Description: Stolen from her family as a child, Aspasia has clawed her way up the ranks of Cyrus's black market empire to captain her own trading vessel--and she risks it all every time she uses her powerful magic to free as many women, children, and Elementae from slavery as she can. But Cyrus is close to uncovering her secrets--not only that Aspasia is an air Elementa with the ability to sail her ship through the sky, but that she is also searching for her lost family. And if Aspasia can’t find her younger siblings before Cyrus does, she will never be able to break free.

Armed with her loyal crew full of Elementae and a new recruit who controls an intriguing power, Aspasia finds herself in the center of a brewing war that spans every inch of the ocean, and her power alone may not be enough to save her friends, family, and freedom.

Review: Imprison the Sky is another action packed, thought provoking addition to the complex fantasy series, The Elementae by A.C. Gaughen. Once again the author weaves weaves big concepts and difficult subjects without slowing down the pace or being heavy handed. In this second installment we move from the land to the sea where a powerful air Elementa Aspasia "Asp" is the captain of a ship. Captain, freedom fighter, slaver, and slave, Asp crews a diverse collection of children and teens, all formerly enslaved, many with powers, who come from all the races and nations of Asp’s world. It is fascinating to note that the characters have a range of skin tones and race is not treated the same to our world. Like the first book, Reign the Earth, which dealt with domestic and emotional abuse, Imprison the Sky delves into all aspects of slavery, the complex dynamics of power, and freedom. There are no easy answers in this book and the complex, multi-faceted characters deal with these issues. 
  The plot moves between personal motives such as Asp searching for her lost siblings and possibly falling in love with new crew member Kairos (Shalia's brother) who also has a personal agenda, and the political, as Asp and her crew work to harry slavers and find themselves instrumental in the growing war. There are plenty of dark and gritty moments as people lose their lives and a moral toll that plagues Asp's moves, there are lighter moments of romance and tender intimacy which help elevate the plot and keeps things moving. The final battle, when characters from both volumes come together, sets the scene for the explosive conflict to come without reverting to an unnecessary cliffhanger. I love how this series features powerful young women who have hope and agency to change the world. I am really looking forward to seeing how this multi-layered fantasy series wraps up.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some minor language, strong violence, and a fade to black sex scene. Sexual abuse of female slaves is hinted. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Dark Caravan Cycle series by Heather Demetrios, Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkosi, Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

   Sorry for the lack of reviews these past few days. I'm afraid the craziness of the end of the school year has gotten the better of me. The books below have been given to me as advanced reader's copy by the publisher via Netgalley and are now published.


Description: Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?
   Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is an unusual gothic paranormal romance that didn't quite make sense to me. While I liked the paranormal concept of the book, I wasn't entirely too clear on the author's explanation. It is quite possible that was done on purpose by the author since River is completely unreliable and we have no idea how his powers came to be. He seems to be a cross of a supernatural vigilante and a demon. Though described to be a looker, I didn't find River swoon worthy at all and didn't see why Violet was so drawn to him. Considering the book has the word 'devil' in its title, I thought this book would have lots of things happening, but for the most part it is quiet. There are moments of horror that happen unexpectedly without any build up that worked really well with the creep factor, but I did not anticipate these moments to be bloody in detail. The book does not end in a cliffhanger and we are given some answers to River's past, but the author does present more questions. I'm just not interested enough to pick up the second book in this series. Overall I would recommend it to readers who are looking for a book with just a hint of creepiness and gore without being a full out horror novel.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is some underage drinking, intense make-out scenes, and moments of bloody violence. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Between the Spark and the Burn by April Genevieve Tucholke, Anna Dressed in Blood duology by Kendare Blake, Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff



Description: Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy's shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she's chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy's world.
 When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy's death and everyone's grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy's life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister's life.

Review: The Secrets We Keep was a disappointing read, but it had potential. The plot reminds me of a sub par tv movie. After a car accident, Ella is not certain who she is when she wakes up and assumes she is Maddy, especially when Maddy's boyfriend, Alex, is at her side. I liked the idea of Ella believing she is Maddy due to her memory loss, but I didn't like the fact that she quickly realized the truth and purposefully continues to be her sister. I understood she felt guilty causing the accident, but I didn't fit it believable. I also found it very hard to believe that Ella's parents wouldn't be able to tell their twin daughters apart. 
  Ella's effort to become Maddy is filled with melodramatic flair with a lot more emphasis of telling rather than showing, which also hindered the character development of the twin sisters. We only know about the sisters superficially by how they are described by their friends. The short chapters, however, allowed the suspense and mystery to build about a school scandal in which Maddy played a key part in and it is what held my attention. There is also a budding romance which I wished had gotten more of page time because it was one of the strongest part of the book. Overall Secrets We Keep is a forgettable read that requires suspension of disbelief and a lot of patience in dealing with melodrama.  

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is underage drinking, allusions to sex, and some language. Recommended for Grade 8 and up.

If you like this book try: All We Know of Heaven by Jacqueline Mitchard, After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates



Description: Earth. Fire. Air. Water. One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick understands pressure. He's the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it in for his family, and he's all that stands in the way.
 His girlfriend, Hannah, understands pressure too. She's got a child of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could put her life in danger at any moment. But there are people who have had enough of Michael's defiance, his family's 'bad luck'. Before he knows it, Michael's enemies have turned into the Merricks' enemies, and they're armed for war. They're not interested in surrender. But Michael isn't the white flag type anyway. Everything is set for the final showdown. Four elements, one family. Will they hold together, or be torn apart?

Review: I really enjoyed Sacrifice.  The highlight of this book, really in this entire series, are the relationships between the Merrick brothers. Throughout the Elemental series Michael has always been supporting his brothers and trying his very best to fill the shoes in for their dead parents. It was nice to see Michael become the vulnerable, adult who doesn't have all the answers. He struggled throughout the book to let his vulnerability show whether it is being honest with his siblings or his girlfriend Hannah. In this case he faces the possibility of not only losing guardianship over his brothers but also their lives after several near death misses caused by an Elemental Guide that is stalking the Merrick brothers. There were many emotional scenes that ripped my heart out and were done very well, displaying how much these brothers have gone through and what they mean to each other. There was plenty of action to keep the story moving and I was a bit disappointed that the identity of the Elemental Guide wasn't as developed in the previous books. While the romance between Michael and Hannah were not a big part of the story, I did appreciate learning more about them as a couple in particular the own personal demons that haunt Hannah that she doesn't share with Michael. We are introduced to a few new characters and though the book ends without a cliffhanger, it feels unfinished and left open for further story developments in the future, which I truly hope is pursued in the future. I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Merrick brothers just yet.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some intense action scenes and language. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter

  Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series is going strong in its fourth full length novel, Secret. This series is incredibly addicting, compulsively readable, and well written. Readers who are a bit burnt from the whole paranormal romance genre should consider giving this series about a band of brothers a chance. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of Secret. Secret will be released by on January 28th.

Description: Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point. Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown. Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family. Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner. Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Review: Nick Merrick has a secret. He is terrified that when his brothers find out what he is hiding they will despise him and worse, be very disappointed in him. The stress is tying him in knots, while a potential relationship is making him come undone. How long can Nick separate himself as two people and keep his secret under wraps?
  It's been far too long since I read a book in a sitting. I had to force myself to put Secret down at times because I knew I was going to burn through the pages and be sad that I would have to say goodbye to these terrific characters after I finish the last page. The pace was terrific considering there is more character development than action in Secret, however, there are battle scenes that heightened the suspense enough that I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
  Kemmerer deals with a sensitive issues in this fourth installment of The Elementals Series. She handles it with sensitivity, dignity, and seriously without being heavy handed or preachy. Nick's struggle with his own identity is well written and realistic. Like his other brothers, Nick struggles with his own demons. He is terrified of disappointing his brothers. He is known to be reliable, smart, and the level headed one. He knows what is expected of him, but is that the real him? Is he selfish in wanting his own future that involves college, not working in his brother's landscaping business, and a real relationship? Nick's fear is very real and tangible. Readers like me who understand how debilitating it can be to let the people you love down and disappointed, can understand a little of what Nick is going through. His fear consumes and paralyzes him. He represses his own desires and anger until he can't handle the pressure anymore. Kemmerer stays true to the characters her fans have come to know and love. Their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures are laid out for us to see from one chapter to the next.
  If you've read the novella Breathless, you already know Nick's secret, but Kemmerer has other startling plot developments that keep the readers hooked. this novel has many surprises that I did not see coming.
One of the biggest surprises for me was that my opinion of Quinn has changed. I didn't really care for her as a character. Before this book she came across as an obnoxious and reactive drama queen, but we do get to understand her better in Secret as we witness her broken home first hand. Plus there is an unusual ally that the Merricks find in this book who I never thought to sympathize and like.
  Once again The Elemental series proves to be not your ordinary paranormal romance. Characters who could easily be written off as flat and forgettable are transformed into people who tug our heartstrings and make our eyes watery. Secret leaves plenty of questions and I really wish the next book isn't called Sacrifice because it's making me incredibly anxious.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language including slurs, crude sexual humor, some underage drinking, and a few heavy make-out scenes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

  Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series is incredibly addicting, compulsively readable, and well written. I'm a bit burnt from the whole paranormal romance genre at the moment because every book seems to be the exact same with the only difference in the characters names. I definitely suggest picking up this great series if you're in a reading slump or just want to lose yourself in a good book for a few hours. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of Breathless and Spirit.

Description (edited to avoid spoilers): Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic. But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive. His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark. He can feel it—the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

Review: Breathless is a pleasant surprise, especially with an ending that made your jaw drop and go "Wha??" Out of the Merrick brothers, Nick is suppose to be the one that has it all together. He is suppose to make it out of their small hometown, go to college and have a career unlike his brothers. All of these expectations accumulate on his shoulders until they become unbearable. When Nick befriends one of Quinn's friends, this are more trickier than ever. He discovers a secret that he has long ago abandoned due to it's contrast of what he is suppose to be for his brothers and what he believes of himself.
  After Michael, Nick is my second favorite brother. I'm excited yet at the same time afraid of the heartbreak he will face in his full fledged book called Secret. I love how Kemmerer keeps her series fresh with new ideas and obstacles her characters face though they might not be completely original. The characters are what makes me come back to this series over and over again. This novella sets up Secret perfectly and we given so many questions to ponder.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language, crude sexual humor, and underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton



Description: With power comes enemies. Lots of them. Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies. He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait. Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too. With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

Review: Unlike Storm and Spark which focuses on introducing the main cast of characters and a strong romance story, Spirit is solely focuses on the character arc of Hunter Garrity. My opinions of Hunter change like a barometer, which I think is what the author wanted. Sometimes I think he's an ally for the Merricks, genuinely wants to them and other times I'm not really sure what is his real motive. Hunter has always lived by one simple rule: Do not trust anyone else but yourself. He is a loner by choice though he has moments of vulnerability in which he would like to unburden his thoughts and guilt to another person. It was interesting to read how Hunter got himself in a hole and needed to break down his defenses in order to ask for help. It was also fascinating to see how our perspectives of the Merricks from an outsider's perspective doesn't really change but makes them much more likable.
  There is a lot more action in Spirit as we are introduced to another smart villain, but there is also a subtle romance that works well but doesn't overwhelm the plot. Kate Sullivan is Hunter's equal in almost every aspect of their personality and back story. They play each other off really well and their romance is what enhances their character growth. I was stunned to read how Spirit ended and the risk that the author took. While sad, I'm also curious as to how Hunter will react in future books, go back to his shell or continues to grow. I really hope the latter.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language, crude sexual humor, a small non-explicit sex scene, and underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer (Elementals #4) *Released 2014, Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris, Touch by Jus Accardo,

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine and is a fun way to see what books other bloggers just can't wait to get their hands on! This week I've got my eyes on two books: Secret (Elementals #4) by Brigid Kemmerer and Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) by A.C. Gaughen.


Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Expected Release Date: January 28, 2014

Why am I waiting?: I'm a huge fan of the Elementals series and have finally caught up on the series. The novella titled Breathless ends with a huge revelation about Nick Merrick that made my jaw drop (in a good way) and I can't wait to read his story.


Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

Expected Release Date: February 11, 2014

Why am I waiting?: I thoroughly enjoyed Gaughen's debut novel, Scarlet, which re-imagines the famous story of Robin Hood with the focus on a strong female character. Normally I get irritated with series because they just seem unending, however, there were so many loose plot threads and I loved the characters in Scarlet that I really hoped there would be a sequel. Now I just have to wait until February!

What books are you waiting for this week?

  With the help of a few trusted fellow bloggers, I discovered the Elemental series, a great paranormal romance series that feature fantastic characters, plenty of action, laughs, and of course romance. Spark is the second book in the series. I highly recommend starting the series with the first book Storm.

Description (from the Publisher):  Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own. Gabriel can't let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that's right at his heels. But there are some risks he can't help taking. The fuse is lit. . .

Review: In Storm we met our main characters, the Merrick brothers, a friend, and a girl named Becca who is introduced to her new found powers. In Spark, we follow the shoes of the twin Merrick brothers: the reckless and unpredictable Gabriel. I have to be honest and say that Gabriel and I didn't get off on the right foot. He's got a smart mouth and I repeatedly wanted to hit him upside the head basically whenever he opened his mouth. Hot like the fire that he's learning to control, we delve deeper into his rough-edged character who shows us the depth and insecurities inside his tough shell.
    I was very surprised how much I enjoyed Spark. It didn't take me long to realize that there is a hidden complexity to Gabriel's character. We are introduced to him in Storm, we immediately notice two things: he's has a horrible temper and despite his bad boy demeanor, he's incredibly self conscious. Gabriel is filled with grief, self doubt, and self loathing. Besides blaming himself for his parent's death, he's very self conscious of his lack of control on his element. I loved how much he grows in this book from being terrified of being a disappoint to his brothers to finding an occupation that he is passionate about. He slowly opens himself to his brothers and learns who to trust others around him. The family dynamic is one of the best traits of this series. The brothers banter and fight, they disagree but ultimately stay loyal to each other. Each and every one of these guys are so particular with memorable personalities that mesh perfectly together. Even though we only get to see Gabriel's perspective out of all the brothers in this sequel, I think we get a better sense of what these brothers mean to each other. My favorite moments of the books are those solitary moments that Gabriel and Michael spend with one another. Though the relationship between these two brothers have always been tense, I think they finally begin to understand each others point of view. 
   The Elemental series would not be as great if there isn't any romance involved. We are introduced to a new character named Layne who is a bit quirky and has secrets of her own. She tries to put up with her unconventional family, an absentee mother who is only concerned with the family's reputation, her workaholic father, and her deaf brother. I loved how the romance between Gabriel and Layne started slowly with friendship and then naturally built to a relationship. Layne and Gabriel though at first seem a strange couple, but they balance each other perfectly and help each other with their issues.
  While getting to know Gabriel, we, in turn, get to concentrate on his element: fire. We see lots of intense action sequences about a mysterious arson on the loose. Kemmerer wonderfully ties in romance and action without sacrificing character development and further moving the plot arc of the series with new twists and turns. I was terribly sad for Spark to end and I'm eagerly awaiting for the series next installment. If you are burnt out from your usual paranormal romance flair, definitely pick up this series.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, some scenes of underage drinking, sexual innuendo, and some strong violence. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer (Elementals #3), Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

  Usually when you think of paranormal your mind instantly goes to vampires, werewolves, zombies, demons, and et. al., but what about highly gifted humans? Storm, the first book in the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer is a refreshingly human paranormal romance that will keep you glued to the pages.

Description (from Goodreads): Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
  And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca. Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all. The storm is coming.

Review: I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Storm, but after reading many positive reviews from fellow trusted bloggers I knew I was in good hands. Reading Storm was a lot like watching a really good pilot episode of a promising TV show. You get introduced to a large cast of characters, some of which you align yourself instantly after a few dialogues are exchanged while others you release a sigh of frustration when the opposing side appears. The closest thing I could describe Storm to is a paranormal re-imagining of one of my favorite reads growing up: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Both books contain similar elements, particularly the strong bond between a group of brothers that are left alone and struggle to survive along with the feeling of always being on the outer fringes of their society, which enthralled me the moment I began to read the book to the excitement of knowing the story continues in a new installment.
   Storm is not a complex read and the writing may not draw your attention, but the story is very straightforward. The dialogue like the characters feel realistic and natural. The series revolves around the Merrick brothers who all have a very strong elemental connection. Eldest brother and sole legal guardian Michael controls earth, where as the twins Gabriel and Nick control fire and air respectively. Youngest brother Chris can control water. All four of them are far more powerful than they should be which causes the rift among other Elementals and inspires fear and hate.
  When we first meet Chris, he is at his most vulnerable state both physically and emotionally. He has been ambushed and beaten to a pulp by two older boys. Chris can't use his powers to defend himself because he has yet learned to master his strength and is afraid to lose control. Luckily, Becca comes to his rescue, some how wards off the boys, and takes him home. There she is met with much hostility from the other Merrick boys, who are suspicious of her kindness. Chris doesn’t really know Becca though they share some classes together. He is definitely aware of rumors of her promiscuity that follows her like a shadow. Becca, however, is far from the girl she is perceived to be. Smart and snarky, she avoids the spotlight and tries to fight against slander. I think she sees similarities between herself and Chris. Then, suddenly, she is thrust into the middle of Chris’s drama, and a gorgeous new boy is showing a real interest in her.
  Yes, there is a love triangle brewing in the story and normally I would moan and say "Not again" but while reading Storm, I didn't have any qualms about it because I liked how Kemmerer takes her time to unfold all the individual relationships with a natural pacing with just enough surprises to keep us on our toes. I would have liked more romantic moments in the book, but I really do think this is a budding romance that will definitely become sweeter as it grows.
  While there is no cliffhanger per se at the end of Storm, there are many unanswered questions left. I can't wait until I read the next book which features Gabriel. This would be a series that I wouldn't hesitate in recommending to teen boys as there is plenty of action and the romance doesn't overtake the plot. As a side note, I highly suggest reading the prequel found at the back of the book (really publishers? how does that make sense?) to really understand Michael. After reading his beginnings, he may not seem as prickly in Storm. Personally, I think he's an awesome older brother trying to do the best that he can.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, underage drinking, attempted sexual assault, and crude sexual humor. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton