Book Review and Author Interview: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick!

My Life Next Door

By Huntley Fitzpatrick

Release Date: 06/14/12

Hardcover/e-book

395 pages

Book Description from Goodreads:

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

***

When I first saw the gorgeous cover for My Life Next Door I was expecting a light and sweet summer book.  While it did feature a beautiful romance, it was also a pretty deep story about family and acceptance which I was not expecting but it worked perfectly with the story.

Everyone thinks Samantha Reed has it all.  A perfect family, a perfect mom (who is also the state senator), a perfect house and a perfect life.  But nobody knows that Samantha wishes her family could be like her neighbors, the Garretts.  The Garretts are a big family (8 kids!) and they are the perfect functional-dysfunctional family.  Even though Samantha has been watching the Garretts from her window for 10 years, she has never talked to any of them because her mother highly disapproves of them.  But one day one of the Garrett boys, Jase, climbs over to her window and starts talking to her and invites her over to his house.  Samantha feels at home right away with the Garretts and with Jase.  Although Samantha and Jase take things slow, they soon end up in an intense and serious relationship which she keeps from her family and friends. 

The relationship between Samantha and Jase was one of the most realistic ones I have seen in a YA book.  They start off as friends and actually get to know each other first before they start dating.  It’s not one of those typical insta-love stories and they have to deal with some pretty serious issues such as dealing with their families and making the right choices.  Seeing their love grow and blossom into something real and beautiful was such a nice thing to be able to witness.  Unfortunately, towards the end Samantha makes an awful choice which had me feeling like throwing my book against the wall.  Luckily, her bad choice is (somewhat) quickly rectified but is it a case of too little too late?

Since most YA books have either dysfunctional or absent families, it was such a refreshing change to read about the Garrets which were as real as you can get.  They were such a huge contrast to Samantha’s family, which only consist of her judgmental mother and rebellious sister.  It was so easy to understand why Samantha has always been so drawn to the Garretts and why she fit in with them so easily.  While I loved Samantha and Jase and every single member of the Garrett clan, my favorite character was Tim, Samantha’s best friend’s brother.  He starts off as a trouble maker and a stoner and a really big loser but the more time he spends with Jase and the Garretts, the more you can see how much he changes throughout the book and how hard he tries to turn his life around and although I hated him at first, he ended up as my favorite character-hands down!  There are so many unanswered questions about Tim at the end of the book that I would LOVE to read his story. (wink, wink)

My Life Next Door was such a pleasant surprise it had everything I was looking for in a summer romance book plus so much more!  Romance, realistic and lovable characters, and a beautiful story that will stay with you long after the story is over.  Huntley Fitzpatrick is another author to add to the list of 2012 great debut authors and I can’t wait to read what she has for us next.  I have some serious cover crush on this book and I’m glad the story inside was as beautiful as the cover!

4.5 out of 5 sparkly stars!

Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from My Life Next Door:

-The Garretts were my bedtime story, long before I ever thought I'd be a part of the story myself.

-“Why would I need rescuing?  This is my house, my roof?”

“I don’t know.  it just hit me, seeing you there, that you might be Rapunzel.  The princess in the tower thing.  All the long blond hair and…well…”

“And you’d be?” I know I'm going to laugh if he says “the prince.”

Instead he answers “Jase Garrett.”

-“Jase?”

“Mmm-hmm?” He lifts up on one elbow, his face barely visible in the twilight.

“You have to kiss me,” I find myself saying.

“Yeah.” He leans closer. “I do.”

-“Give me a break.  They must have handouts with better lines than that at Cheesy Villain School.”

-But what I loved was the view.  And for so long, that was who I was.  The girl who watched the Garretts.  My life next door.

But I'm not that watcher anymore.

-It has nothing to do with how things look from far away and everything to do with how they are up close.  That won't change.

***Interview with Huntley Fitzpatrick***

1.      What are you working on after My Life Next Door?

My next book, now tentatively titled, WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRUE, takes place in the same region as MY LIFE NEXT DOOR, but features a very different couple—one who have had a rocky history. Gwen Castle has come from a long line of fisherman and cleaning women on her small, exclusive Island. Cass Somers is heir to a boat-building business, and Gwen’s Biggest Mistake Ever. Now that he’s spending the summer slumming it on “her” Island, can they get beyond their rocky past and find common ground.

2.      Describe Samantha in 3 words or less…

Reticent, thoughtful, careful.

3. Describe Jase in 3 words or less…

Easy-going, athletic, open-hearted.

4.  Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? Tim’s is IT AIN’T ME, BABE.

5.  What is your favorite non-spoiler quote or scene from My Life Next Door?

I like the scene where Samantha comes over to Jase’s house for the first time and is interrogated by his four year old brother:

“Is Jase already going to marry you?”

I start coughing again. “Uh. No. No, George. I’m only seventeen.” As if that’s the only reason we aren’t already engaged.

“I’m this many.” George holds up four slightly grubby fingers. “But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live here with him. And have a big family.”

Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. “George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on.”

George backs out of the room, but not before saying. “His bed’s really comfortable. And he never pees in it.”

The door closes and we both start laughing.

 6.  Who is your all-time favorite book couple and why?

Help! Too many to name. I love all of Jennifer Echol’s couples, I love Travis and Morgan in Trish Dollar’s SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL, I love Wes and Macy in Sarah Dessen’s THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER, I could just go on and on. I go through phases where I read about one couple again and again, trying to get to the heart of what makes them magic. Of course I never do.

7.  Which celebrity crush do you wish you live next door to?

Again, too many to name. Matt Damon. (my best friend lives next to him and I’m totally jealous). Pierce Brosnan. Dennis Quaid. All people I’ve had crushes on for years (I am faithful, if obsessive). And if we are going to edge younger, Zac Efron, Liam Hemsworth, Dave Franco.

8.  What book(s) are you looking forward to the most this year?

SUCH A RUSH by Jennifer Echols.

9.  What is something people would be surprised to know about you?  

I once kissed a complete stranger on a train.

10.  Tim turned out to be one of my favorite characters.  Is there any chance we might get to read more about him?  Maybe in the form of a companion novel???

I am so very happy to hear this. Tim kind of snuck up on me--one of those characters who winds up taking over a lot more than you'd planned.. I've actually written a whole book for him, but it's not signed. I had a blast writing it, so I hope it someday sees the light of day....

11.  Describe your book in 10 words or less…

A girl who watches and a boy who knows it.

(LOVE this answer, so perfect!)

 

About the Author

Huntley Fitzpatrick grew up dreamy and distracted in coastal Connecticut, attended Concord Academy and Yale. She flourished in a family of bookworms where the library was always the most important room in the house. She kept an exhaustively thorough journal which frightened her boyfriends but has proved very useful in her career as a writer. Her debut contemporary Romance, MY LIFE NEXT DOOR, will be published in June of 2012 by Penguin-Dial for Young Readers. Now she laughs with and eavesdrops on her six children who provide her with perspective and material. She is represented by the amazing Christina Hogrebe of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

Visit her blog at: http://www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com/

***

Review posted by Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

www.MostlyYABookObsessed.com

Cover Reveal: Fae by Emily White

Fae

Not all fae'ri tales come with a happy ending.

Ella thought taking care of the ego-bloated Mamood god would be a sure way to bring peace to the galaxy and satisfy her taste for revenge.

But she was wrong.

Despite the fact their god is gone, the Mamood refuse to abandon their attack on the planet Soltak and Ella's own so-called friends start to turn against her. And with Soltak dying--its oceans drying up and its plants withering in the ground--Ella and Cailen suspect there's a new enemy at work. As more people die and more water is leached from the planet, they both prepare for something straight from a nightmare.

The fae are coming.

Title: Fae

Series: Auri #2

Author: Emily White

Release Date: December 10, 2013

Formats: paper, e-book

Cover Design: Vic Caswell of Sketcher Girl

Author website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Swoon Thursday (46)

It's that time again! We created a HOT meme, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Without further ado, here's ours:

RACHEL: This week I was swooning over the final installment in Lauren Kate's Fallen series: RAPTURE. Choosing a swoon from this book that doesn't give past plot points away for anyone who hasn't read the other books, or key parts about this book was a little tricky, but here's a good snippet to show why I love this series so much.... And by the way, I'm now DYING for a new series with my favorite bad boy, Cam. Talk about swoon <3 :

There was the electricity she'd been yearning for since she awoke. The spark that passed between them every time they touched. Daniel wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her in so that there was no space between their bodies. He kissed her, long and deep, until she was dizzy.

"Now that's the way to start a morning."

TARA: Swooning over Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout:

I melted into him, his kisses, and his touch. My fingers dug into the tight skin of his arms, and my insides were tight coils. Every place out bodies touched, sparks flew.

KELLY: Still swooning over Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout:

His lips were so close to mine, I desperately wanted to meet him halfway, to rush forward to test if his lips were as pillow soft as they looked.

NEREYDA: Swooning over What a Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn:

I step behind her, push her hair out of the way, and kiss her shoulder. Little bumps pop up all over her skin. I kiss her again as my hands start to work the clasp on her bra. As I open it, slide the straps down her arms.  

EILEEN: Still swooning over STORM by Brigid Kemmerer:

Twitter Version:

Chris Merrick was kissing her. His hands were buried in her hair, his palms burning against her cheeks.

Bloggy Version:

Chris Merrick was kissing her. His hands were buried in her hair, his palms burning against her cheeks. Sand shifted below her body and the stars danced above, bright like his eyes when he drew back to look at her.

TRISH: Swooning over Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins:

When Kaidan looked at me, lust raged in his eyes like a tumultuous island storm. He leaned in to kiss me again, but I held my arms out against his chest.

SO NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! On your blog (and leave us a link with Mr. Linky here or in the comments), and/or on Twitter... SWOON us! PS! Make sure to tweet with the #YABound hashtag so we can RT you!

Spotlight on Knee Deep by Jolene Perry

ebook

Published May 1, 2012

Tribute Books

Find it on Amazon

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Wow! This is one powerful book. Seriously, this tore at my heartstrings. I felt so deeply for Ronnie, and I think every teenage girl needs to read her story. When we first meet Ronnie, she's madly in love with Shawn. She's loved him for years and thinks he is her forever. Her best friend, Mindy, doesn't get it though. She thinks Ronnie is too young to feel so strongly for someone, and maybe more so because it's Shawn. Mindy isn't his biggest fan, and tries to convince Ronnie that there's a reason Ronnie and Shawn haven't taken their relationship to the next level. Ronnie knows that reason is her. She's not ready. But she can't figure out why.

Shawn's family life is falling apart, and he's changing. Ronnie sees less and less of the guy she fell in love with. On the other hand, her best friend Luke is looking more and more like someone she could really fall for. This love triangle is portrayed in such a realistic way. Honestly, I didn't know how the three were going to end up, and that was a good thing. Jolene kept me guessing till the very end.

Without giving away spoilers, let me say this book dives into some heavy issues that teen girls need to be aware of. I can see this book helping a lot of girls who may think love makes everything okay. Ronnie learns the hard way that it doesn't. There are things love can't excuse.

So powerful. Seriously, go read this one.

Author website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Mini-view with Jolene Perry

How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?

Sixteen. And I fell hard because he was the boy I grew up loving, and he moved away, and came back, and wanted ME.

Rebel or boy next door?

The rebel who lived next door. And I use the term "next door" loosely, since I grew up in Alaska and everyone in our "neighborbood" owned 5 acres or more. He lived a quarter mile away and I snuck out to visit him a LOT.

Luke likes to wear shirts with cartoon characters on them. If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?

I'd want to be the female version of Phineas. That's who I'd WANT to be. I'm in agreement with John Green on this one in that Phineas and Ferb is the best show on TV for children and adults.

Cover Reveal: Triangles Kimberly Ann Miller

Title: Triangles

Author: Kimberly Ann Miller

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com)

Release Date: June 18, 2013

Formats: Paper, e-book

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?
  
In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

Author website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Swoon Thursday (45): It's Getting Hot, Y'all

It's that time again! We created a HOT meme, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Without further ado, here's ours:

RACHEL: This week I was swooning over the final installment in Lauren Kate's Fallen series: RAPTURE. Choosing a swoon from this book that doesn't give past plot points away for anyone who hasn't read the other books, or key parts about this book was a little tricky, but here's a good snippet to show why I love this series so much.... And by the way, I'm now DYING for a new series with my favorite bad boy, Cam. Talk about swoon <3 :

There was the electricity she'd been yearning for since she awoke. The spark that passed between them every time they touched. Daniel wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her in so that there was no space between their bodies. He kissed her, long and deep, until she was dizzy.

"Now that's the way to start a morning."

TARA: Swooning over VELVETEEN by Daniel Marks:

"She pressed her mouth to his and felt a whimper escape him. Velvet parted her lips and sank into the kiss. The boy was clutching her now, buoyed by her actions, and groaning."

KELLY: Still swooning over BETRAYED by Ednah Walters BUT with a brand new HAWT scene that again is way too good to cut:

His lips were gentle at first, tender and reverent. They they became demanding, his hand cradling the back of my head. I pressed against him as a wildness I couldn't explain stormed through me. The turmoil he felt must have switched off the control over his passion, because he was suddenly all over me. Hands. Body. Lips. I tasted and breathed him, and it was glorious. I wound my arms around his neck, pressed my body against his. I wanted him.

NEREYDA: Swooning over MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick:

"You have to kiss me." I find myself saying.
"Yeah." He leans closer.  "I do."
His lips, warm and soft, touch my forehead, then slide down my cheek, moving sideways to my mouth.  His hands move up to press the nape of my neck between my wet hair, just as mine slips to his back. 

EILEEN: Still swooning over STORM by Brigid Kemmerer:

Twitter Version:

Chris Merrick was kissing her. His hands were buried in her hair, his palms burning against her cheeks.

Bloggy Version:

Chris Merrick was kissing her. His hands were buried in her hair, his palms burning against her cheeks. Sand shifted below her body and the stars danced above, bright like his eyes when he drew back to look at her.

TRISH: Swooning over HAUNTING VIOLET by Alyxandra Harvey:

His mouth closed over mine, the kiss sending warmth shooting all the way from my belly down into my knees. His tongue was bold, sliding over mine as if I were strawberry ice cream. I felt devoured, delicious, decadent.

SO NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! On your blog (and leave us a link with Mr. Linky here or in the comments), and/or on Twitter... SWOON us!

Cover Reveal: The Devil's Flower by Lisa Collicutt

 

Killing isn’t exactly on Rosalie Lockwood’s list of things to do when she runs away from home. But despite her search for peace; guns and motorcycles become her latest fashion accessories as Divine interference leads her to Steele, co-leader of the Fallen Paladins motorcycle club.

*

Leathered and tattooed, Steele’s presence scares off most people he comes in contact with—but not Rosalie. She’s immediately drawn into the dangers of his biker world—and into his heart.

*

While Rosalie is busy learning how to shoot a gun and ride a motorcycle, Steele is busy avoiding her and his budding feelings for her. He wants her out of his life and away from the dangers he represents. But when some of the gang turn on her, he has no choice but to tell her his secret.

*

He and Rosalie are immortal enemies, each with one purpose in life—to kill the other.

*

Once the truth is revealed, Rosalie must prove to Steele and his brethren that she’s not the killer they fear by saving their souls. But in order to do that, she must become soulless herself.

*

The Dark and Light Realms collide as Rosalie chooses between life, death, and the ever-after to become that which she is fated to destroy.

 

Author website | Twitter | Facebook 

Spotlight and Giveaway: TASTE by Kate Evangelista

Paperback, 259 pages

Publication Date April 29th, 2012

Crescent Moon Press

Buy it on Amazon

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

Kate Evangelista blew me away with this book. If you know me, you now I am a huge zombie fan. But after a while you sort of feel like you’ve seen it all when it comes to the walking dead. That was not the case with this book. This was such a fresh take on zombies that I am still jumping up and down over how much I adored this book.

Phoenix is thrown into a situation that would leave most human’s terrified. She stumbles into a world of flesh eaters. Not only does she stumble into their world, but she risks her life by pretending to be one of them in order to help save their civilization. I was so pleased Phoenix as a female lead. She was strong, brave, witty, and just fun. The guys in this book might be hot, but she was a great character all on her own.  While in this civilization, trying to blend in as one of their own, she finds herself drawn to and torn between Demitri and Luka. Two incredibly different but equally hot characters. And I loved them both so much!  This book had action, mystery, and the romance was HOT! So my recommendation? Read this book! If you are a fan of paranormal romance you’ll want to pick this one up asap. I can’t wait to see what Kate has in store for us next.

And Kate, as if she needed to be any more awesome, is providing a free e-book copy of TASTE to one lucky winner! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below the interview! J

TARA

Miniview with Kate Evangelista

1.) What is your favorite YA book of all time?

The Hunger Games. I haven't read anything that equals the pacing and heartbreaking quality of that book. I admire Suzanne Collins and what she can do in the realm of YA. If I could do a tenth of what she can do, I would consider myself an accomplished writer.

2.) After reading about the hot Luca and Demitri I have to know...what two actors would you cast to play their parts if TASTE was made into a movie?

For Luka, it has always been Alex Pettyfer. Can you see it? He'd make the perfect Luka. As for Demitri, the part has to go to Steven Straight. But I'm pretty flexible about his casting. *laughs*

3.) What do you do when you're not writing? Favorite hobby?

I watch movies. I love movies. I need to watch at least one movie a week or I don't feel right inside. *smiles*

I would like to take this moment to thank Tara for letting me hang out with all of you. It was so much fun. Please make Taste part of your summer read so you can meet the two hottest guys around: Demitri and Luka. Happy reading!

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Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren

TRIBUTARY
Lisa. T. Bergren

Kindle edition, 163 pages
Published by Bergren Creative Group, Inc
Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

TRIBUTARY, a novella (1/2 the length of a normal novel), picks up a year after BOURNE... Lia struggles to overcome the fear that constant battle has heaped upon her; Gabi and Marcello face an unexpected crisis; and Lord Greco just may be ready to leave the grief and loss of his past behind him, so that he might grab hold of the future...

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Italy, I love time travel stories, and I have a fascination with the medieval and Renaissance periods in world history....I guess it's not that shocking that it is what I wrote my own debut about. When I discovered the River of Time series, I instantly fell in love--I found it a little late, just a few months ago, but the joy in that was that I was able to read ALL the books in one week. From WATERFALL (book 1), through CASCADE (book 2) and TORRENT (book 3), and then the follow-up novella, BOURNE (book 3.1), I could not get enough of these characters, this exciting world, and the sigh-worthy romance. 

Needless to say, I was ecstatic to discover another novella was in the works, and immediately began stalking Lisa (in the most friendly way possible, of course) for updates on TRIBUTARY (book 3.2). I knew to expect nothing short of greatness, and I was right.

This story follows all the characters we've grown to love from the previous books, but Gabi and Marcello take a step back to give center stage to sister Lia and hottie Luca, along with my favorite tortured hero Rodolfo (Lord Greco) and a new fun character Alessandra. The romance, action, adventure, and fun is all there, and as always, Lisa packs more than should be humanly possible into a novella-length novel that never feels overwhelming, and always leaves you wanting more. Since we are so far into the series, I fear talking too much about the plot itself in case I ruin the journey for any newcomers, so just know....it's awesome. And if you're a long-time fan, you'll fall even more in love with this world after this installment. 

As a special treat to make sure everyone reads this book, or begins the series if you haven't yet had a chance to fall in love with these characters, Lisa is giving away a copy of ANY River of Time book or e-book.

Yes, this is open Internationally. Yes, you need to enter. And yes, regardless of the contest, you must read this series. Lisa is a doll, the stories sweep you away, and the boys, they are hot I tell you.....

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Spotlight: My Heart Be Damned by Chanelle Gray

If you're a Hunter, there are only three things you must know about the Damned. The Damned can't lie, can't live without a body, and can't leave you alone.

Amerie Carter has the blood of a Hunter, unfortunately. She is one of a rare line of women who, upon her sixteenth birthday, will come into extraordinary powers used to hunt the Damned; escaped souls from Hell who take up residence in human bodies. It's supposed to be her sweet sixteen, but Amerie has never dreaded a day more, and her worst fears are confirmed as the celebration turns tragic when her mother is killed.

Grief-stricken, Amerie vows to never hunt a day in her life. She's determined to hide behind normalcy, attending school, hanging out with her friends and working an after-school job at The Hut. All Amerie wants is to be left alone. But try telling the Damned that. The harder Amerie tries to ignore her powers, the more the Damned come looking for her.

When an attack leaves one of Amerie's friends in the hospital, and endangers the lives of her fellow students, she knows she has no choice: Hunt or Be Hunted. Thankfully, the gorgeous, secretive, and so-off-limits Marshall offers to train Amerie to take out her supernatural enemies. But training with Marshall means lying to her friends, her family, and confronting the mysterious circumstances surrounding her mother’s death.

Amerie soon discovers she’s not the only one with something to hide, Marshall's secrets might kill her before the Damned get the chance.

Dude! This is one PR that had my head spinning from all the twists and turns. If you’re a Buffy fan, then you HAVE to read this! I haven’t read a good, kick ass heroine book in a while. Just a straight up “We fight the good fight and will whoop evil’s butt” book. This one is fantastic.

Amerie has is pretty darn tough at home. She’s going through a lot with her mother just passing away, her father not handling things so well, and her rough relationship with her brother. Then there’s school, friends, and complex relationships between two new guys vying for her attention. After her mother, A Hunter, is killed during one of her missions, Amerie decides she’s through with it all. She’s not a Hunter anymore, and she turns her back on hunting the Damned. But when she discovers there’s a bounty on her head, and evil comes at her full force, she has no choice but to stand against the darkness and fight.

I loved the dialogue in this story. It’s so authentic to today’s teens, and Amerie is clever, witty, and snarky. She and her friends had me laughing so hard. And Marshall. Can you say bad boy with major attitude that gets your heart pumping? So much angst in this guy that my poor heart just couldn’t handle it. Not to mention cage fighting? Hawt! Swoon. Give me.

I recommend My Heart Be Damned for every lover of YA Paranormal Romance that wants a new, tough heroine and swoon-worthy guys to take them away. It’s a wonderful read. 

Author website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

TRISH

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead!

The Golden Lily: Bloodlines #2

By Richelle Mead

Release Date: 06/12/12

Hardcover/e-book

417 pages

Book Description from Goodreads:

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

***

Dear Sydney,

I know you don’t have much experience in real life social situations so I'm going to let the fact that you can't see what that Adrian is totally crushing you, slide. But seriously girl, wake up and smell the coffee! You know for being so smart, you can be really oblivious about a lot of things…especially after that ending!

-Nereyda

I don’t know why I do this to myself. I knew that I should have waited longer to read this book, I knew that Richelle would leave us with such a wicked ending (because let’s face it, she always does). I completely devoured this book and now I'm gonna go crazy waiting for book 3! When I started reading Bloodlines, I had no idea where Richelle would take us with Sydney or Adrian. If someone would have told me that she might have paired them together I would have thought that would have been a horrible idea since they are so completely different. But, as it turns out they end up having a lot of things in common. I was also beyond surprised that the more I read about Sydney and Adrian, the more I liked them and was rooting for them as a couple. Although nothing really happened between them in Bloodlines, it left me with hope that something would happen in The Golden Lily. And let me tell you that Richelle Mead did not disappoint!

Sydney has feared vampires all her life. But the more time she spends with Adrian, Jill, Eddie and Evangeline the more she realizes that they are normal people. She doesn’t freak out over every little thing anymore and she actually looks forward to spending time with them. Although the occasional thing like magic and blood still freak her out, Sydney grows a lot in this book, but she’s not the only one. Although everyone writes Adrian off as a lazy, drunk, party-boy, only Sydney can look past all that and see the real Adrian. They spend a lot of time together in this book and I loved every single second of it! One of her school friends sets her up with Brayden, who is “perfect” guy for her. Yet, every time she spends time with him she just feels…blah, and ends up thinking about someone Adrian instead. Reading the scenes between Sydney and Brayden were painfully boring and I couldn’t wait for them to be over. Luckily there weren’t many of those scenes.

I never thought that I could possibly love Adrian anymore but once again Richelle does the impossible. She opens us up to a whole different side of Adrian that will leave even the most hardcore Dimitri fans swooning over him! He was very sweet with Sydney without losing any of his trademark snarky and witty attitude. Seriously, how Sydney could not realize that he likes her is a mystery to me. Unless she was just in denial… Their friendship was one of those slowly growing ones that can be frustrating at times, but you just know that it will all be worth it once they do finally come together. And like I said before, Richelle Mead can do cliffhanger endings like no other. The ending of The Golden Lily was no exception. I kept turning the pages desperately hoping that there might be just a couple pages left. If you had any doubts about Sydney/Adrian, this book will make sure a Sydrian believer too!

I was hoping I liked Jill a little bit better than I did in VA or in Bloodlines, but she just doesn’t really do anything for me. She was much less annoying though. One character I was pleasantly surprised with was Evangeline. She also goes through some big changes in this book and I want to learn more about her. One of my new favorite characters is Eddie (mini-Dimitri). I’ve always liked him in the VA books and I really hope he gets some happiness coming his way soon.

The Golden Lily is an action-packed adventure full of new dangers and new possible relationships. One thing that did disappoint me was that Rose didn’t make an appearance. The Golden Lily leaves a lot of unanswered questions that have left me eagerly counting the days until the release of the next book, The Indigo Spell. Luckily, we won't have to wait that long for it since it is scheduled to be released 02/12/13. Thank the publishing gods! Richelle Mead once again proves why she is one of my all-time favorite authors. If she writes it, I shall read it!

5 out of 5 very sparkly stars!

Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from The Golden Lily:

-"Nice blouse, Sage," he told me, deadpan. "It really brings out the khaki in your pants."

-Adrian ordered a martini, earning disapproving looks from his father and me.

"It's barely noon," said Nathan.

"I know," said Adrian. "I'm surprised I held out that long too."

-Adrian looked away from me and down to where my hand covered his. I blushed and pulled away. "Sorry." I'd probably freaked him out.

He glanced back at me. "Best thing that's happened to me all day."

-"Sage," he said. "What are you wearing?"

I sighed and stared down at the dress. "I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it."

"Funny," he said. "I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it."

- “No one can look at you in this dress, in all that fire and gold, and start talking about anachronisms. If I were him, I would have said "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth."

-I was being reminded more and more that humans were just as capable a vampires of evil-and that vampires were capable of good.

-I couldn’t believe that Adrian’s sluggish attitude had turned out to be the problem here. I’d expected the hang-up would’ve been me not wanting to touch a vampire, but it didn’t bother me at all. I wasn't thinking of him as a vampire. He was Adrian.

-“You're in an awfully good mood,” he observed. “Was there a sale at Khakis-R-Us?”

-He reached out and pulled me to him, one hand on my waist and the other behind my neck. He tipped my head up and lowered his lips to mine. I closed my eyes and as my whole body was consumed by that kiss.

-“I know how you guys feel about us. I'm not stupid, and believe me, I've tried to get you out of my head. but there isn’t enough liquor or art or any other distraction in the world to do it.”

Click HERE to read my review of Bloodlines!

About the Author

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Posted by Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed