It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (April 9, 2012)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


The long Easter Break has given me a chance to do more than my usual amount of reading. Luckily, I did not have to travel this break because I came down with a massive cold. I have spend most of my time on my couch reading, blogging and napping while going through a box of Kleenex and using all the other cold remedies in my medicine chest. The good thing is that I am able to get ahead and schedule some posts for my blogs.

Here are the books that I finished this week:

The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard was a fun romance that I got from Amazon Vine. It is a start of a series. I liked the two main characters in this one and thought the romance was well-done. My review will be posted on April 12.

The China Gambit by Allan Topol was a thriller that I received for review from a publicist. I thought the pace was too rushed and the characterization inconsistent. The dialog was also not very realistic. If you are looking for a fast paced thriller and are will to suspend any shred of belief, this one was a page-turner. My review will be posted on April 14.

I also read a couple of YA books that weren't review books before I tackled the review stack. I had heard good things about the Dragon Keepers middle grade series. I bought a copy of the first book - The Dragon in the Sock Drawer - and was pleased by the story. I have the fifth in the series from Amazon Vine to review too. This review will be posted on April 9.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally has been sitting on my Kindle for a while. This was a contemporary story about a girl whose first love is football and who wants to play college ball. She doesn't get any support from her professional football playing father which causes issues between them. And her single-minded devotion to the sport is thrown off when a new boy comes to town who is also a star quarterback and who is determined to see her as girl. I liked the story but some of the sexual situations will cause me to direct this one to older young adults. You can see my review here.

I also lowered the Review stack by reading these YA books. Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut was sent to me by the author. I loved Griffin Rising which was the first book in the series and I loved this one too. I liked that the main character of this paranormal was a boy. I thought the mythology was intriguing. My review will be posted on April 14.

Until Next Time by Amy Lignor was less successful for me. Like Griffin's Fire, it is about angels but I found the storyline very confusing. The way the story shifted around in time confused me. The language was beautiful and lyrical but I am not sure I can tell you what the book was about. My review will be posted on April 12.

Finally this week, I read Rebel Fire by Andrew Lane. This is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes: the Legend Begins series and features a 14-year-old Sherlock Holmes. It was an action-packed adventure that didn't let up for a page and was a book that was hard to put down. I think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes or kids who might become fans will love this series. 

I am currently reading another review book. I got The Prophet (Graveyard Queen) by Amanda Stevens from MIRA books via NetGalley. This is the third book in the series. I love the Gothic atmosphere in this contemporary ghost story.

Next week I have the rest of my April review books on the list. 

I am a huge fan of Amanda Quick and was very excited when I received a copy of Crystal Gardens for review. I love the combination of historical romance and the paranormal that Quick has in each of her stories. 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa is a new turn from her. I loved her stories about fairies in The Iron King series and I am eager to see how she handles vampires. 

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf was one that appealed to me at NetGalley. Here is the description:

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

After I finish these I will have read all my April review books and can browse my massive TBR mountain to find a few books that have been waiting. It is nice to be able to choose something that isn't already on the schedule but it is hard too. I have so many books and don't know what I should pick.

What are your plans for the week?