Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .

When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.

Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.

The problem is . . . whoever it is may not be human.

Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.

Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.

Book Review:
I am always down for a good paranormal romance. However, Sherry Soule combined PNR with a good haunted house story, which is just all kinds of amazing! I was hooked as soon as I started reading this beauty. Immortal Eclipse is an action-packed, character driven novel that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps! Skylar is a fantastic protagonist! She is kick ass, witty, and quite the fashonista. Her personality really comes alive when she arrives at Summerwind Mansion (which is a character in itself). Her interactions with the mansion's staff really make this novel shine. There is definitely something sinister going on at Summerwind and Skylar is determined to get to the bottom of things, no matter what. If you are looking for a gripping tale of action, romance, loss, and all things that go bump-in-the-night, then this is the book for you!

Thanks to author Sherry Soule for this copy.
To be published April 30, 2013
This is my honest review. 
Buy Immortal Eclipse on Amazon

Favorite Quote:
"Lifting my leg, I admire my footwear  and I'm reminded of my favorite quote by Marilyn Monroe, 'Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.' And isn't that the truth." 

Cover Art Commentary:
LOVE IT! First of all, did you notice the good amount of purple on this baby? A very good start! Second, Skylar is looking pretty bad ass! Definitely not someone I would want to mess with!

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: On Second Thought...

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like MORE/LESS Than I Did

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

More:

Falling Kingdoms
by Morgan Rhodes
Add on Goodreads

I was on a Game of Thrones kick when I picked this beauty up. I was looking forward to it, but didn't have high expectations as it is considered to be a YA high fantasy book. For some reasons, I thought the YA would take away from the high fantasy aspect. However, that's exactly what made this book work! I can not wait for the sequel!

 Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Add on Goodreads

I didn't really have any expectations going into this book. However, I found myself laughing and immensely enjoying D&L's Book of Dares.  I have since picked up books by the respective authors. While I have enjoyed them, they don't quite compare to this little beauty here!

The Puzzle Ring 
by Kate Forsyth
Add on Goodreads

I initially read this book as part of a book tour hosted by Juju from Tales of Whimsy. I immediately fell in love with this book and purchased a copy for myself. This book has humor, adventure  time travel...I mean what's not to love?!

 The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June

by Robin Benway

Add on Goodreads

This was my very first introduction into Robin Benway's writing. I have picked up every work by her since. I can not believe her books are not more well known. She is a fantastic author, and this remains my favorite work of hers to this day!

Temping is Hell
by Cathy Yardley
Add on Goodreads

I recently read this for a review via Netgalley. I just adored this beauty! There is humor, romance, supernatural beings, and much more! I couldn't set this down until I polished it off! I highly recommend that you pick it up ASAP! Can't wait for the next book in the series!

Less:

Smoke and Mirrors

by Neil Gaiman

Add on Goodreads

Ok, let me clarify that Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. Ever. In the universe. For realz. However, I have this issue with short stories. I thought perhaps Gaiman might be the exception to this "issue," but sadly, no. I still love Gaiman and all of his novels, but alas, this was not for me.

Ice

by Sarah Beth Durst

Add on Goodreads

Oh my dearest Sarah Beth Durst. How I so wanted to love this novel. And I did. Well, the first half. The second half took a weird and unnecessary turn. I have enjoyed other works by Durst, but this is by far her weakest writing. I highly encourage you to check out her other works, as she is a fantastic writer!

Her Fearful Symmetry

by Audrey Niffenegger

Add on Goodreads

I ADORED The Time Traveler's Wife SO MUCH! What the heck happened?! I wanted to chuck this book across the room when I finished it. I was on pins and needles waiting for it's release and then I was SOOOO disappointed! I can't talk about this anymore. It angers me. 

Changeling
by Philippa Gregory
Add on Goodreads

Another sore subject for me. I could NOT wait for this book to be released! I greedily opened it and NEVER finished. It had such a good premise! The execution was just horrid. The pacing was so slow it threw me into a reading slump. Yep. I sold this baby back for store credit and purchased something more to my liking. (A better ending than the one above, yes?)

Mistwood

by Leah Cypress

Add on Goodreads

In the word taken from my original review of this book: "The premise sounded sooooo good...spells, dynasty, betrayal, supernatural beings, love, sorcerers...I mean who wouldn't want to read this book? I opened to the first page and eagerly began reading. It didn't take long for my eagerness and anticipation to fade. The characters were flat and difficult to identify with. I felt like I was constantly being told HOW I should be regarding the characters instead of watching them unfold within the pages themselves."

So what books have you enjoyed or disliked more that you initially anticipated? 

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Book Review:
Ok, let me preface this review with the fact that I love the Parasol Protectorate series. I mean looooove it! Carriger has such a distinctive voice, therefore it was impossible for me to separate the two series (at least in my mind). I loved Carriger's witty writing style. However, I could have used a bit more of her humor in Etiquette & Espionage. The story started out faced-paced and I was immediately adsorbed. However, somewhere in the middle, the story leveled off and I felt the pace lag a bit. I love the incorporation of even more steampunk elements! Bumbersnoot is the best little steampunk character ever! I loved Sophronia's voice and willfulness. I also quite enjoyed her character arc within the novel. I expect her character to develop even more throughout the series. I loved the setting of the finishing school and all of the characters Sophronia meets there. This is a great start to a promising series! I can't wait for the next installment!

Favorite Quote:
"'Is that wise? Having a mess of seedling evil geniuses falling in love with you willy-nilly? What if they feel spurned?'
 
'Ah, but in the interim, think of the lovely gifts they can make you.  Monique bragged that one of her boys made her silver and wood hair sticks as anti-supernatural weapons. With amethyst inlay. And another made her an exploding wicker chicken.'

'Goodness, what's that for?'

Diminty pursed her lips. 'Who doesn't want an exploding wicker chicken'?"

Cover Art Commentary:
LOVE IT!!! First of all, who doesn't love a bright purple background?! Secondly, I love the girl with the puffy dress and scissors (which come into play later in the story).

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: REWIND...It's all about fun!

Top Ten Tuesday: REWIND...Top Ten Tweleve Books When You Need Something Light & Fun

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Reading Reflections: March 2013

Books Read: 

Sketchy (Bea Catcher Chronicles #1) by Olivia Samms
The Nightmare Affair (The Arkwell Academy #1) by Mindee Arnett
The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter
Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1) by Morgan Rhodes

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 17

Most Anticipated: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read: A tie between: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter andFalling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1) by Morgan Rhodes

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4.5

Overall Reflection:

The month started out strong, but alas, school has taken over my life. On a positive note, all of the books I read (and finished) were amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better mix of books. Stick with me. The next two months are going to be even more brutal! Hopefully I'll be able to sneak a few books in. :)