After Midnight by Lynn Viehl

After Midnight by Lynn Viehl
Release Date: May 8, 2011
Publisher: Flux 
Age Group: Young Adult 
Pages: 360


Summary:  A Suspenseful New Series Featuring Vampires and Forbidden Love
Sophomore Catlyn Youngblood is used to the nomadic existence she and her two older brothers have shared since the death of their parents. When they settle down for good in the sleepy backwoods town of Lost Lake, Florida, Cat thinks they might finally fit in. Instead, they're shunned by the locals.
While riding her horse late one night, Cat meets an enigmatic and handsome boy named Jesse Raven. Even more strange than her overpowering attraction to him is Jesse's apparent aversion to the sun. As their attraction intensifies, long-kept secrets come to light. Cat learns that the Ravens are a centuries-old vampire clan . . . and worse still, that she and her brothers are descendents of Abraham Van Helsing, the world-famous vampire hunter. Mortal enemies by blood, the two families do all they can to keep them apart. But Cat and Jesse will risk everything to be together—including death.

My Thoughts: We are introduced to Catlyn aka Cat. She lives with her two brothers Patrick and Grayson. Patrick is older and has taken care of them for a while now. Their parent's passed away. Grayson and Cat are still in high school and the family moves around a lot. They have lived many many places but finally decided to put down some roots in Florida. Cat starts a new school and makes a few friends, a boy and a girl. She also attracts the attention of the football quarterback and his girlfriend, which she could do without. 

She ends up taking out her horse Sali on a midnight ride and bumps into Jesse Raven, the mysterious boy who lives on an island with his parents. Jesse can't go out in the sunlight or he'll burn, he doesn't need to eat, and he's very cute.  

Cat and Jesse begin a romance that nobody understands and nobody wants them together, not even the town sheriff who is just looking for a reason to lock up the family.

Many secrets are unraveled throughout the novel, family secrets. Both Cat's and Jesse's. Honestly, I felt the relationship between Jesse and Cat was rushed. And I didn't feel much of a connection to any of the characters. Jesse and Cat just instantly had feelings for each other and that bothered me, they barely knew each other! 

I liked the aspect of the book where the secrets came out, but it was a bit predictable. I knew mostly what was going to happen before it did. I did like learning all about Cat and why cat's liked her so much. I liked her brothers. I enjoyed the football scenes.  I liked the chaos between her classmates. 

I just felt the storyline was rushed, yet the book seemed to go on and on forever. I was ready to finish it about halfway through because I saw the ending coming. 

Overall: After Midnight was an okay read. Will I read the next one? Yes, just to see what happens. I'd like to know more about her brothers and what happens to them as well. I'd like to know more about their abilities and what they choose to do with them. 

Cover: I've seen similar versions of this cover on other books. It's an ok cover.

What I'd Give It: 

Miles From Ordinary from Carol Lynch Williams

Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams
Release Date: March 15, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 208




Summary: Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother's ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control....

“No one can get inside the head and heart of a 13-year-old girl better than Carol Lynch Williams, and I mean no one," said James S. Jacobs, Professor of Children's Literature at Brigham Young University, of her breakout novel, The Chosen One. Now this award-winning YA author brings us an equally gripping story of a girl who loves her mother, but must face the truth of what life with that mother means for both of them.

My Thoughts: Miles from Ordinary was an extraordinary novel. I also read The Chosen One, I did like the Chosen One a bit more but Miles From Ordinary was a good novel. We are introduced to Lacey who is only 13 years old. She lives with her mother and basically takes care of her. She doesn't get out much so when she gets a job at the library while her mother also gets a job at the store, she is thrilled. She thinks it will be good for her mother to get out and do something. Lacey's aunt used to work at the library so Lacey is happy to be doing something her aunt was happy to do. Her aunt left a while ago after her mother told her to get away. 

Lacey also meets a sweet boy who takes the journey with her. He understands things pretty good for not knowing Lacey too well. 

When Lacey gets off work the first day, she can't find her mom. She looks and looks, finally her aunt comes, and things go from there. I can't say much more or else I'll give the whole plot away. Honestly, this book was very emotional and a quick read, just as The Chosen One was. It was a very gripping story of her families troubles and her mother's illness. 

Overall: I really liked Miles From Ordinary. It was very emotional and made me tear up a few times. Its not a book to be taken lightly. 

Cover: Like it. Its a emotional cover even though there isn't much to it besides the girls face. 

What I'd Give It:  

Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando

Dreamland Social Club By Tara Altebrando
Release Date: May 12, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304


Summary: Jane has traveled the world with her father and twin brother, but it's not until her fractured family–still silently suffering from the loss of Jane's mother many years before–inherits a house and a history in Coney Island that she finally begins to find a home. With the help of a new community of friends, a mermaid's secrets, and a tattooed love interest with traffic-stopping good looks, the once plain Jane begins to blossom and gains the courage to explore the secrets of her mother's past.Colorful characters, beautiful writing, and a vibrant, embattled beachfront backdrop make this the perfect summer read for anyone who has ever tried to find true love or a place to call home.

My Thoughts: Dreamland Social Club was an imaginative book. We are introduced to Jane who lost her mother, lives with her father and brother. They have just moved back to Coney Island into her grandfather's old house to clean it up and sell it.  They arrive and instantly Jane and her brother Marcus are frowned upon. Nobody really liked their grandfather so they also get shunned.  Coney Island is in the process of being torn apart and bought and people who own businesses are upset about this of course.

I'm not even sure where to start with this review really. I liked the friends Jane makes. The people are very very weird in a way. Most of them have something that makes them unique to say the least. One boy looks like a giant, while another girl is a midget. There are a lot of interesting characters and friendships develop throughout the book. There is also the mysterious tattoo boy Leo. Leo was very charming and I really liked him. I wanted to know how Jane had saw his tattoos before and I was very intrigued about their history.

Jane spends the novel fighting off the boys who torment her, getting to know her new classmates, learning new things about Leo, and trying to figure out more about her mother and who she really was. 

I'm going to leave this review short and sweet. Dreamland Social Club was very interesting. The carnival aspect was awesome! We have a carnival that comes through our town every year so I totally get it. I get how carnies are different and have their own relationships with each other.

Dreamland Social Club was awesome. I also enjoyed learning more about the rides and adventures Jane experienced.

Overall: I really enjoyed it! It was a fun novel to read.

Cover: Love the cover! Definitely has the carnival feel to it, plus the pretty mermaid! 

What I'd Give It: 

Waiting On Wednesday (86)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WOW spotlights forthcoming titles that we absolutely can't wait to read.

 The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen
Summary: Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks
for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find
peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and
win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Why I Want It: First off, I love the name Jax!!! Second, the plot sounds intense!!!!

The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352





Summary: In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she's decorating a cake. Unfortunately everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems - only her dad's about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.


My Thoughts: We are introduced to Sheridan aka Cake Girl, She doesn't mind being called this nickname because she actually likes what she does; designs cakes. Sheridan has inherited the cooking gene from her father who is a well known chef who just got offered a cooking show in New York. Of course Sheridan doesn't want to go because she likes her small town, plus her grandma lives here. She also has friends, goes to a school she likes, and likes making cakes. She's happy here.


Sheridan is also looking for her mom throughout the book. Her mom left when she was young, and she wants to understand why. She has gotten cards over the years, and thinks they mean more than what they really do. 


Next are the guys in the story. First there is Jack. Sheridan's best friend. He starts to have major feelings for her and at first she is very blind to it. He's Jack, not some hot guy. She's known him her whole life.  Next, is the popular Ethan. He's known her a long time and all of a sudden he likes her too. He just broke up with his girlfriend and now he's making a play for Sheridan.

Mainly, she spends most of her time making cakes, and as exciting as that sounds, it got a little repetitive at times. She also spends too much time looking her her mother. And her father just didn't seemed like he had a very strong relationship with his daughter for taking care of her all these years. 

Love triangles, making cakes, drama, drama, and more drama; this book has all that. 


Overall: I liked The Sweetest Thing but I didn't love it. It also took me some time to warm up to it. I felt like the story was so long. At times, I almost stopped but I was determined to finish it. It was an alright book and maybe if you have a cook inside of you crawling to get out, you'll enjoy it more than I did.


Cover: Love the cover! It makes me instantly hungry every time I look at it.

What I'd Give It: