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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Title: Dead Girls Don't Lie
Author:Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Pages:352
Genre: Teens & YA, Mystery
Version Reviewed: E-book provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publication: September 17th, 2013 by Walker Childrens
Website:Author's Website
Add The book on goodreads:Here
Where to buy it atAmazon Barnes&Noble


Goodreads synopsis:
Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text. 

Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth. 

In the follow-up to her powerful debut, Jennifer Shaw Wolf keeps readers on their toes in another dark, romantic story of murder and secrets.

Review:
After reading the synopsis I figured that I would love this book considering it reminded me alot of one of my favorite television shows 'Veronica Mars,' I mean their plots are so similar you can't help but compare the two just by reading the summary. One friend dies and the other goes on an investigation to find out the true killer, whats not to love?

Apparently I was mistaken.

This book fell short for me, perhaps it was because I went into this thinking like Veronica but this book was one that I found myself struggling through.

Jaycee and Rachel are best friends, they decide to go to this old house one night where Rachel see's something and starts acting funny. She basically freezes Jaycee out and their friendship suffers because of it. They loose touch but six months later Jaycee gets a text message from Rachel asking for help but because they had not been talking she chooses to ignore it. The next morning she finds out that Rachel is dead. Feeling guilty for ignoring the text message, Jaycee goes on a hunt to find the real killer with help from the clues Rachel left her before she died.

Here is where my problems start off. I loved the way the setting's where created, the description's were fairly good until it came down to the actual character personalities. Jaycee is this shy quiet wallflower who is one that goes with the crowd, a follower if you will. So, when she gets this information that the murder was not gang related, why did she not go to the cops? Given she was told not to trust them, it didn't fit that shy, meek girl to go against that basic instinct and search for the truth.

Another thing that bothered me was the small town vibe. I originally liked it, being from a small town myself I figured it would be a setting that I could come to relate to and find myself enjoying but the racism that seemed to pop up was a little much. I think what really bothered me was that all the migrant workers didn't go to church and where bad or gang related vs. the Caucasian church goers where saintly angels.  

I have known plenty of people that I will classify as evil who are church goer's. It also didn't make sense that it being such a small town and not knowing the names of everyone in the school. Especially a kid who goes missing for six months. 

Sadly the twists and turns where extremely expected and I figured out the who done it before I was even halfway through the book. 

It had the chance of being a very great book, I think it was just executed poorly.

Rating:
2 out of 5 stars.


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Pages:344
Genre:New Adult, Teens & YA
Version Reviewed: e-book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publication:February 4th 2014 by Disney Hyperion
Website:Author Website
Add The book on goodreads:Here
Where to buy it at:
Amazon Barnes & Noble

Goodreads synopsis:
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet

Review:
It took me three tries to read this book, not to say that it was written poorly but because I was just pregnant. Which sums it up in a nutshell because while pregnant I didn't want to read very much and have actually just now gotten the drive back to get back into reading and reviewing.

I decided to try one last time in my effort to clear my TBR list that always seems to grow and started this over from the very start. It was a decision that I don't regret once bit because this book kept me fairly occupied when my child slept.

It actually reminds me of a better version of the television show "Starcrossed." Only this book seemed to focus more on the action then the inter species romance. The danger in this story is something that I would come to expect in an everyday setting when facing people with something unknown and fueling their fear with ignorance and hate.

I have read some reviews on this book and I will not lie I was kind of floored by how some people took this book. They didn't think it was creative because the planets where alike but they did not stop to think that in order to house a species so close to human kind the atmosphere would have to be similar. And they where not entirely alike, there was not as much color or scents as Earth. Same went for their food, it was all grassy and roots, the textures and the spices Earth used was to much.

I don't understand the bashing on the fact that the aliens where so alike except for a belly button and no pinky toe. It is obvious from the cover that they are gonna be extremely alike.

I think what my favorite aspect of this book was that unlike so many other books there was no instant romance. The characters did not fall in love at first sight, rather they disliked each other until they began to learn more about one another. I like that this book took the time, pretty much the entire book, to set up a good foundation for a relationship even through the lies.

Strangely enough I find myself excited for the second book which is a big step for me because I am not a huge fan of aliens novels. I am excited to see how they do on their separate planets with different people and different situations.

Rating:
3.5 out of 5 Stars!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Title: Second Star
Author:Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Pages:248
Genre:Teen & YA
Version Reviewed: E-book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publications:May 13th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Website:Author's Wesite
Add The book on goodreads: Here
Where to buy it at:
Amazon Barnes & Noble

Goodreads Synopsis:
A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

Review:
Anyone who knows me or who has stopped by my page before, knows that I am a huge fan of fairy tale re-telling. In fact I actually hope to be struck with the inspiration stick and create one myself. I have a tendency to snatch up any re-telling that I can get my hands on and devour it for better or for worse.

This one was definitely for better. I thought the timing for this Peter Pan type setting was perfect as a friend and I had broached a topic  : What if Neverland was heaven and Peter Pan was a guardian angel who watched over children and escorted them to heaven, where the pirates were the demons trying to lead them astray and to hell.

I actually am in love with this version of Peter Pan. I loved the way the story rose and fell like a wave cresting on the ocean that the story took place on. 

In this book John and Michael are young surfers who become lost at sea and presumed dead. Their sister Wendy believes otherwise and where no bodies where ever turned up, she starts on a mission to find them and goes to the beach looking for her lost brothers. 

It is there she comes across Peter who teaches her how to surf, who takes her to an abandoned place called Kensington House I believe , where a bunch of other run a ways gather, Lost boys really, and  Belle.
I like how Tinker Belle was portrayed in this book. She was the jealous ex-girlfriend who is the only one who knows what happened to her brothers. True to her original character she is a snarky trouble maker who deep down is alright


!!!***SPOILER***!!!

 In case you didn't catch that littler sign above because you are skimming through, the following contains spoilers mainly because it is my favorite part of this book. Readers beware.







Ignoring the rule that no boats where to go out on the water because of how bad a storm was crashing down on the beach, the group decides to go out. During this time they loose control over the boat and Belle gets hurt, Wendy goes over board and the boat is lost.  Soon after Wendy wakes up in the hospital psych unit and is told that she was found on the Beach where her brother's boards had washed ashore originally. There was no sign of anyone else in the water. Belle, Peter, Jas, all of them where hallucinations caused by drugs or grief.

What floors me is that  that really could be the case. That is a rational explanation for everything and a huge mind blowing twist that left me totally unprepared and questioning every word I experienced with Wendy.

I won't spoil any more of the book for you however, to find out if it was all real or a dream you will have to read this great book for yourself.

Rating:
4 out of 5 stars!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Fangirl_15 by Aimee Roseland

Title: Fangirl_15:
Author:Aimee Roseland
Pages:288
Genre:New Adult, Sci-fi, Fantasy
Version Reviewed: E-book provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest Review
Website:Aimee Roseland on Facebook
aimeeroseland.blogspot.com
aimeeroseland.com
Published: July 8th 2014 by Aimee Roseland
Add the book on Goodreads:HERE
Where to buy it at:Amazon


Goodreads Summary:
Chloe is in love with Lucien.

He’s enigmatic, compassionate, generous and intelligent. Likes classical music just as much as kicking ass and knows his way around a kitchen, though he’d never admit it. His Samurai swords are an extension of his personality and a lifetime of heartache has taught him to wield them unfailingly. He’s gorgeous yet humble and can’t see past his own scars. 

Lucien feels deeply for his chosen family and is absolutely worthy of love.

Sounds perfect, right?

The only problem is that Lucien is a character in a novel.

The Dark Riders is one of the best selling paranormal romance series of all time, and it was destined to have eight installments, one for each of the brothers-in-arms. Lucien’s story was supposed to be book eight, where he’d finally find true love and live happily ever after. Except the writer died before his story was published. Worse yet, book seven was finished by some poser that thought killing off one of the main characters would bring a more modern twist to the finale.

Chloe is absolutely devastated by the news that one of her “friends” is dead and that the series is canceled. She has a quasi-nervous-breakdown at work and ends up falling asleep in the lounge. Her midnight escape from the locked office lands her in a deserted parking lot after hours where an unseen force has been waiting. Just. For. Her...

This supernatural assault strands her in an alternate reality where the Dark Riders are real and the horrible ending created by the publisher hasn’t happened yet.

Chloe decides that she’s been brought there to fix all of the story lines and tries her best to convince the monsters around her that she’s there to help. She ends up mangling their plots more often than not and now must race the waxing moon to find a way home before Lucien accidentally falls in love with her instead of his destined mate. The Fates are working against her as Chaos interferes and the truth about what really dragged her over threatens to destroy everything that Chloe holds dear.

Review:
I think I fell in love with this book before I even came to the first word. 
Any avid reader , or even a casual reader knows that part of the thrill that comes with reading is getting lost in a world that is not your own. Reading becomes an escape from reality, where you can be someone other then yourself. I know of more then one person, myself included who would love for their beloved series to come to life like Chloe got to experience.

I think what was so appealing about this book was that the characters she read about where not what she expected them to be when she came face to face with them. Chloe may have known all about the little intimate details in their lives, some even they were not aware about,  but she was treated like I imagine may people would be treated in real life when placed in the brother's shoes, as a threat. 

Part of what makes me love this book so much is that the author wrote it in a compellingly believable way. I was so tempted to pick up  one of my favorite series and see if I would be taken into the dimension they where created in. 

Another great aspect of this book was that unlike many other books, the main characters where flawed. They where not the barbie and ken, drop dead gorgeous  beauties that no one can really live up to like so many writers make their characters out to be. Lucien and Chloe had insecurities and scars just like an every day person would. 

The only downfall about this book was that it made me wish that I could read the very books Chloe read about the brothers that made her fall in love with them all. Their stories seemed like they would be just as fascinating.

Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

TLC Vox Box Review

I have been meaning to make this post for months know, and I am sorry that it took so long. This was actually my first Vox Box and I was extremely excited because it was for the Mom's out there. I had a whole page worked out and pictures of my family and I using the products but sadly I have had to wipe my computer thanks to those pesky virus's you can get every now and then.

Neopsporin Neo to Go : $4.97-$7.50
"Neosporin Neo To Go is a convenient no touch, no sting spray that fits anywhere to give you infection protections, plus pain relief on the go. It is specially designed for one handed use and is great for your purse, kitchen desk, workshop, golf, gym, or travel bag. 
#NeoReady"
This could not have come at a better time for my family actually. Between the numerous adventures in fishing and outdoor activities that come with summer to the first session my husband had to sit through of getting his tattoo removed, I think I used all of this product in one week due to how well it worked. Or rather my husband did. Helping him apply the neo-go on his shoulder was easy, the spray covered the area I needed with no mess and with no trouble. It provided him with temporary relief and helped fight infection. It was also easy to clip to the diaper bag and there was no struggle to get it unclipped when I needed it. It truly was a one handed gift.

Ivory Bar Soap: $ 3.99 for a 10-pack
Ivory bar soap is 99.445 clean & simple and contans no dyes or heavy perfumes. Plus, with how gentle Ivory is on skin, it's no wonder it's reccommended by 4 out of 5 moms!
#SudLife 
facebook.com/Ivory
I was actually really excited for this product after my mother saw this and told me about how good it was for babies during that wonderfully bonding scrubbing bubbles bath time at night, but then again so was my husband, I am not sure who used it more, my daughter or my husband. It was very smooth on my skin and left the water feeling soft during my daughters bath, it floated aswell so she had a toy and due to how natural it was I was not worried about what might happen when it went in her mouth. I also enjoyed the clean natural scent that barely whispered through the air.

Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother: $30
Introducing Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother, this translucent balm BLURS the look of WRINKLES on the forehead & around the eyes INSTANTLY! Use your fingers to gently pat onto the skin. The cream-to--prowder skin perfecter delivers a silky smooth virtually line-free look for your skin that gets you noticed! Anew you starts today! Visit Avon.com and recieve 15% off your Anew purchase of $50 or more with the code ANEW15. Offer vallid 8/1/14 on Avon.com direct delivery order only.
#AvonANEW
facebook.com/AVON
Being 24 I don't have wrinkles yet but this did not stop me from trying the product. The first thing I noticed was the nifty package that it came in. The container looks like it would screw off but instead it slides up and stays connected. There was no scent to this product either and when I put it on my face I could not tell there was anything there. But on the same token as I tried to get some on my fingers to put on my face, I could not tell if there was anything there. Because I don't have wrinkles I cannot say for sure if it works or not. It did leave the skin I applied it to feeling smooth and I was not aware of any added make up.

Breyers Gelato Indulgences: $4.49-$5.99
Breyers, the brand known for bringing families together to enjoy delicious frozen treat for more then 140 years, is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of new Breyers Gelato Indulgences. Each of the four delicious varieties a trio of textures-creamy gelato, luscious sauce and gourmet toppings-for the ultimate indulgence.
#GelatoLove
facebook.com/breyers
 Sadly I have not been able to test this product. Mainly because I have not found it in any of the stores near me but also because my sweet tooth has not been quite so active since having my child. Hormone changes, what can you do? I actually love the commercial for this product however and have been wanting to at least give it a try so check back for when I get my hands on this tasty treat!

Puffs to go: $0.49 per single pack
Puffs to Go are perfect for use in the car, in your purse, on-the-go, wherever you go! Plus, Puffs are Dermatologist tested to be gentle.
#PassthePuffs
facebook.com/puffs

Puffs are actually my go to tissue because of how soft and durable they are so I was excited to get this little to go pack since there is no such thing as to many tissues, especially with a messy husband and little one running about.

Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card
The Fuel Rewards Network program at Shell is a free loyalty program that helps you save money on fuel. For a limited time, new members save 25 cents per gallon on their second fill up and 3 cents every time after!
#FuelRewards
facebook.com/shell

I did not activate this card due to the problems that I saw when working at a shell mart a year or so ago that came up with this card. Not wanting to deal with the hassle of it I simply put it aside.



Overall I have used and would re-buy most of the products that came with this box. It was a great experience!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Runes (Book One) By Ednah Walters

What I thought about the cover:
The colors are very striking, right away my eyes where drawn to the title and I found myself clicking the button seeking approval to read the book off of netgalley without even knowing what it was about.  Sadly I am always a sucker for judging a book first by the cover then by the synopsis on the back.
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life
Review:
I was actually hooked with this book right from the get go. There is just something about the author's way of writing that drew me in and kept me submerged in the world she had created. 
I love the romance aspect that occurred within the pages of my kindle. It was the type of romance you know could be your downfall yet you find yourself helpless to it even though you start fighting with every thing you have. It is that type of attraction that calls to people even though they know better. 
Torin is that bad boy that all girls drool over and secretly wish to be with  and despite his bad boy looks and actions turns out to be a sweet hero. 
I liked the use of Runes in the book, it looked like a lot of research went into them and how they could be used. So that was a huge plus in my book because I cannot stand when a writer writes about something they have no clue about.  It becomes a pet peeve of mine if I find that and I tend to shy away from their works after that.
I love that the type of mythology used in this book was not one of the popular generic kinds. Instead she dabbled in a mythology that most people know little to nothing about.
*SPOILER*
My only problem with the book was the way it seemed to just twist so there was a happy ending. I would have liked to see Torin stuck in the land of the mist and Raine have to go get him, or for her to have been unable to save her friends. I didn't like how just about everything came together towards the end wrapped up in a pretty little bow. I also would like to know what had really happened to her Father.
Otherwise though this was a really good read, and normally I would have had this read within a day but being a new mom it took longer then expected. Gotta love those kids lol.
 
Memorable Quotes:
  • "I closed my eyes tight and then opened them again. He was still there, the only thing missing was a boy or a note with my name pinned to his forehead."
     
    "I'm Sorry I didn't return your calls and texts. I was pissed and my cell phone flew right out of my hand and hit a wall.'
    I frowned. " You mean you threw it."
  • " If you must me so literal."

  • "Does he make you tremble with a touch?" He ran the tips of his fingers up my bare arms  his touch feather light, yet it lit a fire inside of me. I closed my eyes, my entire body trembling. He pulsed through me. " Is he the first person you think about when you wake up in the morning and the last one you think about before you fall asleep?"

Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars 
(Well worth the read)     

Monday, July 21, 2014

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken (Eagle Elite #2)

This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
You can find my review of the first book HERE
What I thought of the Cover:
My thoughts on this cover pretty much stay the same. The models look nothing like the characters are portrayed in the book. Which is ok I suppose but it tends to frustrate me since when I read I often match faces to the models on the cover. I do like the dynamic the models have on this cover though. That deffinetley fits the mood of the book. It just makes me wonder who would fit it best.

Synopsis:
    Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . 

Review:
I am not sure if I liked this book better then the first or not. It is definitely a good book and I won't lie, i just about died from happiness when I got approved to review the book early because I had been dying to find out what happens next in the young mafia members life. This time the story was told from the point of views of the males, three to be precise, between Phoenix,who I had come to hate due to the first book, all the way to Chase in the love triangle he had been forced into for the most part. So I am going to take it piece by piece with my thoughts on characters.

Starting out with Phoenix, his point of view was usually a few pages, keeping it short and simple but it definitely got it directly to the point, yet it gives such an insight into his thoughts and brings up the quote that you never can judge a book by its cover. It is so easy to hate a character without really knowing what is really going on behind the scens in their head so I loved that it gave a peek into how his life had been, I actually started to feel bad for him towards the end of the book.

Chase, oh what can I say for my man Chase. I have been on team Chase from the beginning, I loved him being a smart ass, he was that comedic relief the book needed. This time around however I found myself sighing and rolling my eyes when it came to his points, he was just so sappy and love sick as he tried to figure out where he and Trace stood in the love life.

Nixon, he just stopped seeming like such a bad ass, he was so consumed with this girl it seemed to take away from him. I did like how smart he was when searching for the answers and finding proof that he wanted .

The plot twist in this book was seen a mile away, which did not bother me because I loved how they went about finding the proof to support the plot twist. It was not just thrown in there it was actually dug up and we got to go along as piece by piece of dirt was uncovered and lives where changed.

The only thing I hated about this book was how consumed everyone seemed to be with Trace, It was like she was the air that they breathed. Even in real life I can't stand when people are like that.

I loved the new girl Mil though, she makes me happy and I look forward to reading more of her story.  
Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Paradigm by Ceri A. Lowe

Title: Paradigm
Author: Ceri A. Lowe
Pages:1,382
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Teens & YA
Version Reviewed: E-book received from netgalley in exchange of an honest review
Publication: June 13th 2014 by Bookouture
Website:Authors Website Here
Add The book on Goodreads:HERE
Where to buy it at:Amazon Barnes&Noble

Goodreads Summary:
What if the end of the world was just the beginning?

Alice Davenport awakens from a fever to find her mother gone and the city she lives in ravaged by storms – with few survivors.

When Alice is finally rescued, she is taken to a huge underground bunker owned by the mysterious Paradigm Industries. As the storms worsen, the hatches close.

87 years later, amidst the ruins of London, the survivors of the Storms have reinvented society. The Model maintains a perfect balance – with inhabitants routinely frozen until they are needed by the Industry.

Fifteen-year-old Carter Warren knows his time has come. Awoken from the catacombs as a contender for the role of Controller General, it is his destiny to succeed – where his parents failed.

But Carter soon discovers that the world has changed, in ways that make him begin to question everything that he believes in. As Carter is forced to fight for those he loves and even for his life, it seems that the key to the future lies in the secrets of the past...

Review:
" You have five minutes of this life left."

Those are the first words that I read and immediately I found myself pausing and thinking about if I was the one hearing that sentence. Five minutes left with my daughter and husband, not being able to see them laugh and grow, believe me it definitely set the stage for the story.

This book was a post apocalyptic setting, the end came about with rain that never let up and dangerous sized hale.  The storms flooded the world and what did not kill most people, the radiation spills from building collapsing did. 

I like that the author mentioned that most of the survivors rescued in the start where children because of how resourceful they where. I found myself thinking about it and came to the understanding how right she was. With children's imagination and the will power to live, I could definitely see them being the survivors of a major catastrophe like that.

The setting went back and forth between two different lives, the past when it all started and the present where things where a system had been set in place and had worked successfully in most peoples eyes for generations.  Sadly this took away from the book for me. It was hard to really get into the book when I had to switch mind sets back and forth. The alternating points of view made it very hard to connect with any of the characters.

It was still a well written book, I would have liked to have the book broken up into two different books instead of the different points of views. I would have loved to get more of the stories and really gotten to know the two instead of going back and forth. It was obvious I was reading their life not living it with them.

Rating:
3 out of 5
(so-so but worth the read)

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu


Title: The Truth About Alice
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Version Read: E-book provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Website:http://www.jennifermathieu.com








Goodreads synopsis:
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.


About this author

I'm an English teacher, writer, wife, and mom who writes books for and about young adults. My debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, will be out in the spring of 2014.

My favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. I can basically quote every episode.

I live with my husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat.

When it comes to what I read, I love realistic young adult fiction (duh), creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks me on the first page.


Review:
So I read this book some time ago and sadly have just now gotten around to writing a review about it.

Just about everyone knows how  the rumor mill ran in high school. The He said She said nonsense can take a simple and innocent story and have it exaggerated so that so and so saved the school with one hand while eating a burrito and being pregnant, or in the case of The Truth About Alice, it can have the negative affects of things that are really no one's business.

And ok, so it is the typical high school story of that one girl who slept with two boys at a party and becomes an outcast. One of those boys dies, peoples lives are turned upside downs. I am sure you can find plenty of after school television shows about it and plenty of other story lines out there to read about it. The difference with this book that kept me invested even though it was pretty obvious where it was going was that the story was told through 4 different point of views. None of which are Alice.

The bullying in this book was a hard topic for me to not relate to, high school were not my best days and you could not make me redo them even if you paid me a million bucks. So it was easy to fall in with the characters, from the friends ditching to be cool, to the bullying. It all hit home for me and brought back memories I had tried to bury about high school.

I do believe this would be a great required reading book in high school because it might help kids get out of their own heads and stop listening to the whispers that go from ear to ear and realize that there really is three sides to a story. His Side, Her Side and then the Truth. That you really ought to look at the person spreading the rumors in order to see if they are hurting like the characters in The Truth About Alice where and pushing it on someone else instead of facing their problems and handling them accordingly.

Favorite Character:
Kurt by far was my favorite character, he was just so cute and nerdy that I wanted to shake Alice and make her wake up and see what a gem was right in front of her. I like that his loyalty stayed with Alice even through all the horrible rumors.

Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars.


Saturday, July 19, 2014

Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon


What I thought of the cover: 
There are a lot of book covers that have so much going on that you don't know where to look. Styxx was relatively simply because you really don't need much to, all you need is Sherrilyn Kenyon's name and the insignia of whomever she is writing about to make it great and eye catching. At least that is my opinion.  
 Synopsis:
 Just when you thought doomsday was over...

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

Review:
I was a little nervous about reading this book due to all the reviews I had read on amazon that talked about how much gang rape their was. Honestly they made it seem like Kenyon was going into sordid detail of such horrid crimes and that they covered every single page. Thankfully that was not the case.
Yes this book should be read with caution because there is a lot of sexual content but what do you expect when you have such delicious man candy content. :p 
I actually loved this book because it re-enforces the issue that there are three sides to every story. My side, his side and then the truth. Reading Archeron's story from Ash's point of view I hated Styxx, I was appalled by how he treated his family. It was only after reading the story about Styxx that you come to understand why Styxx behaved the way he did and that Ryssa and Acheron where not as good as everyone made them out to be. 
My heart broke for the twin boys who had to put up with so much misery but I think after reading Styxx my heart broke more for the misunderstood brother. Especially where Bethany was concerned. 
I read this book as I was pregnant with my first child so to say I was emotional was an understatement but it really hit a soft spot with me, having lost children in miscarriages of my own.
I loved that Kenyon made this a book you could read alone or right after reading Acheron, that there were scene's from both books where you could watch it like a movie and get both points of views. 
I loved the plot twist that really took so many books to have it happen and it makes me wonder if the author had it planned all along or if like in my writing it just fell into place before me when my characters were ready to reveal their plots.
It really is a must have on your book shelf. 
A perfect love story with ton's of action, romance and treachery.

For more about the author as well as pictures of her wonderful creations and their personal blogs you can find all that information  HERE
Favorite Charachter: 
I am not really sure if I had a favorite character when it came to this book, I connected with so many of them that it took me a second to stop and think on who I liked the most. But in the end Urian won out. He is just caring and sweet despite his tough guy appearance plus he is a smart ass and I tend to love those type's. I think it has to do with the fact that my husband is one. XD
 
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars of course! 

Friday, July 18, 2014

I'm Baaaaack.

I know it has been quite some time since I graced your presence and for that I am sorry. You see I happened to come down with a bit of funk where even reading was no longer enjoyable. Between real life drama and stress and all the drastic changes that decided to occur this past year, I found that I did not have much time to do anything but try to catch my breath and not explode. Literally.
Lol, the biggest change that came in 2013 happened to be this.

Yep, that's right I became a part of the proud Mama's club October 13th 2013 to baby Eden. And  boy was it not the easiest pregnancy. Between her trying to beat her cousin out of the womb and trying to come early at 26 weeks to my hip giving out all the time, it was a roller coaster ride.

But thankfully she is now 9 months old and my little monster is as happy as can be, just like her daddy I might add. And she has learned that she can play by herself without the world ending, giving mommy a little bit of time to read and catch back up with her reviews. She isn't sleeping through the night yet but we are working on that.


So thank you for sticking in there with me and not giving up. I have reviews lined up and ready to be dished out. I hope this message finds all of you well and happy.
^__^ 

Disclaimer


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of numerous Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by the Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*