Greasy Art is Awesome!

Karen here,
Those of you that know me know that I like completely random stuff. This week I found one of the craziest things I've ever seen and I have to share! (Too, I'm not completely finished with the book I wanted to review. :-)

Anyway, check out this guy who does amazing things with, of all things, hamburger grease.

Cover Lover :-)

So today I'm surfing the net when I come across a post called "35 Amazing Book Covers from 2011". Hyped, I click right away thinking that I am going to see something ... well ... amazing.

Meh, not so much.

Posts like this make me feel stupid. I scrolled down, liking the next one worse than the last, thinking the whole time I just don't get it. I've never claimed to be particularly "deep", and I'm not a writer like most of the people who post on Chirenjenzie. That being said, I know what I like, and I didn't like any of these.

Of course, they're not YA. Maybe that's the problem.

Take a sec and click here  and look for yourself ... I'll wait ...

Ya back? See what I mean? Ugh!

Now I'm like Chi and I hate negativity, so I'm leaving this post with something positive. Here are three of my favorite covers. Two of the books I loved, one I hated. But that's for another post!

 

What about you? What's your favorite book cover? 
Posted by: Brittany, the YA girl :-)

Sizziling Springtime

Scandal in Spring

Synopsis:

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.

But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies. 

 My Review: 

I feel kind of bad for Daisy. Not because of what happens to her in the storyline, but more of what doesn't. Don't get me wrong, this is a good story, and for any other author it would be exceptional. But Kleypas has spoiled me by introducing characters throughout, allowing me to get to know the men before they become one of the wallflower's love interest. In the first book, Annabelle and Simon are on the page one of the first book. We get it. It's set up well. Book two, we've already gotten to know both Lillian and Westcliff, which makes the story that much hotter. And don't even get me started on Evie and St. Vincent. Wowza! 

But then we meet Matthew, who has been in America for the entire series. And Daisy's been in the back corner for three books now. Sure, we got to know her a little in book 2, but she was practically a shadow of a character in 3.  So when it's her time to shine, we don't know her as well as the others. I will admit Matthew is a great character, I just wish I would have gotten to see him before book 4. 

All that being said, Kleypas does it again with her wonderful complex characters. I love the way Daisy and Matthew play off each other, and, of course, the twist at the end is something I wasn't expecting!

Overall, great writing, great story, great read.  I give this one 4 stars!
Posted by: Chi