Witchfall (The Tudor Witch Trilogy, #2)

Summary:

"Her darkest dreams are coming true 
In Tudor England, 1555, Meg Lytton has learned how powerful her magick gift can be. But danger surrounds her and her mistress, the outcast Princess Elizabeth. Nowhere is safe in the court of Elizabeth's fanatical sister, Queen Mary. And as the Spanish Inquisition's merciless priests slowly tighten their grip on the court, Meg's very dreams are disturbed by the ever-vengeful witchfinder Marcus Dent. 
Even as Meg tries to use her powers to find guidance, something evil arises, impervious to Meg's spells and hungry to control England's fate. As Meg desperately tries to keep her secret betrothed, the Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, out of harm's way, caution wars with their forbidden desire. And with her most powerful enemy poised to strike, Meg's only chance is a heartbreaking sacrifice."

Witchfall like Witchstruck leaves me wanting more. I want more of the story and maybe something else... I don't know what I can't put my finger on it but just more. We have more magic and magical obstacles in Witchfall, as well as the terror of the Inquisition in town. Meg has grown as a character she is becoming more confident as a person but less so as a witch and we watch her struggle with being very powerful and common country witch.

Her relationship with Elizabeth is more strained and in a lot of ways more realistic for the era in Witchfall. As far as Alejendro goes.. I like him as a character but I am still not convinced of his and Meg's relationship. I personally feel no connection between them. I most definitely "ship" her and Richard though... he is Master Dee's apprentice.

Overall my feelings about Witchfall are quite Neutral. It was a great middle book and like most middle books in a series, they are more of a transition book than overly exciting. There was lots of drama and action, but nothing that wasn't strongly foreshadowed while reading. I definitely anticipate Book 3 to be craziness though. For those who haven't read the trilogy, I recommend you do since it is a nice blend of witchcraft and history.

Diamonds & Deceit (At Somerton, #2)

Summary:

"One house, two worlds...book two in our sumptuous and enticing YA series about the servants and gentry at Somerton Court.
A house divided...
London is a whirl of balls and teas, alliances and rivalries. Rose has never felt more out of place. With the Season in full swing, she can't help but still feel a servant dressed up in diamonds and silk. Then Rose meets Alexander Ross, a young Scottish duke. Rose has heard the rumors about Ross's sordid past just like everyone else has. Yet he alone treats her as a friend. Rose knows better than to give her heart to an aristocrat with such a reputation, but it may be too late.
Ada should be happy. She is engaged to a handsome man who shares her political passions and has promised to support her education. So why does she feel hollow inside? Even if she hated Lord Fintan, she would have no choice but to go through with the marriage. Every day a new credit collector knocks on the door of their London flat, demanding payment for her cousin William's expenditures. Her father's heir seems determined to bring her family to ruin, and only a brilliant marriage can save Somerton Court and the Averleys' reputation.
Meanwhile, at Somerton, Sebastian is out of his mind with worry for his former valet Oliver, who refuses to plead innocent to the murder charges against him--for a death caused by Sebastian himself. Sebastian will do whatever he can to help the boy he loves, but his indiscretion is dangerous fodder for a reporter with sharp eyes and dishonorable intentions.
The colorful cast of the At Somerton series returns in this enthralling sequel about class and fortune, trust and betrayal, love and revenge."

        Diamonds & Deceit was everything I had hoped Cinders & Sapphires was going to be, it had the glitz and glamour, the intrigue and the drama. Even though it was entirely predictable and melodramatic, it was perfection. I honestly wasn't even interested in reading Diamonds & Deceit after how disappointed I was in Cinders & Sapphires but it made up for it in full. 

     The addition of Alexander Ross was exactly what I needed, he reminded me of Mr. Darcy a little and I was SO happy to see that there was less Sebastian. Although, I like him as a character I did not enjoy his storyline. The ending however is where the intrigue begins and I cannot wait to see what will happen! It was a giant cliffhanger and it is very reminiscent of Season 2 of Downton Abbey. In conclusion, if you were like me and were not wowed by Book 1... try out Diamonds & Deceit,  I could hardly put it down.  

Dance The Moon Down

The Wednesday Sisters (Wednesdays #1)

The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal #1)

Summary:

"Capturing superbly the hustle and bustle, flair and extravagance of late Eighteenth Century times in England's renowned capital, The Diamond of Drury Lane introduces its feisty heroine with an undeniably exciting first adventure. This is historical fiction for young readers at its best--authentic, exciting and fast-moving.Cat Royal is a veritable institution at Mr Sheridan's famous Drury Lane theatre of ye olde London Town, circa 1790. Adopted by the owner after being mysteriously abandoned as a baby on the steps of his infamous establishment, Cat has grown up backstage amidst the glamour of the bright lights, the exotic artistes, hammy actors, melodious musicians and riotous viewing public. The performers are her family, the stagehands her closest friends.However, Cat is growing up and she is beginning to think about what she wants to do with her life. Those thoughts take an unexpected turn when she overhears a conversation about a diamond hidden somewhere in the theatre. Her adventures begin when she tries to find the treasure. Pedro, a gifted musician who is new to the company orchestra, ably assists her. Ever present too are the political ramifications of a mischievous satirical cartoonist called Captain Sparkler, who some suspect is a very important person nearby in disguise.The narrative traverses London and takes in the rival street gangs of Covent Garden, boxing matches, theatre riots, spectacular stage productions and several moments of drama and intrigue. Cat is so likeable as a central character, that readers will soon be caught up in her journey. That journey may only be short geographically, but she learns lots about who she is and who her real friends are. It's great stuff. Look out for the sequel, Cat Among the Pigeons.(Age 9 and over)--John McLay"

 I have passed this book several times in the Young Adult section of the public library and have always been intrigued to read it. So last month I FINALLY checked the book out and began reading. The book appealed to me as being an 18th Century Nancy Drew series. I was pretty stoked, given I have a fancy for Historical Fiction and Mysterys. I like all kinds of mysteries but this seemed to be more cloak and dagger like and I love those the most.

Unfortunately, for me.. I was very misguided in the fact that this book was in the YA section and not the Middle Grade section. The book is very MG and quite predictable, as well as NOT that much of a mystery. There were parts I liked and enjoyed and the characters are great but honestly it was just a giant book of subliminal lesson teaching to 8-12 year olds.

My other complaint is that the book is a BIG book that dragged out, by page 150 I was only JUST beginning to learn the plot. I rarely complain that a book is too long, usually the opposite is said. However, someone should have heavily edited The Diamon of Drury Lane, the story and atomosphere could have easily been told is less than 200 pages. In fact, I have seen many books, with far more substance do just that.

With that being said... The Diamond of Drury Lane is not a bad book, it is just not a book that should be in the YA section. The right age group would most likely enjoy this book and series. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Sapphire Blue (Ruby Red Trilogy #2)

Summary:

"Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out."

I love that Sapphire Blue pretty much picks up where it left off, although the prologue threw me off slightly. Anyways, The plot of Sapphire Blue is basically the same as Ruby Red , it just thickens a little.   And as I did with Ruby Red, I enjoyed the plot. However, I think Gier has a slightly different way of writing plots. She doesn't really stop at a cliff hanger, she just pauses at what she feels is a good spot and continues on in the the next book. It doesn't bother me, but it does make me want MORE when reading.

I love Gwen, she has just the right of confidence and insecurities.. as well as wit. Then there is Gideon, who I will admit I have a MAJOR crush on, but there is something I don't trust about him. I am loving the addition of Xemerius the Gargoyle as I think he adds the right assistance and humor to the story.

Historical Time Traveling fun! <--- basically="" books.="" favorite="" kind="" my="" nbsp="" of="" p="">

Not  a long enough book in my opinion.

Since this is a trilogy, I am hoping Emerald Green is a HUGE action packed, answering giving book! I know not everyone has been smitten with this trilogy as I have BUT if you love books that have history in them and you love books with Time Traveling and magic, then you really can't go wrong. Sapphire Blue was a great companion of Ruby Red and like I said I cannot wait for Emerald Green. 

Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things #2)

Summary:

"For the bright young things of 1929, the beautiful days seem endless, filled with romance and heartbreak, adventure and intrigue, friendship and rivalry.

After a month in New York, Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur are small-town girls no longer. They spend their afternoons with Astrid Donal at the Greys’ lush Long Island estate and their nights in Manhattan’s bustling metropolis. But Letty’s not content to be a mere socialite. She is ready at last to chase her Broadway dreams—no matter the cost.

Cordelia is still reeling from the death of her father at the hands of Tom Hale, the man she thought she loved. Now she is set to honor Darius Grey’s legacy . . . and take her revenge.

Promised to Cordelia’s half brother, Astrid is caught up in a world of dazzling jewels and glittering nights—and the sparkle is blinding. Charlie Grey is a gangster playing a dangerous game; and for Astrid, Cordelia, and Letty, the stakes could be deadly."

I enjoyed Beautiful Days way more than Bright Young Things and I think that is because I got tad more of a taste of the roaring 20's. I noticed the story is structured in a more natural and realistic way... Almost "real time"... so, sometimes we don't get resolutions to events that took place, until the next book. I don't know how better to explain it. Beautiful Days delivers in glitz, glamour and drama!

I adore Cordelia, Astrid and Letty! Each girl brings something to the table and their strengths and weaknesses, only make them as a group stronger and a plus, I don't find any of the girls annoying. I find Charlie to be the perfect representation of men back in the day and even though he can be stubborn. I really do like him. While Flyboy, drives me crazy, I still have a soft spot for him.

Fast paced, fun and a perfectly reflects 1920's New York. 

Too Short, just wanted a little more.

Anna Godbersen does such a great job at writing Historical Fiction and getting me to get involved in the characters lives. I am still on guard after The Luxe Series, but I do believe the Bright Young Things Series will make up for it! I cannot wait for the plots to pick up just a little more and for the love and drama to unfold.

Cinders and Sapphires (At Somerton, #1)

Summary:

"Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.
For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.
Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton."

Plot: Although, a decently fun read; Cinders and Sapphires isn't an all too original plot. Pretty much follows like a Downton Abbey plot line and doesn't have a lot of surprises or twists.

Characters: The main characters to focus on are Rose and Ada. Both are equally like-able and have dilemmas that complements the others, which in return helps the plot go along. Sebastian has an interesting role and I imagine it will only get better from there.

Final Thoughts: I liked Cinders and Sapphires and will eventually read the rest of the series, although it is not a priority. I was hoping was just a little extra GLAMOUR like the title practically promises. Although, the ending is to be scandalous, i just felt so much disconnect from it. Which I guess may be how I felt about the whole book, it was just missing something extra to be GREAT.

The Diviners

Summary:

" Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."
When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first."

What can I say about The Diviners? This is a really hard review for me to write. I'll just get it out there though... overall, I was disappointed. The book really wasn't what I thought it was going to be and I really just wanted MORE from it.

With that being said, I can see what Bray was doing here. She was building depth, a backbone; some would say. I can respect that. Had I have not read The Gemma Doyle Trilogy though, had this been my 1st experience with Libba Bray's writing, I most likely would not continue on with this series. HOWEVER. I know her writing and I know how good she is at writing paranormal historical fiction fantasy. So, I will give this series a chance. I just wish it lived up to all the hype I had given it in my head. 










ALSO CHECK OUT... 

DONATE

SHOP

ATTACHA BACKPACKS

Parlor Games

Summary:

"A sweeping historical novel about a beautiful con artist whose turn-of-the-century escapades take her around the world as she's doggedly pursued by a Pinkerton Agency detective

The novel opens in 1917 with our cunning protagonist, May Dugas, standing trial for extortion. As the trial unfolds, May tells her version of events.
 
In 1887, at the tender age of eighteen, May ventures to Chicago in hopes of earning enough money to support her family. Circumstances force her to take up residence at the city’s most infamous bordello, but May soon learns to employ her considerable feminine wiles to extract not only sidelong looks but also large sums of money from the men she encounters.  Insinuating herself into Chicago’s high society, May lands a well-to-do fiancé—until, that is, a Pinkerton Agency detective named Reed Doherty intervenes and summarily foils the engagement.

Unflappable May quickly rebounds, elevating seduction and social climbing to an art form as she travels the world, eventually marrying a wealthy Dutch Baron. Unfortunately, Reed Doherty is never far behind and continues to track May in a delicious cat-and-mouse game as the newly-minted Baroness’s misadventures take her from San Francisco to Shanghai to London and points in between.

The Pinkerton Agency really did dub May the “Most Dangerous Woman,” branding her a crafty blackmailer and ruthless seductress.  To many, though, she was the most glamorous woman to grace high society. Was the real May Dugas a cold-hearted swindler or simply a resourceful provider for her poor family?

As the narrative bounces back and forth between the trial taking place in 1917 and May’s devious but undeniably entertaining path to the courtroom—hoodwinking and waltzing her way through the gilded age and into the twentieth century—we're left to ponder her guilt as we move closer to finding out what fate ultimately has in store for our irresistible adventuress."

Plot: If you are expecting some witty, fast paced con story passed in the "turn-of-the-century". Than this is not for you. The story is slow and repetitive and I wouldn't call Ms. Dugas a con artist, more of a Survivalist Gold Digger.

Characters: I didn't like May and I had a feeling I wouldn't when she started with a sentence along the lines of "trust me friends, it wasn't my fault and this account will prove it". I didn't hate her, I just couldn't find her likeable.

Final Thoughts: I was really disappointed. The book was not what I was hoping it would be. It was a lot of repetitive-ness and I kept reading it, in hopes that the book would turn around and give me some big shocker, like it led me to believe it would have. I will say, for a long book, it did go by pretty quickly. Since it is based on account of the real May Dugas, you may enjoy this book, but as far as fun historical fiction books go. I wouldn't recommend it.

The Aviator's Wife

Summary:

"For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.

Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.

Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century—from the late twenties to the mid-sixties—and featuring cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviator’s Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage—revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable relationship endure."

Before reading this book, I only knew two things about Charles Lindbergh, He was a famous Aviator and that his child was famously kidnapped. Besides that I didn't really know much more about him (although through this book, certain things rang a bell) and I definitely didn't know anything about his wife.

Melanie Benjamin does a fantastic job at telling the story of Anne and Charlie, telling the stories decade to decade and intertwining it with Lindbergh's last days on earth.  Benjamin did a good job and getting all the information she could and appropriately asserting the emotions these characters would have felt at this time. I truly think she did a great job at writing this story and making me feel that this is really how everything went done. Not only did I learn that Lindbergh was an odd man but that his wife was a great woman in her own right.

If you were a fan of books like The Paris Wife and Madame Tussaud, or a fan of aviation and history. I do suggest you read The Aviator's Wife. I was in tears towards the end.

Scarlet

Summary:

"Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. 
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.
It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for."

I LOVE Twists on old tales and the one Gaughen wrote was entertaining indeed. I love the dialect the story was  written in totally made me feel like I was in their era. However the overall dialog and story was a little choppy and the characters lacked that extra depth I would have liked to see and the relationships were so Daytime Soap Opera, that it was hard to make a real connection. At times I was fully immersed in the story (mostly towards the end) but there were times when I felt dis-connect. The sub-plot with Scarlet was interesting, but as it went on it was very predictable. In general I did enjoy this book, but I was hoping for MORE from it.

Kissing Shakespeare

Summary:

"Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school's staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide. 
Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she'd like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he's a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen's really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lose its greatest playwright. 
Miranda isn't convinced she's the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it's her only chance of getting back to the present and her "real" life. What Miranda doesn't bargain for is finding true love . . . with no acting required."

As I started reading books for review, I have had to become a more critical reader... So I am always reading books with the thought of what is this books faults and what are its strengths and as I do this, sometimes I get so caught  up, that I don't get to enjoy reading in general. This is sort of what happened to me while reading Kissing Shakespeare. The writing and plot of this book are not really that strong and I found myself judging the books based on that, but in the back of my head I was saying " but it is kind of a cute fun story.." So I had to stop and say to myself, just enjoy the book for what it is, enjoy reading! Which is what I did and once I did that I found the book to be enjoyable. I would liken it to Twilight... not the best written book, but you can't help but get sucked into it.

Kissing Shakespeare isn't what you were thinking it would be. I can guarantee that, but it is a nice, light read. Try not to think of all the holes in the plot line or one dimensional characters. There is A LOT of sexual tension, but that wasn't even ended properly. That may have been my biggest disappointment, if I was going to read a "fluff" book I at least wanted the romance to be there and Mingle left me hanging!    

The concept of the storyline isn't that original and you can pretty much predict how this story will end. Had the writing been stronger, or had the romance is the book had proper closure. I would say this book is worth a read. Overall, I am just "meh".

Diva (Book 3, The Flappers Series)

Summary:

"Parties, bad boys, speakeasies—life in Manhattan has become a woozy blur for Clara Knowles. If Marcus Eastman truly loved her, how could he have fallen for another girl so quickly? Their romance mustn't have been as magical as Clara thought. And if she has to be unhappy, she's going to drag everyone else down to the depths of despair right along with her.
Being a Barnard girl is the stuff of Lorraine Dyer's dreams. Finding out that Marcus is marrying a gold digger who may or may not be named Anastasia? A nightmare. The old Lorraine would have sat by and let the chips fall where they may, but she's grown up a lot these past few months. She can't bear to see Marcus lose a chance for true love. But will anyone listen to her?
Now that the charges against her have been dropped, Gloria Carmody is spending the last dizzying days of summer on Long Island, yachting on the sound and palling around with socialites at Forrest Hamilton's swanky villa. Beneath her smile, though, Gloria's keeping a secret. One that could have deadly consequences ."

I don't know why.. but I thought Jillian Larkin's Flapper Series was going to have four books in her series.. not three, so Diva was the final book in the series and after finishing Diva, I wish there was a fourth book. I would have like Diva to have been a little more like Ingenue, with some action and developing our love for the characters. Because, although I like most the characters I was not deeply emotional about them. Making the finality of their stories kind of "eh" for me.

Besides, giving a ending to the series, Diva wasn't an overly exciting book. Once I was into the plot, was when the plot changed and the story ended. I would of liked Jerome to either have been more apart of the story line, or axed. Since, the roll he played didn't make me invested in his and Gloria's relationship. I did enjoy however, Gloria and Forrest. I thought her time with him at his place was very reminiscent of The Great Gatsby and I would have liked to have seen that carried over in a fourth book. As for Lorraine, it pissed me off how easy she ended up getting off, for how horrible she was in Vixen and Ingenue.

Bottom line. Diva was a decent book, but I really would have preferred a fourth book!

Ingenue (Book 2, The Flappers)

Summary:

"Power . . . love . . . scandal . . .There’s never enough to go around.
In the city that never sleeps, Lorraine Dyer is wide awake. Ever since she exposed Clara Knowles for the tramp she was—and lost her closest confidante in the process—Lorraine has spent every second scheming to make her selfish, lovesick ex–best friend pay for what she did. No one crosses Lorraine. Not even Gloria. 
True love conquers everything—or so Gloria Carmody crazily believed. She and Jerome Johnson can barely scrape together cash for their rent, let alone have a moment to whisper sweet nothings in the dark. And if they thought escaping Chicago meant they’d get away with murder . . . they were dead wrong.
Clara was sure that once handsome, charming Marcus Eastman discovered her shameful secret, he’d drop her like a bad habit. Instead, he swept her off her feet and whisked her away to New York. Being with Marcus is a breath of fresh air—and a chance for Clara to leave her wild flapper ways firmly in the past. Except the dazzling parties and bright lights won’t stop whispering her name. . . . 
INGENUE is the second novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic Flappers series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . where revenge is a dish best served cold."

Plot: The plot was great, you pick up with everyone in New York for the summer. Gloria unrecognizable and  transformed from Debutante to a witty street girl. Lorraine working as a manager of a speakeasy and getting mixed up in the mob, Clara avoiding getting sucked back into her old life and Vera searching for her brother. It all comes together in the end, each of their stories eventually intertwining.

Characters: Everyone is pretty much the same, Minus Gloria who has a little more grit to her. Lorraine is still Selfish,annoying and getting into trouble. I love Clara and her ambitions and Vera is a little easier to like, since she comes of more soft.

Pros: Great Sequel, enjoying 20's read and good for a short summer read as well.

Cons: Nothing really, but I felt there was something missing I just don't know what.

Final Thoughts: I was happy to come back into the 20's with these girls and I enjoyed the fluffy read and liked the addition of a hired hit woman out to get Jerome and Carlito. I would have appreciated if that story line either had a better ending or continued on into the next book and/or was more prominent through the book. I also felt the ending was off, I just don't know why I feel that way. Overall, I would call Ingenue a good Transition book to book 3 and maybe a tad more stronger story..

The Queen's Vow

Summary:

"No one believed I was destined for greatness. So begins Isabella’s story, in this evocative, vividly imagined novel about one of history’s most famous and controversial queens—the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner envisages the turbulent early years of a woman whose mythic rise to power would go on to transform a monarchy, a nation, and the world.  Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she and her brother are taken from their mother’s home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his sultry, conniving queen. There, Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her—Fernando, prince of Aragon. As they unite their two realms under “one crown, one country, one faith,” Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella’s resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny. From the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and the intrigue-laden gardens of Seville, The Queen’s Vow sweeps us into the tumultuous forging of a nation and the complex, fascinating heart of the woman who overcame all odds to become Isabella of Castile."

Plot: For Historical fiction, I enjoyed how this book was written, Gortner added enough of his own artistic liberties to make the book really a story and to make it intriguing but he stayed true to the historical elements of Isabel of Castile's story. I also liked that he didn't feel the need to add everything and make the story drag on, you get all the important parts and the whole story in a nice condensed version. \

Characters: I enjoyed watching all the characters progress through the book.

Final Thoughts: If you are into Historical Fiction and history in general. I would highly recommend The Queen's Vow, If you are not, then skip it. Personally, I enjoyed it, but I love history and I didn't know too much about Isabel besides the basics and even then it wasn't until Fernando was mentioned in the book that I knew which Queen we were talking about. Overall, very informative and entertaining read.

The Queen's Vow Comes Out June 12th, 2012!

(Thank You To NetGalley and Ballatine Books/Random House)

3 Quick Reviews

Summary:

"When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood."

Thoughts: I enjoyed the book but wasn't in love, which was a disappointment since I have heard Mead's Vampire Academy Series is a MUST read. Which brings me to the part where, maybe I would have loved this book had I read The Vampire Academy Series.  I like the main character Sydney and I appreciate Mead's take on Vampires (I am always up for a twist on the vampires) and I really liked the Alchemist element. I found the setting of Palm Springs a little weird, but understandable to the plot line. And As far and the love interests go I am not emotionally invested in any of the relationships...yet. My final thought is I will read the Vampire Academy Series and see if it changes my feelings.

Summary:

"Like father, like son.
Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas is pretty much perfect — on the outside, at least. What no one knows — not even his best friend — is the terror that Nick faces every time he is alone with his father. Then he and Caitlin fall in love, and Nick thinks his problems are over. Caitlin is the one person who he can confide in. But when things start to spiral out of control, Nick must face the fact that he's gotten more from his father than green eyes and money."

Thoughts: Ok, I admit it was my fault for thinking that Breathing Underwater would be a fairytale retelling of The Little Mermaid, but I mean, that IS what Alex Flinn is known for writing... However, we follow Nick through is Diary and trips to Anger Management and we see how he is abused and how he becomes the abuser in a romantic relationship and honestly, a little after being half way through I saw where this book was heading and was over it. Nick is a character who is really difficult to like, it is hard to be like "oh poor boy, who was abused". Personally, just skip it.

Summary:

"Coming of age in a hospital bed—a deeply affecting portrait of a teen's journey through a TB sanatorium in the 1940s
On the prairies of Canada during World War II, a girl and her two young siblings begin a war of their own. Stricken with tuberculosis, they are admitted to a nearby sanatorium. Teenager Marie Claire is headstrong, angry, and full of stubborn pride. In a new strange land of TB exiles she must “chase the cure,” seek privacy where there is none, and witness the slow wasting decline of others. But in this moving novel about fighting a way back to normal life, it is the thing that sets back Marie Claire the most—the demise of her little brother—that also connects her with the person who will be instrumental in helping her recover."

Thoughts: Queen of Hearts is a sweet book, but reminds me of something my teacher would assign us to read. This book, is neither bad nor good nor "meh", I just wish it had slightly more depth to it.

The Paris Wife

Summary:

"A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.
Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. 
Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises. Hadley, meanwhile, strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unraveling of everything they’ve fought so hard for. 
A heartbreaking portrayal of love and torn loyalty, The Paris Wife is all the more poignant because we know that, in the end, Hemingway wrote that he would rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley."

Plot: The plot starts off slow, and not where I expected it to start, but it is exactly where it needed to start you needed to understand these characters to truly feel for how it ended.

Characters: I think McLain captured Hadley and Hemingway perfectly! I truly believed it was them. Every character had that 1920's Paris air around them.

Pros: Beautiful ending, and the writing do definite justice to the people it is actually portraying.

Cons: No Complaints.

Final Thoughts: When I first began The Paris Wife, I was a little disappointed. I wasn't expecting the slow build up and story. I wanted  it to be about the fun and crazy times with Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein ( ala Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris) but what I got was the truth and damn I am happy I did. Even up to the Middle ish end I was thinking "yes this book is good, but rave worthy? No.." then those last 50 pages or so where Hadley is going through the pain and trying to hold on  and then moving on and I was touched. I can see why people love The Paris Wife, I really can.

The Postmistress

Summary:

"In 1940, Iris James is the postmistress in coastal Franklin, Massachusetts. Iris knows more about the townspeople than she will ever say, and believes her job is to deliver secrets. Yet one day she does the unthinkable: slips a letter into her pocket, reads it, and doesn't deliver it. 
Meanwhile, Frankie Bard broadcasts from overseas with Edward R. Murrow. Her dispatches beg listeners to pay heed as the Nazis bomb London nightly. Most of the townspeople of Franklin think the war can't touch them. But both Iris and Frankie know better... 
The Postmistress is a tale of two worlds-one shattered by violence, the other willfully naïve-and of two women whose job is to deliver the news, yet who find themselves unable to do so. Through their eyes, and the eyes of everyday people caught in history's tide, it examines how stories are told, and how the fact of war is borne even through everyday life."

Have you ever read a book and thought to yourself  "Am I missing something?" , because that is how I felt pretty much them whole time I was reading The Postmistress. My mistake may have been by thinking this book would focus on well... The Postmistress. I don't know why, I would think that.. Honestly, I was disappointed in this book, so much that after getting 70% through the book, I couldn't read anymore. At that point I just couldn't see where this book was going.

The setting is in Cape Cod and Europe. We have Emma and Will --- the doctor and his wife, who live in Cape Cod, Until Will goes to London. Iris and Henry, The Postmistress and her lover (Cape Cod) and Then Frankie, the journalist over in Europe. The story switches between all of these perspectives and stories, within in sentences. So much that it gets confusing, who you are reading about. Which was one of my least favorite things about the book. Secondly, the story is mainly focused of Frankie, which for the most is a somewhat interesting story, but the book is called the Postmistress, not The Broadcaster.. Honestly the only time I was interested in the story was when we were over seas with Frankie.

I had no emotional connection with these characters, there was too much jumping around and SO much  unneeded details to the story. I could see the potential in the book, otherwise I wouldn't have read as far as I had and there were some beautiful moments of writing, but overall the book was a clusterfuck and disappointing. I am sorry, cause this may be the meanest review I have written, but I just can't see how this book works at all.