Tuesday, November 3, 2015
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
We have been taking some time off for school and family. The blog is going under construction for a short while. Check back with us around December 2015! Until them, please follow us on Facebook for our latest updates, freebies, and good reads!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
A Little Bit of Christmas By Christy Newton (Stefani's Review)
A Little Bit of Christmas
By: Christy Newton
Summary:
After a tragic accident that brought the small town of Wynter Haven to their knees, Claire Belmont and Nick Lewis went in opposite directions coping in very different ways. Three years later, Claire gets a call urging her to come back to help her friend move past his grief. It will take more than a little hot cider, gingerbread and mistletoe to bring back Nick’s holiday spirit. He hasn’t celebrated Christmas since his twin sister died. In fact, he’s mastered locking up his feelings so he will never be hurt again. Claire has a secret and hopes that somehow she and Nick can both get a Christmas miracle this year. After all, Nichole would want them to be happy and cherish the holiday that had been their favorite. Maybe a little bit of Christmas is just what they both need.
My Review:
This was a delight to read.
If you ever need a quick read to remind you that no matter what goes on
in life, there are always people around you who care; this book is a great one. We don’t always make the right choice, just
the feels right, right now choice. I
like how Christy Newton uses this story to show the readers a great truth,
family is love (not blood). I would have
loved getting to know more about them, their past, and the things that bonded
them together so well.
Rating: 4 stars
Monday, October 13, 2014
The Me You See by Shay Ray Stevens (Brandi's Review)
The Me You See
Shay Ray Stevens
Summary:
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Dead.
Wait. I'm...dead.
And now they will never see the truth. Because when you're dead, you are only the stories that people tell about you. This is the story of me. This is the story of the me you see.
**
After six people are shot at a small town community theater, people gather to attend the funeral of one of the victims: seventeen-year-old Stefia. As those who knew Stefia best privately share their memories of her, we discover a collective picture of a girl everyone loved but no one really knew.
Who was Stefia? Who knew her best? And why was she targeted in the shooting?
Enter stage right and prepare for the dark brilliance found in Author Shay Ray Stevens' gripping new novel THE ME YOU SEE. Ms. Stevens will captivate you as she explores the tainted shadows hiding in plain sight on the stage of life.
When shadows are scattered by spotlight, who will you choose to see?
Brandi's Review:
**I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review**
Sometimes I get stuck in a rut. It feels like I am reading the same story line over and over again with different characters in a series. Then you have an Author like Shay Ray Stevens come along. This isn't my first rodeo with her, and I hope it won't be my last.
The Me You See follows Stefia's story through the eyes and minds of those who thought they knew her. As you follow each character, you learn a little more about Stefia and how her life affected each person differently. It made me think....a lot. We all are different, and each person we encounter sees us in a different way, but do we really know anyone at all? Once I started reading, I couldn't think of anything else. I just wanted to soak up every ounce of Stefia's story. I wanted to shout from the rooftops! I need someone to analyze every moment of this book with me so we can talk details....spoilers!
If you are looking for a breathe of fresh air in a thrilling and captivating standalone, then you need to read The Me You See. Once you read it, we need to talk because I won't ever forget this story and I bet you won't either.
I give The Me You See 5 stars.....only because I can't give it more!
Friday, September 19, 2014
The Tin Man By Nina Mason (Stefani's Review)
THE TIN MAN
BY: NINA MASON
Summary:
The last thing Alex Buchanan, the
editor-in-chief of a formidable news site, expects as he looks around the
newsroom at the bodies of his editors, is that he’ll soon be teaming up with
The Ball Buster to solve the crime and stay alive. Well, maybe not the last
thing. The last thing he expects is to fall for her or any other woman. Because
he’s The Tin Man–a suit of armor without a heart.
Or so he believes…
The Ball Buster is his private
nickname for Thea Hamilton, a smart, gutsy, and insecure investigative reporter
for The New York News, America’s newspaper of record. They went out once years
ago–an unmitigated disaster during which she jumped all over his case about
smoking.
When events force them together,
they embark on an emotion-charged, high-octane quest for the truth, ending up
in bed, but also in the clutches of a sociopathic corporate raider. “Zeus” is
obsessed with James Bond and owns a hardcore S & M club in an old fallout
shelter. Is he the killer? And, if so, what’s his motive? What he hopes to gain
by torturing the journalists is clearer: the proof they’ve uncovered of a
corporate takeover scheme that threatens the future of democracy. And he’ll
stop at nothing to get it.
My Review:
Well, first I want to say that I loved this book. It is out of my usual genre, but it was an awesome read. I could not put it down. My reading app kept reminding me that I needed to take 60 seconds and look around to give my eyes a break! This book is full of everything it promises.
Action, politics, a little romance… all wrapped in one convenient package: The Tin Man
Rating: 5 stars
Friday, August 8, 2014
If I Stay by Gayle Foreman (Brandi's Review)
Summary:
Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.
Stay, he says.
Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.
If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.
Brandi's Review:
I found out about this book while I was watching the trailers for The Fault in Our Stars. After watching it and knowing that I was still going to be in the mood for "that" kind of story, I picked up If I Stay. I was very ready to get right to it....tissues in hand and eyes ready to cry.
We open by meeting Mia and learning about the various quirks of the members of her family. I loved how her Mom and Dad, during the opening scenes as well as flashbacks that we are given throughout the book, are seen as more of a modern, musical, hipster type of family. Mia is the odd one out, preferring classical to punk and cello to guitar, but even in that, you fully grasp the love in the family, wholly and unconditional.
After circumstances change within minutes, less time than the duration of a song which was playing before, during, and after the crash, we follow along as Mia is grasping what just happened. We follow as she struggles to decide, stay or go. The emotion that is exuded from the different characters is real and palpable. Mia's Gramps, in particular, tugged at my heartstrings. His strong silence and few words make the biggest impact for me.
There were a few things that I did not care for. Overall, even though I enjoyed the book, it felt a bit monotone for me. I wanted to see more conflict within Mia. This is the biggest choice of her life....literally. Also, I found Adam endearing. I really liked him, but I felt the antics that were done to see Mia would have been actually extremely disrespectful in a real life situation. All I could think about during that scene is how I would have felt if I were the surviving members of Mia's family. There was a much more simple way to go about it. I guess it just shows immaturity of the character.
I gave 4 stars!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Brandi's Review)
Summary:
Before Neverland faded into myth, it was a remote and dangerous island filled with deadly mermaids, psychotic pirates, and watchful faeries. And before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair . . . Tiger Lily.
When fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily meets the alluring teenage Peter deep in the forbidden woods, the two form a bond that's impossible to break, but also impossible to hold on to. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. With her betrothal to another man and deadly enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies lurk inside even the most loyal and loving heart.
Brandi's Review:
I came across Tiger Lily during one of the many takeovers or giveaways I have attended. When I first read the description, I was immediately drawn in, I could not stop thinking about this book. I am a sucker for the untold stories that outline and make up my beloved stories, especially when you give me one surrounding a story I have loved nearly all my life.
Tiger Lily is an outcast in her village. She is seen as odd and weird, not conforming to the norms set by the tribe. She is as tough as any boy but strong and silent. Through a few chance happenings, they also come to believe Tiger Lily is one to fear. Tiger Lily is finally betrothed to Giant, who is mean and cruel to her, as a way to try to settle her down. During a chance encounter, she meets Peter Pan. I loved watching their romance bud and bloom, but when Tiger Lily has to break a promise to meet Pan it sets course for a rift in their relationship. Wendy comes to Neverland during Tiger Lily's absence and everything Tiger Lily and Peter Pan have ever known changes.
This is very little like the "fairy tale" story that I grew up with, this to me shows such a different and more realistic side to a beloved tale. I felt that I was right there with Tiger Lily during all the different emotions and stages in her life. If you are expecting a sweet love story, then you will be mistaken here. If you want an emotional ride, you have come to the right place. I absolutely love a few lines in the book, which I feel describes it perfectly,"Let me tell you something straight off. This is a love story, but not like any you've heard. The boy and girl are far from innocent. Dear lives are lost. And good doesn't win."
I gave Tiger Lily 5 stars!
Seeing is Believing by Michelle Graves (Brandi's Review)
Summary:
The life of a Seer isn't for the faint of heart. I should know. Mine has been one of upheaval for the past few years, what with the downfall of the lab, the recent exile from the Council, and a future that is suddenly becoming painfully clear.
With Izzy missing, and the darkness still looming, I know what must be done. I have to go to the Order, find a way to bring Izzy back, and get to the bottom of what is really happening with this darkness business.
I'm just not sure how to do that when Ian is haunted by his past, Revenants are out to make me one of their own, and the dreaming keeps trying to reject me
Brandi's Review:
I have hardly been able to contain myself as I waited for more books in The Izzy Chronicles! I was so excited when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of the newest release! In Seeing is Believing, we get to see a little part of the story from Molly and Ian's point of view. What is going on now that Izzy isn't there? I always felt like Molly was strong, and this just proves it. As her powers grow, so must she and she does it with such maturity. Also, getting to have more history on Ian brought so many things to light, but also exposed his weaknesses. Molly and Ian grow together so much and that makes me so happy to see them leaning on one another, yet so sad to see a beloved Ian so broken and needing. Molly steps up to the plate in every way possible. If you are like me and are waiting on the edge of your seat for more of the Izzy Chronicles, then do yourself a favor and pick up this short story and get a little bit of a fix and fall more in love with everyone in the series.
I gave it 5 stars!!!
Need to catch up on the Izzy Chronicles? You can get them below. Start with See How She Runs, which is FREE! So what are you waiting for?
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