Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 346

Review: PHANTOM SUMMER by Amy Sparling

Taylor is a morose and despondent girl. Her friend Brendan recently died. Was it her fault?

A summer away at her mom's dilapidated place at the beach may just be the thing to help Taylor forget about Brendan--at least, that's her hope. The memories haunt her to this day, yet she shoves them down her throat, drowning them in succulent poison. She doesn't believe in anything and doesn't want to care about anything.

Story was very slow. All Taylor does is walk around this boring town like a sad, cynical drone. What's even more annoying is that she's stuck with people that believe in ghosts. Boy, people really do believe in anything (Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, God, etc.)

I did wonder what happened to Brendan. There was definitely a story there, but Taylor just pitter-patters about it, revealing insignificant snippets here and there. She never really divulges the whole truth. And what was the deal with Raine? It was creepy how he kept appearing out of nowhere. Why did he want to scare her? Why did he want her to believe in ghosts? It seemed that the whole goal of the story was to believe in what you can't see or whatever.

Ensconced in the lame history of a boring town, Taylor becomes Raine's assistant in his ghost tour business. And they spend all summer giving ghost tours to visitors, engaging and entertaining audiences.  

I tried to give this story a chance because it sounded like an interesting story with ghosts and mystery and all, but it just didn't work out that way. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.  

My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: FLIRTING WITH MAGICK by Leigh Bennett

There’s nothing like a love spell to get Abby Williams out of her rut and over her ex, but when a gorgeous rocker, a cute colleague, and an apologetic ex–boyfriend come knocking Abby wonders if maybe the spell worked a little too well. If she even believes in that stuff. As emotions run high, secrets are exposed, and feelings change, Abby wonders if flirting with magick is more trouble than it’s worth. But the real question is, do any of these men deserve her heart? Flirting With Magick is a contemporary romance that proves you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.



My thoughts: Abby is a loony, neurotic  character. She buys a book of spells and starts playing around with “magic” (Of course, she’s not a real witch.) Naturally, she tries a love spell. She’s just messing with this stuff and has no idea what she’s doing. To her, it’s just harmless fun.
Filled with tawdry humor and a flaccid plot, this story is okay if you’re into all that frilly, fruity Wicca stuff. The stuff concerning the band was kind of boring and there were too many characters. Personally, I wouldn’t have fallen for Scotty’s Goth look.
Overall, this was a flagrant attempt to mimic the tone of Bridget Jone’s Diary, and it failed.


My rating: 2 stars

Review: WHEN YOU CAME BACK by Yesenia Vargas

At first, Katia doesn’t seem to be having a good 1st day of high school. Then it all changes when he walks back into her life. Brian. The boy she hadn’t seen in 8 years. 
Why is he back all of a sudden? Why did he have to move away, and why is he back now? Katia pretty much obsesses over this boy, just like when she was in the fourth grade.
Story was written in poetic, Haiku kind of way, with short sentences and single phrases. It was a little slow for me, and I found Katia’s neurotic obsession to be daunting. The whole book was basically a diary of a whiny 13-year old, the constant ramblings of an unrequited crush. I miss Brian. I want the old Brian back. Oh, give me a break! Katia spends a good amount of her time trying to talk to Brian, to figure out why he wasn’t talking to her. Seriously, this girl needed a life!

My rating: 2 stars

Review: WITHOUT YOU by Yesenia Vargas

Ariana is a Latina high school girl that wants to go University of GA more than anything in the world. She seeks a adventure, independence, and a fresh start, especially after what happened last year. Who was this Carlos and what did he do to her? Unfortunately, this book doesn't go into any detail about Carlos. Probably because they want you to download the prequel.
The first chapter started well off, until we go to the basketball game. Really, we didn't need a play-by-play. (In fact, if the second book of this series centers mainly on the kid going for a basketball scholarship, then I'd better pass on it because I just know it'll go into intensive sport details - Oy!)
For the most part, this is a pretty good story. Ariana and Mayra are the best of friends and are there for each other. Ariana's family is supportive and honor their traditional Mexican values. I liked that Ariana was a smart, studious, and dedicated worker. Ariana is a great role model for today's Latino youth.
Best part about her is that she refuses to let anything get in the way of her dreams. Until...Lucas walks in. They begin their journey as awkward friends and, gradually, it turns into something meaningful and deep. Lucas and Ariana are actually great together. I liked that their romance wasn't all smutty; instead it was innocent and beautiful. There were a few lagging areas here and there, but, overall, this was an enjoyable YA story.

My rating: 4 stars

Review: 8 WEEKS by Bethany Lopez

This is the story of a broken marriage. Cal got drunk in Vegas and cheated on his wife, Shelly. It's understandable that Shelly would want a divorce, after all the guy did betray her trust. However, Cal refuses to give up, so he's asking her for 8 weeks of Saturday-night dates (so, basically, 8 dates) to prove he'll do anything to gain her trust and prove his love for her. Personally, I wouldn't have agreed to this, but it was the only way Shelly would get her divorce.
Apparently, these two had an intense and "undying" love.  You could tell by how whiny the two get about the fall of their relationship. Story mostly revolves around the rebuilding of a relationship, which I thought moved kinda slow. Cal is so desperate to get his wife back that it almost gets annoying, turning off the reader. Mainly this was about two people missing each other and wanting what they had back.
This is an okay story of reuniting.

My rating: 3 stars

Review: EVERY WITCH WAY BUT WICKED by Amanda Lee (Book 2)

Bay, the ghost seer, is back in a whole new mystery!
It’s a murder mystery weekend and tourists are abound in this wiccan town. Suddenly, a real body turns up unexpectedly that is not part of the script.
Love Aunt Tillie, the kooky 90-year old witch matriarch whom everyone is afraid of. Again, you’ll love the biting wit between Bay and cousins, Clove and Thistle.
Full of frank and witty humor!

My rating: 5 stars

Review: ANY WITCH WAY YOU CAN by Amanda Lee (Book 1)

Bay Winchester is a witch of Hemlock Cove. Not a wicked witch, but an Earth witch.
Even though her town thrives on the supernatural for tourist attraction, the people are not too keen on real witches. That’s why Bay and her family keep their gifts a secret. Bay’s gift is that she can see ghosts. I wouldn’t fear ghosts either. After all, they’re like people—good and bad.
All in all, the day started off fine with tourists everywhere…until Bay discovers a body hidden in a scarecrow. Now Bay must find the ghost of the murdered boy and put his soul to rest before the bad guys kill again.
Witty and enjoyable! The family drama was hilarious. Loved the bickering between Bay and her cousins.
A juicy wiccan mystery!

My rating: 5 stars

Review: IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME by Cindy Cowles

It all begins with a young girl telling her story after a news broadcast announced the official death of a local celebrity, whom she actually dated in high school.
Everyone knows you can’ alter the past. But what if you could?  Would you make the same fateful choice that changed your life forever?
Sara has been grappling with guilt ever since she had an abortion, which has been her biggest regret ever. Now, she’s woken up and is back in her senior year of high school with a chance to do it over again. Will she make the same decision?
Quick and to the point, this story is simple tale of longing and remorse. The concept was nice, but I feel like it lacked conflict as well as a back story. How did Sara get transported back in time? We never really find out. But, overall, this was an okay read.


My rating: 3 stars

Review: PEYTON’S CHOICE by Kimberly A. Johnson

Seventeen and pregnant. That’s where Peyton found herself in.
It all begins with Peyton recalling her “awkward” years and general inexperience with boys. It had a bit of a slow start. In fact, most of it was pure teenage fluff, which had little interest to me. I just felt that Peyton was blathering on and on. Get to the point, please!
The story goes on to how Peyton meets Brad and begins her relationship with him. It can get a little nitty-gritty when they start talking about sex (contraceptives, stamina, positions, etc.) But this authenticates what young teens go through today.
I wanted to hear about Peyton’s struggles and the profound impact of her “choice,” but the book mainly details the ups and downs of her relationship with Brad.
The story didn’t really take off for me until Peyton realized she was pregnant. What were here options now?  Keep it? Give it up for adoption? Get an abortion? Johnson does a pretty good job at streamlining the fear and angst of an unexpected teenage pregnancy. She clearly had a perceptive view on the matter and it leaves readers pondering. The author even includes the following afterword: Peyton’s story is fiction, but her dilemma is one faced by women in this country every day. Each person who chooses abortion has a unique story. Whether that choice is easy or difficult, the decision is theirs and theirs alone.
Quick and simple, this book is a good account of one of today’s crucial issues.

My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: THE DREAM by Sofia O’Hara

Nina has given up on men and love. But it seems her perfect guy was just in her dreams.
A well-written short story. My only comment is that this should really be part of a collection rather than its own independent title.

My rating: 4 stars