Book Review: Dream Boy by Madelyn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett

Dream Boy is a young adult novel by Madelyn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett. Annabelle Manning feels trapped in the small town of Chilton, Virginia. She has a group of good friends, and some crazy dreams that include one perfect dream boy. But the blue-eyed boy with the fairytale smile is just that, a dream. At least until the Friday afternoon he walks into her chemistry class. One of friends suspects he’s an alien. Another is pretty sure it’s all one big case of deja vu. Could Martin Zirkle really be a dream come true? More importantly, if dreams can become real, what else can? 

Dream Boy started with a really good premise. a girl dream and somehow her dream boy finds his way into the real world. as usual, getting what we think we want causes more trouble than expected. Suddenly her male best friend is acting weird and a creep girl has started making her normally nice dream time something she would much rather avoid. Then the inevitable 'you are the special one' comes about along with the love triangle- or is that parallelogram? The book had a lot of promise, and some of it really worked. I liked the character development that took place in the immediate circle of Annabelle's friends, but honestly I came to like her friends more than her. The action of the book started slowly, which actually was a perfect pacing to allow readers to figure out exactly what was going on and form their own ideas. However, I felt like towards the end the pace alternated between crazy slow and so fast that I had trouble remembering who was where are doing what. it was still a good read, and I am glad i read it, but i felt like it could have been even better with a smidgen of work on Annabelle and Martin's characters and some work on pacing. 

I would recommend Dream Boy to readers that enjoy urban fantasy and do not mind a few cliches finding their way into the story. Not a perfect read, but one worth some time this summer.

Early Book Review: Cast in Flame by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Flame is the tenth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series by Michelle Sagara. It is currently schedule for release on July 29 2014. Kaylin knows that any day that starts with dragon arguments is going to be bad, and far too many days have started that way since she returned from the West March in one piece. She does not fit in, or feel comfortable, living in the Imperial Palace. All she wants is to get back to her normal work routine, apprehending average criminals,  and a place of her own. Well, a place with a dragon as a roommate. But the newest residents of her city are having some trouble adjusting and are causing some serious problems in the fiefs. When a family argument wakes something that should have been left alone everything and everyone that Kaylin has ever cared about is at risk.

I cannot believe that Cast in Flame is book 10! Some series start to either all read the same or get so off track when they get past five or so books that I only read them because I have already invested so much time into the series. This is not the case here. i feel like this series is getting better with each book. While it is getting more complicated and metaphysical, the threat to life and limb and the importance of specific characters and relationships is growing and going strong. If you have need read the previous books, do not (I repeat DO NOT) start here. You need to start at the beginning with Cast In Shadow. Go ahead, get reading. This review will still be here when you are ready for it!

Anyone that has started this series and enjoyed it needs to read Cast in Flame. The last few books have gotten better and better. The only issue is that now I have to wait to see what Kaylin has to deal with next. 

Book Review: His Enchantment by Diana Crosby

His Enchantment by Diana Crosby is a historical romance with a fantasy twist. Lady Catarine MacLaren is a fairy princess, but English knights have murdered her Uncle and there is danger to her entire family is in danger. Lord Trálin MacGruder, Lord Grey, will stop at nothing to defend the Scottish crown against the Comyns. As they plot to rescue the kidnapped king and queen, Trálin and Catarine will discover a love made all but impossible by her obligations to the Otherworld. Now, Catarine is torn between loyalty to her people and helping Lord Trálin rescue the Scottish king. 

His Enchantment is labeled as the sixth book in the MacGruder Brothers, none of which I remember reading, but it is apperently more like a prequel to the series. So, if you have not read any thus far, do not worry that you will be missing anything. 

Now, I liked that Catarine is a strong woman, a warrior and full of honor and loyalty. I also liked that Trálin shared similar traits, and dispite his desire to protect her still generally respects her and her abilities once he gets his head around her skills. The story and the characters were all reasonably well written, and I did enjoy seeing Catarine show of her warrior prowess on occasion. I liked that each character had thier own inner conflict, which they were open about, as well as the larger more life threatening conflicts. I really liked that the characters actually talked to each other about thier issues, rather than just thinking about them through the whole book which is one of my biggest pet peeves in romance.

I would recommend His Enchantment to readers that have read and enjoyed the other books in the series. I think readers that are fond of books that overlap Fae and historical storylines will enjoy the book. I felt like parts of the book were a little rush while other bits dragged, but overall I was satisfied with the read.

Book Review: Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin

Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin is a young adult novel about family, mystery, and connections. Alan Knightley is an expert in crimes too strange for Scotland Yard to handle, but four years ago he fell into a mysterious coma. His thirteen year old son Darkus is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and find out what really happened. But when Alan suddenly wakes up, his memory is out of wack and he needs some help. There is a mystery that gets weirder by the minute, a bestselling book that makes its readers commit terrible crimes, and a sinister organization known as the Combination, and unusual family members who are all more than they seem.

Knightley and Son is a novel with a little bit of everything. There is mystery and humor with quirky characters and connections that will keep you wondering what will happen next. I always love a book with odd characters that are written sop realistically or surreally that I half expect to bump into them out in public. Alan Knightly, Darkus, and the variety of characters are each well fleshed out, and each have a vital role in the story. the larger mystery has enough twists and turns to keep every reader on thier toes while giving us just enough to feel like we already saw coming that we feel smart and engaged as we read. Darkus is dedicated to his father, and solving mysteries. While I felt like there were a couple aspects of him that I just did not get, like I had missed a prequel or something, I still found him to be a character I would watch on television.

Young adult and preteen readers that enjoy Sherlock Holmes, mystery, and humor will enjoy Knightley and Son. Adults that monitor their children's reading and those that are willing to pick up books labeled children's or teen books will get some enjoyment from the book as well. I will admit that there were some slow moments, but there were some break neck speed moments as well, so I feel it all balanced in the end and left me as a satisfied reader. 

Book Review: Rival by Lacy Yager

Rival is the second book in the Unholy Alliance series by Lacy Yager. This young to new adult novel is about  a fifth generation vampire Chaser, seventeen-year-old Emily Santos wants nothing more than to join the family business. But Emily's mother refuses, so Emily must channel her aggression into her martial arts training, at least until her eighteenth birthday. Black belt senior Brett Carson has decided it's time to rid himself of his unrequited feelings for Emily. But when he finds himself in the middle of an altercation with Emily and a gang of vampires, he is drawn into a world he never expected. And Brett is hiding his own secret.

I have not read Unholy Alliance, the first book in the series. I am glad to say that while there is some connection between the two, I do not feel like I enjoyed Rival any less for that lack. Emily is a smart and strong teen that would rather be off riding four wheelers in the mud with her cousin, sparing at the gym, or even hunting vampires than getting ready for a catilion. Brett is a fellow martial artist with a crush on Emily, and a secret he thinks will make her view him as weak. Coinidence and vampire attackes make thier relationship even more complicated, and might be just what they need to see each other as they really are. I liked that Emily is strong, not just mentally but physically as well and that she want take part in a dangerous proffesion she is not reckless. Brett is dealing with his own issues, and while he has feelings for Emily he is aware of hoe unobtainable she was and was not being the dopey suiter you sometimes see in this sort of book. He is aware of himself and his ewmotions and how the effect those around him. 

I enjoyed Rival, and while I do not know if I will go back and read the first book, but I know i will keep an eye out for future books by Yager. this is not typical vampire fiction, in faction the vampires in this book are not actual characters, only a source of danger and violence, which is not true in Unholy Alliance according to the description.

Early Book Review: There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! by Benjamin Bird

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! is an interactive picturebook written by Benjamin Bird and illustrated by Carmen Pérez. It features Tom and Jerry and is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2014. On each page Tom and the reader are challenged to find Jerry. Is he on the title page, on the back cover, or somewhere in between? Readers that know and love the characters, and those who have never been introduced to the cat and mouse team, will be delighted to help Tom find the mischievous mouse. Perfect for storytime.

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! is a book that makes me think of my favorite picturebook when i was little, There's a Monster at the End of this Book. Young readers and their caregivers can find something to appreciate in this interactive story. the book is a great way to get younger readers excited about books and keep them entertained.

I would recommend There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! for one on one sharing or for storytimes. The story might not be incredibly unique, but it is great fun.

Blog Tour Blitz Giveaway and Book Review: The Captive by Grace Burrowes

The Captive is the first book in the Captive Hearts series by Grace Burrowes. Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, survives capture and torture by the French by vowing to take revenge. Before he can do so, or even recover fully, Gillian, Countess of Greendale, reminds him that his small daughter has suffered much in his absence, and needs her papa desperately. Gilly endured her abusive marriage by avoiding confrontation and keeping peace regardless of the cost. Christian's devotion to his daughter and his kindness toward Gilly give her hope that she could enjoy a future with him, for surely he of all men shares her loathing for violence in any form. Little does Gilly know, the battle for Christian's heart is only beginning.

The Captive had much going for it. The characters, both the main cast and the secondary characters that I am sure will be featured in books of their own in the near future, are likable but flawed enough to make them interesting. Christian is dealing with huge issues, because captivity and torture is not something to be taken lightly, while Gillian has had to suffer through her own form of both, however hers was pretty much sanctioned by society and her family. There are deceptions and twists along the way, some of which were fairly obvious from the beginning, but the journey was still an exciting one. My main disappointment is that I felt like we could have dealt with less of the introspection and moved it along a wee bit quicker. The 'big reveal' could have come a bit sooner, but I was happy with the path the story took and was left happy at the end.

I would recommend The Captive to readers that enjoy historical romance, suspense, and  characters that are both wounded and likable. Despite the small annoyance on my part feeling like the story dragged a bit in the middle, I was pleased and entertain with the story over all.

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Author Biography

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes' bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish and Lady Eve's Indiscretion. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

Social Media Links

Website: http://graceburrowes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Burrowes/115039058572197 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceBurrowes 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4152482.Grace_Burrowes

Blog Tour Blitz Giveaway and Review: Betrayed by Rebecca York

Betrayed is the second book in the Rockford Files series by Rebecca York and is currently schedule for release on July 1 2014.  Even though this is the second book in the series, Bad Nights was the first book, I feel like the book can stand on its own and is better than the first. Shane Gallagher is part of the Rockfort Security team, and is working undercover as the head of security for a company dealing with intellectual property theft. Elena Reyes is a systems analyst with a brother that puts her in an impossible situation. Elena and Shane are each trying to do their jobs and ignore their attraction, but that might become impossible when the stakes are raised.

Betrayed is a great addition to a series I had some doubts about. Shane is a character dealing with trust issues and attempting to stick to his job, rather than chasing after a possible suspect for theft that has caught his eye. Elena is a strong and smart woman that has worked hard to better her life and prove herself, even if her family never seems to care. They share an attraction that is hard to ignore, and complications throw them together under less than desirable circumstances. I like that Shane respects Elena, even when he does not fully trust her, and that Elena respects herself in spite of her family. The suspense and action portions of the book were very well done, and I liked that there was an added level to the grand reveal that I did not expect.

I would recommend Betrayed to fans of Rebecca York, those that enjoyed Bad Nights, and those that like romantic suspense. Still not the best that I have seen from York, but pretty darn good.

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Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca York’s writing has been compared to that of Dick Francis, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Maggie Shayne. Her award-winning books have been translated into twenty-two languages and optioned for film. A recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, she lives in Maryland near Washington, DC, which is often the setting of her romantic suspense novels.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://rebeccayork.com 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8110.Rebecca_York 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-York/122426234846 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaYork43 

Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

Contact by Laurisa White Reyes is a young adult novel about sixteen year old Mira, a girl with a unique ability that is driving her to attempt suicide. When ever she touches anyone else skin to skin she gains their every thought and memory. Some might see this as a gift, but Mira sees it as a curse. Complications are mounting, as if things are not hard enough for Mira. Her father is being investigated for misconduct in unsanctioned drug trials that lead to the deaths of several volunteers, and Mira's mother starts asking questions and ends up in a coma. Mira cannot let it go, and her questioning could very well led her to the death she had been hoping for just as she finds something worth living for.

Contact had me interested from the very beginning. Mira is a sympathetic character with desire to end the torment she feels when she touches anyone else skin to skin. She also carries guilt for this desire, and love for her family, and disappointment with her father's distance. The combination makes her a well developed character with a lot of room to grow and develop further as the story goes on. Her parents are each caring, though in their own ways. I really enjoyed that no character felt like they were exactly what they appeared from the beginning. Even Mira's new friend slash love interest was a multi layered character. The mystery and suspense aspect of the story had me intrigued and while I suspected part of the twist, I did not see the full extent of the reveal coming.

I would highly recommend Contact the young adult, new adult, and adult readers that enjoy dynamic characters and a unique story. The mystery, suspense, and deep character development kept me turning pages several times instead of tending to dinner or going to bed. A book, or anything really,  that an make me delay bed time after the kids have crashed is pretty special. The story left me satisfied with the ending, but also with plenty of room for a sequel. I cannot wait to see where we go from here.

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Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5244611.Laurisa_White_Reyes
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laurisa-White-Reyes/e/B006IL8HUK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwreyes
Blog: http://laurisareyes.blogspot.com
Web: http://www.laurisawhitereyes.com

Author Bio:

After earning her B.A. in English in 1995, Laurisa White Reyes spent many years writing for newspapers and magazines before gathering enough courage to live her dream of writing novels. Contact is her third published book. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in creative writing, is a book editor for Hamilton Springs/Xchyler Press, and is the Editor-in-chief of Middle Shelf Magazine. She lives in Southern California with her husband and five children. 

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Book Review: Alice in Tumblr-land: And Other Fairy Tales for a New Generation by Tim Manley

Alice in Tumblr-land: And Other Fairy Tales for a New Generation by Tim Manley is a quirky and sardonic look at what would happen after the stories we know ended, but set in the era of social media. This book is a funny look at how princesses and their princes, the Ugly Duckling, the Frog Prince, Alice, Peter Pan and more might have continued their tales in the age of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, OkCupid and more. Peter Pan deals with an internet addiction, Red Riding hood deals with a different kind of wolf, the Tortoise and the Hare stalk each other via Facebook, and much more. The book is formatted in short paragraphs and pictures, much like the social media sites that the book uses in the stories.

Alice in Tumblr-land is a quick read that will have middle grade, young adult, and adult readers chuckling as they recognize behavior that seems most prevalent on social media. Fairy tale characters losing themselves in Facebook and dealing with the social issues we all struggle with makes the little bursts of stories that much more relatable and humorous. The illustrations are a perfect pairing to the tiny tales, adding some humor and insight to the stories. I will admit that  expected some of the stories to come together, but the book still really worked for me.

Alice in Tumblr-land is an entertaining and quick read. It is perfect for light reading outside or where you might need to occasionally put the book down to take a swim to beat the heat. It was funny, and sometimes surprisingly insightful. I really enjoyed the read, and finished it off in a single sitting.