Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

From Goodreads: Will Elise's love life be an epic win or an epic fail? At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point: As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school--not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects. As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn't exactly on everyone's must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list. When Elise's beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince's best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

I thought I won't enjoy reading high school romance thinking that they may be childish but I was so wrong. I actually enjoy reading this book very much. Every bit of it. And Elise, her sister Juliana, Derek and his best friend Chase are definitely mature for their age. I envy at the close relationship between Elise and Juliana. I wish I have a sister that I can trust on and talk to on everything. And both of them are brought up well by their parents. I like the way their father treated them as adult and having trust on them. As for Derek, despite his celebrity parents, he was brought up well as well and he's lucky to have Chase as his best friend. Both of them though coming from rich family, they do not look down on Elise and Juliana. I enjoy reading how the four of them interacting with each other; how Elise not to fall for Derek; how Elise changed her mind about Derek after getting to know more about him; and how Derek wins Elise's heart by being himself.

The plot is simple. The pace is good. The story is sweet and warm-hearted. I think it teaches some good values especially to the teenagers.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

From Goodreads: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

While The Hunger Games is depressing, reading Catching Fire actually made me see a different picture on this series and begin to like it. Though I get a little annoyed with Katniss over her indecision whether her heart belongs to Gale or Peeta, but I do admire her courage, her kind heart and her love and protection for her family. Just when we thought she and Peeta can have some peace and normal life after winning the Hunger Game, the twists and unexpected turn of the event change it all. Peeta continued to impress me in Catching Fire with his brilliant mind and his courage. With the past experience, he's more prepared with what he's going to face this time.

I also like other secondary characters in this book. The author has done a very good job at developing everyone including all the secondary characters. The ending is definitely unexpected. But make a good entry point for the next book in the series.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent

Book Description Deluxe, keepsake edition of the best-selling book and true story of a young boy's visit to heaven after life-saving surgery. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready there is a coming last battle.

I was intrigued by the description of the book and being a non-Christian myself, I'm curious about how real is the Heaven. Honestly speaking, I have no idea what's in the Heaven, how Jesus looks like, whether how real is Colton's description on Heaven, but it's an enjoyable read to me. Some people may think that Colton actually learnt about those things from his father who's a pastor, but regardless he learnt that from his father or he really did go to Heaven and come back, after reading this book I do believe that Heaven does exist. Something that I have not expected is there's no old people in Heaven. And I wonder is this Heaven same as the Heaven in Buddhism.

Another thing that I learn from this book is: God always answer our prayer. However some people may complain, why God did not take away Colton, but He took away their child? Weren't they pray too? I doubt Colton's father could answer this but I do believe thing happen for a reason. If it's yours, it yours. It's just like some babies could survive some natural disaster while some other babies could choke to death from drinking milk from the bottle

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
 

Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

About That Night (FBI / US Attorney #3) by Julie James

From Goodreads: HE’S PLAYING GAMES Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him. BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case — but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants — and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten.

Ever since my friend recommended me to Julie James early last year, she becomes one of my favorite author. I love her The Sexiest Man Alive and Something About You. And her this latest book About That Night added to my favorite book.

About That Night is a story about Kyle Rhodes, the billionaire heir and ex-con to the Assistant US Attorney, Rylann Pierce. Kyle is one none of a spoil brat, if you think he will always flash his billionaire heir card to get things done his way. He's an honest man, man enough to admit his mistake and face the consequences; man enough to stood up to do the right thing despite how he has not been treated well earlier; man enough to be honest about his feeling despite getting serious into a relationship is nothing on his plan. It's just impossible not to like him. I like the way he carries himself. I like the way he handles Rylann. He's smart and know what he's doing. And know how to achieve what he wants. He's definitely one of my favorite male character amongst all Julie James's books!

As for Rylann, oh I just like her sarcastic remarks to Kyle! She's definitely as strong as Cameron Lynde in Something About You. And I just simply could not stop turning the pages reading how the no-string-attach relationship has become a serious one.

As with other Julie's book, About That Night is fun, humor, sweet and light-hearted. If you are feeling down this book will definitely brighten up your day. I love the strong hero and heroine in this book. I could not imagine the story of an ex-con with an Assistant US Attorney can be such delicious! Kyle and Rylann are simply perfect for each other. 

I enjoy reading this book very much. And I looking forward to her next book. I think Julie should consider releasing more than one book a year. :)

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Prophet by Amanda Stevens (The Graveyard Queen series: Book 3)

Title:         The Prophet SubTitle:   The Graveyard Queen series: Book 3 Publisher:  Harlequin Imprint:     HarlequinMira Pub Date:  April 24, 2012 ISBN:       9780778313397 Author:     Amanda Stevens My name is Amelia Gray. I am the Graveyard Queen, a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. My father passed down four rules to keep me safe and I’ve broken every last one. A door has opened and evil wants me back. In order to protect myself, I’ve vowed to return to those rules. But the ghost of a murdered cop needs my help to find his killer. The clues lead me to the dark side of Charleston—where witchcraft, root doctors and black magic still flourish—and back to John Devlin, a haunted police detective I should only love from afar. Now I’m faced with a terrible choice: follow the rules or follow my heart. The Graveyard Queen Series: Book 1: The Restorer (May 2011) Book 2: The Kingdom (April 2012) Book 3: The Prophet (May 2012) About the author: Amanda Stevens lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and a black cat named Lola. She is an avid reader, a fledgling taphophile and a collector of Alfred Hitchcock memorabilia. When she’s not writing, she likes taking road trips to Austin. You can fi nd her online at www.AmandaStevens.com or www.TheGraveyardQueen.com.

In The Prophet, Amelia was back to Charleston, which also means back to her haunted Devlin. The interactions between Amelia and the ghosts made the story more creepy. The ghost detective who had requested Amelia to help investigate on his death, had added some mystery and suspense to the story, which also made Amelia becoming more dangerous. While Devlin was trying very hard to keep Amelia away from him, in order to protect her. I wish to see more on him telling Amelia about his feeling, and letting go of his death wife and daughter. I also wish to see a stronger Amelia when she's around Devlin.

Simple story line and yet the author is capable of presenting it in a very beautiful and not too complicated writing style. I enjoy reading the twist and turns, and the unexpected outcome from the whole investigation. I wish there would be more books for this series, as I really wish to see a more happy ending for Amelia and Devlin. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

Title:         Somebody to Love Publisher:  Harlequin Imprint:     HarlequinHQN Pub Date:  April 24, 2012 ISBN:       9780373776580 Author:     Kristan Higgins New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Kristan Higgins is back with a hilarious and heartwarming new story about a rich girl who discovers that a little hard work may be just the thing she needs… After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon’s Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father’s wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she’s not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox. Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist’s assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn’t the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn’t the only thing that needs a little TLC…

Ever since I started reading Higgins's contemporary romance about 2 years ago, I have never miss any of her new book. I always like her story - very realistic, honest, and heart warming. And she always made me cry in some of the very touching and heart warming moments.

Somebody to love is about forgiving and second chance. Both Parker and James have a very disturbed childhood that have affected both their life greatly. Ever since her parents divorced when she was 10 years old, Parker had lost the love from her beloved father. When her father was getting very close to James, Parker was not happy about it. And she was thinking James wanted to get close to her because she's her father's only daughter. Due to an accident that happened when he was 12 years old, James was being denied by his parents and his brothers since then. He thought that having his own family was something far away for him. Nonetheless he could not help himself for being attracted and falling in love to Parker. 

Parker's a writer for children books. I enjoy reading how she talked with her imaginary character from the children books series. However my heart was getting heavy each time she pushed James away from her. It's not that she's not attracted to him, but she just could not trust him. While James had always been honest to Parker. I think his father had been too harsh to him. My favorite part is when James went to seek forgiveness from his parents. Whatever the outcome, I'm sure he had done his best and he should not feel guilty anymore. The ending can't be more perfect.

I enjoy reading this book very much. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.