Becoming A Groupie with Crystal Kaswell's Sing Your Heart Out

I started this book a while ago and didn't get to finish it because I was healing from surgery.  Oh!  I am so glad I got to finish it.  

The setting is the perfect setting for rock star romances. It takes place in and around Hollywood California.  It also is set as part of the rock community there from the beginning.  I enjoyed that part because it actually explained how Meg got there instead of having a chance meeting.  

The plot is hot...Burning hot.  Each page sizzled.  However, it was also emotional and hits my feeling just right.  As someone who lost a sibling in a similar way as Meg did, Crystal Kaswell got the grieving process right.  The grief wasn't thrown together and patched up but addresses it.  I appreciate that more than I can say.  The emotional backstories of these characters add to the plot and make it a work in perfection.  

The oh so yummy characters made me fall in love with them.  Meg or Megara (Love her name, by the way) is real.  She has real problems like school and as I have mentioned real grief.  She isn't a conventional beauty but definitely a beauty.  Miles is mouth watering and like Meg, he's real.  He may be a rock star but his problems are heartbreaking.  I adored Kara.  My sister's name is Kara so there was already an emotional attachment to the name but the character is bad ass in everything especially friendship and I must give a shout-out to Drew, Tom and Pete for the same thing.  This is one of the few stories that there has been an emotional connection to the other characters in the book and not just the main.  

I loved the book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.  Sing Your Heart Out has become one of my new favorite books and is on its way to becoming my new favorite series.   

Book Cover Rating: 5 Stars

Book Rating: 5+ + stars

Getting Lost in Time with 15 Minutes by Jill Cooper

I bought 15 minutes on a whim a few months ago.  To be honest, the cover caught my attention.    I think that it deserves some recognition.  It's beautiful.  

So, I'll start with the setting.  

The settings of this book go from malls, to school, to the most intriguing place, Rewind, a company that deals in time travel and memories.  Of course different time periods and alternate time lines give this book an exotic and enjoyable atmosphere.  The world Jill Cooper has woven is engaging.  

The characters sent me on a roller coaster ride.  Lara spoke to my heart.  She was believable and brave.  Rick and Donovan kept me on my toes as did Jax.  As a matter of fact, I can't find a flaw in these characters.  The good guys, the bad guys and every character in between were written flawlessly.  

The plot kept me on my toes.  I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book.  This story was perfectly paced with plenty of adventure, romance and mystery.  The plot was believable and really pulled me into the story.  It's a book I would read again and again.  

Though I am giving this book fives stars, it deserves more.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I recommend for everyone who enjoys time travel, romance and young adult.  I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy it.  

My Rating: 5++

Book Cover Rating: 5++ (It's gorgeous)  

Finding My Way With Lighthouse by Connie Sanchez

Happy Black Friday, Everyone!! I know everyone is looking for Christmas gifts but they are also looking for Christmas reads.  So, I thought I would give my review of my Thanksgiving read, Lighthouse the first book in The Elemental Essence Series and the very first book written by new author, Connie Sanchez.

The setting of this book took us from the sunny beaches of Florida to the bustling state of Texas.  Mrs. Sanchez does a good job of transitioning us from each of these settings.  Since the main character, Maddie is pushed from home to home after the death of her mother, the settings are a perfect way to show her transition from each home.  

The characters are wonderful.  Maddie is someone who most teens can relate too.  Gideon is a guy that would melt all of their hearts.  The rest of the characters are well-written.  I even became attached to one of the minor characters.  I hope to hear more from Anwar in future books. 

The plot ripped my heart out at the beginning with the death of her mother.  As the story continued, I was happy that Maddie was settling in.  The paranormal aspects of the story melded with the characters well and kept the story going.  This story is about a lot of things but most of all, it is about a teenage girl who finds her place after tragedy.

I give this book a five star rating and recommend it to everyone who likes the paranormal especially teenagers.  I think this book will speak to them more than anyone.  I would like to end by thanking Connie Sanchez for an enjoyable read.

My rating: 5

Book Cover Rating: 5

Enjoying the Bite with Forever Camden by Kitten K. Jackson

Hello!  I know it's been a while.  I have had some health issues but have now had surgery,  Don't worry.  I am on my way to recovery.   I found myself with some free time and I decided to try a new author.  A new author for me anyway.  I have actually heard of Kitten K. Jackson before but had never had the pleasure of reading her books.  So, while on rest, I delved in.  I hope my review, helps you delve in too. So, here it is:

Forever Camden stretches across time from the years 1910 to 2014.  This gives the reader a delightful look into the past as well as a modern view.  In a vampire story many authors aren't able to project this but Mrs. Jackson did extremely well at helping me visualize both.  The setting itself gave the story charm but it also added to the main character, Camden's personality.  

The characters were intriguing.  I truly felt my heart and soul torn in two for Camden.  His character is interesting and my heart went out to him.  More than that, I was drawn to him.  I wanted to soothe his wounds.  I love Melanie and Karina too.  I was able to connect to the characters and they were able to touch me.  The rest of the characters were realistic and beautifully written.   They weren't simply well-written and complex but enjoyable.  

The plot was moving.  I can't find one part of this story where it was slow.  It is written in a way that it could have been two stories but they melded so well that it kept me interested. There is plenty of drama and intimacy in this story.  Whenever it comes to the love, Forever Camden is scorching hot.  A good piece of advice after reading:  You might want to add ice to your cold shower.  

So, I definitely give this book five stars and I recommend it for every adult who enjoys a spicy read.  Forever Camden will heat you up.  Obviously, this tale is for 18+.  It is certainly not for anyone below that but everyone who is of legal age should enjoy.

Book Rating : 5+

Book Cover Rating: 5+

Hanging with the God of Thunder in Surrender to Me by Nicolette Scarletti

This book has been on my to be read since reading the first in the series and falling deeply in love with it.  So, I opened this book rather excited and expectant and boy was I in for a ride.  

The setting is wonderful.  It moves easily from places like the Well of Wyrd to Brooklyn to traveling through Bifrost to Asgard and many others.  The world that Mrs. Scarletti has woven is entwined with myth and modern.  It is an absolute delight.  

The characters are another marvel to behold.  I love Jax in all of her broken glory and Thor's mixture of alpha and sweet is enticing.  The other characters like Ares, Loki, Chantelle, Nadine and especially Bells and Hades grip you with their stories and leave you wanting more.  The bad guys are the worst imaginable.  The Acolytes are from your worst nightmares and Jax's parents make you wish that you could enact justice of the most brutal sort.  

The story is fast paced and mixes mystical fantasy with modern romance.  It has plenty of action and big warriors to keep the pages turning.  I am further intrigued by the characters and I hope to see the progressions of each of their stories though Mrs. Scarletti does a good job of giving little pieces of their stories in each of her books.  I am in love with these books and can't wait for the next.  

I give this book a big five stars.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, myths, action and a bit of darkness.  I do not recommend this book for children because of the sexual content.  

Book Rating: 5

Cover Rating: 5  

Surrounded by Zombies with Broken Dreams by Rissa Blakely

Hi, Everyone!  I have been engrossed in a book called Broken Dreams by Rissa Blakely.  To be honest, this is one of the few zombie apocalypse books I’ve read.  Honestly, I do need to read more.  This book reminded me of that.

I’ll start with the setting.  It has the world as we know it now starting in England and ending in the United States to an apocalyptic world filled with zombies.  Mrs. Blakely made the transition a smooth one which I’ve found a problem in most novels and even movies that start before an apocalyptic event.  This is where I thank her for not putting the main guy in a coma and waking up to a changed world.  I got to see it unfold which was a wonderful change from the last couple of zombie books and I've read.

The characters are relatable and realistic.  I liked Henry though he had his jerk moments, he was equally sweet and protective.  Elaina is NOT a damsel in distress.  She does show fear but she knows how to kick butt when needed.  The other characters are wonderful too.  I didn’t think I would like Elaina’s best friend, Claire but I actually ended up liking her.  Her brother is wonderful and when it comes to bad guys, Rissa Blakely knows how to make them.  I loathed them.  So, I wanted to make sure she knew she did a good job on that.

Now, for the plot.  It is a wonderful plot.  It’s well thought out.  It is a bit slow to start which occurs through the prologue and a little of the first chapter.  I am going to tell you to push through that because after it gets going, it will keep you interested.  I realized about half-way through the book that I was thankful for the slow start because it explained things that would have otherwise been confusing.  Also, I am thankful for the flashbacks.  It gave me a view of Elaina and Henry's relationship before everything hit the fan.  It made me understand a bit more of what was going on.  There is plenty of action, romance, bad guys and zombies.  At the start of this book, I wasn’t sure about it but I ended up loving it.  I really did. 

I do give it a 4.5 because it could have sped up a little at the beginning but we all know that rounds out to a 5.  I recommend this to anyone who loves, zombies, romance, action and apocalyptic books.  However, I do NOT recommend this for the kiddos.   

Rating 4.5

Book Cover Rating 5  

Still Lightning Struck After Reading Lightning Kissed by Lila Felix

I know it's been a while but I will explain that some of that is because of health issues but a big majority of it was because from the first page of this book, I realized that I wanted to take my time getting to know this story and its characters.  It is one of those books that hooked me from the first page.  

The settings are beautiful.  They go from volcanic Hawaii to beautiful Portugal and so many other places like Tibet.  If there is ever a reason to want to be a Lucent, the beautiful places they get to see would be one of the perks.  Mrs. Felix describes these in vivid details from the very first page.  

The characters are wonderful.  I loved Theo for his gentlemanly ways.  I loved Colby's impulsive nature.  The other characters are well written.  I love Ari, Pema, Collin and especially Rebekah.  They spoke to me on an emotional level.  I love them all.

The story was phenomenal.  I could not ask for a better story.  It was full of action and emotion.  I was mentally and emotionally engaged.  I found myself rooting for Colby and Theo but I also understood the hard decisions before them.  I empathized.  Any good story will bring these emotions to the surface. When this story ended, I asked why I hadn't started it much sooner.  

So, it's safe to say that I would recommend this book for teenagers and up.  There is a great deal of romance but it's clean and acceptable for all ages.  It is a great book for paranormal and adventure lovers alike.  

I give this book; 5 +++++ Stars

I give the cover 5 Stars.