To Make Monsters Out Of Girls Review

Happy Hump-Daaaay!

 So I was walking through Target one day, and came across a book that drew my attention to the cover. When I read the description, I decided to give it a try, although this would only be the second book of poetry I have read. I was also worried about the trigger warnings, and didn't know what to expect when I read the warning. However, I decided to give it a try and went ahead and bought it. To Make Monsters Out of Girls by Amanda Lovelace, was not what I expected in a good way. The way she wrote the poems had me connecting with her on an emotional level, and it made me realize that I was holding on to the people in my life who did me wrong. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and I realized after reading this book that I need to bury the past and move on.

The description comes from the Goodreads website:

 ""What happens when the man of your dreams turns out to be a nightmare with sharp teeth and claws?"

Winner of the 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Poetry, amanda lovelace presents her new illustrated duology, “things that h(a)unt.” In this first installment, to make monsters out of girls, lovelace explores the memory of being in an abusive relationship. She poses the eternal question: Can you heal once you’ve been marked by a monster, or will the sun always sting?"

This is the first book that I have read by Amanda Lovelace, and I am definitely going to continue to read what she writes. Amanda has found a way to turn her experiences into lessons and add stories that will make people who have been in the same situations as her, believe that there is a way for them to be whole again. These poems are something I wish I could say to my ex, and made me understand that I was not alone in the world. They helped me understand that I need to let go of the past, because if you keep living in the past, you can never really grow to become the person you were meant to be.

One of the poems that stuck out to me when I read it, was the poem that she starts out with. I have provided it for you below taken from the book To Make Monsters Out Of Girls...

"this is the sun-filled sky. these are the singing blackbirds. these are the empty pews. this is the cracked piano. this is the choking choir. these are the withered roses. this is my little black dress. these are my tear-dry cheeks. this is my red lipstick grin. this is your silent eulogy. this is our word-wrapped coffin. and this-this is how i will bury you. -it's much too late to repent, sweetheart."

If this touched something within your soul or you find yourself relating to this in anyway, than you need to pick up this amazing book. Know that your inner monster can be set free if you truly want it to be, and you can believe in yourself again.

Release those inner monsters my friends, and know that you are loved!

Agatha Christie Fun Facts

Happy Tuesday!

 Today I decided to do another fun facts about an author post, since I have done one in a while. Today I am going to be providing fun facts about Agatha Christie, who is known to be one of the best mystery writers. Not a lot of people know a lot about Agatha Christie, and I hope that some of the facts I provide today will help people understand her and read more of her books.

Let's get this list party started!

• The first novel she ever written she wrote on a dare from her sister.
• Her character Hercule Poirot was based on a strange man she saw one day, when he was boarding a bus.
• She once disappeared for 10 days without telling anyone where she was going. Turns out she just went to a spa to have some time away from her relationship.
• She loved to surf with her husband.
• She didn't like taking author photos, because she didn't want to be recognized in public.
• You can actually rent her home for $500 a night.
• She was educated at home by her mother and her governess.
• She is the only female dramatist ever to have had three plays running simultaneously in London’s West End.
• In 1922 she traveled around the world.
• She was a huge dog lover.
• When her male detective Hercule Poirot "died" he was given a full page obituary in the New York Times.
• Green was her favorite color.
• On the day she died the West End theaters dimmed their lights for one hour.
• For many years she was the President of the local amateur drama society in Wallingford.
•  In 1931 she read one of her own stories on BBC radio.
• She was the first crime writer to have 100,000 copies of ten of her titles published by Penguin on the same day in 1948 - A Penguin Million.

I hope that some of these facts about Agatha Christie helped interest you in her as an author. I have read a couple of her books and couldn't put them down, because with her writing you don't know who the murderer is until the very end when she wants the reader to know the truth, and how the murder was committed.

References:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/85723/15-mysterious-facts-about-agatha-christie
https://www.agathachristie.com/about-christie/christie-experts/john-curran-75-facts-about-christie

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.

A List of Some of the Best Book Series I Have Read

Hey Readers!

 I decided to provide a list of some of the best book series that I have read so far, in hopes that I can help other readers find that perfect series for themselves. This is only going to contain series that I have read as of now, but I am always looking for more. If you have any suggestions for me or see a series that you loved as well, please feel free to comment and let me know!

They are not going to be in any specific order, because I love these so much they are hard to assign numbers to.

• The Splintered Series by A.G. Howard
• A Shelby Nichols Adventure Series by Colleen Helme
• On Dublin Street Series by Samantha Young
• Beautiful Series by Jamie McGuire
• Precious Stone Trilogy by Kerstin Gier
• Fire Spirits Series by Samantha Young
• Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
• The Velesi Trilogy by L. Filloon
• The Queen of the Tearling Series by Erika Johansen
• Fairy Tales of the Magicorum by Christina Bauer
• Nocturne Falls Series by Kristen Painter
• Ramses the Damned Series by Anne Rice
• Austenland by Shannon Hale
• Twisted Tales Series by Liz Braswell, and Elizabeth Lim

I have probably left out some series that I have read, but these are just some of them. If you like you should check out some of these series to see if they are something that you could get into. As always if you have a suggestion please feel free to leave a comment, because I am always looking for that next book!

Happy Reading!!

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star Review

Happy Wednesday!

 I have made it no secret of how much I love Mr. Darcy, and the book Pride and Prejudice. Today I wanted to share with you all a fun rocktastic retelling of my favorite Austen book ever! Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud, is one of the best retellings of Pride and Prejudice that I have ever read!

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 ""Darcy's as hot as he is talented..."

Fast music, powerful beats, and wild reputations-on and off stage-have made virtuoso guitarist Fitzwilliam Darcy's band into rock's newest bad boys. But they've lost their latest opening act, and their red-hot summer tour is on the fast track to disaster. Now Darcy and bandmates Charles Bingley and Richard Fitzwilliam are about to meet their match...

"But she's about to rock his world..."

Enter Elizabeth Bennet, fiercely independent star of girl-band Long Borne Suffering. Elizabeth, her sister Jane, and friend Charlotte Lucas have talent to spare and jump at the opening band slot. Elizabeth is sure she's seen the worst the music industry has to offer. But as the days and nights heat up, it becomes clear that everyone is in for a summer to remember."

Imagine if Elizabeth and Darcy were thrown into the modern world and became rock stars. This is exactly what this book gives you while still staying true to the original story. All the characters that you know and love are back, and all the love/hate relationships are still there, they are just thrown in with a mix of rock and roll. I am trying not to give too much away, because I don't do spoilers, but I want to make sure that people understand how amazing this book is. I will admit I was skeptical when I first picked up this book, but when I started reading I was not disappointed, and I couldn't put it down. It will have you dreaming of Mr. Darcy in tight pants for years to come. This is one story you would want to read over and over again. This novel allows the wonderful story of Pride and Prejudice to be presented to a whole new audience. This is one novel Jane Austen would be proud of.

Rock out with Darcy my fellow readers!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Flame in the Mist Review

Happy New Year's Eve Guys!

 Today I wanted to review a book that I just finished reading, and I actually finished it in two days because I could not put it down! Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh takes the reader on one wild adventure of one girls journey to find who she really is in life, and where she belongs.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires."

Mariko does not accept her fate of being a pawn for her family to gain power, and force her to marry some Prince she has never met. She knows that there is more out there for her, however she doesn't want to let her family down. When her convoy is attacked while taking her to her fiance, she barely escapes with her life, and makes it her mission to figure out who would want her killed. In so doing she is lead down a path of self discovery that she never thought was possible. She also is put in several positions where she must decide if she should follow her heart or protect her family.

What I loved most about this story is being drawn  into a different culture, and the story being told from multiple characters points of view. You think that some stories being told from multiple points of view would get confusing, but it doesn't, and it allows the reader to see different versions of the story throughout the book.You will laugh, scream, feel pain, and be shocked when the ending is reveled. Yes it ends on a slight cliff hanger, however the second book Smoke in the Sun is already available so you don't have to wait that long to continue this amazing story.

Take a long needed journey to find your inner warrior 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.

Made For Me Review

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

 I hope everyone had an amazing day yesterday! I know I loved spending time with my family during the Holidays! Today I wanted to do a fun book review for ya'll. Made for Me by Kathryn R. Biel is one laugh out loud, romantic comedy, that any Project Runway lover would absolutely love!

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Michele's lack of focus in life hasn't bothered her, until the day she finds herself with mounting credit card debt, unable to afford her rent, and without a job. While her meddling family questions how she can end up in this predicament, at the age of 29, and single to boot, Michele doesn't want to admit the truth. All she wants to do is sew.

Faced with the prospect of moving back into her parents' house, Michele throws a Hail Mary pass and applies for a TV design contest, Made for Me. In order to win the contest, Michele will have to compete with nine other contestants to design the new wardrobe for Duchess Maryn Medrovovich, who's about to marry Prince Stephan of the United Republic of Montabago.

While in the seclusion of the show, Michele starts to realize where her focus in life should be, and what's truly important to her. However, a dashing competitor might just cause her to lose her focus once and for all. Can Michele keep her eye on the prize while being true to herself?"

Michele thought that she had her life together, until one day reality came crashing down on her head. Michele finds herself in a tough spot, and doesn't want to live with her parents at the age of 29. She decides to enter into a television show for designers, and although she doesn't believe she will get a spot, the producers love her ideas so much that she is selected for the show. Now not only is she having to design outfits for a Duchess to wear in public, but she is having to deal with her anxiety of being on television and trying to keep her eye on the prize where so many distractions are thrown her way. Along the way she is able to find her path, and realizes just want she wants to do with her life even if she loses the competition. But will a television romance put a plug in Michele's dreams?

While reading this book, I found myself relating to Michele on just about every level, except I am older, and I am not a fashion designer. What I loved most about this book, is you were transported into the story right along with Michele and were able to connect with her on an emotional level. When she is anxious, I was anxious, when she was laughing, I was laughing, when she was crying, I was crying, and so on. This goes beyond just a story, because it takes the reader on their own journey to find something that might be missing in their life.

Happy tailoring your lives my 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.

Fun Facts about Charlotte Bronte

Hey Readers!

 Today I wanted to showcase some more fun facts about another one of my favorite authors, Charlotte Bronte. She is the author of the amazing Jane Eyre, as well as other amazing works. When I read Jane Eyre, I fell in love with the story telling and of course the brooding Mr. Rochester. I honestly don't know a lot about Charlotte's life, and wanted to find some facts to share with you today, so we can all learn about this amazing author together.

• She was born on April 21, 1816
• She had five siblings
• She was able to see and read better in the dark, than she was in the light
• She was a teacher for a time, but actually despised it
• She was only about four and a half feet tall
• The school in Jane Eyre is based on her and her sisters experiences while in a school just like it
• If she was alive today she would be 201 years old
• Her sisters wanted her to make the character of Jane Eyre beautiful, thinking the public wouldn't embrace a plain looking heroine, however she refused to change Jane's appearance
• She was proposed to four different times, and turned down every single one of them
• She married Arthur Nicholls, and eight months after her wedding 
• She wrote stories with her siblings based on her brother Bramwell's toy soldiers
• She outlived her parents and her siblings
• She wrote a book of poetry with her sisters Anne and Emily
• When she published Jane Eyre under the name Currer Bell, it was an instant success
• She spoke with an Irish accent
• Her father was slightly paranoid and carried a pistol everywhere

There are a lot more intersting facts about Charlotte Bronte if you would like to know more, all you have to do is Google. The sites were I found the above facts can be found at:

http://www.annebronte.org/2017/03/19/10-fascinating-facts-about-charlotte-bronte/

https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/20-things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-charlotte-bront%C3%AB/

https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/five-interesting-facts-about-charlotte-bronte

https://www.cbc.ca/books/20-fascinating-facts-about-charlotte-bront%C3%AB-on-her-200th-birthday-1.4095025

http://tonsoffacts.com/30-awesome-and-interesting-facts-about-charlotte-bronte/

https://www.biography.com/people/charlotte-bront-11919959

Branded Review

We made it to Friday everyone!

 Today I am going to be reviewing a YA book called Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki. This is a dystopian novel set in the future where criminals are punished in a certain way.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

Constant darkness.

Brutal and savage violence.

Excruciating pain.

Every day is a fight for survival.

But I won’t let them win. I will not die in the Hole.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story."

Lexi has been accused of a crime she didn't commit, and now she much be punished for it. When she gets thrown into the hole she is assigned a special guard, and gets a job at the hospital. She sees how people look at her brand, and sees how they are treated. There are a couple of times that Lexi gets in to trouble, and her guard has to watch out for her. Along the way she will realize the truth about the Commander and the truth about the hole. But will she find out the truth in time to save herself or will she be too late?

This is a very powerful story about one girl's journey to find herself and to prove her innocence. The authors draw you into the story, and make you feel exactly what Lexi is feeling. What I really loved about this book is Lexi starts out as a damsel in distress, but she finds her strength, and starts to stand up for herself. It's a book about a harsh future where you have to fight to survive, and there is a little love thrown into the mix along the way. This is one adventure you won't want to miss.

Journey into the future fellow readers!



Image taken from 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.

Dear Mr. Knightley Review

Happy Monday Guys!

  I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was busy trying to finish up homework before graduation, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Today I am going to be reviewing Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. This is an Austen inspired book with the retelling of a book called Daddy Long Legs, that will play with your emotions, but in a good way.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters."

Samantha Moore survived the worst time in her life by reading books and using the fictional characters from her stories to adapt her personality. When she starts receiving letters from a mysterious person, who goes by the name of Mr. Knightley, she is hesitant at first. She has trust issues, which in all honesty is understandable given the life she is living. While writing to Mr. Knightley, Sam starts to open herself up to the people around her, and even makes a couple of friends along the way. However when the true identity of Mr. Knightley is reveled, that trust that Samantha built up around her will start to crumble and she will start to wonder if she can ever trust anyone again.

This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster, it will make you laugh, cry, and just feel deep in your heart. I found a connection to Samantha because she is a book nerd who fell in love with the fictional characters that she reads about. I know when I find a really good book that draws me in, I start to have real feelings for the characters whether they are feelings of love or anger. I recommend this book to anyone who has fallen in love with a fictional character, and loves a good story where the main character goes on a journey to find herself.

Happy journey my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Jane Austen Fun Facts

Hello Guys!

  So here is the first post of something new I am going to try with my blog. Today I am going to provide some fun facts about my favorite author Jane Austen. Jane Austen lived in a time where woman were only supposed to take care of the home, and no one would publish a book that was written by a woman. Austen is the author of several books that include: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abby, and short stories that she didn't get to finish before her death. I have compiled a list of fun facts and wanted to share them with you.

• She never got married, however she did become engaged one time, but called it off the next day
• There are 14 kisses in Jane Austen's novels
• She was the first writer to use the phrase "dinner party"
• She also wrote poetry and was always writing when she was 12 up to her death at 41
• Her chores included: Breakfast maker, Tea maker, Sugar keeper, and wine keeper
• There was only one man who she truly loved, which was Tom Lefroy, and he broke her heart (this can also be seen in the movie "Becoming Jane")
• She loved dancing
• After her novels ended, she would dream of what became of her characters
• One of her royal relatives was Mary, Queen of Scots, fourth cousin, seven times removed
• Her sister Cassandra and her were very close, Cassandra never married eith

I wanted to share one of the poems that Jane wrote with you as well:

 Lines Written By Jane Austen For The Amusement Of A Niece- On the marriage of Frank Austen and Mary Gibson, July 1806

"See they come, post haste from Thanet,

Lovely couple, side by side;

They've left behind them Richard Kennet

With the Parents of the Bride!"

I found the above information using the following resources:

https://www.biography.com/news/jane-austen-biography-facts

http://www.10-facts-about.com/Jane-Austen/id/1380

Book:

The List Lover's Guide To Jane Austen by Joan Strasbaugh