Month: November 2011

the breakup artist, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday: The Breakup Artist

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The Breakup Artist
by Shannen Crane Camp
Published by Sweetwater Books
Release date is December 8, 2011

Breaking up with someone is a major pain—-unless you can hire someone else to do it for you! And Amelia demands top dollar for her professional break-up services. Everything’s business as usual until David, one of the boys she’s been hired to dump, throws her for a loop. Now she must decide if David’s intentions are genuine, or if there’s something sinister behind his flirting.

I love this cover. It’s so pink and happy and sassy. This book sounds really fun. I’m looking forward to reading it!

What are you waiting on?

challenges 2012, the dusty bookshelf challenge

Dusty Bookshelf Challenge 2012!

Kathryn Cooper

My book blogger friend Jessica, from Books a True Story, has a challenge for you book readers! We need to dust off some books on our shelf (literal or figurative) and read them. There will be mini-challenges and giveaways throughout the year too! This will be my first challenge to join. Woohoo! I actually don’t have a lot of books on my bookshelf that I haven’t read that I actually want to read, but I do have a ton of to-read books that are extremely dusty on my virtual bookshelf (goodreads.com).

Here are the steps for the challenge straight from Books a True Story:

1. Write a blog post with a list of all those books that are literally or figuratively sitting on your shelf that you’ve been meaning to read for a while. You can pick books that you bought and haven’t read or books that you’ve just been waiting to read for a long time. Feel free to use the badge I made at the top of this post.
2. Pick a level
~Pixie Dust – Read 0-5 books
~Dust Bunny – Read 5-10 books
~Cobwebs – Read 10-15 books
~Grungy – Read 20+ books
EXTRA CREDIT-Say how long that book has been sitting on your shelf!
3. Link your blog post where you are doing the challenge at the bottom of this post (with the blue button) and then enter the giveaway!

I’ll think big and pick level GRUNGY!! 20+ books
TITLE- AUTHOR- (DATE ADDED ON TO-READ LIST)
1- The Princess Bride by William Goldman (Jan 2008!)
2- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy (Jan 2008!)
3- The Salamander Spell by E.D. Baker (March 2008)
4- The Thief by Megan Turner (July 2008)
5- Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock (Jan 2009)
6- Wild Magic by Tamara Pierce (Jan 2009)
7- The Named by Marianne Curley (Jan 2009)
8- Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier (Jan 2009)
9- The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau (April 2009)
10- The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (June 2009)
11- The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas (July 2009)
12- The Eternal Hourglass by Erica Kirov (July 2009)
13- Love, Stargirl by Jerri Spinelli (Aug 2009)
14- Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Jan 2010)
15- Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Feb 2010)
16- The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (May 2010)
17- The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey (May 2010)
18- The Diamond Secret: A retelling of “Anastasia” by Suzanne Weyn (Aug 2010)
19- Poison Study by Maria Snyder (Aug 2010)
20- Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton (Sept 2010)
21- Beyond the Reflection’s Glass by Bryan Davis (Oct 2010)
22- Always Watching by Brandilyn Collins (Oct 2010)
23- Darke by Angie Sage (Oct 2010)
24- Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Durst (Dec 2010)

Wow! That’s just  the books I added in 2010 and earlier. I didn’t even list all of them. I am so excited to have motivations to get some of these read and off my list!

Any of you up for the challenge?

angel star, Book Review

Book Review: Angel Star

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Angel Star
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Publisher: Lands Atlantic
Release Date: May 2010
Pages: 251
Series: Angel Star #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand – the mark of an angel.
But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel’s malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.
Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel’s sacrifice collides with another angel’s vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

My Thoughts:
I love when I can immerse myself in a good book and relax and enjoy the journey. I haven’t read a book where a character is in love at first sight in awhile so it was just what I wanted. It reminded me of another very popular book in some ways. I won’t go into details and give anything away, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a book remind me of another book. Angel Star was so easy to read quickly because I was so into the story and had to know what happened next! I actually was talking out loud while reading. “No way!” “What?!” “Awww!” Things like that. Hmmm. . . maybe that’s not too unusual for me.

Okay, I loved the name Teagan! I had never heard that name but felt it really suited the main character. Teagan is a bit of a loner with one close friend, Claire. She lived a normal life until Garreth came along and blew her away. Garreth is so caring and such a gentleman. It’s hard to fault an angel.

Angel Star kept me guessing at the very end. I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, but then the plot twisted. Teagan goes through a lot and really grows as a character. I enjoyed reading her journey and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Side Note: This book talks a lot about good and evil, angels and dark forces. I read this book like an entertaining work of fiction. I do believe in God and angels, but I don’t believe in incarnation or angels as depicted in this book. I won’t go into details on my blog, but if you’re interested in my religious beliefs you can click on the “My Faith” button on my side bar. 

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing scenes, sleeping in the same bed but no sex and no kissing while in bed )
Language: mild/moderate ( 1 a**, 4 h***, 1 s***, 1 b**** )
Violence: mild ( fighting with blood, death )

Book Review, clockwork angel

Book Review: Clockwork Angel

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: August 2010
Pages: 476
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It
Magic is dangerous–but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa’s power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institutte, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by–and torn between–two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length…everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world…and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Thoughts:
This is a great book. Cassandra Clare writes so beautifully. I love the Victorian England time period. The customs and atmosphere sound so interesting.

I love the characters. Tessa, the main character, is someone to root for. From the very beginning her story pulled on my heart strings. I wanted to see her succeed. I liked that she seemed a bit naive and innocent. Of course I don’t want every character in every book to be naive and innocent, but I did enjoy that aspect of Tessa. She was also strong and smart, very smart. Her life had been difficult and instead of hating others and having a pity party she cared for others and wanted to help them. She seemed to love easily, not necessarily in a romantic sense.

Oh Jem and Will. These boys are great. Jem is easy to love and Will is easy to hate. No I’m kidding, I liked Will he just drove me, and Tessa, crazy sometimes. Jem is such a gentleman and is wise. Wise because of circumstances he has endured.

Charlotte, Henry, Sophie, and Jessamine are some other great characters. Cassandra’s characters, no matter main or side characters, they all have depth. These characters have their own flaws and strengths and hold their own secrets.

I’m looking forward to reading Clockwork Prince which comes out December 6th!

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing, talk of brothels, talk of prostitutes )
Language: mild ( 1 b****, I forgot to count but I think there were some d*** and h*** )
Violence: moderate ( fight scenes with blood and injuries )

Book Review, protostar

Book Review: ProtoStar

Kathryn Cooper




Title: ProtoStar
Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Publisher: Firefly Publisher and Entertainment
Release Date: September 25, 2011
Pages: 356
Series: The Star-Crossed Saga #1

From Goodreads.com:

On the brink of Civil War, the Torrian Alliance continues with its mission to obliterate Star-children across the universe in order to suppress an intergalactic evil. Following the recommendations of his Council, King Gregorio Derry has agreed to send his only son William, on a mission to restore honor to his family. What starts out routine, becomes a lot more complicated as an inopportune crash landing delays the assassination. During this time, William begins to form a ‘connection’ with Sydney that challenges his inner being. But this conflict is the least of his problems, as a conspiracy back on his home planet Fabricius threatens the lives of those he loves and his father’s royal legacy. Along with that, he must unravel a hidden threat here on Earth that seeks to secure a vested interest that threatens both his and Sydney’s safety. Will William be able to complete his mission or will he choose love, sacrificing everything he stands for?

My Thoughts:
This book has a great story line. It’s about a Prince named William from another galaxy who comes to earth to kill the Star-child Sydney. It’s not easy to start a romantic relationship with someone you were sent to kill. . . just saying.

I liked William even though he came across too stiff for me at times. His language was a bit too formal using words like “Madame”. I guess that wouldn’t have bothered me so much if the other characters would have acknowledge his ancient vocabulary use. Sydney was also likable with her optimism and naivety to what was happening.

For some reason I couldn’t completely loose myself in the story and connect with the characters. I found it confusing when the point of view would change from one character to the next in the middle of a paragraph. I like books where the point of view changes as long as each POV is at least a chapter long or at least between just two characters. The POV in Protostar was mostly between the two main characters, but sometimes it switched around between 6 or 7 other minor characters.

I wasn’t a huge fan of all the sci fi talk at the beginning which is just my preference. I also think the book paused too much during the first half to describe characters and other things. It made it drag for me. More use of “show don’t tell” would have kept the pace moving.

Overall, a good story line that shows promise for the series. I’m sure I’ll read the second book when it comes out.


*I received an eBook copy of Protostar from the author. Thank you!*

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) to see details
Sexual Content: mild/moderate ( kissing, an accidental view of a man’s naked bottom by a female of the same age, body feature descriptive words like breasts, thoughts )
Language: mild ( h***-1, God-a few times, Christ-1 )
Violence: mild ( some fight scenes and tense moments )

Happy Reading!

cinder, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday: Cinder

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting on Wednesday” is a weekly post, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Release Date: January 3, 2012

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I love this cover! It’s so simple but really intriguing. Let’s just say that I love shoes! This book sounds like a really interesting retelling of the Cinderella story. I love a good retelling. I can’t wait to read it!

What’s your WoW this week?

in my mailbox

In My Mailbox (4)

Kathryn Cooper

In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, is a weekly post where bloggers list the books they received this week. The books can be from anywhere: publishers, authors, won in a giveaway, bought, borrowed from the library.

Click book image to link to Goodreads.com summary.

BOUGHT:

Crossed
by Ally Condie

Remembrance
by Michelle Madow

Slayers
by C.J. Hill

Waterfall
by Lisa T. Bergren
I’ve already read this series, and decided it’s my favorite! I just bought a copy so I can read it over and over again.

FOR REVIEW FROM AUTHORS/PUBLISHERS: (Thank you!)

Kevin’s Point of View
by Del Shannon

Nightingale
by David Farland

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble
by D. Robert Pease

Spirits of Glory
by Emily Devenport

Scary School
by Derek the Ghost

* Thank you to Del Shannon, Jim at East India Press, D. Robert Pease, Emily Devenport, and Derek the Ghost for my review copies. *

Book Review, Flashback Friday, the frog princess

Flashback Friday: The Frog Princess

Kathryn Cooper

Flashback Friday is a weekly post where I review a book I love but haven’t read recently. I wanted a way to share books I read before starting my book blog. These reviews will not be as detailed as more recently read books fresh on my mind.

What book do you love but haven’t read recently? You can talk about the book or leave a link to your blog post about it in a comment. I look forward to reading where your Flashback takes us.


Title: The Frog Princess
Author: E.D. Baker
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: November 2002
Pages: 214
Series: Tales of the Frog Princess #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

From Goodreads.com:
Princess Emeralda a.ka. Emma isn’t exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh is more like a donkey’s bray than tinkling bells, she trips over her own feet and she does not like Prince Jorge, whom her mother hopes she will marry. But if Emma ever thought to escape her troubles, she never expected it to happen by turning into a frog! When convinced to kiss a frog so he might return to being a prince, somehow the spell is reversed and Emma turns into a frog herself! Thus begins their adventure–a quest to return to human form. 

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I read it a few years ago so the details are a little fuzzy. The book was funny and exciting. I really didn’t know how it would all end!

Princess Emma and “the frog” are both so likable! I loved the characters which made me love the book. I know I’ve said this before, but I love a good princess book. I guess I was one of those little girls who always dreamed of becoming a princess so I could live in a castle and wear pretty dresses.  Now I just live that dream through books. 

Go read this book! You’ll love it.

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( some kissing )
Language: none
Violence: I can’t remember! I think it was very mild or none

Book Review, dragon kiss

Book Review: Dragon Kiss

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Dragon Kiss
Author: E.D. Baker
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 288
Series: Tales of the Frog Princess #6
3 Stars: I Liked It

Audun is a teenage ice dragon in love…with a human princess. Can he become human and win Millie’s heart?

Audun is on a quest to find Princess Millie, and to become human in order to win her heart. But The Dragon King has set out a number of tasks Audun must perform before he is permitted to even try to woo Millie…and each one is filled with E. D. Baker’s signature adventure and hilarity as this dragon-turned-human-turned dragon and back again battles sea witches and warlocks both familiar to readers of the series, and altogether new. A fantastic stand-alone fairy tale that brings new life to this wonderful series.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun young teen series. I really loved the first book The Frog Princess. I’ll have to feature it in my Flashback Friday post tomorrow.

Audun is a teenage boy dragon in love with a human princess who can turn into a dragon at will. Princess Millie’s story is told in book 5 now this is Audun’s adventure. Audun has to go on many quests and accomplish what the Dragon King and Court ask of him so the court will grant him his wish. He wants to learn how to turn human for Millie. Audun is honest, noble, and brave; he’s easy to like.

What I didn’t like was Audun traveling alone on his quests. The story lost my interest during his lonesome travels. I prefer the main character to at least have one ‘sidekick’ to keep the story moving and dialog flowing. A side character you can depend on and care for. That is just my preference. I wish Auden and Millie were together more since I love their relationship.

It was still a nice clean read that I think young teens would enjoy.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content:very mild ( a few short kisses )
Language: none
Violence: very mild ( not detailed fight/war scene )

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Teen Fiction