“So wrong for each other … AND YET SO RIGHT.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with “freaky” scars on her arms. Even Echo can’t remember the whole truth.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his surprising understanding, Echo’s world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can PUSH THE LIMITS and what she’ll risk for the one guy who might teach her HOW TO LOVE AGAIN.”

Pushing The Limits alternates point of view between the two main characters, Noah and Echo. Echo deals with the loss of her older brother during a deployment to Iraq, the scars from the accident with her mother, her father getting remarried and the pregnancy of her stepmother. Meanwhile, Noah has a lot to deal with himself; getting his life back on track after jumping from one foster home to the next, and fighting for the right to have his younger brothers’ back.

When both attend counselling sessions to get help with the many things they each have going on, Echo is assigned to become Noah’s tutor, and they start to see one another more often. Despising one another at first, and avoiding each other at all cost, they come to realize that the only person who truly understands them, and knows how it feels going through those rough times, is each other.

Finally, they come together to reach their goals (getting Noah’s brothers’ back, and finding out what really happened to Echo the night of the accident with her mother), the two attempt to get their files from the guidance office. In doing so, they develop a strong connection with each other.

Pushing The Limits is one of those books where you’re laughing one minute, completely in love the next, and before you know it, you’re sobbing into the pages, and throwing it across the room.

Come one, come all!! Welcome to my review of Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles!

Gulping down the three books in the Perfect Chemistry series (Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction), I still didn’t have enough. I loved Simone Elkeles, her writings style, and the way she built relationships between her characters. On my hunt for more, I learned that she had another series out called Leaving Paradise, which I was dying to get my hands on!

“Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as “criminal” and “freak.” Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.”

Leaving Paradise changes points of view in every chapter, going back and forth between the two main characters, Maggie and Caleb, which allowed the reader to really get into their heads, see what they’re thinking and learn what the truth is.

Having spent the last few months in juvenile prison, due to the accident, Caleb’s release day had finally arrived, but upon his arrival, nothing is the same. Not his sister, who has gone Goth and barely talks to him, his dad who doesn’t take the lead, nor his mom, who is doing drugs.

Just like Caleb, Maggie’s life has changed from a year ago. After months of being in the hospital and physical therapy, Maggie is finally out of her wheelchair and is able to walk again, but now with a limp.

Hearing that Caleb is back in town, Maggie starts to worry, and both try their best to avoid one another. But staying away from someone, who lives in the same small town, and goes to the same school, can be pretty hard to do.  Maggie and Caleb both start working for the same elderly lady; Maggie doing any housework that Ms Reynolds needs help with, and Caleb building her a gazebo in her backyard.

Spending so much time together, and having no one else to turn to with their pain, the two become very close, and two people who hated and blamed each, gradually come to have feelings for one another.

Simone Elkeles always has romantic twists for her characters as well as her readers. Instead of being “love at first sight”, its hate, common ground, and then finally love, which is what I really like about this series, and the Perfect Chemistry series. I feel that real love isn’t at first sight, it happens gradually over time.

Both Maggie and Caleb were easy to relate to, and down to earth. They act like normal teenagers would, especially in such a situation; they aren’t over dramatic, or too love-dovey, which is one of the biggest reasons why I enjoyed reading more and more about them.

The book does leave off with a little bit of a cliff-hanger, because Caleb has yet to confess the truth about the night of the accident, but it’s a great stepping stone into the second book, Return To Paradise!

The story was fantastic, the two main characters were perfect, and I absolutely loved the ending and the way things worked out for Maggie and Caleb! Overall the book was good, and finishing it up, I am excited to read Return To Paradise.

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he’s lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

*If you haven’t gotten yourself a copy of Tempest and read it…you live under a rock, and need to get out from underneath there RIGHT NOW!*

After reading Tempest, falling in complete love, and then having my heart shattered to a million little pieces, as well as having all those pieces blow away, I almost died when Vortex showed up on my front step!

Let me remind you that I haven’t read the books myself, I have only listened to the audio versions (Matthew Brown (the reader) did an amazing job as Jackson).

Vortex continues to follow the Jackson Meyer and his time travelling abilities into CIA agent school. After changing time and history, itself, to save the girl he loves and has no other option but to let her go, Jackson decides to become an agent just like his dad. Working for a special division in the CIA which takes care of time travels and its effects, Jackson learns to work with others, jump (full and half) to different time periods, and control his emotions….

…That is until he gets into trouble with the opposing division, Eyewall, who themselves have new agents – one being the girl his heart belongs to. Not wanting to give himself away, but not being able to stay far away from Holly either, Jackson tries his best to keep all of his emotions (love and jealousy) to himself … only slipping once in a while.

The things Jackson thinks about, the small things he remembers about Holly, and the feelings he expresses are what makes him my favourite character. If only all boys were like him; telling us exactly how they feel instead of being confusing all the time.

Jackson Meyer gets to know himself a lot better in Vortex. He gets to know his mother after jumping to the past, and realizes that his dad did a lot of time jumping himself. The ending was mind boggling, and nothing what I expected it to be. I’m excited to see what the third and final book in the trilogy has in store, and I can’t wait to see how things end, especially for Jackson and Holly!

Hi…my name is Lisa. And my addictions are, reading, blogging, and coffee.

Not only do I write reviews and my own column (Life with Lisa) for Burn Bright, but I also have my own personal blog called Turning Pages! There I review books I’ve read, usually Young Adult.

How often do you blog?

I try to blog at least five times a week for Turning Pages, and for Burn Bright it isn’t exactly scheduled, but instead I just send in reviews and Life with Lisa posts, and Marianne decides when there’s an opening and when it should be posted.

How did you come up with the name for your blog?

When I created my blog, I was following a few other book blogs (which inspired me to make my own) each had a very creative name. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I did know that I didn’t want my name to be a part of it, and I didn’t want it to include something about the book genres. After a few days of thinking, I decided on Turning Pages.

Favorite part of blogging?

Without any doubt, my favourite part of blogging would have to be meeting people who love reading as much as I do. Here at home, I don’t really have friends that like reading; blogging allowed me to express my feelings on books, know others opinions on those books, and discuss them with people who are actually have the interest.

Which current reading trends have you been drawn to (dystopian, post apocalyptic etc)?

I don’t really follow reading trends, I’m usually a bit behind anyways. But right now I’m liking darker, mysterious  and more paranormal-ish books…probably because here in the Seattle area, its already dark, gloomy, and just won’t stop raining.
What is your favourite meme or post write up on your blog

I enjoy doing Waiting On Wednesday, where I share my excitement on a new book, and my own meme, Blogger of the Week, where a book blogger is featured in an interview on Turning Pages.

Do you tend to like the hero/heroine/protagonist or the villain/antagonist

I don’t really favour one, it just depends on the book, my mood, and how interesting the character is!

Thank you so much for having me today!

Find Turning pages here: http://turningpages94.blogspot.com.au/

Welcome to Life with Lisa!

With Valentines Day just around the corner, what better than to make a few Life with Lisa dedicated to one of my favourite holiday? The holiday of LOVE!

And just because you’re not dating anyone, or living the single life, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate like everyone else. You don’t need a husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend; you have brothers, sisters, aunts, moms, dads, and even grandpas that you could do something special for!

So here are a few small gift ideas for HER!

#1. Yes, it is her best friend; jewellery.

A few different types of jewellery could include a necklace, earrings, a or even a best friends bracelet, but before buying any one of these, make sure she actually wears them! If you don’t see her wearing earrings don’t buy any for her. Maybe she doesn’t even have her ears pierced. Also make sure the jewellery fits her style, don’t buy a chunky necklace, when she only wears small and dainty ones.

#2. Flowers!

Maybe ask her beforehand which flowers are her favourite, if you don’t know. My best recommendation would be roses, or any flowers that smell really good. Again, a precaution before purchasing, is make sure that she isn’t allergic to the type of flower you’re buying her.

#3. Chocolate! Strawberries!

Most girls love chocolate, or chocolate covered strawberries! But if she doesn’t pick up her favourite candy or snack instead!

#4. Take her out.

If you don’t really know what she likes, just take her out to do something fun. A movie, dinner, coffee, or just shopping! Do what SHE likes to do!

If you guys have any other suggestions, comment down below!

(In no real order!)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Was one of the first books I read in 2012, and couldn’t get enough of it. I’ve seen and read many different versions of the Cinderella story, but Cinder put a new, and futuristic twist on it. I hope to read more of these types of stories from Marissa Meyer in 2013, including Scarlet!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - This one I read during the summer while laying out, tanning. The Fault in Our Stars is one of a few books that brought tears to my eyes in 2012 and really changed the way I think about life, and cancer. This book caused me to feel so many emotions from complete happiness one minute to sadness and tears the next.

Revived by Cat Patrick - Revived is another one of my summer reads that I enjoyed along with a few hours of sun, and one or two cold glasses of lemonade. The story is something I’d usually never pick up (especially during the summer time). It follows a teenage girl, who isn’t what she seems to most people. She has a tendency to die, once due to a accident, a bee sting, and few other different scenarios, but every time she did, her “dad” and “mom” would quickly revive her, pack up their things and move somewhere new. I don’t want too give away too much, so I better stop there…

We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han - I loved this summery trilogy, and I refused to read it during any other season of the year! This book contained a character I could connect so well with, a love triangle I couldn’t get enough of, and a ending I could never foresee.

Shine Light by Marianne de Pierres - This is the most recent book I’ve read, and loved! Starting this series I fell in complete love with the first book, and I admit the second was pretty good, but I still liked the first better. When finally receiving this one in the mail, I was a excited, but yet still determined that Shine Light would never top Burn Bright. To my surprise it did. What I enjoyed most was the characters and the way they developed throughout the third book.

I’m not very sure which books I’m most excited to read in 2013. I haven’t given it much thought. But I do hope to read well over 80 books before this time of year, next year comes around!

Bel:

Cover

Jaroslaw Kubicki’s art and Astred Hicks’ know how have made, not only Shine Light, but this entire series into an artistic feast for the senses. It’s visually appealing, but the texture of the cover is something special. This really is an element the people who enjoy the ebook format should consider.

There aren’t many books on the shelves at this stage with the attention to detail as The Night Creatures Trilogy, so to own all three in paperback makes me feel privileged.

Characters

This is the wrap up book and the characters have travelled their personal journeys to get to this point; as you can expect they aren’t who they were in Burn Bright. It is up to you as to if you like who they have become.

Favourite

Rollo. But you’ll have to read to find out why.

Least Favourite

Emilia. I know where she was coming from and why she is the way she was, but I still wanted to kick her.

Beginning

Naif and her friends prepares to go back to Ixion.

Storyline

Naif rallies the troops to deal with the issues on Ixion.

Ending

HA! Do you actually think I’ll tell you.

Thoughts

This was a short book, but so much happens that there isn’t a wasted page. Action sequences are strong and easy to follow. If I had to have someone at my back when the … hit the fan it would be Naif, 100%.

Quote

“What the Fross?” Whispered Kero

Lisa:

Welcome to my review of Shine Light by ….who is it by again? Just kidding! By Marianne de Pierres!

(Yes, this is my first official book review in the new year of 2013! I can’t believe we survived the Zombie Apocalypse!)

Cover

Come on, each one of these books in the Night Creatures series, has that smooth and buttery feel to it; I love it!

Characters

Even though Shine Light has a lot of characters, it didn’t introduce many new and important characters. Most of the main characters the reader would already know from the first book in the series, Burn Bright, or would have been introduced to them throughout the second book, Angel Arias.

Favourite

If you asked this question to many other readers, I feel that the majority would lean towards Naif due to her being a strong and leading female character. Who doesn’t like one of those?!

But I actually have to go with Lenior! Your eyes might be bulging out of your head right now, but keep them in there for a bit longer and listen (or read) my reasoning. He is a man of evil and terror, killing people that live on Ixion, just like the other Ripers and Grave Elders. But he pushes all that aside to help this girl he loves; though most of the time he doesn’t show it in the normal ways a man would. He puts himself on the line, he worries about Naif, and he goes out of his way to help her, and try to keep her safe. Safe from being killed by others like him, and that’s why I adore him.

Least Favourite

I don’t believe I have a least favourite in this series. In Burn Bright I liked a lot of the characters, and throughout the second and third book I enjoyed reading and watching those characters develop and change.

Beginning

Naif isn’t on the island anymore. She finally escaped in Angel Arias, by a hair, and had no plans on coming back to the island. Until, that is, she found that the Grave Elders, and Ripers, who run and terrorize the island are killing the people who reside on it, for their own needs. To save her friends and others, Naif heads back to Ixion on a pirate ship.

Middle

Getting back to the island isn’t the hard part, but what is, is convincing not only her friends but others about what’s really going on, on this island of forever darkness…and dealing with a man she loves, but can’t stand at the same time.

End

Personally I thought the ending went by really fast, maybe because I was reading at lightening speed to see how the story ended, or because I didn’t want the story to end, either one of those. And since the ending was so kick…butt, I don’t want to say or comment on it, because I don’t want to give it away!

My Thoughts

After reading Burn Bright, it became one of my favourite books. I loved Angel Arias as well, and due to all the enjoyment I got from the first book, I had unrealistic expectations for the second. But Angel Arias reached every single one of those expectations, but yet I still favoured Burn Bright. After reading Shine Light, Burn Bright is still a good book, but Shine Light is now my favourite in the Night Creatures series!

Krista:

Cover

The cover is brilliant! The artwork for this series is what originally drew me to pursue getting a copy of Burn Bright. It represents a dark tale with a very strong, young female lead character. The artwork is beautiful and represents the feel and appeal of the story. All three covers are amazing, and I love the colours.

Characters

I couldn’t be more proud of Naif, her character development throughout the series is a constant. With everything that is thrown at her and the determination and unending days of fighting, she never falters on what is in her heart and what she believes is true and right. We see many characters come and go throughout the series, several die and several stop in just for their purpose to leave the reader not knowing where their story ended up. But all have brought this series full circle and I don’t think there could have been a better ending.

Favourite

Naif is by far my favourite character, but there are so many that are dear to my heart that it seems unfair to name just the main character.

Lenoir, Liam!, Suki, the Uthers, all great characters.

Least Favourite

I of course have never been much fan of the Ripers, but that Cal! Man, talk about close-minded, she ruffles my feathers.

Beginning

Jumping right into the story from book two we find Naif and her group making plans to re-enter Ixion. Who will be going, staying and what has to happen. With some dialogue to refresh the readers memory on where we left off in the last book.

Storyline

Naif must find her brother and his group again to get all of the fighters on Ixion to rally together to fight the Ripers and Night Creatures. They can only win if they get the upper hand and get as many of the baby bats to rise up and fight; to realize that there is something wrong with the island and stand against it.

Ending

It was a perfect ending. I stayed up until 1am to finish reading the last half of the book because it was so intense. I miss this series already and can only hope that there will be more! Please!!! I don’t want to go as far as saying there was a twist ending, but with the story behind the darkness of Ixion… I would never have imagined that in a million years! Very sci-fi fun and engaging.

Thoughts

I was apprehensive going into the book because I really do not want this series to end. The world is so imaginative and dark and I just didn’t want to leave it. I tried to take it slow and savour it but as the story really got going I just couldn’t stop. I was amazed at the imagery that is brought to the story. An incredibly dark world, with evil people and creatures varying from harmless to incredibly dangerous. From characters like the deformed Liam, to the mysterious Uthers and the different people on each Island. I feel that we barely even got to see a corner of this world and I want to visit each Island. I feel like a part of this whole story is missing and I want more! Naif was by far the best main character ever, she was perfect for the lead voice and I’m proud of her, up into the very last page.

Quotes

It had seemed so mysterious when she’d first come. Sinister but beautiful: a place like nothing she’d known, redolent with musk and moonflower and haunted by strains of music that fired her senses. Back then she’d found it hard to resist its lure, but now she felt only apprehension and a desire to make Ixion safe.

Despair threatened to overwhelm Naif as she held the gentle creature’s paws. Nothing she had ever seen before had made her as sick to her stomach, or feel as hollow from its sheer callousness. Even in Danskoi, she had not been as appalled.

She pressed the bleeding wound on Naif’s hand to her own wrist, mingling their blood. “Now and forever,’ she said with humbling formality. ‘You are my family.”

Happy Holidays everybody!

I can’t believe 2012 is almost over, and that 2013 is just around the corner! I love the holidays, no matter which one it is, but I especially love Christmas due to the family aspect, the decorations, the gifts, food, and everything else.

One of my most favourite things about this holiday season is listening to all the music, whether in the car, in the stores while I do my holiday shopping, or at home while cooking, decorating, or baking cookies. Music just really gets me into that holiday mood!

Originally this post was supposed to list a few holiday songs that I enjoy listening to. But after spending a few days thinking about which ones to choose, I decided to write this post a little differently. Instead I have two amazing websites that can get all your favourite music in the same place, allow you to find new music and plays continuously. So you don’t always have to run back and forth to press play or choose another song.

Playlist

…is a good website for someone who knows exactly what songs they want to listen to. All you have to do is go to their website, make an account (which is really quick) and start searching for the songs you like.

Pandora

…is a good website for someone who doesn’t really know what songs they want to listen to, but knows the artist, or genre. You simply make an account and search up either the song, the artist, or genre, and BAM! There’s your online radio station constantly playing the music you love!

These websites are amazing, free and very simple – anyone can use them! I hope this helped you, and I hope you all have an amazing Holiday!

Lisa x

Hello and Welcome to my review of Naturally Charlie!

I’m so excited to share with you how much I loved this book, and couldn’t force myself to put it down!

Here’s the summary:

“Twenty-five year old Charlotte “Charlie” Barrow is caught between her old life and the one she is beginning to build when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times. New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams, is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary. Through a coincidence of events, they come to rely on each other for comfort. This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.”

Naturally Charlie follows the journey of Charlotte and Charles, both who go by the nickname Charlie, and are going through rough times in their lives. While Charlotte is dealing with a broken heart from an intense break up, and death of her ex-fiancée Jim, just six months later, Charles is dealing with many changes in his life, his thoughts and morals, as well as the death of his aunt (the only family member he could ever really relate to!).

Bumping into each a few different times throughout the story, Charlotte and Charles decide to attend one another’s family funerals, not exactly the ideal first “date”, but it doesn’t matter to either of the two. They both need someone to lean on during these rough times.

From attending the funerals to spending Saturday afternoons, napping and watching movies together, the two get really close, and start having feelings for each other (even though neither want to admit to it).

But while Charles wants to not only help Charlotte get through her last break up and her ex-fiancée’s death, but also he wants to take their own relationship farther, he doesn’t want to “just be friends”, he wants much more! Unlike Charlotte who wants time to herself, to clear her head, and heal. Charlotte wants to end one part of her life, before she starts any other part.

Even though I received this book for review, Naturally Charlie was the perfect little love story I’ve been looking for! I really liked both of the characters, Charlotte was down to earth and I could connect to her many times throughout the story, and Charles was the perfect guy and girl could dream of!

LOVED it! If you haven’t picked this up yet, you should!

Welcome to my review of Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins! This is the second book in the Hex Hall series, the first being, Hex Hall. If you haven’t picked up this series you really should. I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the third and final book, Spellbound!

Here’s the synopsis:

“Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch, which was why she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shape-shifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered she’s a demon, and her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping her kind off the face of the earth.

What’s worse, Sophie has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is why she decides to go to London for the Removal, a risky procedure that will either destroy her powers forever—or kill her. But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery: someone is raising new demons in secret and planning to use their powers to destroy the world. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him any more. Does she?”

Though I loved Hex Hall and never thought the second book could be better or even nearly as good, it was! With Demonglass, Rachel Hawkins hit it out of the park.

The end of Sophie’s first year at Hex Hall, is just around the corner, as is summer. While most of her friends and classmates are happy to finally leave school and be able to spend their summer doing what they please, Sophie agrees to spend her summer with her dad, the Council, Jenny (her best friend), and Mr. Hot, Cal! Spending the next three or so months in this huge mansion isn’t exactly what Sophie thought she would be doing for her holidays.

Demonglass introduces two new characters, Nick and Daisy, who are demons just like Sophie and her Dad. The characters in Hex Hall were amazing, each character was interesting and had depth, but Demonglass took them to a whole new level! I really enjoyed reading about the love triangle between Cal, Sophie and Archer! Sadly I still can’t say which team I’m on because I really like both. While Cal is more a delicious hot and good boy, Archer is more the bad-ass hot guy. Cal is more quiet and relaxed, letting Sophie decide how she feels, Archer is more open and aggressive in his relationship with Sophie.

The story line is a bit different this time. Hex Hall was more about Sophie, her love life, and school. Demonglass is much bigger than that. It included Sophie, her love triangle….and pretty much the rest of the demonic/paranormal world. But what happens when this demonic/paranormal world is in danger? What if someone is breeding demons to build an army and start a war? What will Sophie have to do to save her world? Will Sophie have to decide between Archer and Cal? Who will she pick? The guy her dad approves of, or the guy he doesnt?!

If you haven’t read this series, you really should get on it! I loved the first two books, and can’t wait to see what the third has in store for me!