Mysterious Saturday Review: The Haunted Lighthouse

 * Book 2 in the Code Busters series- read my review for Book 1 *

The club receives a mysterious message the night before a class field trip to Alcatraz.  The next morning, each of them finds a fourth of a note waiting for them outside their house. When they put the note together, it adds to the mystery.

Once on the island, they find the tour fascinating, especially when they're told the story about Diamond Dave - who supposedly drew a map to the location of diamonds he stole. The diamonds have never been recovered.

Once they hear that story, the club wonder if the diamonds are the mystery they're supposed to be solving. During their exploration time on the island, they visit the lighthouse looking for clues. Could they be on to something or is it a wild goose chase?

My Thoughts: I loved the setting of the book - the field trip to Alcatraz and hearing the stories of the island. I liked the treasure hunt through the city and how the club put together the clues. I loved the ending and Cody's father's involvement. I really like the different puzzles throughout the book - making it an interactive read.

Cover Thoughts: Love it.
Source: Sent for review

Review: Infnityglass

 * Book 3 in the Hourglass trilogy (Hourglass and Timepiece)*

Hallie has always lived a sheltered life -without knowing the real reason. When Dune comes into her life, she believes he's the new security detail.

She gives him the slip but he finds her. She pesters him, until he comes clean and tells her the truth.

It turns out - she could fix EVERYTHING - but only if Hourglass can keep her safe. People want to use her as weapon, including her own mother.

Hallie knows the dangers, but she's not about to go down without a fight.

My Thoughts: I really love this trilogy - for the romance, the nerdy references, the danger, and the intrigue. I love the idea of time travel. I found Hallie to be snarky and amusing, always pushing the envelope to get attention, but also tough and lonely. I admired her - for her strength and determination.  I love Dune - with his sad past but potentially bright future. I love how he took Hallie's challenges head on. I enjoyed the dual perspectives. I'm sad to see these characters go...

Cover Thoughts: Pretty
Source: Sent for review.

If you want to read this book, stay tuned for a giveaway later this week.

Nobody Contest

Yesterday I reviewed Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Today I'm giving it away. Not sure if you want to read Nobody. Trust me - you do. Check out my review here.

But wait there's more. You can also win a paperback copy of Every Other Day - which you also want to read. My review for this awesome stand alone is here.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes books are an automatic read for me, I love them all. Now's your chance to read these amazing books too.

Thanks to Media Masters Publicity:
1 Winner will receive both a hardcover copy of Nobody and a paperback of Every Other Day.
(US and Canada only)
Please leave a comment by FRIDAY January 25th by midnight EST with your email so I can get in touch with you.

For more info on Jen's GREAT books, check out her twitter and the publisher's twitter and facebook. 

* Follow Egmont USA on Facbook: http://www.facebook.com/EgmontUSA

* Follow Egmont USA on Twitter: @EgmontUSA

*  Follow Jennifer on twitter: @jenlynnbarnes

Review: Nobody

 

* Comes out Tomorrow*

  

Nix is nothing. No one will ever love him. No one can see him, unless he wants them to, and those people will forget him within seconds. He is Nobody.

Due to his unique abilities, (he can fade his body to walk through walls) he's sent to kill people - bad people. He's awfully good at it, until he meets his new target Claire.

Claire isn't a Null. She's just a girl and she can see Nix. For the first time, Nix hesitates. He's not sure why the Society wants her dead. When he realizes that she can see him, he knows she's NOT a Null. Nix starts questioning the Society and why they gave him orders to kill her. He knows that neither of them are safe, so he kidnaps her until he can figure it all out. 

My Thoughts: I adore Jennifer Lynn Barnes's book. Her newest book is fabulous. It's a perfect blend of science fiction, thriller, and romance. It's heartbreaking at times and at other times, very funny.  Nix and Claire have a mutual attraction, but they each need to work out their own fears about each other. I love Claire's strength and her ability to see the good in the world which has ignored her for 16 years. I find Nix troubled, but sweet. I loved the scene where Claire takes him to the library and the scene where he builds her a bookcase.  Overall, a great book about two teens discovering their abilities, along with their strengths and weaknesses in a world that doesn't appreciate them. 

Cover Thoughts: LOVE IT!
Source: Media Masters Publicity

If you think this one sounds good, come back tomorrow for a giveaway!!!

BBAW: An Old Favorite Book

I remember waiting for The Cinderella Society. I fell in the love with the cover. I love Princess stories. I was So happy when an ARC came my way. I devoured this book and haven't stopped handing it off to teens who love Princess stories, who love Meg Cabot, who love secret societies. It's a fabulous fun read!

In college, I decorated the ceilings of my rooms with pictures from magazines. At work, I've decorated the walls with...book covers, movie posters from books, stickers, and magazines photos that make me smile. The Cinderella Society is one of the book covers posted on my wall - but this one's special because right above it, I have a promotional postcard from Kay with my thoughts: 

Makeovers, secret societies, romance, and showdowns, 

I LOVED this book!

I love her highlighting my quote. Getting this postcard totally made my day!

I love the shoe on top of the pink boxes and the fancy writing! 

Review: Taken By Storm

 * 3rd book in the series *

Bryn has power to survive almost anything. She's not sure she's going to survive this latest trouble. Shay calls a Senate meeting.

There'a rabid werewolf on the loose, leaving bodies in remote locations. This rogue werewolf must be taken care of. However Shay has reason to believe this werewolf just might be female.

He has a plan ready to set in motion, but his plan involves crossing territories that aren't his. Together with Callum's help, Bryn gains one week to confirm her fears, that the werewolf is Maddy and try to bring her back into the pack.

Bryn knows that deep down Shay's wants her land, but especially her pack which contains the majority of female werewolves. Bryn will die fighting for her pack; she'll do anything to survive his attack. Unless she's not strong enough - this time.

My Thoughts: This is my favorite werewolf series - hands down! I adore Jennifer Lynn Barnes and her books.


I love Bryn for her strength, loyalty, determination, and her love. She's such a strong powerful character. I adore her snark and her wit. I love the depth of her friendships with Lake and Devon. I liked learning more about Lake's emotions. As always, I found Devon charming and funny. They have great banter. 


Plot twists came at me out of nowhere and dumbfounded me. I needed to moment to breath and to wrap my head around it again. Just as I suspected one thing, everything changed again. The twists were shocking and sometimes heartbreaking. There were sad moments in this book, but moments that I understood needed to happen. 


I love the way it ended, a fabulous book that I devoured.


More Coming? Here's the Jen says on her blog:I can’t say for sure that this is the last book I’ll ever write about Bryn, but I can say that I would be happy with it as a finale if it were—. Personally, I hope there's more coming because I adore this series.
Cover Thoughts: I really like it! Source: My Library

Review: Timepiece

* Timespiece comes out June 12th.  
It's the sequel to Hourglass *

Kaleb meets Lily in a club one night - the night he learns the truth about the time continuum.  It's the night Emerson almost dies when the three friends are given an ultimatum. 

They must capture the elusive Jack in hopes of setting the time continuum back to normal. Otherwise, the past just might be re-written and might not include each other.

However, more and more rips are occurring and time is blending. Answers are hard to come by. Kaleb's father doesn't want him involved. He tries to keep Kaleb out of the group, but it's impossible. Kaleb feels everything and he's not about to sit around while there's work to do.

Lily (Em's best friend), Em, Michael, and Kaleb hunt down information that could help them. They're not sure what they're looking for and time is running out. Will they uncover enough information before the deadline or will their lives rewind? 

My Thoughts: I really really liked it! Timepiece is from Kaleb's perspective, which surprised me. I really liked Kaleb in Hourglass, but I did want to read more from Emerson and Michael. 


In the beginning, Kaleb's drowning his empathy ability in alcohol to numb the pain. He doesn't think his decisions through, making him a wild card. However, he's fiercely loyal. He changes through the book as he comes to understand the grave consequences of the broken timelines.  


The relationships within this series are amazing. I love the banter between him and Lily, it made me chuckle. Kaleb has family issues - with his mother in a coma and a father who almost died. His relationship with Michael is strained because Kaleb's father turns to Michael and not his own son. Plus Michael doesn't like Kaleb's relationship with Em. Em and Kaleb share a love, a love that's strong and determined. 


The time travel and time continuum is confusing to follow. I like uncovering pieces of the puzzle along with the main characters. I'm so looking forward to understanding it all when it comes together.  


Holy Cliff Hanger Ending! I really need book 3!

Cover Thoughts: I like it and it's beautiful, but I still don't understand it

Source: Netgalley