Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

My Review:
You know, I enjoyed it, but I did not love it. To be fair I was not in the mood for a slower, southern Gothic read at the time I picked it up but once I got into it I remembered the pacing from the first book and got my expectations in the right place. I think what intrigued me about the first book, "Beautiful Creatures" is that it had such a different tone from anything else I was reading at the time and it introduced me to the Caster world which I knew nothing about. In the beginning of "Beautiful Darkness" I was trying to remind myself what happened in the previous book because these books are rather long at lots of events take place. I loved the introduction of Liv and of course I love the sisters and Alma since they bring humor into dark and scary situations. This book, in a sense, felt somewhat anti-climatic because there is all this build-up and adventure and then I feel like we landed back at square one. I am not sure I fully understand what Lena's choice means but I think that is the point and all will be revealed in the next books so until then I will be waiting for the story to continue.

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

My Review:
I loved this one! Probably my favorite book of the series. I have been anticipating this book ever since I finished "Iron Daughter" and it did not disappoint. There is action, romance, suspense, ect. I seriously had problems putting this one down and would stay up past when I should have been going to sleep. I felt like I was part of the story and that I was looking through Meghan's eyes and feeling her emotions with her every step of the way. The pacing was great and I loved the way the story progressed. Meghan, Ash, and Puck faced new challenges as well as teamed up against old rivals to try and save the Nevernever from being consumed by the Iron Realm. I was very happy that there was so much Ash in this book and that we get more detail about what he was like in the past which has always been a big mystery. There were so many sweet and yet heart-wrenching moments between Ash and Meghan because they were finally together but with a war looming over them there was the possibility their time together was coming to a close. Meghan really grew up during the course of this series and it shows at the end just how much she learned about herself and her part in the fey world. I am honestly shocked by the way it ended since I assumed there would be another book in the series. But according to Julie Kagawa she is planning on writing a book from Ash's POV called "Iron Knight." Oh my goodness I can't wait to read that one! Loved it! Must Read!

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

My Review:

Spoiler Alert!)
Wow. For some reason this book was so much heavier than the other ones even though they all deal with death and losing one’s soul. It was quite the page turner and got so much scarier and darker than I thought it would with all the drug stuff and body possessing going on. This one tugged my at my heart strings because of the way Kaylee and Nash’s relationship shattered based on horrible choices Nash made. I am not sure how they will go on from here but it will take a lot of forgiveness and healing before they can ever get back to the place they were. But I have to wonder if this will not be a good test for their relationship (if they have one in the future) because at times it did seem superficial and Kaylee was never certain about Nash’s feelings for her. I think Kaylee needs to figure out who she is as a Banshee apart from Nash and come into her own as a paranormal being. I am all for reading the next book to find out what happens next!

The Social Security FIX-IT Book

My Review:
I read this in order to educate myself about the basics of the Social Security (SS) program for my internship in DC. I am interning at a place that deals a lot with SS and I will be honest and say I have never cared to know anything about the program. And let’s face it guys-there is nothing fun or exciting about SS much less reading about the problems we face today and the years to come. But I have to say this is a fantastic book because it actually taught me something in a non-boring and non-threatening way. To me, it made reading about SS the most entertaining way possible with all the cute illustrations and easy to read graphs and charts. It’s a book for the everyday person who can read this not knowing a thing about the program and come out a whole lot wiser and much more informed in the end. Here is the description on the front cover. ‘A Citizen’s Guide: A review of the program, its financing problem, and the leading proposals for eliminating the shortfalls. Everything the earnest but over-burdened citizen needs to know. Cheerfully narrated and handsomely presented in 52 pages.’

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

My Review:
I really liked this one! I think part of the reason it appealed to me was because it was written before the vampire craze that we all know has taken the YA readers by storm. The other part I liked was that this story was relatively short so it was not long and drawn out with the girl trying to figure out what Simon was. It was direct and to the point with Simon saying this is who I am and that’s exactly the way the book was and it was not trying to be different from other vampire books. Don’t get me wrong, I happen to have loved Twilight but I liked reading something that seemed a little more traditional and reminded me somewhat of Dracula. I love the way the author writes because I felt like I was there and she describes things in an almost poetic way and a way I would have never thought of before. I am actually happy with the way this one ended because it would feel wrong if Zoe and Simon tried to make their relationship work because that was not the theme and intention of the book. It was about living life and accepting death when it is your time.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

My Review:
I thought it was good. I did not love it like I hoped I would since all I hear is rave reviews about this book. I think there was something missing in the relationship between John and Meg that I can’t quite put my finger on. It bothered me that their relationship was based on the physical for most of the book and only at the end do they appreciate who the other person is. John seemed like a bit of a control freak and Meg seemed to like to take advantage of people’s discomfort and somewhat enjoyed that. Part of me just could not buy into the relationship since they seemed like such different people. I did enjoy the fact that it was set in Birmingham since that is where I am from so I could visualize many of these places in my head. It was also pretty entertaining watching a relationship unfold between a cop and the girl he arrested and I kept turning the pages to find out what happens next. I think I will go on to read other books by this author because I at least know I will enjoy it.

My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

My Review:
I really enjoyed this one! I think this a fun series and different from the normal warewolf/vampire story we have come accustomed to seeing these days on the bookshelves. It’s a world I feel I can learn about with Kaylee which keeps things fresh as she and Nash encounter more danger the deeper they dive into the Netherworld. Kaylee’s internal dialogue makes her relatable because we all talk to ourselves and she cracks me up with her witty comments. And of course who would not love a romance with one of the hottest guys at school but I have to wonder where this relationship is going. To me its not enough that Kaylee happens to be a banshee as well. I need to know there is more to this relationship because it seems odd to me that Nash would stick around considering how different they are in terms of their social lives and the things they like to do. We shall see where this one is going since I fully intend on going to the next book. Overall great pacing, page turner, and just fun!

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

My Review:
Its vampires meets Gossip Girl! I had heard this series was popular so I wanted to give it a shot, Plus I am a sucker for supernatural or paranormal stories plus the show Gossip Girl is a guilty pleasure for me so this sounded right up my alley. It was not anything other than what I expected it to be which was fun, fast, and entertaining. It’s a world that I do not know much about and it is clear the author has a vast knowledge of fashion and designer brands. The regeneration of the Blue Blood Vampires was an interesting aspect since the author was trying to imply that the characters had past lives dating from the Roanoke days. I was hoping to form more of an attachment to the characters and for a little more character development but that’s kinda hard when the book switches POV almost every chapter and over 4 different characters are trying to tell their story. But none the less I enjoyed it and just might go on to the next ones.

I Do, Now What? Secrets, Stories, and Advice from a Madly-in-Love Couple by Giuliana and Bill Rancic

Synopsis:
Five million viewers tuned in to The Style Network for Giuliana DePandi and Bill Rancic’s fairy tale wedding in Italy, as the passions, tears, and champagne flowed. But what happened once the honeymoon was over? After all, she’s been stationed in Los Angeles as one of E! Entertainment’s most popular personalities, and he’s kept his home in Chicago, where this handsome winner of The Apprentice has been busy running an empire of his own. How, we’ve wondered, is this marriage really working out? With all the funny, frank, and characteristically down-to-earth personality that fans of their hit reality show, Giuliana & Bill, have come to adore, this glamorous couple takes you behind the scenes of their real-life marriage. Like all newlyweds, they’ve faced the big issues that wedlock manages to invite, including money (to merge or not?), household chores (she’s disorganized, he’s a neat freak), arguments (without staying mad), and trying to have a baby (it’s not as easy as they thought!). Sharing their newfound and sometimes hard-won insights, they offer suggestions on such topics as communication, giving and receiving support, trust and jealousy, quality time, friends and in-laws, fighting fair, and sex and romance. A must-read for newly married couples, or those about to take the plunge, or anyone who wants to know the secrets of everlasting love, I Do, Now What? is an upbeat real-world resource for the most ambitious journey of a couple’s life: marriage!

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book! I am, first off, a fan of this couple’s reality TV show called “Giuliana & Bill” so I already know a little about their different personalities and how this couple interacts with each other. This book is one of the funniest and most honest books I have read in quite some time and I thought it matched with what I have seen on their show in terms of the couple’s dynamics. I felt it was creativity written with collaboration of the titles of the chapters and the stories within them and there was an even back and forth between Giuliana and Bill. Now granted, these two people have not been married long time but I also know that a long marriage does not necessarily equal a happy marriage. I think they were up front about their struggles and talked about realistic ways to work through and overcome those challenges with some humor thrown in there. This book does not claim to have all the answers to a successful relationship but they know what works for them and wanted to share that with others while entertaining and amusing their readers. I love this couple even more after reading this book because it is very rare that you find this amount of respect for each other and their marriage from a celebrity couple who puts their personal lives on display to the public. I will continue to watch and root for them as they face the future with each other.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Synopsis:
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything -- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Review:
It was so good! This is my favorite type of book. It had humor, intrigue, a love triangle, ect. I thought the pacing was good and I enjoyed the history all woven into this paranormal/mystery/romance. I thought the characters were well done and each had their own personality. I love that a female character gets to be the protector for a change and Calla was indeed fierce. She was also relatable with doubts and fears and she felt a sense of responsibility and loyalty to her family and pack mates while trying to listen to her heart.

And can I take a moment to gush over the physical book itself?! Whoever designed this baby is getting a shout out from me because it is beautiful! It also matches the theme perfectly with Shay and Calla looking through old and distressed books to find the answers behind the mystery of the dynamics between Keepers, Guardians, and Seekers. This book was such a page-turner and I can’t wait for book two to come out!

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

My Review:
I liked it! I have been looking forward to reading this book since I finished reading the last page of “Hush, Hush” which offered lots of excitement, romance, and humor (mostly from Nora’s best friend Vee-that character cracks me up). I read it in about a day which tells you how entertained I was throughout. I am a sucker for dangerous and forbidden romances because the characters always have to go through many challenges and usually grow in their relationship with each other. I enjoy the romance between Patch and Nora, but I felt like Nora was lacking in her ability to trust Patch. Has this guy not risked everything to be with her? But I also understand her feeling like she is being treated like a child by not being trusted to know the truth about Patch’s past and his position in the realms of both heaven and hell. It pained me to see Patch and Nora mostly apart in this book because of the mistrust between them. The book also failed to convince me that all was forgiven by the end. No amount of smooth talking on Patch’s part would convince me everything was ok if I were Nora. But this one ended on a cliff-hanger so of course lose ends will have to be tied up in the next book. All in all a fun read which has me hanging on until the next book.

Night World: Secret Vampire by L. J. Smith

Synopsis:
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

In Secret Vampire , Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.

My Review:
I enjoyed these books but I did not love them. They were short and fast reads but I was not that attached to the characters and I felt these stories were too short to do any real character development. The reason a series, for example, like “The Morganville Vampire” series works is because it is one long story with all the same characters. If each of these stories had been a different POV of the same characters in one big story then I feel that might have made up for the lack of length and development.

With that said, I never shy away from a paranormal romance story. One thing I will say is while the writing felt like it was for younger readers than me, I did not find the stories cheesy per say. The stories did not always end in a satisfying and blissful way which I think helped. I will go on the read the other volumes just because I find I can still escape into these worlds and that is the whole point of reading for me.

Night World: Spellbinder by L. J. Smith

Synopsis:
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder .

My Review:
I enjoyed these books but I did not love them. They were short and fast reads but I was not that attached to the characters and I felt these stories were too short to do any real character development. The reason a series, for example, like “The Morganville Vampire” series works is because it is one long story with all the same characters. If each of these stories had been a different POV of the same characters in one big story then I feel that might have made up for the lack of length and development.

With that said, I never shy away from a paranormal romance story. One thing I will say is while the writing felt like it was for younger readers than me, I did not find the stories cheesy per say. The stories did not always end in a satisfying and blissful way which I think helped. I will go on the read the other volumes just because I find I can still escape into these worlds and that is the whole point of reading for me.

Night World: Daughters of Darkness by L. J. Smith

Synopsis:
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness . Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.

My Review:
I enjoyed these books but I did not love them. They were short and fast reads but I was not that attached to the characters and I felt these stories were too short to do any real character development. The reason a series, for example, like “The Morganville Vampire” series works is because it is one long story with all the same characters. If each of these stories had been a different POV of the same characters in one big story then I feel that might have made up for the lack of length and development.

With that said, I never shy away from a paranormal romance story. One thing I will say is while the writing felt like it was for younger readers than me, I did not find the stories cheesy per say. The stories did not always end in a satisfying and blissful way which I think helped. I will go on the read the other volumes just because I find I can still escape into these worlds and that is the whole point of reading for me.