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Book Blog, Promotion and Publicity, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading In Your Dreams by Ginger Scott

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The very first Ginger Scott book I read was in her Falling Series, so I was really excited to see a new book released in that world. And I wasn’t disappointed. In Your Dreams was well-written, a compelling story filled with broken characters and an intriguing plot line.

Casey Coffield was probably the least-likable character in The Girl I Was Before, where he made his debut. He was Houston’s best friend, but it really made no sense. Casey came across like the biggest loser imaginable, someone who used Houston and took advantage of his good nature. When I realized this new book was about him, I had a lot of doubts.

But by showing us life through Casey’s eyes, the author showed us his redemption. Now, don’t get me wrong–I didn’t like Casey at the beginning of his book any more than I had before. But inch by inch, little by little, he changed–and the transformation was both believable and beautiful.

Murphy, the female lead, was a terrific character–strong, fierce and lovable. Her family was perfect, as well–their compassion and grace were a huge part of the story.

I loved this book–and I’m waiting impatiently for Ms. Scott’s next release! She never disappoints.

Book Blog, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m reading . . . Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott

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Usually when I post reads to this day on the blog, I’ve finished the book and can tell you how I felt about it overall. Today’s different. I’ve been short on good reads lately, so today really IS What I’m Reading #Wednesday.

I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished the first one, Wild Reckless. I loved that one, even though it was mostly YA, a genre I rarely read; the depth and the plot line overcame any misgivings I might have had.

Now I’m about a third of the way into the second book, and I’m not disappointed. We’re back in Woodstock, a small town near Chicago, and we’re back with the Harper family. This time, younger brother Andrew is the main character. He’s a kid who’s the unlucky recipient of his family’s legacy: the Harpers are the subject of rumors, speculation and bad opinion after the family’s suffered in the aftermath of mental illness.

This story picks up about a year after the first one, but then we jump ahead five years. I’m not going to spoil the plot by talking about why we make the leap; suffice it to say that it works.

I’m eager to read the rest of it and see what happens with Andrew and Emma, his love interest. She’s got a secret we don’t know, and while I can guess at it–maybe?–I’m not sure.

So far, the characters are likable, the story is moving along well, and I’m enjoying it. I’ll come back and update once I’m finished.

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading . . . some New Adult Romance

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This is a fine thing, indeed. It’s What I’m Reading #Wednesday, and honestly, in the last week, I’ve been unhappy with what I’ve read.

I blame Colleen Hoover, Cora Carmack and Ginger Scott. Their last books were so good, I’m getting spoiled.

I’m happy to report, however, that last night, while trolling the ‘zon and iBooks for something . . . anything . . . I found out that Sarina Bowen’s new book, The Shameless Hour (The Ivy Years Book 3) went live last week.

Booyah!

Next week, I promise I’ll have more to report. But why have the other books I’ve been reading (which I will not name; we’re all entitled to our points of view!) not been cutting the mustard? It’s been a few things.

First, the characters are not memorable. They’ve been lackluster, wishy-washy and too capricious. One girl couldn’t make up her mind about anything, and that made me nuts. Another whined. No. Just no. Second, the storylines were unbelievable, and while I’m more than ready to suspend my disbelief, you’ve got to give me something to work with. Anything. Third, and this is a big one, some of the books I read this week were poorly edited. It wasn’t typos or missed words so much as my own personal bugaboo: words misused. One series I read had so many words used in the wrong context that I wanted to scream.

“No, you didn’t withhold the sobs threatening to escape!” I raged. “You held them in. You swallowed them. You bit them back. That word doesn’t mean what you think it does.”

On the other hand, I did read all three books–partly out of desperation and partly out of a morbid curiosity to see how the author brought it all together. So maybe it’s understandable that others read them, too.

The good news is that May is bringing me all sorts of book deliciousness. If only I can hold out that long . . .

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott and The Ivy Years by Sarina Bowen

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When you’re a reader-connoisseur of a certain genre of books, you tend to develop a sixth sense about those books. I can usually tell from a blurb–either how well it’s written or its content–whether a book is for me or not. Sometimes, though, I choose to read a book despite its blurb. At times this works out, and others it does not.

This week, I read three really excellent books that fell into this category. I wasn’t enthralled with any of the blurbs, but I went for it anyway and was pleasantly surprised.

The first book is Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott. I’d read four of her other books; the first two were really excellent (This is Falling and You and Everything After–LOVE those titles), and the other two were only so-so. I’m happy to say the newer books were the better one, so it was clear Ms. Scott’s writing has been evolving. But on the basis of those first two, I bought Wild Reckless even though it seemed to be a little YA.

I loved this story. The characters are amazing, three-dimensional, well-rounded and well-written. There is a lot of angst and trauma, but none of it is manufactured or dwelt on too long. It’s just the sucky stuff that happens in some lives and how we move on from those situations, living past them without letting them define us.

Owen and Kensington had terrific chemistry, and their story developed at the perfect pace. I really enjoyed this book, and I’d love to read more in this world. (Hint, hint, Ms. Scott!)

After finishing Wild Reckless, I started reading The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen. I wasn’t sure about this. The main female character was in a wheelchair, and I wasn’t sure how that would be handled. As it turned out, I was impressed that while the challenges of Corey’s condition certainly were not ignored, again they did not define her. They were part of the situation that allowed her to meet Hartley, and they added some complications, but they only made the ultimate coming together sweeter. Again, well-written characters set into a plot that didn’t have too much contriving.

I enjoyed it so much that I went directly into the next book, The Year We Hid Away, and I loved it, too. Possibly even more! I even read the novella The Blonde Date, and found it wonderful. I highly recommend The Ivy Years books.

And now I’m looking for a new read. Any thoughts? Ideas? Books that are making you sigh?