From Goodreads: There’s more than one way to be powerful . . .

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva–sixteen and nearly friendless–makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush–and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there’s Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history–and her heart–before she can face the powerful truth.

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This novel has an interesting premise that begins with the development of Abby’s character, placing the reader in her shoes, living through her eyes.  Normally, I search out novels like this, ones that give me a deep connection with the main character, but in this case, I didn’t like who I ended up meeting.  Abby just isn’t the girl in school I’d befriend, and I’ll tell you why.  As I got to know her, I saw how deeply selfish and nasty she really was, underneath it all.  Now, I completely understand being concerned with your own troubles, but when others point out that you’re being selfish, the appropriate response is to look deeply inside yourself and figure out if it’s true.  And if it is, you apologize, especially if you’re not Miss Popular on the friendship front, as it were.  Abby doesn’t do that.  She allows her only true friendships to fall by the waste side because of her own issues, wants, and needs, which really rubbed me the wrong way.  I mean, I get that we’re selfish beings.  I am guilty of being selfish at times as well, but when I’m called on it, I take it to heart.  I might brood about it for a day or two, but in the end, my friendships with others override my initials wants and needs.  So, truth be told, Abby and I would never be friends.  Which is okay.  I don’t need to be her friend.  But as a reader, I do need to like her in some way, shape, or form, in order to fall in love with the story.  And I didn’t.

But that’s all subjective to the reader; you may love her, so don’t write off the story just yet, especially as, overall I enjoyed much of the storyline.  I liked the allusiveness of Rem, and I enjoyed the whole witchcraft aspect of the novel, as it was very different from previous novels I’ve read.  I thought the writing was good, too.  But I didn’t care for the love triangle (again, back to the selfishness of Abby and her love potion), and the ending felt a little too forced.  It was quick and clean, but over in a matter of pages, and I think that left me with more questions than answers in the end.  This is a series book, though, so more is to come, though I would have liked a more solid ending in this first novel.  Two and a half stars.

Scholastic Inc. has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this recently released novel, via Netgalley.

 From Goodreads: When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:

1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

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This was a really cute, clean novel that I highly enjoyed.  Honestly, I was hooked from the very beginning as Mallory vividly tells her tale of betrayal in the form of “Bubble-Yum,” the online persona Jeremy has started a “fake” life with, unbeknownst to Mallory.  Of all the betrayals in a relationship, I think finding out my beau is seeing someone online is the worst.  And, Jeremy is a complete tool about it all.  I abhorred him throughout the novel, and loved to hate him, especially as his cousin, Oliver, swoops in on the scene and helps Mallory pull it back together.

Mallory and her sister, Ginny, where wonderful characters: fleshed out, authentic, and hilarious.  As Mallory dismantles her technologically filled life, looking to live a much simpler life like that of her grandmother, she finds that not all is what it seems, and less technology doesn’t necessarily mean less complications.  This is a great life lesson because I think so many your people think we (as in the older generations), had it so much easier, but in reality, teenage life is difficult, no matter the time period.

Ginny is a great little sister with some awesome one-liners that made me giggle.  The fact that she is supportive of her older sister also won lots of points with me because I feel like so many books deal with the dysfunctional relationships within families, and this one instead focused on the unity and support of family, instead.  And, Mallroy’s grandmother is a great role model for the young, even though we find out she’s made some mistakes along the way.  She’s level headed, caring, and there to support her family, even if she seems aloof at times, which is why I loved her so much.  Overall, this is a great novel that I highly suggest all read.  It’s cute, quirky, and full of spunk.  Four stars. 

Bloomsbury USA Children’s Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this awesome novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 26, 2013.

From Goodreads: Whether you are working to lose 100 lbs or that last 20 lbs, figuring our your strategy for how you should be exercising is one of the bigger pieces to the weight loss puzzle.

This book is not a “how to” guide in terms of actually doing the exercise. It is a book about how the author manages to create an exercise plan that fits her lifestyle and how you can do this too.

It’s about taking a three-pronged approach to exercise right from the beginning of your weight loss plan and tips for finding the right types of exercise that you will enjoy and be motivated to do longer term.

Like the other books in this series, this one is all about finally creating a plan that can work for you to get the weight off in a way that is fun and realistic.

This book, like the previous volumes, is a quick read told from a very real perspective.

If you’re looking for some help and motivation for finally getting the exercise piece of your weight loss plan under control, then “Exercise for Weight Loss” is for you! Grab your copy today!

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I picked up a copy of this “guide” novella when it was free on Amazon and didn’t realize that it’s one book in a series. This one happens to be book five.  After I read through it, I perused the rest of the novellas to see what they’re about, but, truth be told, I wasn’t impresses with the synopsis’ of any of them, nor with the information in this one, really.

I know the synopsis for this particular novella explicitly says it’s not a “how to” book, but I didn’t read that when I picked it up.  Instead, I saw the cover and thought I’d be getting a “how to” book with a plan I could use.  In that sense, the title of this novella, and series, is misleading.  What this novella does it tell you how the author lost her weight by creating an exercise plan, but that we’re all different and will have to find our own plan.  And, I found it very repetitive.  In fact, I personally didn’t learn anything new in this novella except that weight training will help take off excessive skin if you are losing a ton of weight.  That’s good to know, since I’d like to lose a lot of weight.  But, other than that, I didn’t really get much out of this short novella.  Two stars.

I picked up a copy of this novella from Amazon when it was FREE.

From Goodreads: Janie Grey is dedicated to hunting the undead, an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors and generations of powerful Seekers before her. Then, there’s Kai. He’s like no one she’s ever met – cocky, fast, skillful, infuriating, and gorgeous. Not only has he become a valuable asset in her fight against the growing population of the vampire/demon hybrid known as Daychildren…

She’s unwittingly fallen for him.

Just when Janie thinks she’s learned everything there is to know about Kai’s mysterious past, there’s a newcomer to Baltimore. Someone who will do anything to make sure Janie loses Kai forever.

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I absolutely adored the first novel in this series, Dark Seeker, and was extremely excited to note that I was just as enamored by this second novel as well.  Sequels can be really tricky, and though I may love an author, sometimes their middle novel falls a bit flat, but that was not the case with Dark Return!  This is a kick-butt sequel that carries just as much action, angst, and terror as the first.  I loved it!

Kai and Janie are back, and Janie’s family is trying ever so hard to be nice to Kai, especially since Janie’s so adamant about it, but… he’s not exactly the boy-next-door.  I really like this angle of the story because it puts Janie and Kai between a rock and a hard place, but they’re fighting to overcome their differences and remain together.  Kai, too, is fighting to maintain his humanity, which adds a whole other aspect to their dating game as, should Kai change back, he’ll be at the top of Janie’s most wanted ‘kill’ list.  With a plotline like that, what’s not to love?

This is a fast-paced novel full of mystery and intrigue as we begin to delve deep into Kai’s past, learning about who he used to be, and how he became who he is today.  I loved the background knowledge and was on pins and needles throughout the novel as his ex shows up on the scene intent on ripping away his humanity and reclaiming his for herself.  There were so many ups and downs as I read, and I was thrown for a loop on many an occasion.  Overall, this was another great read and I cannot wait for more!  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author is enxhcange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: How sick is this: I’m the major jock-stud in high school, but my brother has the brain of a badminton birdie and a body to match. I’ve got everything and he’s got nothing. I’m a three-year, three-sport letterman and Shawn can’t even stand up! Like I said, sick, huh?

Fueled by rage at what has happened to his family, Paul is ready to explode. And he is haunted by something even worse–something he can never tell anyone. It is something he will have to face if he is to have any hope of a future at all. While Cruise Control is a companion to Terry Trueman’s Printz Honor book, Stuck in Neutral, it is the completely independent story of a family’s “other” son–the one who is healthy, gifted, normal. It is a courageously hopeful story told with power, compassion, and humor.

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A few years ago, I read Stuck In Neutral, and though I really didn’t enjoy it, the concept was very interesting—life from the point of view of a young man with Cerebral Palsy.  It’s a gut wrenching and brutal look into Shawn’s life, and there were a lot of things in the novel that I, personally, didn’t like, like all the talk of sex, which made it very difficult for me to read.  I’d say the reading level is that of a 5^th or 6^th grader, and it’s a very quick read, but it just wasn’t for me.  The topic was too difficult, especially as Shawn is convinced his father is trying to kill him…

Enter Cruise Control, a companion novel by the same author, Terry Trueman, which focuses on the other brother in the family, Paul, a young man who’s “perfect” in the health sense, but dying on the inside as his father continues to distance himself from the family as his brother, Shawn, struggles to get through each day.  This is a story of rage, and rightfully so.  Paul watched his father leave the family when Shawn was born with Cerebral Palsy, and though Paul loves his brother and wouldn’t wish harm on him in the least, he hates his father for abandoning them.  His rage fuels the story, giving readers and in-depth look at the father we grow to despise in Stuck In Neutral, and laying out more of the facts that we didn’t get from Shawn’s point-of-view.

This novel is written for the same reading level as its companion, Stuck In Neutral, but it adds much to the story, and, though another difficult topic, I liked this novel much more than the first.  It’s focus on Paul’s anger shows the raw depth of his feelings, and his love for his family, which is important, but it also shows his growth, as well as that of the family.  While I still don’t care for the father, I found I was much more forgiving of him in this novel and, I assume, he grows as well, able to better deal with his son.  Though it is still unclear as to the final outcome for Shawn concerning his father’s thoughts of murder, I didn’t feel as angry upon conclusion of this novel.  Truthfully, I think Stuck in Neutral and Cruise Control need to be read in tandem as they shed light on each other, even though they’re separate novels, and even though I didn’t really like Stuck in Neutral.  Three stars.   

I borrowed a copy of this novel from the library.

From Goodreads: In love with Vincent and trying to move on with her life, Sydney Hart is visited by an old friend. When this friend suddenly goes missing, Sydney finds herself in a desperate race against time, not only to save her friend’s life, but also her relationship with Vincent.

With Michael wanting to spend more time with her in order to rekindle their relationship, Sydney’s life and emotions become ever more complex.

Trying to stay focused on the hunt for her missing friend, Sydney has to figure out who is telling her the truth; but most importantly, who is Mr. Yellow?  

*A New Adult Novel Recommended for mature readers*

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I wasn’t kidding when I said O’Rourke’s turn around time for releasing novels is extremely fast!  The first novel in the Sydney Hart series, Witch, released January 31^st, and the second novel, Yellow, soon followed on February 22^nd.  I mean, that’s fast.  Really fast.  And I just love it!  I am in awe of O’Rourke and his ability to write such wonderful novels so quickly.  It’s amazing, and it makes my day every time a new one releases!

Yellow is another mystery novel involving police officer Sydney Hart.  Sydney has learned a lot in the last month, and she’s still reeling from it all when Yellow opens.  On leave from the police department and less than keen to show her face in town, Sydney is laying low in her apartment with the charming Vincent, acting out their *ahem* deepest desires.  Now, I’m not really a fan of reading about sex in my novels, but I think O’Rouke handles it very well.  It’s not too overbearing or belabored, which is great for a prudish reader like me.  Yet, those who enjoy this aspect of books will definitely swoon.

Sydney is even less sure of herself in this novel as all she’s ever known has been dashed to pieces, and the love of her life continues to disappear, as if he’s purposely distancing himself from her.  Honestly, I really likd how real Sydney’s thoughts and feelings are in this series.  O’Rouke captures Sydney at the point in her life when everything is an uncertainty, and he lays her soul bare as she slowly, but surely, begins to pull herself back together, realizing truths about herself, while also on the hunt of her life to save her best friend from sure death.

And, who is Mr. Yellow?  Well, once again, O’Rourke stumped me and kept me guessing throughout the entire novel. I was sure I knew who it was multiple times as I read, only to be proved wrong time and time again.  With the final reveal, everything fell into place, and I absolutely adored the conclusion, though a bit jarring and definitely not what I expected.  A happy ending?  Well, that’s for you and Sydney to decide.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Sixteen year-old Dante Delgado is staring down the barrel of a gangbanger’s gun when he’s surprised by the arrival of a clown on a unicycle.

Dante hates clowns. He hates everything to do with the circus. He once dreamed of being one of the few trapecistas able to do a quadruple somersault in the air. Then a tragic accident took his parents, their circus, and his ability to fly. But when faced with the choice between the circus or a bullet, he jumps on the clown’s shoulders and rides off to an even more mysterious adventure involving Dia de los Muertos, two dangerous girls, and the nemesis of the tiny, magical Mumbo Jumbo Circus, the evil Las Vegas spectacular, Cirque Patron.

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This was a very fun read.  What I liked about it is that, though the second book in a series, it can stand alone.  We have a brand new protagonist in this story, Dante, and while our old cast of characters are back, too, readers don’t need to know all of their background in order to understand the plot of this story, which is great.  I love sequels that I can seamlessly melt into, where I don’t have to try to remember what happened in previous books because, let’s face it, I read too many to remember them all.  So, a sequel that continues the fun, but doesn’t tax my memory is a wonderful thing.

I’d say that this is a novel that will appeal to most MG readers as the reading level isn’t too difficult.  The plotline itself is a bit straightforward, with heavy foreshadowing that foretells much about certain character’s loyalties, but it’s still a fun, easy read.  However, the amount of repetitive swearing in Spanish (one word) and the references to sex make it a book I wouldn’t actually give to an MG reader.  Instead, I’d peg it for maybe a 15-16-year-old YA reader, even though the reading level might be a bit below that age group.  But I’m pretty sure they would get a kick out of it, regardless of age, because, well, I did, and I’m not even close to a teenager in years anymore…

This novel is full of great themes that touch on loyalty, family relations, love, selflessness, and even selfishness.  Dante, a lone teen abandoned by his brother, struggles to find his place in the world.  With the death of his parents, an accident that left him crippled, and his loss of his dream, he sees no up in life.  Even when he finds the circus, his own wants and needs cause him to trust the wrong people and push away those that would help him if he only gave them the chance, and while a lot of his decisions really irked me, his emotions make him very real.  I can’t imagine being in his situation, and if I had the chance to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing, well… I might make some of the same decisions Dante does.  It’s easy for me to judge him from the comfort of my living room, but we never know how we’ll react in certain situations, and I love that this novel makes me stop and think about that.  I also love the magic that George entwines with both this novel, and the prequel, Mumbo Jumbo Circus, as it gives that extra bit of oomph that adds to the fun of the circus in and of itself.  Try it and see.  Four stars.

I received a a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Blackstone is a mercenary sorcerer who does not rule any valleys and has yet to be bound to another sorcerer. Undertaking work for the sorceress queen, Spiral, he finds himself the expendable pawn in an assassination mission. Turning against the queen he fights Spiral’s loyal sorcerers and finds himself tasked with the guardianship of the marked man’s son. As the two flee from Spiral they have to work through their mutual bitterness and distrust of each other. A new tangle is thrown into their relationship when Blackstone frees a werewolf from her cage set in a town square and reverts the werewolf back to a young woman, cursed since childhood with lycanthropy.

Fleeing from the townsfolk who had previously kept the young werewolf, Loralune, captive, the three person band must confront Loralune’s transformation under the full moon, the posse that runs them to ground and a sorceress looking for revenge against Hiroe and Blackstone. Survival against these threats leaves them vulnerable to other, more insidious dangers.

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Truth be told, lately I have found that I am all fantasized out.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve picked up a fantasy novel, or a sci-fi one for that matter, that really drew me into the story and enveloped me with the characterization and plot line. But Drawing the Circle did just that, which was a real treat!  Beineke has created a wonderful story that pulls readers into the text with its fantastical world filled with sorcery and strange creatures.  It was a lot of fun to read, and I especially liked Blackstone.  He is a very interesting character who is able to see goodness in even the most dangerous creatures.  He also never gives up hope, attempting to help as many people as he can along the way, regardless of their perceptions of him, which is a very admirable quality.

The story follows Blackstone for much of the beginning, but then shifts to follow the life of Hiroe in order to give readers his background leading up to the confrontation with Blackstone.  From there, the story parallels both characters as the two hero’s travel together, but then it takes on a rather strange twist.  Almost out of nowhere, the novel jumps ahead multiple years to show Hiroe as a grown man.  Initially, I was quite unhappy with the sudden jump into the future. I wasn’t expecting it and it disrupted the flow of the novel.  I wasn’t sure why Beineke decided to do this to such a wonderful story, but as I kept reading, small clues began to emerge that explained the sudden change in the novel, and by the novel’s end, I was once again happy.  In other words, there is a rhyme and a reason for this sudden shift, but to find out what it is, you’ll have to read the book.  I highly recommend it!  Four stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: The only thing worse than forgetting her past… is remembering it.

From popular young adult author, Jessica Brody comes a mesmerizing and suspenseful new series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

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This novel was a lot of fun to read, and I really enjoyed putting together the mystery surrounding Sera’s existence. She is a very interesting character, and if you’re a lover of the TV series Kyle XY, then I think you’ll really enjoy this novel.  It’s similar, but different in a very big way, and I was floored by the big reveal towards the end of the novel as I realized what had really transpired.

I enjoyed the characterization throughout this novel very much, especially when it comes to Sera and Zen, though I did find the entrance of Sera’s foster brother, Cody, to be a bit strange.  He’s quirky and cute for his age, but I felt like he was able to do a lot more than I expect the average 13 year-old to be able to handle, such as aiding and abetting Sera, helping steal a car, etc.  I also found some of the middle portion of the book to be a little long-winded, focusing on things within the story that I wouldn’t have minded skipping in order to get to the good stuff: the truth about Sera and Zen. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and am eager to learn more.  Brody’s writing style has intrigued me and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.  Four stars.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) have ben extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to it’s release tomorrow, March 5, 2013.

From Goodreads: A YOUNG WOMAN IS DISCOVERED hanged in a room in a decrepit hotel, and Gothenburg’s Chief Inspector Erik Winter must try to figure out what happened. As Winter looks around, he realizes that he was in the same hotel room many years earlier, when it was the last known location of a woman who subsequently disappeared and was never found. The two women seem to have nothing in common except for this hotel room, but Winter suspects that there may be other connections. The young woman’s parents are bereft and unable to explain the puzzling contents of a note she left behind. Winter, however, senses that they are holding back some secret that might help him to find her murderer. As he pursues his hunch and digs into the old police report on the woman who disappeared—one of his first cases as a young detective—Winter becomes increasingly convinced that the two cases are somehow related. Room No. 10 is a first-rate thriller, suffused with the gray seaside beauty of Gothenburg and filled with the characters that Åke Edwardson’s readers have come to love: Winter, the veteran detective who veers between pessimism and optimism but never gives up; Bertil Ringmar, the methodical old-timer whose analytical mind keeps everyone focused; hotheaded Fredrik Halders, whose temper sometimes overwhelms his passion for justice; and Aneta Djanali, Halders’s girlfriend, an immigrant from Burkina Faso whose ability to talk to other women can open new leads. As compelling as they are dedicated, they are an unforgettable team determined to find a bizarre killer.

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I’m sorry to say that this novel isn’t for me.  The back and forth style just didn’t do it for me this time, whereas I usually love it.  I think the fact that Edwardson meshed the murders together made it somewhat difficult for me to follow along, whereas one moment Winter is a seasoned detective investigating the murder of a young woman found dead in a seedy motel, and the next he is a babe on his first detective detail, investigating the disappearance of a woman from the same room in the hotel, ten years in the past.  Normally I really enjoy jumping between past and present, but in this novel, it did nothing but confuse me.  I’m not sure if it’s perhaps the translation that makes the transitions choppy, or if it’s just Edwardson’s writing style, but either way, I didn’t really enjoy the story, overall.  It moved at a very slow pace, and I really felt like Winter and his team were getting nowhere.  Add in my inability to connect with any of the multiple characters, all of whom left me feeling extremely uninterested in their plights, and I have to say this novel just isn’t for me.  One star.

Simon and Schuster have been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 5, 2013.