"Frozen" (Heart of Dread #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

4 of 5 stars

Basics: In this semi-civilized world, this book follows Nat. She is what they call "marked". To be marked means certain scrutiny because of the powers they possess. Nat has escaped her imprisonment and tries to survive in New Vegas. The world has frozen over and Vegas is one of the few thriving cities in the RSA (Remaining States of America). In her quest to find the Blue- the coveted land of fresh water, warm weather, and blue skies- Nat meets Wes. Wes is ex-military and has become a runner. Wes and his crew decide to take on Nat's job in getting her to New Crete, which lets them know she is searching for the Blue. In this cold world, Nat discovers who she is and both learn that they can be in love, though the journey is hard.

My Thoughts: Spoilers included. I did not think I was going to like this book. I am such a book nerd but high fantasy has never been my thing. The idea of the novel is great and I love that the setting is a post civilized (in a way) USA. The world is frozen, food is hard to come by (or so the citizens are believed to think) and water is a hot commodity. Beef is expensive, real fruit is a thing of the past, and you must have a license to have sex (wow!). Either way, the budding romance between Nat and Wes is great to watch. You know they are falling hard for each other, though there is obvious hesitation.

As I read the book, I instantly loved Nat and Wes. As a reader you want Nat to survive and you want Wes to be the man that softens her heart and in return brings him the love that he soooo deserves. So, as they go on this mission with the twins, Shakes and Farouk, you continue to hope for the best. Then, on the Alby we meet Liannan and the smallmen and the adventure continues to intensify.

I thought the ending was a bit lackluster though. I was hoping that Wes and Nat could put their worries aside and be happy together but Wes' determination to find his sister and Nat's new found identity as the drakonrydder left their lives in two different places. It was nice that they declared their love for one another and vowed to reunite at some point. This is what makes me excited for book 2, Stolen. On a side note, I love that Shakes and Liannan will be together. Their love story and Liannan's venture seem to be a great subplot  that may develop in the second book.

On to Stolen I go....

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Teachers read fun stuff too!

"Chances Are" by Mysti Parker & MJ Post

~3.5 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review. I excluded spoilers.

The Basics: This novella follows JD, a workaholic principal, and his wife Natalie, a child care provider. Natalie and JD experience a loss which only deepens the wounds created when JD started paying more attention to work and spending less time and energy on his wife and home. After a night of passion that seems to put JD and Natalie's marriage back on track, they are faced with a scary, life or death situation at JD's school that changes the course of both their lives. 

My Thoughts: This was a very quick and good read. The plot moved along quickly which was expected since this is a novella, but the book did not feel rushed. The story is beautiful and covers some issues (not in depth) such as school violence, lack of communication in a marriage, addiction and other issues I won't include since it would be a spoiler. The love between JD and Natalie was beautiful and obvious from the beginning of the story though their marriage endured some tough times. JD came off as an inconsiderate husband at the beginning of the book so it was nice to see his development.

I gave the book 3.5 stars because it was not extremely exciting and it wasn't the best novella I have read, but it served its purpose of being an interesting read.

Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!

"A Matter of Forever" (Fate #4) by Heather Lyons

~4 of 5 stars

 I don't even know where to start. This book was everything I thought it would be and more. It was a great end to the Fate series. Do not read this review if you have not read the book, spoilers are included.

The Basics:
Book #4 picks up from the cliff-hanger of book #3. Chloe learns that Enlikian is playing some sick game in his venture to take over the worlds. Hahahahahahahahahaha! Lol! It all sounds like an evil villain from an animated movie, but Lyons finesses the story line so well that I am not put off by the evilness that is Enlikian, the original Creator. Either way, fast forward... a battle ensues within Annar leaving Jonah presumably dead. Chloe is kidnapped but later defeats Enlikian right after Kellan is killed in battle. As a result of Chloe gaining Enlikian's powers/crafts she is able to create a new heart for Kellan, resulting in the loss of his powers (unbeknownst to Chloe). Jonah survives his injuries and all is well in Annar until Kellan decides he would like to have his memory erased in an attempt at starting over and having a chance at happiness... which he does find as the reader learns through the last two chapters that serve as Epilogues.

My Thoughts:
OMG! This book was great. The action throughout the novel kept me excited about each upcoming event. Chloe learned to be much more self-less and seems to be growing into a woman that the reader will admire rather than pity. Her development throughout these four books was wonderful. She grew to be a woman of distinction that did not run from her problems. Even when Kellan decided to have his memory erased, she understood his disposition and that made me like her so much more. She also understood that everything is not about her, she was the support her husband, Jonah, deserved and eventually the mother her son, KC aka Kellan, needed.

I love the way Lyons put an amicable resolution to the characters' story lines. Sophie was a psycho who deserved the punishment she received. Enlikian obviously deserved to be destroyed. Kellan got the happy ending, though it was at a cost to his family. I like that Jonah influenced his mind so that Kellan would one day come back to his Magical family. Hopefully time is what he needs to heal his deep wounds. Jonah seems to flourish in his son and wife's happiness, though I don't think he will be fully happy until his brother returns. Callie and Will certainly deserve each other and Cameron and Astrid are so cute.

It was a delight going through this journey with Chloe, Jonah, and Kellan.

Remember, teacher read fun stuff too! 

"A Matter of Truth" (Fate #3) by Heather Lyons

~4 of 5 stars

So, this is my first read for 2015 and it was well worth it. Heather Lyons did it again. She has a way of telling a story that makes the reader relate in so many ways.

Basics:
This is the 3rd book in the Fate series by Heather Lyons. The preceding books are A Matter of Fate, Beyond Fate (book 1.5) and A Matter of Heart. Do not read this review if you plan on reading this book or previous books in the series, it will spoil the whole thing for you and I would hate to do that. Book 3, A Matter of Truth, follows the story of Chloe, Jonah, and Kellan. This books picks up where the other left off, obviously. Chloe has settled in Anchorage, Alaska. She becomes friends with the employees of the moose-themed diner and later moves in with Will, whom we later learn is a Metis or half- Magical, and his father Cameron. Cameron eventually figures out that Chloe is a Magical, even before Chloe tells him about Magicals.
After being attacked by Magicals but succeeding in the battle, with the help of Will, Karl finds Chloe in Alaska (with the help of a Tracker). After returning to Annar along with Will, Cameron, and Erik (a Metis), Chloe eases her way into the good graces of Kellan and Jonah (though Jonah puts up much more resistance).
Chloe is faced with working on mending a relationship with Jonah, her mother and friends, while slowly taking on the responsibilities of being a Creator and stopping the Elders.
At the end of the book, Chloe and Jonah celebrate their re-engagement but Chloe is cornered (unbeknownst to her crew) in the bathroom by a figure that appears to be the missing Jens Belladonna (but obviously is not).

My Thoughts:
First, I absolutely loved the change in scenery for Chloe aka Zoe to Anchorage, Alaska. How great was that? The characters Lyons creates in this new environment are a welcomed change from Annar. Cameron is my favorite because he was the parent that Chloe always wanted. He was an exact opposite of Chloe's father and provided Chloe with a little stability throughout the craziness of her life. Also, Will's character was a needed change from the love triangle that Chloe had been a part of. It was nice that she could form a sibling-type relationship with this handsome man that shared similar relationship struggles as she did.

As for Heather Lyons style of writing...ok, I love that Lyons writes in a carefree sort of way that embodies the romance she tries to evoke within her storyline, but she can sometimes get downright confusing. I realized that she will have dialogue and then include a long piece of internal dialogue that totally makes the reader forget about the initial conversation between the speaking characters. But, I guess things could be worse.

Either way...Ok, so was I the only one that was trying to figure out when Chloe would lose her virginity and to whom? I was waiting on it throughout these 3 books and it finally came. Jonah was a lucky man, lol! But, I loved that the "sex scene" was so romantic and made me feel like I was back in high school with my first love. It was beautiful. I was Team Kellan, but after reading this book I feel as though Jonah is the right man for Chloe and the way the story panned out made perfect sense.

Now, for the cliff-hanger at the end of the book. Obviously, this "Jens embodiment" is not the actual Jens Belladonna. I'm guessing this is an Elder. It would make the most sense. They have been shifting into human form and sucking the life out of Magicals and Metis. It only makes sense that an Elder has probably taken the physical attributes of the missing and probably dead Jens to gain access to Annar and the Creator. The Elders want Chloe for something and they found a way to cease the opportunity.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the last book in the series A Matter of Forever. I feel like the ending of this series will conclude in a way that will totally tear my heart apart...we shall see.

Oh, I'm also wondering about how Sophie Greenfield (Kellan's stalker) fits into this. I feel like her time/story is not up yet. Also, I hope there will be a happy ending for Callie and Will, and Cameron and Astrid.

Until next time...

Remember, teachers read fun stuff too!