Review: Evernight (Evernight Academy Bk 1) by Claudia Gray

From inside cover:
"Bianca wants to escape. She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy , an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somewhat too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.
Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful - even when it comes to caring about him.
"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."
But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart... and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed."

Evernight wasn't really what I expected. I felt like the author was trying to be clever and tricky, but she didn't really succeed. And the parts that I didn't figure out were disappointing... I felt misled.
However, the world of Evernight was interesting. It was a new take on vampires that wasn't really my favorite but I could see others liking it.

Scores out of 10:

Originality: 8
Romance: 6
Obsession-worthy: 5

Confessions of a Book Buying Maniac

This is the part of my blog where I tell you what books I've just purchased... I admit that I go a bit crazy when I'm book shopping... It seems that I go into some type of book-induced mania and a few hours later I always find myself with another shelf on my bookcase full. My most recent acquisitions are Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers and You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay. I'm looking forward to reading both, but I'm more excited about Cracked Up To Be. The synopsis really caught my attention... stay tuned for reviews for each of these books!

Contests

Genevieve from http://caprubia.blogspot.com is holding a contest for an ARC copy of What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook. If you want to enter for a chance to win, you'd better hurry!! because the contest ends March 31st at midnight!!




Stephanie Kuehnert is giving away an ARC copy of Ballads of Suburbia, her new novel, if you vote by March 31st for a program called Tipping Points to win a funding grant. For details, visit: http://stephaniekuehnert.blogspot.com/!!

Review: To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley

From back cover:
"Lovely, highborn Willa Trent was an orpahn, raised by a local, somewhat odd family in the country, who want nothing but the best for the girl. So when she drags home the unconscious man she accidentally hit with a slingshot, they arrange a hasty marriage and pack the couple off with best wishes. Armed with a groggy husband and a new future, Willa's pie-eyed optimism has no limits.. until she discovers the secret, dangerous world of Nathaniel Stonewell, Earl of Reardon, a.k.a "Lord Treason."
Though Nataniel is reviled by most England for his devious plot against the crown, he is, in reality, a member of an elite cadre of secret royal defenders on a daring undercover mission. He must keep his secrets at all cost, especially from Willa. And yet, he is enchanted... though he stubbornly refuses to surrender to his passion. Far better, he tells himself, to turn his back on love than risk anything for it. Luckily, his bride has other plans..."

I will admit, even though I am a bit embarassed, that I will occasionally read romance books. In the past I have mostly refrained from posting reviews for them, but I have now decided to post reviews for the good ones that actually have a plot. And are worth reading. Of course, I only read those ones! I ask you, what girl doesn't like a good romance once in awhile?!

Review:
This is Celeste Bradley first in her Royal Four quartet. The Royal Four is a group of secret spies that work for the King of England. To Wed a Scandalous Spy is about Nathaniel Stonewall, known as the Cobra to his three fellow spies. His romantic counterpart is Willa Trent. I liked this book because the sex bits weren't overwhelming, there was an interesting plotline, there were spies (which are cool :)), it was funny, and had other interesting characters. I like books that occasionally make me laugh out loud and Celeste Bradley's books are definitely funny. I also really like the fact that these characters will show up in Bradley's other books because I often become attached to characters and don't want to let them go!!

Review: Jinx by Meg Cabot

From inside cover:
"It's not easy being Jinx.
The only thing Jean Honeychurch hates more than her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just... Jean) is her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes - which is why she's thrilled to be moving in with her aunt and uncle in New York City. Maybe when she's halfway across the country, Jinx can finally outrun her bad luck. Or at least escape the havoc she's caused back in her small hometown.
But trouble has definitely followed Jinx to New York. And it's causing big problems for her cousin Tory, who is not happy to have the family black sheep around. Beautiful, glamorous Tory is hiding a dangerous secret - one that she's sure Jinx is going to reveal.
Jinx is beginning to realize it isn't just bad luck she's been running from. It's something far more sinister... and the curse Jinx has lived under since the day she was born might just be the only thing that can save her life."

This wasn't my favorite Meg Cabot book. Jean, aka Jinx, wasn't really a character that I felt a connection with. In fact, I found her a bit dull and not very bright. It was, however, interesting to read a Cabot book that had a bit of a "magical element" in it... but I think her books that lacked the element were much better. The love interest aspect of the story was okay... Jinx was kind of clueless in this arena... and not in a good, cute way... in an annoying way. 5 out of 10 stars for Jinx...

Review: Moonlight (A Dark Guardian Novel) by Rachel Hawthorne

From back cover:
"I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.
Kayla is a nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying - and thrilling - gene that will change her life forever.
Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous... and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.
As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny."

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The only other book I'd read by Hawthorne was How To Catch a Pirate written under the name Jade Parker (which I liked as well) and I hadn't thought her books looked that interesting. I think, after reading Moonlight, that I'll give them a try though. Moonlight is the first book in Hawthorne's Dark Guardians series which tells the stories of couples within a group of teenagers who are Dark Guardians, or protectors of a werewolf pack. Moonlight was a good introduction to the series, introducing the reader to many different aspects of the lives of the teenagers and leaving lots of options for expansion. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about Lucas, let alone of Lucas and Kayla as a couple, but as the story went on I became more comfortable with them as characters. The only downside is that the book was only 263 pages and seemed a bit rushed. I'm hoping that the next books will be a bit longer so that everything is so packed together. 9 out of 10 stars!

Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

From inside cover:
"I wonder what it would be like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one.
Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar... and that's just how she likes it.
Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants - only what she wants may not be what she needs..."

Something, Maybe is another winner by Elizabeth Scott! Scott hasn't put out a book that I haven't enjoyed yet, my only complaint would be that they are just too short! I could have definitely read more about Hannah's life... as zany and quirky as it was. Finn was an amazing character as well. It amazes me how easily Scott draws readers into her stories, especially in so little pages! 10 out of 10 stars!!

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

From back cover:
"At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren't exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are foreced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive. But neither teen is prepared for the most surprising chemical reaction of all - love. Can they break through the stereotypes and misconceptions that threaten to tear them apart?"

I'm so so excited about this book! I just finished it today and it
is one of the best books I've ever read. The romance between Brittany and Alex is so intense, as are Brittany and Alex's lives. I really liked this book because it is real; bad things happen to the characters... not only good things. Simone Elkeles is an other that I'll be watching closely... I definitely won't miss her next book!

Review: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

From back cover:
"All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over..."

READ THIS BOOK! Okay, having said that, I'll tell you why. This book is absolutely addicting! I could not put it down for anything, it was that good. Meg is an interesting character who has had a traumatic past that has caused her to push the limits. John, now one of my favorite love interests of all time, causes her to evolve and look at life from another perspective. This is one of those books that I won't forget about and am going to press onto every reader I know. I was disappointed to learn however, that this is Echols first book that isn't a Simon Pulse romantic comedy! I'll be anxiously awaiting her next book...!! 20 out of 10 stars. Going Too Far is not to be missed!!

Review: The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott

From inside cover:
"Shadows have fallen across the beautiful and lush Kingdom. The queen was attacked by an unnatural beast, and the healing skills of her daughter, Alexandra, cannot save her. Too soon the widowed king is spellbound by a frightening stranger - a woman whose eyes reflect no light. In a terrifying moment, all Alexandra knows disappears, including her beloved brothers, leaving her banished to a barren land unlike her own.
Alexandra has more gifts than even she realizes when she is confronted with magic, murder, and the strongest of evil forces. She is unflinchingly brave and calver as she stuggles to reclaim what she knows is rightfully hers."

I really enjoyed Swan Kingdom, even though it was very similar to Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest. Still, I felt that Marriott made Alexandra's story unique. The romance between Alexandra and Gabriel adds another dimension to the story that I really liked and helped to hold my interest.

Review: Night World Volume 1 by L.J. Smith

From back cover:
"Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters - they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is thier secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.
In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.
Fugitives from the Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, As, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.
Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between the black magic and white magic in Spellbinder."

L.J. Smith is one of my favorite authors and the first volume of Night World was the first book I read that she had written. It contains three stories: Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, and Spellbinder. Each section of the book contains the story of two individuals who are soulmates and their journey to be together. The sections are all connected because characters from each show up in the other stories. Usually I don't like books with individual short stories, but the fact that all of these are interconnected makes it seem like a full book, not just short stories. 10 out of 10 stars!

Review: Big Boned by Meg Cabot

Life is reasonably rosy for plus-size ex-pop star turned Assistant Dormitory Director and sometime sleuth Heather Wells. Her freeloading ex-con dad is finally moving out. She still yearns for her hot landlord, Cooper Cartwright, but her realtionship with "rebound beau," vigorous vegan math professor Tad Tocoo, is more than satisfactory. Best of all, nobody has died lately in "Death Dorm," the aptly nicknamed student residence that Heather assistant-directs. Of course every silver lining ultimately has some black cloud attached. And when the latest murdered corpse to clutter up her jurisdiction turns out to be her exceedingly unlovable boss, Heather finds herself on the shortlist of prime suspects - along with the rabble-rousing boyfriend of her high-strung student assistant and an indecently handsome young campus minister who's been accused of taking liberties iwth certain girls' choir members.
With fame beckoning her back into show business (as the star of a new kids' show!) it's a really bad time to get wrapped up in another homocide. Plus Tad's been working himself up to ask her a Big Question, which Heather's not sure she has an answer for..."

This is the last book in the Heather Well's Mystery trio. Sometimes, writers seem to go down hill as they progress in sets of books, but Cabot stays strong! This book wraps up the plot lines that have been present throughout the other books and offers a new mystery for Heather and her friends to solve. When I finished I really wished that it wasn't the last book about Heather Wells, former pop sensation! 10 out of 10!

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

From back cover:
"Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies...
Lissa Dragomie is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires - the ones who never die.
The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that runs through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, make her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one othem.
After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montany. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking Academy hearts.
Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's - inside the Academy's iron gates their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals, and their secretive nature and love of the night creats an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of hidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever..."

The back of the book is a bit misleading to me because it makes it sound like Lissa is the main character of the novel, when really Rose is. To me, this is a good thing because I really like Rose... I think Lissa's perspective of situations would be a lot more boring. Vampire Academy is one of my favorite books. Richelle Mead creates an interesting world and does a great job of explaining the complexities of what it means to be Moroi, Dhampir, and Strigoi. I really enjoyed the romantic plot lines as well... that was probably one of the more addicting aspects of the book! 10 out of 10!

Review: Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot

From back cover:
"Heather sings the blues.
Former pop star Heather Wells has settled nicely into her new life as assistant dorm director at New York College - a career that does not require her to drape her size 12 body in embarrassingly skimpy outfits. She can even cope (sort of) with her ex-boyfriend's upcoming nuptials, which the press has dubbed The Celebrity Wedding of the Decade. But she's definitely having a hard time dealing with the situation in the dormitory kitchen - where a cheerleader has lost her head ont eh first day of the semester. (Actually, her head is accounted for - it's her torso that's AWOL.)
Surrounded by hysterical students - with her ex-con father on her doorstep bombarding her iwth unwanted phone calls - Heather welcomes the opportunity to play detective... again. If it gets her mind off her personal problems - and teams her up again with the gorgeous P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives - it's all good. But the murder trail is leading the average-sized amateur investigator into a shadowy world. And if she doesn't watch her step, Heather will soon be singing her swan song!"

Words cannot describe the way I feel about the Heather Wells mystery series! Okay, so maybe they can a little... Cabot has hit a home run with this installment in the hilarious if not somewhat deadly life of Heather Wells. This time around the head cheerleader at New York College has been murdered and there are suspects a-plenty, but Heather has to figure out who had it in for the girl before they get her too. Cooper, her landlord and crush, is just as charming in Size 12 is Not Fat. The addition of Heather's father (who has been released from prison) also adds an interesting new dimension. And more funny situations!

Review: To Catch A Pirate by Jade Parker

From back cover:
"Once caught, it's harder still to let a pirate go...
When Annalisa Townsend's ship is set upon by pirates in seach of her father's treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold. When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother. He accepts a kiss in exhange the necklace. "A fair trade, m'lady," he tells her afterward, before disappearing.
A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the wretched James Sterling and relcaiming her father's treasure from him. But now she's in danger of him stealing something far more valuable this time: her heart."

To Catch a Pirate was a quick read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was in a Pirates of the Caribbean mood when I picked up this book and I wasn't disappointed! The love story between Annalisa and James was good as well... Its definitely a book I've recommended to others... who have loved it as well! 10 out of 10 stars!

Review: Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot

From inside cover:
"Kate Ellison is not a liar. It's just that telling the truth is so... tricky. She knows she shouldn't be making out with a drama club hottie behind her football-player boyfriend's back. She should probably admit that she can't stand eating quahogs (clams), especially since she's running for Quahog Princess in her hometown's annual Quahog Festival. And it would be a relief to finally tell someone what really happened the night Tommy Sullivan is a freak was spraypainted on the new wall outsid ethe junior high school gymnasium - in neon orange, which still hasn't been sandblasted off. After all, everyone knows that's what drove Tommy out of town four years ago.
But now Tommy Sullivan has come back. Katie is sure he's out for revenge, and she'll do anything to hang on to her perfect (if slightly dishonest) existence. Even if it means telling more lies than ever. Even if, now that Tommy's around, she's actually - no lie - having the time of her life."

This book was predictable, but that doesn't mean I didn't have fun reading it anyway. Cabot's voice, which is often hilarious, rings true throughout the novel making the not-so-honest Kate Ellison a true favorite of mine. I think I'd be having more fun if Tommy Sullivan came back to town too!

Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

From inside cover:
"My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.
Dani has been trained as a thief by the best - her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends - a real life.
In the beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes. For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home. She's making friends and has even met a guy. But these people can never know the real Dani - because of who she is. When it turns out that her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for thier next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties like: with the life she's always known - or the one she's always wanted."

When I saw that Elizabeth Scott read this book I expected to love it, and I wasn't disappointed! Dani is a character that is easy to love and root for! I really liked Greg... my head I have always picture him kind of like Leo from Veronica Mars. This book not only was insightful, it was also romantic and funny. I can't wait for more book by Scott... she hasn't let me down yet! 10 out of 10 stars for Stealing Heaven!

Review: Evermore (Immortals Bk. 1) by Alyson Noel

Summary from back of book:
"After a horrible accident claims the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom can see people's auras, hear thier thoughts, and know someone's entire life story by touching them. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities, she has been branded a freak at her new high school - but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste.
Damen is gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head - wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can peer straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. And she hasno idea just who he really is - or what he is. The only things she nows to be true is that she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him."

From the summary on the back of this book it many parallels can be drawn between this book and the extemely popular Twilight. While I'm not sure Evermore will ever be the megahit that Twilight is, it is definitely a book to take a look at. The Immortals idea is not new, but it is a bit of a new take from Noel's perspective. The romance between Ever and Damen is very well done. I personally like when two characters who are so obviously destined for one another have some obstacles to overcome. I'll be looking for the next book in the Immortals series, Blue Moon. 9 our of 10 stars for Evermore!

Review: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Excerpt from back cover:
"MYSTERY. ROMANCE. DANGER.
Aurelia, the crown princess of Tyralt, wants control over her own life. Robert, her former classmate, wants Aurelia. And someone wants her.. dead. There have been several narrowly escaped attempts to assassinate the priness, but the king has no desire to incite panic by making the information public. Instead, Robert, the sone of the king's former royal spy, is allowed into the inner circle to secretly investigate and watch over Aurelia. Robert is determined to help, if only Aurelia would let him! But the princess will not heed the danger around her, and she does not need Robert to save her. Just as their friendship begins to grow into something more, the threat on Aurelia's life become paramount. With everything possible on the line - her life, her kingdom, her heart - Aurelia must take matters into her own hands, whatever the cost."

This book, to be honest, was not as good as I'd expected it to be. I must admit I was drawn to the book by the beautiful cover art and I should no better than to judge a book by its cover! The main problem was that it was so utterly predictable. Except for the who the attempted murderer is... that aspect was disguised pretty well. Otherwise, it all played out just as expected. However, this book is definitely worth reading... it just probably won't be your favorite. Well, it wasn't mine at least. 7 out of 10!

Review: Summers At Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn

Excerpt from back cover:
"She was a girl with a talent for witchcraft and a taste for adventure. The illegitimate child of a royal lord, she longed for a man who could never be hers. and she lived for her summers at Castle Auburn.
She is a woman who has grown accustomed to standing alone. What she once loved, she has lost. Where she once saw joy, she now sees terrible injustice. And at the castle where she once lived in peace, she now walks in fear for her life..."

Sharon Shinn is one of the best romantic fantasy writers I have ever read. I can say without any embarrassment that I am obsessed with her books! Summers At Castle Auburn is not my favorite, but it is still definitely worth reading. It is aimed primarily at young adult readers, but it is appropriate for older readers as well. Corie, the main character, changes throughout the story which starts when she is 14 and ends when she is around 20 years old. Corie, who once though living at Castle Auburn was the greatest part of her life, grows to understand the indignities and unfairness that surround court life, especially in respect to the enslaved Aliora that work in the castle.

Another interesting aspect of this novel is witchcraft, which Corie learns from her grandmother. Corie has a divided heritage that she much choose between, that which consists of witchcraft and life in a village with her maternal grandmother or court life with her deceased father's family.

Review: Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Excerpt from back cover:
"Don't you know what happens to Cloverhands who cannot control the fey?"
Summary:
"On the day of an important music competition, talented but painfully introverted and nervous Deirdre Monaghan is helped to perfrom by the compelling and enigmatic Luke Dillon and find herself inexorably drawn into the mysteries and dangers of the faerie world."

This book, though it has its flaws, has been stuck in my mind since I read it couple weeks ago. Its sequel, Ballad, doesn't come out until the fall of 2009 and I find myself anxiously awaiting it. I'll start with the negatives about this book because I feel like they must be addressed as they might be distracting to the reader. The romantic plot line between Deirdre and Luke is very immuture and sudden at the onset of the novel. Luke and Deirdre meet and are immediately spending time together and expressing intrest to the extent of love. While this may work with characters that have a history or knowledge of one another, these two have just met at the beginning of the book and are Deirdre is already spending a lot of time alone with him. I find this odd and it was a bit of a distraction. I did get over it pretty quickly though because of their great chemistry together and I soon found myself rooting for their sudden relationship. I attributed Deirdre's easily given trust and affect to the fact that she is an introverted person who doesn't have a lot of experience with dating... even though she does seem pretty outgoing for someone who is supposed to be so shy.
Now on to the positives. The fey in this book are intriguing. I found myself eager to learn more about their world and why they were so interested in Deirdre's family. I also really enjoyed reading about Deirdre's best friend, James. He was a really funny character that was easy to become attached to and I found myself torn about the status of his character throughout the book.

I rate this book 9 out of 10 because the negatives are easily overlooked when one considers all the positives!

Review: Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Excerpt from back cover:
"Heather Wells rocks! Or, at least, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress isze or two - and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past, Heather's perfectly happy with her new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New York's top colleges. That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.
The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knows teenage girls... and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen - not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives - even when more students start turning up dead in an equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!"

Lately I've been on a bit of a Meg Cabot kick... and really who could blame me? Her books are hilarious (laugh-out-loud funny sometimes... which can be embarrasing when reading in a room full of people). Heather Wells has to be one of the best heroines that I've encountered in awhile though. In a society where weight is definitely a talked about issue, a character like Heather (who acknowledges that size 12 is the average for American women) is loveable, attractive, and smart. To me, Cabot is sending the right message to women!

In regards to the plot, Size 12 Is Not Fat is addicting! Cabot keeps the reader guessing about who the murderer is well through the book (it just isn't much fun when you know whodunit right away!). There is a romantic plotline as well... one that I must admit I'm smitten with... There is just something about private detectives... :) I'll be sure to read the next two in the series!

I'm Back!

After a two year hiatus... I'm finally back. And I have plenty of books to review because even though I haven't been blogging, I've definately been reading. For anyone who posted comments previously and never received a response, I apologize. I've been attending college and working and honestly haven't spent very much time on the internet. I've missed sharing all the great books I've been reading though, so I've returned!

So please, peruse the reviews and find something to read! I've definitely enjoyed these books!