6 Heart Review: The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

The Sweet Spot
Stephanie Evanovich

Page Count: 272
Release Date: July 8th 2014
Publisher: William Morrow (Harper Collins)
Source: Complimentary ARC provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC Book Tours!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A sizzling story of everyone’s favorite couple from amazing Stephanie Evanovich’s New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties: hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife Amanda.

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late-night punchline. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | iTunes | Kobo | Google Play | Publisher

Review

"Chase," [Amanda] began steadily, but her voice cracked as soon as she said his name, "you seemed like you really knew what you were doing there."
"I do," he stated, very matter of fact, seemingly engrossed in [his paper], but with the corners of his mouth starting to turn up.
"Like you've done that sort of thing before."
"I have." He grinned, turning the page and scanning it.
"And that if we keep seeing each other, it's something you'll want to do again?"
"I will." He nodded, still grinning.
His two-word, nonchalant answers and perceived lack of interest was starting to completely unnerve her. She hadn't even come out directly to say what she was talking about and he was behaving like they had entered into a pact that only he was privy to.
"What if I don't want you to?"
Chase finally looked up from his paper, his eyes spearing her from across the granite island. "Then you better not be naughty."

The highly anticipated prequel to Stephanie Evanovich's Big Girl Panties, The Sweet Spot is the story of how Chase and Amanda Walker met, fell in love, fell out, and ended up together—detailedly following the fiery couple with very singular tastes that we all know and love from the first book. I was a huge fan of the pair in Big Girl Panties, but was disappointed with them in The Sweet Spot. In BGP, we only had short, sporadic moments with both Chase and Amanda, but whenever we did, they were always funny, always charming, and always erotic. In The Sweet Spot, all of that fades to the background and what we're left with is a rather forceful and obsessed alpha hero, lots of unnecessary angst, and mediocre sex. Evanovich proves in this flashback novel that sometimes, using your imagination to know what goes on behind the scenes is better than actually going behind the scenes yourself.

It wasn't a terrible read, by any means. It isn't outstanding or anywhere near as funny as Big Girl Panties, but it is a simple, predictable boy-meets-girl romance with entertaining banter and a light flavor of kink. Featuring two characters who are feisty in their own way—a dominant, all-American celebrity athlete and a beautiful, fiercely independent restaurant owner—it's rather amusing and a light, airy read, but along those lines, it isn't complex or suspenseful either. The plot progresses very straightforwardly, and there's really no building action or climax; things just happen. Chase and Amanda just do things. There's no real action or development, and that's one of the biggest issues I had with the book.

Obviously, a complication in reviewing this novel is that my opinions are not absolute, but wholly relative. While reading The Sweet Spot, I couldn't help but compare it to Big Girl Panties the entire time—and by compare, I mean bitch to myself about how it wasn't as good as the prior. It just isn't. Evanovich's style is flatter, with lots of telling over showing, and her trademark humor (that I loved in Holly, the protagonist of BGP) just isn't there. I thought the aspect of Chase and Amanda's little bedroom hobby—a little light spanking, nothing explicit—would be sexy at least, but it wasn't. Whatever sexual chemistry that was supposed to be formed between them was completely rushed, and if anything, the "kink" is more of a tongue-in-cheek twist on eroticism; I found it more ridiculous than hot.

Lastly... the one character I couldn't take seriously was the ever-serious Mr. Chase Walker baseball-extraordinaire himself. I know his relentless pursuit of Amanda and over-the-top romantic affections are supposed to show he's the ultimate "alpha male," but they really made him seem corny, pathetic, and REALY CREEPY. –Spoiler alert!– When Amanda initially snubs him, he pretty much stalks her, showing up at her work every day for a few weeks straight, and even getting his security guys to find out where she lives. For a fictional Babe Ruth, he certainly has a lot of time on his hands!! –Spoiler end!– He also has the urge to consistently validate his masculinity by saying things like (verbatim!):

"My ego does not require I have a girlfriend half my size to make me a bigger man. I am already a monster. I do not want or need a woman I can bench-press. I prefer a woman of substance, with softness and curves. One I know is able to handle my passion, one that can nurture my babies."

Babies??????? He's about to bone a girl for the first time and he talks about babies???????!!!

Pros

Quickly paced, easy to get absorbed in // Entertaining banter between Chase and Amanda // Amanda is fun, likable

Cons

Rather disappointing; Chase and Amanda's relationship sounded better in Big Girl Panties than it actually was in The Sweet Spot // Very little character or relationship development // Overall pretty bland; very little excitement, no surprises, no twists // Chase sounds hot, but really annoying; I didn't think very highly of him // Logan is only mentioned once. What the hell is this a prequel for?!?!

Verdict

The Sweet Spot, an account of the coming-together of the fun, flirty couple we first fell in love with in Big Girl Panties, overall was disappointing; it doesn't go in-depth with the relationship that I perceived as sizzling and complicated, and in fact, is rather watery and lacks any plot-forward action. While there are some amusing anecdotes about the celebrity lifestyle, true-to-life struggles with control and trust, and some good 'n' clean spanking (yes, I just said clean! Who knew S&M could be made so proper?), I think I was mainly let down because I expected so much after reading the first book. Stephanie Evanovich's sophomore novel isn't anything grand, but it does serve as a mushy romance between a hunky baseball player and a nice-girl business woman with the tendency to misbehave 

6 hearts: Decent for a first read, but I'm not going back; this book is decidedly average (whatever that means!) (x)

10 Heart Review: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Allie Brosh

Page Count: 369
Release Date: October 29th 2013
Publisher: Touchstone (Simon & Schuster)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Simon & Schuster!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Features new material and stories from HyperboleAndAHalf.blogspot.com

This is a book I wrote. Because I wrote it, I had to figure out what to put on the back cover to explain what it is. I tried to write a long, third-person summary that would imply how great the book is and also sound vaguely authoritative—like maybe someone who isn’t me wrote it—but I soon discovered that I’m not sneaky enough to pull it off convincingly:

• "...some might say the book is full of stories..."
• "...It could be claimed that this has more pictures than the dictionary..."
• "...IS GREAT BOOK."

So I decided to just make a list of things that are in the book:

• Pictures
• Words
• Stories about things that happened to me
• Stories about things that happened to other people because of me
• Eight billion dollars*
• Stories about dogs
• The secret to eternal happiness*

*These are lies. Perhaps I have underestimated my sneakiness!

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo | Publisher

Review

Allie Brosh's pinpointed humor, childish yet not-quite-childish anecdotes, and incredibly self-realized life stories at her cherished blog, Hyperbole and a Half, are what made her an internet icon. You either have never heard of her, or worship the ground upon she walks. There is no in-between.

For the first time, her illustrated memoir essays are bound, and this print volume features not only eight of her most popular and most affecting blog entries, but also ten brand-new original pieces that will remind you of why you fell in love with her blog in the first place—or if you're unfamiliar with it, just how much you've been missing out.

Hyperbole and a Half is so well known for its bizarrely hilarious cartoons; as exemplified in the infamous "CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!" meme, her essays are accompanied by intentionally rudimentary Paint (et al.) illustrations that bring her personality and wit to life. Some daft early readers commented "I could draw way better than you!" on her posts, and well, that's the point. (Those readers didn't last very long).

Brosh's short memoirs are so special because they are highly conscientious, highly exaggerated (hence the hyperbole part), and perfectly capture the essence of identity and self-acceptance. I find it magical how she manages to be sentimental without being corny, intellectual without being standoffish, and comical without being snarky. She covers nostalgic topics like the mishaps of childhood, edgy topics like chronic depression, and downright entertaining topics like the weird and lovable beasts that are dogs. I swear to you: THERE ARE SO MANY DOGS IN THIS BOOK. If you have dogs, this is a must-read for a good laugh. If you have ever struggled with depression or self-doubt, this is a must-read for harsher realities and a sliver ever-burning hope. If you had a childhood, this is a must-read because—don't even lie to me: everyone was a child once. This book—and blog!—is simply a must-read, no excuses.

Pros

Some of my favorite essays from the blog selected // New content is fresh and original; did not disappoint  // Dorky, strange, hilarious // Spunky and kooky; makes you want to be Allie's BFF // Appropriate for all ages // Still manages to be deeply meaningful and substantial

Cons

Not enough stories! I want MORE

Love

Verdict

This blog-inspired collection of full-color-illustrated memoirs—ranging from lifetime reflections to random observant wisps of humor—is guaranteed to fill you with nostalgia, cripple you with laughter, and become your next internet obsession. An adult graphic novel that would just as easily please preteens, Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened is entertaining, wacky, and at times, even somber—and this attitude of not taking things too seriously, yet still being sincere, makes it that much more of an extraordinary experience. Brosh's intelligent but self-deprecating humor will charm you and disarm you. This is a book to be read over and over again 

10 hearts: I'm speechless; this book is an extraordinarily amazingly wonderfully fantastically marvelous masterpiece. Drop everything and go buy yourself a copy now! (x)

7 Heart Review: The Facebook Diet by Gemini Adams

The Facebook Diet (Unplug)
Gemini Adams

Page Count: 146
Release Date: May 24th 2013
Publisher: Live Consciously Publishing
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Live Consciously!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A tongue-in-cheek look at our love of social media through 50 hilarious cartoons that complete the question, "You Know You're a Facebook Addict When...?"

Award-winning author and artist, Gemini Adams, offers a hilarious look at the most idiotic, embarrassing and cringe-worthy behaviors of our social media excess.


With over 1 billion people now on Facebook (that's 1 in every 7 of us) and over 30% checking their account before brushing their teeth or hair in the mornings, it seems most can confess to an addictive Facebook habit; whether it's stalking an ex, faking bathroom breaks to read news, checking-in wherever they go, or art-directing photo's for the perfect profile pic.


Packed with funny digital detox tips that gently 'poke' at readers to examine the health of their high-tech habits and unplug once in a while, this laugh-out-loud gift book is guaranteed to bring a smile of recognition to Facebook junkies everywhere!

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Kobo | Publisher

Review

Such an overly wired world like ours needs the occasional humorous reflection to prevent us from getting completely lost within the techosphere, and a simple solution is the Facebook Diet: a Facebook detox every once in a while. This may seem completely impossible for some (and if that's the case, you need this book NOW!!), while completely irrelevant to others, but regardless of the number of messages in your inbox, the urgency of your unread notifications, or how many friend requests you have pending, Gemini Adams's fully illustrated cartoon-style book is bound to entertain Facebook users of every kind.

Some of the "symptoms" of Facebook addiction will totally have you thinking That is so me, while others are just plain silly, but this variety and balance is what makes The Facebook Diet such a lighthearted, ironic read.

What I love is how Gemini Adams isn't just about being funny; she genuinely has a purpose with this book: to reveal to social media addicts (like yours truly) how much technology is taking over our lives. While this obviously isn't anything ground-breaking or extremely eye-opening, it's a comical, refreshing reminder of what matters and what really doesn't in life.

Pros

Accessible format; easy to skim and enjoy the "You know you're a Facebook addict when..." list // Relevant in today's tech-filled community // Great as a gag gift and for Facebook geeks

Cons

Chuckle-worthy, but not actually hysterical... // Illustrations aren't that cute

Love

Here's a sneak peek of what the book entails:

Verdict

Mostly amusing, a little vulgar, and completely modern, The Facebook Diet is a socially pertinent and yet still entertaining collection that will not only help you diagnose and cure your Facebook addiction, but also bring a smile to your face. I don't think this is exactly laugh-at-loud-worthy, but it's still a cute anecdote for our internet-dependent culture 

7 hearts: Not perfect, but overall enjoyable; borrow, don't buy! (x)

8 Heart Review: The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot

The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells Mysteries #5)
Meg Cabot

Page Count: 400
Release Date: September 24th 2013
Publisher: William Morrow (Harper Collins)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Heather Wells is used to having her cake and eating it too, but this time her cake just might be cooked. Her wedding cake, that is.

With her upcoming nuptials to PI Cooper Cartwright only weeks away, Heather's already stressed. And when a pretty junior turns up dead, Heather's sure things can't get worse—until every student in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather's long-lost mother shows up.

Heather has no time for a tearful mother and bride reunion. She has a wedding to pull off and a murder to solve. Instead of wedding bells, she might be hearing wedding bullets, but she's determined to bring the bad guys to justice if it's the last thing she does... and this time, it just might be.

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo

Review

I grew up on Meg Cabot's books. The Princess Diaries, All-American Girl, Avalon High, The Mediator... these are the novels that shaped my love for the young adult genre, which was why I jumped on the chance to review the newest book in her most popular adult fiction series. The Heather Wells Mysteries have been around for quite a while, but in this most recent installment, the quirky, lovable heroine is back, and she's getting married—but that doesn't mean things will be calming down for her. In fact, it's just the opposite; when a student in her residence hall turns up dead even before classes start at New York College, she'll have to use her resources—and her wits—to get to the bottom of the fishy business going on in Fischer Hall—and save her wedding.

The Bride Wore Size 12 is true to Cabot's hilarious, pitch-perfect style. Impossible to put down and funny to the core, it's fabulously misleading and unpredictable until that one moment when the truth will click and everything rushes together. While it will have you at the edge of your seat and your heart pounding erratically throughout, I consider it a triumphant flourish of a feel-good novel—because just reading it will definitely make you a happier person.

Heather is a delightful narrator—both likable and genuine! I love how she's hard-working, clumsy (there's a little bit of each of us in her personality!), but still super sharp. What I admire so much is how, even though she never strays far from her beliefs and herself, she still has vulnerabilities and tenderness that make her so human. Empowered by the people who love and care for her at her side—as well as the thought of finally marrying the man of her dreams—she is able to plow through any problem that's headed her way, including the unfortunate incident among the students and an unpleasant reminder of her past.

I was also extremely impressed by how true-to-life the university backdrop of the novel was, as Cabot's fictional settings tend to be. It's SO realistic, and I can vouch for this with certainty because there are exact parallels with my own college; Meg Cabot definitely outdid herself with creating a "typical" college campus. I did feel like some of the mystery scenarios aren't as realistic, such as how easily Heather is able to get information from security and the police, but those are little logistics. For a mystery novel with less gravity than most, however, that wasn't too big an issue.

Although this book is the 5th in the series, it makes a phenomenal standalone novel. I had no problem following, even without having read the previous books. However, now my curiosity is piqued to actually try them—that's how much I loved this one!

Pros

Heather is such a likable heroine // Cooper is dreamy // College is realistically described // Breezily hysterical // Very effortless readability // Every single character is vivid and so well portrayed, even the villains and minor characters! // Cute contemporary tone // Murder mystery is actually well plotted and suspenseful

Cons

Not as much romance as I would have liked, but I'm guessing the previous novels have more of Heather and Cooper! // Slightly unrealistic depiction of a murder case

Love

"How about y'all take a seat now, and let's get right to business," Muffy says ... we all do as she suggested and take a seat, with the exception of Special Agent Lancaster, who declares he'd prefer to stand. I suppose if he sat down, the stick up his butt would lodge so deeply into his brain that he would instantly expire, and then we'd have another corpse on our hands, so it's just as well.

Verdict

The latest pickle Heather Wells gets herself into perfectly demonstrates the magic of Meg Cabot; the story the acclaimed author creates is addicting, suspenseful but still light-hearted, and one of those books you just hate to put down. The snarky yet compassionate, tongue-in-cheek yet sincere, and entertaining yet straightforward tone dictates a college-set murder investigation in this contemporary cozy mystery. If you're looking for a new adult novel with substance and style—as well as a good laugh—don't miss out on The Bride Wore Size 12 and the entire series 

8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended (x)

4 Heart Review: Blubber Island by Ismael Galvan

Blubber Island
Ismael Galvan

Page Count: 195
Release Date: 22 August 2012
Publisher: self-published
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Blubber Island is a philosophical, dark comedy written in the genre of gutter surrealism.

The story centers on a cast of unique characters struggling to maintain and disrupt the fabric of reality. Using a blend of the outrageous and metaphysical, the question is asked: Is human freedom better off without reality?

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Sony eStore | Kobo | Smashwords

Review

Blubber Island was an experience. Gory and action-packed, Galvan's debut is no literary masterpiece, but I was mildly amused by the length of creativity put into the fantastical storyline.

We all know what surrealism texts are like, but this is not surrealism: it's a self-coined genre: gutter surrealism. I was expecting a nittier and grittier Haruki Marukami, but that's not at all what I got.

There's a nice, clear start, but after a while, the plot gets jumbled and I got annoyed with the author's strong affinity for clichés and painfully imaginative, far-fetched analogies and similes, e.g.: "The plague stopped moving up the stairs like a stream of turds hitting a dam" and "His eyelids looked like two swollen vaginas" and the real humdinger: "Estrada's bobbling lollypop head exploded like a Mexican piñata stuffed with M-80s and pig assholes." The writing is tasteless and humorless; the tastelessness, I can appreciate, but the fact that nothing is ever remotely funny nor profound, is a bit irritating. Like this shouldn't be a book, just a bunch of inscribed doodles compiled into a 195-page ordeal.

This book had plenty of potential but the weak style and incomprehensible story disappointed me. Blubber Island needs a lot of cleaning-up to do if it wants to hit a responsive audience.

Pros

Occasional bouts of penetrating insight // Interesting first few chapters

Cons

In desperate need of an(other) editor // Painful clichés used // No foundation of structure, dialogue, grammar, or writing conventions, whatsoever, which impedes overall comprehension // Messy plot

Love

"Chaos is only destruction and suffering about the half the time. The other half is peace, love, and substance abuse. It's the original condition of the universe. Chaos is what we came from, and it's what we live and what we'll return to."

Verdict

Bizarre in the most delusional way, Ismael Galvan's Blubber Island is a grotesque, macabre mess of a tale about the role of reality (whatever "reality" may be) and the power of the human psyche. The feeble writing and irrelevant superfluity were exasperating, to say the least; unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy this one 

4 hearts: So-so; reading this book may cause wrinkles (from frowning so much) (x)

Author: Melodie Campbell Guest and Giveaway!

Brought to you by TLC Book Tours...

The Goddaughter
Melodie Campbell

Page Count: 144
Release Date: 1 September, 2012
Publisher: Orca Book Publishing

Stolen jewels, a cross-country chase, and a reluctant mob goddaughter make for a whole lot of laughs!

Despite her best efforts to lead a law-abiding life, Gina Gallo cannot quite escape her mob family. Since she’s a certified gemologist, Gina has become a key player in the family’s gem-smuggling operations. Now she has met a great guy, a reporter named Pete, and she’ll do almost anything to keep him from discovering her shady side. But when a gem delivery goes awry, Gina has to take Pete along for the ride.

Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know by Hy Conrad & Jeff Johnson: Promo and Giveaway!

Brought to you by Virtual Book Tour Café...

Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You To Know by Hy Conrad & Jeff Johnson

Released April 2012 from Sourcebooks...

Why do dogs eat furniture when there are endless chew toys nearby?

Why do they always dash to a rug when they have to throw up?

And why are they always absolutely starving?

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know answers the questions that dog owners have asked for centuries. The book is a collection of 115 humorous essays that reveal the truth behind some of the most baffling canine behavior, their hopes and dreams, their grudges and pleasures, and what they really think about us humans. Peppered with lively, clever stories and visually appealing photographs, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is a verbal and visual delight that is laugh-out-loud funny.

If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer

Loving Lady Marcia (House of Brady #1)
Kieran Kramer

Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's (MacMillan)

Page Count: 349

Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via Innovative Online Book Tours, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you both!!)

In the House of Brady, three very lovely girls have hair of gold—and hearts to match—but finding a match among the gentlemen of London is one comedy of errors that could bring down the house... 

MARCIA GETS SCHOOLED...

Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor. 

ON THE SUBJECT OF LOVE

A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch...?

What Stephanie Thinks: I've heard so much about Kieran Kramer, and how amazing she is, so when I picked up Loving Lady Marcia, which is in every way a classic regency romance (not my favorite genre usually, but read on), I had pretty high expectations. "This better be good," I thought to myself. I even suspected I might be that one person who didn't like Kramer. But alas, I was, as with the book, delighted with her.

Loving Lady Marcia is the first installment in the House of Brady series, which, if you haven't figured out by now, is a historically romantic parody of The Brady Bunch. I LOVE that show, call me old-fashioned, so when I first connected all the names (we are introduced to Marcia's lovely sisters, Janice and Cynthia Brady—isn't that adorable?) I was absolutely thrilled. While the setting is 1819 England, the situation is very relatable and seems 'contemporary'.

Five years ago, beautiful, innocent, fifteen-year-old Marcia gave everything to Finn, the boy she knew as soon as she met eyes with, would be the love of her life. Everything. She thought they had a love that nothing else could surpass, that is, until one day he abruptly left for America by his aloof brother, Duncan's, orders. Marcia was devastated, so she swore off men and decided to become a headmistress at a girls' school—the only other position in her life she had ever felt so passionate about.

Now, she's a regal age of twenty and a bit of an enigma. She is known for her particular beauty and grace and has hundreds of suitors, but much to her parents' disappointment, she stays true to her own vows. Enter, suddenly, into her life again, Finn... God, he's more handsome than ever, but even worse... enter, Duncan.

Though five years ago she and Duncan had a difficult acquaintance, she can't help but feel attracted to him. He's charming, mysterious, relentless—and he's got an air of composure that his brother, and other men she knows, lack. But why must she? He's the one who ruined her relationship with Finn, after all... or is he?

I love love loved this book. Marcia's heartbreak is so realistic and so distressing, but at the time the story takes place, she's such a strong, dazzling character that I so admire. Her main love interests, Finn and Duncan, come to life within the pages as well. Finn is someone that I, like Marcia, immediately fell for, but grew to distrust and dislike by the book's end, as Kramer would have wanted. Duncan was harder to grow on, but eventually I saw him as the man of substance, the man truly after a woman's heart, so I fell in love with him too. Kramer is excellent at breathing life into each of her characters, even the minor ones, and getting to know them was such a ride.

The chemistry is steamy, the banter, witty and warm and wry. The dialogue is highly realistic and the situations just perfect. I smiled at every one of Marcia and Duncan's interactions—they are just so meant to be! Their taboo relationship composed of nighttime rendezvous, fateful and completely lucky bumping-intos, and very very naughty activities involving Duncan's skilled fingers, set the pages on fire. Above all, the emotional turmoil and suffering portrayed in Loving Lady Marcia is what make it such a special romance novel. Loss of innocence, and even worse, loss of trust, is conveyed thoroughly and painfully, but in the end, its resurgence is what fuels the heart.

I look forward to the next books in the House of Brady series... how could I resist Janice and Cynthia's stories? Definitely definitely recommend this one to all lovers of humorous, but still deeply resonant romance stories (even if, like me, you're not particularly fond of historicals!). Thanks to Kramer's smooth and cheeky style, I not once, felt like I was trudging through this book. I guarantee you won't either.

Stephanie Loves: "'It's never the right time to tell someone you love them,' Lord Brady said, 'whether it's a father, a brother, a daughter, or a woman you cherish. But it must be done. You take the risk of having it flung back in your face sometimes. But you do it anyway.'" 

Radical Rating: 9 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

Kevin's Point of View
Del Shannon

Release Date: May 19th, 2011

Publisher: Flatiron View (self-published)

Page Count: 395

Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death.

A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected.

Del Shannon's imaginative story, appreciation for the powers of family and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it, and fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style make this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.

What Stephanie Thinks: I breezed through this action-packed, humorous, yet in the end, compelling and completely satisfying novel and think that all readers, not just the middle-grade audience, will be able to enjoy it. Kevin's Point of View revolves around 12-year-old Kevin and his best friend, Tony, who by coincidence, or perhaps by fate, become involved in a lethal chase for the obscure, yet all-powerful Influxitron. They embark on a whirlwind of an adventure, aiming to both escape the villains after the strange device and ultimately, after Kevin and Tony's lives, as well as figure out how exactly it works and how it can help them.

The basis of the storyline is pretty morbid. Kevin, who's perfectly intelligent and competent a boy, has been plagued by hallucinations ever since the passing of his father a year ago. One might think he's just acting immaturely for his age, but we soon figure out why he zones out every once in a while, which shows just how deep and self-aware a character Kevin is.

When the power of time travel, the Influxitron, falls into his hands, he flirts with an idea, something he know can only remain an idea, but something he will, with the help of his imagination and friends, die trying to attempt. There's one catch though: someone else is after the Influxitron, and they just might be even more desperate than Kevin is... desperate enough to kill.

While a story that encompasses a sixth grader as a protagonist might be expected to target a younger audience (ages 7-11), I think a slightly older range of kids will enjoy this one too, thanks to Shannon's relatively sophisticated voice and the book's more mature themes, including the death of a parent, the line between mental illness and imagination, death threats, and some potentially frightening combat scenes. So I would recommend this maybe even to children up to the age of 13. Then there are readers like me (aka readers who will forever be children), who will appreciate Kevin's Point of View no matter the age restriction because of its fast pace and suspense, its subtle and often not-so-subtle humor, as well as its ultimately touching moral.

Even though I enjoyed this book, it's not one I personally can rave on and on about. For me, the reason it doesn't stick is because it lacks characterization. Kevin's mind is deeply probed, and he became a character I really liked, but the supporting characters, I would liked to have seen more from. Kevin's Point of View is a fun, fast read, with a vigor and rush that many children's books struggle to embrace, but all in all, it didn't have enough substance for me.

But is it a children's novel I suggest? Absolutely. Sit down with this one—you won't regret it! Another thing I love is the ending. Usually kiddie story happy endings can be annoying, a little too ideal, but this one was appropriate for its predicament. The little conflicts that are brought up in the midst of the book all tied together in the end perfectly, which is very creative and cunning on Shannon's part. If you or your child are looking for an easy, comical read about a troubled, but determined boy who gets mixed up in a wild journey in which he wreaks all sorts of havoc, but also finds his true calling, check out Kevin's Point of View; I guarantee you'll be in for a thrill.

Stephanie Loves: "'Give me the gun,' Kennedy demanded. 'You couldn't hit water if you fell out of a boat.'" — LOL

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

UPDATE: The author has completely reformatted the book, to try and submit it to a bighouse publisher. Both the cover and title have been changed. Here's the second edition of Kevin's Point of View, now called Captain Disaster Book One: The Influxitron:

Honestly I like the first edition's cover and title better. The new cover is well-drawn and accurate to the context of the book (unlike some books whose covers are annoyingly irrelevant to their texts), but it's kind of tacky. Maybe 9-year-old boys would like it, but it wouldn't propel me to read it any more, that's for sure. I like the title, Kevin's Point of View better too, it's so much more original! But I guess the new title does indicate better the series aspect to Kevin's saga. It's all for marketing—I'm sure the audience this book actually aims to will appreciate the second edition better than I do. What do you think? Either way, best of luck to Del Shannon in his newest endeavor!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau

Murder for Choir (Glee Club #1)
Joelle Charbonneau

Release Date: July 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Berkley Prime (Penguin)

Page Count: 294

Source: Complimentary copy provided by JKS Communications, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!) as part of the Murder for Choir book tour

This glee competition is killer...

Even as a struggling opera singer, Paige Marshall has never seen anything like the cutthroat competition of the Prospect Glen High School show choir. As their new coach, she's getting an icy reception from championship-hungry students who doubt she can take them to a first-place victory. Toughing this gig out may prove harder than scoring her big break...

Especially now that her best young male singer is suspected of killing the arrogant coach of Prospect Glen's fiercest rival choir. For Paige to clear his name, she'll have to sort through a chorus of suspects—and go note for note with a killer who'll do anything to knock her out of the spotlight for good...

What Stephanie Thinks: The competition between show choirs is fierce, but Paige's struggle to fit in at her new teaching position—while juggling a murder mystery of which she discovered the corpse (just her luck!)—even fiercer in Murder for Choir. For the most part, Charbonneau's first of the Glee Club mysteries is an amusing, fast-paced read. I love cozy mysteries, and found Paige's opera background and the Prospect Glen High's community to be a fresh, yet very realistic setting.

Paige never asked for any of it. All she wanted was a temporary job that would earn her enough to support her performer lifestyle. Her talent is renown—so what's she doing as an assistant choral director for snooty high school kids? Charbonneau wonderfully portrays the intimidation and desire for acceptance through Paige's relatively unworldly and clumsy eyes. While many of the interactions seem a bit exaggerated (I'm IN school, and have never encountered such rudeness that Paige deals with among her students), they do a good job at making her feel small, unwelcome. Add the murder of her rival director, an ill stream fate, and a small dose of curiosity (not to mention, hardheadedness), and yes: it might just be enough to do her over.

The book moves very quickly and never gets boring—that's what I love. Paige's klutziness is adorable and her humor sharp; readers will enjoy her fresh, strong-willed perspective. What I didn't favor so much was the mystery plot itself. Right off the bat, numerous suspects are listed (as Paige has the tendency to butt into situations, including murder cases, that she is instructed to stay away from). Each character Paige meets is looked at with suspicion, which doesn't leave much of a surprise nor bang at the end, when the perpetrator is finally caught. I know Charbonneau probably did this to confuse the reader and expand the pond of potential killers, but to me, it just made the conclusion dull. I like to be caught off guard, even with cozy mysteries. Murder for Choir is a fun, well-written story, but the ending just isn't worthwhile.

I don't have much to complain about regarding the writing. Charbonneau's style is acute, clever, and though a bit choppy, pleasantly straightforward. However, I didn't care for the structure of the book; it's too messy. All the events pass as a blur and none stand out significantly because the author crams too much into 294 pages. Paige attempts to solve anything and know everything, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but it does jumble the story a bit. I didn't like the inclusion of romance in this one either. Normally, I'm all for romance, but because there is no one prospect Paige is attracted to or attempts to pursue, it just adds on to the confusion. If her love interest was actually clear, it would have topped off Murder for Choir better. Heck, even if it had been expunged, and the mystery aspect of the book improved, Murder for Choir might have been better. 

There's a lot I'm criticizing here, but I'm just being picky, just recording the equation for my own ideal romantic cozy mystery *grin*. Despite my little disapprovals, Murder for Choir is light, witty book that I often found myself getting immersed in. Combining endless action with plenty of speculation, it's a crisp, modern murder mystery with a fearless heroine and a satisfying (though predictable) ending .

Stephanie Loves: "Aunt Millie hoisted herself off her chair. 'Devlyn, would you like to join us? I'm making spaghetti and meatballs.

I psychically sent Devlyn a message: Run. Save yourself.

'That sounds great. Thank you.'

Either my psychic powers sucked or Devlyn was a glutton for punishment." — hilarious!

Radical Rating: 7 hearts - Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥