Once in a Full Moon: Review

Once in a Full Moon

by Ellen Schreiber

Celeste hangs with the popular crowd at Legend's Run High and is being wooed byNash Hunter, the football quarterback, but doesn't really feel that shebelongs. She only comes in contact with the new and enigmatic student, Brandon Maddox, when she passes him in classes, the hallway, and at lunch, but she suspects there is something different about him other than that he is a Westsider and comes from the wrong side of town.

On a dare, Celeste and her friends go to a psychic's shop for a reading. When it is Celeste's turn for a fortune, the psychic grabs Celeste's hands and warns, "Beware of a kiss under the full moon." Celeste and her friends laugh and mock the fortune teller. But on her way home from their outing, Celeste is blinded by a blizzard. Disoriented, she finds herself deep in the woods bordering town. She is overcome by snowfall and unable to see anything. Above her hovers the glow of a full moon. Just then, she sees beady eyes staring back through the falling flakes. She finds herself in the midst of a pack of hungry wolves. The wolves begin to howl. She can't outrun them, and the shortest tree branch is out of reach. They slowly approach her. At the last moment, a stranger pulls her from the hungry pack. He grabs a branch and fights the pack ofwolves until they retreat. In the scuffle the stranger is bitten. It is Brandon Maddox.

Celeste is enamored by her hero and can't get him out of her mind. Where Nash is a hero on the field and court, Brandon is a hero in reality. Celeste steals away from her friends to find Brandon, and they meet on a hilltop near his home. A cloudy sky lingers above them, and Celeste realizes she has fallen in love with a Westsider. But in the next few moments, Celeste will face an even biggerchallenge than falling for a guy from the wrong side of town. As the two lean in to kiss, the clouds pass, exposing the glow of a full moon. Brandon feels strange and pulls away. Something is about to change-him.

First Line: It began under the haunting glow of a full moon.

Favorite line/quote: "Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever".

My Review: I found this book to be extremely predictable and at times it felt like every other story out there in the Young Adult Paranormal genre. I did enjoy the fact that Ellen Schreiber gave teen readers a main character to look up to. Celeste volunteers at the elder home in her town. I think this sets a good example that today's teens need to give more to others than of themselves. But the very next page you find Celeste going along with the flow just to please her friends, afraid to rock the boat. In doing this Celeste comes off as a follower instead of a leader.

If you are hoping to read a deep, thought provoking story, this is not the book for you. While it has a bit more depth than Shreiber's "Vampire Kisses" series it remains fluff. A quick, enjoyable read that won't hold a lasting place in your heart.

My Rating: 3 stars

I would like to thank Net Galley for the chance to review Once in a Full Moon.

This book is set to releast 12/28/2010

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Vanished: Review

Vanished

(Private Series #12)

by Kate Brian

Synopsis:

Lost and found...
Against all odds, Reed Brennan re-established Billings as an underground literary society. She and the new initiates created a glamorous secret headquarters and were ready to show Easton Academy that even though Billings House is gone, the Billings Girls are stronger than ever. But before Reed had a chance to revel in her success, something horrible happened:

Noelle disappeared.

Now Reed has no idea who wants to hurt Noelle or why, but it's up to Reed to save her. As the clues build up, the clock ticks down, and Reed fears that unless she finds Noelle soon, she'll lose her friend forever....

First Line: I couldn't sustain this for much longer.

My Review: I had this book finished in just a over a day, so Kate Brian gets major points there, but other than that I believe the story line is grasping now. Will this stop me from picking up the next book out in December, no but I feel that the story line is running out of places to go, which leads us to the Prequel Kate Brian is releasing. I remain hopeful that I am wrong though.

My Rating: 3 stars

203 pages

Until next time...

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Scandal: Review

Scandal

(Private Series #11)

by Kate Brian

Brave new world....

After her terrifying Caribbean vacation, Reed can't wait to get back to campus and resume her normal life of classes, shopping trips with the Billings Girls, and late-night gossip sessions. But when she arrives at Easton, she gets the shock of a lifetime.

Billings House is gone.

The administration has razed the scandal-rocked dorm and separated the Billings Girls. Outraged, Reed takes immediate action, turning Billings into a secret literary society- with a whole new set of rules. Eleven spots are open to any girl strong enough to endure initiation. Every girl on campus wants in, and it's up to Reed to pick the best and brightest. And only the strongest will survive...

First Line: We came from all corners of campus.

My Review: You could not pay me to go to school at Easton. Holy cow these students family are paying for them to go to one drama filled school! Never ever a dull moment for the girls of Billings. Just when you think nothing else could possibly happen it does, and let me tell you... Kate Brian is a go big or go home type of author. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, waiting my turn at the library.

My Rating: 4 Stars

228 pages

Find Kate Brian on the web, twitter or facebook.

Until next time...

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Geek Charming: Review

Geek Charming

by Robin Palmer

Synopsis:

Dylan Shoenfield is the princess of L.A.'s posh Castle Heights High. She has the coolest boyfriend, the most popular friends, and a brand-new "it" bag that everyone covets. But when she accidentally tosses her bag into a fountain, this princess comes face-to-face with her own personal frog: selfprofessed film geek Josh Rosen. In return for rescuing Dylan's bag, Josh convinces Dylan to let him film her for his documentary on high school popularity. Reluctantly, Dylan lets F-list Josh into her A-list world, and is shocked to realize that sometimes nerds can be pretty cool. But when Dylan's so-called prince charming of a boyfriend dumps her flat, her life and her social status comes to a crashing halt. Can Dylan with Josh's help pull the pieces together to create her own happily-ever-after?

First Line: One day I was watching Oprah, waiting for her to get to her "Favorite Things for Spring" segment ( she has the cutest taste in accessories), I heard this self-help guru guy say that teh word crisis in Chinese is actually two words: danger and opportunity.

My Review: For some reason the movie Can't Buy Me Love was with me the whole time I was reading this book. This book did a really good job on nailing what life is like for everyone in High School! The ups, the downs and everything in between. Don't judge that book by the cover because you never know what you might get, same can be said for your fellow student ( mankind).

My Rating: 3 star

338 pages

Visit Robin Palmer on the web, Twitter or Facebook

Until next time...

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Love Bites: Review

Love Bites

(Vampire Kisses Series #7)

by Ellen Schreiber

Synopsis :

As a mortal girl dating a vampire, Raven knows that love isn't always easy. Now that Alexander's parents have returned to Romania, Raven and her dreamy vampire boyfriend are happy to resume their cryptic romance.

But soon another visitor comes knocking: Sebastian, Alexander's best friend, arrives for a stay at the mansion. At first Raven is wary, then thrilled—this is the perfect chance to learn more about her darkly handsome boyfriend and his past. Raven has been wondering whether Alexander will ever bite her and make their love immortal, and Sebastian could be her guide to the love habits of Alexander and his kind. But when Sebastian falls for a particular Dullsvillian, will another mortal beat Raven to the bite?

With suspense, danger, and a fabulous vampire party, this seventh book in the bestselling Vampire Kisses series continues the exciting nocturnal romance of Raven and Alexander.

First Line: It was a deadly kiss- the kind of kiss that stole my breath, forced my heart into overdrive, left me hopelessly weakened and desperately gasping for more.

My Review: I felt like Ellen Schreiber was back on course with this story than she was with the last book in the series. She left you curious for more. What will happen next in Raven's crazy world?

My rating: 4 stars
179 pages.

Visit Ellen Schreiber at her website, Facebook or Twitter

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Cindy Ella: Review

Cindy Ella

by Robin Palmer

Synopsis

Prom fever has infected LA especially Cindy's two annoying stepsisters, and her overly Botoxed stepmother. Cindy seems to be the only one immune to it all. But her anti-prom letter in the school newspaper does more to turn Cindy into Queen of the Freaks than close the gap between the popular kids and the rest of the students. Everyone thinks she's committed social suicide, except for her two best friends, the yoga goddess India and John Hughes worshipping Malcolm, and shockingly, the most popular senior at Castle Heights High and Cindy's crush, Adam Silver. Suddenly Cindy starts to think that maybe her social life could have a happily ever after. But there's still the rest of the school to deal with. With a little bit of help from an unexpected source and a fabulous pair of heels, Cindy realizes that she still has a chance at a happily ever after.

First Line: To the Editor:

For the two years that I've been a student at Castle Heights, I've been a very loyal reader of the Courier, your so-called newspaper, even though you have refused to print any of my letters.

My Review: It was a cute and fast read, but a tad to predictable. Of course one can be surprised by this, you can re-tell a story 101 times but the ending stays the same. Just the same I can check another book off of a challenge, actually a few challenges... score!

My rating: 3 stars

260 pages

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Poser: Review

Poser

by Sue Wyshynski

Tallulah Jones makes a huge splash at her new high school when the popular It Girl invites her to go surfing. The only problem? Tallulah can't surf. After a humiliating near-death experience, her little lie backfires completely and the in-crowd labels her a poser. Only a miracle can save her from outcast hell—one that arrives in the form of a frizzy-haired, nearsighted, completely unhip surfing phenom who takes Tallulah under her wing and teaches her to surf. When an enticing phone call tempts Tallulah to risk her new best friend's trust, Tallulah must prove once and for all that she's no poser; she's the real deal—- as a surfer and, more importantly, as a friend.

First Line: " So, Tallulah, do you surf?"

My Review: FAST read with super short chapters which is just about the best thing an author can do for readers, ha ha ha! Sue Wyshynski did a good job summing up life as a highschool student. Doesn't matter when you went to school or when you graduated, the same problems are still there year after year.

My Rating: 4 stars

259 pages

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Royal Blood: Review

Royal Blood

(Vampire Kisses Series #6)

by Ellen Schreiber

Summer break is over, and Raven is hardly eager to be returning to Dullsville High. Not only does school mean daily interaction with preppy pest Trevor Mitchell, but her sleep-filled days and romantic nights with her immortal boyfriend, Alexander, must come to an end. Plus the shock of morning classes isn't the only change in store.

An unexpected letter turns up at Alexander's mansion—announcing his parents will be coming to town. And once they arrive, just about everyone has had a sighting of the macabre couple except Raven. What could be delaying Alexander from introducing Raven to them? Could Alexander be hiding something about his parents' homecoming?

When Raven is finally invited to the most thrilling dinner party of her life, the next turn of events could transform her entire future with Alexander. The sixth book in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series takes an unusual twist in the continuing romance of Raven and Alexander.

First Line: The letter arrived mysteriously.

My Review: Boring! I get that this serious is Young Adult, maybe middle school age group. But I just remember this series having a bit more to it. Oh well, at least I can mark a book off in my Young Adult Reading Challenge.

My Rating: 3 stars

195 pages

Until next time...

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The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: review

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner :

An Eclipse Novella

by Stephenie Meyer

Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood.... life before she became a vampire.


All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself, and above all, make home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.


Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides adn decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

First Line:The newspaper headline glared at me from under a little mental vending machine: SEATTLE UNDER SIEGE- DEATH TOLL RISES AGAIN.

My review: At first I was just annoyed that this book had no chapters. I am the type that needs chapters no matter how short the book is! Second, I honestly feel like Stephenie Meyer should have stopped while she was ahead. Maybe the cheese stands alone ( me) but I just did not connect with these characters, even after reading this book they remained characters that just didn't need more bi line than what they already recieved in Eclipse. It was just alright.

My rating: 3 stars

178 pages

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Suspicion: Review

Suspicion

(Private Series #10)

by Kate Brian

Forbidden fruit...

Reed, Noelle, and former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor have been living it up on St. Barths over winter break. The tropical sun has melted away all the tensions of last semester, and for the first time in months, Reed is happy. She's got her best friends by her side, she has a palatial suite with an ocean view, and she's landed Upton, the most sought-after guy on the island.

Reed is falling in love.

But dating Upton makes Reed St. Barths' highest-profile guest — and not in a good way. Upton has a dark past, and he's broken a lot of hearts. One of his exes still wants him. And she'll do whatever it takes to get Reed out of the picture.

Favorite Line(s): n/a

My Review: Man, what I would give to know what makes the dudes so into Reed, while most chicks pretend to like her, but really they loathe her, well except Noelle. If Reed was my friend I am not certain I wouldn't drop her just to be rid of the drama that follows this poor girl where ever she goes. This story feels like one you have read many times before, and until the end of it when Kate Brian throws in a huge twist did I realize I would be reading the next book in the series out in March. With that said suspicion might be my least favorite out of the series, which says a lot because it is book #10.

My Rating:

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (September 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416958851
ISBN-13: 978-1416958857
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches

** I have received nothing for posting this review, this book was picked up from my local library on my own free will! **

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

( Click above picture for more details)

There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

I am going to start off saying I am going to read the " Mini YA Reading Challenge", this way I can always go up a challenge without having to go down, kwim?

Please come back often to this post because this is where I will be listing the books I read in this challenge.

Remember books don't count until 1/1/2010

1. Suspicion: Kate Brian

2. Royal Blood- Ellen Schreiber

3.Love Bites - Ellen Schreiber

4.The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer

5. Cindy Ella- Robin Palmer

6. Geek Charming- Robin Palmer

7. Little Miss Red: Robin Palmer

8. Poser- Sue Wyshynski

9. Scandal - Kate Brian

10. Vanished- Kate Brian

11. Going Too Far- Jennifer Echolas

12.

Until next time...
Happy Reading!