's what makes the original and others like it so much fun. I would have liked to see a bit more changed, not so much trying to be just like the original.

I haven't sworn off the series though. I'm going to give the next one a try and see how I like it. I've read the titles for the other ones to come and it sounds like we might get to see some of the same characters from this, which should be interesting.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: One Night that Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

2011-11-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

Released: July 6, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Four dares - Two secrets - One night Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper. Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her. Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide ...

What I thought

I'm still on the fence with this one. I liked it in parts, but there were other parts that I didn't care for too much. I liked the idea of the book. It was fun and intriguing. I'm not so sure I really liked Cooper, even towards the end.

I thought this would be a really fun read. While it was fun, I had a hard time with Eliza's friends always seeming to ditch her and randomly disappear when she needed them most. And I'm not sure what to make of the secret society. It felt like a cop out for Cooper.

I really liked Eliza though. And I liked the idea of her notebook. How she wrote all her fears in there for years. I thought it was a pretty neat idea. I liked to see how her fears have evolved and it gave a bit of insight into what she worries about as each challenge was sent to her.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Scavenger Hunt with Author SM Reine

2011-11-29T07:58:00.001-07:00

Rylie's been bitten. She's changing. And now she has threemonths to find a cure before becoming a werewolf... forever.

Six Moon Summer by SM Reine will be republished by Red IrisBooks, so it's getting a total makeover to celebrate! Six Moon Summer and itssequel, All Hallows' Moon, are coming out on January 6th, 2012 and will havenew covers and NEW short stories.

To reveal the awesome new covers, we're holding a littlescavenger hunt and swag giveaway! Here's how it works:

I've hidden two puzzle pieces somewhere on my blog. One isfor the new Six Moon Summer cover, and one is for the new All Hallows' Mooncover. Once you've found them, leave a comment saying which pages you foundthem on and which puzzle piece belongs to which book. If you get it right, you'llbe entered to win one of the prize packs!

The Mini Prize Pack has lip gloss, a wristband (withadorable werewolf paw prints on it), and Seasons of the Moon bookmarks. TheGRAND Prize Pack has the same things as the mini prize pack, but it also comes witha signed copy of Six Moon Summer with the original cover and a leather diaryjust like Rylie's!

You can also hunt down the rest of the puzzle pieces on theother participating blogs:

If you find ALL the pieces, leave a comment on SM Reine'sblog post here to be entered to win the Grand Prize Pack! Winners will be announced onDecember 6th, so you have about a week to find the pieces!

Happy hunting!

Review: Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt

2011-11-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

Released: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Self Published
Rated: YA
Series: Brenna Blixen Novel, Book 1
Buy: Amazon
*Book was provided by author for honest review*

What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day? Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance. What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once. The same day that dark, brooding Saxon Maclean charmed her with his killer good looks and whip-smart wit, Jake Kelly stole her breath away with his heart-wrenching smile and intelligent, thoughtful focus. But Saxon is a proud player who makes it clear that he doesn't know why he can't get Brenna off of his mind and out of his system, and Jake's sweet and humble attitude hides a secret past life that might be darker and more complex than Brenna is willing to deal with. Complicating the matter is the fact that Saxon and Jake were once best friends and are now arch-enemies...and the more Brenna finds out about their connection to each other, the more intrigued and worried she becomes. Between keeping the peace with her lovingly over-protective parents, designing t-shirts for her high school's rising punk band, keeping up her grades in classes split between academic and technical high school, and running the track like a maniac, Brenna has enough to worry about with out juggling two guys who make her heart thud and drive her crazy all at once. She has to make a choice, but how is she supposed to do that when giving her heart to one of them might mean breaking the other's?

What I thought

Everyone knows I'm not a fan of love triangles. I usually tend to pick the guy who won't win the girl. But in this one, it was more than just two guys hoping to win over a girl. It was more about two guys who shared a history and are trying to come to terms with each other. And it just so happens they both like the same girl.

I liked Saxton and Jake. They were both some good characters. I have to admit, I usually end up not liking the other guy. Usually because I'm so wrapped up in the one I really want to win. But with this, I liked them both. I had hoped the best for both.

Double Clutch was a nice and fun read. Definitely worth picking it up. I'm glad there will be more (at least the ending leaves room for more) and I hope to see much more of these characters!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Where You Are by Tammara Webber

2011-11-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Released: October 21, 2011
Publisher: Self Published
Rated: YA
Series: Between the Lines, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

Graham Douglas doesn’t do romantic relationships, but he was knocked for a loop when he met Emma Pierce on the set of his last film. As they grew closer, he did everything in his power to keep from falling for a girl being pursued by superstar Reid Alexander. Now home in New York, his life is once again under control, until Emma appears and shows him how not over her he is.
Emma Pierce is forsaking an up-and-coming Hollywood career to embark on a life she’s only dreamed of—the life of a regular girl. After spending months burying her feelings for the two night-and-day guys who vied for her heart while filming her last movie, a twist of fate puts her in a coffee shop in the middle of Manhattan with the one she still misses.
Brooke Cameron was a fresh-faced Texas girl when she arrived in LA. Now she’s a beach sitcom star turned conceited heiress on the big screen. Having just survived three months on location with her ex—Hollywood’s reigning golden boy—she’s older and wiser and has set her sights on her close friend Graham. The only thing standing in her way is the girl he can’t forget.
Reid Alexander can sum up his life in one word: boring. Between film projects, there’s little going on outside of interviews, photo shoots, and the premiere of the film he finished last fall. The next-to-last thing he expects is to get a second chance with Emma, the girl who rejected him. The last thing he expects is for his still-bitter-ex to be the one to offer it to him on a platter.

What I thought

Loved, loved, loved the second book! It was even better than the first! I won't lie, I was more of a fan of Graham than Reid. Although after reading this one, I started to warm up to Reid and I'm hoping he gets his own book with his own happy ending because light was shone on his character that started to really show why Reid is the way he is. And I really liked getting to know him that way.

As much as Reid grew on me in this one, I have to say the opposite was true of Brooke. Oh man! I liked her in the first, not so much in this. The longer the book went on, the more I despised Brooke. Although, I'm reserving final judgement in the next book. But still, the lengths she want to in order to get what she wants made her slightly evil in my eyes.

Okay, so I ended up not liking Brooke, but I do believe it made for one excellent book with all the drama and complications that arose. I enjoyed watching Graham and Emma fight for each other and to see just how the story would play out. I can't wait to read more in this series and from this author. What a great romance!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

2011-11-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

Released: May 27, 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rated: YA
Amazon

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember. Dani has been trained as a thief by the best—her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends—a real life. In the beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes. For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home. She's making friends and has even met a guy. But these people can never know the real Dani—because of who she is. When it turns out that her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for their next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known—or the one she's always wanted.

What I thought

Elizabeth Scott books are a lot like potato chips. You can't stop with just one! I had a marathon weekend of her books and the more I read, the more I needed to get my hands on more. Stealing Heaven was another hit, one I couldn't put down until I had read every last word.

I really liked the premise of this one. It made for such a fantastic read that keeps the reader on their toes. Sydney, aka Danielle, was such a great character. I instantly fell for her. She had such hopes of a normal life, one where she didn't have to steal from people she made friends with and to skip town after each job. Danielle's mom was something else. I was fascinated and at the same time, sad for her daughter. The things she did!

The romance was brilliant! The obstacles that were in their way! It made for such a great read that kept me on my toes on how things would play out. Since Danielle had to hide everything from this guy she was growing more and more fond of. And her growing interest is hampered a bit by the guy being a cop. Really, it made the story fun and adventurous.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: His Eyes by Renee Carter

2011-11-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Released: August 28, 2009
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Amy Turner's about to graduate from high school and all she wants is a job. Actually, all she wants is to find a way to pay for college. Amy certainly isn't looking for love when she answers an ad to baby-sit a boy-she just needs the cash. But the job has a catch: The boy is blind...and he's her age. Tristan Edmund may be hot, but he doesn't want Amy's help. Or so he thinks. After being blinded in a horse show-jumping competition, Tristan spends his days in the dark, refusing to accept his disability. Much to his annoyance, Amy bursts into his life and drags him into the light. But just as the two begin to see something in each other, Tristan's beautiful ex-girlfriend shows up. Will the temptation be too much, or will Tristan choose the girl who really sees him?

What I thought

I enjoyed His Eyes. While parts of it didn't feel terribly realistic, I was still able to enjoy the story. This was a different kind of romance that I'm used to and I like that about the book. It wasn't typical and it wasn't something I've read before.

I was expecting Tristan to be a little to be a little more angsty. While he did come around a little sooner than I would have liked, I still felt bad for him and had hoped the best for him in his circumstance. Amy was pretty good with him in getting him out and about and to learn how to deal with his new life out in the world.

I'm not sure I really bought the part about someone hiring a babysitter for Tristan, but it did make for a cute story though.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

2011-11-23T07:29:00.001-07:00

Released: March 25, 2008
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible. And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest. Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them....

What I thought

Elizabeth Scott is becoming a favorite author fast. I have yet to pick up a book from her that I haven't devoured and loved. This, of course, was no exception. I melted into the story pretty fast and latched onto Kate right away. I felt so bad for her, seeing how things slowly tailspin for her and her family.

I loved Will. Completely! He was just so perfect for Kate that I couldn't help but root for them both. I'm a sucker when it comes to the heroine being a little insecure and having their doubts proved wrong. Kate isn't so sure about what is going on with Will and it made my heart ache for her as she tried to figure out just what she wanted and how to keep moving forward.

I was pretty sad when Kate's best friend ditched her for the popular crowd. Every time Kate saw her, she just wanted so much to have her best friend back. The popular girls don't see the real Anna like Kate does and it was sad to watch Kate pine for her friend.

This was just an excellent read. Everything pulled me in and kept me hanging on every word. I highly recommend this author and this book. It's just a well written and captivating story.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

2011-11-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Released: May 26, 2011
Publisher: Jamie McGuire, LLC
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand. Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

What I thought

I feel conflicted with this one. I wasn't so sure about this one. I feel like I'm left in the middle of the road. Liking it but not liking it at the same time. I had wanted to like the romance part but that is where my conflicted feelings lie. Travis seemed so out of control through this and it actually had me worried for Abby. I wasn't sure where the line was when things would go from bad to worse.

Travis was good at the beginning. Player, ladies man, brawler. But once the romance started, red flags were all over the place. He doesn't stay completely out of control, but I did side with America though. I had hoped that Abby would have stayed away. For her own good. Travis just really set me on watch and I wasn't sure I was really able to get behind the couple when he seemed to react so badly to different things. I don't know guys. I think it just wasn't for me.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

2011-11-21T08:00:00.001-07:00

Released: March 24, 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

I wonder what it would be like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one. Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it. Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants -- only what she wants may not be what she needs.... Once again, Elizabeth Scott has created a world so painfully funny and a cast of characters so heartbreakingly real that you'll love being a part of it from unexpected start to triumphant finish.

What I thought

I'm a sucker for these kinds of books. I loved the story around the romance too. I really did feel bad for Hannah as she crushed on a guy who didn't really see her (at least at first) and to have the father that she has. I really do think it was the storyline behind her parents (mostly her father) that really reeled me in.

Hannah doesn't have a perfect father. Most of the time, it's like she doesn't have one at all, since she hasn't talked to him in 5 years or so. I liked the Hugh Hefner like story behind her dad. Well, not liked, because I felt bad for Hannah, but I thought it was compelling on Hannah's part as she tries to come to terms with who she is, not who her parents are.

This was sweet and charming. And I think Hannah ends up with just the right guy (even if she didn't know it at first). This is my second Elizabeth Scott book, but now I'm dying to get my hands on more of her stories. I highly recommend both author and book.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

2011-11-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

Released: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Philomel
Rated: YA
Series: Nightshade, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

What I thought

This was a slow start for me, but it quickly picked up and had me hooked. This is so completely different from most other werewolf stories that I was able to delve into a new world and learn about these creatures without having too much of other werewolf stories to compare it to. Because it is so unique, it is hard to compare it to any other werewolf series.

Halfway through I wanted to cry. Why do I always pick the guy who seems to be on the losing side? This is probably the reason why I tend to shy away from novels with love triangles. I liked Ren, maybe I have a thing for cocky guys. I liked him more than Shay for Calla. I know, I will have to wait for the next two, but I have a feeling I'm on the losing team.

Most books, I really hate cliffhangers. But this is a trilogy, a planned story, so I'm able to cope with the cliffhanger better. Other series that do it just to try to get you to buy the next can drive me crazy. But with this one, I'm glad to know it has an ending insight and that the cliffhanger leads into the next chapter and not as a ploy to get the next book sold.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

2011-11-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Released: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Rated: YA
Series: Bloodlines, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

LOVE AND LOYALTY RUN DEEPER THAN BLOOD…
Sydney protects vampire secrets -- and human lives. As an alchemist, she is part of a secret group who dabbles in magic and serves to bridge the world of humans and vampires.
But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, she fears she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. What unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir -- the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir -- is in mortal danger, and goes into hiding. Now Sydney must act as Jill’s protector.
The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one . . .

What I thought

I'm not going to lie, this was a little hard to get into at first. It actually took me until Sydney left and started up school for me to really get into the story and to stop forcing myself to read on. I loved the Vampire Academy series and wasn't so sure about this one. I liked Sydney but I wasn't sure if I would really like a series on her point of view. That being said, I'm glad I forced myself to get through the first few chapters. I think this will be a great spin off series.

Another truth. I was Team Dimitri. That being said, I'm glad to have Adrian in this series because while I still loved him in the other series, I still had hopes that he would find someone special. I'm not sure that has happened yet, but I think it has a possibility of happening in this new series.

Really, I should have known. I've read every series that Richelle Mead has out. She's the queen of cliffhangers. This also has one. While it isn't something hugely major to the story, it still left me wanting to throw the book across the room when I realized just how she ended it. But now that I've had time to cool down (okay, so I exaggerate the book throwing just a tad), I find myself eager to see what happens because of the potential explosion that will happen at the beginning of the next book. It should be good. And I can't believe how long I have to wait to find out what happens.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

ARC Review: Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

2011-11-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Released: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Kensington
Rated: YA
Series: Mythos Academy, Book 2
Buy: Amazon
*Book was provided by author for honest review*

At Mythos Academy, teen warriors in the making train to take up their roles protecting humankind. With her snarky, self-deprecating voice and strange gift of psychometry - the ability to know an object's history just by touching it - Gwen Frost is an outsider both to the students of the Academy and the rest of the world. But now that she's taking private tutoring with the Academy's most notorious young Spartan, and has Nike's own sword to protect her, she's ready to make mark...

What I thought

The second installment of the Mythos Academy series, Kiss of Frost was just as great a read as the first. Maybe even better. Things aren't getting any easier for Gwen as the story picks up. Full of mystery, adventure, mishaps and one major crush, I was pulled into the story fast and I was unable to put it down for anything.

I liked the setting in this. The ski lodge was fun. Throwing Gwen into situations that she didn't really want. Like, learning how to ski. Oh, and also that there is someone out to kill her. I really liked how the other schools were thrown in the mix so it was harder to try and guess just who might be after Gwen. I love the mystery and I love not being able to figure everything out.

I really do like that Gwen hadn't been brought up like the rest of the students. She's just learning her way to try and stay alive and we get experience everything with her as she learns to fight and learns just what kind of power she truly has. She’s a very strong character, but with a vulnerable side. It makes Gwen very easy to connect with. Gwen learning to really use her power in this novel was one of my favorite parts. I'm excited to learn what she can learn and develop her magic into. I really do look forward to watching Gwen's character grow.

The story in here holds promise to more and greater books to come. And maybe even a darker storyline as things develop. In a genre full of mythology references and character, Mythos Academy stands out.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Cross My Heart by Katie Klein

2011-11-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Released: March 14th 2011
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

True love can blossom in unexpected places. This is Jaden pretending not to notice. . . . Jaden McEntyre and Parker Whalen are a wrong fit from the start. Jaden is driven and focused, Harvard Med School within reach. Parker has a past—a reputation—and the rumors about his mysterious habits abound. So there’s no reason why, when they're assigned to work together on a project in English, they should discover they have anything in common, or even like each other, and they definitely shouldn't be falling in love. As they bond over Edith Wharton’s tragic novella, Ethan Frome, the “bad boy” vibe Parker plays begins to dissipate. Soon, Jaden finds herself shedding her own “good girl” image: sneaking around to be with him, confiding in him, and ultimately falling hard for this leather-wearing, motorcycle-driving loner who plays into the rebel stereotype. Still, Jaden can't shake the feeling that there's more to Parker than he's letting on. He's hiding something from her, and discovering the truth means reconciling the Parker she's grown to love with the person he really is. Because it's possible that his life inside the classroom—everything Jaden knows—is one, massive lie.

What I thought

I quickly lost myself in this story. I really felt for Jaden when her life started to play out. Everyone expected her to be one way and when she slowly started to change, it seemed like those most important to her didn't like what they were seeing. But I agree with her brother, I liked the change, I liked to see Jaden really start to live life.

I wasn't so sure about the romance at first. It took me about half way through to really get behind it and then the little twist at the end cinched it for me. I don't know why, I'm not sure if I would have liked it in another book, but for this one, it fit and felt right. I was so happy for Jaden at the end, seeing her happy when things just didn't seem to go right for her for part of the book.

I'm glad I gave this a try. When I first saw the cover, I skipped over this one. Yeah, I know, I know. You're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I did and I'm glad I gave it a look and decided to get it anyway. It's not that I hated the cover, when looking for a YA Romance, this hadn't popped out at me as one.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Magic Hands by Jennifer Laurens

2011-11-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Released: March 15, 2011
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Cort, the high school senior jock seems to have it all -- except a summer job. When he lands one doing women's nails, his eyes are opened to the catty, back-stabbing world of females. Girls he thought he knew and trusted turn out to shock and use him. He gets to know Rachel, an elusive girl the others gossip about, a girl with secrets. From her he learns there is more to life than weekend partying and social status, and one of the secrets she shares with him will change his life forever.

What I thought

I liked how we get to see Cort's side of this and his unusual job. I think the setting for this was really interesting, putting a jock into a female dominated work place. And then getting to see the true side of those girls he thought were hot. Turns out, he has a lot to learn about his female friends.

I'm not sure I really liked Rachel's stance on relationships. I don't feel it felt real, the breaking of her barriers while Cort tries to court her. She had her moments though, where I really liked her, but there were times I wasn't sure I really wanted Cort to keep trying with her.

I really like Jennifer Laurens and took a chance on this. I still think it is worth a read but the story felt short and maybe a little rushed. But it was still a good read. I love the way Laurens writes and this won't be my last book from her.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Soul Thief (Forbidden) by Jana Oliver

2011-11-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Released: August 30, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Rated: YA
Series: The Demon Trappers, Book 2
Buy: Amazon

Riley Blackthorne’s adventures continue in the second spellbinding Demon Trappers novel, as she battles demons… and a love that could destroy her At the start of the second thrilling installment of the Demon Trappers series, 17-year-old Riley Blackthorne has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her sweet boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. Add to the mix: Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad, and Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether. But as the demon count in Atlanta increases, the already crippled Trappers Guild has its hands full, and, when the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever. As Riley’s life becomes a dangerous balancing act, will she be strong enough not to tip? And who will be there to catch her if she falls?

What I thought

Holy cow! This series is really getting revved up! I haven't been reading too much PNR/UF books lately, but this is definitely staying on my must watch list for series. Riley just gets my attention and doesn't let go. She faces so many hardships that I can't help but root for her.

I have to say, the ending was shocking. And the scene close to the ending. You'll know the two I speak of if you read it. It makes me kick myself for not waiting for the third book to be out because now I'm dying to get my hands on the next... which I have to wait for. *Insert crying scene here* But the build up for the next novel was brilliantly done and leaves all of us guessing as to what will happen next.
Normally, I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. Mostly, I hate them. But this one left me on edge and eager for more without wanting to toss my book in the fireplace.

I love that so much happens in this book but nothing feels like it's too much or out of place. Things just don't get better for Riley and I'm glad to see unsuspected support for her from people I never would have thought would give it and for the vulnerable side we get a peek at.

I definitely recommend this series. It kicks butt and doesn't let up at all!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

2011-11-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

Released: July 19, 2011
Publisher: MTV
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Erin Blackwell is headed to college in New York City to study creative writing and earn a living as a romance novelist. Her grandmother has other plans: she approves of the college, but she wants Erin to major in business and then come back home to Kentucky to run the family's famous racehorse farm. There is no way Erin will agree. Studying in New York and writing her way into a career is her escape from the farm and the family tragedy that happened there. So Erin's grandmother decides Erin really will live life as a starving artist. She takes Erin's future job running the farm, her inheritance, even her college tuition, and gives them all to Hunter Allen.
Hunter has lived on the farm for years. He's Erin's age, he's the stable boy, and he's the romantic dream of every girl in her high school. But he was involved in the family tragedy. Erin has always given him a wide berth. And he's a slick opportunist. She's furious that he fooled her grandmother into giving him Erin's birthright and sending him to Erin's college.
At least she's free of him in her creative writing class. So she pens a story that has haunted her lately, in which the horse farm heiress at the very first Kentucky Derby starts a forbidden affair with the lowly stable boy. Unfortunately for her, the day she's sharing this story with her New York classmates, Hunter walks in. He's switching to her class. And after reading about himself in Erin's story, he writes his own sexy assignments that lure Erin into dangerous fantasies about what could have been between them, and what might be.
From popular author Jennifer Echols comes a provocative, dramatic story of teen romance, set against the bustling world of a New York City university.

What I thought

I'm a big fan of Jennifer Echols. I love her love stories and I loved Love Story. I love how I get lost in the pages and forget about reality around me while I sink into the story.

I really liked how this was written. How we get to see bits and pieces coming from Erin in her writing and a bit from Hunter. It was a bit confusing at first, going straight into the story, but once I realized what was going on, I was hooked. Erin has a unique perspective to the things that have happened. She takes stories from her own life and writes about them. I really liked this more in depth view of Erin's life without doing flashbacks.

It's tiny, but my only complaint is the ending. I mean, come on! I could have sworn I was missing part of the ending but alas, I was not. I'm noticing more and more the endings to contemporary YA are being cut short and I'm not sure I really like that. I don't need two chapters of "after" but a little bit more would have been nice. I love the stories where the couple struggles and gets together right before the end, but I don't want them to get together at the end. If that makes any sense. But, anyway, great book, worth the read!

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

2011-11-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Released: June 26, 2007
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

There are two sides to every breakup.
This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.
Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.
It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.
Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

What I thought

I liked this one, but I had hoped for a little more from it. I really liked the aspect of the story though. Jordan has broken up with Courtney, although not for the reason he actually told her. And we don't get to find out until about halfway through. I liked the suspense of seeing the narration jump from Courtney to Jordan from the day of the trip to the moment they met counting down to the breakup.

The only thing that kept pulling it down was the characters. I rooted for them both, because they were still so obviously into each other but not wanting the other to know. But it was some of the antics that they pulled that I didn't care for. But it wasn't enough for me to put the book down or to hate it.

More and more I'm seeing endings in YA that are so abrupt that I secretly wonder if I'm missing part of a book I've paid for. But it seems to be a growing trend and I don't think I care for it.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

2011-11-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Released: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen
Rated: YA
Series: Anna, Book 1
Buy: Amazon

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

What I thought

I was pretty excited about this one with all the hype about it before it released and after. I had sat on it for a while before finally buying my own copy and digging in. While I still enjoyed the story, I was a little let down because I had expected this hugely creepy, amazing story would unfold. Not so much creepy, though. Normally I'm not a fan of the creepy stuff, but I had gone into this one wanting it to be much more scary than it was.

The story was still really interesting, though. I enjoyed it and was still invested when I turned the last page. Cas is an interesting guy. Most YA books aren't narrated by a guy and I really liked the change of pace. I'm not sure I really ever liked Carmel and her crowd, but I did end up liking her by the end of the book.

Anna. This was what drew me in. While I wanted more scary ghostness from her, I still really liked her story. It's not pretty (obviously) and I hadn't seen it coming when we learn why she's haunting her house instead of having moved on.

I'm still glad I read it. I'm excited to read on and learn more about Cas and all stuff that was kept from him. It did leave off with lots of unanswered questions and one heck of a cliffhanger, but surprisingly, I was okay with that. It makes me eager to get my hands on the next one.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Second Kiss by Natalie Palmer

2011-11-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Released: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

'Even my most humiliating moments seemed funny somehow when I told them to Jess.' Gemma Mitchell is a normal girl who somehow gets herself into abnormally embarrassing circumstances. And while she thinks she's the biggest loser in school because of them, there are a few people in her life who would disagree. One of those people is her best friend, Jess Tyler, who is opposite to her in every way. He's popular, good looking, athletic, and intelligent, and he can't get enough of Gemma. But while Gemma is dealing with problems like wrong locker combinations and Valentine's Day dances, Jess is living in a world of serious issues that are foreign to Gemma, until she realizes that he's holding on to her for dear life. Humorous and true to life, Second Kiss is an entertaining saga about a boy and girl who find that their lives have a lot more meaning once they have shared them with each other.

What I thought

I was completely enthralled with this one! I had kept hoping and hoping that Gemma and Jess would just turn to each other, but the journey was well worth the wait. I really loved the set up of this book.

Gemma is really emotional, she tries so hard to be brave and make new friends when Jess goes to high school, leaving her in JR High alone. I was about in tears when she realized that she would have to walk to school alone.

It had a few cringe worthy parts, but for the most part, I loved the book. I really felt for Jess and was glad that Gemma was in his life for him to talk to and to have for a support system when things don't seem to go right. I really do recommend this book to be read.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Rock and a Hard Place by Angie Stanton

2011-11-04T19:26:00.000-06:00

Released: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Angie Stanton
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

One day while watching the Interstate exit for her dad’s long awaited return, Libby’s life is rocked when Peter Jamieson steps off his tour bus and into her life. After a couple chance meetings with Peter, Libby shifts from her perfect behavior and breaks rules to find out more about him. Peter longs for normalcy away from the screaming fans who know nothing about the real him. He is amazed to discover Libby has never heard of him or his band. Soon their friendship turns to love. Peter battles his families growing interference to spend time with Libby, while she struggles with her eccentric aunt who turns more bizarre each day. Their lives are torn apart when Peter's family interferes and Libby disappears. Peter’s desperate search for her comes up empty. Can they find their way back to each other while the world plots against them?

What I thought

This was a bit more emotional that I expected it to be. Libby seems to be in such a dark place after a tragedy and is waiting for her father to come back and rescue her from her crazy aunt.

I was glad to see that she got to meet Peter and she didn't know who he was or his family. I was so mad at his brother for doing what he did and not only ruining things for Peter, but making some huge changes for Libby. Things don't go well for Libby and while it was hard to see, I'm glad she was able to take things in stride after a few huge life changes.

We get to see things from both Libby and Peter and I really liked to see his side after Libby disappears and he's unable to track her down. While I still wanted to punch his brother in the face (he's probably just laugh has I break my hand on his face), I'm glad Peter is unwilling to just let go like his entire family wants him to.

I really enjoyed this story. I really liked the darker side to it than most of the other YA romances I have read. It's finitely worth the read and I'm looking forward to learning more about the author.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Friday Follow (15)

2011-11-04T08:12:00.003-06:00

Q: Today’s Question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

Forgive the hair... it is snowing here and always makes it not hold in the bun right. You can't see it well, but I'm reading His Unknown Heir by Chantelle Shaw. I haven't started it yet, but felt I was in need of some Harlequin love since I'm just about burnt out on YA for the moment.

Here is me and my husband right before we got married this last summer. This is what my hair looks like when it isn't snowing like crazy outside.

Review: Breathe by Abbi Glines

2011-11-03T07:20:00.000-06:00

Released: May 16, 2011
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationship's never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.

But can their love overcome the disparity in their lifestyles? Or will they have to learn how to without each other breathe again?

What I thought

I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I took a chance on it. I wasn't so sure about it at first. But in the end, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. It was sweet, romantic and a fairy tale come true.

I wasn't so sure about the rock star thing. But I'm glad it all worked out and didn't reflect where I thought it would go. Jax was more than just some playboy I was expecting. He struggles at first to resist Sadie since there seems to be no future in the relationship for either of them.

Sadie's mother really had me irritated and on Sadie's side. She hasn't grown out of her prima donna stage and seems to be nothing but a hindrance to Sadie. I was glad to see how many of her new coworkers help her out and befriend her when she needs the support now more than ever, since she has a little brother on the way.

I'm glad I took the time to read this and I hope that others do as well. It's a great story and I will be on the look out to try out more from this author.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Review: Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

2011-11-02T08:11:00.000-06:00

Released: June 20, 2011
Publisher: Acacia Publishing
Rated: YA
Buy: Amazon

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by troubles at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from their troubles, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, what lies ahead for Sophie and Carter?

What I thought

I really enjoyed this but I had wished it was longer. It was sweet and charming in an unexpected way. Both Carter and Sophie aren't in the best of homes and somehow they still find ways to get up everyday. They are both strong characters, in having to deal with their home life, and I'm really glad I picked this up. Even if I wanted it to never end.

I was appalled, truly, with Sophie's mother. It saddened me that she had to deal with that and I was glad to see that Carter was there, even when he was dealing with his own problem. While it had its sad moments, I lived for the moments that made it all worth while, just like Sophie and Carter.

The only thing I would have changed, well not really changed, but I wanted to know a little more about the 'after' portion, when the book ended, I had wanted to have just a bit more to see how everything turned out. But it is still a great read and definitely worth picking up.

My Rating

Copyrighted 2010-2011 by Coffee Table Reviews. Use of all or any part of review is prohibited without consent, except use by authors/publishers.

Giveaway: DVD Adaptation of Atlast Shrugged

2011-11-01T06:48:00.000-06:00

WHOIS JOHN GALT?

Win a DVD copy of ATLASSHRUGGED: PART I, out on November 8th

Powerfulforces trigger a global revolution when the highly anticipated film adaptationof Ayn Rand’s bestselling novel, ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART I, emerges onBlu-ray and DVD November 8. The first installment in a planned trilogy, ATLASSHRUGGED: PART I uses a talented cast to explore themes ofindividualism, socialism, and anarchy.

In 2016, thecountry is on the verge of economic collapse. Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling,“Mercy”) runs one of the largest remaining railroads despite her inept CEObrother, James (Matthew Marsden, ResidentEvil: Extinction). To save therailroad from financial ruin, Dagny seeks out entrepreneurial industrialist,Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler, “True Blood”), whose super-strength metal alloyholds the promise of the future.

Asgovernment interference continues and the country’s most competent andproductive workers systematically disappear, Dagny refuses to give up. As she bears witness to seeing the motor ofthe world stopped, Dagny increasingly hears people reciting: Who is John Galt?

For your chance to win one of three availablecopies of ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART I onDVD, simply answer the following question:

Who wrote Atlas Shrugged?

· AynRand

· TaylorSchilling

· JohnGalt

Follow Twentieth Century Fox HomeEntertainment on: Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Leave answer in comment section below
Contest ends 11/15
Prizes are shipped from Think Jam
There are 3 DVDs up for grabs.

Boo Bash Grand Finale Giveaway

2011-10-31T06:46:00.000-06:00

Neri and I would like to thank all of the wonderful authors who participated in our Boo Bash this year and donated prizes! Thank you, thank you! Now, Neri and I aren't done yet. We have two more giveaways going on today!

We are having two different giveaways. One is strictly US/Canada (which you can enter by visiting Neri's Blog) only the other is International only. It seems that every time we do an International giveaway, the prize rarely goes to someone International, so Neri and I both wanted to make sure that our International friends have a solid shot to getting some prizes.

I hope all of you have a fun and safe Halloween! And if you are feeling nice, you can always send some of your candy our way!

~The Giveaway~

Prize Package

International Entries

For US/Canada Enteries, go to In The Name of Books for the US/Canada form!

Boo Bash Giveaway & Guest Post with Barbra Annino

2011-10-30T07:36:00.000-06:00

When I was looking for some great Halloween type stories, I was introduced to Barbra Annino. Barbra was in the process of putting together this anthology when I came to her and asked if she might be willing to let me feature her book and maybe a guest post for Halloween. Very graciously, Barbra accepted and was even willing to give away a few copies of this Anthology, that benefits Kids Need To Read.

About the Book

Foreword by Amanda Hocking

Take twelve paranormal authors. Toss them together in one anthology. Add a dash of romance, a pinch of humor and a dollop of mystery. Stir in a few ghosts, a handful of sorcerers and garnish with magic for the perfect witch's brew.

A Tale of Two Witches ~ Christiana Miller and Barbra Annino
Two young witches join forces to take on a soul-stealer when he threatens the small town of Amethyst, IL.

Black Magic Wiccan ~ Toni LoTempio
On one of her last assignments before leaving PSI, Wiccan witch Morgan Hawkes calls upon her Voodoo heritage to battle a vengeful spirit.

The Kiss ~ Edie Ramer
In this modern-day version of Sleeping Beauty, a woman whose ancestor was accused of being a witch in Salem is the only hope of a dying man with unusual powers.

The Trouble With Spells ~ Camilla Chafer
A witch couple must solve a family mystery using both their magic and their wits.

Rianna's Revenge ~ Dale Mayer
A young hydromancer must win a challenge to save her place as rightful heir to her elemental house. When she discovers her ex--the man she still loves--is one of the judges, she wonders just how many enemies she's really fighting.

A Ghostly Match ~ Misty Evans
When a Voodoo matchmaker looking for her soul mate pleads to her dead grandmother for help, she opens the door to a ghostly client with an impossible demand.

A Samhain Surprise ~ Debora Geary
Enchanter's Realm is an online game for witches. And the creators have a surprise ready this Hallow's Eve.

The Witch is Back ~ Rose Pressey
Stormy Sanders discovers a beautiful crystal, but with it comes a witchy fairy godmother. When Stormy attempts her first magic spell on Halloween night, mysterious Gavin Wickcliffe shows up at her door. That's when she realizes there's a lot more to magic than she expected.

Cats and Dogs ~ J.L. Bryan
Enchanted cookies from a witchy neighbor help connect Sadie with her own pets--and that handsome neighbor she's been eyeing.

The Hazards of Desire ~ Wren Emerson
Love hurts, but Desire can kill. When a young girl has a conversation with an old woman long shunned by the town, she finds out why it's best to guard your emotions closely and be careful who you put your faith in. Especially when it comes to trusting your own heart.

Orion's Moon ~ Terri Reid
When blood-born witch Cassidy Maguire opens her home to a stray dog she names Orion, little does she realize that she will not only be the hunter, but the hunted.

I spent a great deal of timewith my Irish grandmother and her sisters when I was young. Anyone familiarwith the culture of the Emerald Isle knows it is steeped in superstition andsupernatural phenomenon. Ghost stories weren't told around a dim campfire atour house. They were shared over coffee, cake and Marlboros. They were passedalong like a saltshaker, not to be feared--"because the dead cannot hurtyou, only the living can"--but to be revered as tiny lessons gifted to usby the dearly departed.

I used to watch the women in myfamily share recipes and swap stories that would scare the pants off myfriends, but these women weren't fazed by the shocking tales they told. Often Iwould imagine--listening to them wax on about the prom date that disappearedthrough the cemetery bars--that they were witches dishing out potions andspells.

And perhaps they were. BecauseI believe there's a little bit of witch (or warlock) in all of us. Although thepotions may only be as exotic as a Cabernet and the spell may come in the formof a kind ear and chocolate layer cake, still, there is strength within us thatcan transcend any problem. There's something magical about that.

So that's why I wanted to put together this witchy-themedanthology to benefit the Kids Need To Readorganization. Aside from donating books to poorly funded libraries across thecountry, Kids Need to Read also provides literature to juvenile offenderfacilities, dropout recovery programs and urban after-school organizations.

This anthology is an eclectic mix of stories that combinesmystery, humor and romance perfect for this time of year. I hope you'll enjoyreading it as much as I enjoyed compiling it with this fabulous group ofparanormal writers.

About The Author

Barbra Annino is a Chicago native, a book junkie and Springsteen addict. A former bartender and humor columnist, she finds the funny in just about everything. Except those Humane Society commercials, which she holds personally responsible for the reason she has three Great Danes. She is currently working on the third title in this series, Tiger's Eye.

http://www.barbraannino.com/

http://kidsneedtoread.org/ - charity that the anthology benefits

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-witch-way-but-wicked-barbra-annino/1106212004?ean=2940013364745&itm=2&usri=barbra%2bannino

http://www.amazon.com/Every-Witch-Way-Wicked-ebook/dp/B005RELF5S

The Giveaway!!

Barbra is giving away 3 eCopies of the anthology, Every Witch Way But Wicked. To Enter, leave a comment below with your email address and tell us whot your favorite witch is! Contest ends Nov 5th at Midnight.

Boo Bash Giveaway & Interview with Jennifer Estep

2011-10-29T00:04:00.000-06:00

Edie Ramer is a dear friend of mine and a talented author. I'm excited to tell you she is giving away 2 ecopies of Entangled. It's full of talented authors, many I had never met before, but look forward to reading more of their work. Jennifer Estep was kind enough to let me interview Gwen, her heroine from her new series, Mythos Academy.

About the Book

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan.

Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

Are you looking forward to yourtraining sessions with Logan?

Gwen: Yes and no. Yes, because I want to spend more timewith the Spartan. I mean, hello, Logan is super cute, even if he did tell methat there are things about him I wouldn’t like if I really knew him.

And no, because, well, I still don’t think I’m much of awarrior whiz kid. Not like Logan is with his Spartan ability to pick up anyobject and automatically know how to kill someone with it. So it’s going to bea little embarrassing training with Logan since I have almost no fightingskills.

How did you like the trick or treat of Halloween with Mythos? Would you ratherhave gone door to door for candy?

Gwen: It was cool, going to all the shops in CypressMountain and getting all the free food and goodies. I was enjoying it – until amythological monster called a Nemean prowler tried to kill me, Daphne, andCarson. That totally ruined the night.

I don’t think it would have made any difference if we’d gonedoor to door. We probably would have picked the wrong door to knock on andfound ourselves battling a Reaper bad guy instead of a prowler.

Now that you've had a bit of time at Mythos, are you glad you've found out moreabout your Gypsy background?

Gwen: It’s cool that I come from a long line of women whohave served as the Champions for Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. But it’s alittle intimidating too. I want to be just as strong, smart, and brave as mymom, grandma, and other ancestors were, but I’m not sure that I’ll ever be thatstrong.

If you could dress up as anything for Halloween and not be worried about touch,what would it be?

Gwen: I don’t care much about dressing up. I have a majorsweet tooth, so Halloween is all about the candy for me. ;-)

Be sure to visit Jennifer's site! She has a great newsletter that she sends out with cool book info.

Website | Twitter | FaceBook

The Giveaway!!

There are two ecopies to win! To Enter, leave a comment below with your email address and tell us who your favorite vampire is! Contest ends Nov 5th at Midnight.

Boo Bash Giveaway & Guest Post with Stephanie Sanders

2011-10-28T00:02:00.000-06:00

Stephanie Sanders is on the blog today talking about her Middle Grade book, Villain School. This is a super cute book that will sure to be a great read for kids and adults alike!

About the Book

Rune Drexler, Big Bad Wolf Jr., and Countess Jezebel Dracula are students at Master Dreadthorn's School for Wayward Villains. It's like military school for the children of famous villains; it's where you learn to be bad. But Rune is failing at his villainous studies, so when he lands himself in detention (again), Master Dreadthorn assigns him a Plot. In one week, Rune and his friends must find a henchman, steal a baby, kidnap a princess, and overthrow a kingdom. There's only one problem: Rune's not very evil. In fact, his behavior seems suspiciously heroic. . . .

This hilarious adventure stretches across a fairy tale world where the mistakes of famous villains become valuable lessons for our heroes-er, villains. The mix of familiar characters and a wholly original Plot will delight young readers.

Villain School was one of those stories that just seemed to write itself. It all started when I woke up early one morning and jotted down a few words in a notebook. (FYI, authors should always keep notebooks next to their beds for just this purpose!) I wrote:
Villain School. Hero School. Villain father is angry his son is questioning evil ways.
Just those few words sparked a story. Shortly afterward, I came up with the idea of sending my main character, a young villain warlock, on an evil Plot. I thought to myself, "What do villains do?" Then I came up with four tasks: find a henchman, steal a baby, kidnap a princess, and overthrow a kingdom.
So, I had my plot, but I really needed to think about my characters and who they were. I knew they would be kids, but what kind of kids? I started thinking about villains from stories and fairytales and it all fell into place. These kids were children of famous villains who didn't quite meet their parents' expectations.
For instance, one of my characters is the son of the Big Bad Wolf, aptly named Wolf Junior. Poor Wolf made the mistake of saving a human child from drowning and so he was sent to Master Dreadthorn's School for Wayward Villains. Likewise, Count Dracula's daughter, Jezebel, is a vampire who prefers chocolate to the usual vampire diet. I pictured Dracula as a snooty aristocrat who was embarrassed to have a wayward villain for a daughter. Despite this, Jezebel continues to want her father's approval and even displays some of his high-and-mighty attitude.
Then there's the main character, Rune Drexler. His father is Master Dreadthorn, the school's principal. Poor Rune tries to be evil, but he just can't seem to manage it, to his father's eternal disappointment. And to top it all off, Rune has to compete with is half-brother, Chad, for his father's approval. (Chad's mother is the Gingerbread Witch from the Hansel and Gretel story.)
Although the kids in Villain School don't quite live up to their parents' villainous reputations, I think I'll forgive them. After all, it is their "flaws" that make them worth writing about.

About the Author

Stephanie S. Sanders grew up on an Iowa farm. She published her first poem in a local newspaper at the age of eight and knew, even then, she wanted to be a writer. Currently, Stephanie lives near Newton with her husband and two daughters. Villain School: Good Curses Evil is her first published book. She is currently working on several writing projects, including a sequel.

Book website: www.villainkids.com

The Giveaway!!

Stephanie is giving away a SIGNED copy of her book, Villain School along with a bookmark! To Enter, leave a comment below with your email address and tell us whot your favorite villain is! Contest ends Nov 5th at Midnight.

Coffee Table Reviews

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Book Trailer: Tempest by Julie Cross

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Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

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Friday Follow (16)

Q: The New Year is here — and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

Review: Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Cruise

What I thought

My Rating

Top Ten Reads in 2011

Top Contemporary Books:

Top Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Books:

Top Audiobooks:

Review: As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

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Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

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Review: Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

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