{Book Review} Belonging By: Karen Ann Hopkins

By Karen Ann Hopkins

Young Adult

Publication Information 

April 30, 2013

Harlequin Teen

Tempted by a love from a girl he couldn't have. Tempted by a love from a boy that was so different. Belonging to one another with a love so strong that neither one could deny, priceless.  Noah and Rose are inseparable. Faced with many challenges and extreme roadblocks ahead, they are each  headed down a path with a common destination, however the path must be traveled alone.  Belonging is the next chapter in this story of love and determination.  Rose has found herself in a situation where she is excepted by many, however not all.  The Amish community have given her the chance to prove herself.  She has to prove that living the simple life is enough for her.  She is willing to do this, because deep down inside she knows that the end of the path, means reaching Noah, her one and only love.  Rose is up for the challenge.  She strives to go above and beyond to prove herself worthy of the Amish way.  The novel begins with a sense of comfort that the challenge may be an easy one however she learns quickly with the introduction of new characters and old, that the path to travel may be rocky.
An observation that I made very early regarding Belonging, was the cover.  I understand that many authors do not have 100% final say on book cover picks.  However,  in the first book of the series, Temptation, it was left up to my imagination what Rose and Noah looked liked.  The cover projected a shadow of true hidden passion.  With Belonging, my visualization of what they look like has changed.  This cover portrays a very older Noah and Rose.  Her attire also threw me off a bit as well.  Was the cover a deal breaker for me, NEVER!

Belonging was filled with many unexpected story lines, twist and turns that I didn't see coming.  Karen Ann Hopkins has truly captured her audience by providing a novel that is filled with well thought out character development and a descriptive plots that is sprinkled throughout the novel with just enough hope to push the reader on.  I'm invested in Rose and Noah's story.  Belonging is a novel that you won't put down until the last page.  Thank you Karen Ann Hopkins for putting their world down on paper for all readers to enjoy.  I shall wait patiently for 3rd book in this wonderful series.

Stop by tomorrow for Book 3 in the Temptation Series.

{Book Review} Temptation By: Karen Ann Hopkins

By: Karen Ann Hopkins

Young Adult

Contemporary Romance

Publication Information

 June 26th 2012

Harlequin Teen

Temptation By Karen Ann Hopkins has stolen my heart, with her calm and smooth love story of two teenagers who fall in love within the first sight of each other. I truly do not know where to begin with this review. When the words don't come easily for me, it's because I want to make sure that every line is crafted just right. 

Noah is a young man from the Amish faith, and Rose as he states, is English. In our words, just a normal American girl. Rose knows from the moment that she lays eyes on Noah, that he is the one. When the butterflies flutter forcefully in your stomach and a soft ache creeps up when days go by of not seeing the other, you know their the one. So it only seems natural, that two people who have found a sweet attraction, would give love a try. Unfortunately, this trial wouldn't come without heartache and true pain along the way, ultimately tearing them apart.

I read the pages of Rose and Noah's love story through their eyes only. The author switches back and forth through each chapter, with a new voice, quit effortlessly. I could feel the pain, sorrow, desperation and love, as I read. I could hear their conversations clearly through each page. The author's description of the setting of the story was so vivid that I could truly visualize every single scene. For twenty-four hours, I lived on endless acres of land, where one, somewhat modern home was just moments away to a home that was built and maintained on order, traditions, expectations, faith and the way of life that could not be deviated from. It was Noah's way.

It's been a long time since I've read a novel that earned the coveted 4 or 5 tree status that OUaT issues with our reviews. I give this novel 4 trees, for its passion, love, realistic characters and the overall feeling that I got when I read Karen Ann Hopkins words. This isn't the first novel that I've read centered around a deeper look into the Amish faith, and certainly will not be my last. Hopkins is no longer an unknown author for me. As I for see her realistic approach to fiction in this novel, is just a beginning. 

Stop by tomorrow for Book 2 in the Temptation Series.

{Book Review} Slide By: Jill Hathaway

Author: Jill Hathaway
Young Adult Fiction 
Fantasy/Paranormal 
Publication Information
March 27th 2012
Balzer + Bray



goodreads summary Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body. Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane. Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.



Suspenseful, page turner, “who did it” feel is what you get when you read the pages of Slide by Jill Hathaway. This type of genre in the young adult literature world is currently very small in number, but quickly on the rise, with Slide as a very nice addition.

The main character Vee is faced with a unique ability, or disability, whichever way the reader views it. It is an action that Vee is very reluctant to share, with anybody. When surrounded by just the right amount of emotions, feelings, or the constant simple contact of an object, once exposed, Vee can slide into the body, soul and mind of that person. Many times her body alerts her quickly, but within seconds, to those surrounding her, she passes out into an unconscious state. However, to Vee she has entered another person, looking at the world through their eyes. Looking at what is happening at that exact moment in time. 

Unfortunately, for Vee, that moment in time is death. She looks at her sister Mattie’s best friend Sophie and realizes that this is a murder. The entire community feels that Sophie’s death was by suicide, however Vee knows better and makes it her mission to prove it. This story is filled with many supporting characters, her sister, her father, her best friend Rollins, and the new kid in town, Zane. Don’t expect a lot of love interest in this novel, as this is truly suspenseful through and through.

Jill’s writing flows very smoothly from the beginning to the end. Her strengths in her writing is truly attributed to the descriptions that she offers the readers when describing her characters. Just like the title, the reader can slide into each character and see the plot thicken with each page turn. The climax is a shocker, so be prepared, I never saw that one coming. Just when I thought it was going to be a predictable ending I was proven wrong very quickly. The events of this novel were truly planned out and presented in such a way that when reading this, I could not wait to get to the end to find out the answer to the question that you are faced with right from the start. Need a brief getaway to a genre less traveled, slide into Jill Hathaway’s novel. You won’t come out until you are finished!!!

{Book Review} Never Too Little to Love By Jeanne Willis Illustrated By Jan Fearnley

Books Provided by Candlewick Press.

Candlewick Press
First U.S. Small format edition 2013
Ages 3-7

goodreads summary Whimsical watercolors illustrate a comical, cumulative tale of an amorous mouse who aims impossibly high -- and learns that you're never too little (or too big) to love. Tiny Too-Little loves someone who's very, very tall, and Tiny wants a kiss. What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a thimble? What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a matchbox on top of a thimble? Clever cut-away pages show Tiny's precarious pile growing higher and higher, while the object of his affection stays just out of reach. When the teetering stack finally falls with a crash, will his hopes be dashed? How can a tiny mouse get the kiss he needs?

Never Too Little to Love was one of the cutest and sweetest books that I've read in a really long time. It begins with the determination of a sweet little mouse, bound and determined to give his love a tiny little kiss. But there is just one dilemma, getting there would be hard. She is a little out of reach. So Tiny Too-Little puts his thinking cap on and decides that he will make it happen. One of the strengths that stands out the most in this little book is it's shape. It is just the right size for any young and budding reader. It is presented in stages with card stock type pages that actually keep the reader engaged in the story line until the very end. The illustrations are colorful and vibrant. Lastly, I could hear the silent cheers for Tiny Too-Little as he makes his way to his love!

{February Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway}

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7"
Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

      February Sponsors

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Romance Through the Ages
4. Buried Under Romance
5. Author Inger Iversen
6. Jenna Does Books
7. Author Jennifer Laurens
8. Author Bonnie Blythe
9. Author Bella Street
10. The Reporter and the Girl
11. Author Brinda Berry
12. The Storybook Kingdom
13. More Than a Review
14. Bea's Book Nook
15. Bookroom Reviews
16. The One With The Fairy Tales
17. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
18. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
19. I Heart YA Fiction
20. My Devotional Thoughts
21. Kindle and Me
22. Clever Me
23. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
24. Author Karey White
25. Author Aubrey Wynne
26. Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
27. A Leisure Moment
28. Author Louise Caiola
29. Author Christie Anderson
30. Author Carol Malone
31. Immortal Ink Publishing
32. Author A. Wrighton
33. Author Heather McCoubrey
34. Attack of the Books!
35. Rumor Has It
36. Barb's Wire - eBooks & More
37. Author Linda S. Prather
38. Tressa's Wishful Endings
39. Laurie Here
40. Author Heather Gray
41. Author Kelly Martin
42. Author Brenda Maxfield
43. A Southern Lady's Book Blog
44. Author Paige Ryan
45. Confessions of a Librarian in Training
46. My Nook, Books and More
47. Lori's Reading Corner
48. Author Elizabeth Woodrum
49. Author Kristin Wallace
50. Author Jo Grafford
51. Writer Wonderland
52. Author Jaret Martens
53. Author Christi Corbett
54. Author Derek Rempfer

  Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 2/28/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Review} Black Out By: Robinson Wells

Robison Wells

Young Adult

 Science Fiction

Publication Information

 October  1, 2013

 HarperTeen

goodreads summary Laura and Alec are trained terrorists. Jack and Aubrey are high school students. There was no reason for them to ever meet. But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Known for his inception like style of writing, Robinson Wells provides an interesting novel dealing with America and terrorism.  Filled with suspension and haunting scenes, Black Out is a dramatic blend of realism and science fiction.  Using characters that come alive, Wells creates very complex relationships.  These relationships add to the daunting twist and turns that he creates along with thrilling shocks that seem to come from all angles haunting the reader.

In Black Out we follow the perspective of four young people.  Two are somewhat normal teenagers while the other two happen to be teenage terrorists.  Working in a group, the trained teenagers also each happen to have a special power that aids them in their deeds of terror.  The two sets of teenagers meet up later in the novel amidst turmoil in the country.  Written with amazing originality, Robison Wells provides the literature world with the perfect book that reflects the times.  Similar to how movies reflect the state of the country.  Black Out plays somewhat on the fears of the people, which in turn creates such a strong emotion in readers.  Finally, Wells uses a blistering pace in his writing style causing readers to rarely want to put this book down.  He provides readers with a chillingly balanced novel that does a great job of making you think about the future throughout the entire novel.

{Book Review} Don't Turn Around By Michelle Gagnon + Giveaway

Young Adult
Mystery/Thriller/Science Fiction
Publication Date:  August 28, 2012
HarperTeen

As readers we are always searching for the hidden gem in the sea of books available. A book that is unique and leaves the reader satisfied, with all the books out there, is sometimes hard to find. That’s why I’m glad I had this book sent to me. Michelle Gagnon’s first young adult novel is a fantastic debut to the genre. With well-developed characters and an interesting storyline this new series has the potential to be something very big.

In Don’t Turn Around the main protagonists are teenagers Peter and Noa. Peter is a funny and witty guy whose seemingly posh life isn’t as it appears. Noa is a girl whose led a harsh life and has had to care for herself. The meeting between these two is initially kicked off by Noa awakening to find herself in a strange lab leading to an intense adventure like no other. Dealing with a mysterious disease that is consuming teenagers and a company’s sketchy dealings with cops and the government, Don’t Turn Around is a great thriller. Gagnon writes in a modern style allowing the action to flow seamlessly with the times of peace. The characters each have a personality that I’m sure any reader can relate to. The development of the characters were not forced and came together nicely. Certainly a book that leaves a lot of room for a sequel, Don’t Turn Around is a new addition to the must read list for the year.

a Rafflecopter giveaway