Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

Thoughts...

I had a constant thought while reading this book....this sort of, kind of reminds me of Scooby Doo and the Monster in Mexico. lol  That might sound mean, but I say it in the best way.  In Texas Gothic, we are presented with an ecclectic group of people that band to group together to solve the mystery (the teacher even refers to them as the gang at one point, I mean come on!).  Only in Texas Gothic, you get the actual bad guy dressed up in the mask making people think he is a ghost AND you get several actual ghosts.  Overall, this was a good story. I like the characters well enough.  I really liked Amy and her sister Phin.  They come from a STRANGE family, the Goodnights, but turned out well enough.  I did want the relationship with Amy and Ben to develop faster than it did. The physical attraction and sexual tension was dripping off the pages and it didn't seem to get us anywhere for quite a while. Rosemary Clement-Moore wrote a unique Texan mystery novel that will keep you guessing. This is worth a read. 

I would rate this at about 3 1/2 stars probably higher if the story line would have moved just a bit faster...

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Good Reads Description:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

Thoughts...

Wow, I am not sure what to say about this book. The cover and description don't accurately portray what you are getting yourself into.  This book was fantastic!  I spend the first three hours straight smiling like a fool.  Seriously, my cheeks hurt! And when I literally was laughing out loud, I thought my husband was going to think I was a loon.

There are very few times that I can recall that I liked all of the main characters in a story. I really liked Abby's personality. She doesn't put up with anyone's crap.  She is smart, beautiful, and fiesty.  For some reason, lately a lot of books I have read have horrible best friends.  Finally, here is a book with a great supportive true best friend.  America truly has Abby's back at every turn.  Everyone would wish for a friend like America.  Now, Travis, Travis, Travis.  I like the bad boy image. (Hell, I think I even married the bad boy IMAGE.) Please note that Image is the whole point. Travis puts up a front and I guess he is a bad boy in a lot of ways, but not when it comes to "Pidgeon". (The nickname grew on me - but it still is an odd choice.) He might be agressive and wild, but when it comes to Abby, she is his world. They are perfect for each other even if at times, they are indeed a beautiful disaster.

I was surprised by the depth that each character brought to the story, I was expecting a light read with a little bit of drama, but this was so much more. It still was an easy read and I blew through this book in a matter of hours, but it wasn't just a frivalous teen novel.  I want to include that the characters are in college so the book does include sex, vulgar language, and violence. All great to me, but it might not be appropriate for some younger readers.  I came extremely close to rating this with 5 stars, but alas I am giving it 4.5 stars. My only one draw back is that once the "real drama" started to unfod, I felt like it might have lasted a bit too long.  I was ready for Abby and Travis to get there shit together and live happily ever after. I feel bad even for saying that the drama was drawn out too long because even then the book was interesting. I kept waiting to find out what Travis was going to pull next. :)  It is a long book at 454 pages, but I breezed through it wishing for more.

I absolutely adored this book. It was just what I needed to read this weekend. I finished the book 30 minutes ago and I am already nostalgic for the beginning of Abby and Travis' relationship. This really was a great book. I feel like I can never say enough good things about books I love. If I had to compare this book to any others, the first that comes to mind is Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.  I might say I even enjoyed this one even more! I am torn, but I just might.  Go out and pick this book up now!

Later-

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

Goodreads Description:
A regular on national bestseller lists, having sold well over three million copies, The Vampire Diaries series is a classic of thrilling paranormal romance. The Vampire Diaries series has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers—and the CW network TV show that it inspired has introduced millions more to the chills, thrills, and heart-stopping romance.

Thoughts..
These books were just OK to me.  I was never overly enthralled by these books. They kept my attention, but they aren't a "can't put this book down / sleep is overrated" kind of book. I have said this with another series, but I will continue to read these books as long as they keep publishing them though. I guess I am a glutton for punishment. A series would have to be downright horrible for me to stop reading before I am finished. I have a need to know what happens!

I only started reading the series when I saw the previews for the show Vampire Diaries. Now, the previews got my attention. So off I went to the store and picked up the books. I believe I got to read most of them back to back which was nice.  I only had to wait for the last two.  That probably helped me getting through the series.

My biggest problem with the series: I can't get used to L.J. Smith's writing style. I have such a hard time picturing / understanding what she is trying to portray.  Stuff will just happen out of nowhere and I have to jump back up 3 paragraphs and reread just to figure out what the hell is going on.

The series has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. I loved the premise...Humans, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and even Angels (?).  There was a fair amount of suspense in the books. I found that the first set of books flowed nicely for me. But, by the time I got to The Returned Series, they were dragging just a bit. We dealt with the damn kitsune for what like 3 books? I was so over it! How much trouble can a little half fox creature cause? Well, apparrently a whole hell of a lot.

I got so frustrated with the love triangle in this story! Elena and Stephan were just TOO sappy.  I didn't feel that the characters were written with teenagers (or real people) in mind.  I guess it goes by to the whole otherwordly love they share with one another.  But, dang it, sometimes I wanted to gag at how overly sweet they were with each other.  And then don't get me started with Elena! She LOVES Stephan, but is OK  with having all these conflicting feelings (and actions) with Damon.

 Honestly, I am Team Damon!! I want Elena to end up with Damon so bad, but I don't think that is ever going to happen.  There is no way that Elena could redeem herself after choosing Damon.  That would be ruthless. However, I still want L.J. to make that happen for me. Damon may be a bit selfish at times, a jerk most of the time, and evil the rest of time, but you have to love the dark and mysterious character!

I don't want to give too many spoilers away around here, but I thought that the last published book was the last book forever.  Some sad shit went down that I will even admit that I might have had a tear.  I was so not OK with what happened at first. I was looking for L.J. to pull some of her crazy ideas out and fix that for me. Alas, she did not, so during the last chapter I dealt with it and accepted it. Now, I was fine with the ending of this book until she wrote ONE word and stirred the whole crazy pot back up.  Everything I thought I had dealt with well now I have no idea what to think! 

There are talks of another trilogy, but L.J. Smith might not be writing them....we will see my friends, we will see. It's like I said, if they publish it, I will read it.

Update, I read the newest book in the series / trilogy...Phantom.  My thoughts and feelings were pretty much the same as above. They were "OK".  Enough said...

NOW, onto the TV show....

I love me some Vampire Diaries on the CW.  The credits on the show should say "inspired by" the novels as a disclaimer because they are loosely based on the books (which is probably good for me).  They have added so many new things to the show that I forget what even really happened in the books. The characters are way better on the show. Elena is sassier, Stefan has a back bone, Damon is even hotter (lol), Bonnie is not a fainter, and Alaric isn't a teacher that dates a student.  I definitely recommend this show.  Every Friday morning, Sassy and I spend at least 30 minutes discussing what happened the night before on TVD.  Half of our time might be spend talking about Damon (Ian Somerhalder). If you have read any previous posts, you know we are fans of his. He plays a perfect Damon.

So did I completely turn you off from these books? I didn't mean to, but apparently I have some pretty strong feelings about them.  I do recommend them, just don't expect an epic experience.

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soundtrack

I love it when the Twilight Saga soundtrack listings come out. It is like a mini-christmas.  If you know nothing of Izzy and Sassy, please know this, we LOVE music.  It is a huge part of our life.  So when a soundtrack comes out, we get the chance to listen to new bands that we probably would never have got to listen to otherwise. 

So this is a pretty simple post. We are going to list the songs on the soundtrack and also include a song by that artist so we can get a sample of their music. Just from a few quick clicks, I can already tell that I have at least a couple new bands albums that I will be downloading.

I must say that I am simply excited about this soundtrack because Carter Burwell is involved. We loved the first soundtrack and score the most out of the first three movies and just by sampling these artists, I have a feeling this will be a great soundtrack.

1. End Tapes By The Joy Formidable

2. Love Will Take You - Angus and Julia Stone

3. It Will Rain - Bruno Mars

4. Turning Page - Sleeping at Last

5. From Now On - The Features

6. A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

7. Neighbors - Theophilus London

8. I Didn't Mean It - The Belle Brigade

9. Sister Rosetta - Noisettes

10. Northern Lights - Cider Sky
Can't find a song by Cider Sky....???
11.  Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version) - Iron & Wine
      So freaking excited about this one. I absolutely love this song from the first soundtrack.  Now we get a wedding version?!?!

12. Requiem on Water - Imperial Mammoth
Can't find a song by them either...
13. Cold - Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz

14. Llovera - Mia Maestro

Nothing by her either, but that is probably because she hasn't recorded before (just my thoughts). I believe Mia Maestro is Carmen from the cast of Breaking Dawn.

15. Love Death Birth - Carter Burwell
    This little title pretty must sums up the entire series. Bella falls in love, dies, and is reborn a vampire. Or I guess Birth could be referencing Renesmee.  Who doesn't love Carter Burwell? He did an amazing job with the score for Twilight.  You can here a song from the score and instantly know where it belongs in the movie. (I hope that isn't from just watching the movie too many times. lol)

So what are everyone's thoughts? Are you excited?  We are so excited.  I have heard a lot of comments that they think the soundtrack will be too main stream.  I can agree. I love the indie sound to the previous soundtracks, but I am staying positive.  I already have a few new bands to check out.

What do you think of the Bruno Mars' song, It Will Rain?  I have no clue where they will put that song, but as a song, I absolutely love it!

*As always no copyright infringement intended. We just love music. Thanks to all the youtube users for posting these great songs by these amazing artists.*

Purpose by Kristie Cook

Thoughts…

I don’t know about anyone else, but the beginning of this book was hard to handle.  I won’t go into detail in case you haven’t read the first book, Promise, in this series, but Alexis is very depressed. The depression is what makes about a large portion at the beginning of the book. The author takes us where Stephenie Meyer did not take us in New Moon. In New Moon, most of the depression is skipped over and shown with simple pages marked with a month.  In Purpose, the author explains the emotions that Alexis is dealing with down to the “alternate” personalities that she has (evil, swirly, foggy, and almost Alexis).  It was tough reading about. While I appreciate the vivid descriptions, I wanted Alexis to get over herself and just do something. Good or bad, just act!

I’m not sure why, but I didn’t love this book as much as the first one.  Maybe it is because I felt like the plot didn’t develop fast enough. I normally never ever say this, but I found a lot of similarities between this book and Twilight.  Seriously, I try to never compare things to Twilight because it is too cliché.  Young adult paranormal books are always going to have similarities to Twilight.  But, this one had A LOT.  I don’t feel like I can go into too much detail without giving away any spoilers.

Here is how I break it down, the first book, Promise, was wonderful. I considered it a must read. Before beginning the next book, Purpose, I felt that it was a must read since you were left with such a cliff hanger from the first book. However, after reading the second book, I am not loving this series as much. The third book in the series comes out next year and I am sure that I will read it just to find out where everything is going with Tristen and Alexis.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Good Reads Description:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Thoughts...

Awww! I loved this book. Do you ever feel like you just need to read something light and easy? I do. And this would be one of those books.  It was so cute and so sweet. I literally laughed out loud during some parts of the book.  There are a great set of characters in Anna and the French Kiss. Anna seems like a cool chick. She doesn't care too much what other kids think (for the most part). She is film junkie, aspring to me a film critic that wears a bleached stripe in her otherwise dark brown hair. Her father forces her to boarding school in France as it is the new cultural experience for children. Anna goes kicking and screaming the whole way. She doesn't want to leave her best friends in Atlanta behind. And she leaves just when things are getting good between her and her co-worker, Toph. On her first day, Anna meets her new neighbor, Meridith.  Life is lookin up for Anna after Meridith takers her under her wing and introduces her to her friends. Anna's new click. Life gets interesting when Anna literally runs into Etienne St. Clair.

I might have a little teen girl crush on St. Clair.  I love me an accent especialy an English accent.  St. Clair is from England, fluent in French as he spends much time in Franch due to it being his fathers home, and lives in the United States. Anna says it best when she calls him a mutt. That he is, but an oh, so sweet one.  Anna and St. Clair have wonderful chemistry.  They are honestly great friends. He is wonderful to her. I'm not sure what girl wouldn't want a St. Clair in her life.  As all guys in novels are never perfect, St. Clair's downfall (to me) was his weakness.  If you have already read the book, please don't think I am referring to his mother, father, or any other thing that happens to him. Those are justifiable reasons for holing yourself up in your room. No, St. Clair was weak and just plain stupid when it came to Ellie.  That bothered me several times throughout the book. 

Paris sounds so romantic and wonderful. After reading this, I want to go there immediately. (Hah, maybe in my dreams...) I loved every page of this book. It is a sweet and wonderful coming of age story.  Like I said, this a light and easy read, but I still couldn't put the book down. My cheeks actually hurt when I finished this book at 1:00 am this morning.

Twilight Charms

Okay, so I've been really "behind-the-ball" when it comes to posting. Thank goodness for Izzy who has been the glue to our entire blog (Promise that I WILL eventually get things going on my end - just have a HUGE task staring at me every time I think I have an extra second) But ANYWAYS...I just had to share this little etsy site which made me smile since... a certain MOVIE is being released November 18th **squeal/do a little dance/clap hands 3-4 times really fast **

You can find this AND...

 

wait for it... 

OUTLANDER charms too! 

 I think this is just adorable, and although I may never actually wear a charm bracelet which advertises my love of Twilight - I will happily pour me a glass of wine and attach a cute little charm with one of these while raising my glass.

Your welcome!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Good Reads Description:

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How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women w

...moreHow do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Thoughts...

Once and while, you stumble upon a great book that sticks with you even after you turned the last page. Starcrossed is one of those books. I sat for while after finishing and just pondered some of the characters motives and wondered what would happen next in the sequel. This is definitely a must read.  Starcrossed was incredible!  This part of the review will be short and sweet, but beware below, there will be spoilers because I need to vent!  I always loved mythology in high school and this book makes me wish that I had paid more attention.  The book is full of mythology lessons that are very interesting as they become intertwined into every day life.  There are so many twists, turns, and gasps in this book that some parts just left me reeling.  Nothing turned out as I expected...NOTHING.  It was so so good!

SPOILERS BELOW.....



OK, So I hope you have read this if you are reading here...one more chance to scroll back up because I DO NOT want to spoil any gasp worthy moments!


So, I am not going in order to here, but just what comes to mind.  The thing that I can't get over right now is the whole "Hi Lucas, by the way Lucas, were first cousins and now I need to throw up." Um what? I never saw that shit coming.  NEVER, I say. How many times did they mention that Ajax was killed 19 (yes, 19) years ago?  More than a few if I remembered it as soon as I read the bit about being cousins.  Now, people, mere mortals as ourselves can do the math to figure this one out, so surely Demigods wouldn't have to much trouble thinking about the fact that it just don't add up!  Again, Ajax died 19 years ago, Helen had literally just turned 17 days before the news broke out, and finally her mother would have only been pregnant for 9 months.  Hmmmm.....We have a little over a year gap here people! Why would no one have thought this through?!

Which leads me to my next though, I DO NOT trust Helen's mother. She is definitely up to something. She definitely has alterior motives when it comes to the Delos family and her own daughter.  She has plans for her daughter Helen that do not include Lucas. I haven't figured out why yet. I do think that she wanted Pandora to be killed for at least two reasons, she would reveal her secret that Helen and Lucas were not actually cousins and also to create chaos in the Delos home.  It wasn't just about stalling for time. With everyone mourning the death of Pandora and the fact that Hector was deemed an outcast, she will be able to get away with much much more than she would have. The spot light is lifted from her. I feel like she might also try to manipulate Hector into doing her bidding since she has befriended him at such a low time in his life.

I need these answers. I need the next book. PLEASE!!!!

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Good Reads Description

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Thoughts..

Before I say anything negative about this book, I just don't think it was my cup of tea.  I love supernatural and paranormal stories, but this was something different altogether. It held paranormal characteristics, but was overly dark and angsty. So others may love this book while it just wasn't mean't for me. I would rate this at 2.5 stars. Suprisingly, this book did not leave me with too many thoughts to discuss. I am kind of indifferent to it.  It wasn't a horrible book, but it isn't on my "to be recommended" list.

I felt like I never fully "got" what was even happening throughout the book. I was constantly confused, just waiting for an epiphany so everything would click.  It never clicked. I didn't feel like the love story was ever developed.  It was constantly switching from cold to luke warm. It never got to "hot".  Just out of the blue for no apparent reason, Isobel decides she loves Varen more than life itself and will sacrifice everything for him. I just didn't feel it was justified. Isobel might have been in denial about the depth of the attraction to Varen, but love? Maybe. Maybe not.  And Varen never really did anything to make me fall head over heels for him. I definitely did not have a literary crush on him.  He was just constantly cold to her.

The book was just too full of questions that were never answered. Like I said, this book might be more aimed at someone who enjoys angst, dark themes, and mystery.  End of rant.... :o)

Promise by Kristie Cook

Good Reads Description:

Alexis Ames decides to learn who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their secrets closely. After meeting Tristan Knight and discovering that he s not normal either, the secrets begin to unravel. Their union brings promise to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy. Because they are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

Thoughts..

First off, the cover and book description do not do this book justice.  This book was so much better than I thought. It had it all.  Soul mates, intriguing supernatural elements, action, and suspense.  I haven't heard much about this book so I didn't have high expectations, but I was pleasantly suprised.  Right from the beginning the book grabs you and pulls you in.  Alexis is in the dark for most of the book regarding why she is the "freak" that she is.  So you are reading quickly just to solve that mystery and then you are introduced to Tristen.  You have to keep reading to find out what his role will play in the story. Through it all the the suspense keeps you reading and you cannot put the book down. In fact, I barely did. I started reading this on a Saturday night and  at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon I was looking for the next book in the series. 

Tristan and Alexis have such a powerful love that you get wrapped into it and try to get one step ahead of them to figure out what might happen next for them.  You just always feel like something is just lurking around the corner (which is kind of was). Most of the things, I just never saw them coming.  The end of the book...I PROMISE not to give anything away, but let me just say HEART WRENCHING!  I NEED the next book right away.

I cannot forget to mention that I thought this was a young adult book (which is fine, I love YA too), but was pleasantly surprised that this was more of a college age - adult book.  It had more adult themes in the bedroom. :) That was a nice change from the constant fade to black that you get accustomed to in YA novels.