Restored Hope by Brenda Youngerman

"Peter and Tara Miller are the image of perfection. They have three beautiful children, live in a wonderful neighborhood, and are still each other's best friend. When their world completely disintegrates within a short period of time, their daughter must survive the aftermath. Creating a new persona, Samantha finally breaks free and discovers that the real world is not much kinder than her dysfunctional family. Emotionally shattered, the solace of the ocean, and a loving dog, carry her on her way. Samantha meets Timothy Bleak, who was raised in a seemingly kind, loving family, but is virtually invisible to them. His voice goes unheard, his needs are unmet, and his emotions are squashed. Timothy summons the strength to leave his family, and discovers Samantha in his journey. Restored Hope follows these two bereft young people as their lives intertwine and they face the challenges of life, love and happiness together."

As I was reading Restored Hope, I really felt the author's heart and soul behind the story line. I could tell that she truly invested herself in the lives of these characters. While the work and love that went into this book is quite apparent, it did fall a bit flat. I truly believe that this book has good bones, but it seems like it got somewhat deformed as it grew. The characters are often awkward and unrealistic with flat dialogue. Some of the scenes seemed very forced and contrived. Furthermore, tragedy followed tragedy followed tragedy, and not in a good way. Half the family dies or tries to kill themselves using the same old oak tree for goodness sake! Overall, I didn't like this novel. I feel terrible about saying that, but it's the truth. However, I am grateful that the author, Brenda Youngerman, entrusted me with a copy of her book to review. I'd like to say that just because I disliked this book doesn't mean that the rest of you will. That being said, if anyone is interested in reading Restored Hope, shoot me an e-mail and I'll gladly send it to you. I hope that this book will find I home that can give it a little more love than I did.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. The purpose of IMM is to share the books that we have purchased, won, bought, borrowed, etc.

Bought:
-Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
-The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
-Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
-Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
-Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Gift:
-Harry Potter Film Wizardry
-Fallen by Lauren Kate

                                                                                  Won:

                                                                                  -Hush by Eishes Chayil (not pictured)

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

"Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day... a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?
Filled with shocking twists and turns, The Twin's Daughter is an engrossing gothic novel of betrayal, jealousy, and treacherous secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end."

            The Twin's Daughter is the exact opposite of what you're thinking right now. Trust me on that. This novel is one of those books that you pick up thinking 'this looks good' and put down a sleepless night later thinking 'oh my gosh that was incredible'. Speaking as a person who has encountered her fair share of literary twists and turns, I never saw the ending of this novel coming. In fact, I felt all high and mighty because I believed I figured out what was really going on before the main character. Then WHAM, the novel slapped me over the head and crushed everything I thought I knew about the characters and the story.

            Not only does the story leave you hanging on every word, the prose is vibrant, with a perfect balance between details and action. It lays the foundation for a story full of intrigue, excitement, pain, loss, and love. The plot combines murders and mysteries in ideal proportions with a coming of age story and first love.

            Lucy Sexton, the protagonist, truly has her heart in the right place. When her mother's twin Helen shows up on the doorstep, Lucy almost immediately welcomes her with open arms. I say almost because she does have an understandable and expected period of shock. (If my mother's twin suddenly showed up, I doubt I'd be half as gracious as Lucy). The two women form a bond. They sleep in rooms across the hall from each other and attend classes with the same tutor. I have to admit that I was suspicious of Helene from the beginning. With the book jacket's ominous statement, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...until it becomes a deadly obsession", how could I not suspect her of performing dark deeds? I won't tell you whether or not my opinion of her changed, but I will tell you that you will never see theses twists and turns coming.

            As I discovered the web of lies and dark deeds that took place in the Sexton household, I was completely and utterly dumbfounded. The twists were not only unexpected, they were brilliantly executed. I have to admit that I am incredibly jealous of the author's ability to create such a suspenseful, exciting plot.

            Because I do enjoy a good romantic subplot, I have to give you a little information about Lucy's incredibly adorable relationship with Kit. When Lucy first meets Kit at her parent's party, she thinks of him as "the bored boy". Soon, their acquaintance grows into friendship, and their friendship into something more. With Victorian sensibilities, the relationship is slow, sweet, and perfect. They are each other's best friends and sweethearts. However, one of the personality traits of Lucy's that does bother me is her disbelief that Kit really loves her. She always doubts herself, thinking that other girls are smarter, prettier, and better. More than once she approaches Kit to 'release him from his obligation to her'.

            So what am I trying to tell you? Read this book. Even my friends who barely read at all are caught up in this book's spell.

It's Giveaway Time Again! (100 Followers Giveaway!)

Yes, you heard me right. It's time to share some amazing books and swag with my wonderful followers! This giveaway will celebrate the exciting benchmark of reaching 100 followers. As such, the one hundredth follower of my blog will automatically receive a prize. To my other followers, do not despair! I have three (possibly more) other prize packages to give away. The more new followers I get, the more prizes will appear!

*A note to the patient entrants of my Speak Up Giveaway. I hope to meet Laurie Halse Anderson at a book signing during the second week of November. At that time, I will get a copy of Speak signed for you guys. If you think a signed copy of Speak is worth waiting for, then I will pick a winner on November 10. That means anyone else who's interested still has time to enter my Speak Up Giveaway.

Prize Pack #1

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia (signed)

Angel Star Postcard (signed)

Angel Star Bookmark

Angel Star Sticker

Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness Bookmarks

Rain by Kieryn Nicolas Postcard

Prize Pack # 2

13 to Life by Shannon Delany (signed)
13 to Life Bookmark (signed)
13 to Life Postcard (signed)
13 to Life Buttons (2 - one square and one circular)
Rain by Kieryn Nicolas Postcard

Prize Pack #3

Rae by Chelsea Rae Swigget

Rae Bookmark (signed)

The Pace Series Bookmark

Watersmeet Postcard (signed)

Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness Bookmarks

Rain by Kieryn Nicolas Postcard (signed)

The Rules

• you must be 13 years of age or older
• this contest is for residents of the US only (sorry, I don't have money to ship this stuff internationally right now)
• you MUST be a follower
• you can earn extra entries by spreading the word
• the contest ends on December 1, 2010

Jane by April Lindner

            

" Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, an iconic rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer, and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is tested by a torturous secret from his past.

Part irresistible romance and part darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers."

            Jane is a charming modern version of the classic novel Jane Eyre (which happens to be my favorite book). Unlike the inundation of rather unremarkable Pride & Prejudice updates, Jane is more than just readable. This is high praise indeed considering that Pride & Prejudice & Zombies is the only book I haven't finished reading in years. A beautiful old story takes on a fresh new life in Jane's pages.

            April Lindner transplants the story of Jane Eyre into a modern world with great care and attention to detail. While some events can be directly connected to its predecessor, Jane also takes on a life of its own. It does not follow the original novel in a blatant and clumsy way. Some similarities are so subtle that I did not even notice them at first. Ms. Lindner's ability to overcome the obstacles that occur when trying to bring the past and the present together may be the most remarkable part of this novel. She solves the problem of creating a class difference between Jane and Mr. Rathburn, deals with the issue of the mad woman in the attic, and even evokes some of the beauty and feeling of the original novel.

            Jane is such an enchanting read that I had it finished within twelve hours of purchasing it (yes I let it jump to the head of my TBR pile, but can you really blame me?). Jane (the character) is endearing, sweet, and interesting. She has a complicated past and a rich inner life. From the moment I met her in the lobby of the Discriminating Nannies Inc., I knew we were going to be good friends.

           Bottom line: read Jane. It doesn't matter if you love the classic or you've never heard of it, you will enjoy this novel.

         

Book Blogger Hop (I'm back!)

Hey guys! I'd like to apologize for my rather lengthy absence from the blogosphere. The good news is that I have read several books since my last post, and those reviews will be appearing any day now! To top it all off, I will be posting a really cool giveaway (if I do say say myself) during the next couple of days. The giveaway will celebrate the fact that I am close to one hundred followers (I can't believe it!).

And now on to the main attraction:

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books. The purpose is for book bloggers and book lovers to connect.

What is your favorite place to read?
Hmm... that depends if you want my favorite real reading place or my favorite imaginary reading place. If you want a real place, it would have to be sprawled across my bed ( I've tried reading while sitting in a tree, but I have to say that no location is whimsical enough to make up for the pain caused by sitting on a branch for a few hours). My favorite imaginary reading place is a bit more interesting. This spot would be a window seat overlooking a beautiful sunset filled woods with a lake in the distance...Oh, and there would be a curtain that I could draw between myself and the room so that it would just be me, my book, and a lovely view... Ah well, no such luck.

Matched by Ally Condie

November 30, 2010

Dutton Books

384 pages

"Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic."

            Once you start reading Matched, there is no going back. The world that Ally Condie has created is so engrossing, so entirely captivating that there is no escape to the obsession. Yes, I said obsession. If I could create my own award show for books, Matched would win Best Dystopian Novel, Best Romance, Best Characters, Best Writing, and Best Cover. The world, the characters, the fabric of the reality that Ally Condie has created dance around you until they are part of your thoughts and dreams. I lived and breathed this book while I was reading it, and I continue to do so afterward.

            Cassia, our wonderful female protagonist, endures so much during the novel. Everything she believes to be true - that the Society is always right, that they never make mistakes, that they do what is best for the people - crumbles down around her. She is left to stand in the ruins and, where a lesser person would surrender, she finds the strength to go on. Although the Society matches her with her best friend, Xander, Cassia follows her heart to a young man named Ky. The two teens embark on the most intriguing forbidden romance since Romeo and Juliet. Navigating both the rough waters of the Society and her new found love, Cassia grows and becomes an individual instead of another member of the collective.

            The Society itself plays a large role in the events of this novel. In fact, it is really the foundation of the story. The injustices that most citizens cannot see, the restrictions placed on everyone's lives, the way they are told whom to love, when to marry, when to die, are as integral to the story as water is to life.

            Matched has so much to offer. There are so many layers, each one a beautiful gift. The detail, time, thought, and talent that went into each word truly makes this novel stand out. Not only that, but the story is satisfying. Even though it leaves some loose ends to tie up, the last note contains hope, not despair.

            One of the most anticipated books of 2010, Matched does not disappoint. Read it, live it, love it!

You by Charles Benoit

"You're just a typical fifteen-year-old sophomore, an average guy named Kyle Chase. This can't be happening to you. But then, how do you explain all the blood? How do you explain how you got here in the first place?

There had to have been signs, had to have been some clues it was coming. Did you miss them, or ignore them?

Maybe if you can figure out where it all went wrong, you can still make it right. Or is it already too late?

Think fast, Kyle. Time's running out. How did this happen?

In his stunning young-adult debut, Charles Benoit mixes riveting tension with an insightful—and unsettling—portrait of an ordinary teen in a tale that is taut, powerful, and shattering."

           

            Reading You is like climbing up a mountain only to be pushed off the peak. The climax occurs at the very end of the novel, and the falling action is a brief plunge to a bloody end. But don't let that dissuade you from reading this novel. The way it's written, as though the main character is talking to you as if you're him (I know that's a bit confusing, but I couldn't think of any other way to say it) is so unique and fresh. It's truly a style of writing that I have never seen before.

            Plot alone makes this book stand out, but combined with the author's unique way of drawing the reader into the story, it's truly a book that stays with you long after the last page. Granted, the style takes a little bit of getting used to because it doesn't follow one of the traditional first or third person narratives that are prevalent today. However, the adjustment period is well worth it. The book holds you in its grip and takes you for a wild, devastating, painful ride. Unlike some other books ( I won't name any names) You is really thought-provoking. It definitely made me think about all the little choices I've made in my life and the effects those choices have on me and my family.

            The attachment that the reader forms with the main character, Kyle Chase, is so much deeper than usual. Because we see his life through our own eyes, the level of involvement in the story increases tenfold. I felt caught up in every scene, and I wished I could change the events that sent Kyle spiraling toward his less than happy end.

            You is fresh, emotional, and heartbreaking. It is suitable for a wide range of ages and persons of both genders.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. The purpose of IMM is to share the books that we have purchased, won, bought, borrowed, etc.
Bought:

Jane by April Lindner















Won:

Dust by Joan Frances Turner

Rae by Chelsea Rae Swigget
Alexis by Alexis Singer
Hannah by Hannah Westberg

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books. The purpose is for book bloggers and book lovers to connect.

What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?
Hmm... hot chocolate during the winter, water if I am really thirsty, and diet Pepsi (because I sometimes get random cravings for it).

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

"With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret."

             Firelight is my new love. Talk about adventure, excitement, love, and dragons - excuse me, draki. I love the concept of this novel. Instead of giving us the standard shape shifter (ei. werewolf) Sophie Jordan presents the reader with the draki, a species that can shift between human and dragon. I have always been a huge fan of dragons (Eragon and the Dragon's Milk Series to name a few) but this book takes dragons to a whole new level. Instead of having a human as the main character and a dragon as a sidekick, we get both rolled into one super package. Not to mention the fact that the main character kicks some serious butt.

            Jacinda Jones is a fire-breather, the first one in centuries. In fact, both the draki and the hunters (the people that hunt draki, bet you couldn't guess that one :) thought that fire-breathers were extinct. Unfortunately, this means that her Pride treats her more as a possession than a person. Basically, they want to breed her with the alpha male to produce lots of little baby fire-breathers. Obviously, this does not role with Jacinda, or her mother. Even so, Jacinda doesn't want to leave the Pride, but that's not entirely her decision. One night her mother packs them off and ships them out to a desert town called Chaparral. The place will quickly kill off her draki, a circumstance that her mother (who killed her draki by choice) and her sister (who never manifested into a draki) find desirable and Jacinda hates. Then she meets Will, dangerous and handsome, he is her desert oasis, especially because he brings her draki to life. The problem is that his family might be out to kill her.

            So, Jacinda rocks, the plot rocks, Will rocks, what's the downside to this novel? Well, I have to say that I have a bone to pick with Jacinda's family. I know that her mother thinks she is doing what's best for Jacinda, but she really isn't. She doesn't understand that Jacinda and her draki are one and the same, that killing one kills both.  Oh, and there's also Cassian the male draki that the Pride wants to breed with Jacinda. He got on my wrong side, way on my wrong side. I was so mad at him I just about started yelling at the book. Anyway, these aren't the worst part of the book. The worst part is the cliffhanger. I could hardly stand it. I thought I had at least a chapter left when I read it, but then I flipped to the next page and it was the acknowledgements. I could hardly stand it!

            Even so, Firelight is a wonderful novel. I can't wait for the next book!          

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of WoW is to share upcoming releases that we are excited about. This summary is from goodreads.

"Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals."

I am dying to read this book? What about you?

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. Here is how it works: grab the book you are currently reading, open it up to a random page, share a couple of "teaser" sentences, DO NOT include spoilers.

'"Let's see, Watson," he says, and now he's pretending to have a British accent. "Black T-shirt, black hooded sweatshirt, baggy black pants, fashionably unkempt hair, horned skull ring on one hand, fingernails bitten down to the nibs, sullen piss-off expression...yes, quite obvious. At some schools they're called the Freaks, at others the Burnouts, at one school in the East they're referred to as the F-U tribe, as that is their traditional greeting." He leans in on the table as if to get a closer look at you. "Here at venerable Midlands High, I believe the species is known as the Hoodies."' You, page 59*

You is AMAZING. I have never read anything like it. If you're observant, you probably noticed the "you" in the quote above. Well, the whole book is like that. The Main character, Kyle Chase, talks to you as if you are him. Confusing right? I thought so too, but once you get used to it... well, it's like nothing I've ever read before.

*I am reading an ARC, so both the quote and the page number could be different in the finished copy.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

            

"Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them."

             Personal Demons is a strange combination of predictability and originality. (Yes I am contradicting myself once again.) The cover says, "If you had a choice between Heaven and Hell, which would it be? ...Are you sure about that?" Could they have made it any more obvious that Franny (the main character) will fall for a demon? I think not. However, mixed in with some routine plot points are moments of pure brilliance.

            Franny's character is about as contradictory as the plot. She has this good girl/bad girl hybrid vibe that really confused me at first. Why would it be so hard for Hell to tag her (mark her as destined for Hell) if she drinks, dates, parties and got kicked out of Catholic School? But Franny is not simply what she appears to be on the surface. She has felt much pain in her short life. As I found more layers in her character, I really began to like Franny. She's sweet, relatable, damaged, and sometimes a bit maddening. I could hardly stand it when she was pulling her date-a-demon-and-kiss-an-angel-behind-his-back stunt.

             All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot carried me along with ease and the more I got to know each character, the more I enjoyed the book. I also liked the way Franny's and Luc's (the demon love interest) voices alternated as narrator. The angel, Gabe, didn't get any story-telling time, but I heard that he'll have his fifteen minutes of fame in the next book.

            On the Luc vs. Gabe debate. I have to say that I started out team Gabe. I don't really see the appeal of "bad boys" and Luc is their king. However, the more I learned about Luc and heard his thoughts, the more I liked him. So, now I'm team Luc.

            This book has so much content, Lisa Desrochers really could have made it into two books, but I'm not complaining. I love thick books, the longer the better. While some of the initial action is very predictable, the twists and turns get successively more original. It's also the only book I've read with a demon love interest. Usually the leading lady's man is a vampire or an angel.

            I have a bit of a rant about the cover of this book (who am I kidding, it's a BIG rant). Take a look at the cover and tell me how old you think the characters are. Guess what...they're only supposed to be in high school. It's ridiculous how much older they look. To top it all off, the woman portraying Fanny looks like she belongs with the scantily-clad, busty women in the adult fantasy/sci-fi section.

            To recap, the cover has issues but the book is enjoyable. So pick up your own copy of Personal Demons and enjoy the ride.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. The purpose of IMM is to share the books that we have purchased, won, bought, borrowed, etc.
Bought:

Thirteen Reasons Why - I've been waiting for this to come out in paperback since 2007, but I finally caved and bought it.










ARC Tour:

Cate of the Lost Colony - This is an amazing book. You can read my review here. Visit Good Golly Miss Holly ARC Tours here.










Won:

The Ghost and the Goth (ARC) - Thanks to A Good Addiction.










What books did you get this week?

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

            Cate of the Lost Colony is a rare jewel in the historical fiction world. With fresh prose, an intriguing historical mystery and a sprinkle of romance, this novel can do no wrong. The story takes off at a clip from the very first page, and the pace only increases as Cate navigates her way through the stormy waters of Queen Elizabeth's court. Never fear, before all the noble's mind games become too tiresome, Cate sets sail for Virginia with a heart full of courage and hope.

            Catherine Archer is one of my favorite heroines of 2010. She has such spirit, generosity, courage, and open-mindedness. Cate narrates the story perfectly. Her ability to see the truth sets her apart from the others in both Queen Elizabeth's court and Roanoke colony.  Cate really goes against the grain with her beliefs. She doesn't go along with the crowd, and she isn't afraid to speak out, and that is saying something for a women in the 1500s. I feel like Cate and I would be really good friends if we lived in the same world, and I hope she would feel the same about me.

            Joining Cate is a caste of unforgettable characters, including one Native American named Manteo. Manteo, along with many of the other Croatoan Indians, make the difference between life and death for the colonists. As the Colonists become more and more dependent on the Croatoan, England seems to drift farther and farther away, until their old home is almost forgotten. Cate even begins to forget Sir Walter Ralegh, the man whom she loved and who's apparent affection triggered her banishment. New affections and old become mixed, and Cate must make a choice between England and Virginia and all they hold.     

            Cate's foray into the world of Queen Elizabeth's court was intriguing, but I have to say that it was her life in Roanoke that really captured my imagination. At first it was quite the opposite, I was so interested and caught up in court life that I didn't want Cate to fall out of favor with the Queen. I would find myself with thoughts like: Please just burn Sir Walter's letters Cate! After all that worrying, I actually enjoyed the story more after Queen Elizabeth banished Cate. I immediately became wrapped up in the lives of the colonists. Their triumphs were my triumphs, their losses and foolishness (which presented itself in abundance) were mine as well.

            Lisa Klein has a remarkable ability to weave fiction and history together. I have never read a book quite so satisfying. It has lovely descriptive passages and a plot that moves at a good pace. I have already enthusiastically recommended this book to all of my friends, and I recommended it to all of you as well!

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books. The purpose is for book bloggers and book lovers to connect.

How do you spread the word about your blog?
Well, the only way I really know how to network my blog is to visit other people's blogs. I comment, follow them, and hope they'll check out my blog.