Review - Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia on Kindle

Book Summary from Amazon


Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.
 
My Review
 
This is one I was excited to read, I enjoyed it and look forward to more works from the Debut Author, Jennifer Murgia.
 
Charmed fans you will enjoy this one, honestly it could have been a few episodes wrapped up in one.
 
Teagan was a great character, I enjoyed getting to know her, the 1st half of the story I would say I LOVED, the teenagers were so real, she got their behaviours down perfectly.  And for once a YA book with a parent in it, thank you Jennifer.  This has been a missing piece in other YA for me.
 
I love the idea of angels and Teagan meeting her Guardian Angel, just lovely.  It was so cute how Teagan wanted a boyfriend, but not just anyone, she was willing to wait and then out of blue her Guardian Angel, it felt like a dream. 
 
And then for me this is where it changed a little, I seriously couldn't tell the difference between reality and Teagan dreaming.  I just didn't feel like a few days she would be able to accept and embrace having a Guardian Angel, boyfriend, fighting good vs evil with the good angel and the bad angel and even within herself.  It just wasn't realistic, something was off for me, can't pin point sorry.
 
I did very much enjoy Jennifer's descriptions and words she used at times, simple sentences but made you want to read them again because they were dark and beautiful. Example My eyes closed to the haze that was now enveloping me, and I lay there as the rain quickly stained the weary sky and the heavens wept for me.
 
For me I wish this was a stand alone book, not a sequel.
 
I give it a 3 1/2 More Sugar Please
 
 
Go here The Bookshelf Sophisticate to read Katelyn's review, I had it on my Wishlist but she made me excited to read it sooner.
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Teaser Tuesday - Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!




Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser is from Angel Star

On Kindle at 59%

Fear definitely stirred inside me, and strangely, a small feeling of relief.  Relief that if it was going to happen, then let it come.

Book Summary from Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.


But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce I look forward to reading your teaser.
 

Review - To Kill a Mockingbird - My 1st time reading this Classic

I chose To Kill a Mockingbird from the list of the Book Bloggers Recommendations Challenge and then when I noticed the Anniversary celebration I knew it was time to read the classic.

My Review

I can finally say I have read this CLASSIC :-)  I wished I had read this during highschool, another class had to but not mine for some reason, I personally would have appreciated it more then.  While I enjoyed it, the book is definitely a great History/English class work to discuss.   Reading this book felt like homework, lol, a classic it is and well deserved.  I am pleased so many love it but to be on so many readers Favourite List and Re-reading lists, WOWSA.

There was Part 1 and Part 2 but I felt it should have been Part 1 - before Trial, Part 2 - Trial and Part 3 -after Trial.

My favourite character was Atticus hands down, he was an amazing parent, working father, a man of morals, good neighbour, just all around good man.  Of course I loved Scout, how can you not love her voice, untouched by the world in a childlike way.

All the judgements in the world back then, I thank God for not being born then and for giving those the strength to fight and get through the world back in the day.

The book did take me back to being a child and trying to see through their eyes, what a lovely thought and moment.

This book gets a 4 from me - Good to the last Drop.

Here is My Part 1 discussion, will be doing my Part 2 discussion tomorrow.

Part 1 - Chapters 1 - 11


What was your first impression while reading?

I had a hard time getting into it actually then I started enjoying Scout and Atticus, they are my favourite characters for sure.

Did you note a favourite scene, what was it about?

When it started snowing, the reactions and the building of the snowman, that was a priceless moment for me.

&

I love the gifts in the tree, I was heartbroken along with them when the hole was cemented up.

Did you note a favourite quote, please share?

said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

How do you react when a books title is revealed, it always makes me smile.

Page 103

Thanks to the following blogging friends for reading along and participating with the TKAM Anniversary.

Capricious Reader - I joined because of Heather - TKAM Discussions on left sidebar

Freda - Freda's Review

Michelle - First impressions so far of TKAM


If you are celebrating and discussing on your blog, let me know, I will join in for sure.


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Book Blogger Hop Week

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce, I appreciate you coming to visit.  To get a feel for my blog and reading taste have a read of my last post, my Top Ten Favourites so far this year.  My List with Reviews

To participate go here Crazy-for-Books with Jennifer

RIGHT THIS INSTANT, WHAT BOOK ARE YOU DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON (PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE)?



I read The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink and the sequel comes out in August, I can't wait for this one, I preordered already.


Have fun networking and finding new blogs.

Marce

My Favourite Books so far this year

Jan, Feb, March, April, May, June....... all gone already, how crazy is that.

Here are my Top Ten Choices so far.  Please leave me your link so I can come over and comment also, I know many of you have already done this but I was busy and then went on vacation.


#1 - The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer - My Review
        (Psychological Suspense)

#2 - Tell-Tale by Sam Hayes My Review
        (Mystery)

#2 Even - A Note from an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker - My Review with Characters

#3 - Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink - My Review
        (YA - Paranormal Suspense)

#4 - Wake Trilogy, specifically Wake by Lisa McMann - My Review Wake, Fade & Gone
        (YA - Paranormal)

#5 - I heart you, you haunt me by Lisa Schroeder - My review of Verse Novel
        (YA - Verse Novel, Mystery)

#6 - Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper - My Review with Teaser
        (YA)

       
#7 - The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright - My Review
        (Adult Fiction)

#8 - Lightning by Dean Koontz - My Review
        (Thriller)

#9 - 13th Hour by Richard Doetsch - My Review
        (Thriller in Reverse)

#10 - Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway My Review
          (Thriller, Suspense)

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Countdown for Blogger Turning Published Author - Emma Michaels

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies.

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy)

Publisher: Bokheim Publishing

http://publishing.bokheim.com/

http://bokheimpublishing.blogspot.com/

Available soon in all digital formats and print, It will be featured on Amazon as well as other sellers and distributors on Friday the 13th (August 2010) or by Friday the 13th.

Go check Emma out over on her Blog

I'm back and Part 1 Discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird (Possible spoilers)

Boston was FABULOUS and I didn't mind the 'no books/kindle allowed' agreement :-) 

With that said I am not as far into To Kill a Mockingbird as I thought but would like to discuss Part 1, especially with those that are reading for the first time like me.

I was surprised not to see Bookstores promoting TKAM for such a great classic anniversary though.

Part 1 - Chapters 1 - 11

What was your first impression while reading?

I had a hard time getting into it actually then I started enjoying Scout and Atticus, they are my favourite characters for sure.

Did you note a favourite scene, what was it about?

When it started snowing, the reactions and the building of the snowman, that was a priceless moment for me.

&

I love the gifts in the tree, I was heartbroken along with them when the hole was cemented up.

Did you note a favourite quote, please share?

said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

How do you react when a books title is revealed, it always makes me smile.

Page 103

Thanks to the following blogging friends for reading along and participating with the TKAM Anniversary.

Capricious Reader - I joined because of Heather - TKAM Discussions
Freda - Freda's Review of TKAM
Michelle - First impressions so far of TKAM


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce, I have tomorrow off, so get to catch up on what I have missed.

Review - A Note from an Old Acquaintance

Book Summary



Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega- selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair. Everything changes the morning an e- mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short- lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book- signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart. Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

My Review - 5 Tea Time Perfection
 
Do you believe in Soul Mates?  Well I do, so I loved this story, so true, genuine, it touched me and the bonus was that it had a flair of suspense, my favourite genre.  And for the 1st time I understand how readers fall in love with characters.  Brian was so personable, I honestly felt like I wanted to meet him, so odd to me but a light bulb went off regarding readers love of characters.  I started to picture celebrities as the characters, you will see my choices below.  - Just a fun addition I wanted to add.
 
Bill Walker did something interesting that I am unsure was on purpose but I consider brilliant, he named one of his main characters Brian Weller, same initials as himself B.W.  So I kind felt, if I feel like I want more of the character maybe this is an author I would like to meet.  Weird feeling but this was a consistent thought.
 
I think bloggers that are striving to be a writer will love this.  Brian is a Writer and Joanna is an Artist, I just think the mix of these forms were as wonderful as reading about them as lovers.
 
The flow of the story was perfect.  A glimpse into building the story and then the Note from an Old Acquaintance.  Then we go back 15 years to the affair, some may not like the idea that it is an affair and the choices Joanna makes, but from the outside it always looks like an easy choice.  Eric the husband puts a spin into how love is controlling. Then the book goes back to the Note and the reunion of soulmates meeting again like a first date going down memory lane.
 
I love the writing, the flair of suspense with romance and the characters. And I had one question about the story line and it was answered, nothing better than that.
 
Why does this one get 5 stars, because I will read again, this was a feel good book, it made me appreciate love more and sometimes you just need that kind of book.
 
So if this is made into a movie, this is who I would like to see......
 
The Love Triangle
 
Brian as Patrick Dempsey
Joanna as Diane
Eric as Victor, lol, just realised his real name is Eric
 
 

                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
If you loved Notebook and again believe in Soul Mates give this one a try you won't be disappointed.
 
I am so pleased I was asked to be a part of another tour for Bill Walker's, my favourite one so far and so not expected.
 
Go here to read the Guest Post with Bill Walker
 
NOTE - I will be on vacation for a few days so will not have the opportunity to network and guess where I am going....... Boston, this is the main scenery/location for the book, what great timing.  Got to love the Gardens, Back Bay and Newbury Street.
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Teaser Tuesday - A Note from an Old Acquaintance

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!




Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser is from A Note from an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker - go here for his Guest Post with Tea Time with Marce.  My review will be up Thursday, July 8.

Page 102

All too soon, it broke; and Brian pulled away, not wanting it to end, his mind and heart aflame with so many emotions he couldn't sort them out.  Joanna's deep green eyes reflected these same feelings, yet in those vibrant emerald depths they grew crystal clear;  joy, longing, lust, hope and something else....


I look forward to reading your teaser.


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

What are you reading, Monday

It's Monday, and it's time for What are you Reading, hosted by Sheila over Here

Go over and network, Sheila also has an incentive to having fun while networking and adding to your TBR list. You get to enter to win a prize, just for networking, how cool is that.








I'm currently reading..........

A Note From An Old Acquaintance

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega- selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair. Everything changes the morning an e- mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short- lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book- signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart. Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.


This week I finished.........

Horns by Joe Hill - My Review

What is next? I will participate in the 50th Anniversary for To Kill a Mockingbird and read if for the 1st time.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - Horns by Joe Hill

Book Summary

Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with a thunderous hangover, a raging headache, and a pair of horns growing from his temples. At first Ig thought the horns were a hallucination, the product of a mind damaged by rage and grief. He had spent the last year in a lonely, private purgatory, following the death of his beloved, Merrin Williams, who was raped and murdered under inexplicable circumstances. A mental breakdown would have been the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the horns, which were all too real.


My review - 3 1/2 More Sugar Please
 
The book broke down the chapters in parts - Hell - Cherry - The Fire Sermon - The Fixer - The Gospel
 
I have never read a book that I loved so much in the beginning, all of Hell was just amazing, only to drop me and i'm not wanting to read it anymore.  Ig wakes up with Horns and thinks he is hallucinating and wonders why others see the horns but are not reacting but rather are telling him their deepest secrets even about what they think of him.  It only didn't affect one character and we all want to know why.  Everything was thrilling and suspenseful, I seriously loved every moment of the 1st ten chapters.
 
Then came Cherry - ugggh, it was about how Ig met Merrin and their beautiful perfect relationship.  I'm not saying this wasn't good it just didn't flow.  You know when moves have deleted scenes, well all of these chapters could have been cut in my opinion.  In later ones Ig daydreams about them anyway so it was unnecessary.  The book went from a 5 star to a 2 star for me then it slowly improved and the ending was just not the climax you would expect and also what you think should be consequences after Ig finds out everything.
 
Due to my love of Ig being the Devil, the touch of suspense and the dark humour I am glad I read it but it was hard to get through after the breakdown of flow.
 
It is not scary at all in my opinion, so don't be afraid to read it.  There are a ton of God vs Devil comments which I think adds to the book.  And I love words like Evel Knievel, wife beater (the shirt) and jigaboos, that is so funny.
 
The writing I adored and so will read another by Joe Hill but the flow of the book was just not executed well, in my opinion.

Note - Joe Hill is Stephen King's son.
 
Go over to April's blog to read her review.  cafeofdreamsbookreviews
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce
 

BTT - Disappointment in book or author?

BTT - Name a book or author that you truly wanted to love but left you disappointed. (And, of course, explain why.)

My immediate answer is Time Traveler's Wife.  I tried my first book club and was excited to read this one, I had to abandon after a few tries, I was disappointed because I really wanted to be a part of discussion and then started blogging a few months later and still couldn't participate.  I am happy to know there were others that agreed with me though.

My discussion about the book vs the movie here - Time Traveler's Wife

And this was a new author for me, Sophie Hannah, I truly thought I would love her and it was a possible new favourite author NOPE.  I read the Wrong Mother and was disappointed but willing to try another by her, any recommendations?

My review - The Wrong Mother

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

No Books or Kindle allowed on vacation

&

I was telling my partner how I have to review a book and post it and his response was WHEN, while we are on vacation, Your taking books????  He has been joking that I am having an affair with my Kindle but I don't think he will pleased with this for the trip, maybe I can get away with reading on the plane.

So, to be fair, we have been begging for time together, no children, no parents, no siblings, no work, no responsibility other than having fun with each other and watching the World Cup final games.  We are both fans.

So I am really considering not taking my kindle or a book, OMG.  It is only 5 days but usually I can finish 2 books while on short holidays without our 3 year old. 

We go away next Thursday, I need to finish Horns by Joe Hill, probably will on Friday and going to try and finish A Note from an Old Acquaintance before we go, July 7 is suppose to be my review date anyway. 

Plus I wanted to read To Kill a Mockingbird and have review up for July 11, the anniversary but this doesn't seem possible right now.

I am feeling a little stressed about this, that so says I am addicted to my books and blogging about them.  :-)

Do you feel my pain?  :-0

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Teaser Tuesday - Horns by Joe Hill

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

 

Just do the following and go here to participate: http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser is from Horns by Joe Hill

On Kindle at 43%

But then there was that secondary shadow image, dark and featureless, which kept twitching in and out of existence.  This second version of himself was without horns - an image not of who he was but of who he had been.  It was like watching his own soul trying to pry itself free from the demon to which it was anchored.


I look forward to reading your teaser. 

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce