Intangible by J. Meyers
*****

I really loved this story, it was great. The writing was smooth and flowing, down right pretty in places. I didn't want to put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Luke and Sera or what unwanted predicament they were about to embark upon.
Luke and Sera are twins, and they are special. They each have a special gift Luke is a Seer and Sera has the ability to heal. I loved that they were twins and have a deep connection with each other and have these amazing gifts. When they were quite young they relized what they could do and that not everybody appreciated their abilities. That in fact some ridiculed and thought them to be the damned. Luke and Sera learned early on to hide there gifts from everyone including their family. To the outside world they look like any other teenagers. Then there is Marc gorgeous Marc tall blue eyed and red haired and so sweet, just what Sera needs but....he has a secret that could destroy the twins. I really liked Marc he is so sweet and good to and with Sera. He feels familiar to her and she can let down her guard a little. With that said at the same time I wanted to knock some sense into him, really how could he grrr. One day Sera heals someone from the other realm which will have catastrophic repercussions for the twins and their friends Fey and Jonas.
These characters are wonderful I loved Luke, he is the perfect guy and brother. He is so good with Sera,he is patient and kind, and willing to sacrifice for those he loves. Sera is sweet, smart, has an uncanny ability to find trouble, doesn't trust easily, artist, courageous, and a good friend. Fey is gorgeous and the best of the best in the best friend department, she has the twins back and she loves them, I would just say you do not want to get on Fey's bad side, she is awesome. Then there is Jonas, I really liked him he too is beautifully gorgeous, sweet, and a terrible force to be reckoned with if need be. I loved his relationship with the twins, and his willingness to help them, which didn't seem to be in his best interest, which of coarse makes him all the more endearing. There are a few other characters that were amazing, Lilith wow do not want to be alone and in the same room. Okay don't want to be any were near this woman she is intriguing and really scary. The Shadows were Marc's worse nightmare, and quit the evil ones.
Great story, really enjoyed reading it and becoming attached to Luke and Sera can't wait to find out what will happen next.

 

Clean read

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
*****

I really enjoyed Throne of Glass, right up there with some of my very favorite books. I love fairytale/fantasy books, this was a perfect fit for me and was so glad to get my greedy little fingers on it.
We start off with our Heroine Celeana working the Salt mines as a slave in Edovier. The work is harsh, with long days. She has been sent to the mines for being the renowned Adarlan Assassin. She is the best of the best in her field, and then she was betrayed. Prince Dorian is looking for her to be his assassin and competitor for the Kings Assassin competition. If she wins she will become the kings assassin and after three years time she will have also won her freedom. Celeana's freedom means everything to her, she has been a slave, but she has really never been free. I like the effaces that was placed on how highly she regards hers and other's ability to have agency. Each member of the royal council will also bring a competitor to the table. Some of these men are ruthless, and some are not sure what they have gotten themselves into. The captain of the Guard Westfall takes Celeana to personally train for competition. I really liked him and his relationship with Celeana he was wise, tough,kind and worries about her. As the competition nears more and more competitors show up dead. This puts everyone one edge. Prince Dorian is trying to figure out what is happening and protect Celeana, even though she is capable of protecting herself he is chivalrous and needs her. The prince is an interesting character. He is not initially interested in Celeana. It's after several encounters and dinner discussions that he and she start to feel something for one another. This is really only a part of the story, there is much more going on than meets the eye. Parts of the royal court, and the king himself seem to be up to no good. There is a lot of tension between King Adaran and other Kings in in the Empire. Princess Nehemia is on an extended visit from a neighboring country. She is awesome one of my favorite characters, she is smart and mysteries. She notices something, about the Glass Castle which are unique, and will prove helpful to Celeana. I loved her strength, and loyalty. Celeana senses things are not as they should be and does some exploring, she is lead to what is truly at the heart of the problems for Adarlan. Her world is shattered as she knew it yet she rises above it to be what the Prince and the kingdom need her to be....the ultimate assassin for good and evil.
If you love high fantasy you will not want to miss this gem of a story, it was really well written and the story was so engaging. Definitely worthy of all the praise it and Mrs. Maas are receiving. I only touched on a minuscule of what is going on in the story.

Thanks Netgalley and Blumsbury Children's Books Publishing

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf
****

This is a beautiful love story and the coming together of two different people do to race, culture, and religious differences. I enjoyed Mrs. Wolf's writing style. I especially enjoyed the way she writes Sala, he is perfect and chivalrous, sweet, kind, courageous, determined, and comes to cherish Rahab okay so I could go on and on about him. It is more than just these qualities, you since how much Mrs. Wolfed loved this particular character by the way she rights him and gives him voice. Okay maybe that sounds weird, but I really really liked him. Am I write Mr. Wolf?
Rahab, is a beautiful young girl when we first meet her that happens upon a terrifying experience. She is strong and resourceful, and manages to get out of said experience with the help of Sala. I have to say that these early interactions were some of my favorites. I liked that Sala viewed Rahab as different in a good way. Rahab is a girl who speaks her mind, which is not common or necessarily acceptable during this time period. There is also a carefree attitude to her that Sala likes and I think envies a little. She is so very brave, and witty, smart, naive, and very courageous. I really liked their bantering with one another.
Time moves forward and we find Rahab in Jericho with part of her family for the Canaanite New Year Celebration of Baal. At the same time Sala is there with his father as spies for the Israelite's. I enjoyed the relationship with Rahab and Sala and how it unfolds, as well as the classic biblical story. Yes, some liberties are taken with the biblical story, so in that aspect it is inaccurate. However I think the social/culture nature of the story is more accurate. Even though there are inaccuracies to the biblical account it was still an enjoyable read. It made me go back and reread and study some of the chapters in Joshua. All in all a enjoyable read with endearing characters, redemption and love.

Thanks Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
*****

WoooooW this story was just amazing and full of heart, life and crazy. This was my first Jennifer Echols books and it was quite the experience and did not disappoint. Mrs. Echol's writes so beautifully with a fullness to her writing. I didn't feel I was left out or missing anything. I was hooked from page one, her writing literally takes and transports you from the here and now to Leah's life, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more of her works.
I loved how real this story felt and was. Leah's life story is tragic, yet not. She is a smart girl, with not so smart a mom. Yet at the same time her mom has major issues as well and doesn't know how to be a parent. Not to excuse her completely, I think she could have figured it out better than she did. Leah though takes responsibility for her life and her mothers and makes something of herself. She doesn't just stand by and let the harshness of her life and environment dictate who or what she is, well most of the time.
Leah lives in Heaven Beach, North Carolina in a trailer park, not just any trailer park. This one is run down, unkempt, scary pit bull tied to a tree, hope you make it to your own run down trailer with out any unwanted attempts made on your person, next to the airport. She loves the sound of the planes, and watching them come and go. Because Leah needs to keep a roof over her head and the airport is in her back yard she seeks out a job there working in the office. What she really wants though is to fly. Mr. Hall from Hall aviation, helps her become that pilot she has always dreamed of becoming. He also becomes a surrogate father to her in his own way. Mr. Hall has twin sons Greyson and Alec and Jake who is the eldest. Leah has always crushed on the handsome brooding Greyson, but the boys do not really seem to notice her or like her much....they have their supposed reasons. One day tragedy strikes and then Greyson needs something from Leah, and he is willing to do what ever he has to to make it happen. From here the story continues to unfold.
This story is just so good there is so much to Leah's story besides just the airport, the twins and her relationship with them. Who does she like, and why? Why does Greyson keep pushing her into the arms of another? Okay, I get what he was doing and he is an emotional mess rightly so....but how could he keep pushing her towards another, after crazy. Speaking of Greyson, I loved his character, he is raw, full of pent up anger/energy, smart, courageous, kind, flawed in big ways, but perfect for Leah. Alec is a softer version of his brother, he is not so raw, but still crazy, and kind. I really liked Molly, Leah's best friend, she is the popular girl who Leah feels took her on as a charity case. Their relationship is very dynamic, a little warped at times, but works for them. Mr. Hall was one of my favorites do to his kindness to Leah, he was willing to help her and not pity her, he is flawed and lonely.
I loved all the flying scenes in this story, I felt like I was flying with Leah watching the world from above. I like that this story was so different from my normal read and that aviation was the means used to make it unique.
This was a very dynamic story with so much to it. We the reader get to see in a small way what it is like to grow up extremely poor, unloved, harassed at school and beyond. Why people might make choices that don't make since to the average person, and yet that choice makes all the since to someone living it. Hope for a better way of life and thinking, a healing of sorts. Leah's story is so full of just that hope, and determination to make her dreams come true.....such a rush.


content:
some language
touching
sex no details

A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley
***

What drew me to this book was the advertisement that popped up on my goodreads,lol. It just looked like a fun summer read. This is the companion story of Kitsy Kidd, Corrine's friend from "Where I Belong." I had not read the first story and found I could still navigate my way through this story just fine.
I would actually give this story a 3.5 rating.
This story is about self discovery, Kitsy has always been in love with the concept of going to New York and following her dream of being an artist. When an opportunity arises she jumps at the chance. As Kitsy explores New York for the first time by herself, and with a few friends she meets along the way she learns that she doesn't know quite who she is. Is she New York Kitsy or Broken Spoke form Texas Kitsy, and who does she want to be. Kitsy meets some really interesting people in New York and her experiences help her grow and find the real Kitsy. She realizes there are things she needs to fix in her family life. Her mom is depressed and an alcoholic. Kitsy is the mom, and the caretaker in her home, which is a lot for a child to be responsible for. There are things that her and Hands need to discuss concerning what they both want out of life and their future. These things need said and dealt with in order for her to have a happy future. I was glad her experience opened her eyes to a world full of opportunities, and that he could follow her dreams if she desires too. I was glad she was mature enough to see that she needed to confront her family issues in a responsible way. Good job Kitsy!
This was an enjoyable to okay read for me. I enjoyed watching Kitsy experience New york for the first time, and the ah that she felt in the big Apple. Kitsy is a sweet hospitable southern girl, optimistic, naive, flawed, smart, kind and courageous. I really liked her character, her story is sweet,simple, and pretty predictable. Which was okay. Her all most love interest Tad was just that an all most. Which worked for the story, because I found that I didn't want her to be with him, and that I like Hands much better. I was hoping for some romance of some kind in this story but there isn't really any, just a very little with her and Hands that was it. I felt a little miss lead from the synopsis and photo cover. If you are looking for a coming of age/self discovery book that is light and fun this would fit the bill.

Clean read

Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins
*****

Okay I finally get me, I am a huge sucker for the intense male who is so into the girl he would do about anything for her, or to keep her. Didn't say it was healthy just I really like stories that are like that. Temptation is that kind of story and more. Rose and her family move next door to the Miller family who happen to be Amish. They have a beautiful son named Noah. Rose and Noah are instantly attracted to each other upon their first meeting. Both try to avoid there attraction to one another but it doesn't work. They manage to find time to spend with one another and fall into love. They are both apprehensive of each other's culture he being Amish and fallowing the strict old order is a little hard for Rose to understand. Noah on the other hand calls her English which applies to anyone who is not Amish, no matter your race,religion,creed etc. He doesn't understand the outside world. This all hits a boiling point when their relationship is no longer a secret and is now public information. What will their parents do? She is only sixteen, he is eighteen? Noah asked Rose to make a huge choice, what will she choose?
There is great romantic tension in just about every page of this story, it was great. Noah is such a chivalrous guy, he is really good to Rose, a little manipulative due to his up bringing, and a little to I am the man hear me roar. This all fits with his character and the story though. Rose is cute, witty, strong willed, courageous, and lonely. I also like both family dynamics Roses family is the typical family in a lot of ways. They all love each other, but have there squabbles and arguments. Here is one scene I enjoyed, Rose to her brothers " When I finally reached the rickety old front porch, I smiled smugly at the dorks who were both standing there without a way to open the door. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the key, dangling it in front of them. In an instant I was tackled to the ground by Sam......" Rose has two brothers Sam who is older and Justin who is younger. They acted like typical siblings, and it was refreshing and funny.
I loved Mrs. Hopkins writing it was so straight forward, smooth and funny at times. She had some great quotes I have to share with you: Rose speaking "I really hated her the way I hated poison ivy or waking up to discover I'd gotten my period." The other aspect of Mrs. Hopkins writing that I liked was that each chapter is told in a different point of view, alternating between Rose and Noah. I love this, I want to hear the guys point of view, how he feels, and what he is thinking....love, love, love. Here is a quote form Noah " My soul was tugged toward the English girl as if it knew that she needed me. The realization was sitting over me like a warm blanket...." Mmmmm I love romance. One more quote from Rose, " Realizing it was a giant spider web I wondered where Charlotte was, probably crawling in my hair." Great witty writing, I really enjoyed.
Overall a really enjoyable read with lots of romantic tension, choices that need made, consequences, heartbreaking moments, and the end leaves you wanting more. really excited to see how this story evolves in the books to come. Will their love be enough to sustain them through their cultural and religious differences?

Eden by Jamie McGuire
****

I really enjoyed this series, it was a lot of fun to read. I am sad to see it all come to an end. I loved the characters, Jared, Nina, Beth, Ryan, Clair, Lillian, Cynthia,and Bex. I was completely vested in them, and loved their story. The writing is good, I would have to say though that the last two books had a few editing errors, wasn't that big of a deal for me.
This story takes off were Requiem left off, and boy did it fly by. This book focuses on Jared, Nina and the baby that is due and how that is affecting their lives. Because Hell doesn't want Bean(nickname for baby) born. Kim also is trying to return the book taken from one of Hell's Dukes, back to Jerusalem so that her family's curse will be lifted.
The ending was great full of action, oh my, crazy! All the lose ends are tied up, but I want more. My favorite parts were the intense romantic tension, the dialogue was great, as well as the inner thoughts of Nina. This story does have a very Twilight feel to it, but if you liked Twilight you will probably enjoy this series.

language handful
romance adult read in room know what is happening but no great details.