Book #70 - Hourglass (Hourglass #1)

Hourglass, Myra McEntire
387 pages
time travel, paranormal romance
Started 6/23/12
Finished 6/26/12
4.5 STARS

You see me doing my happy dance? It's because I've finally found another time travel book that hasn't resorted to cliches and tired plot devices. Woo to the hoo!

Emerson has had a rough go of it since her parents died. She had been institutionalized and medicated into oblivion due to depression, PTSD, and oh yeah, she sees ghosts from the past. Her brother and sister-in-law don't exactly know how to help her, so they enlist the services of Michael Weaver from The Hourglass. Turns out he sees ghosts too - sort of. It's a little complicated. Because The Hourglass isn't all it seems to be. And, neither is Michael. He is more. SO much more.

I freaking LOVED this book! I felt for Emerson right from the beginning. Her story is sad and a little hopeless at first. It's obvious from the beginning that she has issues with these ghost sightings, and they are getting worse. But, from the instant she sees Michael, there is hope. And... something more.

Now, all of a sudden, instead of a helpless, hopeless life, Emerson is faced with a future and the opportunity to make a difference.

I have high hopes for Timepiece (Hourglass #2), which was just released a few months ago. Look for the review soon!

Book #32 - Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander #1)

Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander #1), Karen Marie Moning
375 pages
Paranormal romance, time travel
Started 3/15/12
Finished 3/16/12
3.5 STARS

What a cheesy cover. Sheesh. I've never been a fan of the Fabio-inspired, chesty guy, heaving bosoms book covers. The entire time I had this book from the library, I kept it hidden underneath other books so that my husband wouldn't see it - I would've never heard the end of it. But, ultimately, I got it because it was written by Karen Marie Moning, and I loved her Fever series. And, because there's time travel to past Scotland, and since Outlander is still my reigning most favorite book of all time, I had to see how this measured up. 

I'd heard a lot of not-so-good things about the first few books in this series. So, I approached Beyond the Highland Mist with much trepidation. And, I'll admit, the first quarter of the book was very touch and go. I didn't immediately like Adrienne, I thought the time travel was kinda hokey and the fae court scenes were just stupid.

But, as Hawk started falling in love with Adrienne and she with him, I actually found myself enjoying the book and looking forward to seeing the characters' fates. I really wanted Hawk and Adrienne to end up together and for Adam Black to get his due.

So, ultimately, after a rough start, it ended up being a bit better than a three-star book, which is better than I expected. It's certainly no Outlander, but it held its own. Heck - if what everyone says is true, and they only get better from here, I anticipate good things from the rest of the books.