Never Cry Werewolf - Heather Davis

Rating: 3/5

Moonlight can totally change your life. And it all starts so simply. You. Him. The moon. You’re toast.
Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately. But her stepmother totally overreacts when she packs Shelby off to brat camp. Suddenly, it’s good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star!) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. . . . 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
I picked up this book for a few reasons: 
1)The cover looked nice 
2)I saw 'Werewolf' and was immediately drawn to it 
3)I had just finished The CLearing, also by Heather Davis and LOVED it so I decided to give this one a try too. 

What did I think of this book? Well, it wasn't as good as The Clearing in my opinion, but it was still pretty good. The main character is a 16 year old girl who lives with her father and evil step-mother Priscilla (thought the name suited her well :)) after her mother dies three years earlier. Shelby is caught kissing a boy out under the moonlight in her step-mother's rose garden and her step mom immediately seizes this as an opportunity to send her away. Shelby apparently hasn't had to best choice of guys; always putting their needs before her own and her parents sees this as the last straw. 

She is sent off to Camp Crescent, a prestigious brat camp where the rich and famous send their problem children to change for the "better". Here, while enduring sickening therapy sessions, Shelby meets Austin Bridges III. He's handsome, the son of a rocker, and has an English accent. Sounds perfect right? Well, it just so happens the Austin has a little secret, and if anyone were to find out this secret, it could endanger his family. 

Austin eventually ends up revealing his secret to Shelby who promises to keep it safe and help him. She is one of the two people outside the family who know this secret; the other is a girl who didn't take it so well. Through most of the story, Shelby is hestitant when it comes to trusting Austin (she has trust issues), but she can not deny the attraction she has for him. Their friendship blossoms into something more as teh story goes on, and she learns to trust him after he changges and saves her life. 

After going through great lengths to protect Austin and his secret, Shelby is shipped off to another brat camp, which is more like a military camp and 1000X worse. But after being there for a while, she gets a rather good surprise that makes all she went through seem worth it. Can you guess what...or who...it is? ;)

Lark - Tracey Porter

*Rating*: 4/5 Stars


When sixteen-year-old Lark Austin is kidnapped from her Virginia hometown and left to die in a snowy forest, she leaves behind two friends who are stunned by the loss. As Lark's former best friend, Eve can't shake the guilt that this tragedy was somehow her fault. Meanwhile, Nyetta is haunted each night by Lark's ghost, who comes through the bedroom window and begs Nyetta to set her soul free. Eve and Nyetta realize that Lark is trapped in limbo, and only by coming together to heal themselves will they discover why.

Tracey Porter's stunning narrative about love and loss demonstrates that forgiveness can never come too late. 



   What can I say about this book? Well for starters, it was very unique. I don't think I've come across a book like it so far. It's a tragic story about a 16 year old girl in Virginia who gets kidnapped and murdered. I won't go too far intohow she died, but I will say this: It's a horrible way to die. If you think about it, it may sound a bit like the Lovely Bones, but it's not. If anything, it's probably a more censored version of the Lovely Bones, but still not suitable for younger readers. 

   What made this book so unique was not the way Lark died, but what happened after she dies. Ever heard of murdered girls turning into trees? Well, that's what her younger friend Nyetta is convinced happened to her. Now, of course, it's hard to determine whether or not this is true, or just coming from the mind of an extremely grief-stricken twelve year old, but thankfully, you find out the truth at the end. 

   Lark captures your attention from the first page and keeps you reading until you get to the end. It stirs up a bunch of different questions and feeling throughout the novel that you feel you just HAVE to have answered. Porter wrote this novel brilliantly and will have you hooked as you switch back and forth between the present and past with Lark and her two friends Nyetta and Eve.

YAY for Procrastination!

So I know I should be finishing up reading the books on my AP Lit Summer reading assignment, but it's summer and I'm so distracted by all the good books sitting on my shelf that I find it hard to focus on something productive. In case you're curious, these are the two books I've been attempting to read

It's not so much that I'm not interested in the books, it's more along the lines of I hate being forced to read something. Whenever I have to read a book for school I lose interest. I guess it's because I'd rather read because I want to, not because I have to. 

Sleepless - Cyn Balog

Rating: 4/5

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My Thoughts:

I really liked this book. It was different; I certainly haven't ever come across another book like it, have you? The whole Sandman concept had me intrigued from the start, it was definitely highly original. 

Sleepless was told in alternating views: Eron and Julia. In being written this way, the reader is able to get into each character's head and see what makes them tick. You learn about their past in bits and pieces. For example, Julia. She has those three scars on her face that she is always trying to hide and at first, she doesn't explain how she got them, all you know is that something bad happened when she was young. That leaves the mind wandering, wondering what could have happened that was so bad. And with Eron, you don't find out how he dies right away. I actually almost missed the subtle explanation he gave. I found I adored Eron; he had the certain quality that comes with being in a new century that made him so adorable. The poor guy had been dead for over 100 years so he would clearly be facing some challenges during his transition back to human. I thought he was sweet, with his old school ways; it was hard not to love him. 

Griffin and Brett-well, Griffin seemed kind of like a jerk to me, but I think he really did care about Julia which is what drove him so crazy. I felt sort of bad for him: first for watching his best friend (Brett) pining after his girlfriend shortly after he does, and then realizing that Eron and Julia were falling for each other and he might actually make her happy. Brett, well I felt bad for him too. Always being the "goofy side-kick" and never getting the girl, living in the shadow of his best friend. I would have liked to know what happened to him at the end of the story, but I'm glad that he seemed to work things out with Julia towards the end; he really did seem like a good guy, just a little lost.

The only thing that I really didn't love about this book was the ending. I mean, it was an okay ending, but it seemed like it was just that: an ending. I feel like it could have explained a little more, maybe what happened after Julia hit Eron, and if Griffin ever adjusted fully to becoming a Sandman. But overall, it was a good, quick read. A 3.5 or 4 on my scale. :)

The Clearing - Heather Davis

Rating: 5/5

In this bittersweet romance, two teens living decades apart form a bond that will change their lives forever.

Amy is drawn to the misty, mysterious clearing behind her Aunt Mae’s place because it looks like the perfect place to hide from life. A place to block out the pain of her last relationship, to avoid the kids in her new town, to stop dwelling on what her future holds after high school.

Then, she meets a boy lurking in the mist—Henry. Henry is different from any other guy Amy has ever known. And after several meetings in the clearing, she’s starting to fall for him.

But Amy is stunned when she finds out just how different Henry really is. Because on his side of the clearing, it’s still 1944. By some miracle, Henry and his family are stuck in the past, staving off the tragedy that will strike them in the future. Amy’s crossing over to Henry’s side brings him more happiness than he’s ever known—but her presence also threatens to destroy his safe existence.

In The Clearing, author Heather Davis crafts a tender and poignant tale about falling in love, finding strength, and having the courage to make your own destiny—a perfect book to slip into and hide away for awhile. 

My Thoughts

I had randomly come across this book in the library and was immediately drawn to it. Perhaps is was the cover, which I thought was really pretty, or the True Love is Timeless stamped on the front. I'm a sucker for these kind of stories, I'll admit. But whatever the reason, I picked it up and checked it out. I didn't know at the time that this would become perhaps my favorite book. 

I loved this book from page one. Davis did a great job with telling the story. I liked how she didn't spoil Amy's past right away. She gave subtle hints suggesting she was a victim of an abusive relationship, but never actually confirming it until later on. I also loved how it was told from both Henry and Amy's perspectives. It was nice to see what was going on in Henry's life, as well as Amy's. It also sort of helped put pieces of the story together. The plot never got dull and I was always anxious to see what would happen next. 

Amy was a very likable main character. Sometimes in novels like this, the leading ladies are irritating and overdramatic, however, despite the hardships she went through, Amy held her ground. Sure there were times when she broke down, but that's understandable. She had a realistic relationship with her Aunt Mae; Mae was not overly protective, but she did care deeply for Amy. They had a trusting relationship, more like a friendship which I thought was sweet. 

Henry-what is there to say about Henry? He's the perfect boy. Always a gentleman and extremely sweet. The fact he was from the 40s just gave him this cute, likable quality and made me want a Henry of my own lol 

The end was pretty good. I would have liked it to end a different way, of course, but this was a nice alternative. So, if you're into the whole paranormal romance twilight thing but are tired of vampires/werewolves like me (love them but vampires are being seriously overplayed and its kinda annoying, but i'll continue reading them anyway :)) then this book is perfect for you. Enjoy!

Smart Boys & Fast Girls (Boys series #4) - Stephie Davis

*Rating:* (will be added when I finish the book)


ON YOUR MARK 

Natalie Page is overlooked and unappreciated. 
Yeah, sure, she can run fast. 
Yeah, sure, all the boys love her...as a buddy. 
Yeah, she has plans every weekend night...with her friends and their boyfriends. 

GET SET 

It's time for the world to sit up and take notice. When Natalie makes the varsity cross country team, it seems like the fast track to being cool. The popular girls notice her, the hunky captain of the boys team is giving her rides home. Natalie Page is off and running. 

Then she starts to fail geometry. She has to get a tutor: a very annoying boy who thinks sports are for idiots. A very smart boy who thinks she's stupid. A very cute boy who already has a girlfriend and has no interest in her. A boy she told her parents she was dating. 

GO! 

Natalie Page can run. 
Now she has to decide how to finish.




My Thoughts
    I liked it, yet I don't know, something about it irks me at times. I would like to question the maturity level of certain characters *cough* Natalie *cough*. Her obsession with being "cool" is probably the only real thing in this book that annoys me. I understand how she feels, being a high school student myself, but really, she's trying a little TOO hard to fit in if you ask me. Making some poor innocent boy who has a serious girlfriend pretend to be your boyfriend just to hide the fact that you're being tutored is a little too much, don't you think? Especially when the guy's girlfriend does not like the situation so you bribe him with a job opportunity he really wants.

But if you ask me, that's how high school works. Well, it's a little exaggerated, but close enough. It does describe the classic high school cliques. The "stupid jocks" and "annoying math geeks". I feel for Natalie because it is difficult to be a guy's "buddy" instead of girlfriend. Then there's the evil, vindictive ex girlfriend of the guy, Zach, that Natalie likes. Along with her boy troubles, NAtalie also faces some within her friends. She feels left out because all her close friends have boyfriends. That's understandable really. I have to say though, I was rooting for Matt and Natalie to be together. It would be pretty predictable, classic jock and brain relationship, but I think they're cute together. I felt bad for Matt's girlfriend though. As I got towards the end, I got giddy (yes, giddy) because I could tell that Matt was going to change his mind about going to London and show up at Natalie's meet. It was really sweet and even though Natalie did bother me at times, I did like the book. It is a pretty short, enjoyable read, which is exactly why I picked it up in the first place. It's the perfect summer read for teen girls, or anyone looking for a quick paced romantic comedy.

What I'm Reading

I started this book last night and just wanted to put it out there in case any of you have read it already and what your thoughts are about the book :)

Smart Boys & Fast Girls by: Stephie Davis

ON YOUR MARK

Natalie Page is overlooked and unappreciated. 
Yeah, sure, she can run fast. 
Yeah, sure, all the boys love her...as a buddy. 
Yeah, she has plans every weekend night...with her friends and their boyfriends. 

GET SET 

It's time for the world to sit up and take notice. When Natalie makes the varsity cross country team, it seems like the fast track to being cool. The popular girls notice her, the hunky captain of the boys team is giving her rides home. Natalie Page is off and running. 

Then she starts to fail geometry. She has to get a tutor: a very annoying boy who thinks sports are for idiots. A very smart boy who thinks she's stupid. A very cute boy who already has a girlfriend and has no interest in her. A boy she told her parents she was dating. 

GO! 

Natalie Page can run. 
Now she has to decide how to finish