{Review & Character Bio} Rematch & Double Fault by Janine Caldwell

Rematch
by Janine Caldwell
Series: The Vortex Series (#1)
Pages: 231
Source: e-book provided by author for review
Available as of March 12, 2012
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In REMATCH, Cassie and Trent’s worlds are about to collide, but not in the way you might normally expect. After a rocky start to their senior year, Trent is determined to hide from Cassie how their lives are supernaturally linked. But when Cassie’s past continues to torment her, she’s soon looking to Trent for answers. Trent must choose between admitting what he is and his role in her past, or running away from her forever.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into Rematch. I've read a few time travel novels and wasn't sure how different this would be from the others. Janine Caldwell wrote a unique and interesting story that any time travel nut would love.

Trent has been able to jump through time since the car accident that killed his parent. Him and his sister have been on the run from a guy that has been trying to abduct Trent for scientific study. Now, Trent has found a girl who he's saved in the past, a girl with mesmerizing eyes.Will he throw out all the rules he's put in place or will he walk away from her?

I loved Trent and Cassie. Trent has a huge heart and always tries to do the right thing. He wants what's best for Cassie even if it means he can't have her. Cassie is, or rather was, this amazing tennis player who now lacks self-confidence. She's struggled with her life since she was shot six years ago by one of her opponents fathers.

Rematch was a fun and quick read. While most of the story is told from Cassie's point of view, there are chapters from Trent's perspective. I love that we get to know both characters intimately from both points of view. The plot was very intriguing and kept me on my toes. The story was very detailed when important event occurred, but sometimes I could have used a little more detail or explanation.

Overall, Rematch was a good read, but left me wanting a little more. If you are a fan of time travel or movies like Jumper, you will love this book!

Double Fault

by Janine Caldwell

Series: The Vortex Series (#2)

Pages: 238

Source: e-book provided by author for review

Available as of April 12, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

DOUBLE FAULT is the 2nd book in The Vortex Series where Cassie and Trent’s problems have only just begun as they navigate through a parallel world rot with mind-blowing complexity. With Cassie’s tennis career hanging in the balance, she continues to watch her world crumble while fiercely hiding a secret that might cause her to lose what’s most dear to her heart.

After reading Rematch, I was a little leery going into Double Fault. However, Double Fault was a much better read overall. Janine Caldwell really pulled everything together and ended this two book series with a bang.

I really enjoyed reading Double Fault much more than Rematch. There was a more solid problem that needed to be solved and it kept me interested. I really liked that this installment picked up exactly where the first book left off. Just like before, I loved Trent and Cassie. I feel like they had more important obstacles to conquer this time around. 

Just like in the first book, the plot was intriguing and fun. It was extremely unique and very different from other time travel books I've read. The ending was the most enjoyable aspect because it took me by complete surprise. 

Overall, Double Fault was a fantastic read. The two part series was, as a whole, a great read. If you enjoy time travel novels don't miss this one. Pick it up now!

Meet eighteen-year-old Trent Astor, AKA Jeremy. He’s the reluctant hero of this series with an extraordinary secret he must keep hidden from the world for his family’s safety. This secret, involving a supernatural power, forces Trent and his younger sister, Lorelai, to be on constant alert, ready to run again. The orphaned siblings move every six months with a new identity so the ones after his power cannot find him. This makes teenage life almost unbearable. Lonely and ultra private, Trent knows making friends will only put them all in jeopardy. His saving grace is his love for his sister and his music. He’s mastered the guitar and allows himself to perform with local rock bands as long as he keeps them at arm’s length. Trouble is when you have a body and face like Trent, people tend to notice you. But because of the powers he was bestowed with, he knows a normal life will never be in his future. Allowing anyone, especially a girlfriend into his heart, is unthinkable.

Now enter the heroine of this story, Cassie Moore. At eleven-years-old, Cassie was in a horrific shooting that tragically scarred her for life. The once promising tennis prodigy, throws all hope of a future in tennis away, unable to play again after the shooting. As she enters her senior year of high school, she struggles to find herself, her self-esteem at an all time low. When Jeff Tanner, a football god at her school, wants to date, she’s thrilled until he begins to manipulate her and treat her altogether badly. If she could only somehow recover from her past, she may have a chance to get her groove back. She never imagined that could be possible, though, until she meets the gorgeous new student in her PE class, Jeremy.

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FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

{Review, Character Bio & Giveaway} A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons

A Matter of Fate
by Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Pages: 550
Source: e-book provided by author for review
Available as of August 30, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn't a normal teenage girl. She's a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she's a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she's to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course.

That's nothing compared to the boy trouble she's gotten herself into. Because a guy she's literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to.

Chloe's once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.

A Matter of Fate was a very captivating read that never left me feeling bored. Heather Lyons wrote a book full of drama, indecision, and the unknown. 

Chloe Lilywhite is a creator. She can create or destroy anything thing at will. While her fate is already decided, the path to get there isn't After seventeen years of being told to live up to standards she was never enlightened of and being kept in the dark about what her future will hold, she is finally getting the hang of what she will be. If only there weren't two guys who have her heart. Now she must choose between them and accept her destiny.

I really enjoyed reading this, but there was one huge thing that irked me: Chloe's inability to choose a guy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy myself a good love triangle on occasion, but given the circumstances and who the two guys were, I wasn't very happy with Chloe. Both of the guys were great and it was upsetting to have to watch Chloe continuously hurt one or the other. Beyond the relationship drama A Matter of Fate was a fantastic read. The plot was unique and I was able to instantly connect with Chloe. She wasn't given much information about who or what she is beyond the basics so we learn with her as the story progresses. Whenever I put the book down I always found myself wanting to make time to pick it back up and read at any given opportunity. It was addicting and kept me on my toes.

Overall, A Matter of Fate was a great read that had me dying to know which guy Chloe would ultimately end up with. I highly recommend taking a peak at this book if you enjoy reading anything paranormal or fantasy. 

Name: 

Chloe Elaine Lilywhite

Craft: 

Creator

Age: 

17

Birthday: 

February 28

Hair: 

Light brown

Eyes: 

Green

Height: 

5 foot 7 inches

Best friend: 

Cora Carregreen

Parents: 

Noel and Abigail Lilywhite

Favorite color: 

Blue

Signature style: 

Loves to wear dresses; the girlier the better.

Favorite food(s): 

Chocolate—milk or dark, but not white. She doesn’t think white chocolate is even real chocolate.

Favorite drink:

Hot chocolate—but it has to be made with milk. She thinks the water kind is nasty.

Favorite book: 

Siddartha by Herman Hesse, but she’s got a soft spot for cheesy romances.

Favorite sport: 

None. She wants you to know that, despite how it looks, she’s not totally into cheerleading.

Favorite band/musician: 

Taylor Swift

Something most people don’t know about Chloe: 

She can beatbox and thinks she's quite good at it.

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FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

{Review & Character Bio} Inescapable by Amy A. Bartol

Inescapable
by Amy A Bartol
Series: The Premonition (#1)
Pages: 392
Source: e-book provided by author for review
Available as of January 22, 2009
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

My name is Evie Claremont and this was to be the making of me--my freshman year of college. I had been hoping that once I had arrived on Crestwood's campus, the nightmare that I've been having would go away. It hasn't.

I may be an inexperienced seventeen-year-old, but I'm grounded...sane. Since meeting sophomore Reed Wellington, however, nothing makes any sense. Whenever he is near, I feel an attraction to him--a magnetic kind of force pulling me towards him. I know what you're thinking...that sounds fairly awesome. Yeah, it would--if he liked me, but Reed acts as if I'm the worst thing that's ever happened to Crestwood...or him. But, get this, for some reason every time I turn around he's there, barging into my life.

What is the secret he is keeping from me? I'm hoping that it is anything but what I expect: that he is not exactly normal...and neither am I. So maybe Crestwood won't be the making of me, but it could be the breaking of me. I have been left to wonder if the dark future my dream is foretelling is...inescapable.

Inescapable was an exciting read that made my jaw drop on more than one occasion. Amy A. Bartol did such an exquisite job setting the scene that I felt like I was watching a movie play out in front of me while reading.

Evie Claremont is leaving the only person that has always been there for her and going to college. While it may be difficult leaving her Uncle Jim, Evie has bigger obstacles to get around. Reed Wellington isn't making her transition to Crestwood easy. He wants her to leave, to go home and stay away from him, but Evie can't do that. She is there on a full ride academic scholarship that she has no intentions of walking away from. What will it take for Reed to drop his Evie-bashing and just deal with her presence?

I absolutely adored Evie. She was one of the sweetest characters I've ever read because she always put others needs before her own. While she was a little naive, she also fit the part well considering her background. Reed was a completely different story. I wasn't a big fan of him in the beginning because he was one of the rudest characters ever, but as the story progressed, and we learn more about him, his reasons and actions make complete sense. Needless to say, he won me over.

I loved just about everything about this book. The story progressed slowly at times, but picked up as the climax was nearing. I didn't expect half of the twists and turns that occurred, nor did I expect Reed to be what he was. I felt like Evie was the perfect heroine for this story because she was so sweet, innocent, and naive. The supporting characters were all well thought out and I felt like I got to know each of them. While I do have some questions after finishing this book, I'm sure they will be answered throughout the rest of the series.

Overall, Inescapable was a great read that had me dumbfounded on occasion. If you are looking for a gripping paranormal story that will have you on the edge of your seat, look no further!

GENEVIEVE “EVIE” CLAREMONT is half angel and half human, the only angel known to exist with a soul. Raised by her Uncle Jim and believing she’s a typical 17-year-old, Evie cannot reconcile the harrowing nightmares that haunt her every time she closes her eyes or the extreme physical changes her body is undergoing. With each passing day, it becomes harder to ignore the facts...that she’s not normal, and neither is Reed.

Evie’s connection to Reed: Evie is physically drawn to Reed by an odd, fluttering magnetism that they call “butterflies.” The longer they’re near each other, the more the raw desire builds within them for one another. Evie’s angel side loves only Reed.

Evie’s connection with Russell: Russell is Evie’s human soul mate. They have shared thousands of lifetimes together on Earth as humans prior to this lifetime in which Evie is now half angel and no longer a mortal being. Evie’s human side or soul loves only Russell.

Physical Attributes: 17 until her 18th birthday on October 30th, 5’ 9”, auburn hair, grayish-blue eyes, extremely lithe and sexy with an athletic propensity, and when she evolves retractable wings, they’re petite, crimson in color, and resemble an avian.

Evie’s Class of Angel: Seraphim angel – first tier of angels, they’re the highest order of angel and the closest to God. They’re known as God’s guardians and are distinguishable by their wing color, which is red or crimson and resemble an avian. They’re equal in physical strength to a Power angel when fully evolved. Their symbol is the shield.

Evie’s Supernatural Abilities:
     • Heal from serious wounds – ability to heal quickly and regenerate tissue, sinew and bone rapidly. This is a standard
        angelic trait.
     • Acute hearing - ability to hear conversations in another room or mice in the basement. This is a standard angelic trait.
     • Higher visual acuity – Can see vast distances and has night vision. Able to detect several colors not in the human
        spectrum of vision, and allows the angel to see lingering “souls” who have not ascended (they can see ghosts). This is
        a standard angelic trait.
     • Run extremely fast - she can move so fast she is just a blur to the human eye. This is a standard angelic trait.
     • Power to heal others - ability to take the wound from another being by absorbing the wound and manifesting it within
        her body. This ability is a trait unique to Evie in Inescapable.
     • Immortality – Evie’s angelic body is eternal, unless she is destroyed by another being, but it would be difficult to kill
        her and she would suffer immensely to accomplish it. She is unable to survive without her human soul, so if it is taken
        (reaped) she’ll die.

Comment Contest

Do you have a question you would like me to answer about myself, books, blogging or anything else bookish? Send me your questions by filling out this form and I'll fill you guys in every Monday!

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.