June Book Club: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Since we took May off we decided to read Through the Ever Night for June - this would give anyone who hadn't had a chance to read the first one time to catch up.

In this sequel to Under the Never Sky, Perry and Aria's troubles are just beginning. As the Aether grows and destroys more and more of the land around the Tides' territory it begins to threaten the well-being of everyone in Reverie. Perry and Aria have to part ways in to search for an answer. The question is whether they will have to stay apart or come together in order to save everyone they love.

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What we thought:
Rachelyons: I loved Through the Ever Night! I wasn't impressed with the first book, because I felt that the world building needed some work. However, I loved the development in the sequel. I really began to love the characters, especially Roar, and I love that we got to see more of the Tides. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

Rebecca T.: I loved this book. I find it kind of funny, because, as opposed to Rachelyons, the worldbuilding was what sold me on Under the Never Sky, but I thought that Rossi did step it up in this book. The danger, intrigue, and twists kept me guessing throughout the story. I loved meeting Liv and learning more about Roar and Perry as well as the rest of the Tides community. I was pretty sure the book was going a different direction for a good part of the book and would have been happy with the story going either way, but I like the direction Rossi took it. I am dying to get my hands on the third book!

Jenn N: Through the Ever Night was great. I'm always a little apprehensive about reading the 2nd book in a trilogy as they are often weak and a mere placeholder until the 3rd book's climax. However, Through the Ever Night was a delightful surprise that proves Rossi is a gifted writer. She expanded on the world building and the character development. Like Rachel, I really enjoyed Roar's heartbreaking story and Perry's Tides world. I also love the romance between Aria and Perry. It's so hot, but yet so true and chaste at the same time; it's beautiful. I can't wait to see what lies ahead in the quest for the Still Blue.

If you liked the first 2 books you also might want to check out more about Roar and Liv's story in the e-novella. AND the third cover was just released so have a gander!

In July we're having a Harry Potter birthday celebration! So we decided to read a little fan-fiction and are going with James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (which you can check out at the James Potter website) and we're going to throw a party at our monthly gathering so check back next month for picture! (If I remember to bring my camera :)

The Rest of Us by Jessica Lott

35 year old Manhattanite Terry is complacent.  She still lives in her college apartment and has abandoned her dream of being artistic photographer and settled for being an assistant in a photographer's studio.  However, when she reads the obituary of her former lover, Rudolf Rhinehart, in The New York Times, she is shaken out of her complacency and re-examines life.  She is given a second chance at love when she runs into Rhinehart at Bloomingdale's.  The obituary was a misprint.  Thus an initially awkward but soon happy reunion ensues.  Their second chance at love encourages her to pursue her career goals again and leads her down a path she never expected.

At first glance, "The Rest of Us," may seem like a simple story of second chances.  Yes, the novel certainly shows that it's never to late to reach out for that lost love or dig up that long buried dream.  However, it's also a thoughtful story that examines the intricacies and dynamics of relationships from romantic to familial and traditional friendships.  Lott also didn't shy away from examining some of the pitfalls and struggles that come with delaying your dreams or holding on to those dreams and people that you've outgrown.  This isn't a sappy look at relationships and romance but a somewhat melancholy and realistic view of contemporary relationships which I really appreciated.  I also enjoyed the polarity between Terry and her best friend and the intriguing drama surrounding Rhinehart's heritage. The ending is a bit abrupt but it just adds to the contemplative mood of the book as you will be thinking of its characters long after you've turned the last page.

"The Rest of Us," was an extremely well-written novel.  Definitely, check it out, you won't be disappointed.  If you've already read it, please comment below or stop back to comment once you've read it.

Please note that I received no financial compensation for this review.  I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for providing a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

10 Things I Loved About This is W.A.R. by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Yesterday was the book birthday for the lovely and hilarious Roecker sisters' new book. I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book from a GoodReads contest and I very much might have done a happy dance around my room when it arrived.

Spoiler-free Summary:
After Willa Ames-Rowan drowns, everyone knows the truth - she and James Gregory left together and James came back alone. But his family rules the Hawthorne Lake Country Club and with a little carefully placed money and a lot of pressure the "accident" is pushed aside. When four girls with a strong connection to Willa and their own terrible secrets find themselves drawn together to expose the lies and bring down the whole Gregory family it isn't just revenge; this is W.A.R.

1. First off that cover. Doesn't it just catch your eye?! Don't you just want to find out what on earth is going on?! I love the green tones and I love the title. I even love the font they used for the author names.
2. I really liked the way the sections of the book rotated through the perspectives of the four girls who have formed W.A.R. Each girl had a distinct voice and I liked the way it was in larger sections rather than interspersed. It was different and worked really well for this story.
3. In connection to that I also liked how the backstory was revealed little by little. It was masterfully handled so as not to reveal too much, but I never felt frustrated or like things were being kept from me. Each girl had a little more to add that slowly made the story more clear.
4. You think you know what's going on, but you really don't. I loved that. So many things kept me guessing. And even when you are pretty sure it's all been revealed something else comes to light and makes you wonder what the truth actually is.
5. The girls are all so different and really have nothing in common except Willa, but as the book progresses they have to start to trust each other and understand and support each other, but it isn't corny - it just works.
6. Each of the girls has some sort of issue. They aren't perfect, and they are all culpable (or think they're culpable) in Willa's murder in some way. I found this so much more interesting, because they aren't just fighting against the Gregorys, but against their own flaws and guilt.
7. The capstone perspectives from Willa. I really don't want her to be dead because I wish I knew this girl! Which is good, because if you didn't care about Willa being dead, the book would lose a lot of its impetus. But as you learn more about her from each of the girls you get more and more angry at those responsible.
8. It is sadly realistic. The Roecker's aren't afraid to just dig right in and point out a lot of problems that are at times present in our society - things a lot of people don't want to admit happen. But the book definitely doesn't read like they're on a soapbox of any kind - it just comes through. I noticed on GoodReads that a lot of people sort of mocked this aspect, and perhaps it has been overdone in some places, but I liked that they just went for it and I liked that the girls have some of the same issues to overcome as the problems they see around them.
9. Girl Power! I love how the Roecker sisters have such strong, independent, flawed female leads. If you haven't read The Liar Society and The Lies That Bind you should. Very different feel, but another strong female lead.
10. There's another book! Right? RIGHT?! Because the ending totally made it feel like there was another book. And if there's not I might just have to hunt Lisa and Laura down and make them write it.

I received this book for free and received no remuneration for this review.

Laydown Lowdown

Happy July!! It's hard to believe it's July already.  This summer is flying by all too fast for me.  I'm looking forward to slowing down and enjoying the 4th with a good book before the fireworks.  There are plenty of new reads to choose from this week.

R.L. Stine takes a break from scaring middle grade readers by returning to the YA genre with "A Midsummer Night's Scream."  How can you not love that title?  Other new releases in Young Adult today include "Awaken," the finale to Meg Cabot's "Abandon" trilogy, "SYLO," by D.J. MacHale, and "The Distance Between Us," by Kassie West.

Laurell K. Hamilton releases her 22nd "Anita Blake" novel, "Affliction" today.  "Storm Surge," by Taylor Anderson, "Night Vision," by Yasemine Galehorn, and  "The Arrivals," by Melissa Marr are also available in Science Fiction/Fantasy today.

If you have a hard time committing to just one Romance novel at a time, look for today's new novella compilations such as "Entralled," which features the work of Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Meljean Brook, and Lucy Monroe; "Hot Summer Nights," featuring stories by Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy and Jessica Clare; or "Fangs for Nothing," which features Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love.

Other new releases in Romance include "Archer," by Debra Kayn, "Animal Magnetism," by Jill Shalvis, and "All I Need," by Francis Ray.

 
Mystery fans will want to discover "Not the Killing Type," by Lorna Barrett, "The Fame Thief," by Timothy Hallinan, "Let it Burn," by Steve Hamilton, or "Cat in a White Tie and Tails," by Carole Nelson Douglas.

And if none of these titles appeal to you, you may enjoy "The Rest of Us," by Jessica Lott.  A thought provoking tale of second chances.  Look for my full review tomorrow. 

Will any of these new reads make your "to-read" list?  Please share with us!  Happy Reading and remember to support your local bookstores whenever possible. 

Sundays with Neubie the Truebie (Episode 62 "The Sun")

Happy Sunday fellow Truebies!  What did you all think of last week's episode?  More of our questions were answered but bigger questions formed in their wake.

Jason learned that his mysterious driver was not crazy vampire Warlow but his fae grandfather, Niall.  Niall gave Jason a paternal lecture about the dangers of hitchhiking and blabbing family secrets to anyone with an ear as the duo headed back to Sookie's house.  Niall checked out the portal where Warlow appeared to Sookie and returned with a dismal report for the Stackhouse siblings, that Warlow has entered their world already. 

As is that wasn't enough drama on Sookie's plate she discovered a mysterious injured man in the woods by her home.  Sookie soon discovers that his name is Ben and he is a telepath like herself and half fae.  She invited the sexy stranger home with her where he could recover.  Ben is gorgeous and the two had chemistry but it seemed a little too good to be true.  I'm betting Ben is either an evil faery or a fae cousin.  

Ep. 62 Clip - A Fellow Halfling

Back at Fangtasia, Eric discovered that the government's weapons against vampires have become horrifyingly advanced.  Eric retrieved a UV light emitting bullet from Tara.  For some reason Nora doesn't understand why the government is suddenly anti-vampire meanwhile, her work in the Authority is what caused a lot of the anti-vampire sentiment.  Apparently Eric's sibling is as dumb as Sookie's.

Ep. 62 Clip - This Means War

Eric is determined to get the Louisianna senator to back down on his anti-vampire stance and attempted to glamour him into doing so.  Unfortunately for Eric, he discovered that the government has also developed contacts that are glamour proof and he found himself in a tight spot before literally flying off to safety. 

Sam is determined to move forward and return to business as usual by returning to work at Merlotte's while Lafayette baby-sits for Emma.  A group of young people come in looking for a good meal.

Ep. 62 Clip - Secret's Out

Of course, nothing is ever simple in Bon Temps and a young woman from the group soon cornered Sam in the back room and tried to convince him to "come out" as a shifter to help other shifters and weres and support their pro-shifter cause.  Sam declined their offer.  Unfortunately for him, this group doesn't seem the type to back down and seems to have ulterior motives.  After a long day at work, Sam returned home to relieve Lafayette and tuck Emma into bed.  However, Alcide has apparently gone mad, as he showed up with his girlfriend and Emma's grandmother to bring Emma "home" with them.  Despite Emma's pleas and a full on fight between the wolves and shifters, Alcide wrangled Emma away and Sam and Lafayette found themselves losers in the fight as the wolves hauled Emma off.  The girl from earlier and her shifter friends were in the adjacent woods the whole time filming the incident. 

With everything going on no one had time to check in or Jessica and Bill or perhaps everyone else was to freaked out by Bill's new state to help.  Jessica caught Bill in the middle of his vision he was having about Lilith and other vampire creatures like Lilith who all needed a shower and a wax.  Anyway, long story short, Lilith told Bill that he must save their kind.  Bill also had visions of other vampires being attacked by humans.  Poor Jessica had no idea what was happening and just saw poor Bill in a catatonic state with a bad case of the bleeds.  Thinking Bill was just hungry, she called for a human blood donor and was disgusted when Bill fed of and killed the donor through telekinesis.  Finally, after Lilith's declaration that Bill save their kind, he came to.  Jessica was relieved but the duo was soon concerned when they realized that Bill's visions of vampires being attacked were actually premonitions as they saw the same events unfolding on the evening news.

It was another action packed hour this past week.  Other than Niall there isn't a single plot point here from the books so I don't know where this season is going. Regardless, I am really enjoying this season.  I hope that Bill is still around despite the crazy visions and new powers.  If we have to look at Lilith anymore this season, I hope she gets a loincloth or perhaps Bill could encourage her to visit a waxer.

What do you guys think of this season?  Please share!!

Laydown Lowdown

 
The summer heat is finally here.  I couldn't be happier, I love soaking it up and relaxing with a good book.  Fortunately, there are lots of new books to choose from this week.

If you're looking to heat things up even more, check out new Romances from best-selling authors such as Diana Palmer with "Protector," or Lisa Jackson with "Tell Me."  Other new genre releases include "Naked," by Megan Hart, "A Hero to Come Home To," by Marilyn Pappano, "An English Bride in Scotland," by Lynsay Sands, and "All Out of Love," by Lori Wilde.

If you're looking to cool down, perhaps pick a bone-chilling Mystery/Thriller like "Blood Tango," by Annamaria Alfieri, "Lethal Treasure," (Jodie Prescott Antiques #8) by Jane K. Cleland, "Green Eyed Lady," by Chuck Greaves, and "Key Death," (the 4th "Nicholas Colt novel) by Jude Hardin.  Fern Michaels apparently loves to keep her readers in suspense as "Gotcha," the 26th "Sisterhood" novel won't be released until June 26.

Maybe you'd like to escape this atmosphere altogether by choosing from one of this week's new Science Fiction/Fantasy titles. "The Keepers of the Library," by Glenn Cooper,  "Lost Souls," by Delilah Devlin, "Cold Steel," by Kate Elliot, "The Armies of Heaven," by Jane Kindred, and "The Goliath Stone," all invade bookstores today.

Or if you're stuck in summer school or missing school already, head on over to the Young Adult section for "After Daybreak," by J.A. London or "Ink" by Amanda Sun and look for the paperback releases of "Execution: Escape from Furnace #5," by Alexander Gordon Smith, and "Blackwatch," by Jenna Burton Shaw.

Will any of these books make your Summer reading list?  Share with us!  Tell us what you're reading.  Remember to support your local bookstores whenever possible. 

Sundays with Neubie the Truebie (Episode 61, "Who Are You, Really?")

Good afternoon fellow truebies.  What did you guys think of last week's premiere?  Did it exceed or meet your expectations?  There was a lot I liked and little that I didn't like.  Some of our questions were answered, while some questions just got bigger.

Of course the biggest dilemma is what to with Bill.  For one, we discovered along with the rest of the gang that Bill appears to have survived drinking the blood of Lillith.  In fact, he is stronger than ever.  He survived a walk through fire and a staking!  Sookie, Eric, and Nora are convinced that Bill did die and that his form is just a type of apparition for Lillith.

While Bill/Billith was enraged when he ran from after Sookie, Eric, and Nora from the Authority headquarters, he let the trio escape with Jason, Tara, Pam, and Jessica.  Sookie mourned what she believed to be the death of Bill and the rise of Lilith in his form.  With the exception of Jessica, the other vampires didn't mourn his loss but feared what he has become. However, Jessica stayed true to her maker and decided to stay with him after he called her home.  When Bill made a lunge for Eric, it was Sookie who staked Bill and everyone was shocked when he survived.  Jessica then stood up for Bill and ordered them all to leave there property.  Afterwards, once Eric had taken Sookie home, he signed her house back over to her and she revoked his invitation into her home, longing to be the innocent girl she once was. 

I don't know what to think, Bill certainly seemed like his old self when he tucked Jessica into bed like a good dad and asked for her help for him to remain himself while discovering and adapting to his new powers.  His memories have also clearly remained intact as proven when he shared a memory of his human life as a soldier with Jessica.  I believe that Bill still is the gentlemanly vampire we know and love but that he needs to fight the savage Lilith that is like a demon inside him. 

Jessica shares her thoughts on Bill and her new responsibility in her latest blog post...

The Family Business

All this drama with makes me long for the simpler version of him that is depicted in the books, a gentlemanly vampire who spends all his time compiling a vampire encyclopedia on his computer.

Despite all this drama, Tara and Pam found a moment to be alone.  Pam was trying to hide her upset over Eric not telling her about his sister Nora.  Tara tried to comfort her and the ladies had a spat but ultimately took comfort in each other.  Unfortunately there moment of peace doesn't last long as they are soon threatened at Fangtasia.

Elsewhere in Bon Temps, Andy deals with what to me is a living hell.  His moment of recklessness with a faerie left him with 4 half fae babies to care for.  Arlene and and Terry do their best to help him adjust to his new life as a dad but they are all horrified when the babies grow into toddlers just days later.  I don't believe this has been revealed on the show but you can throw people and things up into a faerie portal where they'd be sucked back into the fae world. If I were Andy, I'd take that crazy mob of kids and find the nearest faerie portal.

Sam also a huge new responsibility.  After shifting into Steve Newlin to help free her daugther, Luna died in the aftermath, and told Sam he had to care for her daughter.   Sam and the girl ran to Merlotte's for safety and shelter.

Over in the Shreveport area, Alcide was being "sworn in" as packmaster in the traditional werewolf ceremony.  As seen in the books, when one rises up to packmaster he must have sex with another female of the pack in attempt to re-populate the pack with full-blood weres.  This female who is selected for this honor among the pack is not always the new packmaster's wife or girlfriend.  Alcide is given a beautiful member of the pack to follow-through on this tradition with and it is not his equally beautiful girlfriend.  Alcide runs off to the woods with the were and his girlfriend follows.  Only his girlfriend isn't jealous and the trio quickly get into some um-wild activities.

I almost forgot about Jason!  True to form, he made the boneheaded decision to hitchhike home after things in the SUV with the vampire and his sister got too crazy for his comfort.  Jason took a ride with the first car that stopped, without hesitation and proceeded to tell the man driving the whole sad story of his sister, and the vampire Warlow that he blamed for his parent's deaths.  The driver then told Jason that he knows all about Warlow and Jason jumped to the conclusion that the driver was Warlow as the show cut to black.

Now, while I think Jason would get what he deserved if he did get into a car with Warlow, I highly doubt that he is Warlow.  There is someone else who knows everything about the Stackhouse siblings and that is there faerie great-great grandfather Niall.  I bet my stash of True Blood beverages that this man will be revealed to be Niall.

And if everyone didn't have enough to deal with already, the Governor of Louisianna has threatened to shut down all vampire owned and operated businesses such as Fangtasia and has made a shady deal with the makers of True Blood to help them out with the operations plant shortage.

Phew, there was a lot of action in just 60 minutes!! This certainly looks to be one heck of a season.  What do hope to see in the coming weeks?  Pull up a chair at the Merlotte's bar and share with us!!