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Book Review, Slayers

Book Review: Slayers

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Slayers
Author: C.J. Hill (pseudonym)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Release Date: September 2011
Pages: 304
Series: Slayers #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.
The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! The author C.J. Hill is a pseudonym (pen name) for one of my favorite authors. I own 9 of her books! Obviously I’m a fan. My husband liked it too so it’s not just for girls. =)

Have you ever read a book where you wanted to read it slower so it wouldn’t end and you could stay in that fictional world forever? That’s how Slayers was for me. I wanted to go to dragon camp and be a Slayer. It’s been a few days, and I’m still daydreaming about being a dragon Slayer. These teenagers have some pretty awesome powers, but you’ll have to read and find out the specifics yourself.

Tori, the main character, is a Senator’s daughter. She wasn’t the typical girl you’d pick to save the world in her expensive clothes and stilettos. Which is what made the book and journey so fun. The majority of the book was from Tori’s perspective, but a few pages throughout were from other side characters. I liked those times where I could sneak into other characters’ thoughts.

CJ does a great job having a big group of characters that each stand out. There were 9 Slayers plus other side characters. I loved all the action and romance. Overall a wonderful read! I recommend it to everyone.

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) to see details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing! )
Language: none
Violence: mild ( fight scenes, training, burns )

article 5, cinder, debut author challenge, ditched, evernearth, first date, fracture, incarnate, the queen of kentucky

2012 Debut Author Challange

Kathryn Cooper

The Story Siren is hosting the 2012 Debut Author Challenge! I was hesitant to sign up because I wasn’t sure if I read a lot of debut authors. I feel like I’m constantly catching up on other books my favorite authors have written or finishing a series. I thought about it some more and realized I was already planning on reading some debuts and didn’t know it.  It’s also hard to know if a debut author writes clean fiction so I just have to take a risk and read it. If the book turns out not to be clean I stop reading it and move on to the next book. =) I’m trying to read at least twelve 2012 debut author books for the challenge. Here’s my list so far.


Click the title to see the book on goodreads.com.

1. The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Witaker
2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
3. First Date by Krista McGee
4. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom
5. Fracture by Megan Miranda
6. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
7. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
8. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

. . . and those are just the books being released in the month of January. 2012 should be a great book year!

Are you part of the challenge?

in my mailbox

In My Mailbox (6)

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. This is not to brag but to showcase books that we may never get the chance to review.


Click the book’s title to view on goodreads.com!

FOR REVIEW:

Cobbogoth
by Hannah L. Clark
My review is already up!

The New Phenomenon
by Chris Raabe

WON:
The Breakup Artist
by Shannen Crane Camp
My review is already up!
Won from I Am a Reader, Not a Writer. Thank you!

BOUGHT:
Each of these were Kindle versions for $0.99!! Hard to resist a sale.

Vengeance 
by Michelle Madow

Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards
by Janette Rallison

Hereafter
by Tara Hudson

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

Witch Song
by Amber Argyle

Book Review, cobbogoth

Book Review: Cobbogoth

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Cobbogoth
Author: Hannah L. Clark
Publisher: KinStone Publishing
Release Date: December 2010
Pages: 308
Series: Cobbogoth #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

To seventeen-year-old Norah Lukens, the Cobbogothians were just a myth. But after her archeologist uncle’s brutal murder, and being asked to translate one of his old research journals for evidence, she begins a journey to discover the truth for herself.

Chasing the myth her uncle was obsessed with, Norah learns that his murder was a cover up for something far more sinister. If she hopes to save others from suffering the same fate he did–including the peculiarly magnetic James Riley–she must head to Iceland in order to find out the truth once and for all.

If she succeeds, she’ll gain the one thing she’s always longed for.

But if she fails, not even the gods can help her.

My Thoughts:
This is a great book!!! Everyone go read it. . . right now. I first heard about Cobbogoth when Hannah Clark, the author, contacted me. I then went to her website, hannahlclark.com, and read the first two chapters of the book. I was hooked! This was a few months ago so I was really looking forward to the book release earlier this month.

This read took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. I was happy, sad, heart-broken, excited, betrayed, scared, nervous, angry, ecstatic. Norah was a normal 17-year-old girl until she learned more about the Cobbogothians, and her life began to change.

I loved the mythical creatures. Some were awesome and amazing others were plain creepy and terrifying. Norah searched to learn more about herself and to keep herself and those she loved alive. Yes there’s a boy, his name is James. I won’t ruin your fun by giving any details away, but believe me you’ll enjoy it.

Cobbogoth is a fun and exciting read. I recommend it to everyone! I look forward to reading book 2 when it’s released.

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: mild/moderate ( deaths, injuries, blood )

*I received a copy of Cobbogoth from the author. Thank you! I do not get paid for any of my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*

Book Review, the breakup artist

Book Review: The Breakup Artist

Kathryn Cooper

Title: The Breakup Artist
Author: Shannen Crane Camp
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
Release Date: December 2011
Pages: 216
Series: none
Source: won from I Am A Reader, Not a Writer
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

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.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! The summary sounded so fun, and it did not disappoint. Just thinking about it makes me want to read it again. It’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a light hearted, funny, romantic book!

There was a lot more involved with being a breakup artist than I realized. I thought Amelia’s friends would ask her to breakup with their boyfriends and she’d break it to the guys like in junior high. I was happily surprised, Amelia got paid by girls to breakup with their boyfriends in a way that kept the boys happy. Let’s just say she got to wear lots of cute outfits and changed her hair color often when she was on the job.

I love how serious Amelia was about her “work”. She had files of each guy she had to breakup with for someone else. She studied up on the guy and practically went undercover. She was like a spy or something. Really fun.

David came along and was handsome, fun, smart, caring, what more can I say?

Go out and read this book! You’ll love it!

Happy Reading!

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

Book Review, remembrance

Book Review: Remembrance

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Remembrance
Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Release Date: July 2011
Pages: 314
Series: Transcend Time Saga #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England … but she doesn’t know it yet.
Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie’s school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can’t stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can’t she seem to get him out of her mind?
Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn’t going to be easy.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I had so much fun living through Lizzie as I read it. This is a book I will recommend to all my friends!!

I loved that the book took place in high school, junior year. Junior year was a fun and memorable year for me so it’s always fun to think back on that time and see it from another’s perspective. Michelle does a really amazing job with the details of high school life. She brought up little things that many of us can relate to but may have forgotten. It just made the read real and enjoyable.

Lizzie has a boyfriend named Jeremy. They’ve known each other for years and have been together for 3 years I think. That’s a long time in junior high/ high school years. The book doesn’t actually talk about this, but the situations made me think it:t When you’re in high school, don’t stay with a guy that puts you down, even jokingly, and don’t stay with someone just because it’s easy or you’ve been dating for a long time if you’re not happy. Ok, I don’t want to get on a soap box so . . . nuff said about not dating jerks. 🙂 I just felt that the situations and feelings Lizzie had in this book are very real. There are probably lots of girls out their dating guys that feed on their insecurities.

On to Drew. Mysterious. Attractive. He reminds me of Edward from Twilight. He sends mixed signals to Lizzie, and she just can’t figure him out. I don’t believe in reincarnation, neither does the author, but it made for a really fun fiction. A romantic idea really. I loved it.

There was more tense excitement than I expected. It was really fun and exciting, especially towards the end. You have to go read it!! Right now!

The next book, Vengeance, is a novella (short novel) from the point of view of Chelsea, the best friend.

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: I can’t remember! I think very mild ( some injuries described from memories )

shooting stars, waiting on wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday: Shooting Stars

Kathryn Cooper

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

Shooting Stars
by Allison Rushby
Publisher: Walker and Co
Release Date will be February 28, 2012

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

I love the ‘regular girl meets a celebrity heart throb’ story line. Sounds really fun and cute!

What are you waiting on?

blog tour, Book Review, giveaway, lemniscate

Blog Tour: Lemniscate Review and Giveaways

Kathryn Cooper

Lemniscate Blog Tour:


12/9- Mundie Moms, tour kick off
12/10- Reader Girls, review & giveaway
12/11- Regina-Unsettled, guest post
12/12- Confession of a Vi3tBabe, character interview
12/13- Clean Teen Fiction, review & giveaway
12/14- The Non Reluctant Reader, guest post
12/15- A Blog About Nothing, excerpt
12/16- Pager Turners Blog, review
12/17- The Book Vortex, author interview
12/18- Mundie Moms, mini character & author interview

Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia is the second book in the Angel Star series. See my review of book one: Angel Star.

Title: Lemniscate
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Release Date: March 2011
Pages: 252
Series: Angel Star #2
3 STARS: I Liked It

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth – especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.
Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this second installment in the Angel Star series. Unlike the first book, Angel Star, Teagan learned to rely on herself instead of her angel. I loved seeing her strength and resolve grow through this new independence.

In this second book, Teagan’s best friend is Ryan. Tea and Ryan have a lot of fun together. I enjoyed any scene with the two of them. Their banter and relationship was entertaining. I really liked Ryan. He sounded cute and trustworthy and . . . human. I kind of wish sometimes Teagan would hook up with him instead of Garreth. For me, Ryan is the Twilight’s Team Jacob equivalent.

Oh Garreth, you made me angry during this book. I’m not sure if everyone would agree with me, and I don’t want to go into details. I believe in forgiveness, but I really think there should have been more of a discussion between him and Teagan over a few of his choices. Those of you who’ve read the book know what I’m talking about. But hey, no one likes a flawless character.

A new character, Dr. Nathaniel Dean, was introduced at the end of Angel Star but played a bigger part in Lemniscate. Nate is dating Teagan’s mom. Well, I’ll let you see what happens with all that when you read it yourself.

Overall, an entertaining read! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Side Note: Most of us don’t believe in vampires, werewolves, wizards, etc, but in this book there are angels and evil spirits. I do believe in God, angels, and evil, but I don’t believe in incarnation or angels as depicted in this book. I just wanted to be clear that I read this book like an entertaining work of fiction. 

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( some kissing )
Language: mild ( 1 d***, 2 s***, 4 h***, 1 God )
Violence: mild ( some fight scenes )
Other: mention of teenage drinking

GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away a copy of the book, Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia. Please fill out the form to be entered to win!
*Contest open from December 13-19. Closes at 12am CST December 20th.
*You will be emailed if you win. You will have 48 hours to respond in order to claim your prize, or a new winner will be chosen.
*Open internationally: Mundie Moms International Giveaway Rules apply.

INTERNATIONALLY WINNERS: 
Our giveaways are open to our internationally followers when noted, and due to the rising costs in shipping and paying with shipping out of our own pockets, all Internationally winners will need to pay for their shipping costs within 48 hours of receiving our email, before the book/books are shipped. If within 48 hours no payment or contact is made, we will then select another winner (this is valid for all winners outside the US).

Payment is made via our Pay Pal link here

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

From the Mundie Moms website: Lemniscate Main Blog Tour Page


Purchase the book from:


About the Author:
You can follow Jennifer on Twitter and Facebook, and visit her site here.





During the duration of the tour, be sure to enter Jennifer Murgia’s Be An Angel, Give A Book Contest. Purchase a copy of Angel Star or Lemniscate during the month of December and email your receipt to jennifermurgia8@gmail.com for your chance to be “an angel”. Both books in the name of the winner randomly chosen will be donated to that winner’s choice of library. ALL those who enter, will be entered to win a Goodie Basket of Lands Atlantic books. That winner will be announced on Jan. 2nd, 2012 on Jennifer’s site.