false 153 451 162 true 5664612 read 0 true 5077315 currently-reading 289 true 5077314 to-read 101 false 6018864 wish-list 45 false 6986445 own 11 false 6975133 arc--for-review 8 false 6975128 for-review 7 false 6986430 contest-win 1 false 7245078 to-read--put-aside http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78969155 The Education of Bet (Hardcover) by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78969021 Winter Longing (Paperback) by Tricia Mills
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61389814 to: Coffeehouse Angel (Hardcover) by Suzanne Selfors
bookshelves: wish-list
Much like a steaming hot cup of your favorite java, Coffeehouse Angel is a comforting, light hearted novel perfect for sitting back and savoring the moment with. One early morning, Katrina, a young teenager, looks out the window of her grandmother's coffeehouse and sees a homeless man sleeping by the dumpster. Katrina selflessly takes pity on him and brings him a cup of coffee along with something to eat. Unbeknownst to her, the man is not homeless. He is really a handsome messenger angel named Malcolm who is merely resting in between assignments. Katrina's selfless good deed earns her the right to her heart’s most intense desire. Sounds like a dream right? But if you only had one wish, would you really know what you wanted most to use it on?

Although a bit meek at times, Katrina’s caring, sweet nature did make her very lovable. I also thought her character was highly relatable when it came to comparing herself with her overachieving classmates and best friends. At one time or another most girls can probably relate to the problems Katrina had. There is so much pressure on teens to know “what you want to do” with the rest of your life and I thought Selfors did a great job delving into those feelings and issues. This is a great passage from the book that provides quite a bit of insight into the pressures kids face today -


"Our main focus as teenagers, according to just about everyone, is to jam-pack our lives with activities so that we can get into an Ivy League college and therefore succeed in life. Because that's the way it works. Weak application = crappy college. Crappy college = crappy job. Crappy job = crappy life. In other words, poverty, alcoholism, obesity, and depression. It's enough stress to make your hair fall out."
The idea of a celestial or supernatural creature who comes along and grants wishes is one I have read about in other stories and folk tales. But Suzanne Selfors has definitely made Coffeehouse Angel her own with the picturesque, Scandinavian town of Nordby, a quirky cast of lovable characters and a heart warming, heavenly infused budding romance between a messenger angel and a kind hearted teenager. The cultural aspects of the town of Nordby really gave Coffeehouse Angel a little something extra special too. I enjoyed the fairy tale inspired locale with cuckoo clocks and painted murals on the buildings, instead of your average American city. I also loved reading about Christmas traditions like the peanut butter filled pine cones and the Solstice Festival. One thing I couldn't quite wrap my palette around were the eggs in the coffee and the sardine sandwiches though!

Although the tone of the story is light hearted, there are deeper lessons of forgiveness and self identity in Coffeehouse Angel. One of the underlying themes seemed to be that if you were always wishing for something better, what kind of life is that? Katrina knows her grandmother’s business is in danger of going under at any minute. Does she want to use her one wish to save the coffeehouse? I liked Katrina’s growth process and how in the end, she didn’t wait for a wish to come around and magically make things happen for her. For me, that was the best part of the novel.

Coffeehouse Angel is the perfect book to curl up alongside with on a rainy dreary day. It will infuse your heart with warmth and make you smile. So go on and take a sip of this feel good, coming of age romance. You won’t be disappointed.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/244383-win-covet-by-j-r-ward BOOK BUTTERFLY made a comment in the Book Giveaways group:

Check out my friend's new blog. She is giving away a copy of Covet by J.R. Ward :)


http://readfreekreviews.blogspot.com/200... ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/244381-win-covet-by-jr-ward BOOK BUTTERFLY made a comment in the Book Giveaways group:

Want to win Covet by J.R. Ward?

http://readfreekreviews.blogspot.com/200... ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59110751 to: Betrayals (Strange Angels, #2) by Lili St. Crow
bookshelves: wish-list
BETRAYALS grabs you by the collar and hurls you into the world of the Schola, a dangerous school jam packed with loads of nonstop action, mystery, tension and even a hint of romance. If you enjoyed STRANGE ANGELS and have been looking forward to the sequel, BETRAYALS will not disappoint. The story picks up exactly where STRANGE ANGELS left off. The Schola is a place that is supposed to be “safe” for Dru and Graves, or to clarify, as safe as a place for deadly supernatural creatures can be under the circumstances. To make matters more complicated, Dru’s own powers are getting close to “blooming”. This frightening experience leaves Dru wondering if she can trust anyone, perhaps even her own self?

The world of STRANGE ANGELS really took shape for me in BETRAYALS and evolved in a deeply mesmerizing, impressive manner. I loved learning more about the supernatural creatures lurking within the Real World and the mythology behind their capabilities. In STRANGE ANGELS there was black and white. Either you’re one of the things that go bump in the night and you’re bad, or you’re a human “Hunter” and you’re good. In BETRAYALS, we learn there are shades of grey. Take for instance, the heartbreaking plight of the Broken. I loved this story thread and can’t wait to see what happens with a certain Broken wulfen in the next book.

Dru also evolved in BETRAYALS. She was her same stubborn self, but honestly, I’d hate to ever see her ever turn soft. I love how Dru is a strong, gutsy and smart heroine. If I was caught in a bad situation, I’d definitely want to her to have my back. But in this novel you also see more of the vulnerable girl hiding behind the tough façade. This is a girl who has had to grow up so fast and has been constantly attacked, terrified and betrayed. It's no wonder she is the way the is. On a more lighthearted note, I desperately hope that Dru wake ups and smells the coffee, or shall I say -apple pie? (If you've read STRANGE ANGELS, you know who I'm talking about). In regards to Christophe, he was fascinating in the first book and I appreciated how we got to learn more about him as well as his dark past.

When you read BETRAYALS you are on pins and needles. The Schola, a small, isolated satellite school for delinquent wulfen and djamphir immediately made my skin prickle with nervousness. Knowing a traitor was lurking within the school’s walls only increased the mounting tension in the air. You just know that any minute the bell is going to alarm and all hell will break loose. And believe me, it sure does. Trusting the wrong person or being lulled into a false sense of complacency would be the end of Dru. I kept thinking that Dru might've been safer on her own- on the run. At least then, she’d always be sharp and ready for an attack. She’d know who was friend or foe. At the Schola, there are so many unanswered questions, conflicting behaviors and unanswered secrets, it’s almost impossible to know who to trust. But as a reader, that was part of the fun. I love being immersed in the novel and constantly being floored by all the unexpected twists and turns.

STRANGE ANGELS was a fantastic novel, but BETRAYALS blew me away and exceeded all my expectations by far. The storyline was so complex and well written, it left me breathless for more.I loved the world that Lili St. Crow has created within this series. Be forewarned though- while many questions are answered, you will be left reeling with so many more. Jealousy, the third novel will be released June 2010. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59110751 BOOK BUTTERFLY's review of Betrayals (Strange Angels, #2)
by Lili St. Crow

I loved this book! I thought Strange Angels was great, but this book blew me away~ Happy reading!
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78465378 Jealousy (Strange Angels, #3) by Lili St. Crow
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/243196-win-signed-copy-of-bad-apple-by-laura-ruby BOOK BUTTERFLY made a comment in the Book Giveaways group:

Stop by to win a signed, personalized copy of BAD APPLE by LAURA RUBY. Contest ends 12/13 (US RESIDENTS ONLY)

http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com...

About the book:


Junior Tola Riley doesn’t care what people say about her. She knows her ever-changing hair color and goth clothes make her an easy target. Whatever. But the latest rumor is different.... The entire school believes she had an affair with her art teacher. The rumors may be a lie, but the fallout is all too real. Will Tola finally stand up for the truth?

With a heroine you'll root for and a truly relevant story, Laura Ruby has once again brought the authentic teen experience to life for readers who relish dark humor and razor-sharp wit. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/243195-win-a-signed-copy-of-bad-apple-by-laura-ruby BOOK BUTTERFLY made a comment in the Book Giveaways group:

Contest at my blog to win a signed, personalized copy of BAD APPLE by LAURA RUBY. Contest ends 12/13 and is open to all US Residents (sorry international residents!)

http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com...

About the Book:
Junior Tola Riley doesn’t care what people say about her. She knows her ever-changing hair color and goth clothes make her an easy target. Whatever. But the latest rumor is different.... The entire school believes she had an affair with her art teacher. The rumors may be a lie, but the fallout is all too real. Will Tola finally stand up for the truth?

With a heroine you'll root for and a truly relevant story, Laura Ruby has once again brought the authentic teen experience to life for readers who relish dark humor and razor-sharp wit. ]]>