Friday, January 31, 2014

Zooey the Acrocat by Andrea Kelly


Synopsis:
Zooey is a cat who is always on the go.
Sometimes Mom thinks she belongs in the circus!
But Zooey knows she's the star of the show.

Join Zooey the acrobatic cat and her sidekick Baseball on their latest tight-rope walking adventure!

"Zooey the AcroCat" is the second book to be published in "The Adventures of Baseball and Zooey" series.

My Thoughts:
Zooey the Acrocat is a cute children's book. If you like cats, you will love this book. Zooey is a very graceful cat. She runs around the house causing all sorts of mischief. 

I liked how easy Zooey the Acrocat was to read. It had few words and a lot of pictures. It would be a perfect book for children that are just beginning to read. 

The illustrations in the book are adorable. My favorite illustration was the one of Zooey knocking down the Christmas tree. As a cat owner, I can identify with it. I think that Zooey the Acrocat is a great book for children three and older.

I give Zooey the Acrocat: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://baseballandzooey.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baseballandzooey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HandWrittenLife
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440206.Andrea_Kelly

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Stalking You Now by Jeff Strand


Synopsis:
The reprehensible man sits in the restaurant. Laughing with his friends. Entertaining them with a story about his wretched behavior. 

He doesn't know that somebody at another table is watching him. Somebody filled with hatred. Somebody waiting for him to be alone. Somebody with duct tape and a gun.

It's a night for vengeance. And a hell of a lot more.

My Thoughts:
Stalking You Now is a book that I would not normally read. It wasn't just a small step out of my comfort zone; it was a giant leap. I never would have imagined myself picking up this book, or enjoying it. That being said, I was surprised at how much I loved Stalking You Now.

Stalking you Now was a very dark, gritty, and twisted novel. It was also full of suspense. I didn't see most of the plot twists before they happened. The giant one floored me. I really liked the way the book ended.

The characters were completely messed up. Jeff Strand is great at writing characters with a lot of dark, cynical humor. He's also great at writing characters that are complex. Even though the story was short, I found my self immersed in both of the characters and their motives for doing what they did. At first, I thought Mindy was just some stupid bimbo. By the end of the book, her actions had me shocked.

My husband also read this book. He loved it so much that he ended up gifting a Kindle copy to a friend. This was not my first Jeff Strand book, and it certainly won't be my last. I'm interested to see what kind of crazy stories and plot twists he comes up with next.

I give Stalking You Now: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://jeffstrand.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffStrandAuthorFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffstrand
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/207708.Jeff_Strand

I received this book from the publisher, DarkFuse, vis NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz


Synopsis:
Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale.

Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? These three little pigs just aren't going to take it from that bully anymore! The first starts aikido lessons---he'll make mincemeat out of that wolf! His brother learns a little jujitsu--he'll chop that guy to pieces!

But when the wolf actually appears, it turs out these two pigs aren't quite ready after all. Good thing their sister has been training every day to master some serious karate moves that save the day. KIYA!

Corey Rosen Schwartz serves up a fun combination of smart-aleck dialogue and tongue-in-cheek rhymes that'll have kids howling, and rising star Dan Santat's spunky illustrations are sure to pack a punch!

My Thoughts:
The Three Ninja Pigs is a cute fairy tale retelling of The Three Pigs. The three pigs are getting tired of being bullied by the wolf. They decide to take a stand and fight back. 

The Three Ninja Pigs teaches an important lesson to children. Never give up. The first two pigs give up in their training. The third pig persevered and finished her training. When the wolf comes to attack, the first two pigs aren't prepared. They need their sister to protect them. Because the sister finished her training, she was able to scare the wolf away without battling him. Another lesson the book teaches is to always be prepared. The third pig was prepared for the wolf. The other two were not.

I think children will like this book. It has a lot of action to keep kids interested, yet teaches a valuable lesson at the same time. I recommend this book to children, especially boys, four and older.

I give The Three Ninja Pigs: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.coreyrosenschwartz.com/Entry_Page.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreyPBNinja
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoreyPBNinja
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/689272.Corey_Rosen_Schwartz

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Schmutzy Family by Madelyn Rosenberg


Synopsis:
The Schmutzys are very messy all week long and Mama seems not to notice, but when Friday comes it is time for everyone to pitch in and clean up for Sabbath.

My Thoughts:
The Schmutzy family is an interesting children's book. I don't think I have ever read anything like it before. In The Schmutzy Family, the children are very messy and dirty. They love mud, earthworms, dirt, and frogs. If there's a mess to get into, they're going to find it and get into it. 

The mother doesn't mind. There are blueberry stains everywhere, and they even draw on the walls. The mother doesn't even bat an eye. That slightly bothered me. It's not realistic. If I would have done any of the things that they do when I was a child, I would have gotten into a heck of a lot of trouble. 


The only time the mother is bothered by the mess is Shabbos. Shabbos is the Jewish Sabbath. The book teaches a lot about the Jewish culture, which I did like. It even has a glossary for children and parents to look at together. Other than the book not being realistic at times, I enjoyed it.

I give The Schmutzy Family: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.madelynrosenberg.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelynrosenbergbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madrosenberg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5861864.Madelyn_Rosenberg

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Review Copy Cleanup 4.0


According to my Goodreads shelf, I have seven hundred review books that I need to read and review. I'm not entirely sure how accurate that is, but I do know that I have a lot of review books that I need to finish. That's why the Review Copy Cleanup challenge is perfect for me. It is hosted by Vicki from Biscuits, Books, and Tea, and Celine from Nyx Book Reviews.

Here are some of the guidelines:

  • The Review Copy Cleanup 4.0 runs from 1 to 28 February It starts and ends at midnight according to your local timezone to avoid confusion.
  • Every book you received for review counts towards the challenge, both e-books and hard copies (even audiobooks for review, if you have those), including all genres and lengths 
  • Feel free to use the #RCCleanup hashtag on Twitter for your RCC related tweets or join in the Twitter party at http://tweetchat.com/room/RCCleanup and meet lots of awesome bloggers (:
I'm not entirely sure what my tbr will be yet, but I'm hoping to finish close to twenty books. Some of the books that I will definitely be reading are:

Horizon by Alyson Noel:
Daire Santos is the last of the Soul Seekers, and the only thing standing between the Richters and the destruction of everyone she loves. With her grandmother gone and Cade back in Enchantment, Daire must finally step into her destiny and lead the fight against the Richters. But what if that means sacrificing the person she loves most?

Bound to the Richters by blood, Dace struggles against the darkness growing inside him that threatens to claim Daire too. Though Daire refuses to give up on him, the choice may not be hers. An epic battle is on the horizon and the end of the world looms near. With such insurmountable odds stacked against them, is their love really enough to conquer all?

Fractured by Teri Terry:
How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from?

Kyla's memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

Or so she thought.

Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes...

Set in a disturbing future world, FRACTURED is an engrossing, fast-paced read that establishes Teri Terry as a master thriller writer.

Nick and Tesla's High Voltage Danger Lab:
Nick and Tesla are bright 11-year-old siblings with a knack for science, electronics, and getting into trouble. When their parents mysteriously vanish, they’re sent to live with their Uncle Newt, a brilliant inventor who engineers top-secret gadgets for a classified government agency. It’s not long before Nick and Tesla are embarking on adventures of their own—engineering all kinds of outrageous MacGyverish contraptions to save their skin: 9-volt burglar alarms, electromagnets, mobile tracking devices, and more. Readers are invited to join in the fun as each story contains instructions and blueprints for five different projects.


In Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab, we meet the characters and learn how to make everything from rocket launchers to soda-powered vehicles. Learning about science has never been so dangerous—or so much fun!

Are participating in the Review Copy Cleanup 4.0? If you are, leave a link to your post below, so I can check out which books you are reading. Also, if you've read any of these books, leave a comment and let me know what you thought of them.

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon


Synopsis:
Penguin's tired of the snow and cold--so he decides to go on vacation! But where should he go? And what new friends will he meet along the way?

Seasoned illustrator Salina Yoon's spare text and bright, energetic illustrations bring this favorite character to life, ensuring that readers will be clamoring for more Penguin stories--whether they find their home in the cold or the warm.

My Thoughts:
Once again, Salina Yoon has written a great children's book. My friend's son loved Salina's first Penguin book, Penguin and Pinecone. He also loved Penguin on Vacation.

Penguin on Vacation teaches children the importance of friendship, just like Penguin and Pinecone did. The book also teaches children to make the best of a bad situation. When Penguin went on vacation, he was upset. Vacation was nothing like what he thought it would be. He couldn't sled, ski, or skate. Instead of moping and sulking for the remainder of his vacation, he did something about it. He made a new friend and learned new things to do. Then he took the thins he learned and showed his friends how to do it when he got home. He also made a life long friendship with crab. I hope that Salina Yoon writes more books about Penguin and his friends.

I give Penguin on Vacation: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://salinayoon.com/Home.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salina.yoon.7?fref=ts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/34806.Salina_Yoon

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

100 Ghosts by Doogie Horner


Synopsis:
Cut two eyeholes into a bedsheet and BOO! You’ve got yourself a classic Halloween icon. But what does that ghosts look like when he's shy? Or in love? Or a pirate, a llama, a Bona villain, or Russian nesting doll? 100 Ghosts explores every sort of spook in a series of whimsically haunting illustrations. It's a delightful collection for adults, children, and anyone in need of a friendly fright.

My Thoughts:
I'm not entirely sure what to say about 100 Ghosts. I didn't really have any feelings one way or the other about the book. It's just a book with pictures of different types of ghosts. When I pick up a book, I want something that intrigues me. It has to challenge me on an intellectual level. 100 Ghosts obviously didn't do that.

That being said, it was a cute book. The book made me chuckle quite a few times. I loved all of the geeky references. There were Star Wars and Harry Potter references, along with a few superheroes. The Harry Potter reference was my favorite. 

100 Ghosts would make a great coffee table book for Halloween. It might also make a cute book for children, although I'm not sure they would understand all of the jokes and references.

I give 100 Ghosts: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://doogiehorner.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoogieHorner
Tumblr: http://doogiehorner.tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DoogieHorner

I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling Trouble by Frank Cammuso


Synopsis:
Salem Hyde just isn’t like other kids. For one thing, she’s stubborn, independent, and impulsive. For another, she’s a witch. Salem acts first and thinks later—which means most of her thinking involves coming up with excuses!
Good thing she’s been assigned an animal companion, Lord Percival J. Whamsford III. This over-anxious cat doesn’t like Salem calling him "Whammy,” and Salem doesn’t like listening to his long-winded explanations as to why she shouldn’t do something . . . like enter the class spelling bee.
Salem knows she can beat all her classmates at spells, no problem. Too late, she realizes the competition is about spelling words, not magic. And there’s nothing like a misspelled spell to cause all kinds of havoc!

My Thoughts:
The Misadventures of Salem Hyde is a great graphic novel. It had me constantly cracking up laughing. From the first page, I knew that this was going to turn into one of my favorite graphic novels. I loved everything about it. 

The plot was fun. I liked trying to guess what kind of crazy hijinks Salem and Whammy were going to get into next. The 'What Witch' test was one of my favorite scenes in the book. It was a spoof of 'Who's on First', which is one of my favorite comedy sketches of all time. The dinosaur scene at the beginning was also enjoyable. In fact, I don't think I went a page without chuckling.

I will definitely be buying The Misadventures of Salem Hyde when it comes out. The ARC I received was in black and white, but the final copy will be in color. I am excited to see that, and to fall in love with the graphic novel all over again. I can't wait for the next volume to be released.

I give The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling Trouble: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.cammuso.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalemHyde
Tumblr: http://salemhyde.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/166614.Frank_Cammuso

I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts


Synopsis:
Sophie has always felt out of step—an outsider, even amongst friends in her high school with all the hype about celebrity culture. Her life in L.A. seems to have been already written for her, but when her junior year starts, it all takes a drastic turn. When she crosses paths with the school's heartthrob, Nate Werner, they fall for each other in a way neither can understand. What they don’t know is that by giving in to their desires, they are unlocking an ancient Egyptian prophecy that threatens to return Earth to the dark ages.

To undo the curse, Nate and Sophie embark on an adventure that takes them across the country. But their quest is not only to save the world as they know it. It is also a fight for their very survival. Behind the scenes, there are those that are counting on them to fail.

My Thoughts:
The Year of the Great Seventh ended up almost being a DNF (Did Not Finish) for me. I was bored the entire time I was reading it. The only thing that had me continuing on was the hope that it would get better, which it did not.

When I first saw The Year of the Great Seventh on Goodreads, I thought the synopsis sounded intriguing. I love stories about any type of mythology. Sadly, the plot of the book did not deliver. 

I thought Sophie was very whiny and insecure. Nate was just a jerk. He was emotionally abusive to Sophie. If I was Sophie, I would have dropped him like a bad habit

In the end, the plot did pick up and get a little more interesting. However, I could have cared less whether the characters lived or died at that point. Due to my lack of interest in this book, it took me about a month to read. I don't think I will be reading any more books in this series.

I give The Year of the Great Seventh: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.teresaorts.com/Home_2.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresa.orts.9
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7012142.Teresa_Orts

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

My Dog, My Cat by Ashlee Fletcher


Synopsis:
In this bright new picture book, the author describes all the differences between her dog and cat, who don't always get along. Her dog barks; her cat meows. Her dog likes steak; her cat likes tuna. Her dog's tongue is wet; her cat's tongue is rough. But the story ends on a delightfully sweet note when the author reveals what her dog and cat have in common — a love of pizza and a love of their owner. The strong lines and fresh colors make this book an appealing read as young readers learn about normal behaviors for the two most popular pets, and that even the most different of creatures can find things in common.

My Thoughts:
My Dog, My Cat is an adorable children's book. The book teaches children the difference between dogs and cats. They both like different things. Also, there are some things that dogs can do that cats can't, and vice versa. For example, dogs have to use the bathroom outside. Cats can use a litter box. 

However, dogs and cats have a huge similarity. Dogs and cats both love their owners unconditionally. Owners should also love both of their pets unconditionally and equally. 


My Dog, My Cat is a great book for children that have pets. It is also a must read for animal lovers everywhere.

I give My Dog, My Cat: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.ashleefletcher.com/welcome

I received this book from the publisher, Tanglewood Press, via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Journey to Hope by Cindy Young-Turner


Synopsis:
A Little Moon- a brief tale in the Thief of Hope Series

As the third son of a lesser nobleman, Edgar Gray’s prospects are limited at best. He longs to find some meaning in a life of privilege. An encounter with Rose, a peasant girl, gives him a chance to help those in need. But the Guild has spread to Tipton Village, and unrest is brewing among the villagers. Edgar and Rose are torn between love, duty, and loyalty to family, and the rise of the Guild threatens to destroy Edgar’s very way of life. 

In a land where magic is outlawed, both a wizard and the faery folk have taken an interest in Edgar. Sometimes there is no escaping destiny, but even sacrifice can lead to hope.

My Thoughts:
Thief of Hope was one of my favorite books that I read in 2012. When Cindy Young-Turner asked if I would like to review Journey to Hope, a novella that goes along with the series, I jumped at the chance. 

It was fascinating to read Edgar's back story before he met Sydney. I felt bad for Edgar throughout Journey to Hope. His father and the rest of his family were complete jerks. They never listened to Edgar. They also treated the peasants terribly. I liked Rose, the female main character. She was so nice to Edgar, despite how his family treated her and people like her.

I enjoyed the love story aspect of Journey to Hope. It didn't feel rushed like a lot of short stories do. The ending was kind of sad. I predicted that something bad was going to happen. I just wasn't sure what it specifically would be. 

Journey to hope was a great in between novella. The novella got me even more excited than I already was for the next book in the series to be released.

I give Journey to Hope: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://cindyyoungturner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCindyYoungTurner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCindyYT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882750.Cindy_Young_Turner

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover


Synopsis:
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

My Thoughts:
Hopeless was an emotional roller coaster. It had me laughing and sobbing within the same chapter. Throughout the last seventy five percent of the book, it felt like my heart was being ripped into a million pieces. Just when I thought it wasn't possible to cry anymore, something even worse would happen, and I'd start sobbing all over again.

When I was reading the first few pages of Hopeless, I was hesitant. Everyone that I've heard talk about Hopeless absolutely loves it. That makes me nervous because I don't usually enjoy popular books. 

However, as soon as I met Holder, I became entranced the same way that Sky did. I had to know more about Holder and why he was behaving the way that he did. The more I read about him, the more I liked him even thought he was kind of a douchebag. He is my current book boyfriend. 

All of the plot twists were unexpected. I didn't see any of them coming. The most shocking one for me was what happens to Sky's dad. It completely took me by surprise.

The characters were beautifully written. The two characters I liked the most were Holder and Breckin. I liked Holder for obvious reasons (most of them stated above). I liked Breckin because he was very down to earth. I could picture him as someone that I would hangout with on a daily basis. His "Mormon" jokes were hilarious.

Hopeless is the best book that I have read all year. It might even be my favorite book of all time. It was a powerful story that proves love defies all odds. I suggest that you pick it up ASAP and read it if you haven't already.

I give Hopeless: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://colleenhoover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover
Twitter: https://twitter.com/colleenhoover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Monday, January 20, 2014

30 Days of RecruitZ


RecruitZ blurb: Scientists are the new rock stars. The infection has been contained for several months, and the world is celebrating. But humans are still dying. Rebekah Taylor has seen it firsthand. Her husband was killed right in front of her by the very creatures that humans were told they no longer had to fear.

Rebekah is determined to find out who is responsible for the death of her husband and the obvious cover-up. Fueled with revenge, she begins to find answers that lead to one frightening conclusion. The apocalypse might be over, but the battles are just beginning.


Karice lives in Washington with her wonderful husband, who also happens to be her high school sweetheart and their two cute English bulldogs! She enjoys reading, baking, and trying to be crafty on her off-hours. She's also a coffee, tea, and snow addict. If she could live somewhere that had the white stuff year-round, she probably would. She also loves chatting with her readers on Facebook!

Her books include: 

The Witch Avenue Series (Lonely Souls, Altered Souls, Released Souls, and Shattered Souls)

Beyond Love Series (Beyond Control, Beyond Doubt, Beyond Reason)

Watchers Trilogy (Taken, Awakening, Legions, Cataclysm)

Afterworld Series (RecruitZ)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:

“Babe, whatever happens…”
“Knock it off,” I said.
“We have nothing to fight them with, and a horde this size needs a distraction.”
“Don’t you dare,” I hissed, shaking my head. The fear was pulsing through me at an unstoppable rate. “We didn’t live through the outbreak to die now.”
I gritted my teeth, grabbed the civilian anti-zombie kit from under my seat, unzipped it, and looked for anything inside that might help. We were instructed to drop these kits off at government collection stations. I was grateful we never got around to it.
Gavin held down the ignition and reverse buttons at the same time in a vain attempt to override the safety sensors.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
“Try rebooting the car. Turn it off and take the key out. Give it a few seconds and slip the key back in. Maybe if you pop it in reverse before the car can sense the zombies, it’ll let us reverse,” I directed.
He nodded, biting his lip, and turned off the engine allowing the moans of the horde outside to be heard. I took a deep breath and looked out my window that was now completely blocked by tattered shirts and non-oozing wounds pressed against the glass. It would only be a matter of time before they began to break through the glass. The moans turned into a chorus of humming.
“One-Mississippi-two…” Gavin’s words wrapped around me.
I prayed silently to the same God I’d prayed to many nights before. He listened then and I hoped he’d listen now.
I grabbed two knives that were in the kit and flipped the blades open, locking them in place. The anodized orange handles were larger than the actual blades. Not comforting. I handed one to Gavin.
“There’s still a Louisville Slugger on the floor behind us,” Gavin said. His brown hair was cut short. That was one of the first things he did after we were vaccinated. A haircut and a shave to celebrate our survival. He still looked young but not as young as we both did before the outbreak.
I slid toward the center console, crawling as far from the passenger window as I could get. Gavin’s breathing was heavy, and I felt the heat rolling off him as he continued to struggle with what we were facing.
I dug around in the bottom of the bag for the zombie deterrent. My hand clasped around the ADD, also known as the Audible Distraction Device, and I dropped the kit to the floor.
The car rocked back and forth as the number of beasts grew on both sides, creating a trance-like rhythm that was terrifying.
“Grab the bat,” Gavin instructed, his voice low.
I slid my hand to his knee, squeezing it hard before I reached behind us and grabbed the wooden weapon.
The challenges we faced living off the land paled in comparison to what we faced confined in this car.
Gavin turned the engine on and sunk it into reverse, only to be stalled right where we were.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Sunday, January 19, 2014

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa


Synopsis:
Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

My Thoughts:
Holy crap, this book was incredible! The Immortal Rules was one of my favorite books of 2012. I didn't think another book could be as good as it was. Well, I was wrong. Even though I loved The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure was much better. It went above and beyond my expectations. I had the book on my Kindle for a long time before I read it. Now I wish I would have read it when I first got it.

The plot picked up where the first book left off. The Eternity Cure was action packed from the first page. There was never a moment where I got bored and wanted to put the book down.

Most of the characters from the first book are in the story, which was a nice surprise. I like it when books stick with the same characters throughout the series. They appear when you least expect it. I actually started to like Jackal, which was shocking. He was my most hated character in The Immortal Rules. However, in The Eternity Cure, I found myself enjoying his cynical sense of humor. I also felt a lot of sympathy for him.

The ending of The Eternity Cure completely destroyed me. After the last sentence, I let out a few cuss words. I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy, The Forever Song, to find out how everything ends.

I give The Eternity Cure: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://juliekagawa.com/wordpress/
Blog: http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Kagawa-author/252661891438654
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2995873.Julie_Kagawa

I received this book from the publisher, Harlequin Teen, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Mill by Mark West


Synopsis:
Michael struggles to come to terms with the death of his wife. He has visions of her calling to him, inviting him to the beyond.

At the Bereaved Partners’ Group, he learns that he is not the only one left behind who can hear the departed beckon them… to the Mill.

My Thoughts:
The Mill was an novella that intrigued me. At first, it had me very confused. When Michael was dreaming at the beginning, I had no clue what was going on. Also, his trip to the mill made me a little confused. However, once I started to figure out what was going in, I became very emotionally involved in the story.

I felt bad for Michael. I can't even begin to imagine the heartache that comes from losing a spouse, especially in a terrible way like that. I was hoping that Michael and Saskia would be able to push through their grief together, but unfortunately it didn't happen. The ending to The Mill was predictable, yet still shocking. It will stay with me for a long time.

I give The Mill: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.markwest.org.uk/
Blog: http://mark-west.livejournal.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.west.313924
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkEWest
Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/markewest/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/640719.Mark_West

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Friday, January 17, 2014

The Thirteenth Gift by Charlene Costanzo


Synopsis:
While on assignment in Eastern Europe, Claire, a U.S. journalist, learns of a local legend. The deceptively simple story about "the thirteenth gift" has a profound effect on Claire, which soon transforms her marriage, her work, and the way she sees the world. The Thirteenth Gift is both a cautionary tale and an inspirational fable as it shows a way through the perilous consequences of greed, arrogance, and abuse of power to an uplifted state of consciousness and community. The Thirteenth Gift invites readers to renew their own sense of wonderment, which can lead to freedom from fear and to a greater experience of hope, beauty, and joy in daily life. Like the message of the award-winning book, The Twelve Gifts of Birth, this novella from Charlene Costanzo reminds readers to see the dignity that is inherent in themselves and others.

My Thoughts:
The Thirteenth Gift is an inspirational tale. It's a story within a story. The story is about a king and queen who leave their kingdom for a while. The queen is trying to prove to the king that everyone in the kingdom has gifts, not just royalty as they previously thought. The Thirteenth Gift is the one that can save the kingdom. 

This book taught me a lot of things. It taught me to always be grateful for what I have. The Thirteenth Gift also taught me not to get so caught up in life that I forget to live. Claire was so caught up in her work, she missed important milestones in her family's life. 

I loved The Thirteenth Gift. It was written beautifully. I will definitely be reading more of Charlene Costanzo's work in the future.

I give The Thirteenth Gift: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://charlenecostanzo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlene.costanzo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@12gifts
Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/12Gifts/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CharleneCostanzo
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16321.Charlene_Costanzo

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review.