Genre: Contemporary Romance



Year Published: 2009




Number of Pages: 325 pages



Date Read: 12/22/2016



Series: Bride Quartet #1



Publisher: Berkley Books

Now, I will be honest here. Even though I have been reading romance novels for a long time from various romance novelists, I had never read any of Nora Roberts’ works before and her work is everywhere in the reading sphere! So, when I stumbled upon this book by Nora Roberts called “Vision in White,” I just knew that this was the book that was going to introduce me to Nora Roberts’ works in a good way!

Mackensie “Mac” Elliot had dreamed for all her life about taking pictures at a wedding and she finally has her dreams come true when she and her best friends, Parker, Emma and Laurel all came together to create Connecticut’s wedding planning business called “Vow.” With Mac being a well-renowned photographer, she is able to capture the most beautiful moments at the weddings with a click of her camera. But, unfortunately Mac has no desire to get married despite working at a wedding planning business due to her trust issues that started with her father leaving her and her mother when she was a child and her mother Linda constantly asking Mac for more money, despite the fact that this act is emotionally hurting Mac. Then one fateful day, Mac runs into a shy yet sexy teacher named Carter Maguire, who she has known since high school and it turns out that Carter has been infatuated with Mac ever since they were in high school. Now, Mac must conquer her fears of falling in love with Carter if she has to make her own happy ending.

Wow! I have to say that as the first book I had read from Nora Roberts, it was simply amazing and heartwarming! I loved the fact that Nora Roberts made friendship and the importance of true love a central theme in this book as I enjoyed seeing how Mac starts developing as a character as she slowly learns to start trusting people despite her tragic past with her parents and the fact that her mother Linda keeps trying to take money from her. I also enjoyed the scenes where Mac confides in her friends Parker, Emma and Laurel about her romantic woes and her issues with her mother as it shows that Mac’s circle of friends are extremely supportive of Mac through her life and it shows that they are truly good friends towards Mac and it makes me want to have such friends in real life! Nora Roberts also did a great job at developing the relationships between Mac, her friends and Carter as not only does Mac have great friends who support her through her issues, but she also has a love interest in Carter who showed her what it is like to trust and love someone again. I loved almost all of the characters in this novel (well, except for the antagonists, of course) as they all felt so genuine and are supportive of each other through tough times. I especially loved the characters of Mac and Carter themselves as they were the stars of the show with their unique romance and support of each other. I loved the fact that Mac is a successful photographer as it shows that she is a strong and determined young woman who is trying to get her personal life together and it was great seeing her character develop throughout the story as she is trying to learn how to trust and love someone again. Carter was absolutely fantastic as he is truly supportive of Mac and knows how to comfort Mac when she really needs it and who says that high school teachers cannot be HOT and SEXY!?

For readers who do not like strong language and sex scenes, this book does contain some strong language such as the usage of the “s” word and some sex scenes, so some readers might want to skim over these scenes if they find them to be a bit too much.

Overall, “Vision in White” is a truly fantastic book about the importance of true friendship and love and I am sure that anyone who loves a good winter romance will enjoy this book!


Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

Genre: Adventure / Family / Fantasy / Science Fiction

Year Published: 2016

Year Read: 11/9/2016

Series: Saga #6

Publisher: Image Comics

Introduction:

THIS SERIES JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!

I seriously cannot get enough of this series! Every time I pick up a graphic novel from Brian K. Vaughan’s groundbreaking comic book series “Saga,” I am just filled to the brim with anticipation in seeing what kind of adventures will Alana, Marko and Hazel get into and “Saga Volume Six” does not disappoint me in bringing in the excitement and romance!

What is this story about?

After Hazel gets kidnapped in the last volume, Alana and Marko had reignited their love for each other and decided to travel across the galaxy to find their beloved daughter. Meanwhile after a time skip, Hazel attends Kindergarten on the planet Landfall and it was soon discovered that Hazel’s identity (being the child of two clashing races) was too dangerous to reveal to anyone, although Hazel eventually revealed her secret identity to her teacher. Once Hazel’s teacher finds out the truth about Hazel, she decides to try and get Hazel and her grandmother out of Landfall!

What I loved about this story:

Brian K. Vaughan’s writing: Wow…just wow…This volume was just as BEAUTIFUL, NAUGHTY, and EXCITING as the previous volumes and I just loved seeing the developments that are happening to Alana, Marko and Hazel! I loved the way that Brian K. Vaughan developed each character as it was great seeing the characters mature throughout the story due to the time skip and I really loved the fact that this volume focuses more on Hazel and how she contributes to the main story overall as she tries to understand about her mixed heritage and why it is dangerous to reveal her true nature to the world. I was also surprised with how Brian K. Vaughan portrayed the Will’s descent into madness after he lost both his girlfriend and his sister, the Brand, and it served as an interesting side story about having to deal with the loss of a loved one over time. It was also interesting seeing some new characters pop up in this volume such as the two homosexual male reporters who are in a relationship with each other and are also trying to discover the truths about Alana and Marko and about their forbidden love to each other. It gives the story a much wider scope of the “Saga” universe as we get to see the events of the main plot from the perspective of other characters that are not the main characters.

Fiona Staples’ artwork: Fiona Staples’ artwork is as usual gorgeous and creative to look at as the characters are beautifully drawn and I loved seeing the exotic worlds that the cast of “Saga” live in, such as an underwater airport on one page. I also enjoyed seeing the images of the Will getting overweight since it surprised me a bit, but it also showed how he was still suffering over the loss of his loved ones over the years.



What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

As per tradition with the “Saga” series, there is strong language, bloody violence and graphic imagery that might not go over too well with some readers. If you do not like reading any graphic novels that have lots of nudity, gore and strong language, then you might want to skip this series.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Saga: Volume Six” is another awesome installment in Brian K. Vaughan’s “Saga” series that is full of EXCITEMENT, ROMANCE, SASS and CREATIVITY that any graphic novel fan will enjoy for years to come!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

Genre: Action / Superheroes / Comedy / Drama / Crime

Year Published: 2014

Year Read:  8/19/2016

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Series: Ms. Marvel #1 (Marvel NOW!)

Introduction:

Now I must admit. I have heard about Ms. Marvel or Captain Marvel a couple of times from fellow comic book readers, but I had never really read a comic book about Captain Marvel before and therefore, I do not know much about her character (other than the fact that she had a rivalry with Rogue from the X-Men, due to Rogue stealing her powers and putting her in a coma). So, when I heard that Marvel was making a “Ms. Marvel” series that would have a protagonist who was of Muslim background, I was seriously excited at the prospect of having a diverse superhero in the Marvel Universe!

What is this story about?

Kamala Khan was your average teenage girl who happens to live in Jersey City and comes from a Muslim family. One day however, a mysterious mist overcomes Jersey City and Kamala soon finds herself obtaining powers such as stretching her limbs out to unbelievable lengths and shapeshifting into different forms. Unfortunately, not only does Kamala have a hard time controlling her newfound powers, but she suffers from an identity crisis as she tries to figure out what kind of superhero she wants to be: a superhero that is exactly like Captain Marvel or a superhero where she can express her true personality and beliefs through her newfound powers?

What I loved about this story:

G. Willow Wilson’s writing: I will admit that this is the first time that I had ever read a comic book by G. Willow Wilson (or this could possibly be her first comic book), so I was interested to see what kind of new storylines G. Willow Wilson could bring to the Marvel Universe. Lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised by G. Willow Wilson’s witty and emotional writing of Kamala Khan, the new Ms. Marvel! I loved the way that G. Willow Wilson wrote Kamala Khan’s character as Kamala is shown as being a spunky girl who wants to be a superhero, but she is not sure of what kind of superhero she should be and I loved the fact that this issue is explored and how it affects Kamala throughout the story. I also loved the fact that this story is extremely lighthearted with some intense moments here and there as it gives the story so much depth regarding the characters and it is nice to have a superhero series that has a light tone that could resonate with the readers. I also think that G. Willow Wilson did an excellent job at not making Kamala’s Muslim background into something stereotypical, but into something that makes Kamala unique in her own way and it was great seeing what Muslim culture is like within a superhero community as it gives more diversity to the story since it is rare that we see Middle Eastern superheroes being portrayed in superhero comic books.

Adrian Alphona’s artwork: Adrian Alphona’s artwork is both gorgeous and hilarious to look at as the characters are drawn realistically and there are some panels where the characters’ skins glow against sunlight and moonlight and gives their appearances a mesmerizing feel. I also loved the way that Adrian Alphona drew the humorous expressions on the characters whenever they are shocked or scared as it made the artwork into something unique as you have both comedic and dramatic artwork within the same story.



What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

For anyone who does not like language in comic books, this graphic novel does have some language such as the constant use of the “p” word, but other than that, this graphic novel is pretty tame compared to some of the darker and grittier superhero comic books.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Ms. Marvel Volume One: No Normal” is truly one of the most creative and inspiring stories I had ever read from Marvel NOW and I am definitely looking forward to reading more adventures from the new and different “Ms. Marvel!”

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

Genre: Adventure / Family / Fantasy / Science Fiction

Year Published: 2015

Year Read: 7/21/2016

Series: Saga #5

Publisher: Image Comics

6 stars!!!

Introduction:

OH YEAH BABY!

Another fantastic volume of “Saga” from the great mind of Brian K. Vaughan? You bet I will check this new volume out as soon as it was released and I was seriously blown away by this action packed volume! “Saga: Volume Five” is another awesome installment of Brian K. Vaughan’s legendary comic book series that is definitely worth its weight in gold!

What is this story about?

After the disastrous falling out between Marko and Alana in the previous volume, Alana, Marko’s mother and Hazel find themselves being kidnapped by Dengo, the janitor robot who kidnapped Prince Robot IV’s newborn baby in the last volume. This then leads to Marko being forced to work with Prince Robot IV in order to find their missing families. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn, Sophie and The Will’s sister The Brand, set out on a journey together to retrieve a cure that will help save The Will’s life, but the journey is going to be pretty dangerous for the three (four if we are including the Lying Cat) travelers!

What I loved about this story:

Brian K. Vaughan’s writing: As usual, Brian K. Vaughan’s writing is spot on and I really loved the fact that this volume was much more action driven then the previous volumes, which were mostly character driven and we actually get to see several characters really kicking some serious butt in this volume! I just loved the way that Brian K. Vaughan really made Alana into such an awesome fighter in this volume as it was hinted at early on that Alana used to be in the military and we finally get the chance to see Alana’s combat skills displayed in this volume, especially when she tries to protect her daughter Hazel from various people who want to harm her. I also loved the fact that Marko is still trying to find Alana and Hazel again as it showed how much he really cared about his family, despite his fight with Alana in the last volume. It was also heartbreaking learning about Marko’s backstory and why him accidentally hurting Alana had such a tragic impact on him and how he tries to make amends for what he had done to Alana. I really enjoyed the side story involving Gwendolyn, Sophie, the Lying Cat and the Brand trying to find a cure for the Will, who was injured a few volumes ago. I really loved the relationship between these four travelers as it shows that they all cared about the Will in their own way and are willing to work together to obtain the cure needed to help the Will. The only thing that got me about this volume was that I did not see one single appearance from my favorite ghost girl Izabel…OH IZABEL! WHERE ARE YOU!?



Fiona Staples’ artwork: Fiona Staples’ artwork is as usual gorgeous to look at and I really loved the action sequences as you can see the explosions really glow through the pages (which is something I often see with this series all the time) and I really loved the alien appearances of many of the characters, especially of Prince Robot IV with his TV set head!



What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

For anyone who does not like strong language, gory violence and graphic images, there are many scenes in this volume where characters are blown up and blood and guts are sprayed all over and some strong language such as the constant use of the “f” word and the “a” word. Also, there is some nudity in this volume, as well as some sex scenes that might make some people cringe.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, is “Saga: Volume Five” worth picking up? YES! YES IT IS! Go ahead and pick up this sucker already and be amazed by the wonderful world of “Saga!”

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

Genre: Mystery / Adventure / Thriller / Crime

Year Published: 2009

Year Read: 5/29/2016

Series: The Hardy Boys #18

Publisher:  Papercutz

Introduction:

Well, it seems that I am on a “Hardy Boys” reading binge as I am checking out almost all of the “Hardy Boys” graphic novel series and I have stumbled upon another “Hardy Boys” graphic novel called “The Hardy Boys: D.A.N.G.E.R Spells the Hangman” which is a pretty interesting volume dealing with the spelling bee…in a murder plot!

What is this story about?

The story starts off with Joe Hardy having to go to the National Spelling Bee after Cassie London, the real spelling bee winner, was unexpectedly called to London for a violin performance. It was then that Joe discovers that there is a murder plot unfolding at the Spelling Bee and he has to do the case solo due to Frank having to take their pet parrot to the vet. Meanwhile, while Frank is taking their parrot to the vet, he discovers a bunch of burglars trying to steal dogs from the animal shelter to make money off of them and Frank goes out to stop the burglars from kidnapping the dogs.

Can Frank and Joe solve their respective cases?

Read this book to find out!

What I loved about this story:

Scott Lobdell’s writing: Scott Lobdell’s writing is as usual extremely interesting to read as I loved the way that Scott Lobdell wrote each character and the relationships between them, especially the relationship between Frank and Joe as it shows that they truly care for each other when comes to solving cases together. I really loved the fact that we have a storyline where Frank and Joe are separated from each other and we get to see how both brothers manage their respective cases without the other. I especially loved the fact that we get to focus more on Joe Hardy’s intelligence as we find out that he has participated in the Spelling Bee before and that he was known to be really good at the Spelling Bee and this story shows much more depth with the Hardy Boys’ intelligence in other areas besides the cases they get involved in. I also enjoyed Joe’s interactions with Tam, as it seems that they have a bit of a friendly rivalry going on between them and I wished that this volume showcased that rivalry a bit more in the story.

Paulo Henrique’s artwork: Paulo Henrique’s artwork is as usual fantastic to look at as the characters are beautifully drawn in the typical anime style and all the action sequences where the Hardy Boys fight off bad guys are extremely well detailed.



What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

The reason why I gave this volume a four star rating was because, just like the previous volumes, the story seems a bit clunky as the ending was rushed and there was not enough build up leading to the conclusion of the case. I would have liked this story more if they had developed the clues to the mystery a bit better and actually gave us some kind of closure to the case. Also, I would have liked to see more moments between Joe and Tam as I felt that their relationship with each other would have made a pretty interesting story and it was a shame that we do not get to see more of their relationship in this volume.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “The Hardy Boys: D.A.N.G.E.R Spells the Hangman” is a great volume starring the Hardy Boys and once again, I will try to seek out more “Hardy Boys” graphic novels in the near future!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog