Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon

Deliah Lopez Dreser’s in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there’s more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole’s in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. However, is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brothers' murders?  

Maggie and Seth’s reaction when the truth is revealed pushes friendship to the limit. And this time around it won’t be a Dreser causing an uproar in Port Fare. It will be Cole's good friend Booker. But does Booker have it all wrong?  Usually not!

My Review:

 

Vibrant writing and witty dialogue make Unbelievable a great read. Filled with intrigue, suspense, and romance, the second book in Gammon's Port Fare series will keep you turning the pages.

 

Okay, enough of the stuff and fluff. What I loved best about Unbelievable were the characterizations. If you know my tastes at all, you know the thing that does it for me about a novel is the characters. Gammon's characters are all very vivid and real. You will feel like they are your friends, and you will care about what happens to them. Cole and Lilah are actually likable, and likable characters, for some reason, have become increasingly uncommon in the literature I've read lately.

 

This book has a fantastic plot too. Lilah comes to Port Fare seeking her father's revenge on Seth, Maggie, and Booker, who we met in book one, Unlovable. (Unbelievable can stand alone. It's not necessary to read book one first, but I'm glad I did). But Lilah realizes quickly that her father, once again, has lied to her about the whole situation--what happened here three years ago and how her disgusting brothers met their end. But she wants to be out from under her father's thumb, and the only way to do that is to keep her end of their deal by supplying her father with information about her new friends. Lilah's father says his revenge is about money, but Lilah knows he will go much farther than that.

 

While there were things about this book I didn't like--the cat jokes, the Shakespeare quotes--they were all related to my personal tastes and someone else might not mind them at all. The things that really matter to me in a book--great characters, skillful writing, knowledgeable author, execution of plot, romance--were all there.

 

Introducing feedyourreader.com: A new site for free and bargain eBooks

You're here because you love to read! And who doesn't love to read free and bargain eBooks on a free eReader? (Um, nobody?)

Today I'm happy to share a giveaway with you from Inspired Kathy, who publishes the popular book blog, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. Kathy promotes newly published LDS and other clean reads, publishes great book reviews, organizes and facilitates virtual book tours and book blasts, and is an all around amazing go-to girl who brings authors and publishers and readers together. She's a busy, busy lady!

Kathy is launching a new site that is aimed at bringing you the best Kindle Ebook Deals and Steals.

Each day on feedyourreader.com you'll find a new list of available ebook deals (most for under $3).

And of course there will be lots of  Featured Freebies too!

To celebrate the launch of the new site she is giving away a 7" Kindle Fire (US only), $100 Amazon Gift Card (International), or $100 Paypal Cash (International). Enter below. It's easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Ends 5/5/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer [11]http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $100-$159 US.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

On the back cover:

"Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything."

Jennifer's Review:

Great story! Love the adventure and romance of it. I knew this was being made into a movie so I picked it up at the book store on Monday. Had it read by Tuesday night. Nice, quick read. Had me turning pages. At one point my daughter asked me what I was reading because my eyes were big. LOL

The twist, I felt, is that it is written from Ethan's perspective. Usually it is the girl that does all of the talking- at least in all the books I have read. I was interesting but I could tell it was written by a girl ( or girls in this case) because some of Ethan's thoughts were a little too... Well, they sounded like they were what a girl would think a boy would say or think. Does that make any sense?

I really loved the magic and intrigue. I will definitely be picking up the second in this series!!

I give Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 4 1/2 stars.

Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp

by Stephanie Worlton

Few callings strike fear into a woman’s heart like that of being a Girls Camp leader. Whether you’re a new camper or a seasoned leader, Stephanie Worlton is here to help.

Publisher's Note: 

Make your Girls Camp an experience to remember with Everything You Need to Know about Girls Camp. Filled with helpful tips on everything from holding your first meeting to dealing with unhappy campers, this essential guide takes the stress out of planning to make your camp a success!

Click here to learn more

Mandi's Review: 

This book brings back some fun memories of spending a week each summer at Girl's Camp. Filled with great tips, advise, and even planning sheets and time-saving lists, Stephanie Worlton's, Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp, is a must for any young women leader or stake camp director. Worlton has helped take the guess work and anxiety out of planning a fun-filled Girl's Camp. Budgeting tips, easy meal ideas, fun song lyrics, and certification tips will help you as you work to make your camp a success. I recommend this book for anyone serving in the LDS Young Women's. 

Get a Copy Today...

       

Enter to Win:

As part of the blog tour, Stephanie will be giving away two great prizes. Visit her Kreating Krazy author blog to enter for your chance to win a "Camp Leader Survival Kit" or a signed copy of the book.  

Meet the Author:

Stephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and appreciate God’s magnificent creations. She is a seasoned Camp Director, an avid Scouter, and a devoted youth leader. Aside from the busy schedule she keeps as a wife and mother of four, Stephanie enjoys organizing, interior design, gardening, carpentry, painting, and being involved with the youth of our rising generation.  To learn more about Stephanie or her book, visit her “Kreating Krazy” blog:  www.stephanieworlton.blogspot.com

  

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

On the back:

  "Although I had never seen him before, I recognized him immediately. I'd have known his voice anywhere. This was the guy I'd seen on my last journey back in time.  Or more precisely, the one who'd kissed my doppelganger while I was hiding behind the curtain in disbelief.
  Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended- and rather eccentric- family in an exclusive London neighborhood. In spite of her ancestors' peculiar history, she's had a relatively normal life so far. The time traveling gene that runs lie a secret thread through the female half of the family is supposed to have skipped Gwen, so she hasn't been introduced to "the mysteries," and can spend her time hanging out with her best friend, Lesley. It comes as an unwelcome surprise when she starts taking sudden, uncontrolled leaps into the past.
  She's totally unprepared for time travel, not to mention all that comes with it; fancy clothes, archaic manners, a mysterious secret society, and Gideon, her time-traveling counterpart. He's obnoxious, a know-it-all, and possibly the best-looking guy she's seen in any century..."

Jennifer's review:

  I was intrigued from the first page and really enjoyed the storyline. The characters are all intriguing and have their own mystery behind them.

  There are a few parts where I felt lost but quickly found my way.

  Only a few cuss words- of course the book would be just fine without- but it wasn't covered in them.  There is only a hint of romance in this book. I was expecting more from the back cover. The story is so intriguing that you really didn't need much more, but I still would have liked more. 

  I have so many theories running through my head about what is to come next that I am holding my breath for the next book in the series, "Emerald Blue". Should be out this year in paperback. Came out last year in hardcover. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

I give Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier 4 1/2 stars.

Saving Mars by Cidney Swanson

When the food supply of Mars’ human settlement is decimated, seventeen-year-old Jessamyn Jaarda, the best pilot Mars Colonial has ever seen, flies to Earth to raid for food. Earth-Mars relations couldn’t be worse, and her brother is captured during the raid. Breaking rules of secrecy and no contact, Jess finds an ally in Pavel, nephew to a government official, but their friendship only makes more agonizing the choice before her: Save her brother or save her planet?

My Review:
I totally fell in love with this book. It was delightful. The first half was a little slow maybe, setting up the story, but I don't see how it could have been different. Once Jessamyn got to Earth, I couldn't put the book down. And then I went on the prowl for the rest of Swanson's books. Here's the blurb for the sequel, which I'm dying to read.

Jessamyn has escaped Earth with food for her starving world, but her troubles are just beginning. She must rebuild her life without Pavel, the Terran boy whose kiss haunts her. Her success is further tainted by the loss of her beloved brother. Ethan disabled the deadly lasers orbiting Mars, but this has created a fervor to re-open trade with Earth which Jess knows would be disastrous. Add into the mix a secret which could launch an interplanetary war, and Jess finds herself at the center of an intrigue where, in order to save the world she loves, she must defy it.

The Secret Sister's Club

By Monique Bucheger

Mandi's Review: The Secret Sister's Club is part of Monique Bucheger's Middle Grade Ginnie West Adventure's series. Ginnie, a spunky 12-year old, finds herself in an unexpected situation. Her dad develops a relationship with her best friend's mother. Suddenly feeling confused and wondering where these changes will lead, she stumbles upon a journal kept by her deceased mother. Through these journals, she gets to know the mother she lost years before. I have to admit, I don't read a lot in this genre, and at first I wasn't certain what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the character of Ginnie. She's a spunky 12-year old who has a lot on her plate. As a tomboy myself, I could really connect with her. Tillie was the perfect best friend, and the conflict between the two added a lot to the story. I would definitely recommend this book to any middle grade girl. It was clean and well-written, and overall, a fun story.

To get to know Monique Bucheger visit her blog, Monique's Musings
To purchase this book or others in the series, visit Amazon