Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. 

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.


I was really excited to read this next installment in the Lunar Chronicles.  Even though it has 400+ pages I completed it in less than a week.  The writing helps me so much visualize the characters, which make the book even better.  And it helps me escape to a nice place after a long work day or dealing with a temperamental toddler.

Here is a link to a fan made video about the book.  Scarlet

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. 

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them. 

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss. 

The Light Between Oceans is exquisite and unforgettable, a deeply moving novel.


I really enjoyed this book.  It felt really emotional and was easy to picture as I was reading along, even though I have not seen the movie that was made about this book yet. I could feel with the characters with their joys and sorrows.  These days I am finding it hard to find time to read, but when I was reading this I didn't want to put it down and I finished it under a week, so it had to be good.

For those who want a preview of the movie click here to watch it. A Light Between Oceans

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl…

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I found this book at the library when browsing one day. I have loved reading about fairy tales and different twists on them.  I loved reading this book and yesterday I spent several hours just sitting on the couch reading it.  I was sad when it ended because I immediately wanted the next one. But due to today being a holiday the library is closed, so it will have to wait at least another day.  I really liked the authors writing style and it was fun to envision this story. I would recommend this book to a person who likes a twist on fairy tales and wants a fairly quick read....but who is also prepared to read the rest of the series.

Here is a link via youtube that shows a fan-made preview of what they thought would be a good preview for the book. Cinder Youtube Preview

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned. 

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.


     I found this at a local book swap a group of women was holding in my neighborhood. It took me a while to start it as my life is pretty busy taken over by my little munchkin these days.  But I do say that from the first chapter this book had me hooked and I took with me everywhere and in my free moment. I especially loved the writing style of this book as it flowed very easily and I was totally able to envision this book playing out in my head like a movie.  I also found out that this author has books as this is a series and this was the first book.  I will definitely be checking out the other books.  

I've attached the link for the author of this book if you want to read other comments about this book or any other ones in the series:  Kristi Ann Hunter . 

Here is also a link to a youtube video that was created as an inspirational playlist for this book: Inspirational Playlist