Review of Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Summary Per Amazon:
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Review:

While I'm always a fan of paranormal romance as opposed to the regular old romance novel, I found myself having a really hard time getting into this particular book. With such beautiful cover art gracing the front of the book, I wanted to love it, but just couldn't. Theia is a nice character, especially with her English roots and her love of books, and I especially love that Ms. Hayes takes jabs at Twilight and the general genre in which she is writing, but the storyline didn't really come together for me until almost 3/4 of the way through. Yet, I have to be honest and say that I was willing to stick with it and I'm hoping for better things from the coming sequel.

Grade: B-

Review of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary Per Amazon:
Forever is a fitting finale to the lovely Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater (after last year's Linger). This time, the stakes are higher than ever: while Isabel’s father plots to wipe out the wolves once and for all, Sam and Isabel search for ways to save the pack, and Cole races to find a cure for Grace. But the real centerpiece of the series is the romance--between Sam and Grace, of course, and between Cole and Isabel--and Stiefvater’s luminous, poignant writing does not disappoint. Sam and Grace steal breathtakingly sweet moments together between Grace’s unpredictable transformations, and Cole and Isabel struggle to melt each others’ icy exteriors. Readers will melt, too, and find a satisfying, but not too-perfect, ending to this bestselling saga.

Review:

As always, Maggie Stiefvater's writing is lovely and just a bit lyrical, the perfect complement to the beautiful characters and story that she has developed throughout the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. In Forever, Grace and Sam are once again torn apart, this time by the wolf inside Grace, yet each finds a way to fight back against fate and to accept the wounded and torn parts of themselves and each other, strengthening their devotion to one another. And Isabel, with her ferocious wit and biting sarcasm, even manages to a few moments of actual feelings. Cole St. Clair also takes a prominent place in this story and actually became one of my favorites, with a tender heart masked by bad-boy swagger. Stiefvater manages to wrap the story up in a way that seems realistic and happy all at once, leaving the reader with the feeling that there is always hope and that true love does indeed triumph! Thanks, Ms. Stiefvater for a great read... and just so you know, I'm eagerly awaiting the Scorpio Races, so if you have any ARC's laying around, feel free to send one my way!

Grade: A+

Review of Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Summary Per Amazon:
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Review:

Myra McEntire has managed to take the concept of time travel, and all the scientic mumbo jumbo that goes along with it and transform it into a fascinating and fast paced read that left me wishing the sequel to this book was coming out a lot sooner than it actually is. Emerson is a very believeable character who has experienced tragic loss and terrible mental and emotional anguish which as understandably left her scarred, angry, and untrusting. Yet, Emerson is no shrinking violet, instead she is a kick-butt female who would just as soon roundhouse kick you into tomorrow as kiss you. This is no damsel in distress, but rather a smart, funny, and self-reliant young woman. And it is nice to see that she does have some solid adult caregivers who truly love her and watch out for her; these are "parents" who pay attention, people! The romance between Michael and Emerson is plausible and certainly not one-sided. And what's more, Emerson and Michael are surrounded by a cast of hotter than hot male and female sidekicks who don't steal the show, but add to the overall atmosphere of the novel. This book has one other thing going for it in my point of view... it reads like a teen version of The Time Traveler's Wife, and that's a good thing! So, ladies and gentlemen, keep this one until you're hungry, because you'll devour it!

Grade: A