ReadingFanatic

Title: The Choice
Author: Nicolas Sparks
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0-446-57992-0
Pages: 272
Rating: 4.5/5

About this book:
Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style.

That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him ... and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help.

Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

My thoughts:
Another fantastic book by Sparks. On ething that most authors lack is the emotion in their stories/books. Sparks makes you feel the love between his characters. You can feel the warmth and love just radiating from within the pages. I do have to admit though that this book had a different edge then his other books. I can't explain why but there was somthing that was just different about this book than his others. ( Big Spoilers ) So al in all, I think that this isn't my favorite book by him but it's at the top of the list somewhere.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 19,891

Title: Demon's Kiss
Author: Maggie Shayne
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-7783-2497-4
Pages: 395
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
Even by vampire standards, Reaper is a loner, and his current mission to destroy a gang of rogue bloodsuckers is definitely a one-vamp job. Then fate takes a hand, and before he knows it, he's surrounded by a ragtag crew of misfit helpers: the newbie, the princess, the shape-shifter and the human healer.

Seth is new to immortality, but he's sharp and strong--and he'll risk anything for the rogues' strange female captive, a secretive creature he doesn't understand but feels compelled to save.

Vixen is confused by the emotions that swirl through her at the sight of her impulsive hero. She only hopes the brutal Gregor and his bloodthirsty renegades will leave her alive long enough to explore them.

Or will Reaper himself be the one to destroy them all?

My thoughts:
Awesome book. Since I have read all of Maggie Shayne's other vampire novels, this one wasn't as good as them but still a fantastic vampire book. The characters were really good too. I am glad that Shanye's other vampires series is linked to this one as well. I'm hoping that there is more down the line from Shanye because her vampire romance books are amazing.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 19,619

Title: Taken by the Night
Author: Kathryn Smith
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-06-124502-X
Pages: 370
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
Saint came to London looking for a little rest, blood, and maybe some feminine company. He never wanted to avenge the murders of two prostitutes, and he certainly never asked for the censure he sees in Ivy Dearing's eyes. Though, the desire he sees there awakens a hunger inside him unlike any he has ever known. He is not the only man taken in by Ivy's considerable charms, but he plans to be the only man in her bed. And when the madman he's hunting turns his attention toward Ivy, Saint will risk everything – even his immortality – to save the woman he loves

My thoughts:
This is the third book in the series. It was very good but I still loved the first book Be Mine Tonight. I felt that it was definitely a chance from the others in the series but it was still fantastic. It felt like more of a vampire romance murder mystery. Interesting in my opinion. Smith does a wonderful job of changing it up from book to book instead of being the same boring kind of book but with different characters. I thought that it was rather interesting that the woman Saint finds love with is the daughter of a woman he saves so long ago and that they live in a whore house. Interesting. Definitely will recommend the series to vampire romance lovers. :)

Amy

Pages read YTD: 19,224

Title: Night of the Huntress
Author: Kathryn Smith
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-06-084991-6
Pages: 370
Rating: 4.5/5
2nd in a series

About this book:
Since the foul murder of my beloved wife three hundred years past, I have dedicated myself to the destruction of monsters. My obsession is rivaled only by the raging blood-lust that sets me apart from ordinary men. But now there is another who seeks vengeance as well. She is called The Huntress -- and when our paths cross, one of us must die.

But now that I have seen Marika Korzha, how can I be the instrument of her ruin? The beauty and courage of this determined vampire slayer move me in ways I no longer believed possible. And I alone know her dark secret. We are more alike than the exquisite Huntress realizes. We both crave justice . . . and passion . . . and absolution. And we dare not deny the desire that consumes us both . . .

My thoughts:
I must say that this wasn't as good as the first book in the series (Be Mine Tonight) but definitely worth reading. I was bored int he beginning cause I felt that it kept dragging on and on but once Marika and Bishop started liking each other, thats when it started getting good. Mostly I would have to say that this book is more about adventure than love. My opinion. I mean, there is romance but it just was more action filled than actually love and romance. Maybe that's why I wasn't as thrilled with this one.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 18,854

Title: Be Mine Tonight
Author: Kathryn Smith
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-06-084836-7
Pages: 370
Rating: 5/5
1st in a series

About this book:
I am called Chapel . . .

For nearly six centuries I have roamed the night, a mortal man no longer. Would that I could undo the past -- when I entered the sanctuary of the Knights Templar to wrest from them the Holy Grail, only to discover the chalice I raised to my lips was not the sacred relic but a hellish cup of damnation. Now I shun the day and all things human, driven by an ungodly thirst. And yet . . .

Never have I known a maiden the like of Prudence Ryland, whose beauty and spirit awaken a heart I feared long cold and dead. But her young life is slipping away, and she also seeks the deliverance of the Grail -- unaware that the cost of her search could be her soul. I must help Prudence, for in six hundred years, no other woman has stirred my passions so. But dare I tender to my beloved that which she most desires -- the sensuous "gift" of forever that is both rapture and a curse: my immortal kiss?

My thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book. I fell in love with the concept and the idea from the first paragraph. It's got and awesome story and plot. Definitely a re-read and a keeper. The characters were very believeable and very well thought out. It takes you for a little look into history but not over done or anything. The main characters, Chapel and Pru, they were so fun to read about because they constantly teased each other and you could just feel the love coming out of the book. Yes I know I'm a dork but I mean, that's definitely something that is worth sharing. Anybody that likes/loves romance novels you have to read this book. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 18,484

Title: Twilight
Author: Stephanie Meyers
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
ISBN: 0-316-01584-9
Pages: 498
Rating: 4.5/5

About this book:
Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.

My thoughts:
Awesome book! I've been hearing all the ranting and ravings about this book and I'm surprised that I never checked it out before now. I must say that all the gossip about this book being awesome is definitely correct! It was a little slow in the beginning but most definitely picks up. I know why they put this book in the young adult section, however this book can be for all ages. I loved the whole concept of the vampires and loved the characters. There was this part that I thought was absolutely beautiful about these vampires of Ms. Meyers and that was when they go into direct sunlight and they start shining like a diamond. I thought that concept was truely extraordinary! Definitely a re-read and a keeper.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 18,114

Title  Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy
ISBN:  0-375-82669-6
Pages:  497
Rating:  3/5 

About this book: 
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy -- until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save -- or destroy -- the Empire.

My thoughts:
I wasn't too impressed with this book but I think maybe it was because I had already seen the movie first and knew what the ending was. However, it was a good story but way too long and too much information in my opinion. If I had to pick over the movie and the book, I'd pick the movie. Which surprises me because the books are always better but I definitely loved the movie way more than that book. I didn't like the characters as much in the book as I did in the movie either. I'm not too sure why I prefer the movie over the book but that's just the way I feel about it I guess.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 17,616

Title: The Coma
Author: Alex Garland
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1-57322-273-9
Pages: 200
Rating: 0/5

About this book:
When Carl awakens from a coma after being attacked on a subway train, life around him feels unfamiliar, even strange. He arrives at his best friend's house without remembering how he got there; he seems to be having an affair with his secretary, which is pleasant but surprising. He starts to notice distortions in his experience, strange leaps in his perception of time. Is he truly reacting with the outside world, he wonders, or might he be terribly mistaken? So begins a dark psychological drama that raises questions about the boundaries of consciousness.

My thoughts:
I can't believe I even finished this book. It was horrible although it did start out kind good. However, the rest of the book didn't make any kind of sense and I thought it would get better at the end but it was stupid. Horrible book. I can't even begin to describe how boring and stupid this book was. It was definitely a waste of my time.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 17,119

Title: Eternal Journey
Author: Carol Hutton
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0-446-67731-0
Pages: 149
Rating: 4/5

About this book:
In the tradition of the bestselling "Beaches" comes a story about love and friendship, loss and renewal. Anna loses her best friend, Beth, to cancer and escapes to Martha's Vineyard to mourn in solitude. There, a persistent stranger appears with shocking revelations that open the doors to her past.

My thoughts:
I thought this book was actually very good. I think I'll have to reread it thought because I think I missed that some important factors to the book. I loved the concept though and the writing style was awesome! I loved the main character. I think she was very believeable. Some parts were a little confusing because I didn't realize that it was in present time and then going back in time. Interesting though. It's something I would recommend if you like books about people grieving for a loved one.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 16,919

Title: Betrayed: A House of Night Novel (2nd in series)
Author: P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
ISBN: 0-312-36028-2
Pages: 310
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
In this follow-up to "Marked," fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has settled in at the House of Night. But when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart and jeopardize her world.

My thoughts:
OMG, this book was freakin awesome. I must say that Ms. Cast and her daughter did an excellent job with this series so far. I am completely amazed and already wanna re-read this series. This is the 2nd book in the House of Night Novels and they are definitely worth the read. I wasn't bored from day one with either the first or the second book. They are amazing and a whole different look at vampires with a mix of a goddess as well. However, the only thing that I hated was the fact that it was more of a "to be continued" ending rather than giving any kinda of satisfying conclusion. Oh well though, it still rocked.( Major Spoilers.... ) So I highly recommend everybody who likes these kinds of books to go out and make sure they get this series because it is awesome.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 16, 770

Title: Prince of Swords
Author: Linda Winstead Jones
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-425-21574-6
Pages: 291
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
In the last installment of the Children of the Sun trilogy, a shackled virginmust choose between the monster she knows and a sexy stranger who could spelldoom--or help her fulfill the Prophecy of the Firstborn.

My thoughts:
Awesome conclusion to this series. Although a part of me wishes that it could continue, I think that the series should be done and the author should move onto another series. The characters were awesome though but the final battle where they defeat the Isen Demon really sucked. It was too short and very disappointing. Although, still the book was awesome and full of adventure and magic as is the rest of the series.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 16, 460

Title: Prince of Fire
Author: Linda Winstead Jones
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-425-21481-7
Pages: 314
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
In this second installment of the Children of the Sun trilogy, Keelia, Queen of the Anwyn, falls for her shape-shifting kidnapper, but she still cannot deny the ever-looming Prophecy of the Firstborn: the Queen will betray love in the name of victory.

My thoughts:
Although I gave the rating a 5 out of 5, I do have to admit that this book was a little boring for me. I still really liked it though and it kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It's the 2nd in a series but if you wanna get technical then it would be the 5th in a series. If you wanna know more, comment and I'll explain. Anyways, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. I'm not sure why...maybe because I don't like the whole kidnapping thing. As for the characters, I did like them. I think they were great. Their whole personalities and attitudes about things really made you feel like you were in the story which is why I like this series so much. I don't feel like I can say too much about it because I'm still unsure on what it was about the book that I didn't really care for and what parts I did. Maybe I over rated this book but I have to stick with my intial reaction when I was done reading.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 16,169

Title: Prince of Magic
Author: Linda Winstead Jones
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-425-21448-0
Pages: 312
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
The firstborn children of the Fyne witches have finally come into their own, each with a special gift...

Independent Ariana Kane Varden, daughter of the Sun Witch, has never let family duty keep her from reaching her dreams. She learned the practice of her gift, the power to heal others, at her mother's knee. And now she is the Palace healer, tending to her emperor...

The last prophecy of magician Sian Chamblyn's late grandfather points to Ariana as the one to save Columbyana from a growing evil. Sian has hightailed it from lands afar to deliver the message. When he must prepare her for the fight of her life, Sian intends to remain undistracted by his sensuously beautiful protŽgŽe. But in the heat of battle-and passion-diligence might be his downfall...

My thoughts:
Awesome book. Actually, this is a whole new series called the Children of the Sun Trilogy but before reading this book, you should read the Sisters of the Sun Trilogy. That way you'll understand what's going on. Anyways, this book rocked! I loved the characters and the war between good and evil just is fantastic. Jones does an awesome job with all the detail and the personalities of the characters. She really pulled off another great series. To be honest, I had my doubts because the first series was so awesome, I thought this series was just about continuing it and it was would boring and whatever but surprisingly it is really good. Two thumbs up for LWJ! :)

Amy

Pages read YTD: 15,855

Title: Marked: A House of Night Novel
Author: P.C. Cast + Krisiten Cast
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
ISBN: 0-312-36026-6
Pages: 306
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny -- with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

My thoughts:
Awesome book! I absolutly fell in love with this story. Cast and her daughter did a fantastic job with all the different characters and the storyline is excellent. I was completely surprised and totally didn't know what to expect from Cast with a young adult novel since she's written romance and fantasy for adults. This was a complete shock to find out that she was coming out with a series for young adults and then to find out how excellent it was. :) Definitly deserved a 5 out of 5. I absolutely loved the characters...they were funny and most of them were down to earth. ( Some Spoilers... ) Excellent book! Even for adults as well.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 15,543

Title: Divine by Blood (3rd in a series)
Author: P.C. Cast
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 0-373-80291-9
Pages: 443
Rating: 5/5

About this book:
In this follow-up to "Divine by Choice," Morrigan MacCallan, daughter of Rhiannon, the vanquished Chosen of Epona, is raised as a normal girl in Oklahoma for 18 years. When she discovers the truth of her magical heritage, her rage and grief take on a power of their own, carrying her back to the world of Partholon.

My thoughts:
Awesome book! I was a little disappointed in some aspects though...( Spoilers ) So...even though I was a little disappointed in those aspects, I still liked the book very much...( More Spoilers )I'm actually sorry to see this series end. At least this part of the series. I hope Cast continues off of Brighids Quest...she better anyways. :)

Amy

Pages read YTD: 15, 237

Title: Dark Challenge
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-505-51409-0
Pages: 377
Rating: 3.5/5

About this book:
In this anxiously awaited paranormal romance from Feehan's acclaimed "Dark" series, a brooding but powerful loner meets his match in the woman he is sworn to protect. His dark hunger to possess her blinds him to the danger stalking him.

My thoughts:
Okay, so this is the 5th book in the "Dark Series" and it wasn't too bad. I mean, it was still repeative but different because they brought more Carpathians into this story. Finally some other characters. Lost characters I guess I should say. Anyways, a totally better storyline. There was actually some excitment to this book as opposed to all the same damn sex scenes and more to just hunting and killing the vampires. So, I didn't get so bored with this book. Anyways, I loved the characters too. I loved Julian who is the twin brother from Dark Gold and his mate is Desari...(I think that's how you spell her name). Anyways, they were fun characters like Adian and Alex were. It was a good story.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 14,794

Title: Dark Magic
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-505-52389-2
Pages: 358
Rating: 2.5/5

About this book:
Though a world-famous magician, young Savannah is held in a terrifying thrall by the most powerful of Carpathian males. With a dark magic all his own, Gregori, whispers in Savannah's mind that she has been born to save his immortal soul. And now, in New Orleans, the time has come to claim her.

My thoughts:
Okay, so this is the 4th book in the "Dark Series" and I wasn't really thrilled with it. I'm 2 for 2 now. I liked the first one, I hated the 2nd one, I loved the 3rd one and now I wasn't thrilled with the 4th one. So like I said, I'm for 2. I'm eventually going to read the whole series but I don't think I can just read them all at one time. There's too much repetitation. Anyways, I liked the characters but I thought that there needed to be something else that spruced up the rest of the story. It was just too much of the same kinda thing and way too much sex in this story. I know her books are like that but just way too much in this one. She just describes all this sex all the time and it lasts like 3 to 4 pages sometimes. Geesh...I think us readers get the picture ya know? I wasn't really thrilled with the story line either...It was mainly the ending though where they go into the swamp to take down the master vampire. I didn't like all that and I didn't like the characters "other characters"...*shrug* However I did like the human that ended up coming into the story which was on the vampire hunters team but realized that all the other workers for that team were trying to hurt the Carpathians...so...therefore he made friends with Gregori and Savannah. :) It was an okay book though. Nothing special though.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 14,417

Title: Dark Gold
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0-505-52375-2
Pages: 312
Rating: 5/5

About this book: ( 3rd in a series)
Alexandria Houton will sacrifice anything to protect her orphaned little brother. When both encounter unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, out of the darkness swoops Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful and mysterious than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatches them from a hideous fate. But if Alex surrenders to Aidan's savage unearthly seduction, will he save her brother?

My thoughts:
Actually, I really enjoyed this book. Now, a few years ago, I read the first in the series Dark Prince and I enjoyed it. I thought that there was too much sex in it for my taste so I figured that I wouldn't read any more of these vampire books. Well, my cousin encouraged me to try and read the second one so last year I started the second one and hated it. Now, my aunt has started reading more and she's reading this series and kept telling me that I should give it another chance. So I picked up the second book again and finished it and it wasn't too bad I guess. So I decided to give this one, (the third) a chance and I absolutly loved it. :) I'm so glad that I read it. I loved the characters and I loved the adventure in this one. I loved the teasing between the heroine and the vampire. It was fab! So, all in all, after all the bad things that I have said about this series, I must take back. I like it and I apologize to anybody that loves this series and to Christine Feehan (even though I know she won't read this) for bad mouthing it. But beware if you don't like a lot of sex in books, cause these have a lot.

Amy

Pages read YTD: 13,621

Title: Safe Harbor
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0515143189
Pages: 350
Rating: 3.5/5

About this book:
One of seven daughters in a line of extraordinary women, Hannah Drake has been the elusive object of affection for Jonas Harrington for as long at the young man can remember. If only the stunning super-model was driven by a passion other than her career. But Jonas isn’t the only one with desires for Hannah.

From the shadows has emerged a vengeful figure who stalks the beauty with one terrifying purpose: to strip her of all she is and destroy her. Only one man was destined as her protection. Now, out of a storm of danger, Jonas must guide the woman he loves from a sinister darkness that threatens not only Hannah, but the entire Drake family.

My thoughts:
I actually thought this book was going to be wonderful. I totally expected more out of it but I was sadly disappointed. Not that it was horrible or anything like that but it just wasn't what I expected it to be I guess. I felt that since this is the 5th book in the series, I really didn't know Hannah what so ever. I thought that her sisters were even more pushy and over bearing then usual and it totally pissed me off. I wanted to just yell at all of them but Jonas did that for me. ;) He's my hero. :P Anyways, it took me longer to get through this book only because I didn't like the way it was set up and I wasn't all thrilled with the plot but the ending did turn out rather good. Like I said, it wasn't one of her better books that but it is part of a series that I'm reading so I had to read it. Although, I have to say that if it weren't part of a series, I wouldn't have recommended the book unfortunately.

Amy

Books read YTD: 40
Pages read YTD: 13,309

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 0-545-01022-5
Pages: 759
Rating: 4.5/5

About this book:
The last and final story of the epic tale of Harry Potter.

My thoughts:
Well, I must say that this book was fantastic!!! I thought Rowling wrote this very well although I was a little confused with some of the parts. I found myself saying "what is that?", "where did that come from", "what is she talking about", and those sorts of things. I had to reread some sections where she was explaining things such as the Deathly Hallows cause I didn't feel she explained them good enough. But all in all, it was great. I'm totally sad to see that the story has ended. I really thought that this wasn't going to be the last book. However, I'm wondering if the story will continue in another's point of view. ( Spoilers.... ) I must say that although I'm sad that there will be no more Harry Potter books, I'm glad that Rowling made this book all worth while. I'm satisfied with the ending and really enjoyed reading this book.

Amy

Books read YTD: 39
Pages read YTD: 12,959