Shayla Witherwood: A Half-Fairie Tale by Tamra Norton

Shayla Witherwood starts her first day at public High School invisible literally.  Shayla is half fairie who has previously home-schooled her entire life while traveling the country in an RV with her human grandparents.  She knows almost nothing about using her fairy magic except what she has learned by accident like turning invisible.  She begins school and immediately makes a few friends and a couple of enemies.  Shayla is genuinely nice to everyone and decides to be friends with the social outcast instead sitting with the popular crowd. 
"Mind your magic, Shayla Dove" her grandma reminds her before school each day.  Grandma and her homeschool tutor Trebor are Shayla's only friends that truly know her.  As she becomes more and more involved with others at school, she must try harder to hide her true identity.  There is an unknown danger from revealing too much. 
This was a quick read that was easily engaging and fun.  Shayla was a likeable character who is shy and self conscious of her magic.  I felt Shayla will be identifiable for teens who feel like others don't understand them.  I loved her magic and how much she could do even when she wasn't sure what she is doing.  I would highly recommend this for any teen who enjoys magic and fey.

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

Wow!  This book was really INTENSE!  I went into it thinking it was about a sweet love story and it was but it is also about a girl suffering abuse at the hands of her Aunt.  Emma is a great student and an extrodinary athelete in 3 different sports but has a horrible homelife.  Her father died when she was really young and her mother became unable to care for her because of alcoholism.  Emma has to move into her Uncle and Aunt's house.  At the beginning of the story, Emma is extremely closed off and has only one friend because most of the time she tries to remain invisible.  Emma's life is all about trying to get through High School in order to escape into college.  She is determined to make it through the abuse for the sake of her small cousins.  Her aunt is crazy, unpredicable, and cruel.  Emma is forced to most of the housework, doesn't get enough to eat, and tries to go unnoticed at home. 
Then, Evan begins to notice her by commenting to her.  Evan is new but has been in most of Emma's classes since the beginning of the year when he inserts himself into her life.  I loved Evan's persistance and determination.  Emma continues to push him away because she cannot have others find out her secret.  She is hardly let out of the house and dating is absolutely out of the question.  Even when Emma tells Evan that they can just be friends, he continues to disrupt her world.  Evan and Emma have a sweet love that will have to loving Evan. 
I cried all the way through this book but couldn't seem to put it down.  I was so moved by this story that I had to explain to my husband why I kept crying. It is not something I would have sought out to read but I am glad I read it.  This is such a moving story about a fantastic girl caught up in an awful situation.  I have to admit without spoiling it I hated the vagueness of the ending --I wanted my happy ever after--I live for that.  I would recommend this book as a well written look at abuse and what it does to people.  However, it is not for the faint of heart and I don't think I would recommend it for younger teens.

Defiance (Significance 3) by Shelly Crane

Ever get a book and can't wait to read it and never want it to end?  This is that book.  The Significance Series by Shelly Crane is my all time favorite series.  It is a beautiful series about finding your one significant soul mate with a paranormal twist.  Defiance is the third installment which takes place at the reunification celebration outside of London.  This is a gathering of the Virtuoso where they meet from all over the world.  Imprints are coming back which means this celebration is also an opportunity to meet your significant.
Maggie immediately becomes the focus as the new Visionary.  If the Virtuoso is not bowing and kissing her hand, they are jealous or frightened of her power.  The Council led by Donald Watson begins to impose the laws that are out of date.  Because they want no hanky panky before marriage they charm Maggie's room and send her and Caleb into withdrawals overnight.  Caleb is also taken to a cell for killing the Watson's at his Dad's house even though it was self defense.  Maggie is forced by the circumstances to take charge in her own destiny and become a ruler.  While Maggie doesn't want this, she realizes that if she doesn't other's like the Watsons will continue struggle for the power.
This book reveals many secrets such as the life of the previous Visionary, new significants, and Maggie's true father.  I absolutely recommend this whole series and if you haven't read them you are really missing out.  The whole soulmate significant world that Shelly Crane has created is sexy and romantic. This is a really hard book to review because I really don't feel anything I say can do it justice and I also don't want to spoil the story.

Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers 1) by Elizabeth Reyes

I picked up Forever Mine after being in a bit of a reading rut for paranormal romance.  It was just what I needed.  I was immediately drawn into the world of Sarah moving in with her aunt because her Mom has to go to jail.  Sarah was easy to identify with and I really enjoyed the fact that she wasn't necessarily outcast or picked on.  Sarah easily found her niche and although vulnerable, she seems to be sweet and strong.  Angel is a bit of the perfect boyfriend.  His is definitely crush worthy.  The story line was natural and realistic for me.  I enjoyed being able to gain insight into both Sarah and Angel's feelings through an alternating POV.
After Sarah has to move in with an Aunt's family while her mother serves time in jail, she meets Angel at a high school party.  Angel is struck by her beautiful green eyes and immediately wants to get to know her.  As soon as they begin talking, the chemistry is instant and the romance builds.  Angel immediately asks to see Sarah the next day.  Sarah and Angel's romance begins to build into a sweet exclusive deep first love.  Angel is protective and slightly Alpha Male when it comes to Sarah.  Previously reviews have pointed out the posessive nature as being borderline abusive.  However, I feel the author does a great job of explaining the fine line of difference between protectiveness and posessiveness.  I really feel Angel doesn't take it too far. 
I highly recommend this book for any romance fans!  I loved Angel and Sarah and sure this will book I revisit in the future.

Howl (Howl 1) by Jayme Morse and Jody Morse

Fifteen-year-old Samara McKinley is not your average teenager. Unlike her best friend, Emma Taylor, Samara’s life does not revolve around partying and trying to fit in at school. In between playing the peacekeeper for her troubled family and crushing on the cute new boy at school, Samara sets out to stay to true to herself. Luke finally asks her out after a game of beer pong at one of Emma's party.  At first, Luke and Sam have great chemistry and Luke plans a romantic stargazing date. But that all changes when she is bitten by a wolf. Samara begins living a double life – human by day, wolf by night.
Samara is finally approached by the wolf that bit her who mysteriously explains that he is her Alpha but can't tell her exactly why he bit her yet, who he really is or who is in the rest of her pack. Her Alpha can speak in her mind both as a wolf and human and no one else can do this but her Alpha and her Mate.  Soon another Alpha approaches her and reveals that she should be on their pack because of her bloodline but because she got bit she could be on either pack.  Sam will have to choose between packs, friends, and potential mates.
As Samara watches her relationships with those closest to her fall apart, she finds refuge in the mysterious wolf that bit her. Determined to keep her alter-ego secret from her family and friends, Samara soon discovers that her family has a few secrets of their own – secrets that could turn her life upside down forever.
I enjoyed the Briar Creek Vampire Series from the Morse Sisters and automatically wanted to read this new shifter series.  I wasn't disappointed!  The story is easy to lose yourself in and a great story that you won't want to put down trying to figure out who the mysterious Alpha and pack members are.  The world the Morse Sisters have developed is compelling and I can't wait to read more.  This book is a steal at this price being well written and edited.

Malevolence (Kilkenney 2) by Devyn Dawson

Malevolence is the continuing story of Abel Casey, a phophesied "Great Wolf".  Abel is growing into his role as Alpha of the Phelan pack.  Dolly has taken over the pack after the General's death while Abel is learning about his powers.  Dolly and Pru have taken off to track down the General's killer while Oakley and Abel are dealing with a sudden increase of "bitten" new werewolves near the Farm.  Abel and Oakley find a girl with amnesia who was left in a field with some cans of soup and a note for her to go to the Phelan Farm.  She doesn't know who bit her or who she is and Abel has to explain to her that not only do Werewolves exsist but she is now one of them.  Bitten werewolves have difficulty not going feral and with shifting back to human.  They will soon have to decide wether these werewolves are able to be saved or must be destroyed. 
Dolly and Pru are hunting down leads to the General's murderer when they stumble upon Allie, Abel's Sister and the self professed King of the Vampire's Pascale in Paris.  Pru calls the Pack for back-up when the vampires threaten to expose their secret exsistence to the world and a hit is placed on her mother. Abel and Oakley fly over and are joined by members from the Kilkenny and Maine Packs. 
Malevolence is a great follow up to 'The Legend of Kilkenney'.  Abel's journey to become the great wolf continues as he gets used to his new powers and sense of commanding the pack.  Abel is a natural for the Alpha.  Abel is such a cool and sexy character.  I would have loved to see more romance for Abel.  *hint, hint*  There are a few scenes between him and Crissy his girlfriend but I am a sucker for romance and want MORE :).  Oakley and Pru don't disappoint in the romance department but Pru has a new sexy bodygaurd, Gus and the chemistry between him and Pru cause some ripples in Pru and Oakley relationship.  The best part of the whole novel is the end when Abel literally becomes a kick ass Wolf.  It will have you cheering like any awesome action movie.  I can't wait to see what will happen next in this series.

Soul Mates: Scent By Elizabeth A. Lance

The title attacted me to this book--I am a sucker for soulmates and fate.  I found the book easy to read and was immediately drawn into the story.  It was a change to read a book from the hero/male POV.  Max was also an all-american boy quarterback who is dating the head cheerleader, Jenny.  It was different to have a popular normal hero.  So often the hero/heroine is odd, dark and mysterious but not Max.  The shifters in this novel are born from a gift bestowed on them from the goddess Diana. 
Max notices a dark haired beauty watching him and feels drawn to her.  It begins to cause fights between him and Jenny as the green eyed monster takes over.  When she shows up at school, Max is thrown for a loop and not only seems to forget about Jenny but can hear Anna in his mind.  Max confronts his mother about his history and finds he is a shifter, a jaguar and Anna is most likely his soulmate.  As long as Max shifts before his 18th birthday, he can become a felidae or feline shifters.  There is a Lion shifter, Fredrick who want  to marry Anna to get a spot on the ruling council. To marry Anna, Fredrick will kill anyone in his way i.e. Max. 
Max takes to shifting quickly and begins to show even new abilities that expose his other birthright, a fae prince.  Max is highly talented and begins to train in the fairie mound at Auberon's invitation. 
I enjoyed to the building of this world and it's characters.  It was a fun romance with mindtalk and soulmates--two things that although cheesy--I love.  Max is awesome and grows into his own man with great powers that demand respect.  Anna is sensitive and loving as a supportive mate to Max.  Anna had the potential of being a real witch but I felt the author did a good job making her sensitive to Jenny.  Tony is a great friend and side character who can see fae and becomes a great confidant to Max.
I would recommend this for those who loved Jessica's Guide to Dating On the Dark Side by Beth Fantasky and Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis.  Both have the fated love and mind talk that is present here too.  I hope there is a continuing story.  There are so many possibilities as the Unseelie fae are after Max, His baby sister is set to be a fae heir and of course any children Max and Anna have.

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

When I read the summary for Geek Girl, I expected a fun light hearted teen romance that is reminiscent of "She's All That" or "Can't Buy Me Love".  As much as I love these movies and light-hearted romance, Geek Girl is a poignant Romance about a Girl fighting for control of her own heart.  Jen is a gothic foster kid who has been in the system since she was 13 and been bounced around so much she has learned to act out and not make friends.  As a "bad" girl,  Jen bets her friends Ella and Beth that she can turn Trevor, a straight laced 'A' student, into a "Bad" Boy.  Jen thinks it would be funny and laughs at Trevor's politeness and morals.
What starts as a bet, turns into a journey of finding her own place to belong and who she really is.  As Jen begins her plan, Trevor is accepting and includes Jen in with his friends who don't seem to mind her goth. Although, out of place the group gets to know Jen.   Jen begins to enjoys the Geek movies and study dates.  But even as her attraction grows for Trevor, she still feels like she isn't good enough for him and that even if she really wanted to date him she would have to bring him down to her level.  She always feels like she isn't good enough for Trevor.  Trevor is not only good, kind, and accepting but perceptive of Jen's secrets and knows exactly what she needs even when Jen doesn't know herself.  It is so refreshing to have such an honest look at life and not have characters be stupid in their reactions to heavy subject material.  Geek Girl beautiful blends honesty with romance and the result is story that will make you laugh and cry. 
This opposites attract romance is also a road to self discovery and acceptance for Jen whose secrets have tainted her view on human behavior.  Trevor and her foster family manage to teach Jen that sometimes people do things and don't expect things in return.  Jen learns about real love and acceptance. 
Anyone who loves YA romance and coming of age stories will love Geek Girl.  Jen's story is inspiring and Trevor will have you wanting to find yourself a Geek of your own.