Fallen In Love by Lauren Kate

Synopsis:  Unexpected.  Unrequited. Forbidden.  Eternal.  Everyone has their own love story.
and in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories intersect over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in medieval England.  Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it.  Roland learns a painful lesson about finding and losing love.  Arrianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns.  And for the first--and last--time, Daniel and Luce spend a night together like none other.

My 2 cents:  Although this isn't my favorite series, I've always enjoyed the whole forbidden epic love story between Daniel and Luce.  So I had to read this book!

The first story between Shelby and Miles is so cute!  Its so funny watching them start to "like" each other in Medieval England on Valentine's Day!  Roland's story was kind of tragic.  I really enjoyed learning about his past.  Arianne's story was unbelievably sad.  I just really didn't connect with it well, I guess.  Although it was nice to learn how she'd gotten her scar.

The story between Daniel and Luce, though...so beautiful and romantic!  Its worth reading this book just for this story!  And what I love best about this book is that all 4 stories are connected!  4 stars!

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Synopsis:  Violet is now working with a special government group where she uses her ability to track down murderers.  When she discovers the body of a college student killed by "the girlfriend collector," she is determined to solve the case with her new team.  Her instant connection with her mysterious partner Rafe is both confusing and unsettling, creating tension with her boyfriend, Jay, yet Violet refuses to give up on the case.  But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye...

My 2 cents:  I could not wait to read this book!  The Body Finder is one of my favorite YA series!  And this book did not disappoint! Jay was as dreamy as ever, Violet's ability was as strange as ever, and the body count was higher than ever!

I loved the addition of Rafe in this series.  I think its really cool that Violet has found others with other special abilities; it makes her feel more normal.  Rafe is the dark, aloof type of guy.  Not really Violet's type at all, but they do seem to have some kind of connection.  Jay was not in this story as much as the last 2 books, but he was still a powerful presence!  For those who love Rafe, I suggest reading Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions. Its a collection of short stories, and there is one about Rafe in there by Kimberly Derting.  Its even brought up a little in this book, so its great background information!

As for the murders--creepy!  Violet actually has 2 murderers she tangles with in this book!  She is in constant danger, I think from the 3rd chapter on!  Kimberly Derting did another bang up job on keeping us in suspense!  I read this book in one sitting!  ( As I have all the books!)  If you have not read the Body Finder series, I implore you to try it! This book gets top rating, 5 stars!

What Are You Reading Monday#7

What Are You Reading Mondays is put on by Book Journey.  Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!


Last week I read:

Hoping to read this week:

What are you reading?

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins

Synopsis:  Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. With her powers locked inside her, Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies--the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium.  Or at least that's what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery.  The Brannicks know there is an epic war coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending.  But without her magic, Sophie isn't so sure.

The only known spell that can help Sophie regain her magic is at Hex Hall--the place where it all began, and now the headquarters of the evil Casnoffs.  Together with her best friend, the vampire Jenna; her boyfriend, Archer; her fiance, Cal (yeah her love life is complicated); and a ghost for a sidekick, Sophie most battle an army of demons.  But even with her friends at her side, the fate of all Prodigium rests on her shoulders alone.  Sophie's bound for one hell of a ride...Can she get her powers back before its too late?

My 2 cents:  First of all, let me say how much I love this series!  The first 2 books I was not able to put down, I loved them so much!  This is the 3rd book in the series (and I think its the last--although I'm hoping for a spin-off series).  My first impression was YES!  Loved the first part of the book, although at times it felt so hopeless to read.  Sophie learns even more about her family, especially her Mom.  The tension between her and Cal is heavy, which surprised me a little.  But it was good!

Then the middle part of the story got even better!  It was a complete surprise game changer!  I don't want to spoil it, but it of course has to do with Hex Hall.  I'm so glad Hex Hall was back in the story.  I loved Thorne Abbey for Demonglass, but I missed Hex Hall and its creepiness!

My biggest complaint in this story is the supposed love triangle between Cal, Sophie, and Archer.  It didn't really feel like a true triangle, in my opinion.  It was obvious Cal was in love with Sophie, and I did feel sorry for him.  But  I knew he never had a chance.  So I felt that whole thing could have been better.

The ending also feels kind of rushed.  The epic battle scene is kind of short, although it is a great ending.  The very end had me in tears.  It was so sad!  I would have loved another 20 pages or so to tie things up better, and maybe more action.  But overall, a good ending to a great series!  4 stars

In My Mailbox #6

In My Mailbox is put on by The Story Siren.  We showcase what books we've received over the week!  These include in the mail, bought, checked out from the library, and for review.

First of all, I have to apologize.  I am so behind on my blog this week!  It has been a crazy busy week for me.  I just found out a few days ago that I am on temporary lay-off at work.  I'm not quite sure how I feel about this yet.  On the one hand, I am super busy with lots of other things right now, so 2 months off of work isn't a horrible thing (I will be getting unemployment).  On the other hand, it leaves things up in the air on my job, and I hate things being up in air!  I am definitely a planner, and its hard to plan my summer now.  They might extend the lay-off time, or they can call me back to work anytime.  I'm going to try not to worry about it too much at the moment!

I will hopefully be getting caught up in the next few days!  I have 4 reviews to write, a few books to finish, and some winners to announce!

On to IMM!

This week I bought:

I received for review:

I also won a signed copy of Masquerade by Cambia Hebert!  Thank you, A Night's Dream of Books!

Also received some RAK!  Always a nice surprise!  Thank you, RJ Does Books & Keri!

What did you get in your IMM?

Shelf Candy Saturday #5

Shelf Candy Saturday is put on by Five Alarm Book Reviews.  We highlight a book cover that we love, and explain why we like it!

This week's Shelf Candy is Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

I love this cover!  Its so perfect!  You can tell its Alice, but its more contemporary.  I love her dress, and her pose, where she's looking up...looking really confused like anyone would be in her situation.  The background looks appropriately creepy.  But the best part? The tagline!  "Off with their heads."  Genius!

Do you like this cover?

Friday Finds #3

Friday Finds is put on by Should Be Reading.

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! 

What new books did you find this week?