Rainy Day Ramblings

Friday Forecast April 2nd-8th

Ahh...here we are entering into April. That must surely mean that it warm weather is on the way... or not as the saying goes " April showers bring May flowers." I can't wait to see the bumper crop of flowers we should be getting after all our rain. Still, whether it is raining or not, there is plenty to love about this time of year, including the new books releasing. So let's take a stroll down the shelves and check out some of the new titles that will be appearing on a shelf near you soon. Here are the highlights for next week's new releases. Tell me your picks and share your weather. (Click on covers for details). 

Forecast April 2nd-8th

 

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 61 L43 Chance of late showers           Sunday:H 60 L 45 PM Showers  

A mix of sun and showers for the weekend. I will take it! Have a lovely weekend. 

 

DNF: Pressed to Death by Kirsten Weiss, The Dead Letter by Caite Dolan-Leach & Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Hey all, it's almost the end of the week. It's still been raining a lot here in Oregon, which is probably contributing to my fickle reading moods. Today, I am going to quickly run down three books that were DNF reads for me. Perhaps you have read one of these books and you can weigh in. This is the first time I have done a DNF post because in the past I have been so stubborn, refusing to give up on books that were not working for me. Thankfully, I have finally learned to let go and to quit reading when I am not feeling a book. Why waste time slogging through to finish something I am not enjoying. These might work for you, so I am going to share why these didn't work for me and let you decide. I will love your feedback. 

 

Here we go. First up:

Pressed to Death(Book #2 A Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery) by Kirsten Weiss

 

 

 

Paranormal museum owner Maddie Kosloski has the perfect exhibit for the harvest festival—a haunted grape press. But when she’s accused of stealing the press, and her accuser is murdered, all eyes turn to Maddie. Knowing the perils of amateur sleuthing as she does, Maddie is reluctant to get involved . . . until her mother insists she investigate. 
Does her mom have a secret agenda? Or is she somehow connected to the murder? Facing down danger and her own overactive imagination, Maddie must unearth the killer before she becomes the next ghost to haunt her museum.

Kindle Edition, 338 pages

Published March 8th 2017 by Midnight Ink

 

 

 

Stopped at 50%

I picked this book up intrigued by a cozy mystery set in a haunted museum. I was expecting some ghosts or things that go bump, or something paranormal. Unfortunately, there was nothing paranormal. The mystery focused outside the museum and there wasn't anything ghostly. There was a cat in the museum, and I love cats. However, this cat was rather mean spirited. What was up with that? I also wanted a nice cozy, and I wasn't pleased with the lack of cozy. The story centered around a group of women, The Ladies Aid. These women were nasty and fighting amongst themselves. I didn't like all the drama, it felt unnecessary. I especially didn't like the way Maddie's mom was behaving, she was all caught up in the drama, hiding things from her daughter. Ugh. 

There was a bit of romance, but then it looked like it was headed for derailment. Maddie had established a good relationship, and when her boyfriend tells her his ex is in town and wants to meet, she is fine with it as she trusts him. I stopped after the boyfriend starting acting weird. 

Anyway, this book lacked cozy and no paranormal so I decided to part ways. I did not read the first book, so perhaps that is part of the reason I didn't connect with this one.

 

Next up:

Dead Letters by Cait Dolan Leach

 

 

A missing woman leads her twin sister on a twisted scavenger hunt in this clever debut novel of suspense for readers of Luckiest Girl Alive and Reconstructing Amelia.

“Ahoy, Ava! Welcome home, my sweet jet-setting twin! So glad you were able to wrest yourself away from your dazzling life in the City of Light; I hope my ‘death’ hasn’t interrupted anything too crucial.”

Ava Antipova has her reasons for running away: a failing family vineyard, a romantic betrayal, a mercurial sister, an absent father, a mother slipping into dementia. In Paris, Ava renounces her terribly practical undergraduate degree, acquires a French boyfriend and a taste for much better wine, and erases her past. Two years later, she must return to upstate New York. Her twin sister, Zelda, is dead. Even in a family of alcoholics, Zelda Antipova was the wild one, notorious for her mind games and destructive behavior. Stuck tending the vineyard and the girls’ increasingly unstable mother, Zelda was allegedly burned alive when she passed out in the barn with a lit cigarette. But Ava finds the official explanation a little too neat. A little too Zelda. Then she receives a cryptic message—from her sister. Just as Ava suspected, Zelda’s playing one of her games. In fact, she’s outdone herself, leaving a series of clues about her disappearance. With the police stuck on a red herring, Ava follows the trail laid just for her, thinking like her sister, keeping her secrets, immersing herself in Zelda’s drama and her outlandish circle of friends and lovers. Along the way, Zelda forces her twin to confront their twisted history and the boy who broke Ava’s heart. But why? Is Zelda trying to punish Ava for leaving, or to teach her a lesson? Or is she simply trying to write her own ending? Featuring a colorful, raucous cast of characters, Caite Dolan-Leach’s debut thriller takes readers on a literary scavenger hunt for clues concealed throughout the seemingly idyllic wine country, hidden in plain sight on social media, and buried at the heart of one tremendously dysfunctional, utterly unforgettable family.

“A clever and compelling mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. 
Kindle Edition, 353 pages
Published February 21st 2017 by Random House
Source: Publisher 

 

Stopped at 70% but skimmed the end. 

Ugh... where do I start with this one? I kept forcing myself to read this as I was wanting to get to the twist. This is billed as a suspenseful, psychological type thriller, but it isn't. Basically the book revolves around Ava, who is called home when her twin sister unexpectedly dies. Ava doesn't believe that Zelda is dead, and her suspicions are confirmed when she starts getting messages and emails from her supposedly dead sister. The emails lead Ava on a scavenger hunt that will hopefully lead her to Zelda. 

I finally stopped at 70%, I just couldn't do it anymore. I did skim the final two chapters to learn what happened, and I am glad I didn't force myself to finish. There was no jaw dropping finale. This not a psychological thriller, okay there is a small twist at the end, but it wasn't that exciting. 

Here is what put me off about this book: I couldn't stand the characters. All of them, except Wyatt, are manipulative, drunks. The mother is cruel and nasty dying from alcoholism. The father is a flake, and a drunk, and Ava gets drunk all the time, and Zelda what I could reconstruct of her character was a twisted drunk. 

The characters don't redeem themselves. If you want to try this one, the mystery is okay, but not that thrilling, and you have to put up with characters getting wasted all the time. Not for me. 

 

Finally:

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

 

 

Fans of Star Wars and Divergent will revel in internationally bestselling author Veronica Roth’s stunning new science-fiction fantasy series.
On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.
Kindle Edition, 468 pages
Published January 17th 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Library

 

Stopped at 30%

Whew! I feel like a dodged a bullet with this one. I am so glad this was a library check out for me. I had to try this one as I did enjoy the first book in the Divergent Series. However, I don't think Roth has ever recaptured the brilliance she displayed in Divergent. Insurgent was a mess and Allegiant was disappointing. For whatever reason, I had hopes for this one, but I was immediately frustrated. 

First, the world building for me was seriously lacking. I never felt drawn into this world. 

Second, I hated the violent and cruel Shotet characters. I couldn't stand the characters, and even though I am sure there was hope for Cyra, I wasn't willing to put up with all the drama and violence. 

Finally, this book was incredibly slow. The pace plodded along.

I decided this book wasn't for me and parted ways. I think this is more proof that I am losing interest in YA, because it just ins't working for me anymore. 

 

Alright, there you have my opinions on these books that didn't work for me. I would love to hear your opinions if you have read any of these. 

Fingers crossed that my next reads will be better. 

 

Review: Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery

 

 

 

With Joy, Love and a Little Trepidation, Courtney, Sienna and Rachel Invite You to the Most Emotional Wedding of the Year… Their Mother's 
Courtney 
~ The Misfit ~ 
As the awkward one, Courtney Watson may not be as together as her sisters, but she excels at one thing—keeping secrets, including her white-hot affair with a sexy music producer. Planning Mom's wedding exposes her startling hidden life, changing her family's view of her—and how she views herself—forever. 
Sienna 
~ The Free Spirit ~ 
When Sienna's boyfriend proposes—in front of her mom and sisters, for crying out loud—he takes her by surprise. She already has two broken engagements under her belt. Should she say "I do" even if she's not sure she does? 
Rachel 
~ The Cynic ~ 
Rachel thought love would last forever…right up until her divorce. As Mom's wedding day draws near and her ex begs for a second chance, she's forced to acknowledge some uncomfortable truths about why her marriage failed, and decide if she'll let pride stand in the way of her own happily-ever-after. 
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published July 12th 2016 by HQN Books
Source: Publisher

 

 

Three stars: A book with a lot potential but the multiple view points make the book feel scattered. 

Courtney, Sienna and Rachel are all looking forward to their mother's upcoming wedding. They are excited to see her marrying again after all these years. As the wedding approaches, the stress builds, and each girl finds herself dealing with her own personal drama. Rachel, the oldest, divorced for two years and raising her eleven year old son, is still desperately in love with her ex. When he starts coming around after turning a new leaf, her heart wants to let him in but her head says no. Sienna, after two failed engagements, is seeing someone who is nice, but in her heart, she knows he isn't right for her, but why can't she say no? Courtney, who has always struggled because she is tall and awkward, is out to prove something, but when someone comes into her life, will she be willing to take a chance? 

What I Liked:

• Daughters of the Bride was a book that surprised me. I went into it expecting a story that mainly revolved around mother and daughter relationships. However, this book is more than that. While there is a bit of focus on familial bonds, the majority of the story is about each daughter overcoming personal obstacles, and finding herself. I liked meeting each of the characters and getting to know them, and I enjoyed cheering them on as they conquered their problems. 
• I appreciated the strong and varied personalities. Rachel was my favorite. As the oldest daughter she has always been the responsible one, to the point where she refuses to ask for help, shouldering many burdens to the point where it is wearing her down. I loved her second chance romance, and I liked watching her learn to cope and change. Sienna, was a tougher sell for me. I did appreciate that she worked tirelessly to raise money for battered women, and I liked that she finally found her voice and courage when it came to her romantic life. Courtney is all kinds of fun. She is tall, awkward and she lacks confidence. As the story goes on, she falls in love, and she hits her stride. Loved watching her grow and change. 
• For all of you who like romance, there is plenty of romance in this one. Each of the three girls is in some kind of romantic relationship. They are all different, and of course, some I liked better than others. I did like comparing and contrasting the different relationships and watching them play out. 
• The ending was nice and relatively neat. There as only one story line that I felt was little unfinished. I was pleased that there weren't any cliffhangers or nagging questions. 

And The Not So Much: 

• My big disappointment with this one was the mother. I couldn't stand her. She was self centered, completely selfish and a total bridezella. I thought this book was going to be a chick lit read focused on mother daughter relationships, and it wasn't. The mother spent very little time worrying about her girls, and instead she obsessed over frivolous and ridiculous wedding ideas that drove me nuts. Ugh! I was also put off by her whole attitude toward Courtney. 
• At first, I liked following the different story lines, and I didn't mind the character switches, but toward the end, it got muddled. The narrative started switching to a different girl from one paragraph to the next instead of chapters like it did in the beginning, which bothered me. Second, I disliked the added narrative of Quinn that involved all of his music dealings, it was unnecessary and I found this portion boring, so I skimmed. 
• I was bothered that the story line involving Sienna was left a little open. I wanted to see it play out. 

Daughters of the Bride was a book I wanted to fall in love with but I didn't. I liked it but I wasn't thrilled with the multiple view points, and I couldn't stand the bridezilla mother. I did enjoy the daughters, and I liked following their stories. This was just an okay read for me. If you like books with multiple view points and you are okay with some drama, check it out. I would recommend borrowing this from the library. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday #180: Sneaking a Peek

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. 

 

Here is this week's question:

Do you cheat and read ahead while reading a book?

 

I have to admit, I used to have a bad habit of picking up a book and reading the final page first. Why? Who knows. Perhaps I liked seeing how it all played out or I just wanted to see if it had a happy ending. 

I know many of you are probably shaking your heads, thinking how could I cheat and spoil the book? 

I don't know, sometimes I just can't help myself. Plus, it was always nice to have an idea as to how things were going to conclude, so I could start piecing it together as I read.

The other reason I found myself cheating and reading ahead was because it was getting well past my bedtime, and I would tell myself just one more chapter, only to find that the chapter ended on a cliffhanger. One can only handle so many cliffhanger chapters, and staying up continually past my bedtime wasn't always a good option. So to alleviate stress and anxiety, I would skim ahead to see if my favorite character got out of a predicament or cheated death. Sometimes I just can't handle the anxiety of not knowing. 

Fast forward to the Kindle era. Now that I have a Kindle, I find that I seldom skip ahead, and I no longer read the final page first. Why? With a Kindle, it isn't always easy to move around in a book, especially when they don't have page numbers. Plus, I have no idea how far to skip ahead to see an outcome, it isn't as easy as thumbing through pages that's for sure. 

Reading the last page isn't as tempting because it isn't right there in front of me, tempting me. Instead I have to go in and select it on the Kindle. 

I think that having a Kindle has cured me, almost, of cheating and skimming ahead while reading. Yes, I can do it, but it isn't as easy. Now that I have gotten used to not cheating, I am less and less inclined to do so. 

I do every once in awhile move ahead when I just have to know something, and I can't stay up all night reading, but it doesn't happen often. 

I am still so tempted though when reading a physical copy to sneak a peek ahead. 

So perhaps, an electronic reading device is the answer to my problem. 

What about you all. Are you tried and true not peekers, no matter what, or do you cheat and skim ahead because you have to know right now. 

Next week's TMST:

Book trailers... do you watch them? Do they convince you to read a book?

Review: The Turn (The Hollows #0.1) by Kim Harrison

 

 

Kim Harrison returns to her beloved Hollows series with The Turn, the official prequel to the series that will introduce fans and readers to a whole new side of Rachel Morgan's world as they've never seen it before!
Can science save us when all else fails?
Trisk and her hated rival, Kalamack, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.
Death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague takes the world, giving the paranormal species an uncomfortable choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them.
Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved.
Kal surreptitiously works against her as Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found. 
448 pages
Published February 7th 2017 by Gallery Books
Source: Publisher

 

Four and a half stars: An excellent trip back to the Hollows that takes you back to where it all began. 

 

Trisk is tired of coming in behind her arch nemesis, Trenton Kalamack. Kal has cheated off her and made her life miserable all through school. Now as they prepare to graduate, Kal will likely land a terrific job with NASA and achieve everything his heart desires, while Trisk, a woman in the 1960's, will be lucky to land a job in security. Fate steps in, and Trisk, who is an elf, finds herself working undercover in a human genetics lab. It is Trisk's job to make sure the humans don't create a tactical plague that could wipe out the paranormal species, especially since elves are on the brink of extinction. Things are going well until Trisk discovers that Kal has been sent by the powers that be to check her work. Then, Kal does something despicable in hopes of ruining Trisk and saving his career. His tampering lets loose a plague transmitted by tomatoes that quickly decimates the human population. Will Trisk be able to stop the plague and prove who set it loose?

What I Liked:

• I have long been a fan of Kim Harrison's The Hollows Series, so I was thrilled to see her take us back in time to where it all began. It was so fun to see the forerunners to all of my favorite characters in The Hollows, and I enjoyed getting a better understanding of the Plague that created the world for the Hollows. This was an excellent book, and I hope there is more. 
• Trisk was wonderful female protagonist. I know I am not alone in having plenty of irritations with Rachel Morgan, the heroine in The Hollows Series. Thankfully, Trisk is nothing like Rachel. She is smart, mature, sophisticated and capable. I loved watching her fight against all the prejudices and still come out on top. She is fantastic. Quen is back in this one, and I enjoyed getting to know him in his younger years. Even though I missed Jenks, I did love Orchid, a formidable pixie woman. I can't wait to see how she is related to Jenks. Al is back, and he is a bit nastier, but still Al. Daniel, a human geneticist, ended up being a favorite as well.  There is also a snippet of Rachel's dad, Takata. Needless to say, I loved the characters, and I especially liked figuring out how they were related to the characters in The Hollows. 
• Trenton Kalamack is quite the conundrum. He is a character I loved to hate especially because he behaves so despicably time and time again. Yet, there were moments when I thought he could possibly be likable, after all, I had a strong love hate relationship with his son. Needless to say, he is the most fascinating character in the book, and I am hoping that I will be able to further peel back his layers and see if there is some goodness in there. 
• I liked that this book is set in the United States during the sixties, but instead of the space race, the Americans are focused on genetics and biowarfare. NASA isn't geared toward space exploration, instead they are all about bacterias, viruses and genetics. 
• Once the plague hits, the book takes off. Civilization falls quickly. I liked that I finally had an understanding of the Plague that I had read about in the Hollows. It was great to finally see it all unfold. 
• The ending was satisfactory in that it concluded most of the story lines, but it ended in way that I indicated there will be more. I can only hope that further prequel Hollows books are in the works because I want more Trisk, Daniel, Quen and Orchid. 

And The Not So Much:

• I was disappointed that the relationship between Trisk and Quen wasn't explored further. I wanted to dig deeper and see beneath the facades. I thought there would be romance. I am guessing there is more. 
• The book started off a bit slow. Once Trisk is established in the lab, the pace plods along as Trisk and Kal play head games with each other. I was a bit bored at this point, but thankfully, once the plague hits, things take off. 
• The book left so many things unanswered. I can only hope this is because there is going to be further books in this series, I hope so because I want to see how things play out between Trisk, Kal, Daniel and Quen. 

The Turn is an excellent read. I loved going back in time and seeing how the ball got rolling for the Hollows Series. It was interesting to get to know familiar characters in their younger years as well as becoming aquatinted with some new faces. It was wonderful to revisit the Hollows, and I can only hope that additional books are coming. You don't have to read the Hollows series to enjoy this one, but it is recommended as it will enhance your reading experience. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

The Sunday Post 217th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

 

It is now Spring break, and I am hoping the weather might cooperate just a bit for us, even though traditionally Spring Break in Oregon tends to be more often rainy than not. Still if we could just get a couple of decent days, I will be thrilled especially since we will be spending a couple of days on the coast. Rainy or not, we will have fun. I am more than looking forward to a small vacation considering the last time I had a vacation was last March right before I found out about my mom's terminal cancer. My dad flew back in this weekend so he will be going with us, and staying for a couple of weeks. I can't believe it has been three months since he was here, it really seems like the other day. 

Anyway, it has been a busy week. Still rainy off and on, but we are seeing more sun breaks and it is feeling more and more like Spring. The trees are leafing out and the flowers are starting appear, later this year, but better later than never.

I had an adventurous week as I had to spend two days doing jury duty. I have to admit, I was totally dreading it, but it ended up being not so bad. My husband had the smart idea for me to take an Uber car rather than deal with heavy morning traffic downtown, and then trying to find parking and pay for parking. The Uber driver dropped me off right in front and then my husband picked me up. Easy. The jury duty itself wasn't too bad. Just a lot of time spent sitting around in the jury room waiting to get called or not. At least, the chairs were very comfortable and the jury staff was fun and friendly, and they tried to make it as pleasant and painless as possible. I made sure to take a paperback book, my iPhone loaded with books and an audiobook so I wasn't bored at all. I had to be prepared on all counts with books and more books. Have you ever had to serve on jury duty? Was it miserable or not so bad?

I can't believe that March is nearing it's end. I haven't knocked as many books out for my 

 Take Control of your TBR Challenge hosted byThe Caffeinated Book Reviewer, as I would have liked.

This past week I read from the pile:

And started:

I just didn't get to as many as I had wanted to as I am reading books that I have committed to for March as well. Some progress is better than none. 

How are you doing?

Before I get to blog stuff I had to share these adorable pictures of my precious new nephew Breckin. 

Here is at one month, two months and just recently he turned three months already. He is always smiling and so adorable. I can't wait to cuddle him in person, it is just killing me. 

Okay now that we have had a dose of adorable, let's get to the blog stuff.

This past week on the blog I featured:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Feversong by Karen Marie Moning

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Has the YA Genre Lost Its Allure?

 

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Thursday: Review: Exit, Pursued by Bear by E.K. Johnston

Friday: Friday Forecast

 

Received for review: Nothing! Yeah!

Next week on the blog:

Monday: Review: The Turn by Kim Harrison

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you cheat and read ahead while reading a book?

Wednesday: Review: Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery

Thursday: Did Not Finish Reviews

Friday: Friday Forecast

So that's a wrap for Oregon. If it is Spring Break for you, get out and enjoy it, sun or not!

 

Friday Forecast March 26th-April 1st

We are nearing the end of March. Can you believe it? I am so ready for lots of sunshine and warm sunny days. It has been a long, wet winter. If you are like me and longing for spring, I can cheer you up with a glance at all the new books coming out next week. Let's see if there is anything that strikes your fancy. (Click on covers for details). 

Forecast March 26th-April 1st

 

Strange the Dreamer and Awakening are my must haves this week!

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 57 L42 Showers/ Sun         Sunday: H53 L 43 Rain

A mixed bag this weekend. Showers and sun on Saturday and Sunday is supposed to be a soaker. Sigh...

Review: Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnson

 

Veronica Mars meets William Shakespeare in a brave and unforgettable YA heroine whose story will inspire and provoke. 

Hermione Winters is captain of her cheerleading team, and in tiny Palermo Heights, this doesn’t mean what you think it means. At PHHS, the cheerleaders don't cheer for the sports teams; they are the sports team—the pride and joy of a small town. The team's summer training camp is Hermione's last and marks the beginning of the end of…she’s not sure what. She does know this season could make her a legend. But during a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. And it all goes black.

In every class, there's a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl. They're never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to regain the control she's always had and faces a wrenching decision about how to move on. The rape wasn't the beginning of Hermione Winter's story and she's not going to let it be the end. She won’t be anyone’s cautionary tale.
Kindle Edition, 254 pages
Published March 15th 2016 by Dutton Books for Young Readers
Source: Library

 

Four stars: A story that showcases bravery, grit as well as love and support in the aftermath of rape. 

Hermione Winters is pumped and a bit nostalgic as she begins her last stint at summer cheer camp. It is going to be an unforgettable senior year. It will be a year of adventure and new beginnings. The two weeks buzz by, filled with cheering and friends. Then the unthinkable happens. At a dance, Hermione is handed a glass of punch. She blacks out and comes to in the hospital. She learns she was drugged, raped and left in the lake. Her plans for the year are irrevocably changed. Can Hermione rise above the brutal act of violence and reach her dreams?

What I Liked:

• Exit, Pursued by a Bear is a book that takes on the brutal subject of rape, yet this isn't like all the other rape books you have read. I appreciated that this book wasn't all about  despair, shame, breakdowns and so forth. Instead, this is a story that showcases friends, family, love, support and incredible courage and strength in the face of an ugly crime. This is a book I urge you to read and discuss with young girls. 
• Hermione is an amazing main character. Before the rape, she is a beautiful, confident cheerleader who is excited about her future. Afterwards, she is strong, courageous and unwilling to let people whisper about her. Nor will she let what happened define her and her future. She stands up for herself, refusing to let others shame and blame her, and she will not be branded with the label: raped girl. I loved her strength and her formidable spirit. Yes, there are plenty of times when she falters and she breaks, but it never shatters her. I also loved that she was driven, and that she was constantly proving that she wasn't a dumb cheerleader. I loved this character. 
• This book features a constant loving support system. Hermione is always getting encouragement and love from everyone, especially her best friend Polly. If only we could all have a best friend like Polly. She is fierce, protective and willing to do about anything to protect her best friend, Hermione. Along with Polly, Hermione has the care and love of her parents, as well as support from her cheerleading teammates, her pastor, coach and even the policewoman handling her case. Her psychiatrist was amazing, loved him!  It was refreshing to see so many people bolster Hermione. 
• This book doesn't hesitate to take on the tough stuff. There is, of course, the rape, which is horrible, and then all the aftermath. I won't go into all the details to avoid spoilers, but since it is shared in the synopsis, I can tell you that Hermione becomes pregnant. I appreciated how the author handled the whole pregnancy issue, and how she walked the reader through Hermione's choices. I thought it was handled beautifully, and I thought the author did an excellent job with the material. This is a book I urge you to read and discuss with the young women in your life. 
• Finally, big props to Ms. Johnson for including all the resource websites and helpful information at the end for anyone who might be dealing with rape. I love when authors take time to include this vital information. 

And Not So Much: 

• I was so disappointed that the book ended on a cliffhanger note. Yes, it ends at a high point, and I was certain that Hermione would be okay, but I was wanting to see the aftermath. I can't tell you all the details, but I will say, it ends at a big, important moment in the story. I needed more. 
• Even though I loved that this book tried to focus on the more positive rather, I felt like at times it was just glossing the surface. I wanted to dig deeper and get beneath the surface. I can't quite put into words, but I felt like something was missing. I wanted more detail and depth, especially at the end. 

Exit, Pursued by a Bear is a must read, thought provoking book that takes another look at rape and the aftermath. This book is different in that the survivor is surrounded by a strong support system. Even though it is more positive, there are plenty of tough issues explored and exposed. This is a book that I think every teenager should read and discuss. 

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Audiobook Review: Cry Wolf(Alpha and Omega #1) by Patricia Briggs

 

 

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

It is recommended you read the prequel "Alpha & Omega" before reading Cry Wolf.
Audio, Unabridged - Digital Download, 10 pages
Published July 29th 2008 by Penguin Audio
Source: Library

 

 

Four stars: A great werewolf book with a good romance, an evil witch and a nice reintroduction to characters you know and love from the Mercy Thompson Series.

Anna is doing her best not to bolt. A couple of days ago, she was an abused werewolf, deemed the lowest of the low in her pack. She was turned against her will and barely surviving. Everything changed once Charles Cornick, the son of Bran, The Marrock, who leads all the wolves in North America. Charles rescued her from an abusive pack and then informed her that his wolf had chosen her as his mate, and that she is an Omega, a rare and valued wolf. Now Anna, finds herself in the snowy wilderness of Montana, amongst Bran's pack. Before she even has a chance to settle in and explore their cautious new relationship, danger comes calling, forcing Charles to leave, taking Anna with him. The two are sent out into the backcountry  in winter, searching for a rogue werewolf who is attacking humans. Will Anna and Charles find the werewolf and figure out their relationship?

What I Liked:

• I am glad that I finally took the plunge and checked out Cry Wolf. If you are a fan of the Mercy Thompson Series, you must read this book. For me, it was a chance to finally get a better understanding of Bran, Charles and Samuel who make frequent appearances in the Mercy books. I loved getting to know these three better as they are favorites of mine, especially Samuel. Not to mention, I liked exploring the romance between Anna and Charles.
• The romance between Anna and Charles is not your traditional type of romance. In fact, it is a bit of insta love, but don't worry it works. From the moment they meet, Charles' wolf declares Anna is his mate. Even though the wolves have chosen, it takes the humans time to catch up. What follows is a slow and somewhat awkward dance as the human sides of Anna and Charles take time to learn and discover what their wolves already know. Even though the romance is different, it is still cautious and nice, and without drama. I liked that it was mature and that it didn't have angst and unnecessary stumbles. 
• The conflict that the wolves face is scary and deadly. Charles and Anna find themselves face to face with a cruel and powerful witch. This witch is a nasty piece of work. A great villain. 
• It was interesting to explore some of the different relationships and get to know members of the pack. I always thought that Bran ruled the Pack with an iron fist, but that isn't exactly so. Bran has some vulnerabilities, and it was fascinating to see his underside. I am curious to understand his mate relationship better. I also enjoyed getting to know Asil, and I hope that he will be present in future books. 
• The ending is excellent. No cliffhangers or unanswered questions. I love when I get a complete story. 
• I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Holt Graham. Graham does a good job with the voices, even the female characters. I look forward to listening to more books narrated by him.

And The Not So Much:

• Even though this is the first book in the series, you really can't read this without having read the prequel novella that is included in the On the Prowl Anthology. I started this one without reading the prequel, and I was a bit lost, so I went back and read Alpha and Omega. As a reader I hate when you have to track down a novella to get the full story. It is a pain in the rear. 
• As I mentioned, the witch is one nasty piece of work. I struggled a bit with the fact that she was more powerful than the ancient wolves. It strained believability for me. 
• I was disappointed in Walter's fate. I wanted so much more for him. 
• This is me being persnickety, but I have to say that the picture of Anna on the cover does not at all fit her character. Anna is not fierce and bold nor does she dress like this. The cover is so misleading, and in all honesty, it is one of the reasons I have put off reading this for so long. 

Cry Wolf was a terrific read. I loved the characters and the romance. For me, it was finally nice to get a better understanding of characters that I have known for years reading the Mercy Thompson Series. If you are like me, and you have not picked up this series get after it. 

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Be sure to read On the Prowl first: 

Check out the rest of the series:

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday #179: Has the Young Adult Genre Lost It's Allure?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

 

This week's discussion question: 

Are you becoming disenchanted with YA?

I have noticed over the last couple of years that I am pulling away from the Young Adult Genre. Before I started blogging, I hardly ever read YA, but then when I started my blog back in 2011, YA was all the rage. If you wanted to be an influential blog, you had to review YA. Everyone was reading YA. I admit having not read the genre very much, I was intrigued. Plus there were so many terrific YA series coming out from dystopian, paranormal romance to contemporary. I was hooked, and I found myself, at least for the first four years of blogging, reading mostly YA. 

Six years into blogging, I find that now, I am steering further and further away from the genre, and it doesn't seem like I am alone. I have noticed the same trend among all the blogs I visit. Which isn't a bad thing, because I remember back in the day, the same book used to pop up over and over across the blogosphere. These days, I am seeing more and more diversity on the blogs I follow, which I love. It is nice to see so many different books reviewed instead of the same ones. 

Which leads me to my question: Is it because YA is losing it's allure? I have to say yes. When I first started reading YA, I was immediately put off by the cliffhangers and the love triangles. Two tropes that have plagued YA, and continue to do so. As an adult reader, I don't have much patience for the dreaded cliffhanger because often times by the time the next book releases a year later, I have forgotten much of what happened in the first book, or I just don't care anymore. Don't even get me started on the love triangle.

Perhaps another reason YA is losing it's appeal is that I feel like I have been there done that. At first, there was so much creativity and diversity, and now days, I feel like the stories are recycled. Maybe it's just me.

I have also grown tired of the disappointments. I can't tell you how many times I have picked up one of the big buzz YA books only to find that it was a fizzle. Time and time again, I have been discouraged and frustrated by the books publisher are pumping as the next big read. I am to the point where I don't want to go near one of the buzz books. 

I am tired of the teenage drama. As an adult, my teenage years are far behind me, and I have grown weary of teenage angst and dramatics in my reading. 

Finally, I felt like I was in a rut with the YA genre so I decided to go back to my roots and start reading some old favorite authors and series, and it was so refreshing to read grown up books again. Most adult books don't have nasty cliffhangers, and they don't rely on love triangles as much either. 

For me, it is all about reading what I want, and I am happy that I have found more diversification and balance in my reading and blogging. YA was fun for awhile, but I am ready for more adult books. I am not saying that I won't occasionally pick up a YA read, but for now, I am only reading them sparingly. 

What about you, have you steered away from YA? Why or why not? Do you think it is still appealing? 

Next week's question: 

Do you cheat and read ahead while reading a book?