My Faves

Thought I would do a different kind of post and share five of my favorite all time books. These are ones that, no matter how many times I read them, they still make me cry, laugh, and rejoice. So in no particular order here are five of my favorites:

1. The Five People You Meet In Heaven, by Mitch Albom. I love all of Mitch's books but this is my favorite. I love that it is such a short, easy read, but it changes you by the end.

2. I am a huge John Grisham fan. I started reading his stuff back in middle school! Bleachers, is not like his other courtroom thrillers, but it's still a beautifully written and soul stirring story.

3. White Oleander by Janet Fitch is like a never ending train wreck that you cannot stop watching. It is stunning and brilliant and while the subject matter can be dark, it is still an awe inspiring piece of art.

4. Replay by Ken Grimwood has been read probably at least a dozen times since I first bought it. It is a disheartening account of a Groundhog's Day type situation and you can't help but sympahtize with the main character.

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer was bought after I read the Twilight Series. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but let me tell you it is a very brilliant story. It's rather long, but I enjoyed every single second of it.

Review: How to Date an Alien by Magan Vernon

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

High school senior Alex Bianchi's estranged father gets her an internship at Circe Operations Center to pad her college applications. But Circe isn't your typical military base. It's an alien-run operation center and not all of the aliens are friendly, especially the one that tries to kill Alex on her first day. When Ace, a dark-eyed Caltian, enters and saves the day, she can't help but be drawn to him.

Can these star-crossed lovers survive when they're on the brink of intergalactic war?

I absolutely loved this book. It was well paced and action packed and was not a boring read at all. While I've read tons about humans falling in love with vampires, wolves, ghosts etc etc, I don't ever remember reading about a human falling in love with an alien! So from the get go I was anxious to read Alex and Ace's love story.

Magan is an exceptional writer who draws you in and keeps hold of you until the very last page. Her characters were very well thought out and developed. And I am not afraid to admit that Ace became my favorite character in the book. Sometimes throughout the story Alex would get on my nerves, but you have to remember she is in high school and high school girls can be majorly dramatic at times!

Magan had everything in this book: drama, romance, action and surprises. I read this in a couple days and was really satisfied. I am anxiously waiting to read the sequel, How to Break Up With An Alien, next! Great book to read so go get it!!!

RATING:

You can find Magan Vernon here: WEBSITE

You can buy the book here: AMAZON

**Free Kindle book I found and wanted to review on my own.**

Apologies...

I was hoping to do one or two reviews every couple days. Unfortunately life has other plans. With the beginning of school, we have been dealing with back-to-school germs as well. My daughter was sick, I was sick, my son got sick and I got sick again! So it has not been a fun month at all.

I am in the process of adding all my reviews to Amazon and Good Reads. It is my honor to share my opinion with the rest of the online world on the wonderful books I've read! Just please be patient if you don't see a review yet on those websites!!

I am also working on a new rating system as I have seen many reviewers use the "5 star" review system. I am very new to blogging and not very smart when it comes to all the codes etc. Bare with me!! I am learning as I go along.

I hope everyone is having a better month than I am! Hopefully I will have a few more reviews up very shortly!

Thanks to all who come to this blog!!!

Review: Lancaster House by Taylor Dean

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

Are you ever really alone?

Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard?

The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.

Lancaster House is amazingly written and such an original story. I was Zoe and Andre's number one fan from the beginning, they are an amazing couple, and Taylor easily conveys their love in this story.

Taylor made Zoe so likeable and so easy to sympathize with. You just want to tell off all the people who are so adamant about calling her crazy. Of course she's not crazy you want to scream at them! (Or at least I did, but I get really involved in novels if you haven't been able to tell) : )

I really can't say enough about Taylor Dean and this novel. She has created such an epic story of paranormal romance that you don't even realize that it is a paranormal telling. I ended up feeling so bad for Zoe because to me, all she deserves is to be happy and to be with Andre. It is a beautiful love story that you ABSOLUTELY MUST READ!!!

RATING:

You can find Taylor Dean here:WEBSITE,

You can buy Lancaster House here: AMAZON, B&N, SMASHWORDS

**I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.**

Review: Sierra by Taylor Dean

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

Have you ever been lost in the woods?

Alyssa Fontaine’s life, loved ones—everything familiar and dear—are brutally taken from her.

Taken captive by two men, she endures a horrific nightmare. A new life is forced upon her and even a new name.

Just when it appears that no hope is in sight, she is saved by an unlikely twist of fate. Trapped in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, life will open its arms to her again and she will embrace it. She will find love such as she never knew existed.

Sierra is a heart-wrenching story of the power of the human spirit to survive amidst impossible circumstances and severe losses. It is a story of survival . . . and hope.

I read Sierra in less than 24 hours. I cried, I laughed, I experienced happiness, anger and envious during my reading. Taylor Dean has become one of my favorite authors and Sierra will forever be added to my list of favorite all time books.

Taylor eloquently writes of loss, love and hope in this book. It is not just 'another romance novel', not by a long shot. The loss that Alyssa endures was so painful to me, yet the turn around that happens in her life made me absolutely giddy. Taylor writes from the heart and you can really tell with each chapter.

I WANT everyone I know to read this book, it is that amazing. I love when I am blown away by a book and I was by Sierra. I didn't want it to end, but I was happy with the way it did. I love happy endings, I won't lie. It's an amazing story that will stay with you for a long time. Taylor Dean is an exceptional writer and one that will be around for awhile!

RATING:

You can find Taylor Dean here: WEBSITE

GOODREADS

You can buy Sierra here:AMAZON

, B&N, **I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.**

Review: Become by Ali Cross

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

It's never too late to choose . . . Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

Like I've said, I am a lover of all books. I was a little apprehensive to read this though because I didn't figure I would like a story about the daughter of Satan! I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong though.

Ali Cross mixes in Christianity and a little Norse mythology into this book which can make things a little confusing. She does do a wonderful job at explaining each subject and character and their role in the hierarchy of the world. So while you may have to re read passages, you will come to understand the story line.

Like I said I thought a story about Satan's daughter was going to be dark, dark, dark. While most of this book is dark, we realize that Desi isn't. I really fell in love with her because I sympathized with her struggle of trying to figure out who she really is.

I would recommend this book wholeheartedly. I really enjoyed it and it took me two days to read it. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel!

RATING:

You can find Ali Cross here: WEBSITE

, GOODREADS

And you can buy it here: AMAZON , B&N

Review: The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

I am a lover of all books: happy, sad, light-hearted, serious etc. My sister let me borrow this book and even though the subject matter was dark I really couldn't wait to read it. When tragedies happen like school shootings, or other public shootings we start to wonder about those who were closest to the shooter right? It's only natural to ask, Didn't they notice something was wrong??

Jennifer Brown really draws you in with this sad story of a girl who is basically just trying to move on with her life and grieve over the boyfriend she knew, not the one who committed such horrible acts.

While the story is gritty and can be heartbreaking at times, it is a sensational read. I did not want to put it down. While Valerie would be classified as an outcast, I wanted to give her a great big hug and let her cry on my shoulder. That's how drawn in I was.

If you do not mind dark subject matter, then by all means BUY THIS BOOK! It is wonderful and easy read and really makes you think and re evaluate things.

RATING:

You can find Jennifer here: WEBSITE, GOODREADS You can buy The Hate List here: AMAZON, B&N

Review: The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

SUMMARY (Writer's website)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes?

Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson. Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too.

Brooklyn blew me away with this gritty story of abuse, loss, love, dysfunction and strength. This story, while I found it a little on the long side, really took a hold of me. Brooklyn did not shy away from the really tough subjects like family violence, drugs, teenage pregnancy and being selfish in order to really live life.

This story was a nice change from all the Sci FI, paranormal stuff I've been reading. I like reading about real life. And I love that the main character is such a strong willed female! Harley Le Beau could easily be one of my best friends in real life, I loved her that much.

Now if you are sensitive to the issue of family violence, this book is not for you. This problem is the main core of Harley's life and her family's. It is sad and gut wrenching to read those parts of the book, but you have to in order to realize how very strong Harley really is.

You really fall in love with all the characters (well except the abusive dad and the sister's slimy boyfriend/baby daddy). Harley, her mother, her sister Kat and niece Megan and finally her one true love Jeremiah. Brooklyn makes all her characters easy to relate to and true to life. You aren't getting some crazy unbelievable heroine, you're getting a realistic version of a girl that any of us can relate to on some level.

RATING:

You can find Brooklyn James here: Blog and GOODREADS You can buy this book here: AMAZON

Review: Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford

SUMMARY (writer's blog)

A Resurrection Spell Gone Wrong

Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery behind her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good..

I won a signed copy of this book from a blog giveaway. When I found out, I was so happy and excited. I could not wait to read it. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours!! Here's why....

First off, I love the cover! It is breathtaking beautiful! I know the running theme of many books is to use a person on the cover and it works. But this 'cover girl' is one of the most gorgeous pieces of art I've seen in awhile. The cover is outstanding and really made me want to see what this book was all about.

Nikki is such a gifted writer and it really shows in this novel. She gives us some really in-depth characters that we both can love and hate, Gray, Charlene and Raj to name a few. I like that she uses twins. That is very near and dear to my heart because I've been around twins all my life! (My younger sisters are identical twins.) The stereotype of twins is that because they look alike, they act/dress/like/dislike the same and that is so not true! Gray and Charlene (like my sisters) are as different as night and day! Nikki perfectly portrays this.

The story line is one of a kind and subjects are interesting. I haven't come across witches in awhile. And I definitely haven't read anything about coming back to life in another body at all. I love the originality!! The book flowed smoothly and was very logical and clear. Believe me, I've come across some books that I have to reread a passage about 20 times before it makes sense to me. Those are always a pain. This however, was a very clean read from start to finish. All the events were needed in order to close the book like Nikki did. Gray became my favorite character just because of her common sense, her humbleness and the good you could feel coming from her.

I just fell in love with this book and I have nothing negative to say about it at all. Nikki knows how to grab a hold of her readers and not let them go until the very end. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series!

RATING:

You can find Nikki Jefford here: Blog and GOODREADS

You can buy Nikki's books here: AMAZON, B&N, SMASHWORDS

Hello!

I've decided to turn this blog into an 'official' book review blog. I've always been a big reader, ever since I can remember. Here lately, with the addition of my kindle (YAY thanks Josh and Ames!) I have been able to read a lot more books than before when I was just going to the city library. I've also joined GoodReads which has been pretty awesome. I think what this world needs is an increase in people who LOVE to read! So be patient as I try to figure out how to work this whole blog thing and thanks for stopping by!