Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts

Friday, January 4, 2019

The Iron Butterfly Review

Happy Fri-yay!

 We have made it to Friday, and I have to work tomorrow, but oh well. Today I am reviewing The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn. This is another book where the main character is in a difficult situation, and has to find the strength to survive a world where someone wants her as an experiment.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Imprisoned, starved and left with no memories, Thalia awakens to find herself at the mercy of an evil cult known as the Septori. Their leader has chosen Thalia as the test subject for a torture device of untold power, designed to change and twist her into something that is neither human nor Denai.

Escaping, Thalia finds an unwilling warrior to protect her and an unlikely Denai to befriend her. After finding a home at the Citadel as a servant, Thalia’s worst nightmare comes to life and she begins to show signs of power. Scared and unable to control her gifts, she tries to hide her past to fit in among the Denai. But the Septori want their latest test subject back and will stop at nothing to retrieve her, dead or alive."

Thalia just wants to live her life, and doesn't want to become a test subject. She decides that she needs to escape and she needs help to do it. When she finds two guys to help her, she never expects to find love and a twisting journey along the way. Will she be able to hide from the evil cult or will they catch up with her and put her through unimaginable torture?

This novel takes the reader into a world of wonder and intrigue. You will be rooting for her to end up with one person, and than changing your mind in the mist of it. I couldn't put this book down, because I had to know what happened next. I am happy to admit this is one book I stayed up late to finish, and was so happy that it is part of a trilogy. Once I finished this one, I had to buy book two just to continue the journey with characters that I had come to know and love!

Happy Trails Readers!

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Image taken from Goodreads website.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

William Shakespeare Fun Facts

Hello again!

 Today I wanted to keep the fun facts about different authors going, and decided to go with William Shakespeare. Yes I am aware he technically didn't write books, but he is known for some of the best plays that we have in existence, and he is considered an author, well a playwright. Let's get started on learning more about Shakespeare.

  • Shakespeare is widely considered the world’s greatest dramatist
  • He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets
  • He married Anne Hathaway when he was only 18 years old
  • He acted in many of his plays performances
  • His acting company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men, built the Globe theater for their performances in 1599
  • Before Shakespeare, the English language was much less codified with no official dictionary and many variations on spelling
  • Shakespeare has given many memorable phrases to the English language, such as “wild goose chase”, “foregone conclusion” “in a pickle"
  • Macbeth was often unpopular for its reference to witches which created fear in the middle ages. There remains a long theater superstition of saying aloud the name ‘Macbeth’
  • When he died he only left his wife Anne a bed
  • There is a belief that a curse lays on Shakespeare's grave for anyone who moves his bones
  • Shakespeare introduced almost 3,000 words to the English
  • He references suicide 13 times in his plays, mainly by characters dying by their own hand
  • Nobody can for certain tell when exactly his birthday is
  • They never did figure out what caused him to die
  • He disappeared from the history books between 1585 and 1592. No one can find any trace of what he was doing during this time
  • Shakespeare had seven siblings
I hope you learned something new about William Shakespeare that you didn't know before fellow readers!

Facts found at the following websites:


https://www.biographyonline.net/poets/facts-shakespeare.html
https://www.williamshakespeare.net/facts.jsp


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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, December 21, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Winterspell Review

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

 With Christmas being right around the corner I wanted to review a book that put me in the Christmas spirit. Winterspell by Claire Legrand is a retelling of the Nutcracker, and what a story it is. I honestly knew very little about the Nutcracker before I read this book, and I haven't even seen the ballet of it, although I have always wanted to. Even with going in not knowing a lot about the story, this story paints a clear and descriptive picture of what the Nutcracker is about.

The description was taken from the Goodreads  website:

 "The clock chimes midnight, a curse breaks, and a girl meets a prince…but what follows is not all sweetness and sugarplums.

New York City, 1899. Clara Stole, the mayor’s ever-proper daughter, leads a double life. Since her mother’s murder, she has secretly trained in self-defense with the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

Then, on Christmas Eve, disaster strikes.

Her home is destroyed, her father abducted—by beings distinctly not human. To find him, Clara journeys to the war-ravaged land of Cane. Her only companion is the dethroned prince Nicholas, bound by a wicked curse. If they’re to survive, Clara has no choice but to trust him, but his haunted eyes burn with secrets—and a need she can’t define. With the dangerous, seductive faery queen Anise hunting them, Clara soon realizes she won’t leave Cane unscathed—if she leaves at all.

Inspired by The Nutcracker, Winterspell is a dark, timeless fairy tale about love and war, longing and loneliness, and a girl who must learn to live without fear."

Clara's world is thrown through a loop on Christmas Eve when her home is destroyed and her father is taken. Clara doesn't know what to do, until she learns about the world of Cane. Clara must journey into the unknown if she wants to save her father and the life she has always known. Clara must put aside her fears and find the strength within herself to save the world of Cane and save Nicholas, who she must trust with her life. If she can get Nicholas back on a throne that is rightfully his, than she can return with her father to her own world. Will Clara be able to save her father or will her fears overcome her that she succumbs to them and is trapped in the world of Cane forever?

Claire is such an amazing storyteller, that she brings the reader into a dark retelling of the Nutcracker, and spins the most beautiful story of a heroine who must find her true self. She gives life to all of her characters, and with her storytelling, the reader doesn't have to know anything about the Nutcracker prior to reading the story. This is one story that everyone who loves adventure, mystery, and characters going on a journey to find out who they really are, cannot miss!

Enjoy this dark Nutcracker retelling adventure my friends!

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The image was taken from the Goodreads website.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Christmas Gifts For Book lover's Part 2

Hello Friends!

 So since Christmas is right around the corner, I decided to get another list together of some gift ideas for the book lover's in your life! Like last time I will include the website on where you can find the items, in case you decide to get something on the list for someone else or even yourself!


  • Book Lover’s Flannel PJ Set: https://www.sagefinds.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=V7734+XL&srccode=NXCAC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed&source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiAjNjgBRAgEiwAGLlf2oPathmyVU_MUarcVTBLtTnCvxNn_trNigaz3DhRT4-NYc8KKiYKyhoC5e8QAvD_BwE
  • Book Clutch:https://mymodernmet.store/collections/vendors?q=BAGatelle%20Studio 
Gifts for Book Lovers Book Bags

  • Classic Book Cover Necklace: https://www.etsy.com/listing/567279911/vintage-book-locket-charms-little-women?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=book+jewelry&ref=sc_gallery-1-4&plkey=12c4f333329d45dbdbe8ba9bce9d90712e2cf879%3A567279911&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&awc=6220_1545015063_bd7ee583fa3b94b0140e002efec910fe&utm_content=259915
Gifts for Book Lovers

  • Fairy Tale Bookmarks: https://mymodernmet.store/collections/bookmarks
Gifts for Book Lovers

  • Book Locket: https://www.etsy.com/listing/506274994/book-locket-secret-message-personalised?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=book%20lover&ref=sr_gallery-1-10&organic_search_click=1&ep_click=1&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&awc=6220_1545015242_ee87d7d04e46a0e517edff284a9c602d&utm_content=259915
Gifts for Book Lovers Book Locket

  • Book Worm Phone Case: https://www.etsy.com/shop/chicklitdesigns?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=16199099&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&awc=6220_1545015318_88970d1db6b09580de2afc6421aecb50&utm_content=259915
Gifts for Book Lovers

  • Scratch off poster (for when you don't know what to read next or want to be surprised): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XM9CMP/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mymome0f-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B075XM9CMP&linkId=fde78c2248be88c3cd27e3b03b2cee2a
Gifts for Book Lovers

  • Hand warmers and scarf: https://www.basbleu.com/guide/guide-literati/love-live-read-hand-warmers/UQ0982.html
Woman wearing blue scarf and handwarmers

I hope this list and the one before gives you some idea if you are stuck. And heck if you can't get them by Christmas, there are other holidays, birthdays, and just other occasions that you can gift some of these items. 

Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season everyone! 

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

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

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Monday, December 10, 2018

Splintered Review

Happy Monday Guys!

  I hope everyone had a good weekend, I know mine was busy getting everything down for the end of my semester. I wanted to review a book that I love so, so much! Splintered by A.G. Howard, is a retake on Alice in Wonderland, with a dark twist, and a sexy guy named Morpheus, who ended up on my hot literary guys list last week.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own."

Alyssa is just your run of the mill ordinary girl, except she hears flowers and bugs talking to her. She thinks she is going crazy and tries to chalk it up as to hearing things. When her mother starts slipping further away from reality, Alyssa meets Morpheus, who helps Alyssa realize that everything her mother was telling her was probably true. Take into account this mysterious man, and her crush on her best friend Jeb, and you got one love triangle on your hands. As Alyssa journeys through Wonderland, the reader is taken on an action packed adventure with her, and you will see all your favorite scenes from Wonderland, and a few more that take the story into a whole new world.

A.G. Howard has a talent for making sexy male characters, Morpheus will always be my favorite, although Jeb doesn't sound too bad, and taking the reader through a magical journey. She has the ability to pull the reader into the story, where you will experience all the wonder that Alyssa is experiencing, and you will feel like you are walking and dancing in Wonderland right along with her. If you love Alice in Wonderland or just love retellings that don't take away from the classic story, than you don't need to miss out on this once in a lifetime adventure. Also, this is book one of a trilogy, and all I have to say is the adventure just keeps getting better and better!

Have a tea party with Morpheus down in Wonderland fellow readers!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, December 7, 2018

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!

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Image taken from Goodreads website.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

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.

Friday, November 30, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

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!

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Image taken from Goodreads website. 

Monday, November 26, 2018

Royal Bastards Review

Happy Monday Everyone!

  I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Today I am going to be reviewing Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts. I will admit the title of the book did initially draw me to pick it up, however after I read the description inside the cover of the book, I knew I had to read it. Although it does start out slow, I continued to read it to see what would happen, and I wasn't disappointed.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had true born children.

At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stable hand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children.

Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness.

Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery.

The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . . "

The description basically gives the reader the idea of what the book is going to be about without giving away anything. There really isn't anything about the story that I can say without giving anything away. I will say that there is a lot of romance, but there are no descriptive sex scenes or anything like that. The book does end on a cliff hanger, however that is to be expected because this book is the first part of a trilogy. You will fall in love with the characters, I developed a crush on Zell, but apparently I have a thing for bad boys, lol. If you are able to stick with the story and give it a chance, you shouldn't be disappointed. I actually started to like the story by the middle of it.

With this book it is honestly a hit or miss. It will have a lot to do with what kind of books you like to read, and if you can actually make it to the middle part. If the description doesn't make you 100% sure you want to read it, than I suggest you don't because you probably won't like it.

Happy journeys  my friends!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

New Announcement!!!!

Happy Sunday Readers!!

 I am going to try something new with my blog. I have been doing three posts a week, however I am now going to add two additional days. I will be releasing posts Monday thru Friday. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will still be book reviews. Tuesday and Thursday, I will be adding new fun posts that are related to books.

I have been thinking of adding some fun facts about different authors, book quotes for book nerds, and some other fun things that I will write about. I am going to take the weekends off, because I am currently working on my Bachelor's degree and my weekends are normally dedicated to homework, because I work a full time job during the week.

Any who, I have some books to review, so I will let you go for now, and I can't wait for ya'll to read about the book I will be reviewing on Monday!

Have a great night, and dream about your favorite fictional character!

Friday, November 23, 2018

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.

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Image taken from Goodreads website.

Monday, November 19, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Friday, November 16, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Juliet: A Review

Happy Wednesday!

 My favorite play by William Shakespeare has and always will be Romeo and Juliet. So today, I am going to be reviewing Juliet by Anne Fortier. I remember the day I picked up this book, I was walking around the bookstore looking for my next adventure when the title jumped out at me. I flipped the book around and the second I read the description, I knew that I had to have this book. It has now became one of my favorites that I have read over and over!

The description comes from the Goodreads website:

 "When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo—but where is he?"

Julie's orderly world is turned upside down when her aunt passes away, and she is left with a huge mystery on her hands. She decides to travel to Siena, Italy to figure out what her mother left for her in a safety-deposit box, what she doesn't expect is to be thrown into a historical rabbit hole, where the story she grew to love is actually a reality. Along the way she meets characters, who have a huge part to play in the outcome, and that will help her get down to the truth of the story of the real Romeo and Juliet. Along the way she will have to learn to leave her comfort zone, and do things that she normally wouldn't do. Will she be able to find Romeo to save her or is he just a fictional character?

I absolutely loved the way Anne brings the reader into both the past and the present by telling the story from Julie's and Giulietta's points of view. Her take on Romeo and Juliet is so beautiful and gives Shakespeare's characters a new way to live in the modern world. Anne captures the essence of Shakespeare's writing while at the same time putting a new and interesting twist on the tale that we have all come to know. You will see characters and scenes in this book that give a whole new meaning to the scenes from the play. This is a must read for fans of William Shakespeare, and who love the story of the star crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet.

Fall in love with a pair of star crossed lovers all over again!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.


Monday, November 12, 2018

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!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.