Mar 31, 2012

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie

Book Description:

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.

And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other.

Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated.
Christina's BookReview

“I have nothing to give anyone, really. It’s the one gift I can give that has any kind of value. It makes me feel worthy.”

Let me start off by saying that this book was a great read!

Callum Tate and Harper Bailey are both struggling through life. After years of being shuffled around in foster care, they are both finally "released" from the foster care system. When an encounter at the social service office throws them together, Callum and Harper aren't prepared for what they are thrown with.As they struggle to make the best of their situation the connection between them hits new levels. But can they both let go of their past and insecurities and learn to trust each other? Can they both make it out of their situation alive?

With the help of Callum's amazing friends and their strength, Callum and Harper meet their battles head on.

The best part was seeing two people that were dealt an awful hand come together and turn it around. Although they made me want to wring their necks at time for all the misunderstandings, Callum and Harper were two souls scared of opening up entirely to each other. I loved how Callum was protective of Harper and how his friends were truly his family. I loved that he strived for his dream and that he gave Harper something to strive for as well. He was a perfect, no only swoon worthy character but also a perfect guy!

Callum and Harper is a story of how life can throw you many kinks in the road and you can find the strength in you to win the battle with the love and support of the people that surround you.

The only reason this got 4 stars was because at times the story dragged and a few things were repetitive. Other then that it was a great story. If you haven't read it do yourself a favor and do! 

 
Review for Book #2-Thomas & January HERE

Mar 30, 2012

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

 Book Description:

My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.
Christina's BookReview
“You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded weapon next to you round the clock. But I think it's time you flipped this little scenario in your head. If you'd been taken by the Capitol, and hijacked, and then tried to kill Peeta, is this the way he would be treating you?" demands Haymitch.

I fall silent. It isn't. It isn't how he would be treating me at all. He would be trying to get me back at any cost. Not shutting me out, abandoning me, greeting me with hostility at every turn.”


WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

I have to say that from all the books in this series I was both impressed with this book and upset.

I thought that this book contained more action and more bad ass scenes. I thought that we really get into war and we get to see the rebel side of it which was great. From the Mockingjay commercials to the visting and saving of the districts, it was all amazing. It was sad to read about the hardship happening and all the deaths from District 12.

With that said I have to explain why I was upset with this book.

1. Peeta was given "the short end of the stick" as we say. I know that is was a perfect twist to the story but I was tired of him suffering. I feel like throughout the series they found ways to make him seem weak when in truth I thought that he was incredible in his own ways. He was left out through most of MJ and when he was in the picture he again was the one needing the help.

2. Katniss never fully acknowledges that she fell in love with Peeta. SHe says she chose Peeta because he brought her safety. Again, WTH! He wasn't only "safe", he fought with her, for her and gave everything of himself for her. He should have been chosen because of all of that, not because he was safe!

3. All the characters that I came to love and adore were killed off. There really was no one left! :-(

Okay so enough with the ranting. Other then my Peeta rant the book was good and if you read THG and CF then read MJ.

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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) Review HERE
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) Review HERE

Mar 16, 2012

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins


 Book Description:

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

Christina's BookReview
“We star-crossed lovers of District 12, who suffered so much and enjoyed so little the rewards of our victory, do not seek our fans' favor, grace them with our smiles, or catch their kisses. We are unforgiving. And I love it. Getting to be myself at last.”

When I first started to read Catching Fire I surprisingly was having a very difficult time getting into it. I waited a month and then went back to reading it and was surprised how immersed I was in book after getting passed the little bump.

I was so upset with the twist to the Quarter Quell but wasnt surprised. President Snow's visit hinted to something terrible coming and that is exactly what happened.

Katniss was an obvious target in this book after what happened in the arena during The Hunger Games. Her relationship with Peeta grew into much more then just friendship. She was determined to get him home after the Quater Quell by sacrificing herself and that alone made me like her more. Peeta always his sweet, gracious and amazing self was again sacrificing himself for Katniss and that made me love him even more. Of couse we get a little of Gale in CF but not enough to make an impression. I did feel bad with that one scene. I loved the new chracters and even found myself sad when some didn't make it in the arena. My new fave character in CF was Finnick and I have to say that I couldn't wait to read more about him.

Catching Fire was as intense and The Hunger Games and twice as sadder. I can't wait to see how this book is portrayed on the big screen.

I recommend this book to everyone that has read The Hunger Games.

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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) Review HERE
MockingJay (The Hunger Games #3) Review HERE

Mar 9, 2012

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Book Description:


Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Christina's BookReview
Read July 2011

“You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.”

So I was surprised to see that I hadn't written a review for this book after I had read it last year. Bad me...tsk tsk.

What can I say about The Hunger Games?

This book was INCREDIBLE! Before reading this book I had never read a book based in the future in a dystopian world. I was impressed with the writing and description of everything from District 12 to the arena. I was sucked into Katniss's world and found myself feeling all of her feelings.

I have to say that I found my heart hurting knowing that only one person of the 24 was going to live. I was in agony just thinking that Peeta would not make it because we already knew this was Katniss's story. And then the stand that they both took against the Capitol had me smiling and yipping in joy.

Almost a year later and I have to say that I am super excited to see all of The Hunger Games characters come to life on big screen on march 23rd! I'm excited to see how the characters that we fell in love with come to be on the big screen!

I have recommended this book to everyone of my friends (who have fallen in love with them) and will continue recommending it. So if you haven't read this, what are you waiting for?!!


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Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) Review HERE 
MockingJay (The Hunger Game #3) Review HERE

Mar 1, 2012

Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams

Book Description:

College sophomore Bryn Dawson is a self-proclaimed poster child for normal. However, the day William Hayward enters her life, normalcy is the last thing Bryn will be able to count on if she wants to be with him. Too mysterious and appealing to be good for a girl, Bryn feels drawn to him in a way that seems out of her control—as if fate is orchestrating it.

Despite every red flag and warning siren going off in her head telling her not to, Bryn falls hard for William, knowing he’s categorically different from anyone she’s ever met. She never imagined how right she was. When William takes her deeper into the rabbit hole of his world, Bryn must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to be with him, knowing no matter what, fate always finds a way to have the last laugh.
Spinning a new twist on star-crossed lovers, Eternal Eden will put Bryn through a gauntlet of turmoil, challenging her to find the power within herself to become the heroine in her own story.

Christina's BookReview
 
“What if we can’t have it all?” His expression was pained and I knew it was because he was admitting he may not be able to give me everything I wanted. “What if we can only have each other?”

I read this book last year and just realized I hadn’t written a review for it. What a screw up on my part! So here it goes!

Bryn Dawson is you average college girl. When she suddenly loses her family she is forced to leave Stanford for a small college. There she catches the eye of the campus most eligible bachelor, Paul.But Paul isn't the only one that has their sights set on Bryn. When she is asked to show a new student around she isn’t expecting anything interesting to happen. That all goes out the window when she encounters William Hayward.

When Bryn is thrown into William’s world, she is forced to accept the fact that she isn’t normal anymore. Faced with learning about the new world she was unexpectedly thrust into Bryn must decide if she is willing to accept her new fate or give up everything, including William.

Will their love be enough? Will Bryn make the ultimate sacrifice? Read this to find out.

I am so in love with this series!

I enjoyed reading this book so much! Bryn and William's story is an epic love story. In this first book Bryn is introduced to William's world and ultimately has to fight to protect herself and the one she loves. Bryn is pretty kickass and I liked that she wasn’t a pushover protag. William was amazing and so loving and considerate that you can’t help but automatically love him.

The whole Immortal world was new and exciting. I found myself immediately engrossed in it. I loved the Hayward family and couldn’t stop myself from wanting more and more. I devoured this book, as well as its successors, in hours! Watch out for more from this Amazing author! Nicole Williams has created a world that has never been delved into!

It all comes down to this, GET THIS! READ THIS! You will enjoy this series so much that you will want to continue reading it over and over again. 

 Fallen Eden (Book #2) Review HERE
United Eden (Book #3) Review HERE

United Eden by Nicole Williams

Book Description:

Life’s been many things for twenty year old Bryn Dawson, but one thing it’s never been is easy. And it’s only about to get harder.

As the gossip of Bryn being Betrothed to Patrick, her true love’s little brother, becomes more reality than rumor, Bryn does her best to think positive thoughts, ignore Patrick’s odd behavior, avoid Paul’s relentless advances, and attempts to conjure William back from his latest overseas mission. She fails on all fronts.

The night an army of Inheritors set out with an agenda to deliver vengeance on any Guardian surrounding Bryn, the Betrothal Ball becomes the least of her worries. Instead of worrying about who she’ll be marching down the aisle towards, she has to accept she might not be making the journey down the aisle ever.

Happily ever after is about to take a serious hiatus and Bryn’s about to discover the only thing waiting for her at the end of that aisle is a grave.

Christina's BookReview
"We’d won the game of life. We were the rulers of our universe. And we’d spend the rest of our eternities settling for nothing less."

In this final installment of The Eden series Bryn and William are faced with the ultimate battle. As Bryn realizes that her intended is not the right Hayward brother she must learn to accept her fate. She must learn to ignore Patrick’s weird behavior, avoid Paul’s advances and live with not being able to be with William. Of course it is an epic fail. There is no one she wants more than William.

All of that though is put aside when she once more has to battle the Inheritors. As the Immortals come together to finally put to rest the Inheritors Bryn is shown just how much her life has changed. She isn’t the normal college girl anymore.

Will Bryn get her Happily Ever After? Or will she learn to live without William?

When I finished this book I could not stop smiling! This series was truly a story of true love and in every chapter you felt it. Williams and Bryn’s story is one that will forever be in everyone’s mind. My reaction at the Betrothal was Epic! :-) My husband thought I was losing my mind with all the shouting.

I have to say that I LOVE Patrick!! I was excited to learn that he would have his own series and waited patiently for it to come!

Throughout the whole book I found myself smiling, laughing, crying and smiling again! William and Bryn's story is a beautiful one and United Eden ended beautifully.

If you are a fan of romance and love that conquers all, PICK THIS UP!! You will not be disappointed. 
Eternal Eden (Book #1) Review HERE
Fallen Eden (Book #2) Review HERE

Fallen Eden by Nicole Williams

Book Description:

If happily ever after were a place, twenty-year-old Bryn Dawson would be on the farthest planet from it.

Reduced to stolen glances and secret meetings as they await a Betrothal the Council is bent on stalling, William and Bryn have to settle for happily right now, but with a man like William Hayward at her side, Bryn’s hardly settling.

The day John Townsend sends an army of Immortal mercenaries intent on destroying everyone Bryn loves, she must make the decision generations of star-crossed lovers before her have—live alone or die together. William’s made his decision, Bryn’s the one fate’s waiting on.

But fate will only wait so long until it makes the decision for her.
 Christina's BookReview
 
“You can survive alone, or you can "live" together. I know which option William would chose—has chosen,” he said, shaking me as if he wished he could shake some sense into me. “You have to make your choice.”

In this installment of The Eternal Eden series Bryn and William are forced to part ways in some sense. As they wait for the Council’s decision on their request for a betrothal the two must stay separated. William must perform his duties to the Council and Bryn must accept that William is very important to Immortal world. But William has made his decision. Bryn now has to make the ultimate decision. Fight for their love? Or give William up in order to protect him?

In order to protect the people she loves Bryn decides to give it all up and hide away. Little does she know that John Townsend isn’t giving up so easily. When John sends his army of Immortals to capture Bryn she must defend herself in order to live. With a little help from Patrick Hayward she can do just that. If only Patrick wasn’t so infuriating.

Is this a battle Bryn can win? Will true love conquer all?

After reading Eternal Eden I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book! When I finally got my hands on this I read it in one sitting. I was happy to be back in the Immortals world and couldn’t stop myself from devouring this book in hours!

I enjoyed all the romance between William and Bryn, when it was shown. Because she is forced to be separated it does take a little while to get there but it’s oh so great when it comes. Bryn does the one thing that would be hard for any girl, she leaves the man she loves protect him and his family. That alone made me appreciate her so much but also made me want to yell at her. William was up for the challenge and she decided not to trust in him! It made me upset but I also understood the reasoning behind it.

William was his usual lovely self! 100% Swoon worthy! He has waiting for Bryn for so long that nothing or anyone is going to make him give her up. I love that about him! He and his brothers were raised so well…

Speaking of brothers, I must mention Patrick. Oh Patrick is just the cherry on top to this whole book! He is so funny, cocky and so awesome that you can’t help and easily fall for him as well!

And what a darn cliffhanger! I was in a state of shock! I was praying that what Bryn was thinking wasn’t true! It just couldn’t be! I wanted to fling the book (Kindle) when I realized it!!

With that said, the book was just as great as the first. Loved all the romance, humor, and action. I LOVED WILLIAM! 


Eternal Eden (Book #12) Review HERE
United Eden (Book #3) Review HERE