Thanks followers!

I just wanted to send out a really fast thanks to all my followers - I have been slacking lately and haven't been posting much, so thanks for not giving up on me!

I have been both busy and stressed - I am sure we all are - but over Thanksgiving break my daughter announced that she would be moving out - she is 21, but has been living at home still - so the announcement would have been less shocking if she wasn't moving to Kentucky!!!  Louisville, Kentucky - where she knows NO ONE and plans to find a job (hopefully) working with horses.  So if anyone knows of someone looking for a barn/stable hand or anything of the kind, I would love some feedback.  She dreams of working with horses and has one year of Equine Business Management classes behind her and is working through an Equine Massage program.  Here in southeastern Minnesota there isn't a lot of call for that kind of work - but apparently you need to know someone in the business and so far she doesn't, but she is now in the right place!  I would love any advice available- Thanks.

Anyway - thanks again for hanging in there - I have been working hard to finish up reading all the books I have taken on for review and to get those reviews written.  Stay tuned for them in the next few days!

Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Amazon Product Description:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

Publisher Release Date:  December 28, 2010

My thoughts:

Fantastic story!  I got this story from Net Galley as an ARC.  The story is a fast read, the characters are great!  This was my first Ellen Schreiber read even though I have a number of her books and the students at my school LOVE her stuff.  I am so pleased to have finally read her because now I plan to read more!!!

The author creates characters you can connect with and puts them in situations that you find believable.  I was immediately invested in the story and couldn't put it down.  

I love the relationships between all the characters, especially the growing/changing relationship between Celeste and Brandon.  The author does a nice job of creating an authentic feel to them.  Celeste's relationship with Mr. Worthington is wonderful.  I like how he seems to know her so well.

The author does a great job of portraying typical high school relationships - between both the girls and the boys.  She also is right on with her descriptions of high school life.  

The psychic is a twisting part of the story - didn't expect the way that whole piece turned out.  

The werewolf legend in the story is different from the typical, which is refreshing.  I enjoyed the historical background on the legend.

My favorite characters: 

Celeste -- because she is such a high school girl, but still manages to try to do the right things.  I love that she is open to being a part of Brandon's life even if it's scary - so not the typical high school girl thing to do!

Mr. Worthington - - I picture this little man as similar to the actor telling the story in The Green Mile, if you have seen it.  I love that he becomes a bigger piece of the story as we read.  I won't say more for fear of spoilers.

Brandon - - - who doesn't immediately fall for this one?  As early as his introduction I knew he would be one of my favorites.  He is the hero at the start and remains as such in ways throughout the story.  The scene where the wolves show up at the school is a great one!

My non-favorite characters: 

Nash- because he is such a typical high school jerk boy!  Likes himself entirely too much and thinks of others last, and seems to think of Celeste only in reference to himself.  Of course this is the way he is supposed to be - the way the author built him and she did a fantastic job!!! As a reader, I disliked him from the start!

Dr. Meadows - I thought at the beginning of the story that she would be someone I would love - but no...reasons would be spoilers - but I wanted her to be a friend to Celeste, someone who would help her and be her confidant.  I loved her predictions, but wanted more from her.

What I didn't like:  

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way that the chapter dividers loaded onto my kindle.  I am guessing that each chapter is divided by a full page picture that just didn't transfer well onto the kindle because it wasn't a finished book.  

My most unfavorite thing: that I read this book as an ARC and now I have to wait even longer for the next book, wishing it were published already!