The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee

Title: The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen
Author: Tosca Lee
Pages:336
Genre:Literature/ Fiction (Adult)
Version reviewed: E-book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publication:September 9th 2014 by Howard Books
Website:Author's Website
Wdd the book on goodreads:Here
Where to buy it at:Amazon

Netgalley Synopsis:
Her name is legend. Her story, the epic of nations. The Queen of Sheba. A powerful new novel of love, power, and the questions at the heart of existence by the author of the award-winning “brilliant” (Library Journal) and “masterful” (Publishers Weekly) Iscariot.

There is the story you know: A foreign queen, journeying north with a caravan of riches to pay tribute to a king favored by the One God. The tale of a queen conquered by a king and god both before returning to her own land laden with gifts.

That is the tale you were meant to believe.

Which means most of it is a lie.

The truth is far more than even the storytellers could conjure. The riches more priceless. The secrets more corrosive. The love and betrayal more passionate and devastating.

Across the Red Sea, the pillars of the great oval temple once bore my name: Bilqis, Daughter of the Moon. Here, to the west, the porticoes knew another: Makeda, Woman of Fire. To the Israelites, I was queen of the spice lands, which they called Sheba.

In the tenth century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father’s throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Her realm stretches west across the Red Sea into land wealthy in gold, frankincense, and spices. But now new alliances to the North threaten the trade routes that are the lifeblood of her nation. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world—or of Sheba’s queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to IGNITE—and ruin—them both. An explosive retelling of the legendary king and queen and the nations that shaped history.

Review:
I don't often read books of this genre but something about this book called to me, perhaps it was the eyes on the cover that lured me in like they did so many a man that Bilqis(Sheba) came across.

I love so much of this book, I don't think I have a single bad thing about this book that I could come up with other then I want more!

It was like reading the pages of the girls diary or being right there next to her and experiencing all the beauty her world had to offer and all the pain that hid behind their veils.

One of the things that will draw a reader to this book is a strong independent woman who is a ruler in a time when women where nothing more then cattle to be bartered off. They thought they were going to get a Queen they could manipulate and marry off easily and instead they got Bilqis. A strong woman who conquered men without revealing her face.

I love that the ending is both a happily ever after and a heart breaker. I didn't want to root for a happy ending because I get sick of always reading them but this ending was one that satisfied every part of my readers soul.

I like that they fell in love with their words before ever setting eyes on one another. And people think online dating is a new thing. HAH! Bilqis and Solomon where pro's.

Seriously one of the best books I have read in months and that surprised me but once you read it you will understand why this is a must have on your shelves.

Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars!

Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Title: Branded
Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
Pages:384
Genre: Teens & YA
Version reviewed: E-book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publication:
Website:http://www.abiandmissy.com/
Add the book on goodreads:Here
Where to buy it at:Amazon


Goodreads synopsis:
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.

Review:
I had actually forgotten what this book was about, I just  saw that it was on the most requested page on NetGalley and figured if it was in high demand then the review would be as well. I have been trying to get my TBR pile down to at least a decent stack, a task I am afraid I shall never accomplish since I am constantly adding to it, but this was towards the top and this book became my choice for the day.

I actually binged read this book to the best of my abilities. If I was not taking care of my daughter you can bet your buns that I was reading this book and after looking  back at the synopsis this quote reminds me why I chose the book in the first place.

"Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me."

That sentence truly is genius because it snags a reader and draws them in with questions that are quickly answered. Yes the book is a little raw in the writing form but the story itself is brilliant.

The new world is run by the Commander, a man who believes himself to be pure and above all runs it so that anyone caught committing one of the 7 deadly sins gets branded a color that represents their sins and is sent to the Hole, a concentration camp of sorts.

The bad thing is that I could totally see this happening in the distant future given how some people act with their religion. It is just as corrupt as the system we have in place now however, if you have money you can send an innocent person to jail or escape the charges yourself.

I like so much of this book, I like that Lexi, our main character was struggling with this deep dark secret and still found a light in the darkness that was the pit. I like that Cole was suppose to be this big bad guard who is not suppose to have feelings but instead has a big sloppy Dog named Zeus, who was my favorite out of the entire story by the way, and does nice things for dying girls.

I also disliked a lot of this book, it seemed like the love that Cole and Lexi had came along really fast. It happens in books alot and it tends to be a pet peeve of mine since I am a firm believer that you don't really love someone until you really know someone and to know someone takes time. 

I also didn't like that one letter from her deceased father cleared up all the negative emotions Lexi has for her brother... it might just be because I hold a gold medal in holding a grudge and being vindictive but it just didn't sit right with me.

And sadly when the commander was revealed, I had already figured out who he was.

Still it is a worth the read but it is pretty fast paced.

Rating:
4 out of 5 stars!

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 at: Amazon 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.

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!

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!

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

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.