Monday, April 28, 2014

Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own. Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.
I am a huge Rachael Anderson fan, I seriously love her books. So, when I got Prejudice Meets Pride I told myself to take my time and maybe spread it out for the weekend. Nope, once I started reading I got sucked into the story like I always do and I couldn’t put it down. I guess I’ll just have to re-read it.

Emma is a really likable heroine. She really steps-up when she needs to and would do anything for those she cares about. She has a big heart, lots of talent and she can be a bit stubborn. Kevin was awesome, I really liked him. He was maybe a bit judgy at first, but he is such a sweetheart. Together Emma and Kevin really bring out the best in each other. They kind of balance out each other’s weaknesses and draw out their good qualities. They are better together than they are apart. I thought they had great chemistry, they had a bumpy start, but I liked how they are drawn to each other. They seemed very real to me, I especially liked learning about Emma and her life. She is a gifted artist and would love for her to come paint my kids rooms!

I really enjoyed the story; Emma has to move to a new town with her two nieces. Things are tights and she is under a lot of stress. I like her strong work ethic and positive outlook. Noah is doing well professionally and is happy with life. Or at least he thinks he is until Emma bursts into his life and shakes things up. I thought this story was a lot of fun; I loved the setting and side characters. I was so excited when I got to the end to see there will be two more books in the series. I can’t wait to read about Noah, he really deserves his own happiness. And Sam will be fun to read to, I love cowboy stories so I already know I will love that one.

If you love contemporary romance this is a great heartwarming story. Love it!

Content: Clean

Friday, April 25, 2014

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust. But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old? Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston. Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake. Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school. And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.
I ended up really enjoying this one. I got it when it was a kindle freebie and I'm not sure why I waited so long to read it. I liked Mattie. She starts with a low self-esteem, but I like how she sticks up for herself and stands up for what she believes in. She just doesn't see herself the way other people do. To say she was obsessed with Jake would be a it of an understatement, but I liked how even though she was all swoony about him, she still didn't let him push her around. I just thought this was a fun Cinderella type stories. It had fun characters, a good plot and was well written. I thought it had a good message about believing in yourself, taking risks and standing up for what you believe in. I liked the relationship between Ella and Mattie, and how supportive Ella was of Mattie. She was just a cool chick. I liked Jake, he was a fun character.

Overall, this was a fun, heartwarming type book. One I would easily recommend to anyone, especially teens. It's really hard to find good clean teen-lit now days and I was glad to have found this one.

Content: Clean

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined. Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.
I really liked this one. I love when you pick up a book and you can tell right away that you're going to enjoy it. When you see that it is almost 500 pages and glad it's going to last awhile. That's how I felt when I started reading this one. The writing was well done, I never felt bogged down by unnecessary details. Everything was told for a reason and helped move the story along. It also helps when you like the heroine, which I did. Cécile starts off as a normal farm girl, who had an amazing gift for singing. She has just turned seventeen is about to leave her country life to go live in the city with her mother. Her plans quickly chance when she is abducted and sold to trolls.

I enjoyed the world building here and the world of Trollus. It was easy to picture their kingdom and the trolls within. I like that Cécile had a strong spirit and never gives up. I liked her relationship with Tristan. I thought their bond was interesting and unique. I also liked how Cécile was able to see the good in those around her and make friends. At times I think she was a little naïve, but it was also nice that she is optimistic and genuinely wants to help. I didn't like Tristan at first, he just rubbed me the wrong way (and not because he was an evil troll) and I wasn't sure if I would like him. He does grow on me though and the more we get to know him the more I liked him. I will say, at times some of the language seemed too modern for the setting and would take me out of the story a bit. I actually would have liked more of Tristan's POV, we get a few here and there and I would have liked to see more.

Overall, a great start to a new series (a little bummed that I have to wait so long for the next book). If you enjoy high fantasy, kickbutt princesses and swoony princes then you need to pick this one up!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: Mild
Violence: Mild