Review: The Visions of Ransom Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure

Paperback, 296 pages

Published July 28th 2002 by Distractions Incorporated

Book Description:

Youthful beauty, naïve innocence, a romantic imagination thirsting for adventure-an apt description of Vaden Valmont, who would soon find the adventure and mystery she had always longed to experience-in the form of a man.

A somber recluse, Ransom Lake descended from his solitary concealment in the mountains, wholly disinterested in people and their trivial affairs. And somehow, young Vaden managed to be ever in his way-either by accident or because of her own unique ability to stumble into a quandary.

Yet the enigmatic Ransom Lake would involuntarily become Vaden's unwitting tutor. Through him, she would experience joy and passion the like even Vaden had never imagined. Yes, Vaden Valmont stepped innocently, yet irrevocably, into love with the secretive, seemingly callous man-Ransom Lake.

But there were other life's lessons Ransom Lake would inadvertently convey to her as well. The darker side of life-despair, guilt, heartache. Would Ransom Lake be the means of Vaden's dreams come true? Or the cause of her complete desolation?

My Review:

It all started with a blogger; I first heard about author Marcia Lynn McClure from Kathy from I am a reader not a writer Blog and I feel lucky because Marcia is a writer of admiration. I can already sense her books will be my "home away from home" kind of reads...what a pleasure it will be.

Visions of Ransom Lake wasn't as good as I had hoped but it did rob me of my sleep for a few nights because I even read a couple of pages over and over again because of how beautifully written some parts of the story were. The setting is a world I could never experience in real life but it doesn't matter because I had the craziest illusion I was one of the characters! Vonnie.

Vonnies' sister Vaden has a very fun personality and the more Ransom Lake ran into her, the more their love grew. Vonnie is the more "pretty", quiet one but what I mean by feeling as if I was Vonnie, I meant only her quiet ways. As much as she was quiet, I felt she was a dark horse just waiting to be loved. Don't we all sometimes. But this was Vaden's(her sisters') story and I adored it...

for the most part.

I couldn't get enough of the story, the characters and everything in between but the second half of the story felt wrong. I can't explain much on a count spoilers but man did I enjoy most of this. Really great read that first half was.

If you're looking for a clean, yet passionate romance...Visions of Ransom Lake is the book I recommend.

Goodreads | Amazon | Marcia Lynn McClure's Website

4/5

Review: What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published March 28th 2011 by Carolrhoda Books

Book Description:

Another day finished, gracias a Dios." Seventeen-year-old Marisa's mother has been saying this for as long as Marisa can remember. Her parents came to Houston from Mexico. They work hard, and they expect Marisa to help her familia. An ordinary life--marrying a neighborhood guy, working, having babies--ought to be good enough for her. Marisa hears something else from her calc teacher. She should study harder, ace the AP test, and get into engineering school in Austin. Some days, it all seems possible.

On others, she's not even sure what she wants. When her life at home becomes unbearable, Marisa seeks comfort elsewhere--and suddenly neither her best friend nor boyfriend can get through to her. Caught between the expectations of two different worlds, Marisa isn't sure what she wants--other than a life where she doesn't end each day thanking God it's over. But some things just can't wait...

My quick Review:

What Can't Wait was great realistic fiction story. With Marisa's parents wanting one thing and her heart wanting something entirely different, it's tough to keep everyone happy, for both yourself and your loved ones. Perez wrote about the love, hate, confusion and hope in Maris'a life...all of which I was able to keep up with and relate to by some degree.


The Characters were basic but they fit the story well enough to do the book justice. From her sister, Cecilia, to her best friend, Brenda...everyone had a part to make this book full of life.

As for the writing and dialogue...I think Perez did a very good job keeping the reader interested. There were times where I felt the book was lacking but I've been very picky these days so I wont say that anything was a ruin. In all, many of the events and situations that happened in What Can't Wait made it worth reading. I recommend this if you're in the mood.

4/5

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Hardcover, 316 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Tor Teen

Book description:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

My Review:

Wow, what a story. After a chapter or two I knew how exciting this book would come to be. It may have major similarities to the hit show, Supernatural, but with that and it's originality, it was keeper. I've always loved the idea of good looking guys fighting off bad ghosts for humans sake and when I heard Cas was in town, I had to buy this book. The story never really gets boring; it's got action, horror, thriller, a little romance and that cringe feeling you get when someone's nail scratches the school chalk board. *tremble*

As I and many readers would agree, a story needs good characters. At first, I was a little bi-polar with the characters but then they came together like a puzzle that I came to appreciate.

Cas was a good leader for the story, a good fighter. I was happy to find that that story was told from his point of view; YA fiction should learn from this...men can tell a story. As Cas moves from place to place, he's shocked to find himself having a little more than acquaintances in the place he currently lives. There were a good amount of teens involved that balanced the story admiringly...they weren't all over the place as I had feared. Anna was my favorite character though. Very close tie with Cas but Anna fascinated me from beginning to end. I felt like I needed to push a button with Cas in some parts and yell "Shut up and focus!"

As for the author, Kendare Blake gets full credit. The writing shows the best kind of effort which made reading Anna Dressed in Blood a great experience.

I say get this book. It fist-pumps with bustling horror and wicked thrills that's perfect for Halloween to come. All that with that bit of romance made it difficult not to enjoy.

4.5/5

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin Review

Hardcover, 450 pages

Expected publication: September 27th 2011
by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
My Copy: ARC

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

My Review:

Michelle Hodkin, aren't you the genius...

Yes.You.Are.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is WILD! The mystery, the suspense and the romance was written to perfection.

The Characters:

Based on the book description, Mara is suppose to be this very intriguing character right? Well at first I thought she can't possible fit the part but when everything came together, she was so absorbing. Her friend Jamie was great too, a classic. And Noah...ahh Noah, he was everything I found interesting in a guy. He had me from the start and he and Mara were the best pair with very likable personalities.

This was a great story and so I have to rave about the writing. It wasn't typical. I smiled whenever I read a scene that avoided the cliches.

The story:

One of the best YA book I've read this year. I couldn't get enough of the mystery(Even though it did get a bit draggy at times). But Every event was quality. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was everything I loved and hoped for so yes, another victory!

4/5

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson Review

Hardcover, 344 pages

Published May 4th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Book Description: Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Review:

*inhale*

Smell that? Smells like VICTORY!

To me this story was very attractive and mature; like that mysterious guy giving me a hot smoldering look in Red Mango today...sorry, got off topic, haha. Wait..what was I talking about? Oh yeah, Amy and Rodger's Epic Detour isn't really a story you hear about in real life but wish you or your friends could experience so that we can share the excitement. I mean, a road trip with an interesting male whom you knew back in the old days and has now become very personable...not easy to resist.

I'm honored to have found Morgan Matson's book because now I have another author to watch out for; her writing is extremely likable.

Also, I got to give credit to the characters development... Amy and Rodger are the exact type of characters I'm always in the mood for; exciting, classy and down to earth teens is what I admire in a story dealing with grief and love in the same 344 pages. The only reason I rated 4/5 was for the drag in the end but overall this book was excellent!

4/5

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton Review

Published: November 15th 2010 by Clarion Books
Hardcover, 322 pages
Book Series: Goblin Wars, Book 1

Book Description:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Favor Quote...

"...Did God create them evil?"

"Of course not." Mamieo stopped to pick up a piece of blue bleach glass. "Why would the Almighty do such a wicked thing? All creatures," she said when they walked on, "from the moment they exist, set about becoming through their own free will. Some are becoming more of what they were meant to be, and some becoming less..."

Review:

When I picked up this book...actually when I first saw the cover of Tyger Tyger I had hoped to be engaged into a vivid world filled with mythical creatures, adventurous characters and imaginative settings. Kersten Hamilton has done just that.

The beginning of the story starts with Teagan and her love for animals. Even thou the book wasn't love at first read, I had a lot of respect for the author's writing which made made it hard for me to keep my eyes off the pages. Come to think of it, the characters are what blew my mind away first. For a story dealing with goblins and Irish Mythology, Teagan and the others seemed so real. Abby, Teagan's friend, was so likable and hilarious...a true friend. Irish Traveler Finn Mac Cumhaill is one I couldn't get enough of either, he was smart, charming and the farthest thing from a cliche. I loved his accent, I even tried my best to portray the way he'd talk.

Basically it's a war against the Goblins and disgusting as they are, I couldn't help but love the ugly bad guys. Tyger Tyger only got more fascinating as I read but that actually became a small problem for me...

By the middle-end of the book I started to become more demanding but knew I'd have to wait for the sequels. The story had a few drags here and there but it was too good to consider it a bore. In all, kersten Hamilton has created a fun-enchanting read. I can't wait for more Finn, Teagan, and Abby...even the Goblins.

4/5

How to ruin my Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles Review

Published: June 1st 2007 by Flux
Paperback, 281 pages
Book Series: How to Ruin, Book 2

{Review for Book 1: How to ruin my Summer Vacation}

EVERYTHING in sixteen-year-old Amy Nelson Barak's life is going wrong! Her mom got married and moved to the suburbs, and now they are going to have a baby. Amy moves in with her dad in Chicago and signs him up for an online dating service. His first four dates are that night . . .

What else? Her dog Mutt impregnated her grumpy neighbor's prized poodle, so Amy will actually have to get a part-time job to pay for half the veterinary bill. And there's this totally annoying boy, Nathan Rubin, who just moved into her apartment building. Luckily, Amy has a cute boyfriend named Avi. Only he's more like a non-boyfriend considering Avi is in the Israeli army for the next three years.

What's a girl to do when everyone is conspiring to ruin her life?

Favor' Quote...

"You know what your problem is?" I ask him.

"Yes. I have a daughter who insists she knows everything."

"That's not your problem, Aba. That's your blessing."

Review:

This is the second book to the ruin series by Simone Elkeles. Now, I'm gonna be honest, this book was a little frustrating in the beginning...

Come on, Avi was no where in sight! Can ya blame me? Anyway, towards the middle and especially the end of the book, it got really hot. However, prior to Avi's return, I got a lot of laughs and fists in the air so surely, it was worth it from beginning to end.

Amy, who's back home in Chicago, is feeling more strained than ever. As if Avi's non presence until the summer isn't enough, her friends and family seem the least bit helpful in her love-sick situation. And Nathan, the dorky but mysterious new neighbor, seems to not only remind Amy of her "non-boyfriend" Avi, but might be intriguing enough to make her do something stupid. For reasons she doesn't know.

Hmm, what should Amy do indeed.

I'll admit, parts of the books were predictable but it was those kind of scenes I rooted for most. In general this book was really fun and entertaining. So thanks again Simone. Having such a unique way with words and ideas for young adult fans, it makes it hard, for me atleast, to dislike any of Elkeles books.

4/5

Other books from the "how to Ruin" series:

~How to ruin my Summer Vacation (Book 1)
~How to ruin my Boyfriends Reputation(Book 3)

*Ruined (Book 1,2, and 3)

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles Review

Published: October 1st 2006 by Flux
Paperback, 234 pages
Book Series: How to Ruin, Book 1

Book Description:

Moshav? What’s a moshav? Is it “shopping mall” in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is really awesome. I know I’d be selling out if I go with the Sperm Donor to a mall, but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring back home.

Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, “moshav” is not Hebrew for “shopping mall.” Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci.

Going to Israel with her estranged Israeli father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She’s got a serious grudge against her dad, a.k.a. “Sperm Donor,” for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he’s dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she’s never known, where she’ll probably be drafted into the army. At the very least, she’ll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer—no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone…

Goodbye pride—hello Israel.

Review:

I'm giving this book a "don't judge a book by it's cover" stamp. Nice and bold so everyone can see.

The setting of this book is Jerusalem, which for me makes this an even more interesting read because I'm Palestinian and know the country and it's people fairly well. The characters are, as usual in Elkeles books, fascinating! Amy, who's 16, isn't so much in control as she'd like to be. Her dad is living in Israel and so when she is sent there by her mom, away from her best friend and "boyfriend",stubbornness gets the best of her.

She's half Jewish but doesn't consider that side of her heritage or appreciate much until she truly sees Israel and meets Avi, an Israel hunk who I'd love to meet. Amy struggles with her misfortune and it doesn't help when a few people close by can't stand her as much as she can't stand the smell of goats in the air. For one, Avi and Amy can't stand one another but as much as this sounds cliche, they soon start to fall for each other. For reasons that are inspiring. Something else that was a general inspiration was the relationship between Avi and a Muslim boy, Tarik. I loved how that scene went.

I can't stress the admiration I have for Simone's stories enough. Her style in writing is so readable and unforgettable. I could never compare Elkeles or her books because they're so different, she always does her own thing.

Although not my favorite from this author because of the few times I rolled my eyes at Amy's obnoxiousness, I definitely recommend this book.

It's fun, loving, smile-to-yourself brilliant!

4/5







Other books from the "how to Ruin" series:

~How to Ruin My Teenage Life (Book 2)
~How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (Book 3)

*Ruined (Book 1,2, and 3)

The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith Review

Title: The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book 1)
Published November 18th 2010 by Pyr Paperback, 320 pages


Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention.

In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath. One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.

Whew , this book spoiled me. I loved it in so many ways...

But I must admit, I hadn't been quickly immersed in this book after reading the back description and I guess I was afraid by the presentation in the first few pages too because it was slightly intimidating in all it's alternative(otherworldly)history ...I was very wrong in my prediction. The promise of greatness in this read was fulfilled and there is no doubt that the on going Vampire Empire series will be epic. Enriched with wicked steampunk adventure, this read overachieves in all genres from soul-defined romance to impressive combative action. I was also enthralled by the glow of realism in the story too, it merged with the fantasy and paranormal romance aspects of the novel almost perfectly.

As for the cons, I waited for the eventual cliches but the writing was so crazy good that it distracted me from any that came. The love was something else too...it was a fine twist in the vampire romance part of the novel.

Clay and Susan Griffith are a fantastic duo.

By the end of the book I was completely blown away and excited for the upcoming sequels. The Greyfriar is a hidden classic, a thrilling story and I hope you consider this book because this book is too good to be missed.

Here is a video of the trailer for The Greyfriar if you'd like a peek at that:




4.5/5







Fav Quotes...

" "Greyfriar!" His tall figure leapt, and he drew his rapier while in the air, the blade falling as he came down. A bloody head lolled to the side. The swordsman didn't stop moving but rushed the vampire Adele was barely holding at bay...Clawed hands rose to strike the man across the face, but Greyfriar ducked and thrust through the chest of his opponent, twisting the blade to destroy her heart. The body fell to the ground and Greyfriar turned to Adele."

"Her hands astonished him. Her skin was so much darker than his alabaster flesh..."