Review! Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Bloom

Elizabeth Scott

Copyright 2007, Simon Pulse

Let go. Give up. Give in. Bloom.

Lauren has been abandoned by her mother when she was 6, this leads to her worrying constantly that she'll turn into her mother - the wild woman who couldn't be held behind by love, family or curtesy for the child she brought into the world. Dad's busy. It's understandable, he makes houses. Gigantic luxory homes. Let's say Lauren is comfortable. So here's Lauren. Decent looking. Abandoned. Perfect boyfriend. Not completely accepted at school. Comfortable. Deepest conversation with the bestie? Nail Polish. Eeeks. But hey, comfort and security mean a lot when you're a kid whose mom ditched out and dad's too busy to stay home and off the phone.

You ever notice I link most things to music? If it's romance involved it's almost always at Taylor Swift song...don't quit reading because I said that if you don't like Taylor :) I promise, it works here!
When I read this I kept thinking about the song: The Way I Loved You. 

When she was younger one of dad's many girlfriends had a son. Whose name is Evan. Lauren and Evan eventually formed a mutual respect, friendship and then bond. Only to find Lauren abandoned by this friend, but because of her father. Her father who doesn't remember the boy he once called "family" years later. That's right folks, it's been years and much to her surprise Evan is back and all grown up.

So how does it relate to the song? I'll tell you. In the song there's a girl who has the "perfect guy" the guy that says and does all things correctly. The guy that brings you to a place called "comfortable." The only difference is that my interpertation of the song is that she's dated the guy who takes her emotions on a roller coaster ride. Lauren hasn't. Heck he was supposed to be some kind of sibling!

Brooding Evan with dark hair that falls the only way it should on a brooding man, it brushes into his eyes. Guess who wants to brush it away? :) It's more complicated than that though. Does she want this? She has a perfect boyfriend! One that already talks about marriage, takes her to church, has the perfect family! Security. Comfort. Holding everything together. So why does she want to be around Evan so much?

Brushing away that piece of hair is more than just a movement. It's brushing away the world she lives in. Giving up on the security that has become her blanket. It's giving in to the fear that you just might be the person who's burned you the worst. But it could be the chance to see who you are, who you want to be, if you're willing to let yourself bloom.

Here's a video of Taylor singing The Way I Loved You live, in concert. Yep. Fangirl moment. No, it's not my video but I remember it vividly!! Can't wait for July! *squeals jumping up and down with Laci K*

TGIF! Stand Alone vs Series! Hosted by G-Reads!

TGIF Is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at G-Reads!

Stand Alone vs Series: What's your stance?

Wowzers....Well here's the deal. When someone says, OMG YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! I get excited! Until they follow it up with "It's book 7 of 35!" Ok so maybe not 35...but even starting something your already 3 or more books behind on is intimidating! Although I will usually start the series up anyway, they usually sit on the TBR Shelf longer than they should. And sometimes books are so sweet you don't necessarily need another book. It would be totally welcome and I'd buy it immediately but if you only ever read that one book - it still makes you smile :) For instance: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott. Amaze-balls good story, awesome characters, tons of tummy flipping swoons! If a book 2 came out, yes. I would get it. But do I need it? Nope. Scott did a great job of leaving things in a place that allows you to draw your own conclusions and paints a pretty picture of how things end. 

BUT. I get so friggin attached to the characters and I think about them soo much after the book ends that I feel empty without them! And I really do think about them even if it's been almost a year or so since I finished the book. Like Libba Bray's Great & Terrible Beauty. First book: SOLD. Second book: Holy Heck, how did this get better?! Third book: *sobs* I don't want it to be over...what about Kartik? What's Gemma gonna do now?!  Yes, people, this series has effected me to the point of extreme fan - girl issues. I play Warcraft. I created a BA character named Libba. She's our tank. She kills everything, because she's THAT awesome. I also have a character named Kartik's who looks a lot like me...because...well...I love Kartik. And I wouldn't have just sailed away...GRR...ok calming down :)

In the end, even if I start out behind on a series I think I prefer them. I want to know what happens next. I love the idea of watching them change and accomplish things :) Yes. I know their fictional, but somehow, I think you guys understand me :)

Book Tour!! Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler!!!

Eeeks!! You guys. I'm geeked. For reals. I've never done a book tour before! This one was started by the fabulous Tara at Fiction Folio! I'm so glad I saw the tweet about signing up! We got to read Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler. The book was mailed to me by my dear Anna at Anna Reads and she included a note that among other things said that she liked it and knew I would too. Boy was she right!!

Here's the review Goodreads has, I don't want to review...I want to rave :)

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.
That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

Ok. Lets get something straight because as a communication major here's something I hold to be true: Every opinion you make, things you like or dislike, have a lot to do with your Frame of Reference. As an athlete, an athlete who has had injuries to over come (not as severe but whatever lol!), I know that mental blocks are the WORST. And that no matter how "sure" you are of where your life is heading, sometimes you hike up a different trail and the view is completely different.

Watching Chelsea deal with her own mental blocks was rough. The struggle she was going through to keep her dreams alive even though it was killing her to look back on them was easier for her than looking ahead to a passionless future. Even super amazing boyfriend Gabe can't make up for what she's missing in her very soul- the emptiness that comes with giving up. I'm not sure if that's what Schindler was thinking when she wrote it, but those were the feelings she dredged up for me!

Clint is such a deep character and the athletic history he has is maybe even more painful than Chelsea's because it was himself who took him out of the game. Taken him out and hidden himself from any semblance of it. I love Clint. Period. Gabe may be "all that" back at home and super romantic but he just doesn't do it for me! Clint is real. He's like a cowboy...only he's not a cowboy, but still...who doesn't love a cowboy?! lol! Ok back to the rave...

If you are a fan of hopeless love, of letting go, of giving in, of caving to the desires your head tells you not to have - this is the book for you. You know like, every Taylor Swift song about "kiss me in the pouring rain", "this love is difficult but it's real", "Come on, come on, don't leave me like this, I thought I had you figured out"? Well, if you're like me, you not only know these songs but can't help but sing them passionately at the top of your lungs every single time you hear them. Even if they're on repeat on your iPod in the car...lol...well this book was like all of that to me. I ate this story alive. Literally. I sat down, ate it, digested it and it was food for my soul. Do not hesitate to give in, lose yourself and relish in the bold feelings of love.

Review: The Visitation by Frank Peretti

The Visitation

Frank Peretti

Copyright 1999, 2003 by WestBow Press

The sleepy, easter Washington wheat town of Antioch has suddenly become a gateway for the supernatural- from sightings of angels and messianic images to a weeping crucifix. Then a self-proclaimed prophet mysteriously appears with an astounding message.

A co-worker was reading this a few weeks ago and the cover looked kinda cool so I asked her what the gimmick was. Turns out that there's a "Jesus" running around a small town performing miracles! I was an instant skeptic. I am a Christian, I have read parts of the Bible (no not all of it lol but hey some is better than none, right?) I've also through my life been involved in several different denominations of the church and yet I'd never read a Christian Fiction. So I thought what the heck, lets give it a go!

It was a tough start. There were chapters of this book that I read and then thought..."Hmm..coulda summarized that in about half the pages!" and it made it kind of difficult to get into. But as soon as one chapter would discourage me, the next would lift me up! It was cool with my mixed church background to read the "stereotypes" Peretti uses with the different churches. For example, the way the Catholic churches seem so polished and sacred. There's a very common set up to the design and decorations that he notes on. Most recently I've attended a Pentacostal church and just like Peretti says, when you walk up to the pastor here's what you hear: Praise God! Good Morning! :)

One of the major selling points in the outcome of this book, to me at least, is that nothing is pushed on you. You could easily be an atheist and get the same story as someone who may be a devout Catholic, Presbyterian or Pentacostal. Peretti never pushes one as better than the other or makes you feel judged if you don't agree with any or all. He does a wonderful job of telling a religion-centered story without making it religious...if that makes any sense at all :)

The book has twists and turns, love stories, stories of healing, faith, disappointment and forgotten pasts. If you are a fan of supernatural stories I think you'll enjoy it, no matter your background. Just push through those first 150 pages or so! lol! I'm glad all my twitter friends encouraged me to keep going, it was a good read and I'm now heading the my mother-in-laws to get the movie! :)

Have A Wonderful Easter!!

Tune in Tuesday!

Tune in Tuedays is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at G-Reads! She's flippin fantastical and if you don't follow her, well. You should :) Check her out here!





Tune in Tuesdays gives us a chance to show off bands and songs and what not that we love and encourage other people to check them out too! Awesome idea!! Especially since the band I'd like to showcase here in my first Tune in Tuesday is a group I heard of from one of my favorite peeps, Miss Courtney Moulton!

The Band? Burn Halo!

Song I can't get out of my head? Save Me!

I know admittedly little about the band but I love their sound! And after reading a bit about them I love the mind set. James Hart is a guitarist who formed the band and "almost immediately" began working with song writer Zac Maloy. Hart says this in the biography in the bands myspace page, ".... I started listening to country and a lot of those songs are very real and down to earth. They are songs about real life, about situations you would come across with a lover or the loss of a friend or heading down a dark path in life. I wanted it to be really simple and easy to digest. I wanted there to be no question about what I was singing about.”

I think the band nails it. The music will make you get up and dance and the lyrics connect you to the songs! Not sure if they ever tour near me but I sure hope so!

Epic. Running.

Race To Wrigley 2011

"Exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy - happy people just don't kill their husbands!" - Elle Woods, Legally Blonde.

Last year I ran the Race to Wrigley with my mom and my friend, Sarah. I fell in love with the course. I'm not going to lie and say I'm awesome, that I cross train or that I push myself for the best possible times. I run because it makes me happy. Oh no, not at the time. At the time it's excrutiating and I want to stop, but everytime I tell myself "Just make it to that stop sign" and I pass the stop sign it's a small victory. Everytime I run I have a sense of accomplishment, even though I am admittedly slow :) Last year I had been running on my own and was pretty confident. This year....not so much :) I've ran twice since New Years Eve. It's April. lol! But here's the deal: This race is for Childrens Hospital. I am a huge advocate for childrens healthcare. Quick detection of illness can literally be a life or death outcome for anyone, but for children it seems to have a bigger impact. Maybe because they don't always know how to tell you what hurts or why they think it does. Maybe it's because kids are kids and really, no child deserves to be sick.

When I was 9 months old I was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night. I was lythargic, had a fever and my mom was panicked. She cried holding me the entire way there. Luckly my pediatrician was incredible. He ordered a spinal tap. Nothing. So he ordered a second one. I was diagnosed with Spinal Meningitis. I was kept in a bassinette with monitors all over me. The doctors came and told my mom there were 3 outcomes to my health all of which were up to the skills of the medicine and doctors and ultimately, up to God. 1.) I would be deaf. 2.) I would be mentally handicapped. 3.) I would be dead. A priest came in and gave me my last rights and my family gathered in anticipation.

Thankfully with wonderful doctors and many many blessings from God I left there healthy. Maybe that's why anything with the Childrens Hospital makes me teary eyed and enthusiastic to help! Anywho, back to the reason for the post! lol!

This year Sarah and I did the race again. 46 degrees and rain. Chicago is still beautiful, even in the freezing cold. Admittedly I'm not a huge baseball fan. I cheer for Chicago. Cubs...Sox...whatever, Go Chicago! I AM a baseball fan but minor leagues. I like the Railcats :) So. 4:45 I wake up, shower, get dressed and head out. Meet Sarah at the train for the 6:15 and make it to Wrigley by 7:15! Got our gear and our numbers and fought the crowds. There were over 8000 runners!!

The race starts and I realize two things. 1.) I didn't have time to stretch correctly and 2.) I have to pee TERRIBLY. Ahh well.

The race was a blast! We walked a couple times, laughed A LOT and finished together.

Ya know at book signings how you get swag? Well heck yea you get swag at races too!

This sh** is Bananas! And Bagels! And Gatorade! Yay!

We also met a tree! lol! There's going to be a Tree-K :) He didn't really want to take a pic but I persuaded him by telling him how fabulous he was :)

SO ok. We got our swag, met a talking tree...what's left right? Well with an hour and 45 minutes before the next train and our sweat now freezing on our skin...yes. (Gross but ultimately far more cold than gross at this point!) what do you do to warm up? At 9:30 am? Well...You go to Murphys!

After a shot of...warmth...we headed back to the trains. I also had a wrestling show that evening and ya know what? It ROCKED. Not the same kind of exercise but still!

Elle Woods was on to something, guys. Exercise does release endorphins and endorphins really do make you happy! Even in the freezing cold rain!

Endorphins = Epic.

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade

Andrea Cremer

Copyright 2010, Philomel Books, An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Flipping fantastic ridiculous amazing crazy goodness. That's what Nightshade is. It's hard to describe how undescribable this book is. Literally. I'm at a loss for words. Oh I have sentence fragments, hand gestures and the ever popular "reading face" and some to spare, but words...not so much. This was a phenomonal read. Do I dare say, my Favorite Read of 2011? Yes. Yes, I do dare. Other books are going to have to seriously bring it to match the scale of all things epic that Nightshade has set.

I'm not sure how Cremer did it but it's like she took an unsung song from our very souls and gave the people names and those people stories. Who hasn't felt the pressures of being a leader? Of always needing to have the answers? I sure as heck have. Can you know who you are and know where your life is heading in one moment and two seconds later find yourself whimpering and wondering who am I? Guilty again.

Calla is the Class A perfect main character, IMO. She's strong and beautiful inside and out. She's passionate. At the same time she's trying to trust she's watching her back to see if daggers are flying at it. She's strong and can not be held back. I think most, if not all, females can watch her character develop and either relate directly to experiences she's going through or admire the way she handles lifes curve balls. How do you choose between two wonderful guys who both love you, who both want to protect you, who both will acknowledge that you deserve to stand BESIDE them and not just answer when they call you? When you feel the heat and desire when you touch them, when you dream of one face until you wake up and feel the excitement to see the others? Have you never loved two people so much it literally tears at your insides- the thought of hurting either being to much to bare?
Ren is sexy and you can tell. He's got the confidence, swagger and addicting smile that you know you'd want. Sure his history and family are a bit rough but he is genuine and he really does care about you- that's hard to turn away from! He is security. Constant love, easy companionship, a place to call home and a smile to wake up to.

Shay is that charming devil you know you should have stayed away from but now you're so close to him it kills you to not see him. It hurts to imagine his hurt. With his touch comes more than love and desire, it's a melting of the two of you together with no one or nothing else around. It's peace, love, friendship.

So whose team did you pick? I can't. I can't dare pick. I love Ren. I love his bad-assness, his swagger, I love the heart he shows Calla and the confidence he lacks with her. But Shay...Oh Shay! The casual guy you shouldn't fall for. The guy who makes you question yourself and your world. The guy whose eyes sparkle in your dreams and touch you feel linger on your skin. UGH. What the heck, Andrea?! How can you possibly create two of the most perfect guys like, EVER, and leave me hanging not knowing which "Team" I'm on?!

I'm serious. Go RIGHT NOW. BUY THIS BOOK! Do not borrow it. Do not just download the e-reader of it...I mean you can, but I don't think it'll have the same effect :) Go to your local bookshop, find Nightshade and BUY IT. Display it with pride. Tell everyone you know that you're going to buy it, tell them when you start to read it and the next day when you haven't slept because you couldn't stop turning pages TELL THEM ABOUT IT TOO. And then, physically put the book in their hands and dare them to open the first page. Seriously. I have heard rave reviews about this book for what seems like forever and I always stored that thumbs up in the back of my head. I cannot believe I missed the immediate bandwagon on this one. Holy heck guys. Quit reading this and GO! GO NOW!

The ridiculously talented Andrea Cremer is on twitter @andreacremer and guess who's super nice? Yea you guessed. She's talented AND sweet! Go drop her a line about how much you lurve this book! I know you will :)

ALSO...who do you guys picture as the characters?! I know it's a little cliche but here's what I've got:

Shay - Sam from Glee

Calla- Quinn from Glee (idk about this, I keep picturing her but I think she needs to be beefier like taller with more muscle and a "don't mess with me" attitude...I just can't picture who...yargh!)

Ren- *Don't kill me, I'm not good with celebrity names and finding new faces!* Tyler from Vampire Diaries!! He's good looking, got the right attitude and I could TOTALLY see him being an alpha wolf!

 Don't judge :) I watch very limited TV lol!!

Review: First Impressions, Nora Roberts

First Impressions

Nora Roberts

Copyright 2008, Harlequin Books S.A.

Well...where do I start? Lets start with the gigantic rock I've been living under! Yes, Nora Roberts is an extremely accomplished author and fiercely popular. Have I ever read one? Before now, No. Nothing against her or her books, I just never had! So when my affinity for books had become one of the topics for discussion around the old water cooler at work (or nurses station, seeing as we don't actually have a water cooler...) a co-worker gave me a well worn and visibly loved copy of First Impressions. I enthusiastically took the book but my spirits somewhat plummeted when I realized that I'd never read a book like this one before. This is an "adult" book. Grown ups read this stuff. Ahh well. The title kept nagging at me though and I couldn't shake it and then it dawned on me. First Impressions was the original title for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice! Ok, enthusiasm is peaked again, lets begin!

Shane lives in the small town she grew up in with her guardian grandmother. She's just returning to her childhood home with the passing of her grams and she's catching up on town gossip and relishing in the small mountain town she's missed so much when Vance walks in. He's a stranger to the town having just bought an old farm property next to Shane's and rumor has it he's out of work in the city and coming here to get back on track. He doesn't seem very friendly but Shane gets a feeling there's more to him than he lets on.

Despite her best intentions she just seems to irritate him and only when she almost passes out from a gruesome act of murder (to snakes, so it's really ok I guess lol!) at Vance's hands does she see his real kindness. The two go back and forth during the book loving each other and fighting different urges. For Vance it's the urge to not get attached and to run away. For Shane it's the urge to make him love her, despite her simplicities. For both of them it's the urge to not give in to each others embrace and lose themselves completely. Guess who loses?!

Ya know when you walk into Borders and they have signs up in our favorite section? That's right, the YA section..think back...what does that sign say? Well, it's Hubby's favorite sign in the world and sometimes he casually chuckles it under his breath just looking at my filling bookshelves. The sign says, "Hot for Young Adults." As I was blushing, reading the descriptions of events that are surpassing what I'm used to reading (you know, innocent make out sessions and the forbidden kiss) I realize that I know why I'd never read one of these books before! They are TOO Hott for Young Adults!! lol!! I'm not going to knock it, it was tastefully done and makes the points very clear. The detailing adds to the emotions and thoughts of the characters, you know where everybody stands and how they feel. Lets just say I didn't expect it.

I just text my coworker friend to tell her that I finished it and she replied with "I loooooooooooved it!" lol I really liked it to :) The story is faintly similar to Pride and Prejudice and that is always a plus. There's only a handful of characters and the amount you learn about them is equal to how important their roles are in the main characters lives. It was well written and a book that kept you wanting to keep reading, I can now fully appreciate the love the rest of the world has for Nora Roberts :)

Review: The Miles Between by Mary Pearson

The Miles Between

Mary E. Pearson

Copyright 2009, Square Fish, An Imprint of Macmillan

The Miles Between are where you find out who you are and what it took to get you there. The number of miles, of breaths, of people with you all matter - are all connected. Today is Destiny's birthday but she's not celebrating and no one at her private boarding school knows about it. Destiny is just as synical and distant as every other day here, as every day for the past 10 years. 10 years ago today Destiny was abandoned by her parents and her baby brother. They left her, didn't want her and sent her away. She hates the day and feels bad omens around her everywhere. Destiny lives by routines but today she breaks them and goes to sit in a garden by herself where she meets a teacher she's never met...and steals a car...and takes three of her "friends" with her. Today is a day that Destiny will change. All she wishes for is one fair day. One day that the good is allowed to prevail and the bad gets the swift kick in the rear they deserve. Seth, Mira, Aidan and Destiny hop into a car left unattended and head for a town 70-some miles away, a town that holds the family that abandoned Destiny.
During the trip Destiny starts to see that maybe her eyes were partially closed, that of all the years of silently observing maybe she's missing something. Friendships bloom, love flourishes and problems are faced all in the hypnotic pages of The Miles Between.

Pearson is able to draw readers in with an interesting character, hold your interest by keeping her surrounded by a group of supremely interesting "friends" and keeps you guessing every page. If you've ever lost someone you were close to I think you'll see a part of yourself in Destiny. Destiny triggered a chain of events that caused her family to leave her, pawning her off from one school to the next. Follow these new decisions on her Fair Day as she goes back to those dark days and with help, confronts them one by one- all the while helping her new found friends do the same.

I really enjoyed this read. I cried, actually. I saw parts of it coming here and there but I was always just half a step off, and those half steps make a big difference! Curve Ball? What the what is there a lamb doing in the road?! Let Pearson tug at your heartstrings and grow with the characters she's created in The Miles Between!

Review: Delirium, Lauren Oliver

Delirium

Lauren Oliver

Copyright 2011, Harper

I think I just jumped off the deep end. This book came highly recommended to me by absolutely everyone I asked, and they were enthusiastic about it! Why on EARTH would you want to put someone through this?! Don't get me wrong - the book is hands down fantastic! But ok...here's my deal. I read to escape, I like happy places and kissing and winning over the impossible. Another thing? I have a really poor view of humanity as it is. In the past 6 months I've been robbed, seperated (unwillingly) from my husband (due to the robbery and the "oh crap they took the spare key" issues), ran off the expressway face first into a concrete wall by a semi therefore totalling my car and leaving me to by a new one, as well as everyday work and life stress. Yes I'm crabbing. I'm sorry. But I promise I have a point. My point is this, I know the world sucks. I know that there are so many absolutely gorgeous teensy tiny things around us that we fail to see if we don't actively look for them. This book brings my worst fears of where we might be years from now and makes them a real life right now issue.

Imagine a world where love is forbidden? Where it gets you locked up or murdered? To not know what it's like to hug someone, or to want to hold hands with your spouse? Heck, to not even be able to pick your spouse! But it's ok, it's cool because you don't want any of that. You want protection and security and you want to stay away from any form of that horrible disease called love.

Now, against your better judgement you fall in love. And the world works against you and tries to take it from you. You're already batteling yourself, you already feel guilty for feeling anything at all but it's what makes you wake up in the morning - it's what gets you through the day... But you'll get over it, you'll be cured and life will go back to how it's supposed to, right? Until you find out your whole life is a lie? That the people who take guardianship for you (Because remember, loving is wrong! They don't love you, they just kinda house and protect you! Your stinking family!) has been lying to you? How can love be wrong? So you fight for it. You fight to ridiculous amounts, in ways that change you and the people around you and associated with you forever. Nothing will ever be the same. That's love.

I literally just finished this book and my emotions are so strung out right now, it's probably not the best idea to be "reviewing" it but that's what the book is about, isn't it? Oliver wants us to feel. She wants us to open our eyes and see the world around us as it is, she wants our hearts to bleed, she wants our angst. And she gets it. Every single emotion you could feel will choke you. You'll want to cry but me, I can't. The lump in my throat will suggest otherwise, but there's nothing there. I won't let it. I don't know why, heck I can't even tell you why I would feel the need to add that to a review.

Here's the "I'm going to attempt to be professional and use big words" part of this review: Delirium is one of the most well-written, thought provoking novels I have ever laid eyes on. Oliver does an amazing job of relating you to the world Lena lives in to a scary point. Not only do you share her fears and worries, you understand why she's having them. I won't promise you a pretty tied bow at the end but I will promise you a full scale of emotion and a type of writing style that makes you comfortable in your uncomfort.

Maybe that's the whole point of Delirium. Don't analyze it, don't review it, feel it and don't be afraid. There's more of us than you'd think, right?

Review: Stork by Wendy Delsol

Stork

Wendy Delsol

Copyright 2010, Candlewick

This is a story of fate. The destined fate of two kids and the lives that are impacted by knowing them. On a shaky leg I started reading about a girl who has recently been inducted into a secret society of Storks. She's young and their all old, they're all Nordic but these women are old school. And they're creepy. And one of them seems to hate her. Kat's not really sure how she feels about this, I mean, she doesn't even like the town she's been forced to move to and then there was this weird bug infection on her scalp or something that just made it itch like crazy...which stopped when she got in with the crazy old ladies. She's got no friends, had a crazy make-out session gone wrong with the guy who turns out to be the king of the school (who has an uber jealous girlfriend who is pretty evil herself) and barely escaped unscathed. But she's a fighter and so she'll put it past her and hope to make the best out of this life before she can go away to design college in Paris. So who is this Jack kid and why is he giving her attitude? Really, she was only speaking the truth- the town needs to make a profit or it's going to be taken over by developers - it's common thought! At school she finally meets someone she can talk to, I mean she doesn't compare to her LA friends, but she's cool and she's got a spot for her at lunch - bonus. Ah and then the bonus is taken away, jerky Jack is the Chief of the school newspaper, the strings attached to having somewhere to sit at lunch. Either way, it's a seat and Kat can write about fashion so she'll deal with it. But why can't she stop thinking about him?

Stork takes you on a pretty nice trail around a small town in Minnesota and the mysticism that surrounds it. I'll admit I wasn't sure what I thought about it at first. I picked it up because...don't judge me...I liked the cover. And it was at my closing Borders so I thought hey why not! I never gave a second thought to the thought that the name of the book was "Stork" and that Kat was inducted into a secret Stork Society. What do Storks do? Someone? Anyone? They deliver babies. I honestly didn't make the baby connection so when we find out, along with Kat, that that's what these women do I was little lost. I won't say disappointed but it just seemed odd. And it shouldn't have because really, all the books I read are odd. And I work in an OB office so pregnancy is something I see day in and day out but the idea here is that this group of women actually choose the woman that this baby will be placed in. But where, may I ask, is the kissing? I like to swoon. And dreams of babies don't make me swoon, dang it!

Oh hey, there it is! While Kat fights to realize that she thinks of Jack A LOT he ends up asking her to the Homecoming Dance, which she doesn't see coming at all. And it's kind of adorable. Jack's a legit good guy, he's kind and loyal and always seems to be the go-to guy. And Kat is opinionated and strong willed and fashion forward so they don't seem like the ideal match at first glance- which is why it's perfect that they end up together. I really enjoyed them and seeing the struggles that they go through. There was even a great piece of excitement involving an opposing group of evil, Ravens, and the diabolical plan one of them has. This horrid plan involves killing Jack while Kat watches. She's dealing with all of this while having just decieded which of the three women she's dreamt of will carry a child. Did I mention she knows all three women and has great reasons for each of them both to and not to be the childs mother?

I admit, when I first started I thought "oooh..not sure about this one..." and Hubby even looked at me surprised. But the next night after work I curled up on the couch and started again and before I knew it I was swooning and turning page after page. I finished it and he looked at me warily, "Sooo?" Lets understand something here, Hubby doesn't really read. I blab on and on about books and he always sits and "listens" but I didn't think he actually wanted to know :) So I was kinda excited! The end result?

I liked it! Don't pick this book up looking for a super serious- changes the way you view the world- kind of read. Pick it up because you want to read about very basic things in a very fun way. Who should be a parent? Do you wish it on them for the right reasons? Why is this guy being a jerk? Maybe he's had a rough life? Excitement, family, love and forgotten memories all come to the forefront in an easy read. Delsol writes in a very conversational style. It's kinda like reading a conversation with your blogger friends :) I liked Jack from the get go, so I won't say he grew on me. And he's got some pretty special stuff going on in his life too so I know he'll understand Kat's crazy life. It's good for them to be together :) I also liked the way this book ended. There's definite room for a sequel but the big questions are answered so you aren't left feeling crazy if it is to remain a stand-alone. (Which it's not, watch for Frost to debut in October 2011!! October is shaping up to be a hot month for good books!)

There's more to it than even what I have here, it's got visions of bravery and fear as well as jealousy and dancing. So go ahead, pick it up and enjoy the ride :)

Follow Wendy Delsol on Twitter @wendydelsol