Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Fall In Love Giveaway Hop


This blog hop is all about falling in love with books. Each blog on the hop is showcasing a new book or author we've fallen in love with this year. Make sure you enter our giveaway at the end of the post and afterward stop by all the other blogs on the hop, including Toni Aleo's Blog where there is a giveaway for a Grand Prize including a brand new kindle! Good luck!

My choice for the author and book to showcase for this hop was obvious: Lisa Renee Jones.
 Not only did I "discover" her books this year and instantly became a huge fan (so much so I joined her street team!), but her romantic suspense book If I Were You is easily one of my favorites of the year (you can read our dual review HERE). What I think makes her such a great author is she has the rare ability to write amazing romances over many romance genres including suspense, contemporary, paranormal and erotica - and she's built a solid fan base for each! I'm not even a huge fan of paranormal, but I loved both the Zodius series and her Werewolf Society series (which, BTW, is on sale for only $1.99 for the 5 book box set right now!). I've probably read at least 15 of her books this year, and there hasn't been one I haven't enjoed. And to top it all off, she's also an extremely generous person - so much so that she has donated some wonderful prizes including a copy of If I Were You (a rare edition with the original, now out of print, cover before it got picked up by Simon & Schuster) and some Bath & Body Works goodies in their wonderful "Paris" scent (US Only for this prize pack - if you are international, you will receive an ecopy of the book instead).  How awesome is that?!? Simply use the rafflecopter below to enter and good luck!


(Example to show brand only - actual prize may differ from above selection)
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Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes: Storms

I don't think this week's theme needs any explanations given the past couple of days here on the east coast. So, without futhrer ado, here is this week's Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes - all about STORMS.
“Life isn't finding shelter in the storm. It's about learning to dance in the rain.” 
― Sherrilyn Kenyon, Acheron


“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” 
― Willa Cather, The Song of the Lark


“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” 
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women


“So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?” 
― Hunter S. Thompson


“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” 
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear



"There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow.” 
― Maria V. Snyder, Fire Study


“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.” 
― Haruki Murakami



“Our time together feels like a storm, like a wild wind and rain, like something too big to handle but too powerful to escape.” 
― Ally Condie, Matched

















Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Moonlight Masquerade Giveaway Hop

beach-1-3-1

Come join us as we celebrate all those things that are wicked on Halloween in the Moonlight Masquerade Hop hosted by My Secret Romance & Day Dreaming blogs! The many blogs participating are giving away Halloween themed books or other related items. We at The Revolving Bookcase are giving away the fairy figurine pictured below and the winner's choice of either book - The Faeire Path by Allan Frewin Jones or Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (sorry, US only for this one). Just fill out the rafflecopter below to enter and good luck! Make sure to check out all the other blogs in the hop by using the linky list at the end of the post. 



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Review: Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl

                                                   Close Enough to Touch
                                                            Victoria Dahl
                                                          August 28, 2012
                                                                 HQN
                                                             324 pages
Synopsis:
       For makeup artist Grace Barrett, Hollywood isn't the land of golden opportunity. It's the land of difficult divas, cheating boyfriends and unemployment. So when her great-aunt offers her a free place to stay in Jackson Hole, Grace thinks she'll spend a little time in the sticks to figure out her life, and then move somewhere exciting to live out her dreams. But it turns out that there are a few more thrills in this small town than Grace was expecting….Cole Rawlins is a rugged Wyoming cowboy born and bred. Yet he can't help but be drawn to the fascinating big-city girl who moves in across from him. He wants to get close enough to Grace to see past her tough facade, but if he does, she might see the real Cole. The one with a Hollywood history gone bad. As they discover a sizzling attraction, it becomes harder for him to keep his demons at bay—and those fires from long ago may burn them both.

They'll need more than scorching-hot passion to make this opposites-attract affair work. But if they can learn to trust one another enough to reveal their secrets, they just might have a chance at forever.


Review: 
   Another good/fun story by one of my favorite (and one I recommend a lot) contemporary authors. This story started out a little slow for me, I did not really like our heroine, Grace, she was a bit bitchy to me. I did however like our sexy cowboy hero, Cole. As the story progressed and you learned a little more about Grace's past and the series of events that led her to Jackson Hole flat broke and with everything she owned in her bag, I began to like Grace and admire her spunk. I still think she might have been a little mean to Cole in the beginning but I eventually forgave her. I really enjoyed a lot of the townspeople in this book and I am hoping to see more of them in future books as this was the start of a series set in Jackson Hole Wyoming. The second book in the Jackson series will be Too Hot To Handle, out in April 2013. I look forward to finding out about the rest of the town and Grace's best friend Merry in book 2.  If you like quick wit and banter and some yummy cowboys this is a series for you. 

Close Enough to Touch:            3.5/5
Cover:                                     2.5/5
Audience Rating:                     PG-13 

                                                  ~~~~~Tanya~~~~~

                                              Note: I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes.

Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes: Foreign Policy

Since the theme of this week's Presidential Debate was foreign policy (even though they spent most of the time talking about domestic issues) I thought I'd make that the theme of this week's Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes -- all these quotes come from foreign authors. Enjoy!




“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.” 
― Roald Dahl, Matilda




“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” 
― William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well


“Friendship- my definition- is built on two things. Respect and trust. Both elements have to be there. And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you don't have trust, the friendship will crumble."
― Stieg Larsson, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


“We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom.” 
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace


“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” 
― Oscar Wilde

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” 
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone






Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Review: The Faerie Path by Allan Frewin Jones

                                                        The Faerie Path
                                                           Frewin Jones
                                                        February 1, 2007
                                                             312 pages
Synopsis: 
       Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie: the youngest daughter of Oberon and Titania. Since Tania's mysterious disappearance on the eve of her wedding five hundred years before, Faerie has been sunk in darkness and gloom. The courtly Lord Gabriel Drake, who Tania was once to marry, has found her and brought her back.

With Tania's return, Faerie comes alive again as a land of winged children, glittering balls, and fantastic delights. But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there.

Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly comes to discover why she disappeared so long ago. She possesses a singular magical ability and she must use it to stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.

Review: 
      I found this book to be ok. The author gave amazingly vivid descriptions throughout the book but at times I felt it was a bit too much. I feel as though more time was spent on creating this amazing land of Faerie than on the characters and it made the book drag a little. I kept waiting for some event to happen to keep the story moving along and it finally did but not until I was 3/4 done with the book. Once the event happened though the story finally moved at a pace I enjoyed and I finished the last bit of the book in one quick sitting. the book leaves off setting up for book two in this series and I am willing to pick up book two to see how this story continues as once we got past the descriptions of everything the story was good, had mystery, treachery, magic and true love. I would recommend this book to younger readers, I felt this was a little more younger  young adult than I normally read but  a decent read.

The Faerie Path:         3/5
Cover:                        4/5
Rating:                       PG

                                                          ~~~~~~Tanya~~~~~
 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Review: No Reservations by Lilly Cain

No Reservations (Bad Girls Know, #1)
Lilly Cain
10/29/12 Carina Press (ebook)
Synopsis: Travis Morgan is thrilled to encounter the one woman who's never failed to get his blood pumping. Seeing Alicia Davis again brings it all back: their fierce academic rivalry, and the fact that he never followed through on his erotic fantasies about her.


Alicia can't resist Travis's smoldering sensuality—or the opportunity to finally bed the man who starred in so many of her lustful daydreams in college. Unable to avoid the temptation to best Travis one more time, Alicia plans to submit to one night of pure pleasure and then leave Travis empty-handed and craving more.

When Travis wakes up and realizes Alicia's played him, the gloves are off, and the game heats up as they each try to emerge on top—by whatever means necessary...


*********************************************

Review: I read this short story/novella in a day, and had to write my review right away because I know tomorrow I'll have forgotten what I read. And that pretty much sums it up for me. It was certainly pleasant, but nothing outstanding (good or bad). I think that's because it is about 90% sex and while that is smoking hot and at times unusual and varied, it's not enough for me in a book. There was such great potential in Alicia and Travis' relationship - I loved the idea of a woman (possibly unintentionally) scorned seeking out revenge, but it wasn't developed enough. A good read for someone looking for a quick, hot novella and not much else.

No Reservations: 3/5 stars
Cover:3.5/5
Audience Rating: R

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Congratulations Samantha Young!



  
I just wanted to say congratulations to Samantha Young, author of On Dublin Street (review here). She announced on Monday that she signed a two-book deal for On Dublin Street and its forthcoming sequel with New American Library (Penguin US).  I really enjoyed On Dublin Street and have shared the book with my book lovers in my office. What makes me most excited about this news is the fact that there with be a second book in the seriesl...yeah!!!!! According to the news you will be able to purchase On Dublin Street from retailers everywhere on December 31st 2012 and just became available today for NOOK. Go here to read the full post by Samantha Young. 

                                             ~~~~~~Tanya~~~~~~

Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes: Presidential Edition

Watching the debates has made me wonder about the presidents who were the best speakers and what some of their best quotes were. This week's Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes is just a few of them.




"The only man who makes no mistake is the man who does nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt


"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - FDR


"There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America." -Bill Clinton


"We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And that makes us special among the nations of the earth." - Ronald Reagan

“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.” - Martin Van Buren

“One person can make a difference and every person should try.” -JFK




Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Review: Gabriel's Rapture by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Rapture
Sylvain Reynard
May 22, 2012
Penguin Berkley
412 pages


Synopsis:
Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student, Julia Mitchell. Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the raptures of sex. But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover. When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he succumb to Dante's fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever?

************************************************

Review:
I'm going to preface this review by saying if you are among the hoards of people who loved Gabriel's Inferno, you'll probably love this book too. I was not one of them, and am even less of a fan now.

While I thought book 1 was okay, I didn't love it the way that most people seemed to. And the things I didn't like there were only amplified in this book, all while telling one of the most boring and predictable stories I've read in a long time. I felt like I was rolling my eyes every other page at the author's condescending tone and overly verbose writing style. The frequent references and quotes of literature were unrealistic and pretentious.  I challenge you to find someone (even an English major) who only read Shakespeare as required reading in high school, but was able to recite full stanzas. So many of the scenes were too long, repetitive, and didn't add anything to the story. I'm not going to spoil anything here, but I'd be surprised if anyone didn't predict the "complications" that arise in this story based on what happens in book 1. I put this book down two different times before reluctantly forcing myself to return to it. I was so happy for it to be over.

I do have to say that there are some things that redeemed this book. The writing is technically excellent. I'm not sure if that's the writer or a really great editor, but aside from the very odd narration style (again, why does the narrator care what Gabriel's feet look like?), there are very few mistakes made. The second half picked up the pace and was much easier to get through than the first. Once all that predictable self-imposed drama was complete, it was a much more interesting story.

Obviously, I'm in the minority here in my opinion on the book, so I'd caution anyone reading this to ignore my review and give this book a try if you enjoyed Gabriel's Inferno. But, if you had reservations as I did about the first book, take my advice and skip this one altogether.

Gabriel's Rapture: 2/5 stars
Cover: 3.5/5 stars
Audience Rating: PG-13 (maybe R? - how bad is it that I've already forgotten all the juicy bits and cannot remember how detailed they are?)


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wednesdays Words & Quippish Quotes: Sesame Street Edition

With all the talk about PBS & Sesame Street this week, I've been feeling nostalgic and missing Jim Henson. He was directly and indirectly such a powerful influence on my childhood with shows like Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, movies such as Labyrinth, even one of my favorite books as a child- There's a Monster at the End of This Book (which featured one of my favorite muppets, Grover).  So this week's Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes is dedicated to Jim Henson, PBS, the lovers, the dreamers...and you. Enjoy!



“There's not a word yet, for old friends who've just met.” 
― Jim Henson, Favorite Songs from Jim Henson's Muppets


“[Kids] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” 
― Jim Henson, It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider


“When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there. ” 
― Jim Henson




 "The magic is always there, as long as we keep looking for it..." - Fraggle Rock

"When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why,
But why wonder, why wonder,
I am green, and it'll do fine,

It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be."
 -Kermit the Frog, "Bein' Green"



"Life's like a movie, write your own ending... 
 Keep believing, keep pretending; 
we've done just what we've set out to do, 
thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you!" - The Muppet Movie


“Watch out for each other. Love everyone and forgive everyone, including yourself. Forgive your anger. Forgive your guilt. Your shame. Your sadness. Embrace and open up your love, your joy, your truth, and most especially your heart. It's a good life. Enjoy it.” 
― Jim Henson, in a letter to his son, Brian. 










Sunday, October 7, 2012

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Every Day
David Levithan
Knopf books for Young Readers
August 28, 2012
336 pages

Synopsis: A has no friends. No parents. No family. No possessions. No home, even. Because every day, A wakes up in the body of a different person. Every morning, a different bed. A different room. A different house. A different life. A is able to access each person's memory, enough to be able to get through the day without parents, friends, and teachers realizing this is not their child, not their friend, not their student. Because it isn't. It's A. Inhabiting each person's body. Seeing the world through their eyes. Thinking with their brain. Speaking with their voice.

It's a lonely existence--until, one day, it isn't. A meets a girl named Rhiannon. And, in an instant, A falls for her, after a perfect day together. But when night falls, it's over. Because A can never be the same person twice. But yet, A can't stop thinking about her. She becomes A's reason for existing. So each day, in different bodies--of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, walks of life--A tries to get back to her. And convince her of their love. But can their love transcend such an obstacle?

David Levithan (center) speaking at an author appearance/signing
 at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck , NY
October 7, 2012
Review:
This book stayed with me for weeks after I read it...it's one of those books that is so thought-provoking, I had to let myself contemplate it before I could write this review. At it's most basic, Every Day is a love story. At it's most complex, it is a social commentary on identity - how we interact with each other and view ourselves based on our outward appearance. I loved that we don't know what gender A is - that he/she doesn't actually have a gender because A has never been in his/her own body. I want to live in a world where everyone is not pre-programmed to love someone based on their that. A has such this beautifully open mind because he/she literally has walked in so many different people's shoes. It makes me believe that David Levithan himself must possess a mind such as A's...just to contemplate what it would be like to be rich or poor or fat or gay expands your view that much more itself. The entire book to me was heart-wrenching. Maybe it's my maternal instinct, but all I wanted to do was hug A and provide some sense of stability, but just like everything else in this world, this is just one more example of how unfair life can truly be.  How horrible would it be to never have a mother, never know that type of unconditional love and security, to never have a home? You root for A to find lasting love, knowing how impossible that is.

I could see how one could feel lost and disoriented as A jumps from body to body with each new day, but Mr. Levithan's writing is so wonderfully grounded that I never did. Just like Rhiannon came to recognize A, so did I. This book is one of the most beautifully written, heartbreakingly sad, poignant novels I have read in quite some time. I hope it becomes required reading for all high school students. If it opens their minds even slightly, it would be worth it. One cannot read this book and not have their perspective change.

Every Day: 5/5 stars
Cover: 2.5/5 stars (it looks washed out and like someone needs to change the toner on the printer - this book deserves better)
Audience Rating: PG


600 Follower Giveaway - signed copy of Bared to You!

We had such an awesome time at Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend - getting to meet so many great authors and get so many great books - we've decided to share the wealth and celebrate reaching 600 followers by giving away a SIGNED copy of the first book of Sylvia Day's Crossfire Series - Bared to You! If you haven't read this amazing series that's topping all the bestseller lists yet, now is your chance - you can read our reviews of Bared to You here or Reflected in You here. Enter the giveaway by using the rafflecopter below. Sorry, this one is US Only. Good luck!


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Saturday, October 6, 2012

Dual Review: Reflected In You by Sylvia Day (book 2 Crossfire Series)

                                                       Reflected in You 
                                                           Sylvia Day
                                                       Penguin Group
                                                     10/2/12 e-book
                                                    10/23/12 paperback
Synopsis:
 Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.

My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity. We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession


Tanya's Review:
         Wow. I enjoyed this one more than the first in this series. The story picks up right where Bared to You left off and more hurdles come in to Gideon and Eva's relationship. Eva and Gideon are both so damaged I truly am rooting for their relationship to work out. Eva is so insanely insecure and jealous and Gideon needs to control everything. When they are by themselves things are so amazingly perfect and you can see them together but then once life intervenes it's just chaos. After reading the first book I had so many questions about Gideon's past, why does he hate his family and what happened to him to induce such horrible nightmares? I am glad to finally get a hint about his past in this book. Eva, in the beginning of this book, gotta say she annoyed me, all the jealousy and just let Gideon roll over her. Oh and when someone from her past comes into the picture how she acts,a tit for tat kind of mentality, I really wanted to smack her. By the end of the book though, she grew some balls and went after those that she felt wronged Gideon and I was saying YOU GO GIRL!!! Of course in this installment there is even more smoking love scenes between these 2 combustible personalities. Eva really does have a thing for modes of transportation.  Another amazing book in the story of Eva and Gideon and I am now counting the days until December 31st when the final book comes out.

Reflected in You:                  4.5/5 stars
Cover:                                  4/5  stars

Laura's Review:

I couldn't agree more. I thought I loved Bared to You, but that pales in comparison to just how much I enjoyed Reflected in You. It. was. AMAZING. It picks up exactly where Bared to You left off.  Things are a bit strained from the party the night before, and that tension sets the tone for the rest of the book. Scorching hot love scenes abound, but also real tenderness between Gideon and Eva that tugs on those heartstrings. There's a fine line in series books like this where things could easily become annoying and overplayed, but Sylvia Day's writing flows so well, it never feels forced or unnecessarily repetitive. Gideon is still very aloof and closed off about his past, but Ms.Day gives us enough answers to be satisfying, yet still left wanting more. And boy do I want more. December 31st, get here soon! 

Reflected in You: 4.5/5 stars.
Cover 4/5 stars. 



Goodreads has a giveaway thru October 16, 2012 for a copy of this amazing book. Go HERE to enter.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Amazing Weekend at RAW 2012

Getting to meet some of the authors you enjoy reading is great but getting to spend an entire weekend with them, talking, eating and partying is just amazing. Needless to say Laura and I had a terrific time this past weekend. I found new authors to read, made new friends and I won (and it embarrasses me to say it) not 1 but 3 gift baskets in the charity raffle. Each author in attendance put together a gift basket that was raffled off and all the proceeds went to one of Lora Leigh's charities. So the first basket I won was put together by Lora Leigh. It was her navy seals basket (well it was in a Thirty One tote), containing her seal books, all autographed, a mug, a fleece throw, a candle, Moroccan shampoo & conditioner, a naughti temptress water bottle...oh and a Nook Tablet!
    Well as if that awesomely amazing basket was not enough, I then won a gift basket from Pamela Palmer. This basket contained all of her books autographed, some candy, a pinwheel and other swag.

                        So by now I was overjoyed with all my winnings but there were still more baskets, what were the chances I would possibly win a third? Apparently very good because then I won Stephanie Julian's basket. Again contained a few of her books, shot glasses, a bottle of Hypnotic, candy and other swag.

 If you have the chance to attend any author events I suggest you do. They are fun and you do get to learn a lot about what it takes to write a book and how much authors appreciate the fans and how the whole business really works and you gets scoops on what is gonna happen next to some of your favorite characters.  Here are some photos I took of authors in attendance.
                                 Lora Leigh and Sylvia Day answering fan questions
                             All the authors posing for a picture at the Slumber Party
We had an amazing time and I hope to be returning next year. Next year it is going to be in Maryland so keep an eye out everyone on Lora Leigh's website for details.

                                                        ~~~~~Tanya~~~~~


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Review: Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones


death and the girl next door (Darklight, #1)
Darynda Jones
October 2, 2012
St. Martin's Press
304 pages
Avg Goodreads rating 4.08 (at time of blog post)

Synopsis:  Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace.  Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home.  For Lorelei, life goes on.


High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be.  Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it,  standing outside her house in the dark, night after night.  Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school.  Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity.  What does Jared know about her parents?  Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei?  And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real?  Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.


Review: When I first got this book in the mail, I was super-excited to read it. Not only because I had heard such amazing things about Darynda Jones' Grave Series, but just looking at the cover, I knew we were in for a love triangle...and oh how I love romantic tension. Well, I really enjoyed this book, but was disappointed in the romance aspect. It was there, but felt more like an introduction than anything captivating and steamy (I know this is YA, but still!) What I did love was the banter between Lorelei and her best friends Glitch and Brooklyn. It was wonderful to read teenage characters that really read as teenage characters, but also were super supportive of each other. The secondary characters in general were all refreshingly encouraging and loving - so often in YA novels, the family doesn't "get" the hero or becomes a hindrance instead of a help. I also was completely captivated with the plot: good vs bad angels, evil presences, prophets... oh my! I really had no idea where Ms. Jones was taking it and loved being along for the ride. There were many twists along the way that I did not see coming, and I love that! I cannot wait to read the next book, but in the meantime, I'm going to check out her Grave series right now!

death and the girl next door: 4/5 stars
cover: 4/5 stars
audience rating: PG/PG-13 (some violence, adult concepts - lots of talk of death)