Review: Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

My rating: 8.5/10.0

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: May 1, 2010
Paperback, 192 pages
Genre: Young Adult


My Review:

An adorable read. It took me back to the best moments of high school, made me feel the romance and just took me out of life for awhile.

Kayla is a typical teenage girl, in fact her and her group reminds me more of my crowd in high school - the ones in the middle, neither popular or unpopular, friends with everyone. So that made this a winner in the first place. It made it really easy to relate with her and her friends. I think all girls will find it easy no matter what their popularity is.

There are all types in the book. The focus however, is on Kayla. I enjoyed getting to know Kayla as a character. She can come off a little judgmental at times, but you realize she has everyone's best interest at heart. Also as you read more about her you understand more why she is that way. I loved the aspect of the dating oracle. Her website and articles were cute and helpful for the dating scene. I like the way Kayla grows and develops through the book and look forward to where further books in this series will take her (the next is due out in November 2010).

I also enjoyed the character of Jared. He sounds amazing and just perfect for Kayla. I like the way he's described as being handsome to her. You never feel like he's the hottest guy at school, but you know that he's the hottest to Kayla and that tells a lot to me. The romance aspect was great. It's well written and has great tension. You never know if the two will get together or not, but you are cheering for them the whole time.

Overall this is a fun book to spend time with. The plot and characters are well-done and it makes a great young adult read.

Rating Breakdown:
Characterization:    1.5/2.0
Plot:                      1.5/2.0
Writing:                 1.5/2.0
Attention-holding:   1.0/1.0
Ending:                  1.0/1.0
Believable:             1.0/1.0
Genre:                  1.0/1.0    
Rating:                8.5/10.0

About the Book:

No one at Kayla’s school knows she’s the famous Oracle of Dating—the anonymous queen of dating advice, given through her own Web site. Kayla doesn’t even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make her focus on everyone else’s love life. But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating--and she knows just where to find one... 

FCC Disclamiers:

I received this book through NetGalley for review purposes.

All links through Amazon do not result in any commission for me, I live in NC and we aren't allowed to receive commission (I'm not sure why, but it doesn't matter), so I don't make any money - but the authors do so feel free to buy their works :)

Weekend Wondering and Giveaway - Romance is in the air

First up the winner of last week's weekend wondering is:

Between The Lines and More 

please contact me with your address and your book choice (see the choices here.) 

She will get her choice of one of six books. The rest of the books will go back into the pot for the next weekend wondering.


Thanks so much to all who participated. I really enjoyed reading your responses. So many of you mentioned books and authors I had forgot about, so it was really great. Please know I read each and every response.

So onto this weekend. We all know it the magical/hated (depends on your view) Valentine's Day. For me it really isn't a big deal. I'm married and I tend to celebrate our anniversary more, but DH and I will be childless for the evening and I look forward to going out to eat with him. But cards and flowers aren't expected. And I will freely admit I am looking more forward to Daytona on Valentine's Day anyway. I'm a huge racing fan and look forward to the start of the new season. Anyone else a fan?

Okay on to the bookish things - Romance.

I started reading romance as a teenager. Silhouette use to have a line of romance for teenagers in the late 80s - something like Silhouette first romance. I read every one of those I could get my hands on. I don't remember anything about them now, but I did read them.

I think I got away from the romance genre in college and headed more towards thrillers/suspense/horror. Then I came back to my first love after I got married and my sister-in-law introduced me to Nora Roberts. Yes I had heard of her, but I had not read her yet. My SIL gave me Carolina Moon to read and I was in total love. Here was an author who mixed romance and suspense - it couldn't get any better than that.

Then I found the internet and found out how many other great authors are out there. Linda Howard, Sandra Brown, Susan Mallery, Robin Carr, Sheryl Woods and so many more. I read all I could get my hands on. I even found I loved Harlequin Blaze books and had a subscription for awhile.

I loved romance in any form I could get it and I still do. I don't read as much of it as I use to but I fit it in from time-to-time and every time I come back to it I remember how much I love it. I have very rarely been disappointed with a romance book, but then again I freely admit I am not horribly picky with my books.

Themes - this is my question for the week - what themes/plots do you like best in your romances? Do you like friends to lovers, hidden pregnancy, tortured heroes, paranormal, romantic suspense, take this one anywhere you want. Just tell me what kind of romance book you like to read if you like to read them and one of your all-time favorites. If you don't read them, tell me why, I'm interested.

As for me, I think I have learned I really like the friends into lovers books. One of my favorites that comes to mind was Kristin Higgins' Just One of the Guys - an excellent romance in my opinion.

So for Valentine's Day this year try to fit in a romance - you may love it, it may make you happy, just try it out. :)

***** Giveaway  *****

Comment and answer my question from above on what kind of romance you like and your all-time favorite romance read and you can have a shot at winning any two of the books shown below. Open to US/Canada only. Giveaway runs through 2/19/10 and I will post the winner in the next weekend wondering post.  Additional entries for tweeting and getting the word out about this giveaway (blog posts/sidebar work too). Also note if you are a follower and how you follow and there will be extra entries for that as well - I'm still trying to work my way to 200 blogger followers.

Please note books have been read - they are in good shape, but they are not brand new.

         

Winners

Here are a few winners of my latest giveaways. The winners have been contacted through email. Please check out my side bar for more giveaways. Tomorrow I will be featuring a romance giveaway in honor of Valentine's Day.

Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison

Nancye Davis

Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett

 Edna Tollison


Congrats winners and thanks to all who have entered.

Giveaway: 3 copies of The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock

THE MOON LOOKED DOWN
By Dorothy Garlock

About the Book:

The new Americana romance from bestselling author Dorothy Garlock, this time set against the backdrop of WWII. Sophie Heller's family immigrated from Germany to Victory, a small town in Illinois, before WWII began. Now that the war has affected the town, the townspeople discriminate against Sophie and her family. When a train derails, it is an accident but the Heller family is blamed. Coming to Sophie's rescue is a teacher from the high school, and despite their cultural differences, a romance starts to bloom.

Learn more at DorothyGarlock.com

Review: Love and War: Finding the Marriage You've Dreamed Of by John and Stasi Eldredge

 

Love and War: Finding the Marriage You've Dreamed Of by John and Stasi Eldredge

Publisher: Waterbrook/Multinomah

Publish Date: December 15, 2009

Hardcover, 240 pages

My Thoughts:

It's been a busy week and I must confess I haven't finished this book yet, but from what I have read so far - I feel this is a good book.  In our marriage counseling our pastor warned us that marriage was not all sunshine and happiness.  In fact he told us to ignore the word happiness and that what we were looking for was overall joy.  Happiness is fleeting, but joy can stay with us.  Joy can be there even when we are upset with each other.

That's what this book is saying to me so far too.  It is realistic and easy to read.  John and Stasi know what marriage is like and they are writing this book to help the everyday couple.  The couple with a schedule to full, the one that contains two selfish people (because aren't we all this way in this day and age), and the couple that longs to have a satisfying and joyful marriage.

If you struggle in your marriage, or if you are content, but want a better marriage, if you are getting married for the first or the fourth time, read this book.  From what I've read so far, this book is on the mark with practical marriage advice.

About This Book:

What the Eldredge bestsellers Wild at Heart did for men, and Captivating did for women, LOVE & WAR will do for married couples everywhere. John and Stasi Eldredge have contributed the quintessential works on Christian spirituality through the experience of men and the experience of women and now they turn their focus to the incredible dynamic between those two forces.

With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic.   They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement:  Marriage is fabulously hard.  They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we'll find our way through.

LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.

Read an excerpt here.
Find formats and ways to purchase here.

This book was provided to me by the publisher, Waterbrook/Multinomah for review.  When I am finished with the book I will be donating it to my pastor and/or church library.

Review: Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt
My rating: 10.0/10.0

I received this book for review through 1-ARC-Tours.

A wonderful, fanciful read and not just for young adults.  Sheer pleasure for an afternoon reading.

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Publish Date: March 16, 2010
Hardcover, 256 Pages
Ages: 9-12 (and older I say)

My Review:

First let me say I really wish I had had books like this around when I was a young adult.  In Princess For Hire, Lindsey Leavitt does a wonderful job mixing reality with the fantasy.  How many teenage girls have trouble with their friends?  How many just want to fit in and get the one guy they crush on?  I know I did as a teenager and this is exactly where Desi is at.  Her best friend got mad at her and took all her friends away and she wants the guy her ex-best friend has.  Sounds pretty normal to me.

Then she finds out from her agent, Meredith, that she has magical powers and she is sought after as a stand-in for royalty when they just want to escape.  All Desi needs is the magical rouge compact and she looks just like the royalty.  It's a dream job for Desi, but for the fact that she is just supposed to stand-in for royalty not stand up for them.  As royalty Desi finds courage that she doesn't have in her real life and of course hysterical hijinks will follow.  I laughed and cried through this book.  So much rings true for teenage girls even with royalty. 

Desi grows as a character along with Meredith's character and I enjoyed seeing how that came about.  Desi's adventures kept me interested through the whole book and I am looking forward to more of her adventures in future books.

Rating Breakdown:

Characterization:    2.0/2.0
Plot:                      2.0/2.0
Writing:                 2.0/2.0
Attention-holding:   1.0/1.0
Ending:                  1.0/1.0
Believable:             1.0/1.0
Genre:                    1.0/1.0    
Rating:                10.0/10.0
 
About the Book:

When an immaculately dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and asks you if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you

a) run

b) faint

c) say Yes!

For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C--that is, once she can stop pinching herself.  As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula "Royal Rouge," she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off--and you know she would want you to change his mind? 

In this hilarious, winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

About the Author:

Lindsey Leavitt grew up in Las Vegas and now lives in Alabama with her husband and two small daughters. Although she has been a substitute teacher and a homecoming princess, she has never been a substitute princess. Yet. She's still scanning the job pages. Until then, Lindsey is hard at work on the next book in the Princess for Hire series. Visit her on the web at www.lindseyleavitt.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Review and Blog Tour: Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

 

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publish Date:February 1, 2010

Paperback,  480 pages

My Review:

What a fun book.  I loved it from the start.  It is my first book by Laura Kinsale and I will definitely be checking out her backlist now.  

From the start of the book I fell in love with Callie and Trev.  Callie has been engaged three times yet never married  and she feels she will spend life in spinsterhood and she is comfortable with that.  Trev is one of those wounded men, he's been a bad boy and doesn't know if he can change his ways.  He's in love with Callie but doesn't think he's good enough for her so every time he gets close, he pulls away.  Callie has always been in love with him too, but doesn't think he returns her love.  It's a wonderful romance in that they keep getting close in the beginning of the book for Trev to pull away.  But you know they love each other so you keep reading.

I loved the dialogue.  Especially between Callie and Trev and Trev and his maman.  The dialogue is very witty and had me laughing out loud several times when reading.  I would have to say that Ms. Kinsale is a master of dialogue based on this book.

The plot got a little slow to me at times, but never too slow, I wanted to keep reading.  I wanted to learn more about Trev and Callie and what crazy situation they would get into next.

If you love historical romance this is a book for you. 

Rating: 9.0/10.0

Rating Breakdown

Characterization:      2.0/2.0
Plot:                        1.5/2.0
Writing:                 1.75/2.0
Attention-holding:  0.75/1.0
Ending:                    1.0/1.0
Believable:               1.0/1.0
Genre:                     1.0/1.0    
Rating:                 9.0/10.0

About the Book:

"It was quite settled by now. She was born to be a spinster. The gentlemen would have to declare their undying devotion to other ladies. Callie would be too much occupied with developing a delicate constitution and a dependable recipe for tapioca-jelly."

She is, after all, Lady Callista Taillefaire, jilted three times in spite of her fortune and her father's best efforts to find her a husband. Now her greatest desire is to win the silver cup at the agricultural fair with her gigantic prize bull, Hubert. But when Callie's only old flame returns from his long and mysterious absence in France, her quiet spinster life turns upside down.

Dark-eyed, elegant and a magnet for trouble, Trevelyan d'Augustin has given Callie lessons in more than his language in the past. Her father put a harsh and humiliating end to any dreams of romance with a French émigré scoundrel, however, and Callie never thought to see him again. Swallowing his pride, Trev has finally come home to care for his failing mother, but his secrets and misdeeds follow him.

Callie soon remembers that nothing is ever peaceful with Trev around. The enormous Hubert vanishes into thin air, one of her former jilts comes back to woo her in a most determined manner--and her bull takes the town by storm! In the midst of these misadventures, Callie finds herself falling in love again with the worst possible man for her...

*** I received this book from the publisher, Sourcebooks for review. ***

Look for this ARC as a giveaway in my weekend wondering post this weekend - which will feature romance of course - it's Valentine's Day, or as I joking say to my family and husband - who cares about Valentine's Day - it's Daytona! (I'm really joking and not joking - I love racing but I adore and love my husband even more - everybody say awwwww)