Review - Curran Volume I

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

This isn't a short story or a novella. This is a collection of scenes written by Gordon Andrews as a companion to our Kate Daniels series of books. These scenes illustrate the point of view of Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta and are provided in gratitude to our readers for all of their support. This collection isn't meant to stand on its own as an independent work of fiction.

My review: 3 stars

Plot: This novella has four or five short stories, all told at a different time. They were often hard to follow, and I felt the endings of all of them were severe cliffhangers. However, the romantic bickering between the two characters was certainly charming and worth it.

Characters: The two main characters are the typical couple: they fight back and forth denying their attraction for each other. It was the only thing that kept my interest.

Setting: Too much jumping round between the stories to pinpoint one I remember.

Overall: I admit I did not read the Kate Daniel series this set comes off of. I'm sure if you had read that series these stories would make more sense and be more enjoyable.

Review - Sixteenth Summer

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.

But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking….

My review: 4 stars

Plot: I love romances, I really do. However there was parts of this novel where I just wanted to laugh at how ridiculous Anna acted. Of course, she's sixteen. Still, I felt she was very dramatic in certain parts, a bit too much so. I also felt the relationship between her and Will developed much too quickly, especially for a sixteen and seventeen-year-old.

Characters: As I said before, Anna was very dramatic. However, I loved how caring she was for her two best friends and how the double relationship helped them all.

Setting: Oh, beaches. One of the best settings for a romance novel. The descriptions were excellent and made me wish I was there right now!

Overall: As my first official "summer" read of the year, it left me wanting more. I wish there was going to be a sequel on their future or next summer. Still, definitely worth picking up!

In My Mailbox

I've never done an IMM post before, but I've considered doing one in the past. Since I'm officially out of school and will have more time I figured I could start devoting more time to this blog! So here we go! :)

For review via author:

From Galley Grab:

What did you get in your mailboxes this week?

Review - Star Wars #6 (Sentinel)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Cast into slavery by the machinations of the Sith, Ori Kitai believes she’s found her way back into the Lost Tribe—and perhaps a whole lot more. Ori’s discovery of a second starship gives her the opportunity to avenge the humiliations heaped on her family by the decrepit Grand Lord. Indeed, she could turn their entire society upside down—offering escape from their planetary prison. But Ori encounters resistance from a surprising person: the seemingly humble farmer who took her in: a man with a secret past and an agenda of his own. He cannot allow Ori Kitai to unleash the Lost Tribe on an unsuspecting galaxy. But how can he stop the woman he loves without destroying them both?

My review: 4 stars

Plot: This one picks up right where #5 lets off. It starts out suspenseful and keeps that suspense up until the very end. Quite a catching story!

Characters: Ori becomes a lot less selfish in this one, and begins to see herself through another's eyes. She becomes much more tolerable.

Setting: Same setting as previous book.

Overall: This one ties up the last book, and ends well. Although it could end as is, I hope to see another book soon!

Review - Star Wars #5 (Purgatory)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

The mighty Sith dynasty founded on the planet Kesh by the survivors of the shipwrecked Omen has endured for a thousand years—and so has the merciless Sith code, which prizes power above all else. Lady Orielle Kitai enjoys power as the scion of a noble family and member of the elite Sith Sabers. But Lillia Venn, as reigning Grand Lord of the Sith, possesses absolute power . . . and is determined to keep it. When a failed regicide sparks a political—and literal—bloodbath and suspicion falls on Orielle, she is swiftly condemned to slavery by the ruthless Grand Lord Venn. But seeing the cunning power play for what it is, Orielle vows to strike back. And at the ramshackle home of a poor dirt farmer with an astounding secret, she discovers the means to make her vengeance a devastating reality.

My review: 4 stars

Plot: At first this book confused me, because the main character had not been mentioned in the previous books. Then I realized this one is set years after the fourth book ended. This plot dragged a little for me, but it picked up significantly towards the end with a cliffhanger that leads you directly into the next book.

Characters: I found Ori a bit annoying to be honest. She is very arrogant about her family's standing, and then when she has the chance to restore it she takes it up without considering the consequences of the others around her.

Setting: The setting is the same as the previous books, just years later.

Overall: I loved the romantic aspect included in this book, because it helped you to understand Ori a little more. This book is a good read and I can't wait to start on the next one!

Review - The Lipstick Laws

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.

For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.

But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?

My review: 3 stars

Plot: This book didn't really stand out to me as a unique plot. I've read a few different books with the same idea: new girl gets adopted by the bullying, popular girl and is forced to change to fit in. I did think the little twists added in were good however.

Characters: Some of the characters were really funny! One guy she is forced to date is annoying and attached but his actions make you want to laugh from sympathy towards her.

Setting: I didn't feel like the setting really impacted the book in any way.

Overall: I liked this book but it isn't necessarily one I would go out of my way to recommend to others. Pick it up if you have time for a fun read.

Review - Lydia's Charm

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Widowed and jobless, Lydia King moves her son and herself to Charm, Ohio, to be close to her mother and help with her grandfather. Menno Troyer, a furniture store owner, is also recently widowed and the father of four energetic boys. Levi Stutzman, another newcomer to the area, is the only one in his family not handicapped by dwarfism and has dedicated his life to caring for them. As fall colors the countryside, will anonymous gifts left for Lydia bring her hope for a new life and romance, or will another tragedy flood her with infinite despair?

My review: 4 stars

Plot: I didn't like that she was going back and forth between two men. However, it made for an interesting storyline and was fairly enjoyable throughout.

Characters: Some of the characters were a little arrogant for my taste. I felt that the many deaths that occurred were also unnecessary and only added to the high conflict between the other characters.

Setting: I love Amish stories and towns, so I loved reading about the quaint shops!

Overall: I really did like this book, despite the small flaws I noticed. A great Amish read!