Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Book: Intangible
By: J. Meyers
Publisher: Self Published (Copy given to me for review by Author)
Publication Date: January 30, 2012

Description: Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

My Thoughts: Intangible was an interesting book. I loved the idea behind it. Twins (which is always a great topic because these days there aren't enough twin books.) who have special powers are basically going through life dealing with these powers. They have a friend, Fey and another friend, Quinn, and that's all they let near them. Even these friends know nothing about their powers. After the disastrous response by their grandmother as a child when they revealed their powers, they decided to never tell another person. We encounter them as a lot of strange things happen including some interesting stalkers and a lot of other weird stuff.

Sera, is a sweet person who I love. She stands up for her beliefs and loves her brother more than anything. Luke is just as sweet and, as any brother would do, protects his sister sometimes too much. I love their jokes back and forth. Their friends are just as great and I love every second of it.

The book seems a bit predictable at times, nonetheless it's a wonderful read. I would recommend it to people who love books about the supernatural, vampires, elves, gifteds, etc. I give it 4 stars

Review: Betrayed by P.C and Kristin Cast

Book: Betrayed (House of Night #2) - Audiobook
By: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Publisher: Bolinda Publishing
Publication Date: November 1, 2008

Description: Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She's come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.


My Thoughts: Because this is a super long series, and because im pretty sure that If anyone reads the first book and likes it that my review of the second book wont matter much, I'll make this a short review. Much as I loved Marked, I loved Betrayed. I liked hearing of Zoey Redbird's battles and everything that happened to her. Her new powers also intrigued me. She was a strong woman who's instincts always prove to be right. She's also extremely lucky (almost too lucky at times) and can do pretty much anything.

The story line in Betrayed was interesting. Someone (I wont tell you who) dies. Actually a lot of people die (as you can probably tell from the description) but one of the people  is important. I was quite sad over the loss of this important character, until something else happens. This is where I stop talking because it would get too spoilery.

All I'll say now is that, sure as the title of this book is called Betrayed, there's a lot of Betrayal in it. Theres sadness and anger and cool stuff. I loved it, but the longer I read it, the more I felt things were just too easy for Zoey. It's like she's forever protected from everything and she's above rules and everything. People dont seem to get mad at her or anything and I didnt like that. For that reason I give this book 4.5 stars. I loves the first book too much, and I think I may be getting biased.

Quickie Review: Old Blood by Karina Halle

Book: Old Blood (Experiment in Terror 5.5 Novella)
By: Karina Halle
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: July 2012

Description: A haunting novella from the Experiment in Terror Series...


From her harrowing introduction in Darkhouse, the spectre known as “Creepy Clown Lady” has been a constant fixture in Perry Palomino’s life. But beyond the horrid makeup and piercing stare lies Pippa, a woman just like everyone else.

Well, not quite.

When Perry discovered Pippa’s message to her and Dex on the EVP recordings, she thought she heard the last of the old woman’s message. She was wrong. In the novella Old Blood, Pippa relays the tale of her troubled and tortured past, revealing how an aspiring actress and loving mother fell into madness and how an unfathomable betrayal led to her untimely death.

For Perry, the repercussions of her message are life-shattering.

Old Blood is #5.5 in the series and occurs between books #5 On Demon Wings and #6 Into the Hollow

My Thoughts: This will be a short review because this is a short book. It was a wonderful addition to the EIT family. Though I never experienced the oh to common fear that I usually feel in the EIT books, It was still interesting. I enjoyed hearing about the life of Pippa and how everything happened. It makes everything else make sense. This story didn't pull me in and give me the "I have to keep reading to find out what happens next" feeling, but it did satisfy my curiosity for Creepy clown Lady. I love Pippa even more now that I know about her and her reasoning for the things she does. Though this isn't a book I'd read over and over, I think it gave us some wonderful insight into the two characters we really worry about-Perry and Dex. The sneak peek into the first chapter of Into the Hollow following this novella made me thirst more for the book. I can't wait until it comes out. I give this book 3 stars.

Review: When Water Burns by Lani Wendt Young

Book: When Water Burns (Telesa #2)
By: Lani Wendt Young
Publication Date: June 13, 2012
Publisher: Self Published

Description: “Maybe you’re not meant to manipulate fire the way I do. Maybe sparks are all you’re ever going to make.”


He snarled, “Or maybe you just need to be a better teacher and give me more.”

Before I could reply, he grabbed my hand, twisted and pulled me into a restraining lock. Body pressed against my back, he held me in a chokehold. I struggled. Kicked. Fought. Pain knifed me as I tried to free myself. He spoke and his breath was hot in my ear. “Now, fire goddess let’s see if I can make more than sparks.” Rising panic choked me, with it came rage. And with rage, came fire. Keahi felt it. He laughed as I strained against him. As together we both burst into flame.

With Nafanua and the Covenant Sisterhood dead, Leila and Daniel are finally able to love without fear of retribution. Or are they? As a malicious telesa plots her revenge, a mysterious stranger arrives on the island. Fuelled by hate and running from a fiery past, he looks to Leila for answers and she must fight to contain the fury of fanua-afi while trying to protect all those she loves. It seems that this is a battle she must wage alone, for Daniel’s ocean birthright cannot be denied and he refuses to walk beside her. Are Leila and Daniel destined to be forever divided by the elements? When it comes to Water and Fire, daughter of earth and son of the ocean – who will endure?

When water burns?

My Thoughts: After the amazing creation that was Telesa, I was scared the second book wouldn't be able to compete, but let me just say that I'm happy that I was wrong. When water burns deepened my love for this series and makes me think that the author Lani Wendt Young must either be a genius, or have some mutated form of the Telesa gene that allows her to read the minds of her readers and give them exactly what they need.

I loved it I loved it, I loved it. It made me cry, and laugh, and all the other inappropriate things that people stare at you and wonder what on earth that girl's issue is. We see all our favorite characters in this story, of course there's Leila and her ever constant love Daniel. They enter into the normal relationship issues in this book as they balance each of their needs. It all plays out so real. I'm amazed that Lani was able to capture the pure stubbornness that women and men deal with in relationships. We see the surfer sexy god Jason again and what happens with him literally breaks my heart. Simone is here again and all his fa'afafine glory and I grow to love him even more. We even meet some other characters who I grow to love, and hate, and love again. The bad chick Sarona is here too, in all her hateful ways. It surprises me how far she's willing to go for power and makes me just shake my head. The new character, Keahi....is really something. He breaks my heart and gets on my nerves all at the same time. I'm never sure if I want to pull him into my arms and kiss him, or punch him in the face. He's just so frustrating!

There's so much I cant adequately tell you how I feel. I just loved it so much. I said it before and I'll say it again and again. This is one of my absolute favorite series'. It joins the ranks of the greats like Twilight, TMI, and THG. I could read it over and over again. Trust me, if you haven't given this series a shot, you are missing out. When Water Burns is the perfect sequel accompaniment to Telesa in that, where Telesa embraced the flames of passion, love and growth, this story focused on the destruction capabilities of fire. How, without balance, fire cannot be fully controlled and can consume everything. And without sounding too cheesy, It definitely consumed me too. This book will forever hold a place on my bookshelf (and not just because my review of the first book was included in the praise section of this book. Talk about excited? I almost died). Besides the super amazing cover (which you have to check out in person for the full effect) the story is out of this world. I cant imagine another book ever making me feel this way again......except perhaps the final book in the series, The Bone Bearer.It wouldn't be me if I didn't include that there were a few typos in this book, but honestly, it didnt matter, it didnt take anything away from it and I still loved it.

I'm sure you already know my review, but if it wasn't plain with all my excitement I'll just tell you. 5 Big Stars. I cant wait for the next book.

Review: Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Book: Spells
By: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Description: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.


When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

My Thoughts: Okay, this will probably be a short post. I don't have much to say about Spells because it didn't make me feel one way or the other. It was just there, which I guess doesn't say much.

I had the same feelings about Spells as I did about Wings. Laurel is incredibly stupid, making stupid decisions and mistakes. She's not one of those characters I'd actually like as my friend, I wouldn't avoid her, but I wouldn't really go out of my way to talk to her either. She has issues. For some reason, I get annoyed every time I read that her eyes tear up. Honestly, why on earth do so many things make you want to cry in happiness or sadness. It's not a crying time. Second, she just really annoys me. There's no spark, no feisty-ness, nothing to make me love her. I kind of just find her boring.

I still love me some Tamani though, although he doesn't stand out against other characters with his standoffish attitude. Even the boyfriend David doesn't do it for me. Yes they're both gorgeous, but what else is there to draw me in. They all seem like such flat characters, only there for Laurel's benefit.

This book seemed a bit predictable too. Laurel would do something stupid that almost always ended with the same thing I thought would happen. Also, this book didn't have much actually happening. Besides Laurel being in love with 2 guys, going to Avalon, and a few near death run-ins, there just wasn't much else. I found my mind randomly drifting as I read, thinking of what book I'd read next (not a good sign) and it was just too slow paced for me.

I don't want you all to get the wrong impression, I enjoyed the book, but that was it. No lingering effects when I finished, no big release of the air I hadn't realized I was holding as I finished the last page. Nothing. It was like watching cartoons. Sometimes it's interesting, but once it goes off, you're just waiting for the next one to come on. If you're wondering whether I'll read the next book in the series, I probably will...but only because I hate leaving a story unfinished. I give it 2.5 stars.

Random Rant Thursday - WHY WON'T YOU JUST WORK ALREADY!!

Random Rant Thursday is a random meme, hosted here, posted randomly (mainly on thursday) where I can cry like a baby over random issues.
My newest issue......I can't comment on other people's blogs.

I decided to post this mainly because I'm frustrated as hell, but also because I want those of you who's blogs I always comment on to know that I have not been ignoring you. I've commented, and it says very nicely "Your comment has been published" and then when I refresh the page, or come back later to check out any new replies, THERE'S NO COMMENT TO CHECK. Now I do want to admit that my comments could just be getting deleted by the blog owner, but I'D DOUBT IT. They're all good comments that are posted on blogs of people that (kind of) appreciate my words of somewhat-wisdom. 

I just want it to work out correctly and stop causing me all these issues. I find myself commenting over and over and over again, hoping that if I comment enough, one of them will stick, but no!(Not sure if you get the email for comments, but if you've gotten like 6 from me and see nothing on your page, I didn't delete all 6, I commented 6 times and they all just randomly disappeared)

You know how you're sitting there, having a bad day and you're curling your hair. It's hot and you've already burned two fingers, but it's okay because you're almost done. You just want this one piece to curl just the right way. You do everything right and then  on the reveal, it falls flat. Crap!!! Lets try again, you do it all again and hold it a little longer. The extra heat will probably force it to curl, and once you let go, it falls flat again. Double crap!!! So you grab some hair spray (the super hold kind) and try to work some magic. You try again, holding it extra long, and then you let go, knowing this time it'll work out great and WHAM! STILL FREAKING FLAT!!! "what the *beep"? Really? You really just couldn't follow instructions?" And now my hair looks like this:

And that's how I feel!! (Ignore my obviously horrible paint skills)

I am honestly getting fed up with blogger and all it's issues. First GFC, and now this. Plus sometimes I log in, and apparently am not subscribed to anyone's feeds. WHAT?! OK I guess. And my spell check hasn't been working either. As time passes, Wordpress starts looking better and better.

What about you all? Have you had this issue and know how to fix it? Have you had any issues with blogger that make you want to just break the computer screen? Are you leaning toward moving to Wordpress? How bad are your bad hair days? Should I take classes on working MS Paint? All comments are accepted (don't be upset if I don't comment on your page though. I probably will, and it wont work....again.)

See Ya!

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Book: If I Stay
By: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Audio by Listening Library)
Publication Date: April 2, 2009

Description: In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...


A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

My Thoughts: As we all know, I have taken a liking to the whole audiobook thing. I can listen to them as I go to lunch or as I'm driving in the car and It's easy for me to pass the time and focus on something other than the 2 hour traffic or the hot summer day. If I stay, however, is not a book you want to listen to while sitting in traffic or walking down the road on a hot summer day. It's beautifully written and follows the thoughts and feelings of Mia after her family dies in a car accident and she is suspended between life and death. She has the option of returning to her body and continuing to fight, or letting go, and the entire book follows that option.

I say this to say that this is not a book you want to read while driving or walking around other people. Not unless you want to be seen as that lady in the other car crying her freaking eyes out as her vision blurrs and the lines in the road get squiggly or the psycho on the street with tears falling out her eyes and snotting on her sleeves. Not unless you're okay with people giving you a wide berth of space and whispering at each other to stay away because they dont know what the psycho's malfunction is. That's what happened to me, and I must say, it sucks.

If I stay is heartbreakingly beautiful and amazing. I loved every second of it, and at the same time, I hated it. I didnt like feeling so sad, but I had to know what happened. It reminded me of when my cousin was in ICU. Was he sitting there watching me while I held his hand? When I prayed for him? Did he fight because I came there and asked him to come back to me? What happens as we die, and what makes us stay?

I hear a lot of people say they dont like the ending, but I think it makes sense. It's romantic and sweet and made me blubber like a fool. I loved this book. It broke my heart, and made me want to live unlike any other book I've ever read.

Read it. Please. Dont do as I did and pass it by. I dont normally like books like these, but I'm happy I read this one. 5 Stars