Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Reading Level: Adult

On my massive reading list.  If you have a book club this is available to check out as a Book Club to Go Kit.

From our catalog: 1943. A British fighter plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. As a secret agent captured by the Gestapo, "Verity" doesn't stand a chance. Will trading her secrets be enough to save her from a merciless and ruthless enemy? They'll get the truth out of her... but it won't be what they expect.     

Hmm...sounds intriguing!

The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

Reading Level: Young Adult

I haven't read this book, but one day I'm going to.  It's on my list and was on my pile and eventually the pile has to get checked in.

From our catalog: In a story told from alternating viewpoints, Kelsey seeks to redeem her formerly flawless reputation with the help of Isaac, a senator's sexy but arrogant son, who has ulterior motives.    

Sounds like a good one!

Pure Vanilla by Shauna Sever

If you are a big fan of vanilla you should check this book out.  She has cake, cookie, pie, drink, and many more recipes to choose from.  I decided on trying the Salted Vanilla Chip Oatmeal Cookies on page 89.  I skipped the salt and I used white chocolate chips instead of chunk chocolate but they turned out so good. 

Salted Vanilla Chip Oatmeal Cookies

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3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 TBS pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed (I used light)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
8 ounces white chocolate, chopped (I used chocolate chips)
2 TBS Vanilla Fleur de Sel, (page 90) for sprinkling (I didn't use)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.  In a bowl beat together the butter and vanilla until creamy.  Add in the sugars and beat until fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add oat mixture, then white chocolate.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.  Scoop batter, 2 tablespoons at a time, onto prepared baking sheets, about 8 cookies to a sheet.  Sprinkle with salt if using.  Bake cookies until golden brown around the edges but still soft in the centers, 12 to 14 minutes.  Let cookies cool on sheets for 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie

After a string of failed relationships Anne Blythe is sick of finding a man herself without help. Stumbling across a business card and believing it is for a dating service Anne sets up an appointment. To her shock she realizes it's not a dating service but an arranged marriage service.

Even though she can't believe it herself Anne goes through the process and after a few months she get told she has a perfect match with Jack.  The two meet for the first time on a Mexico vacation and get married the next day.  In the beginning they seem to get along fine but will she ultimately recieve her romantic ending?

This book made me think if I could truly go through this.  Would I be able to marry someone after only knowing them for just a few hours?  I wouldn't even imagine what my family would say.  Arranged marriages still happen around the world and I'm sure people can become happy and love the person that they married.  I liked the book because it was a topic I don't think I have seen before.

Anne is such a great character ("Anne of Green Gables" fans will notice that yes she was named after Anne Shirley and her brother's name is Gilbert-her mother was a fan!).  As she struggled throughout the book I began to care about her.  All the characters in the story were well written.

If you are looking for a different romanctic story then make sure to pick up "Arranged" by Catherine McKenzie.

The Perfect Game by J. Sterling

Reading Level: Adult
(3 out of 5)

My rating would have been higher without the added drama that I thought could have been resolved if the main male character hadn't been such a stubborn dummy!

With that said I enjoyed this book up until that part.  I liked the friction between the two main characters.  Jack Carter is a rising baseball star with a cocky swagger and the trail of broken hearts to prove it.  Cassie Edwards is a sassy photographer not afraid to steer clear of him.  Both are college juniors and when they meet Jack can't help but want to get to know Cassie better and Cassie can't help but not want to be one of Jack's love em and leave em girls.  Because Jack never goes back for seconds, until he meets Cassie.  Once they both decide to jump into the deep end together life isn't easy and they have major upsets.  One major upset I'm not sure I could get over but as the back cover says, "Sometimes life gets ugly, before it gets beautiful."

Crazy About Cakes by Krystina Castella

Reading Level: Adult Non-Fiction
(5 out of 5)

Oh yum, does this book have some delicious looking cake recipes in it!  I wish they had smelly things on the page so you could take a big whiff.  When I first saw this book I knew I had to try and make those incredible looking German chocolate bars on the front.  I did the semi homemade way but they turned out super delish.  I can't wait to try out some of her other yummy treats.  Like root beer float cake in a mug.  Yes, please I love anything made cute in a glass or a jar and I love me some root beer floats.  Irish cream cakes in chocolate cups.  The little chocolate cups are just darling.  There are so many other fun cakes in here, like chocolate truffle cakes.  Perfect for Valentines Day that is just a few days away.  You have to see her precious little bunny cakes.  Too cute for words.  Almost too cute to eat, almost!

If you love cake as much as do, check out this book today.

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Katie McGarry is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA authors.  Her writing is fresh, in your face, and the romance is smoking hot.  The characters she creates stick with you long after you read the last page.  I am still just so thrilled I got to see her speak at an ALA conference and bummed that I didn't get to meet her at the book signing (she ran out of books). :(  Ms. McGarry is from Kentucky which isn't too far away so hopefully she will do a book signing not too far away.  One can only hope.  With three books to be published in the near future she doesn't seem to be slowing down.  Which I am so happy about!

This is technically the third book which will be coming out in May, May 28 to be exact.  The second book, Crossing the Line, about Echo's best friend Lila, from Pushing the Limits will be published in e-book format in April.  For those who are fans of Ms. McGarry never fear because Isaiah's story, Crash Into You, is coming soon probably next year.

Now that we have that out of the way Dare You To is about Beth.  Beth has been hiding what her home life is really like and when she can't hide it anymore she gets shipped off to live with her uncle who has been MIA for most of her life.  Ryan is the baseball star golden boy, but looks can be deceiving.  When these two come together it is explosive.  My only complaint is that they were away from each other to long on the page.  Ms. McGarry deals with very real, heavy topics.  Topics that teenagers shouldn't have to deal with but in reality many do.  I think that she does a good job with it.  She has them work through it and not just sweep it under or say okay my life is fine now without dealing.  I can't wait to read Lila's story and then Isaiah's.  I hope Isaiah's cover has him on the front showing off his tattoos.  A girl can only dream!

Keep an eye out for Dare You To coming to the library in May!