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!

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!

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...

Happy Reading!

The Coffin Club: Review

The Coffin Club

( #5 in Vampire Kisses)

by Ellen Schreiber

Product Description

There's a hot new underground club in town . . . but membership lasts an eternity.

It's summer break, and Raven knows she should stay put in Dullsville until her immortal love returns. But when she decides to go after Alexander, she can't resist a visit to her favorite Goth-spot, The Coffin Club. Sneaking inside, Raven is shocked to discover a secret door that leads to the entrance of another hidden club. There's something peculiar about this cryptic hangout—and it's too enticing for Raven to resist. Soon a dangerous battle for the club's rule erupts between Alexander's old nemesis and a mysterious new guy.

Can Raven avoid the clash before her curiosity lands her in serious trouble?

Something about these two main characters drawl you into them, they are endearing ( if only from a mother's view, since I am clearly to old to be their sidekicks!).

I do love how each book ends with you waiting for the next book, which was fine until this book, because I am still waiting for my turn on the 6th book in the series....eek!

I am giving The Coffin Club 4 stars!

This book falls into these reading challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Vampire 2009 Reading Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Dance with a Vampire: Review

Dance With a Vampire

( Vampire Kisses #4 )

by Ellen Schreiber

Synopsis:

The most important night of the year is drawing near . . . but not without a little trouble from the Underworld
Dullsville's newest night-faring intruder may be only a tween, but Raven knows that Valentine Maxwell, the younger sibling of two nefarious vampires, is a full-size menace. Valentine becomes even more of a threat when he befriends her brother, Billy. Raven must try to shield Billy, even as the biggest excitement of the year approaches: attending prom with her immortal love, Alexander. And while Alexander is one kind of vampire—sweet—Raven soon learns Valentine is another.
Could Valentine somehow know Raven's private thoughts about turning into a vampire?


In this, the 4th book in the "Vampire Kisses" series, Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander, have run off Jagger and Luna, but now they face a new, and yet frighteningly familiar enemy. Jagger and Luna Maxwell's pre-teen brother, Valentine, has prematurely escaped the confines of his Romanian coffin and is now on the prowl in Dullsville. Valentine's targets seem very specific. He pursues Raven's family, especially her younger brother, Billy. Her parents are enamored of this young man, who is a surprisingly different choice of friend for Billy. Raven and Alexander must go to great lengths to discover Valentine's true motives for being in Dullsville and separate Valentine and Billy before Billy becomes one of the undead.

At the same time, Raven struggles with normal teenage challenges—like asking her boyfriend to a school dance. She also faces some not so normal challenges. How can she decorate her locker with pictures of Alexander?

Can she leave her family behind to start her life with Alexander, and is that what she really wants? It is an entertaining, quick read for lovers of gothic or vampire stories. It has elements of romance without being too mushy.

I am giving Dance with a Vampire 4 stars.

This book falls into these reading challenges...

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Vampire 2009 Reading Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Vampireville : Review

Vampireville

by Ellen Schreiber

Third in the series, Vampire Kisses

Can Raven stop Dullsville from becoming Vampireville?

For goth-girl Raven, dating her dream boyfriend is complicated, especially because Alexander's secret means they can only meet at night. And now they must be extra wary, with Alexander's archrival, Jagger, creeping around town. Then Jagger's exquisitely pale sister Luna also surfaces—and seems to have her sights on Raven's own longtime nemesis. Raven and Alexander must begin a terrifying hunt for Jagger and Luna's secret hideout. Can they drive them away before Dullsville is eternally threatened by these menaces from the Underworld?

Out of the first three books, this one fell a tad short for me. It still made me want to pick up the 4th book in the series, so I still held onto faith that it would pick back up!

I will give this book 3 stars.

Vampireville falls into these challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Vampire 2009 Reading Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Kissing Coffins: Review

Kissing Coffins

By Ellen Schreiber

Product Description

Not far from Dullsville, someone's lurking in the dark. . . .
After meeting the handsome and shadowy Alexander Sterling, goth-girl Raven's dark world has a bright, new glow. But as in her favorite movie, Kissing Coffins, Raven knows that love always has its complications, especially when Alexander has a big secret to guard.

When Alexander suddenly disappears, Raven leaves Dullsville to begin a dangerous search to find him. Can she stay safe, no matter who—or what—she encounters on the way?

This book reminded me a lot of the Twilight series, and no I have no idea which came first. Still was a fast read, and I have grown attached to these two teenagers, so I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Kissing Coffins falls into these reading challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge* 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Vampire 2009 Reading Challenge

I have been reading up a storm but not updating so be ready I am going to see if I can get caught up on this blog in the next two days....

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Vampire Kisses: Review

Vampire Kisses

by Ellen Schneiber

Product Description

A new guy in town.
Rumors of vampires.
Dangerous first love.
This is where it all begins. . . .
The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in "Dullsville," is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications—especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall.

Fast read.... and cute.... who could forget their first love??!?!?

I will give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book falls into these reading challenges...

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Vampire 2009 Reading Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!