Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

L.J. Smith

LJ Smith – The Secret Circle Series Reading Order

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About book #1:

The Circle’s power has lured her home. . . .

Forced to move from sunny California to gloomy New England, Cassie longs for her old life. Even so, she feels a strange kinship to a terrifying group of teens who seem to rule her school. Initiated into the coven of witches that’s controlled New Salem for hundreds of years, she’s drawn into the Secret Circle, a thrill that’s both intoxicating and deadly. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, Cassie must choose whether to resist temptation or risk dark forces to get what she wants—even if it means that one wrong move could ultimately destroy her. read more

LJ Smith – The Vampire Diaries Series Reading Order

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About book #1:

A deadly love triangle

Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any guy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena . . . for her own good.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him.

Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers . . . who will she choose?

The spin-off “Diaries”

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Book Review – Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L.J. Smith

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The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall
I finished this one a couple of days ago, and while I loved the first half, the 2nd half left me somewhat bewildered (I couldn’t always tell if I was actually following the story correctly). I often found myself having to re-read sections just to understand the current situation that i was reading about.

Quick synopsis: Elena is back in what we expected to be “human” form, however she has actually regressed into “new spirit baby”. She is purely angelic, emanating a wholesome radiance. She is frustrated however, as she can think adult thoughts, but is unable to read, write, has forgotten how to speak, is obliged to communicate through basic sign language, and telepathy of images and feelings. She also has to rely on her basic “good vs. evil” instincts to understand her surroundings. read more

Book Review – Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith

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The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion

CAREFUL!! Slight spoilers ahead if you haven’t read the first book! Do not read this until you have read the first one!

I have finished The Fury and Dark Reunion, and had a blast reading it. This one was actually more of a “paranormal mystery” (even a little on the scary side) than a romance novel, but still well worth the ride!

Elena is now a vampire (since she had shared blood with both Damon and Stefan, it appears she has accidentally “changed” and has come back to life). The first part of the book is a look into the struggles Elena faces with having to cope with her new “undead” status, while she tries to hide from society (her friends and family think she is dead). Both Damon and Stefan have to put their feelings for her (and each other) aside while they protect her, and try to solve the issue of the dominant Power that continues to terrorize the town. read more

Book Review – Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith

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The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle
Well, I must admit I am slightly behind in the times when it comes to these books. I’m a recent convert to the Paranormal Romance categories, so I find myself reviewing books that most of you have already read months or even years ago!

Lucky for me, reading these books well after they’ve first been published allows me to fully immerse myself in a week or two of an entire series (books are like chips to me, I can’t read just one!). read more