Enthralled by Melissa Marr (and other authors)

Didn't love this book. It was short stories, which are usually fine but most, if not all of them, seemed like they ended abruptly and were missing too much of the story. Many left you hanging, which may be the purpose of short stories, I'm not sure. In comparison to other short stories I've read, this just left me feeling cheated, like I'd missed out on too much. Some stories were better than others, and some I just completely skipped.

Completely Smitten by Susan Mallery

Since this was a book shared with another author (another story within this book) it seemed like it was a shorter version. Haley is running away from her father and church community when she meets Kevin, a US Marshal. I liked this story because Haley is very naive, doesn't know much about how the world works and ends up depending on Kevin to teach her about life while she's figuring things out.

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Schuyler and Jack are on a mission to continue Lawrence's work and figure out just what is going on. Mimi is back in NY playing regent.

I love Schuyler and Jack's relationship, even if they are somewhat old fashioned in how they speak with each other. I guess since Jack is technically a fallen angel, he's been around a while. They are trying to figure out what's going on while hiding out from Mimi, since Jack has broken their bond.

I really enjoyed this book, and actually had read Bloody Valentine prior to this one, so the bonding that takes place in that one makes a little more sense.

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Balthazar or Lucas? Personally I vote for the former. In this book, Biance is sneaking around to meet Lucas (her "love") while using Balthazar and helping him with his sister. Even though the storyline did move, I'm not a huge fan of the choices Bianca makes. She's rash and selfish. She doesn't seem to worry about anyone other than herself, Lucas, and figuring out what's going on at Evernight (which in turn is helping Lucas). At the end she ends up becoming a member of the Black Cross after they invaded her Evernight home and probably killed many people she knows and loves. I'm hoping in the third book Bianca grows up, gets a spine and kicks Lucas to the curb.

Happy Chaos by Soleil Moon Frye

Usually I don't read many nonfiction or parenting books. When I do I skip a lot of pages and skim because they really aren't "reader friendly." This one I truly enjoyed reading. I loved the writing style and the format of the chapters. I enjoyed reading about Soleil Moon Frye's life since I did watch her on Punky Brewster (who didn't). So I enjoyed her take on parenting, advice for her children and learning more about her childhood and marriage.

When You Dare by Lori Foster

Usually I love Lori Foster. Love the romance, the situations, the characters........I loved the characters in this book but not the situation. Molly is rescued by Dare, after he finds that she (and his friend's sister) have been abducted to Mexico to be sold. There was just something about reading of an abduction that just made me uneasy. While the rest of the story was fine, the beginning just set things off for me. I did read the whole book.

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

I enjoyed this book even though it was a little "horrific" at times. Haden (the bad guy....of course) is a demon who has to take a human bride and bring her back to the underworld. Except he falls for Theia. Unexpectedly. What I really liked about this story is that Theia didn't wait around for someone to rescue her. She did what she needed to do to save the person she loved. Many books have main female characters who are super wimpy and whine all the time. She did pine for Haden when he went back to Under but at least in the end, she stood up for him, making a dangerous deal with his mother and saving him (until he came back to save her).

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

Three short stories from the Blue Bloods novel. I enjoyed all three. I like hearing more about Schuyler's mother before she ended up in her coma. And super happy that Schuyler and Jack ended up together even if it wasn't permanent (as far as I know).

Only Yours by Susan Mallery

Montana, a dog trainer, falls for Simon a surgeon who doesn't have the best people skills.

Cute, quick story!

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

I liked the first book in the series, Halo. I think I was more in love with the book cover than the actual story. This second book I really didn't love. It was pretty gross in some descriptions (but I guess if you are writing a story about the Underworld, it's gotta be gross). Bethany has to deal with being kidnapped and trying to survive in Hell. Jake, her kidnapper, wants what he wants and doesn't care what he has to do to get it. It was a long book and I felt like it was just a tough read. I really wanted to love this book but it just didn't happen. I did love the cover though.

Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park

Dan and Amy travel to Jamaica. They are ready to give up in their hunt for the 39 clues when they learn more information about who they (and Nellie) truly are.

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

I've put off reading this book for probably about two years. I hated the way the second in the series ended and wasn't really interested in being depressed even further. This book felt desperate to me. Ever is trying to undo the mistake she made. She has to help Romy and her sister get back to Summerland, while not truly being able to be with her one true love. She's an immortal but has basically no power. Read it and happy it's over with. Now debating on whether I really want to know what happens in the rest of the series.

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was going to be an angel story but it was something different. The main character Charlotte, is a forgotten. She's driven by her "need" to help others. She struggles against it because she just wants to be normal but finds that she can't. Her purpose in life is to help others until she bursts into brilliant light. Others around her start to forget her and their life with her.

It was heartbreaking watching Charlotte struggle to realize that no one would remember her. Not her adopted mother or her boyfriend. She desperately wants to stay on earth but doing that would basically kill her and turn her into something ugly and evil. Finally she is at peace with what she needs to do.

Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson

Cute romance story that doesn't disappoint. Although I have to say that all romances follow that same pattern of : boy meets girl (or vice versa), they struggle against their attraction, they get together, break up, live happily ever after together. Same old same old.

I did like this one though!

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Finally the last book. I must say everyone has said that this was by far the best in the series. I disagree. I hate that they used Peeta as a torture device. While I understand why it was necessary, it felt like the book was being rushed to end the series. Things seemed to happen really fast (like the whole battle scene at the end). All in all, happy to have read the series, super excited I"m finished with it. Looking forward to the movie even more!

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

Phoebe finally learns at the end of the first book that she is descended from Nike, which is totally fitting since she's a runner. I like seeing how Phoebe struggles to control her powers. Sticking her in Goddess Boot Camp with a bunch of ten year olds was a funny twist to the story. Still, it's a fluffy read, not one that I would want to read again. Cute but not great.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book two in The Hunger Games series. While I didn't love the first one, the second book was much better. Katniss has to deal with the aftermath of her decision to pull out the berries at the end of the hunger games. This book moved a little faster for me and I think the fact that there wasn't so much violence (because the Quarter Quell games were a much smaller part of the book) was easier for me. I didn't like how violent the first book was.

Oh.My.Gods by Tera Lynn Childs

Phoebe's mom gets remarried while on a trip. All of a sudden Phoebe learns that she is not only moving to Greece, she has to deal with an all new family, a stepsister that hates her, and is going to a school of kids descended from the Greek Gods.

I thought this was a cute story. Slow going to get into, but towards the end I really enjoyed it. I love the Greek Mythology aspect and like how the character really evolves and gets a super nice surprise at the end.