Escapement,The Neumarian Chornicles,#1.

Escapement
The Neumarian Chornicles,#1.
Ciara Knight.

Publication Date:February 25,2013.

Genre:YA Fantasy|Adventure

Format|Pages:EARC|341.

Source:Recieved copy from author, for review.

5 STARS

I knew I was going love this novel, before even reading it. I been wanting to read this book, since I read Weighted back in summer. I was happy when Ciara contacted me and sent me Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange of review. This is the series that I would recommend to everyone. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. What is there not to love about this series? There’s action, romance and a lot of action. I did not want put it down, I found myself turning the pages. Only time I did put it down was when I had to work. After reading Escapement, I’m eager to read rest of Ciara’s books.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Be Bold

Be Brave

Be Free

 

Ten years after the great war of 2185 the queen’s reign is threatened by uprisings and fear. In celebration of my sixteenth birthday it is my duty as princess to sacrifice a slave to be initiated into the ruling council, solidifying my mother’s empire. When my own erratic powers surface I’m captured and tried for treason. Slaves hate me, my mother wants me executed, and my only chance of survival rests in the hands of a young man, Ryder Arteres, whose sister I sentenced to death.

I loved the cover. How can you not look at cover and get curious? If I didn’t know what the book was about, ahead of time, I would totally wonder by looking at the cover. I think that Escapement has one of most creative covers, that I seen in while. How cans reader not wonder what is happening, by looking at cover. Even if I read the summary, I found myself wonder what is happening to the girl in the picture, why she chained up like that and what she’s thinking. The background is beautiful; in general the photograph is stunning. The cover seems to tell story itself, it seems to bring the story more to live for me.


  I loved the friendship between Semara and Raeth. Despite what happened between two of them, way that Semera thought she put her to death, Raeth seems to truly care for her, otherwise she wouldn’t came to her rescue. Fact that she decided to hide what happens from Ryder, just so that she wouldn’t lose her, now that’s a true friendship right there. Raeth and Semara’s friendship reminds me of couple of my friends, the type of friends who would do so much for me. Through the book, I saw how Semara and Raeth’s friendship grew, way they helped each other. I’m hoping that two of them would be able to stay, for years to come. I was afraid that there chance their friendship might break once Ryder found out truth, but glad to see that it didn’t.


Ryder : Never did I imagine that Semara and Ryder would end up together, mostly because of way that Ryder treated her in beginning. To be honest, I didn’t even think that he even cared what happens to her, he was just doing it because of his sister. But as the book progress, I could see that Ryder began to care about her, even if at first he showed nothing but distrust with her. At first I was sure that he even let her come with them was because of his sister. Once the book progressed, I could practically feel the tension between the two of them, whenever the two of them had time, to be alone. I loved reading the scenes between two of them, even if Ryder was not always most fun to talk to, they made me smile. I was eager to see when they will kiss and what would happen once they did. I was afraid that Ryder might hate her once he found out the past between Semara and sister, I was actually surprised how easily he forgave her, like Semara I was sure he never speak to her again. The scenes between two of them, once they kissed were pretty intense and made me smile each time. Of course now I’m even more eager for next book, I want to see what happens between two of them next.


I loved the action, the adventure of Raeth, Semara and Ryder in this book. There wasn’t a single page that didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. There were so many times that I was afraid, there was no escape for them, and which was it. Only to find out that I’m wrong. I know that this is going be one of my favorite’s series. I would hightly recommend this series, it keep you on edge of your seat till end. Even when you reach end, you find yourself wondering what’s next for Raeth, Ryder and Semara. I know I’m eager for the next book already. One of best series I read this year. I was glad that I got to read an early copy of the book.

Another 365 Days.

Another 365 Days

K.E Payne.

Publisher:Bold Strokes Books.

Publication Date:January 8,2013.

Genre:YA LGBT|Romance|Drama.

Format|Pages:EBook|264.

Source:Publisher, through NetGalley.

Challenge:YA Contemporary Challenge 2013.

4 STARS

*This e copy was provided by Bold Strokes Books in exchange for review *

Another 365 Days wasn’t what I had expected it to be. It wasn’t bad but at the same it was amazing book either, it actually took me few pages to really get into the book. I was pretty close to giving up on the book, when it picked up. I got to admit that once it picked up, it got hard for me to put the book down. Since it took me bit to get into bit, it was bit surprising how much I ended up enjoying the novel. At times, the writing bugged me a bit but I found it impossible to put down, I wanted to know what happens with Clem next. It’s a book worth giving a try.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Life’s sweet when you’re seventeen and in love, right? Clemmie Atkins certainly thinks so! She’s still madly in love with her girlfriend, the hot and super-confident EMO, Hannah Harrison, and her irritating sister, HRBH, will soon be leaving home to go to university.

 

But just when it seems that life is finally pretty darn cool, a new distraction at school threatens to upset everything, and the return of the enigmatic and sexy J with a startling confession confuses things further... Clemmie has another 365 days to try to get her life back on track...but will it be enough?

I had a feeling that this was going be a dark novel. I could tell that, just by looking at the cover, just by the way that girl is sitting there, tells you that she’s pretty upset about something, that there is something that is bugging her. It gives away fact that something big is going happen to this girl, in the book. It makes the reader wonder what is going to happen to her, what is there that she so upset about. Once I read the book, I could see why she’s so upset, considering with everything that happened to her through the book, I’d be upset too. Depressed in her case. Summary also gives it away, that story will be dark one, though I didn’t really how dark it would be till I started reading the book. Cover is one of those attention grabbing, it something that will make any reader curious, get them to pick up the book and at least check the book out.


Hannah. I loved their relationship, even if they were through their tough times in the book. I could tell that they loved each other, even when Hannah broke up with Clemmie because of the teacher, because she thought that there is possibly something there between two of them. I found myself wanting to shake Hannah at that moment and ask her what she was thinking. Even if there was something, she was a teacher and she was student, they could never be something between them two. Instead she ended up breaking up Clemmie’s heart. Despite Hannah breaking her heart, I could see that she still cared for her and I found myself rooting for them to get back together, all through the book. Even when Clemmie was with someone else. The two of them, they had a special bond with each other and I knew that two of them would end up together. I found myself smiling when she proposed to Clemmie.

I loved books that are written in diary format, it gives the reader more of insight on the character. While reading Another 365 Days I felt I got to know the character more, I also felt like I could connect with her because I knew how she was feeling. I found myself liking Clemmie despite the decisions that she made through the book, such as using Alice. But then at times love can make you make decisions that might not be all that smart. At same time I felt pretty bad for Alice, I could tell that she really liked her. To me, Clemmie at times didn’t seem too confident about what and who she wanted. I felt bad for her, with everything she went through, I would feel unconfident too.


  The book was pretty realistic, it’s a book that a lot of teens can relate to, because it something that a lot of teens go through at some point. I would recommend this book, to teens. It’s worth checking out, giving it a chance.

Tomb With A View,Pepper Martin,#6.

Tomb With A View.

Pepper Martin,#6.

Casey Daniels.

Publisher:Berkley.

Publication Date:July 6,2010.

Genre:Paranormal Mystery.

Format|Pages:Paperback|304.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

5 STARS

 

 

 

Once again, Pepper Martin Mysteries took another approach. That’s what I love about the book, there is always something unexpected. Tomb With View mostly surrounded around actual living person’s death, unlike the other books, which usually involved the ghosts. Despite me disliking the person, I was curious to find what happens. At same time I was eager, to find the reason why President’s ghost was hanging around. I couldn’t help but get observed in the story. I’m excited to see what adventure Pepper will come across next, what ghost she come across.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Cemeteries come alive for amateur sleuth/reluctant medium Pepper Martin.

 

Cleveland's Garden View Cemetery is hosting a James A. Garfield commemoration. For tour guide and reluctant medium Pepper Martin this means that's he'll surely be hearing from the dead president himself. And when she's assigned to help plan the event with know-it-all volunteer and Garfield fanatic Marjorie Klinker, she'll wish Marjorie were dead...too bad someone beats Pepper to it.

Unlike other books, this actually involved a murder of living person, instead of ghost coming to Pepper, asking for help. Though there is ghost involved, a late president James Garfield, and I found curious that his ghost suddenly appeared after so long, I knew there was a reason besides him, having another chance of presidency because his term was cut short. Towards the end, I was glad that he stuck around, that he was able to help Pepper with her stalker, because I was really afraid for her, afraid of what he would done if it wasn’t for the President. From all the ghosts through the books, he was the ones that I seemed to like the most, despite the complaints he seemed to have through the book. President Garfield seemed the one who helped her most, coming to her rescue and that makes him a hero to me.


Marjorie. I disliked her right from start of the book. To me it looked like she only cared about herself, about what she wanted. Way she bossed Pepper around, it made me want me to strangle the women. I was surprised when I found that she had been related to president though, I was sure that it was something that she made up, just like everyone else. But it was because of her, the obsession that she seemed to have with President Garfield that I learned more about president that I was aware of before reading the book. Actually I didn’t know anything about the president, not till I read the book. I loved fact that they added bit of historical aspect to the book. I got say, despite me having not much respect for this character, she wasn’t nasty to Pepper but everyone around her, seemed like she didn’t respect anyone or their feelings, she didn’t deserve die way she did. From moment she was killed, I found myself wonder who killed her and why.


I was curious what happened with Scott, he hasn’t been around, not since he sent her those flowers towards end of Night Of Loving Dead. I found myself wondering if Pepper and him would actually see each other again, it looked like two of them seemed to have some sort of connection in 4th book. I was glad to see that he was mentioned more in this book. I’m eager to find if their relationships will lead, to anything more in future books. As for Quinn, is it really end for him and Pepper? I eager to see if he at some point believes that she is telling him the truth, I’m hoping that he will. It doesn’t seem like Pepper is happy without him. I see Pepper and Quinn together at some point, they have that sort of connection, despite their arguments, and they always end up with each other in the end.


I was sure Nick was the killer; it seemed like all the clues pointed to him. Of course he didn’t end up the killer, there always some sort of twist like that towards the end. That’s what I love at books, that keep you guessing and when you sure you figured out who killer is, there is another twist. If you are into mystery, suspense, ghosts be sure to pick up Pepper Martin Mysteries.

Dead Man Talking, Pepper Martin,#5.

Dead Man Talking.

Pepper Martin,#5.

Casey Daniels.

Publisher:Berkley.

Publication Date:October 6,2009.

Genre:Paranormal Mystery|Adventure.

Format|Pages:Paperback|304.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

5 STARS

 

 

 

Dead Man Talking was bit different from other books in Pepper Martin series, I loved fact that a reality show theme was added to storyline, a twist that I wasn’t expecting. Cemetery Survivor, now that I show I would watch even if cemeteries are depressing. It seems that each book, Pepper seems to get herself get in more danger; it makes me afraid for her at times. Despite that, I’m curious what kind of mystery, adventure Pepper will face next.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Move over American Idol. Reality TV has come to Cleveland and Pepper Martin is a part of it!

 

When Pepper arrives at a down-on-its-luck cemetery to help with a restoration project she learns, to her dismay, that there’s going to be a contest to restore the cemetery grounds. Even worse—it’s going to be the basis of a local reality TV show, Cemetery Survivor. One team will be made up of genteel Historical Society ladies and the other—Pepper’s group—will be convicts on probation. Pepper Martin in day-glo? Now that’s a fashion don’t!.

 

There’s also a ghost waiting for Pepper. He claims he was wrongly convicted of killing a young woman. But it seems there’s quite a bit he’s not revealing. Pepper agrees to try to clear his name, but digging for the truth could put her in grave danger....

I love the covers on these books. The new covers that started come out around book 4 are even more capturing then the covers on the past books in the series. Not just the cover, the titles too. Dead Man Talking, how can that not capture your attention? The title itself has a mystery aspect to it. Even if title doesn’t capture your attention, the cover will. Way that pepper is standing there, staring into the cemetery, it makes the reader wonder what she is thinking about, or in her case what ghost she’s possibly waiting for. These covers are what got me to pick the first book and got me into series. How can you look at cover and not wonder what’s going on? It shows a lot of creativity, causing a reader to wonder about the book.

Reality Show. That’s one aspect that was different from the other books in series; I thought it was pretty interesting too. I found myself rooting for Pepper’s team till the end, even if her team was made up of felons. At first I was wondering what Jim and Ella was thinking, of making her in charge of team that made up of prisoners, I felt afraid for Pepper. But as the book progressed, I found myself warming up to them all and actually liking him. Especially when they all came together, to help Pepper with investigation, now that’s true friends right there. Even if Sammi didn’t want admit it, at first. I actually found myself tearing up when Sam ended up getting killed. I was glad that Pepper managed to make a decent amount of friends, she needed those. The friends who always have her back.


Quinn. I’m in love, but then how can you not love him? Though he’s complete opposite from Dan, I know that he cares for Pepper. I know that it’s because he cares for her, it’s the reason he wants for her to stay out of danger, it’s because he doesn’t want anything to happen to her. Despite that, I never imagined Quinn saying I love you, to anyone; it just seemed out of character for him. It was after that I realized how much Pepper meant to him. Though I wasn’t happy with how he acted when Pepper told him she talked to ghost, I could see why he acted how he did. Of course that made me afraid that it could possibly mean the end of their relationship. Though I like Dan, I still hoping that Pepper and Quinn work everything out some way. Even if Pepper didn’t say it, I know that she loves Quinn too. I can only imagine how heartbroken she is.


You can’t help but get sucked into adventures, along with Pepper. You find yourself trying to solve the mystery along with her, rooting for her till end. Once you reach the end, you’ll want pick up next book, to see what adventures she will face now. Casey Daniels has a real talent and worth your time.

Night Of The Loving Dead,Pepper Martin,#4.

Night Of The Loving Dead.

Pepper Martin,#4.
Casey Daniels

Publisher:Berkley

Publication Date:January 6,2009

Genre:Paranormal Mystery.

Format|Pages:Mass Market Paperback|291.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

5 STARS

First of all, I love the title. This series has the most unique titles, and even if reader doesn’t read back of the book, titles would attract their attention. Night Of The Loving Dead how can you not wonder about title. It seems the more series progress, the more mysterious it gets. I seem enjoy each book more and more. I thought Night Of Loving Dead was plain amazing, it seemed like it had more action in the book that other books in series. Maybe it was me, but to me it seemed that there was more going on in this book. If you haven’t picked up Pepper Martin Mysteries, do it now. It’ll be worth your time.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Pepper Martin, heiress-turned-cemetery-tour-guide, has her hands full with work, two hotties, and the ghosts who won't let her rest --- or work, or shop --- in peace ...

 

The last thing Pepper wants during her Chicago business trip is more ghosts seeking her help, as they've been doing ever since she hit her head on a tombstone. Then again, being bored stiff during a seminar might actually be worse than being with bored stiffs.

 

 

The specter of Madeline --- a young woman in a lab coat --- wants Pepper's help. Before she died, Madeline worked with Dan Callahan, the sexy, mysterious doctor who once saved Pepper's life. According to Madeline, Dan's in danger.

 

But, little does Pepper know, there's more to the story, including a devious doctor --- and an obsessive, crazy love ...

From the Pepper Martin books I read so far, Night Of The Loving Dead been the one I re-read the most. Though I read it multiple times, I enjoy it each time. I think it’s due to fact that the book has quite bit action in this one. Also the mystery keeps the reader wondering what’s going happen next. I was curious myself when I read the first time, what’s happening, what’s happening to all of those patients. I was curious as Pepper was. I felt like I was attempting to solve this mystery with her. The details were so vivid, I actually imagined on going on this journey with Pepper. At same time I was hoping that she solve the mystery of her stalker as well.


Dan: I liked him right from start. Honestly, I was kind of hoping that he would end up Pepper, even if I have nothing against Quinn. I feel like Dan and Pepper having bit more connection, but maybe it‘s just me. I think I like the fact how mysterious he is, it’s always makes me wonder if there is possibility that he’s hiding something else. There were already certain things that he hid from Pepper. I was happy to see that Dan was more in this novel. I was surprised to find that he been married as well. At same time I was curious when he would finally come to his senses, and stop denying the attraction that he has for Pepper, which I knew he does right from beginning. I got say that Pepper and Dan made a great time when it came to solving. It’s too bad that he ended up leaving in end. I am curious if he ends up coming back, if their paths cross again. I am eager to find out if anything serious would actually happen between two of them.


I hated Madeline, right from moment she asked Pepper for help. I suspected that there was something not right about her, right from start. Even when she took Pepper’s body, I had feeling that she was up to something. I felt horrible what she did to Dan, how she used him. I was glad that she finally got what she deserved at the end. I was hoping that somehow she wouldn’t get away with what she was doing. She was also the most annoying character I came across. She asked Pepper for help, yet she was the one always complaining? I hate people like that. I know that Pepper only helped because of Dan.

I was amazed by the book and eager to find out what journey Pepper will go on next.

Tombs Of Endearment, Pepper Martin,#3.

Tombs Of Endearment.

Pepper Martin,#3.
Casey Daniels

Publisher:Avon.

Publication Date:Septemeber 25,2007.

Genre: Paranormal Mystery.

Format|Pages:Mass Market Paperback|320.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

5 STARS

To me, it feels like the more I read this series, as this series progress, they more interesting it gets. I feel that each book gets me observed in the book more. It gets harder for me to put the book down. Tombs Of Endearment was one of my favorites out of the series, so far. To me it seemed like each book is filled with more action, more mystery. Pepper Martin Mysteries is series I would recommend for anyone who is into mysteries, action, suspense. You won’t be disappointed.

 GOODREADS SUMMARY

Cemetery tour guide Pepper Martin never imagined she'd get to meet rock legend Damon Curtis, the bad boy poet who made millions of teenage girls scream. After all, he kicked the bucket years before she was born. But thanks to her newfound ability to chat up the dead, Pepper's got a front row seat perfect for swooning over the still-sexy Damon's latest lyrics. He's convinced that his former bandmate Vinnie Pallucci murdered him back in -71, and he's promised Pepper she won't get any rest or peace until she helps him prove it.

 

But when Pepper goes behind the music, she finds Vinnie with a knife in his heart and the rest of the band members running for their lives. And if Pepper doesn't snare the killer soon, Damon's next hit from the great beyond might be her swan song.

This book seemed a bit different then other two books that I read in series, so far. Though Pepper always seems to have some sort of connection with ghosts, the one she had with Damon was special. I could tell that Damon affected right from start and I had the feeling, that’s why she helped him. Honestly I didn’t think that she would fall in love with him, considering a fact that he was a ghost, but at same time I could see why she fell for him. I knew that Damon cared from Pepper and I thought it was sweet how much he cared for her, considering how many chicks he went through when he was alive, it’s like being with Pepper changed him.


Pepper seemed to open up more about her old life, with Joel in this book. More was revealed about their relationship and how Pepper truly felt about what happened, what Joel plus her supposed friends did just because her father broke the law. Honestly I felt like Joel didn’t care for her like she cared for him. Because if he loved her, what her father did, wouldn’t changed that. It seemed that he cared more for appearance then her. Let just say, I didn’t like Joel from start but after reading this book, I dislike him even more. He also seemed to move on pretty fast.


I got agree with Quinn on one thing, that what she is doing is dangerous. I can only imagine what would happen with her; If Quinn didn’t come to her rescue. I do know one thing, though sometimes he doesn’t show it, I can tell that Quinn cares for Pepper and I am curious where their relationship will head next, if two of them will finally have something serious.

This will keep you on edge of your seat and keep you wondering till almost end, who the killer is. That’s what I love about books; it keeps you guessing till the end. It’s filled with action, suspense all way through.

The Girls Of No Return.

The Girls Of No Return.

Erin Saldin.

Publisher:Arthur A. Levine.

Publication Date:February 1,2012.

Genre:YA Drama|Suspence|Romance.

Format|Pages:Hardcover|348.

Source:Library|Goodreads.

4.7 STARS

I been wanting to read The Girls Of No Return since it came out last year. However my library didn’t carry it for while. I got say it was not what I was expecting this book to be. To be honest, the beginning was bit slow for me, so I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it. But once it picked up, I found myself unable to put the book down. I got so observed in the story, the characters that I had actually had to force myself to put the book down. There were quite bit of twists through the book, that I didn’t see coming. Especially towards end. It was pretty realistic; I can see something like this happening. I’m eager to find out what story Erin Saldin will come up with next.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

The Alice Marshall School, set within a glorious 2-million acre wilderness area, is a place where teenage girls are sent to escape their histories and themselves. Lida Wallace has tried to negate herself in every way possible.

At Alice Marshall, she meets Elsa Boone, Jules, and Gia Longchamps, whose glamour entrances the entire camp. As the girls prepare for a wilderness trek, Lida is both thrilled and terrified to be chosen as Gia's friend. Everyone has their secrets – the “Things” they try to protect; and when those come out, the knives do as well.

First of all, how can you not love the title and the cover? By just reading the title and looking at cover, it feels like part of story is revealed already. The river, the background is stunning, and I love nature and by looking at the cover, I can only imagine how beautiful it must be out there. I actually felt a bit jealous of Lida while I was reading the book. By looking at the photograph that something is on the girl’s mind, fact that she is by herself on canoe. When I first saw it, I was curious what that could possibly mean. Was she running away from something? Or was she going somewhere. Once I read the book, I knew that she was running away from something. The photograph in general is stunning and it also makes you think about the book, even before you read it. Both the cover and the title will grab any reader’s attention.


Lida: At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about her. To me, it seemed like she was a bit too angry, especially towards Terri, thought I could see why she wouldn’t like her. But as book progressed, I could see why she was angry. She was angry because she was hurting, because her mother left, and maybe a bit confused. Of course I didn’t know that till halfway through the book, about her mother. I was curious from moment she arrived to Alice Marshall, what her ‘thing’ was. That’s what I loved about this book, it was filled with suspense that you wanted to figure and that was one of things that kept you on reading. I was constantly curious what would happen with her character next. As book progressed, I could see Lida grow in bit more of stronger and happier person, especially when she was around Gia. I was glad that she was able to make friends, considering that it didn’t come easy to her, friendships.

Gia: I liked Gia, at least in beginning but even then I felt like there was something off about her, kind of like Boone did. I just kind of feeling that she wasn’t being honest with her, even when Lida was and I knew that it was hard for her. Sometimes I just plain didn’t get Gia though, she would get so mad, whenever Lida didn’t tell her about something, and she sounded like a jealous girlfriend to be honest. I knew that she had some sort of temper issues right then. That was one of things I didn’t like about Gia, how easily she seemed to upset Lida, thought she didn’t do anything wrong. I loved her when she had her talks with Lida, listened to her, to her troubles. I was in shock when she revealed Lida’s ‘thing’ as hers. That is something isn’t right, it wasn’t her right for her to do that, even if she was angry with her. By end, I couldn’t stand her.


Boone: At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about character, but at same time I liked that she was different from other characters. Honestly I didn’t see her and Lida becoming friends, especially how cold she seemed to treat her half of time, especially in beginning. It was more of hate like relationship but I still didn’t see those becoming friends. Though, she denied half of time, I knew that she cared for her, especially when she came to her rescue when she saw that Lida was upset when Gia revealed her ‘ secret’. That’s why I was bit unhappy of what happened next, how the book ending. I got say that I did not see that coming, but of course I wasn’t sure who she handed knife too. But I got agree with Boone on this one, what was she thinking? If there was strain between their friendships before, it caused even more issues after that. I was glad that they reunited at end, I was kind of hoping they would.


I though interesting how from time to time, there would kind of journal format from Lida, from the current past. It let reader know how she was doing since the incident, how she was feeling. I kind of felt bad for her, she seemed even more damaged after incident but then couldn’t blame her.

The Girls Of No Return was an amazing debut. It’s filled with suspense, drama, friendship and romance and worth your time.