Angelfire (#1) by Courtney Allison Moulton

OMG, total love for this book! Another unique twist on the angel concept. Ellie learns that she is a reaper. Her powers are "awakened" by her Guardian, Will, who she cannot remember. All she knows is she has powers, former memories of thousands of years of living (that she also cannot remember), and she's definitely not like other girls. I loved her journey to discover who she really is (which was a total suprise when it was revealed) and her school girl love for Will, who cannot truly be with her because of who she is!

This was a book I couldn't put down. It was cool to see reapers in several different forms with different powers other than taking souls after death. Ellie was super brave to deal with what she did while her parents and friends have no clue. The reincarnation and healing aspect was awesome! Plus who wouldn't love a gorgeous guy totally devoted to you and willing to do whatever is needed and be with you always!

Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor #1) by Jill Shalvis

This is Maddie and Jax's story as well as the introduction to the town of Lucky Harbor. I had started this series with book two, which I loved. But I'm so happy to have read this book. You find out why Tara is the way she is and it's endearing how clutzy Maddie is. She desperately wants to be a family with her sisters that she doesn't know all too well. Jax's obvious love for her is just too sweet!

Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later by Francine Pascal

When I was in middle school (maybe even the beginning of high school) I loved the Sweet Valley High books. I loved the dynamics between good girl Elizabeth and her bad sister Jessica, who always seemed to get her way. Living in California, the books made these characters seem so glamorous. I eventually stopped reading this series because I pretty much outgrew them, so I never read after the Sweet Valley High series.

This books picks up when the twins are twenty-seven and Jessica has betrayed her sister by sleeping with Todd and falling in love with him and him with her. First off, I thought that little twist was just lame. Jessica falls in love with Elizabeth's boyfriend and she's a changed person? Elizabeth then runs off to NY? Okay whatever. I appreciate the author's attempt, but aging these characters, throwing in some curse words and adult content isn't really the way to approach a series that most people enjoyed while growing up. Seems like the author was trying TOO hard.

Already Home by Susan Mallery

A story of a woman who leaves her previous life in L.A., moves back home and opens a kitchen store on a whim. This was definitely a "cute" story, unlike other Susan Mallery books I've read. While I can't say it was one of my favorites, it definitely was a good read, one I"m happy to have read, but not one that I would actually buy for myself.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (Wolves of Mercy Falls, #3)

I was so excited for this book! I couldn't wait to see how the series ended! I was a little disappointed. This book for me really dragged on and on. There were some highlights, Isabel finally realizing she's needs to tone down her mean, Grace confronting Rachel and her parents, and the big action scene at the ending (which I'll keep secret). But mostly there were too many slow moments while Cole was doing his thing and trying to find a cure. I read it, glad it's over but this third installment didn't do the series justice.

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Love my angel stories. I expected this one to have the angels as the main characters but being on the side of good. I was wrong. In this book, angels are predators. They feed off of human energy, causing humans to develop cancer, depression and many other illnesses. I'm not sure I really enjoyed this perspective of angels. The main characters, an angel killer named Alex and a half angel named Willow, are trying to stay alive and keep a second invasion of angels from crossing over. This book was an okay read, dragged in some places but had a lot of action. I liked the description of the angels in theory (until I learned they were "evil") and enjoyed the development of Alex and Willow's relationship.

Love Drunk Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

This was one of those books that I picked up at the library on a whim. It said, romance and had a pretty nice looking cover. I love a good romance novel for the summer. I have to say this one didn't disappoint. I fell in love with this book and author. Love Drunk Cowboy follows Austin's path as she is now the owner of her grandma's watermelon farm. She leaves her high powered job in Tulsa to come run the farm while trying to decide if she's going to sell it. Enter Rye. Cowboy from across the street. He basically falls in love with her the minute he sees her. I loved this character. He's romantic, sweet, caring.......plus a cowboy! The only thing I didn't love was some of the internal dialogue the characters had with themselves in the beginning of their relationship. I loved this book so much I went to the library and checked out three others!

Clockwork Angel #1 by Cassandra Clare

Tessa, who is 16, travels to London to go and live with her brother Nathaniel. He has sent for her but she ends up getting kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who train her to use her shape shifting power, to get her ready to marry the Magistar. Will, who is a Nephilim, finds Tessa and saves her from her fate.

For me, it was extrememly slow moving and I had a hard time identifiying with the characters. I'm not sure if the setting (the 1800's) had anything to do with my dislike of the book. I didn't feel like I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened. I felt like the characters were eh and the plot was just so so. The idea of a mechanical army was cool but I just didn't find enough substance in this book. At the end, I was left hanging which is great if I wanted to read the remainder of the books, which I don't. So I guess this is one mystery I"ll just have to live with.

Starcrossed (#1) by Josephine Angelini

Helen has always stood apart from everyone else. She's never really felt like she fits in. She gets sick when she's being paid too much attention to and has weird dreams she can't explain. Helen doesn't realize how beautiful she is and constantly tries to blend in with the crowd.

The Delos family moves to Nantucket Island. Immediately Helen has a violent reaction to them, especially Lucas, who she tries to strangle in the school hallway. She can't explain it and doesn't know why she has such strong feelings. Until the day that Lucas saves her life. The violence is broken and Lucas explains to her about her true heritage.....as a demigod. From that point on, Lucas and Helen are inseperable as she learns more about her self, her powers and the fact that someone is trying to kill her so they can raise Atlantis.

Her long lost mother comes back to town, gives Helen some news that will possibly keep Lucas and Helen apart forever. But her mother has many secrets and Helen does not trust her in the least!

I just fell in love with this book. I'm so thrilled that there's a book TWO because I hated the ending of this book (knowing what I know). Lucas and Helen's romance is "dreamy." Yes, I said it. Dreamy. Don't know another word to describe. They have an innocent romance because to do anything more would be to bring about another war between the world and the gods of Olympus. Lucas and his family tries to help Helen by teaching her about her powers (flying, lightening, being impervious) and they fall in love but cannot be together because of a secret that only Helen's mom knows. There were some twists that I'm dying to see how they play out in book two, which unfortunately doesn't come out until 2012!

I really loved everything about this book (except the ending, which I realize the author needs to keep us hanging). I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology so this was a cool twist on a romance novel for Young Adults that I had never read before. It's always refreshing to find something new to read.

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie and Jenna travel to England so Sophie can get to know her demon dad and more about her demon side and powers. No one wants her to go through the removal so her father tries to convince her that she can control her powers. She meets Nick and Daisy, demons who have been recently raised but no one know by who. The Eye is still after Sophie, trying to kill her. Archer is in England somewhere, working with The Eye and Sophie is hoping to steer clear. Plus her dad tells her that she and Cal are bethrothed.

I loved the second book in this series. Still a lot of action and a lot of new secrets are revealed. I like that Cal is more prominent in this book and he is starting to come out of his shell and show a little personality. The reveal on what exactly is going on with Graymalkin Island is a surprise!

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

This was a book I picked up on a whim. As a general rule, I don't read fairy stories. Don't like them, don't like fairies. In fact there's only been one series of fairy stories that I truly do like. This story was blah. The main character (Emma) wants to be a dragon slayer and follow in her deceased mom's footsteps. When she gets the title of "fairy slayer" she tries everything she can to change her principal's mind. This was a slow read and one that I should have just left on the shelf.

Passion (book 3) by Lauren Kate

The saga continues! Luce is traveling through time, trying to find answers to why her relationship with Daniel is cursed....literally! Daniel and crew travel (although separately) trying to find her to keep her from making any changes to the past, which ultimately affect the future. While traveling, Luce finds a "companion". A gargoyle named Bill who turns out to be completely different than Luce thought.

I loved this book. I enjoyed reading about Luce's past lives and how consistent and loving Daniel was in each. Who Bill really turned out to be ended up not being as much of a surprise as I thought but it was a great twist. Plus I loved the whole scenes where Daniel goes back to the time right before the angels were cast out of heaven. I think that was my favorite part!

The Viper's Nest (book 7) by Peter Lerangis

Amy and Dan end up in South Africa looking for the next clue. I'm enjoying this series but at time really wish there were less books. I really want to know what happens, but tired of the books. At least they are short reads. Some authors are easier to read than others. This writing style I'm not really digging.

The Sweetest Thing (#2: Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Tara returns to Lucky Harbor to help her sisters open a Bed and Breakfast. Ford, is her old flame, and they have a very messy history...complete with a teenage daughter (given up for adoption) who comes back to try and find them.

Such a cute story. Fast pace, great characters. I love that I can read book two (before I read book one) and it doesn't matter because each story tends to be a stand alone. Back story is always given on characters that may have been featured in a previous book. I love the characters are real and easy to identify with. It's a perfect summer read with a really pretty cover!

The Candidates by Inara Scott

Dancia is an outcast. She has a strange name and can make things happen. She doesn't understand it just the feeling that comes right before something bad happens...and someone gets hurt. When she is recruited to attend Delacroix academy she's surprised. It's a school for rich kids. But Dancia soons learns she fits in, in ways she couldn't imagine.

This was a good read but took me a while to get through. While there was a lot of action, the writing style keep me from really being able to read it with a good flow.