If I Stay by Gayle Foreman (Brandi's Review)

Get If I Stay HERE!

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!

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Brandi's Review)

Tiger Lily: Fall in love HERE! 

  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)

Seeing is Believing is ONLY .99 HERE! 

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?

Redemption By Heather Gray (Stefani's Review)

BUY REDEMPTION HERE!

Summary:

Murder, mayhem, marriage, and a horse named Mutiny...

Minnie's impulsiveness has been getting her into trouble her whole life. She never expected it to land her on a suspect list for murder, though. With nothing left but a few trunks of possessions and her own defeat, Minnie leaves San Francisco behind and returns home. In an effort to protect her family and friends, she keeps them in the dark about the ongoing investigation and the possibility that danger may have followed her to Larkspur. When events force her to trust someone with her secrets, she turns to the sheriff and finds both a friend and an ally.

It may have been four years since he last saw Minnie, but how could he ever forget her? When Art finds her sneaking through a back alley in town, he knows somethings wrong. The once vivacious Minnie is a mere shadow of her former self, all sparkle gone from her eyes. Art knows that time spent with her will be dangerous to his heart, but he can't turn Minnie away. Even if it means protecting her from her own impetuous decisions, he vows to keep her safe.

In her attempt to take responsibility for her own choices, Minnie shut out her friends, family, and God. An unsolved murder isn't all that's chasing Minnie, though. Will she find her way back to the heart of her faith before it's too late?

My Review:

…..I received this book in exchange for an honest review…

Minnie doesn't have the greatest track record with good decisions in her life.  She has one lead her to the next and then her life is upside down on a ship that seems to be sinking.  When she has to return to her hometown she thinks that everyone will see through the lies and judge her as an outcast.  It is hard to be a completely unforgivable person.  What Minnie doesn't realize is that in life, we are not alone.  We are surrounded by those who will willingly help us if we let them.  This is a hard thing to do for her to do and even more so for ourselves.  It doesn't have to be this way.  There is forgiveness available for those who feel it is not available to them.

This was a delightful read for me.  I even found myself talking about it to the hubby.  THAT shows that it was an all-around good book.  There was suspense and love and family; very well rounded excitement.  It covered many areas of interest in book genres (not just romance).

My Rating: 4 stars

Romancing the Dustman's Daughter by Ruth J. Hartman

Romancing the Dustman's Daughter only .99 HERE!

Summary:

Augustus Sinclair has a broken heart. His betrothed has dropped him for his best friend. Former best friend. When he meets Anne Balfour, though, he questions whether he'd ever really been in love with his fiancé. Some of Anne’s reactions to what he considers everyday activities are puzzling, but that doesn't stop him from falling head over heels for the first time in his life. 

Anne Balfour is amazed to be a guest at the Shrewsbury’s, one of Mayfair’s most well-to-do families - even if the circumstances are less than ideal. Still, she can't help but get caught up in the excitement of society life. Especially when in the company of Augustus Sinclair. He makes her believe in love and romance, even if she is just the dustman’s daughter. 

Brandi's Review: 

Anne is a humble young lady as the daughter of the Dustman when one day, her scheming father thrusts her into a less than ideal situation. Suddenly thrown into the world of high society, how will she adapt?

Augustus is broken hearted. His fiance left him for his best friend and he seems to have lost interest in his former friends and world. One day he has a chance meeting with Anne and everything changes. How will Augustus react when he learns that Anne is not one of their own and is actually a poor young lady? Will he care?

A quick, easy, and light read when you just need a bit of historical romance. At only .99, it is worth your afternoon!

I gave it 4 stars!