Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington
Publication date: 1st March, 2011
Source: Bought


When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

My Review:

Favourite Quote: "Listen, I gather you have a problem working with a psychic. Believe me, I don't like working with a jackass any better."

Loved it! Clarity is an awesome debut.   It is a hypnotic and intriguing read that I could not get enough of. 

Harrington's effortless style makes for entertaining and absorbing escape.  I love the premise of Clarity.  Clare's gift is retcocognitive psychometry - picking up imprints from objects.  She uses her gift to help solve the murder of a teenage girl working alongside her ex-boyfriend and the new sheriff's son (aka new hottie in town).   It's pages are full of mystery and suspense and I was unable to guess who the killer was.  I thought it was going to be predictable but there was a twist or two that I didn't expect.

Clare is awesome. Feisty, determined and instantly likeable.  I love a character that sticks up for herself.   She might be bullied but she doesn't take their crap laying down.  Clare doesn't mind saying what is on her mind or giving the occasionally elbow to the stomach.

There is a love triangle and it actually worked.  Probably because I couldn't pick between the two guys either, Justin and Gabriel, and also because Clare handled it the right way.   Plus I like the fact that it isn't typical bad boy vs good boy.  Both are just normal guys who make mistakes but have good hearts (and gorgeous as well which never hurts).

My only tiny little complaint with this book is the thriller part could have been a little scarier.  I was surprised but it didn't get my pulse pounding. 

Overall, Clarity had everything I was looking for in a fun reading escape - great characters, fantastic premises and left me with a craving for more.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Cover: 5/5

For More Info: Visit Kim Harrington's website.

For More Reviews:  Eating YA Books and  Dreaming of Books

My Book Boyfriend #12

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by the awesome blogger Missie at The Unread Reader.   What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out Missie blog The Unread Reader.

Tucker from Unearthly

"Behold, Tucker Avery," she says to me, gesturing up at him.
Her brother resembles her in nearly every way: same hazy blue eyes, same tan, same golden brown hair, except his hair is short and spiky and he's a foot taller.  He is definitely part of the cowboy group, although toned down from some of the others, wearing a simple grey tee, jeans and cowboy boots.  Also hot, but in a completely different way from Christian, less refined, more tan and muscle and a hint of stubble along his jaw.  He looks likes he's been working under the sun his whole life.

(My Tucker is model Raphel Lacchine.  He is how I imagine Tucker even though his hair is longer)

Tucker is witty, gorgeous cowboy who is a true gentleman! ~swoons~

Favourite Quotes:

 I love how he sometimes gets embarrassed by the mushy stuff between us and his voice gets all gruff and he tickles me or kisses me to shut us both up.  Boy, do we ever kiss.  We make out like champions.

"I'm looking at you. Why are you always trying to hide how pretty you are?"

I've been kissed before.  But nothing like this.  He kisses me with surprising tenderness, for all his gusty talk.  Still cupping my face, he gently brushes his lips against mine, slowly, like he's memorising what I feel like.  My eyes close.  My head swims with his smell, grass and sunshine and musky cologne.  He kisses me again, a little more firmly, and then he pulls back to look down into my face.

Have you read Unearthly?

What do you think of Tucker?

Thanks again Missie for hosting this meme.

Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry

Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry
Release date: January, 1997
Source: Bought

My name is Rosie Moon. I am nearly sixteen. I'm hungry for a juicy life. I lean out the window at night and I can taste it out there, waiting for me. 
Popular and smart, fifteen-year-old Rosie Moon is the quintessential good girl. She also wishes she could be someone else for a while, someone more interesting. Asher Fielding is the mysterious new boy at school who has dreadlocks and a love of Jim Morrison. On the first day of tenth grade, Rosie develops a crush on Asher, and when the two pair up for a poetry assignment they quickly form a bond. When Asher is falsely accused of stealing a wallet at school, he and Rosie decide to escape it all—their families, their school, their ordinary town—and hitchhike up the Australian coast. They know they shouldn't, and that is exactly why they do. Part road story, part love story, Guitar Highway Rose is a thrilling ride for anyone who has ever dreamed about escaping everyday life, even just for a little while.

My Review:

Favourite Quote:  Some ideas are not born of logic and good sense. They are made of clouds and cobwebs. They sprout from nowhere and feed on excitement, sprinkled with adventure juice and the sweet flavor of the forbidden. The psyche moves from the realms of the ordinary and takes a delicate step towards the unknown. We know we shouldn't and that is exactly why we do.

Guitar Rose Highway is a fun read. It is quirky, charming and vibrant story that captures the joy and angst of being a teen. 

Lowry's writing has a very lyrical feel and also a little bit different.   There is multiple points of views and no punctuation in parts, snapshots and poetry giving it a very unique format.  It kind of feel likes a happy place between a verse and prose novel.  Also this book is a little bit dated written in the late 90's and has a hippie-grunge kind of feel but I enjoyed it and the memories it brought back.  

The story and the characters really capture how it feels to be a teen with such raw honesty.  Focusing on how you feel your parents don't get you and the feeling of being restricted.  It also has the parents' points of views in a couple of parts showing their feelings. 

Rosie and Asher are amusing and heartwarming characters.   They are the kind of characters that grow on you more and more as the story goes on and in the end you don't won't to say goodbye.

The is a touch of romance that is sweet, tender and a little bit awkward like first relationships are.   It just brings a grin to your face.

"they do not kiss but they both want to instead their feet touch and so do their arms it is electric magic their tiny arm hairs tingling happily lying together the sun warming them watching sky through green-leafed gum branch close enough to hear each other breathe sweet togetherness
this lazy lying down dance of love"

Overall, Guitar Rose Highway was an enjoyable, slightly off beat read that I wish I had read as a teen.   I can't wait to read more from Lowry.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3.5/5
Cover: 4/5

For more reviews:  Goodreads

This is an Aussie title that is available international for those participating in the Aussie YA Reading Challenge.

In My Mailbox #22

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

BOUGHT -
Nothing - Stuck to my book diet this week! I just know next week is going to be bad.

GIFTED -

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti - YA contemp.  I am slowly making my way through Caletti's book after falling in love with Stay.  Thank you to my good friend Tina, you are the best!

FOR REVIEW -
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - YA paranormal-supernatural debut author of 2011.  Thanks to Netgalley.
Wherever You Go by Heather Davis - YA contemp.   Thanks to Netgalley.
Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready - The follow up book to Shade.  YA paranormal-supernatural.  Thanks to S&S Galley Grab.
Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton - YA contemp.  Thanks to S&S Galley Grab.
The Summer of Firsts and Last by Tera Elan McCoy - YA contemp.  Thanks to S&S Galley Grab.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Mini Review Special #2

Honey, Sweetheart, Baby by Deb Caletti - This is a realistic and tender coming of age story.  I love Caletti writing style.  So thoughtful and beautiful. I highlighted so many quotes from this book.  Enjoyed the plot at the beginning but about two thirds of the way in I got bored.  All the characters were interesting and well rounded.  Overall another good book from Caletti but not as strong Stay (which I read recently also by Caletti).   Rating - 3.5 stars

XVI by Julia Karr - Hmmm....what to say about this book.  XVI was an okay read.  The premise is interesting and thought provoking but also a little disturbing.   The writing lack the emotional connection to care about the story unfortunately.  The pacing was okay with only a few moments that dragged at the beginning.   I like the friendship and also the family relationship in this book.  They were the highlight of the story.  Overall, this book had a lot of promise but didn't completely meet.  However I still consider reading the next book in the series just because I really liked the characters.  Rating - 2.5 stars.

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot - This was such a fun read.  Several times it had me laughing out loud.  Adult chick-lit that is entirely written in emails.  I had to admit it took me a little bit to get into due to the writing style.  I also found it lacked a little depth but I think that is again due to the style of book.  Overall, a light and entertaining read that will bring a smile to your face.   Rating - 3 stars.

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die For Me by Amy Plum
Expected publication date: 10th May, 2011
Source: Thanks to HarperTeen (netgalley)

DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. It introduces a new version of the undead with revenants, beings who are fated to sacrifice themselves over and over again to save others’ lives. Kate finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.

My Review:

LOVE this book!  Die For Me was one of my most anticipated reads of 2011, after hearing good things from a friend who read it early in the publishing stage. So as you can imagine I had high expectations and I can happily say they were exceeded.     

Plum's writing I couldn't get enough of it.  Her prose is beautiful and magnetic.  While the concept was truly unique and intriguing.  The pace was perfect allowing the beauty of this story to soak in, like the descriptions of the Paris setting ~sighs~.   Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world, so romantic and gorgeous.  And Die For Me being set there added some extra charm to this story.  Also it was a refreshing change from the usual high school setting.  There was talk of art, museums and sitting at Cafe' on the streets of Paris reading a book that will make you want to trade places with Kate (that and the kissing scenes with Vincent).        

The characters were fantastic.  What I loved most about Kate is she thought about the consequences before making a decision.  It was nice change from your typical heroine that rushes into everything.  She was smart, strong and genuine.   Vincent ~pâmoison~ (that is swoon in French...I hope).  Gorgeous, mysterious, sweet yet sexy and has a french accent.  What else could a girl want!

And the romance ~sighs again~.  If you are like me and are a complete romantic fool you are going to love Kate's and Vincent's relationship.  It was delicious yet tender.  Lots of  playful banter and yummy kissing scenes.   I could quote so many moments but I can't since this is an ARC (I will have to wait until a book boyfriend post).

Oh and if you hate those damn cliffhangers then you are going to love this beautiful ending that gave us a little something extra.  I wish that every series could end like this one.

Overall, Die For Me is an awesome debut that I want to read all over again.  It is a passionate and engaging read that I highly recommend for fans of paranormal romance.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

For More Info: Visit Amy Plum's website

For More reviews:  Goodreads

My Book Boyfriend #11

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by the awesome blogger Missie at The Unread Reader.   What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out Missie blog The Unread Reader.

Bones from The Night Huntress Series

This week's pick is inspired by Missie.  She said her vampires were missing her so I thought I would spend some time with them.   I just finished This Side of The Grave and it was a fun and steamy read.  Thanks for sharing your vampires Missie!

Even in his trademark black pants with a casual white pullover, Bones stood out like a jewel among rocks with his finely molded features and tall, sculpted frame.  Every move of his body sent ripples along those lean muscles, and his flawless crystal skin practically dated people to see if it felt as good as it looked - which it did.  Even when we'd first met and I plotted to kill him.  Bones' looks had turned my head.  In that was he was a perfect predator, enticing his prey to come close enough to bite.

(Bones in the first book bleached his hair blonde but I much prefer him as a brunette as per the later books)

Dangerous, sexy, powerful, quick witted, confident, sinfully delicious and can make any girl blush.  Bones is one of my favourite vampires.

Quotes

"Before we go, I gotta know: If mind-reading abilities are real, there's something else I wondered if fiction got right about vampires-"
"Ask me if I sparkle and I'll kill you where you stand," Bones cut him off with utmost seriousness."

"No matter what happens, you will never lose me, I am forever yours, Kitten, in this life or the next."

I think this’ll definitely tide me over while we’re apart,”Bones laughed, dragging me into his arms with far more strength and quickness than was fair, considering I still had trouble making my limbs operate.
“Oh, Kitten,” he murmured as his lips dragged down my throat. “You didn’t really think we were done, did you?"

What do you think of Bones?

Thanks again to Missie for hosting this meme!