Review: Crimson Frost

 **4th Book in the Mythos Academy series - contains SPOILERS from previous books**

Gwen's world is crumbling before her eyes.Her first official date with Logan is a complete disaster when his father shows up. Mr. Quinn is on the Protectorate Board. He wants to charge Gwen with willfully allowing Loki (God of Chaos) to escape.


Gwen's dumbfounded with this charge as she did everything in her power to stop the god from rising. Now the student body hates her and she's on trial for her life.


Gwen has a handful of friends, her Grandmother, and a few teachers who believe in her. The rest of the world hurls insults at her and makes her life completely miserable.


Can Gwen convince the Protectorate Board that she's not the person responsible?

My Thoughts: I ADORE this series for so many reasons: the hot romance, the awesome library, the action, the danger, and Gwen's ability to kick butt! I'm so addicted to it and I can't wait for the next book. In this installment of the series, I love how Gwen's friends and family surround her with love. They give her the strength she needs.  I love how the action unfolds, with more danger than ever before.  The action and the danger make this series one I devour. Beyond the action and danger, there's so much emotional torment in this novel.  I feel for Gwen as she goes through the roughest patch of her life.  As much as I hated the ending, I understood the reasoning behind it. It leaves me curious to uncover what will happen next.

Cover Thoughts: I love it! I especially love the bits of purple from her shirt to her eyes to her necklace that tie the cover together.
Source: Netgalley
Up Next: Midnight Frost - out at the end of July

Review: Scent of Magic

* Sequel to Touch of Power *

SPOILERS ahead if you haven't read the first book!

Avry's the last Healer in the realm - a realm that's on the brink of war. She knows she's going to be needed when the time comes, but she also has personal missions - one that includes finding her sister again.

Avry and Kerrick split up on different quests. Kerrick reunited with Prince Ryne to determine how to fight King Tohon. Avry runs into trouble and her plans change. Instead of heading away from danger, she goes directly toward the woman who wants her dead. She hides in the army camp, under disguise, and begins to train the soldiers to move silently in the woods.

The army leaders do not believing the truth about King Tohon and his horrible soldiers. Avry wants to help out the realm as best she can without revealing her true identity. Her past can't remain a secret forever, and when it comes out, everything will change. Can the two sides come together to fight against King Tohon?

My Thoughts: I'm a HUGE fan of Maria V. Snyder. Her books are enchanting. I devour them, loving the action, the danger, and the romance. I love the secondary characters. They have a great sense of loyalty and affection between them. The banter provides comic relief from the serious nature of the book. I love Avry and her abilities. I like watching her learn more about herself and her magic as she tries to understand what she can do and how to go about saving the world. I love Kerrick. His power is unique, but impressive. I enjoyed the dual perspectives of this book, which is different from Snyder's previous books. Overall, a fantastic read. I can't wait to read what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Netgalley

Adult Review: Catching Fireflies

*book 9 in the Steel Magnolia series*

High school teacher Laura Reed notices that one of students has been skipping class. She's almost positive that something serious is happening in Misty's life. When she tries to connect with the teen, Misty bolts.


Misty's trying to find a solution to a very bad bullying situation. When she attempts to get a doctor's note for school, he forces her to share her thoughts with an adult. He threatens to tell her parents if she doesn't. Misty's parents are going through a divorce. Her mother's in her world world of deny and heartache and her father's never home.


Misty shares a small portion on the truth with Miss Reed. It's enough to make Miss Reed even more concerned. Misty doesn't reveal the name of her bully. Miss Reed contacts Dr J.C. Fullerton once Misty admits that he's forcing her to say something. Together the two of them vow to make things right for Misty again. Can they stop the bullying before it destroys her?

My Thoughts: This is a heartbreaking novel, but a very important novel. I think it's the perfect read for mothers and daughters in high school. My heart broke for Misty and all her troubles. I admired her strength. I admired Katie for standing up for her friend and standing by her.  I liked how the teachers came together to help solve the problem, instead of ignoring the issue.

The romance was cute, I liked the banter between J.C. and Laura. I liked how neither of them wanted a relationship, but fell into it anyways. The gossips among town always makes me laugh. The small town feel reminds me of Stars Hollow.

As usual with this series, I couldn't put this book down!

Cover Thoughts: Pretty
Source: Netgalley

Similar Teen Read: Keep Holding On

Review: Flirting in Italian

Violet's always looked different than her parents, but it isn't until she's at a museum that she finds someone who looks exactly like herself. As she uncovers information about the painting, she wonders if she could be related to the family from the Castello di Vesperi. Violet researches to discover that the castle is closed to the public, but there's a course that would be perfect for her education development that also grants access to the castle. She convinces her mother to let her go. The course has three other girls - two American and another British girl. They're to learn about the Italian culture plus a mix of polishing courses. Violet finally achieves her goal at viewing the castle, where the family's startled at her resemblance. It doesn't help that the boy she meets and is crushing over is related to this family. Will Violet uncover the truth about her past?

My Thoughts:
I loved the descriptions of this book - it made Tuscany come alive and it made me long to go back to Italy.
I liked the idea of Violet discovering her family roots in Italy.
I liked the idea of the classes, I wish we saw more of those.
I liked the interaction with the four girls and the snarky girl
I liked the party scenes where the boys overwhelmed the girls.

I felt liked the book just ended without resolving anything and creating more questions. I realize there's another book coming, but I wish something had been resolved.


Flirting in Italian was a great read with romance, friendship, and Violet trying to stay true to herself. It's a great book about freedom and traveling one summer, which will change Violet's life forever.

I didn't want to the book to end and yet...there were times when I didn't like Violet. I must find out what happens in Following in Love, in Italian.

Cover Thought: Cute but doesn't exactly go with the book

Source: netgalley/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

Review: Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Sadie's in love with her best friend Garrett - and has been since they met two years ago. Now she's facing the idea of summer without him. It was supposed to be the summer he fell in love with her while they were at writing camp. Instead, she was rejected from the camp.

She bullies her way into a job at her favorite coffeehouse.  After a complete meltdown after answering one of Garrett's phone calls, she realizes that things have to change.

Sadie comes up with a plan to get over him for good. She's starts by purging her life of items from their past. She eventually discovers that she needs to find herself

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. 
I hated Garrett. He was so annoying in the beginning and horrible when he came back from camp. I wanted to smack him. 

The strong connections with the characters (either good or bad) really make the book come alive. I feel like I'm in the story, rooting for Sadie (especially when she's on the floor of the coffeehouse after her mini-meltdown.) Those connections are what makes reading for me. 
 I loved the coffeehouse and the employees there. I loved how Sadie reconnected with Kayla. I love how she explored fashion, pop culture fads, current movies, and sporting events to uncover her true feelings.



Cover Thoughts: I LOVE it. I love the book over her face and the general frustration/agony felt. 

Source: Netgalley


Random Thought: I think the cover looks like a Sarah Dessen novel and I think it's a perfect book to hand readers who love Sarah Dessen. It reminded me SO much of Truth About Forever (which is my favorite SD book)


Stay Tuned tomorrow for an interview with Abby McDonald!

Adult Review: The Summer Garden

Luke met Moira in Ireland over the holidays. She's the granddaughter of the man who once stole his grandmother's heart. Together they traveled around Ireland looking at pubs.

Luke's finally decided on a life path - he's going to open an Irish pub in Chesapeake Shores. He's working hard to transform a former restaurant into his dream.

Moira shows up unexpectedly accompanying her grandmother on his visit. Luke's overjoyed to see her. In fact he hasn't been able to get her out of his head. She helps him improve his ideas for the pub.

With his mind so focused on the pub and his future, Luke isn't sure it's the right time to talk about the future. However, he might just lose Moira if he doesn't starting talking about what their future might hold.


My Thoughts: I really loved this book. As it's the end of series I adored, it's hard to say goodbye! I loved Moira, especially with her photography. I loved watching the pub go from building to a place I'd love to hang out. I loved watching Dillon and Nell rekindle their old romance. I love these characters. Most of all, I wish Chesapeake Shores was a real place. Sheryl Woods creating an amazing series with wonderful complex characters, an enchanting town, and romance that warms the heart.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: Netgalley - comes out January 31st

Fun Fact: This is also the book I chose to complete my personal reading challenge for 365 books this year!