Under Different Stars Review

Happy Monday Readers!

  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and is ready to start another week! Today I wanted to review a book that I recently read and loved. Under Different Stars by Amy Bartol had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat to see what happened next. I could't put this book down that I actually finished it in a couple of days, because it is that good!

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.

Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.

Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.

When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?"

Kricket just wants to make it on her own until her 18th birthday, so she can be free to live her life without having to worry about case workers. She wants to be able to settle down and find a home to call her own. However, when she is on her way home one morning from work, she discovers that her identity has been compromised and people are after her. She has to figure out how to hide from the two groups that are trying to grab her to take her to her rightful home, and another group who wants to take her home to answer for her crimes. When she is taken by one of the groups lead by Trey, she is taken on one wild adventure that will have her guessing everything she knew about her family and everything she knew about herself. Can Kricket learn to trust Trey or will she be betrayed and have to save herself like she always does?

Kricket is a strong female character, who has survived so much that she doesn't know who she can trust, and knows that she has to protect herself at all costs. She doesn't take any crap off of anyone, and some of the things she says and does will have you laughing and crying. Amy brings the reader into an imaginative futuristic world, that you will believe you are experiencing Kricket's journey and emotions right along with her. Trey is a complicated character, however along the journey you get to understand why he acts the way he does, and somewhere along the line you start to fall in love with him a little. If you like adventure, romance, strong female characters, and a story line that will leave you guessing until the very end, then this book is for you!

Happy journey under the stars my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

The Frog Prince Review

Hey guys it's Friday!

 I figured that I would finish the week off with a retelling of a classic fairy tale. The Frog Prince by Jenni James is a wonderful retake of the classic Frog Prince that we have all came to know and love. This book gives the reader an interesting twist on how a prince turned himself into a frog, in order to discover who his betrothed really is.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A prince disguises himself to find true love—

Prince Nolan has had enough of Princess Blythe—the woman to whom he has been betrothed since infancy—and her simpering letters. Does the princess truly not have a brain in her head? Never before has he communicated with someone who seemed so childish and spoiled. It was time he met her for himself, to decide if he could actually follow through with this marriage. But to do it right, she must not see how handsome he is. He needs a disguise—something that would show him her true nature.

Nolan asks an old herb woman to transform him into a creature that is disgusting to any female—a frog. The spell will last thirty days unless the princess does the impossible and kisses him. Now the true test begins. Will Blythe prove to be as monstrously annoying as he believes she is, or will he learn to see past his judgments and find a loving princess waiting for him?"

Prince Nolan decides that he wants to meet the woman he married to see what exactly he is getting himself into. He decides that he needs to be turned into a frog, because it would give him the advantage to see just how Princess Blythe really is. When he gets turned into a frog and finds the Princess, he realizes that he got more than he bargained for, and is willing to see it to the end. Will Prince Nolan get his happily ever after or will he be forced to remain a frog forever?

This story had me laughing, and honestly gave me a new appreciation for The Frog Prince story in general. You will fall in love with Prince Nolan, and you get to see inside Princess Blythe's soul where you will be able to make your own judgement. Jenni takes the reader into a wonderful world and makes this fairy tale perfect for a newer generation. If you love fairy tale retellings, this is one retelling that you won't want to miss.

Go kiss a frog readers (only in your imagination through, don't really kiss a frog)!



Image taken from the Goodreads website!

The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs Review

Happy Monday Readers!

 So today I will be reviewing a book that had me mesmerized and captivated until the very end. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs by the amazing Jennifer Laam. This book was the best book I have read in 2019 so far, plus I have always been obsessed with the story of the Romanovs, which lead me to getting this book in the first place.

The book description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A compelling alternate history of the Romanov family in which a secret fifth daughter—smuggled out of Russia before the revolution—continues the royal lineage to dramatic consequences

In her riveting debut novel, The Secret Daughter of the Tsar, Jennifer Laam seamlessly braids together the stories of three women: Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte. Veronica is an aspiring historian living in present-day Los Angeles when she meets a mysterious man who may be heir to the Russian throne. As she sets about investigating the legitimacy of his claim through a winding path of romance and deception, the ghosts of her own past begin to haunt her. Lena, a servant in the imperial Russian court of 1902, is approached by the desperate Empress Alexandra. After conceiving four daughters, the Empress is determined to sire a son and believes Lena can help her. Once elevated to the Romanov's treacherous inner circle, Lena finds herself under the watchful eye of the meddling Dowager Empress Marie. Charlotte, a former ballerina living in World War II occupied Paris, receives a surprise visit from a German officer. Determined to protect her son from the Nazis, Charlotte escapes the city, but not before learning that the officer's interest in her stems from his longstanding obsession with the fate of the Russian monarchy. Then as Veronica's passion intensifies, and her search for the true heir to the throne takes a dangerous turn, the reader learns just how these three vastly different women are connected. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is thrilling from its first intense moments until its final, unexpected conclusion."

I know a lot of people are hesitant about reading books that are told from multiple characters point of view, however the way Jennifer transports the reader over different timelines is so seamless that the story just keeps flowing together, and all of the empty spaces are filled in perfectly. The story starts with Lena who's timeline is the same as the Romanovs, Charlotte is after the tragedy of the Romanovs, and Veronica's is present time. These three women are each special and strong in their own right, and their stories play a bigger role in the novel. I'm trying not to say too much about this book, because I don't want to give anything away, because trust me when the bomb is dropped, you won't see it coming until the moment Jennifer wants you to. Let's just say when I read it, I was screaming in the bathtub.

This story made me laugh, cry, and think about the possibility of this being true. The tragedy of the Romanovs was horrible, but Jennifer provides the reader with a historical fiction novel, that does not romanticize or disrespect the tragedy in any sort of form. If you love stories that make you get lost in time, with mystery, suspense, and just love history, you need to read this amazing book!

Have an amazing journey into the lives of the Romanovs my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

The Cold King Review

Happy Wednesday Readers!

 Today I am going to be reviewing The Cold King by Amber Jaeger, which is a different way to look at the story of Beauty and the Beast. This story took me on a wild ride that I had no intention of getting off until I reached the end, which I did lose a lot of sleep reading it, but hey it was 100% worth it.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "From the author of The Hemlock Bay Series comes a new retelling of an old tale…

… Not every Beast is a prince charming at heart and not every Beauty is a maiden just waiting for love…

Calia Thorn has lived her entire life in a small town sheltered by the Cold King’s mountain. Working day and night to care for her younger siblings, complete her unending chores and please her selfish, lazy mother has left her with few dreams for her own future.

But then even those meager hopes are taken from her when the Cold King comes down from his mountain to demand a new servant. Ungraceful, unladylike, undesired and unwanted by even her own family, Calia is chosen to be sent to the palace.

The Cold King has lived for three hundred years under a curse imposed by his own father. With no hope of ever breaking it, he settles for keeping his heart frozen against any pain— or hope.

When his new servant arrives, she challenges him in ways no one ever has and sparks fly. But not every Beast is a prince charming at heart and not every beauty is a maiden just waiting for love.

Sometimes happily ever after isn’t so easy… "

All Calia wants to do is make sure her younger siblings are taken care of, because her mother is too lazy and self absorbed to take care of them herself. Calia doesn't feel appreciated by her family, and it seems that her mother is always trying to get rid of her. When the chance comes to send a new servant to the Cold Kings castle, Calia's mom jumps at the chance for riches, and to get rid of her daughter. When Calia is deposited at the castle, she sees it as a new challenge to escape the life she previously had. However as she gets to know the Cold King she starts to learn that not everything is as it seems, and that just maybe he is as stuck as she is. With both of them in a situation they never wanted or asked for can they help each other survive or be stuck in their unwanted situations forever?

This book is so beautifully written by Amber that the reader is brought on a wild adventure, and with the detailed description, you will be transported into the castle with Calia. What I really loved about this book is it took the story of Beauty and the Beast, and put a spin on it, while keeping to the spirit of the original story. Any lover of Beauty and the Beast  needs to read this amazing story, and get lost in the Cold King's castle.

Happy enchanted adventures my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Rising Review

Happy of Happiest Friday's Everyone!

 I hope everyone's week was a good one. Today I wanted to review an amazing book that I stumbled upon one day while looking at kindle books, and after reading the description I knew I had to see what happens. Rising by Holly Kelly takes the reader on an adventure on land, as well as, an adventure under the sea.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "In a war between the humans and the inhabitants of the sea-humans will lose. Xanthus Dimitriou-the most lethal Dagonian to rise from the ocean-is on a mission to save mankind from annihilation. But first there's one small thing he needs to do... kill a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair. Killing her doesn't start out as part of his plan. He entrenches himself deep in the human world. Aligning himself with his enemies, he prepares to send them to Triton to face their punishment. Then Sara Taylor rolls onto the scene. Xanthus knows at once she's a criminal. And her crime? Being born. She's a human/Dagonian half-breed, an abomination. Killing her should be an easy job. All he has to do is break into her apartment, slit her throat, and feed her body to the sharks. Simple, right? Wrong. If only she weren't so beautiful, so innocent, so sweet... Saving the world may have to wait. It appears Xanthus has a woman to save. But protecting her may cost him his own life."

All Xanthus knows is that he was given a mission, and he is meant to see it through. When he comes on land with a pair of legs, he creeps into Sara's house with the only thought being to kill her. However, when he sees her he can't help but fight his killing instinct, and a power of protectiveness feels him to his core. Sara maybe in a wheelchair, however she has a mighty fine attitude, and she doesn't take no crap from anyone. She just wants to live a normal life, but feels like something is missing in her life. When she meets Xanthus, she discovers that missing part and what her true destiny is. However, will she be able to trust him to protect her, and take her to her rightful home or will she just feel like an outsider forever?

This book is told from two points of view, Xanthus's and Sara's. I like when books do this, because I feel like you get more of the story that way. Holly drags the reader into the story, and makes you wish that you could grow a fin, because when she describes the underwater part it is so amazing. If you are a fan of mermaids, strong female characters, a good love story, and a story where characters find where they truly belong, than this book is for you!

Happy Underwater Adventures Friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Do or Di Review

Happy Friday Everyone!

 We made it through another week, and I think that is something to celebrate! Today I am going to review the comical Do or Di by Eileen Cook. I stumbled upon this book when I was looking for books to read on my kindle. When I read the description it pulled me in, and I knew that I had to give this book a chance. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed.

The description for this book was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A laugh out loud romantic comedy, from the author of Unpredictable and Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood. Erin Callighan has given up on the idea of a fairy tale romance. Having dated her own version of the Seven Dwarves (including Grumpy and Sleepy), she's letting go of the idea of Prince Charming and settling for Prince Good Enough. Erin’s focused on reaching her dream of having her own talk radio show, even if it means having to temporarily co-host with the annoying “Voice of Seattle”, Colin Stewart. To score points with her station manager, she agrees to be a part of the Positive Partnerships program that matches her with Diana, a troubled pre-teen who swears she's channeling the spirit of the late Princess Diana. She's supposed to be mentoring Diana, but the channeled princess has a lot to teach Erin about love and happily ever after endings."

Erin has given up on the idea of prince charming, and at the same time given up on true love. She now focuses all of her time and energy of having her own radio show. When she is given an opportunity to do just that, she is met with one little detail, she has to co-host a talk show with the one person she can't stand, Colin Stewart. Not only that but she has a teen that believes she is the conduct of the spirit for Princess Diana. Can her life be even more complicated? Erin decides to just go with what the station wants, and figures that if this goes off without a hitch, than she will soon have her own talk show. However she doesn't expect to find a new path that interests her along the way, and who knows she may even find love in the one place she didn't expect it.

Erin is like every woman who hasn't found their prince charming and is just settling for mister right now. We have all been in her shoes, and while reading the story you can feel everything Erin is feeling. You will laugh, scream, cry, and experience almost every emotion under the sun. Eileen has the capability of drawing the reader into her story, and taking you on a wild adventure. You get to experience the journey of discovery right along with Erin as she discovers who she really is and what she truly wants in life. Who knows you may discover something about yourself that you never knew as well.

Go read and follow your dreams readers!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Reflection Review

Hello Readers!

 I hope everyone had an amazing weekend, I know mine was relaxing after getting my final grades and graduation done. You all know how much of a Disney fan I am, and this book is by far one of my favorite retellings. Reflection by Elizabeth Lim, is a retelling of the amazing Disney movie Mulan! The second I saw this book was coming out, and read the description, I knew I had to have this book, and it did not disappoint.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld?
When Captain Shang is mortally wounded by Shan Yu in battle, Mulan must travel to the Underworld, Diyu, in order to save him from certain death. But King Yama, the ruler of Diyu, is not willing to give Shang up easily. With the help of Shang's great lion guardian ShiShi, Mulan must traverse Diyu to find Shang's spirit, face harrowing obstacles, and leave by sunrise--or become King Yama's prisoner forever. Moreover, Mulan is still disguised as the soldier called Ping, wrestling with the decision to reveal her true identity to her closest friend. Will Mulan be able to save Shang before it's too late? Will he ever be able to trust her again? Or will she lose him--and be lost in the Underworld--forever?"

What would have happened if Shang had been more severely wounded, and got shot with the arrow instead of Mulan? In this retelling, you get to dive into the what if world, and it is one amazing ride. Mulan has to travel to the Underworld to save Shang's soul, and save his life in the process. She joins Shang's guardian ShiShi, and runs into some trouble. She has to save Shang, but when she finds him will he willingly go with her or will he choose to stay where he can be reunited with his deceased loved ones?

What I really loved about this book, as the rest of the books in the series, it takes the story that we all know and love, and ramps it up a couple of notches. This story will take the reader on a wild journey into what would have happened if Shang got shot instead of Mulan. Mulan feels so much guilt that she knows she has to save Shang's life even if it means she exposes her secret and puts her own life in danger. Elizabeth takes the reader on a winding journey through the Underworld, and delivers a more in depth story to Mulan. She doesn't take anything away from what the movie does, but adds on to it and draws the reader into a dark world of what if's.

Enjoy the Underworld dearies!



Image taken from Goodreads website.

The Juliet Club Review

Hello!

 We have reached the middle of the week, and I wanted to share one of my favorite YA books with you. The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper, takes the reader one a wild journey full of love and laughter. It is set in Verona, Italy and is a summer camp for Shakespeare lovers.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Kate Sanderson inherited her good sense from her mother, a disciplined law professor, and her admiration for the Bard from her father, a passionate Shakespeare scholar. When she gets dumped, out of the blue, for the Practically Perfect Ashley Lawson, she vows never to fall in love again. From now on she will control her own destiny, and every decision she makes will be highly reasoned and rational. She thinks Shakespeare would have approved.

So when she is accepted to a summer Shakespeare symposium in Verona, Italy, Kate sees it as the ideal way to get over her heartbreak once and for all. She'll lose herself in her studies, explore ancient architecture, and eat plenty of pasta and gelato. (Plus, she'll be getting college credit for it—another goal accomplished!) But can even completely logical Kate resist the romance of living in a beautiful villa in the city where those star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet met and died for each other? Especially when the other Shakespeare Scholars—in particular Giacomo, with his tousled brown hair, expressive dark eyes, and charming ways—try hard to break her protective shell?

"In fair Verona, where we lay our scene . . . ""

Kate Sanderson is your average American teen, who knows Shakespeare like the back of her hand due to her father. When her boyfriend dumps her for another girl, her heart is broken and she decides never to fall in love again. When she gets accepted to go to Verona, Italy she decides that she will get lost in the world of Shakespeare and forget all about her troubles. However when she gets there she finds that the students want to play a trick on her and Giacomo. So they decide to turn the tables on the students, and go along with their plan. However along the way Kate discovers things about herself, learns to let go, and wonders if you can truly escape from love.

This is one story that will make the reader dive into the Shakespeare world with Kate. You will laugh, get angry, and root for her to figure out just exactly what she wants. You can also relate to Kate's character, especially if you have ever been dumped in High School for another girl. This is one adventure that Shakespeare would be proud of, and any lover of Shakespeare needs to read. Don't let this amazing story pass you by.

Go on an adventure in Verona and find yourself lost in the story readers!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

I'm Your Man Review

Hey Guys!

 Yes, I am doing two book reviews back to back this week, however I wanted to review I'm Your Man by my dear friend Joanne Rawson today because today this book is available on Amazon! Joanne provided me with an ARC copy for an honest review, and I will also be including links to the websites where you can buy yourself a copy of this amazing book!

The description was taken from Goodreads:

 "Ruth Jones loves her boyfriend Justin. He is handsome, has a killer body, and the sex is awesome. He does have one major fault though. He travels so much with work that she only gets to see him once or twice a week, and that is his reasoning for always wanting to . . . stay in. At first she’s happy that he only wants to be with her, but over time, his habit of jibbing out at the last minute for every family occasion, work function, or any bloody occasion that involves socializing, really does her head in. All she wants, for goodness sake, is for people to get to know her boyfriend. Okay, so she wants them to see she has a hunk of a boyfriend, but is that so wrong?

When Ruth wakes up in a hotel room one morning suffering from a major hangover, she tries to piece the events of the previous night together. Feeling let down by yet another no-show by Justin at a work function, she headed to the bar and ordered a drink. The last thing she remembers is sitting next to an average-looking guy with a nice accent and large hands, and wondering just what those hands could do given half the chance. When the bathroom door opens and Mr. Average walks out, she realizes that at the ripe old age of thirty-three, Ruth Jones has experienced her first one-night stand.

A one-night stand that is about to send her world into utter turmoil."

Ruth is happy with her boyfriend Justin, however as time goes on, she starts to wonder why he hasn't met her family, and every time she asks him to go somewhere, something suddenly comes up. When Ruth drowns her sorrows in a hotel bar one night, she wakes up the next morning discovering that she had a one night stand with the man, who she met at the bar. Ruth is thrown threw a whirlwind as she tries to figure out what and who she really wants. Can Ruth figure it out before it is too late?

In true Joanne fashion, the story is told from multiple points of view, so that you can get the bigger picture, plus see what everyone is thinking. This book will have you laughing till your crying, and in the end you will be rooting for Ruth to pick a certain man, although I am not going to say who that is because I don't want to give anything away. I have always loved everything Joanne writes, and this one is no exception, and I am excited for what she will come out with next. She has a talent for making the characters become more human, and she makes the story jump out at the reader, while drawing you in. If you are looking for a sexy romance novel, than this is your kind of book. I suggest everyone pick up a copy, because this is one romance that you won't want to miss.

As promised, here are the links on where you can buy this amazing book!

Amazon  Amazon uk    Smashwords  Kobo USA      Kobo UK      Nook 

 lulu  Lulu Uk  

Go fall in love with some sexy men, ladies!




Image taken from Goodreads website.

Cleopatra's Moon Review

Happy Friday Readers!!

 So I have always been a fan of Ancient Egypt and Cleopatra, when I saw this book and read the description I knew I had to read it. Cleopatra's Moon by author Vicky Alvear Shecter is told from Cleopatra's daughter point of view. Vicky has taken historical aspects and blended them into a beautifully crafted story that will transport the reader to Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Rome.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Selene grew up in a palace on the Nile under parents Cleopatra and Mark Antony - the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But when a cruel Roman Emperor takes the country and whisks the princess to Rome against her will. She finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies - until she reaches out to claim her own."

Selene witnesses her parents death, and than is forced to travel to a city and live with people who hate her and her mother. Selene and her brothers are paraded around to the Roman people as prized prisoners, and Selene will learn the hard way how her mother's reputation affects the way she is treated. She starts to notice certain things, and tries to live up to her family name, while navigating her life in Rome. She does fall in love with two different men, but in the end she picks the one that is best for her. This entire story is told from Selene's point of view and the reader gets a sense of what it was like for Cleopatra's children after the fall of Egypt.

Vicky pulls you into the story with the most amazing descriptions that will make you feel like you are in ancient cities yourself. She brings you on Selene's emotional roller coaster, and makes you want to learn more about the amazing place that was once Alexandria. You will also want to know more about Cleopatra, Anthony, Selene, and every character in this amazing story. The author leaves you a little historical note at the end to let you know what became of Selene and the man she chooses to live the rest of her life with.

This book is a must read for anyone who loves history, ancient Egypt, Cleopatra or the beautiful place that Alexandria once was.

Have an amazing journey into the past!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

From Here To You Review

Hello Fellow Readers!

 The book I am going to review today is From Here To You by the amazingly talented Jamie McGuire. Every book I have read of hers has pulled at my heart strings, and her characters are so real that you will feel a part of them. I have never been disappointed in any of Jamie's books, and this one blew me away yet again!

The description came from the Goodreads website:

 "As Darby Dixon sits in a tiny Texas church bathroom on her wedding day holding a positive pregnancy test, she realizes that of all the bad decisions she's made in her life, marrying her abusive fiancé would be the worst. She's never been able to stand up for herself, but she'll sure as hell stand up for her baby. With just the cash she has on hand, she runs to get a bus ticket to the farthest place she can afford. Between her sheer grit and pageant-queen smile, she lands a job as a front desk clerk at the Colorado Springs Hotel. It's not a glamorous life, but she and her baby are all that matters.

A former Marine, Scott "Trex" Trexler has worked in the most dangerous, corrupt, war-torn places on earth. Now he finally has a chance to return to the last place he'd felt at peace--Colorado Springs, Colorado, to take a new job with the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, a top-secret military installation buried deep within the granite.

The moment Trex walks into the inn, Darby knows he's dangerous. There's no way she wants to get involved with another man who seems to be keeping way too many secrets. As charming and devastatingly gorgeous as Trex is, he clearly isn't telling her everything. But as wildfires rage on the mountain and Darby's ex-fiancé shows he isn't so willing to let her go, both she and Trex are soon to find out that what you don't know absolutely can hurt you."

Darby knows that she is in a very bad relationship, but doesn't see anyway out of it, because she knows if she runs she will die. While panicking in a church bathroom, she discovers she is pregnant and knows that she has to leave the relationship for the sake of her child. She escapes and manages to find a job at a hotel in Colorodo Springs. While there she meets Trex, who wants Darby and will do anything to be with her, however he knows that something is wrong and he has to take things slow. You also get to hear about some of the Maddox brothers from the Beautiful Disaster series, but I am not telling you which ones. 

This book hit me really deep, because I was once in a horrible relationship just like Darby, where he was mentally abusive and that does something to a person. Darby's character was so close to how I felt that I could relate with her and everything she was going through. Also, might I dare say it but.....I found Trex to be sexier than Travis. Jamie knows how to bring the characters to life, and bring the reader into the story. Even if you haven't read anything by her before, you need to read this amazing story, because you won't be disappointed!

Go on adventures with a former Marine and sexy fireman readers!

Image taken from Goodreads website. 

The Dressmaker Review

Happy Friday Everyone!

  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know I am full from all that food I ate. But it is also really good to spend time with family during the holidays. Today I am going to be reviewing The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott. This book has to do with a seamstress that finds herself on the Titanic during that fateful voyage.

The description is taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love."

Tess believes that being hired by a famous designer will open up doors for her, and along her adventure on the Titanic she doesn't expect to find love with two different guys. When Titanic hits the ice berg, Tess doesn't know if she is going to survive or if anyone is going to survive. Through her terrifying journey through the sinking of Titanic and the trials afterwords, the reader gets a behind the scenes look into one of histories worst disasters. I didn't even know they had trials after the sinking until after reading this book, and the author goes into a lot of detail that will leave you wondering just who was at fault for the unsinkable ship sinking.

This is such a beautifully written story, and it doesn't take away the tragedy of all the innocent lives lost on that night the titanic sank. Kate does the story justice, and through her character Tess, the reader is brought along on the journey for the good and the bad. After reading this, you get a sense of what those people went through, the one's that lost their lives, and the one's that survived.

Happy reading about a new point of view about the Titanic.



Image taken from Goodreads website.

Austenland Review

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

  I hope everyone has a good, safe Thanksgiving tomorrow! As you know I am a huge fan of Jane Austen, and love every single one of her books. Today I am reviewing Austenland by author Shannon Hale. I couldn't put this book down when I read it, and when I saw they were making a movie, I knew I had to see it. I have actually read the book and watched the movie more times than I can count, and each time although I know what is going to happen, I am still drawn into the story.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?"

Jane Hayes is like every woman who reads Pride and Prejudice, falls in love with Mr. Darcy, well at least she is like me. Jane is giving the once in a lifetime opportunity to go back into Jane Austen's world, wearing the gowns they were, meeting gentlemen, living in Jane's shoes, and basically living every person's fantasy of living in Jane Austen's world. Jane has always wanted to meet her very own Mr. Darcy, and she might just have the chance to fall in love with a fictional character that has come to life.

This book will have you laughing, crying, screaming, and wanting Austenland to be a real place that you can visit. Even if you have seen the movie, which is just as amazing as the book, you still need to read this book, because it gives you deeper look into the story than the movie does. If you love Jane Austen and want the experience of living in her shoes, you need to read this book, and let it transport you to a resort that someone needs to build, because I want to go and find my own Mr. Darcy.

Happy journey into Jane Austen's world my friends!



Image taken from Goodreads website.

As Old As Time Review

Hello Fellow Book Geeks!!

  Can you believe that Thanksgiving is this week!?!? Where has this year gone, and why does every year feel like it is going faster and faster? My favorite Disney movie has always been Beauty and the Beast, so you can image when I found out there where doing a retelling of it, I was freaking out. Today I will be reviewing As Old As Time by the amazing Liz Braswell. This is also part of the Twisted Tales series, and I was so happy with this amazing story.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "What if Belle’s mother cursed the Beast?

Belle is a lot of things: smart, resourceful, restless. She longs to escape her poor provincial town for good. She wants to explore the world, despite her father’s reluctance to leave their little cottage in case Belle’s mother returns—a mother she barely remembers. Belle also happens to be the captive of a terrifying, angry beast. And that is her primary concern.

But Belle touches the Beast’s enchanted rose, intriguing images flood her mind—images of the mother she believed she would never see again. Stranger still, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful Enchantress who cursed the Beast, his castle, and all its inhabitants. Shocked and confused, Belle and the Beast must work together to unravel a dark mystery about their families that is twenty-one years in the making."

If you have seen the movie Beauty and the Beast or read the many different versions of the story, you know how the story goes. An enchantress curses a spoiled Prince, and turns him into a hideous beast to teach him a lesson. He has to get someone to fall in love with him to break the spell, and through twists and turns Belle falls in love with the beast and they live happily ever after. However, in this story Belle finds out it was her mom who cursed the beast, and together they must untangle a mystery from the past.

Liz sticks with the original Disney story, however she adds a sense of mystery to it that will leave the reader guessing until the very end of the story. There are new scenes thrown in with the old scenes, and nothing is taken away from the original story. In the movie Belle came to save the beast, however in this story when Belle gets into trouble it's up to the beast to save her. I loved this retelling so much, and I honestly believe that it gives a reader a deeper understanding of the story, and the sacrifices the characters are willing to make for each other. Liz brings a deeper understanding to the beautiful story of accepting someone for who they are, instead of how they look.

Dive into an adventure as old as time my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

The Binding Review

Hey it's Friday guys!

  For my last review of the week, I wanted to do a review on a story that has it all. The Binding by L. Filloon is one wild, action packed, adventure that you don't want to miss. It will have you laughing, screaming, crying, and wanting to reach through the book to slap the stupid out of one character (or at least that was what I wanted to do, but my Kindle didn't let me).

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging, but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers that her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe that her brother would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. Lily finds that Lucas’ disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she’s not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas.

On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they’re pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover that there’s a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal in Velesi.

Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin’s life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily’s best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins."

Lily is just your average girl, who is balancing teenage life and school, until one day she is rescued by a prince that claims she is the lost princess, and is arranged to be married to Tharin, who seems to hate her. Lily goes with them in hopes of getting her brother back, but along the way she will start learning a thing or two about herself, that will have her thinking about her future. She starts to get comfortable around the Sidhe elves, and it helps that her best friend Julie is along for the ride as well. Lily will have to learn how to control her new life, if she is going to stay alive long enough to live it.

L. Filloon gives the reader two points of view, one from Lily's and the other view from Tharin. In doing this you get to see how each character reacts to the same situation, and you get to see them grow along the way. I love it when authors tell stories from two different characters points of view, because I believe it helps the reader take a deeper dive into the story. Plus, you get to see what each character is thinking, and also get to peek behind the scenes, instead of only reading the story from one characters point of view. If you love magic, elves, adventure, and books that make the characters become a part of you, than you need to read this amazing book!

Good luck on your journey into the magical unknown!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Sky In The Deep Review

Hey Guys!

  Today I am going to be reviewing Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. This novel is about one girl's revenge against the people who took her brother, and her journey to discover the truth.

The description came from Goodreads website:

 "Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating."

Eelyn isn't your normal seventeen year old, she is a warrior who isn't afraid to takes someones life to protect her own, and her family. When in the midst of battle, she sees her brother fighting on the side of the enemy, Eelyn knows that she needs to get down to the bottom of what is going on. She sets out on a journey by herself to bring her brother back home. They hold her captive in enemy territory, until one day the village is attacked, and she knows in order for them to survive she has to bring the clans together. Along the way, she will find truth, understanding, love, and justice.

What I really loved about Eelyn is that she is a fierce warrior, who can save herself, and doesn't rely on a man to save her. We need to see strong female characters, who are so life like that we can identify with them and see the strength within ourselves. The descriptive words in this book will make the scenes come to life in the readers minds and you will feel like you are experiencing everything right along with Eelyn. I will warn all readers, there are some descriptive scenes in this book with violence, and gore, but it isn't overdone and actually makes the story that more interesting.

Good journey my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Tiger Lily Review

Hello Dearies!

 So I have loved the movie Peter Pan ever since I was a child, and if you have seen the movie than you will recognize the name of this book. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson brings the readers back to Neverland, for an all new adventure with the character of Tiger Lily. Jodi introduces you to another side of Neverland while introducing you to a character that stories about Peter Pan mention, but with this one you get to deep dive into just who exactly Tiger Lily is.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair...

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up."

Tiger Lily is in love with the mysterious boy who doesn't want to grow up, and since he is her first love, all she wants to do is be with him. Tiger Lily goes on a journey that will make her follow her heart, and find herself in the process. Jodi takes the secondary character of Tiger Lily, and gives her a new life. While reading this book, you get to see Tiger Lily in her own element, and she is given her voice. When I read this book I remember thinking that Tiger Lily is one strong woman, who will do anything for love, however in the end she finds who she is meant to truly be. This is a must read for anyone who wants to live in Neverland, and learn more about the amazing character of Tiger Lily.

Safe travels to Neverland my fellow lost readers!

Eligible: Review

Hello Readers!

 So my favorite book is and probably always will be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. With that being said I like to read variations of the story and see it from other authors perspective, which is exactly what you get with Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. Curtis takes the story and essence of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and puts a modern spin on the story that will have you drawn in from the first sentence.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "This version of the Bennet family and Mr. Darcy is one that you have and haven't met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master's degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won't discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane's fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip's friend, neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy, reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . And yet, first impressions can be deceiving."

Elizabeth or Liz as she is known in this book is in the career she loves, and in a city she loves. When her and Jane have to go back home to take care of their father, they come home to see their home is falling apart and their sisters aren't doing anything to help out. When Jane meets the handsome Chip Bingley, Liz is introduced to his best friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, which you can just imagine how that goes. Each character embodies the essence of the original characters, but they are brought into a more modern world. Normally with variations the author will try to make the characters their own, and the reader doesn't get the feeling like they are the same characters that they have come to love and know. However, Curtis takes Austen's characters into a modern world without them losing the characteristics that made readers everywhere fall in love with them.

If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice you need to read this book, because I know you won't be disappointed.

Happy retelling adventures my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

The Lantern's Ember Review

Happy Halloween!

 So we have now arrived to my favorite holiday, Halloween, and I have been saving this review for today, because it is perfect. Today I will be reviewing The Lantern's Ember by Colleen Houck, and this is the perfect Halloween story. Colleen takes you into a world of how Halloween started and while reading this book you will start to see all the Halloween stories you are used to.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Welcome to a world where nightmarish creatures reign supreme.

Five hundred years ago, Jack made a deal with the devil. It’s difficult for him to remember much about his mortal days. So, he focuses on fulfilling his sentence as a Lantern—one of the watchmen who guard the portals to the Otherworld, a realm crawling with every nightmarish creature imaginable. Jack has spent centuries jumping from town to town, ensuring that nary a mortal—or not-so-mortal—soul slips past him. That is, until he meets beautiful Ember O’Dare.

Seventeen, stubborn, and a natural-born witch, Ember feels a strong pull to the Otherworld. Undeterred by Jack’s warnings, she crosses into the forbidden plane with the help of a mysterious and debonair vampire—and the chase through a dazzling, dangerous world is on. Jack must do everything in his power to get Ember back where she belongs before both the earthly and unearthly worlds descend into chaos."

Ember is a witch that feels drawn to the Otherworld and she isn't sure why. Jack is a lantern, and has been watching over Ember ever since she was a child. Ember will do anything within her power to make it through the crossroad and into the Otherworld, even accept help from a Vampire. When Ember is brought into the Otherworld, Jack must leave his post and go chasing after her to try and bring her back home. While in the Otherworld, Ember meets creatures like Vampires, Demons, Witches, Werewolves, invisible men, Frankenstein, and even the boogieman makes an appearance. Colleen brings you into another world where creatures that we have only believed to be made up exist. She weaves a story that introduces how our favorite Halloween stories were created in a way, and all of her creatures make you think about one's you have heard before. This story will have you guessing until the end, and trust me when I say there is a twist that you never saw coming, and couldn't even begin to guess what it was until it his dropped on you like a bomb.

This book will get you in the Halloween spirit, even after all the ghouls have gone home for the night!

Trick or Treat with this fun delight my fellow ghouls and goblins!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Carrots: A Shelby Nichols Adventure Review

Happy Halloween Eve!

  So I have a review coming out tomorrow on Halloween, however I just got done reading this super intense amazing book, and I can't wait to review it. Carrots by Colleen Helme, is a non-stop action adventure, filled with gangsters, action, laughter, obsession, and carrots. This book was suggested to me last week by one of my co-workers and when I started reading I couldn't put it down. It was so good that before I even finished the book, I went ahead and ordered the rest of the 11 book series which will be here Thursday. I am already having trouble waiting a couple of days...

The description from the Goodreads website is as follows:

 "Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed."

Shelby was just your ordinary run of the mill stay at home mother, until she decided to pick up some carrots for dinner and her entire world changes. She starts to hear people's thoughts, and this leads her down a dangerous and thrilling adventure ride, where she learns things about herself, and the people around her. The things she gets herself into will make you laugh, and be on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next. You will want to kill some of the characters, slap them, cuss them, and will definitely fall in love with them.

I want to share a quote from Carrots with you, because when I read it I laughed, and could relate to how Shelby felt in that moment, and hopefully you will feel the same.

"I pulled into the parking lot, but all the close spots were taken, and I ended up parking so far away that I knew I'd get soaked. Did I really need the Carrots? I turned off the engine and without the wipers going, I could barely see out the windshield. I waited for a few minutes, hoping the rain would let up, but when it didn't, I knew I'd have to make a run for it."

Go fourth and dodge those bullets friends!



Image taken from Goodreads website.