Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Review of Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Released: June 28, 2011 (paperback edition)

5 out 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but for Lily Sanderson, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily has a secret, and it’s not her huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart, beat flipper-fast. Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid—she’s a Thalassinian princess. When she discovered three years ago that her mother was actually a human, Lily finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been going to Seaview High ever since. Living on land has its problems—like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher—but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type—when they bond, it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.”

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs is quite a remarkable story. I haven’t read a good YA book in a long while and find I can’t help, but wanting to read the next book in this story, Fins Are Forever. I found myself helplessly devoted to this story, wanting to know how it ended, why for the love of fish didn’t Lily see what was right in front of her, and wanting to read more about Quince’s charming wit. I found myself totally caught up with Lily’s emotions that I was almost in sync with her throughout most of the book. It was when I got up to get a drink and came back to the story I felt like Spike in Buffy The Vampire Slayer show, looking at Lily and thinking to myself “Lily, you blind idiot can’t you see he doesn’t love you?” I was captivated by Lily’s journeys of the heart and found eventually I had nothing left to read because the book was OVER. OVER, I TELL YOU. That was almost as heart-wrenching as when Lily told Quince…oh well never mind, I don’t want to spoil the book for you. I give Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs 5 smirks because it is a tantalizing book you will not want to put down, it will make you wish you were a mermaid princess, swimming around the ocean, and you will most definitely want a handsome prince along your side. Must read, must own, it is just too precious not to.

Only Mine by Susan Mallery

Review of Only Mine by Susan Mallery

To Be Released: July 26, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Her town’s lack of men may make headlines, but it isn’t news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool’s Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town.

Finn Anderssen will do anything to keep his twin brothers—the perfect contestants—off the show. Despite Dakota’s better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn’t dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV.”

Only Mine by Susan Mallery is a wonderful story about finding identity and a place to call home in the one you were meant to be with. As readers we get to see more Fool’s Gold characters shine through in this series and become more invested in their lives as this story focuses on Dakota Hendrix (one of the triplets) and how she finds her path in life. We also get to meet a newcomer in town named Finn and let me just say he is very much one of those fictional guy characters every girl wishes she could marry in real life. As has become customary I will tell you all the things I loved about this book so I don’t give anything away.

Things I Love About Only Mine by Susan Mallery

Getting to see Dakota not as a triplet, but an individual

Finn and Dakota’s first meeting

Finn’s passion for being responsible to his family

The twins and how different they are

The Hendrix family dynamic

Fool’s Gold

Denise going on a date then talking about it with her daughters

Hannah (so adorable)

Dakota’s miracle

Finn’s stubbornness

Dakota and Finn’s sense of humor

Finn being cornered at the market

Dakota finally putting herself in the game and fighting

And of course the ending because that was just heart stopping

As most of you know, I am a huge Susan Mallery fan and I just adore her Fool’s Gold Series. I gave Only Mine by Susan Mallery 5 smirks because I was invested in the outcome for all the characters. Only Mine draws readers in with true emotion and tons of heart that it is hard not to be affected by this story. In my opinion it is a must read and a must own.

Inside by Brenda Novak

Review of Inside by Brenda Novak

Released: May 31, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Dangerous to know...
Virgil Skinner served fourteen years for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s finally been exonerated, but he can’t escape the gang he joined in order to survive. They’ll do anything to keep him from telling what he knows. And if they can’t get to Virgil they’ll go after his sister and her kids.

The California Department of Corrections needs someone to infiltrate another gang, one that’s taking control of the state’s most notorious supermax. Virgil agrees to do it under an alias—in exchange for his sister’s protection.


Chief Deputy Warden Peyton Adams is opposed to having Virgil in her prison. How will she protect him if things go bad? Besides, she’s far too attracted to him; she might even be falling in love with him. That makes her all the more desperate to keep him safe—and it gives him someone else to lose.”

Inside by Brenda Novak is an exhilarating story about making a difference and finding love in the most unusual circumstances. Brenda Novak (love all her books) has an uncanny ability to provide just the right amount of suspense, drama, action, adventure, and romance to Inside that will leave readers feeling like they ran a 6 minute mile. I give Inside by Brenda Novak 5 smirks because the story has a certain appeal of criminal justice, searching for the truth, and romance springing in the unlikeliest of places.

Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler

Review of Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler

To Be Released: July 26, 2011

4.5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “The still of the night is once again shattered by Caitlyn Cahill’s recurring nightmare—her brother standing before her, gripping a butcher knife, his eyes black with hatred. Two years ago, the former Washington, D.C., socialite defied her powerful senator father and risked the ruin of her family by helping the FBI link her troubled brother to a string of horrific murders. “The Capital Killer” was sent to prison for life…and Caitlyn’s entire world fell apart.

Now, FBI agent Reid Novak is forced to rend the peace Caitlyn has found on a rural Virginia horse farm. A copycat killer is on the loose and slowly toying with Caitlyn—his ultimate target—in a terrorizing cat and- mouse game. Almost destroyed two years ago by Caitlyn’s family, not to mention the Capital Killer’s haunting final murder, Reid vows to save the woman he’s never forgotten…or die trying.”

Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler is an action-packed mysterious story about trying to find the good in one’s life after going through hell.  Agent Reid and Caitlyn’s chemistry throughout the entire story is palpable and real as the words fly off the pages.  Crime and romance go hand in hand with Midnight Fear touching more on the mystery and a number of suspects who may or may not be after Caitlyn.  The killer however, is one no one will suspect.  I give Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler 4.5 smirks because I couldn’t stop reading and I find the mix of crime, suspense, mystery, and romance to work amazingly well together in this installment of Leslie Tentler’s series.            

Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

Review of Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

To Be Released: July 26, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…

Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he’d slept with “fat girl” Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn’t the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can’t refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She’s certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn’t count on Cade’s determination. Because he’s never gotten over her— and he’s not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red-hot future…”

Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen is a fun-filled, heart stopping story about a Sisterhood being completed into a family. This story of Sisterhood continues on with Ava (we as readers have already discovered Jane’s and Poppy’s stories), who is a spunky, self assured woman who can handle anything except for Cade.

Things I Love About Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

The different points of view of both Ava and Cade

Ava and Cade’s long and at points painful history

Cade loving challenges

Ava finally accepting a challenge

Cade’s view and opinion of Ava

Cade’s passion for people and stories

Ava’s incredible capabilities to deal with everything with grace

Ave and the champagne bottle

And the hospital scene

I give Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen 5 smirks because I just fell in love with all the characters not only from this book, but from the previous ones as well. Playing Dirty is a must read because you can’t help but relate and become emotionally involved in the outcome of the story.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Review of Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Published: June 1, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "A Midsummer's Nightmare?Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.


Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist."

Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa is a fantastic novella in The Iron Fey Series told from Puck’s point of view.  Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa is highly witty, humorous, and adventurous.  I give 5 smirks to Summer’s Crossing by Julie Kagawa because it is a novella that gives incredible insight to a character that is almost as loveable as all his pranks.  Must read and a must own.

Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

Review of Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

To Be Released: June 28, 2011

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “The hardheaded Armstrong brothers are determined to rebuild their tornado-ravaged hometown in the Georgia mountains. They’ve got the means, they’ve got the manpower…what they need are women! So they place an ad in a Northern newspaper and wait for the ladies to arrive…
Sensible yet sexy middle brother Kendall Armstrong penned that ad himself—but there’s just one woman he really wants to answer the call…

Civil engineer Amy Bradshaw—Kendall’s ex-fiancée—fled Sweetness years ago, taking a precious souvenir with her. She’s back now…but only on a professional level. Really. Little does she know that old flames always burn the hottest..”

Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond is story about long time romance and how three little words could have and can change everything. I found this book (second in this series) to be a very modern love story about how not communicating can truly affect how a person sees themselves and how they build their lives. Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond pulls readers in with the passionate dynamic between Amy and Kendall that sparks fire within every reader’s hearts.

Things I Love About Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond

Kendall’s foul mood

Marcus’s planning and executing

Amy’s homecoming

Kendall and Amy’s relationship status misunderstanding

The spicy food

Tony

The bridge

Amy’s memories both good and bad

Amy making the best life she could

Kendall and Tony’s meeting

Kendall and Amy’s fiery personalities

And Amy’s final decision about where her heart truly lies

I give Baby, Come Home by Stephanie Bond 5 smirks because it was a story I couldn’t get enough of.