Month: May 2012

austenland, Book Review, shannon hale

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: May 2007
Pages: 197
Series: Austenland #1
Source: library
4 Stars: I Really Liked It

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It’s all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

My Thoughts:
This was my second time to read Austenland, and I liked it even better this time. Jane’s obsession with the romance in the BBC Pride and Prejudice movie made me want to watch it. I found some clips on the BBCWorldWide channel on You Tube if you’re interested.

Jane is someone you really want to root for. The poor girl (woman actually since she’s 32) has had a rough love life. Boyfriend after boyfriend turn out to be disappointments. Before the chapters there’s a story about each of Jane’s “boyfriends” from 4 years old to present. Some were hilarious, some embarrassing, and some just plain sad. I so wanted Jane to be able to find true love.

I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen’s books. I’ve read them all, some multiple times. I would love to go to an Austenland, but maybe one with married couples allowed. I just want to go dress up and learn the dances and go to a ball.

If you haven’t read this book you need. It’s plain fun, and a short read too. There’s a movie being made so get it read before it comes out. With Jennifer Coolage as Miss Charming it is bound to be HILARIOUS!! CLICK HERE to see some movie details on imdb. This is an all star cast! Stephenie Meyer is one of the producers even. The official website for the movie is coming soon, CLICK HERE.

Have you read Austenland? Did you like it? Will you go see the movie when it comes out?

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild/moderate ( hint of side characters’ infidelity, talk of cleavage and breasts, kissing, necking, making out not too detailed )
Language: mild ( d***-4, h***, jacka**-1 )
Violence: very mild ( girl kneed a man in the groin, short tussle between 2 guys )

Buy it!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction

ARC giveaway, endlessly, giveaway

ARC Giveaway! Endlessly by Kiersten White

Kathryn Cooper

I was given an ARC of Endlessly by Kiersten White from the wonderful people at HarperTeen. I read it immediately! Endlessly was a great end to this fun trilogy! My review will be up closer to the release date which is July 24th. Now that I’ve been able to enjoy this ARC I wanted someone else to have the chance so . . . I’m giving it away! Exciting! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter.

My Review of Book 1: Paranormacly CLICK HERE
My Review of Book 2: Supernaturally CLICK HERE

Pre Order Endlessly!

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY, but if you do NOT have a US address you will be asked to pay for the shipping within 48 hours of being notified through my paypal account. If you win you will email me your address, and I will find out the shipping cost and notify you. You might want to go ahead and find out how much it will cost to ship a book to you from Texas before you enter the giveaway. Thanks!

If you have a US address I will cover the shipping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

mandi ellsworth, uneasy fortunes, waiting on wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday: Uneasy Fortunes by Mandi Ellsworth

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly post, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine , where we spotlight a book we are anxiously waiting to be published.

Uneasy Fortunes
By Mandi Ellsworth
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Release Date: June 12, 2012
add to your GoodReads

Battered by his past, Pete knows he has no business falling for anyone. But when time can’t heal a wound, love steps in to make it right. Based on a true story of the post–Civil War South, this gentle rustic romance will pull you in from the first page and leave you with a renewed hope in the power of real love.

Doesn’t this sound great?! I love historical romance.

What books are you “Waiting On” today?

tributary, waiting on wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday: Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly post, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine , where we spotlight a book we are anxiously waiting to be published.

Tributary (River of Time #3.2)
By Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: Bergren Creative Group Inc.
Release Date: June 2012
add to your GoodReads

There wasn’t a summary on goodreads.com for this book. It’s the next novella in the River of Time series. I love this series, and I want to get my hands on any book with these awesome characters. It will be available as an eBook sometime next month. Follow Lisa’s website to have up to date information on the release. Lisa T. Bergren’s Website

What books are you “Waiting On” today?

Book Review, the selection

Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Kathryn Cooper

Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 2012
Pages: 327
Series: The Selection #1
Source: library
4 Stars: I Really Liked It

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself- and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts:
This cover is my favorite cover of 2012 so far. It is gorgeous and eye catching. The cover, premise, and genre as a dystopian might make you think this book is dark, edgy, and mysterious . . . not true. This book was very light, especially compared to other dystopian books. It’s so light that you might even laugh out loud a few times; I sure did. 🙂

At first I didn’t like the main character America. She didn’t want to be part of the Selection, and was pretty upset about it. She had good reasons to be sad, but I would have been more like her friend Marlee, bubbly and excited to meet the prince. I grew to love America once she was in the palace. She was funny, strong, kind, and brave. I liked the way she interacted with her maids. The maids were fun. Prince Maxon was wonderful, and I liked the times America and Maxon were together.

The caste system was rigid, and the post- United States of America as we know it made this dystopian. The country in this book definitely had problems that will need to be taken care of for success and people’s happiness. I’m going to guess that the next book in the series will be more action packed.

I was so upset with the ending! You can’t leave me hanging like that! I expected more, but a lot was left for the next book in the series. I look forward to reading the next book. This was an enjoyable read.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: a few moderate scenes ( kissing while laying down, mention of cleavage, boy and girl laying in bed together, neck kissing, talk of virginity, advised to have sex with prince if asked, boy touched girl’s bare thigh while kissing )
Language: mild ( h***-4, d***-8, Lord-1, God-1 )
Violence: mild (slap in the face, mention of past palace attacks with fighting and death )

Buy it!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Teen Fiction

an old-fashioned romance, Book Review, marcia lynn mcclure

Book Review: An Old-Fashioned Romance by Marcia Lynn McClure

Kathryn Cooper

Title: An Old-Fashioned Romance
Author: Marcia Lynn McClure
Publisher: Distractions Ink
Release Date: September 2005
Pages: 229
Series: none
Source: won in a giveaway from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
5 Stars: I Loved It!

Life went along simply, if not rather monotonously, for Breck McCall. Her job was satisfying, she had true friends. But she felt empty . . . as if part of her soul was detached and lost to her. She longed for something . . . something which seemed to be missing. Yet, there were moments when Breck felt she might almost touch something wonderful. And most of those moments came while in the presence of her handsome, yet seemingly haunted boss . . . Reese Thatcher.

My Thoughts:
Oh my heck I loved this book! I’ve heard so many great things about Marcia Lynn McClure’s books from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer so I knew I just had to read one and find out for myself. If you love clean romance you will love this book. It was addicting! I finished it in a day and was giddy throughout.

Breck was 20-21 during the book, and I don’t know if Reese’s age was mentioned. I pictured him being 25ish. The chemistry between Breck and Reese was great. I loved that she had such a crush on her boss, so cute. Most of the story was told from Breck’s POV, but it did change to Reese sometimes which I enjoyed.

I have to mention Breck’s four best friends: Barb, Trixie, Kay, and Sherryl. They were awesome. I loved their banter. When they were together they giggled and joked and could be completely goofy. It reminded me of being with my college roommates . . . good times. I laughed out loud more than a few times.

This was a quick read and completely enjoyable! I recommend it to all you clean romance lovers.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing )
Language: 1 mild word ( h***-1 )
Violence: very mild ( slap to the face with a little blood )

Buy it!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction

Book Review, Flashback Friday, matched, matched trilogy

Flashback Friday: Matched by Ally Condie

Kathryn Cooper

Happy Friday! Flashback Friday is where I review a book I loved but haven’t read in awhile or was published over a year ago. If you post a Flashback Friday leave me a link in the comments.

I just re-read this book, and added an update to my review.

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: November 2010
Pages: 366
Series: Matched #1
Source: Library
5 Stars: I Loved It!

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander’s face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham’s face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it’s a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she’s destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can’t stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society’s infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My Thoughts:
July 2011
I loved this book! Wow! Why is a forbidden romance so intriguing?! I actually listened to this on cd for a trip; then finished listening at home. I prefer books because they’re easier to put down and find my place again when one of my kids runs into the room asking for breakfast in a very loud voice. 

The dystopian storyline and romance (1 girl with 2 boys to choose from) reminds me of other books, but that doesn’t bother me. It’s completely entertaining. I like that Cassia is smart and pretty quick to pick up on things. It’s always annoying when the main character can’t figure out the obvious for most of the book. Not so for this book, I didn’t see what was coming at all or only guessed shortly before Cassia figured it out. 

The 2 boys are Ky and Xander. Both amazing guys that happen to be very attractive. I won’t go into detail on how wonderful these guys are for Cassia; you can discover that for yourselves. 

Update: May 2012
I just finished reading this book for the first time since last time I listened to the audio book. I fell in love all over again! Ally Condie is an amazing writer. The words were so smooth and beautiful, like poetry. I love revisiting books. It was so fun to go back into the world of Matched. I recommend this book to everyone!

Have you read it? What did you think?

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: none

Buy it!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Teen Fiction

reached, series theories

Series Theories: Reached by Ally Condie

Kathryn Cooper

Don’t you love this Series Theories button?! I love Sherlock Holmes. I’m laughing just looking at the picture.

I participated in a fun post over at Books A True Story today. To see my Series Theories for Reached by Ally Condie (Matched #3) CLICK HERE. I would LOVE to hear what everyone else thinks might happen in the last book of this amazing series. You can leave a comment on the Books A True Story post. I’ll check back over there later to see what everyone else thinks.

the assassin's curse, waiting on wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday: The Assassin’s Curse

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly post, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine , where we spotlight a book we are anxiously waiting to be published.

The Assassin’s Curse
By Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Release Date: October 2, 2012

Ananna of the Tanarau is the eldest daughter of a highly-ranked family in the loose assortment of cutthroats and thieves in the Pirate’s Confederation. When she runs away from the marriage her parents have arranged for her, they hire Naji the assassin to murder her.

When a mysterious woman in a dress shop offers her magical assistance for dealing with the assassin, Ananna accepts. She never went in much for magic herself — she lacks the talent for it — but she’s not quite ready to die yet, either. Unfortunately, the woman’s magic fails.

Fortunately, Ananna inadvertently saves the assassin’s life in the skirmish, thus activating a curse that had been placed on him a few years earlier. Now, whenever her life is in danger, he must protect her — or else he experiences tremendous physical pain. Neither Ananna nor the assassin, Naji, are pleased about this development.

Follow Annana and Naji as they sail across the globe, visiting such mysterious places as the Court of Salt and Waves, in their desperate effort to lift the curse. Soon they will discover that only by completing three impossible tasks will they be able to set themselves free.

I saw this last week, and the cover really stood out to me. Isn’t it cool? I love the font. I like the summary too. An assassin goes from attempting to kill her to being forced by a curse to keep her alive, very interesting. I look forward to reading this one.

What books are you “Waiting On” today?