Tasha's review: The Alchemyst

The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1) by Michael Scott
Publication Date: May 22, 2007
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 369

Summary

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

I liked the book more than I thought I would when I started it. It never completely gripped me, and I will admit I was bored sometimes, but I did enjoy it for the most part.

The book starts at a pretty good pace but slows as the book goes on. It just felt like there was a lot of padding and not enough movement on the main plot. And there was a lot of elements that felt shoehorned in and made the book feel a little crowded. With all that being said, I actually really liked the world that was being created. It felt big even though most of the book took place in only a few places. It felt like a world I would want to know more about.

One of the biggest problems with the book was the twins. Josh got annoying after while. And Sophie was a little too perfect. And they both were somewhat bland. They're just not characters I can root for. The better characters were the side ones. Nicholas and his wife, Perry, were pretty well rounded. And Scatty was someone I wanted to know more about. 

Overall, I wasn't thrilled with the book, but I did like it. And I will probably will check out the next one. 

Ashley's Review: Paris Cravings by Kimberley Montpetit

Paris Cravings by Kimberley Montpetit

Publication Date: February 1st 2014

Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Romance

Pages: 205

Format: Paperback

Source: Author

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Can life really turn on a dime,
a missed bus—
or a stuck pastry shop door?

Chloe Dillard’s life has always been complicated. Her mother is a neurotic romance novelist and her boyfriend, Mathew, has been pressuring her to go “all the way”—even as one of her own best friends offers to accommodate him.

But after The Worst Night of Her Life, Chloe escapes on her Senior Class trip to the swoon-worthy city of Paris which takes her mind off her troubles—temporarily. On the final leg of her dream trip, Chloe squeezes in one final run for a last-minute box of decadent pastries. Add a stuck door, subtract a broken four-inch heel from her cute strappy sandals, and Chloe ends up one stuck girl on the bakery shop floor with a sprained ankle.

Rescued by the shop owner’s dreamy son with chocolate-syrup eyes, the beautiful city of Paris suddenly becomes Chloe’s personal secret adventure. And even though Jean-Paul, the oh-so-kind La Patisserie shop boy is the gentlemanly guy Chloe has always dreamed of, even he has a girlfriend.

The police are tracking her down as a run-away, Mom’s having a nervous breakdown over her daughter’s “disappearance”, and Chloe’s just trying to have a Happily-Ever-After even as her dreams with Matt are swirling down the drain.

Could being lost in the city of Paris be just what the doctor ordered? What’s a girl to do in the most romantic city in the world?

 

 

~My Thoughts~

Paris Cravings is totes adorable and I’m dying for a reread!! Mrs. Montpetit spins a charming tale, it was the perfect book to take a break from all the paranormal reads so it was very refreshing!

How Mrs. Montpetit intertwined the past and the present was done wonderfully. I was able to get connected and understand where Chloe was coming from all the while being able to fall head over heels for this blooming relationship. Though I adored this book with its enticing city, colorful culture, and cavity inducing words I did find Chloe a bit naïve. Though I get why, this is a coming of age story after all, but still she was a little too naïve sometimes for me. Just wanted to shake her silly. However I get it, when you’re in love and young sometimes you can be blinded from the truth.

But other than that, I found this to be an entertaining read! I was drawn in and it was hard to get me out. I don’t read many contemporary romances but when I do, they tend to be the best and I end up craving for more! I’m dying to see what else Mrs. Montpetit has up her sleeves! Her writing is simple and colorful at the same time making this an easy read so I flowed through this, devouring it even though I wanted to take my time with it.

Oh, there was one more thing that got to me. It was a déjà vu scene where Chloe is dancing/hobbling around with happiness and even the author put in about it being déjà vu but it kind of dragged the flow a bit but once we got past it, all was fine again and I was hypnotized once more.

Overall this is one pleasant read and I couldn’t be happier with how it ended. So if you’re looking for a charismatic romance in another world, almost like Anna and the French Kiss, then this is the perfect book for you!

 

Will disturb your being

 

*Was given a copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinions*


Sweet Readings Everyone!



{Cover Reveal} Go With Me (With Me #2) by Elyssa Patrick

Go With Me (With Me #2) by Elyssa Patrick

Publication Date: June 19th 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

New Adult/Contemporary Romance - Recommended for readers 17 and older

I, Daphne Fox, have a few things to confess:

1. I hate Nick Brady. Loathe. Abhor. Can’t stand him 95% of the time.
2. That other 5%? I’m not talking about that at all.
3. People think I’m lucky for surviving the car crash. I disagree.
4. Nick is the only guy who makes my nightmares go away.
5. I won’t love him, though. Love is not worth the pain.

I, Nick Brady, have a few confessions of my own:

1. I don’t hate Daphne Fox. At all.
2. I find her scar sexy. Just like the rest of her.
3. I may be her older brother’s best friend, but that’s not going to stop me.
4. I love her.
5. And I’m going to do everything I can to have her.

 

 

~Sequel To~

 

 

Stay with Me (With Me #1)

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

Elyssa Patrick is a former high school English teacher who left the classroom to write contemporary romances and New Adult. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Want to know when Elyssa's next book comes out? Sign up for her newsletter by just pasting the link in your browser's address bar: bit.ly/1lYYvi9

She loves to hear from her readers! You can email her at elyssa@elyssapatrick.com.

 

elyssapatrick.com / Facebook.com/ElyssaPatrickAuthor / twitter.com/elyssapatrick

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 



Summer Songs (33) Good Life, All Over the Road, See You Tonight

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Listening Everybody!



Book Spotlight: Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers

Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers

Publication Date: February 4th 2014

Genre: YA Science Fiction Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Amazon / Barnes / Book Depo / Indie Bound



 

 

~What reviewers are saying~

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

Melissa Landers writes light, romantic sci-fi for teens and the young at heart. ALIENATED is now available from Disney Hyperion, and the sequel, INVADED, will release February 3, 2015.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

{Cover Reveal} Sneak Attack (Tapped Out #1.5) by Cari Quinn

Sneak Attack (Tapped Out #1.5) by Cari Quinn

Publication Date: June 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

Designed by Hot Damn Designs

 

 

~Summary~

 

She thought she’d fought her final match…but the bout isn’t over yet.

 

Mia Anderson found more than she ever bargained for when she set up a fight with reigning king of the underground MMA fighters, Tray “Fox” Knox. Five months have passed, and both have walked away from the sport that brought them together. Now they fight for love, not blood. Until a voice from the past comes back to haunt Mia, causing her to struggle with her secrets and her need for Tray.

 

Tray’s tired of battling to be with a woman who keeps pushing him away. He loves Mia, but maybe he can’t love her through this. Not unless she will let him put his back to hers, all or nothing. He’s ready to slay any demon she has—except the one she refuses to share.

 

One opponent will walk away the victor. And one will lose…everything.

 

Sneak Attack is book 1.5 in the Tapped Out series, a short novel that follows Shadowboxer.

Warning: please be advised this book contains content some may find triggering (past sexual trauma) and also contains graphic sex and language that may not be suitable for underage readers.

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn wrote her first story—a bible parable—in 2nd grade, much to the delight of the nuns at her Catholic school. Once she saw the warm reception that first tale garnered, she was hooked. Now she gets to pen sexy romances for a living and routinely counts her lucky stars. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she can usually be found watching men’s college basketball, playing her music way too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

The only thing she loves more than writing is hearing from readers! Visit Cari at www.cariquinn.com

 

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!