Booking Through Thursday - - Giving up?

Booking Through Thursday is a weeking meme about books and reading!

This week they are asking us:

If you’re not enjoying a book, will you stop mid-way? Or do you push through to the end? What makes you decide to stop?

This is a great question - one I tend to deal with quite a bit.  I work in a middle school/high school media center and I spend all day trying to match up kids and books.  This can sometimes be difficult and so, I try to remind them that there are thousands of books and we WILL find one that they love!  My take on reading a book, any book, is that it should be a pleasure.  I realize that there are times when what you are reading is all about the class or the job or some such and those times it isn't all fun.  When you are talking about free reading, I believe you are talking about pleasure reading - hence my theory!  I encourage the students to give every book they decide to try a fair chance - at least 100 pages.  If after reading 100 pages or so, they don't enjoy the story, then bring it back and we will look for something else!  I believe that there is a book out there for EVERYONE - no matter how well or how much they read.  It's our job (as life long readers) to help them find it.

Personally, I rarely give up on any book.  There have been a few though that I just had to put down.  Usually if I give up on a book, I wait and try it again another day.  Sometimes I just have to be in the mood for a book - perhaps that day isn't a fantasy day or whatever.  I will give any book that I put aside at least three trys before I give up on it forever.

Review: Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis

Dark Deceptions by Dee Daivs
Amazon product description:
A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. Brilliant, badass, and seemingly bulletproof, the members of A-Tac are assigned to the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets. 

TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher, his former field partner and the only woman he ever loved. Annie betrayed him when he needed her most, then vanished without a trace. Now suddenly she's back in the game - this time as a suspected traitor and threat to national security.
Annie's son has been kidnapped by political terrorists. The price for his life? Assassinate a UN ambassador. When Nash and his group find her, the smoldering passion between Annie and the man she swore she'd never contact again blazes out of control. But can Nash trust her? The stakes couldn?t be higher: Their enemy's endgame is personal, and one false move could cost them their lives.

My thoughts:  I started this book 3 times - I kept it as my purse book forever (which explains why I had to keep starting it).  I got to page 12 each time and then...back in my bag to wait for another chance.  So finally I took it out of my bag and brought it boating with me one day!  

Amazing!  When I took the time to sit down with this book - it was a fast, gripping read! I was so impressed.  Now that I sat down with it - I read it in one day!!!     So... 

The characters are great, I want to meet each one of them! The story rolls right along, holding you in your chair the whole time.  I found myself on an emotional roller coaster with Annie as we tried to save her son's life and keep her life from falling apart on so many levels!  The relationship with Nash is heartbreaking and hopeful.  As always, I am looking for "the ending" I have pictured in my mind for the whole story and in this book I was thrilled to see it come through!  Lots of twists and turns, intrigue and betrayal from fronts you would never expect.  If you like mystery/espionage you should check this one out!  I plan to get Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds too!

Review: Branded (Fall of Angels) by Keary Taylor

Branded: Fall of Angels by Keary Taylor

Amazon product description:

Night after night, Jessica stands trial before a council of vindictive angels for deeds she didn't commit. Condemnation brings a branding as they dementedly laugh and point but exaltation starts a war over her soul.

These are Jessica's nightmares.

Alex is everything Jessica could ever want and she'll do anything to be with him. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck.

This is what she will fight for.

But the nightmares rule Jessica's life and she must find a way to stop the events that are pulling her toward her own judgment or become the object of her greatest fear. And lose Alex forever.

My thoughts:  

Why did I choose it:  I hate to admit it, but I tend to be a cover shopper. I know, I know... don't judge a book and all, but alas a good cover draws me to read the jacket and the jacket makes the sale!

What did I like about it:  

I loved the characters!  Alex is the man we all dream exists, but find only in stories.  Jessica is a fantastic character.  Sal is wonderful and Cole is something else all together.  Emily was a surprise, but I liked her too.

The story line is fantastic.  The idea of someone standing trial for others in a council of angels is one I have never read before.  I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and how the story developed and unfolded for us.  It moved enough to keep me up late turning pages!

My least favorite part?  Because I am forever looking for the ending that I decided HAD to happen when I start a book, I wasn't thrilled with the ending.  It was a good way to end the story, but I had hoped.... anyway - no spoiler.

It's worth a read - check it out!

I got Sin Undone today!!!

Demonica Book 5: Sin Undone

Amazon Product Description: HER TOUCH IS DEADLY - As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she'll die before she'll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin's innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence. 

HIS HUNGER CAN'T BE DENIED - Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she's no stranger: He's bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld's most wanted and Con soon learns he's the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own. 

I love this series! You have to check it out!

Book 1: Pleasure Unbound:
Amazon Product Description:
In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life . . .

She's a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure-but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Two lovers will dare to risk all.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable-and let Tayla possess him, body and soul...

Book 2: Desire Unchained:

Amazon Product Descripton:

Pleasure is their ultimate weapon . . .

Runa Wagner never meant to fall in love with the sexy stranger who seemed to know her every deepest desire. But she couldn't resist the unbelievable passion that burned between them, a passion that died when she discovered his betrayal and found herself forever changed. Now, determined to make Shade pay for the transformation that haunts her, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest enemy.

A Seminus Demon with a love-curse that threatens him with eternal torment, Shade hoped he'd seen the last of Runa and her irresistible charm. But when he wakes up in a dank dungeon chained next to an enraged and mysteriously powerful Runa, he realizes that her effect on him is more dangerous than ever.

As their captor casts a spell that bonds them as lifemates, Shade and Runa must fight for their lives and their hearts-or succumb to a madman's evil plans.

Book 3: Passion Unleashed

Amazon Product Description:

FORBIDDEN TEMPTATIONS

Serena Kelley is an archaeologist and treasure hunter-and a woman with a secret. Since she was seven, she's been the keeper of a powerful charm that grants her health and immortality . . . as long as she stays a virgin. But Serena isn't all that innocent. And when a dangerously handsome stranger brings her to the brink of ecstasy, she wonders if she's finally met the one man she cannot resist.

FATAL DESIRES
Wraith is a Seminus demon with a death wish. But when an old enemy poisons him, he must find Serena and persuade her to give him the only known antidote in the universe-her charm. Yet, as she begins to surrender to his seductions and Wraith senses the cure is within his grasp, he realizes a horrible truth: He's falling for the woman whose life he must take in order to save his own.

Book 4: Ecstasy Unveiled:

Amazon Product Description:

A DEMON ENSLAVED
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.
AN ANGEL TEMPTED
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.
Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

In My Mailbox - this week

My mailbox has been almost a daily source of excitement for me! I have been very fortunate in the giveaways here in our blog world!  Thanks to everyone who has been hosting and congrats to all who have been winning!  This is a picture of what I have been lucky enough to get this week!

Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy - won on About Happy Books - thanks Sabrina!

The Stray by Sherry King - won on Fang_tastic Books - thanks Roxanne!

Sherry King sent me The Stray herself and included extras!!! She also signed and sent me Forever, The Ghost Amethyst, and Vampire Dreamspell.  Thanks so much Sherry!!! You can check her out here.

Captured by Julia Rachel Barrett - won on Michelle's Book Blog - thanks Michelle!

The Impostor's Daughter by Laurie Sandell - won at Happy Mom of 5's blog - thanks Chrissy!

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus - won at For What's It Worth - thanks Karen!

Gunner: Hurrican Horse by Judy Andrekson - Early Reviewer's Group

The Weight of Shadows by Alison Strobel - won at Busy Moms Who Love to Read - thanks Pam!

Review: Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

My thoughts about Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler:

I wasn't really sure what to expect from a story that was about a 17 year old girl with an eating disorder becoming one of the four horsemen.  I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading.

The characters are well thought out and believable.  The interactions that Lisa has with both her family and friends are realistic and consistent.  I have known girls with eating disorders and I could see them in the characters of this story.   My favorite character is Death, then of course Lisa.  My favorite scene is the battle between Famine and War.

One of my favorite things about the story is that Lisa didn't have to die to become a horseman, therefore gaining the possibility of continuing her life in some capacity.  

Throughout the story we see Lisa dealing with her personal issues and how her new "job" conflicts and reflects her problems with food and self-image.  I love that we get to watch her find herself in so many ways.  The strength that she shows is inspirational.  The symbolism is wonderful and well planned.

I won't add more about the story as I don't want to put spoilers in this review.  I will say though that there are two moments that you will find change Lisa dramatically (the battle with War and her encounter with her mother).

I am impressed with the book as a whole.  It is well written and enjoyable.  I found myself relating on various levels.   I think that Jackie Morse Kessler has captured a subject that is more common than anyone wants to admit, many people fear, most deny, and all are challenged in dealing with.  She has made her story positive, encouraging, realistic, and respectful to those who may or may not deal with the tragedy of an eating disorder.  I feel that it is a must read for teen girls. I would recommend it to anyone.