Category: Book Post

Book Review: F* THS by G. L Tomas (18+ readers)

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F*THS  by: G.L. Tomas

Release date: Feb. 28th 2016

Publisher: Rebellious Valkyrie Press

Genre: New Adult, Romance, ages 18 +

Rating: 5 stars

Review copy: received from Author in exchange for honest review

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Teddy had two rules—Live for the moment and never look back.

With wealth, good looks and confidence at her fingertips, nothing was going to stop her from living life to the fullest. Not even the secret she’s been forced to live with.

When Asher Rose met Teddy King, he knew it’d be trouble but it was just the kind of trouble he didn’t mind himself falling in, what he didn’t plan was falling hard for the girl no one could tame.
What happens when you take a trip on this sexy ride? An intense, messy and wild ride all the way down.

*FTHS is the Book One in a duology. It is intended for Adults 18+ for explicit casual sex, drug use and profanity

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Stormwielder (Book #1 of The Sword of Light Trilogy) Book Review

Stormwielder (The Sword of Light Trilogy Book #1)
Author:  Aaron D. Hodgens
Release date:  December 1st, 2015
Rating: 3.5 stars
Format: eBook (495 pages)

Genres: YA fantasy, Magic, Adventure

FOR A LIMITED TIME – STORMWIELDER IS ON SALE FOR $0.99 ON AMAZON.
Amazon | Goodreads

 

Synopsis:

For five hundred years the Gods have united the Three Lands in harmony.
Now that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens.

A town burns and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, seventeen year old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back.

If he stops, they die.

For two years he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now there is another searching for him – one who offers salvation. His name is Alastair and he knows the true nature of the curse.

Magic.

 

Review:

When I began this book, I was expecting Eric’s character to be connected to or be one of three things: Humanity’s last hope/sole savior from the coldest and darkest of all evil, a descendant of the gods or gifted with the power of the mythological power of the unstoppable Greek fire. When I finished the book, I was certain that two of these three things were not true and for the third, only time will tell preceding the release of the remaining books in this series.

I gave this book three and a half stars because I liked the story’s concept and most of the characters in this book. I immediately liked Eric’s character and genuinely felt his sadness and fearful state of mind he was stuck in since discovering his ‘ability’. It is really easy to connect to Eric in this book as the reader is able to learn about him and Alistair’s true quest through Eric’s eyes.

Although my opinion about Inken eventually changed by the end of the book, I wanted to also mention that I liked her character’s introduction (pretty visually graphic and memorable). I didn’t much care for her character once Eric started to crush on her character though because then her character was no longer independent from Eric’s storyline. Her character, in my opinion becomes a prop for Eric’s character development and I would have liked to have seen a neutral friendship form in this book between these two characters as they forged on against Archon instead of the two of them falling for one another right away.

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Audiobook Review: Obsidian (Lux #1) by: Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Obsidian (Lux #1)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Aliens, Paranormal Romance

Rating: 2 stars

Format: Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:03-18-13

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Goodreads | B& N | Amazon | Audible

Synopsis (From Goodreads):

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Obsidian Lux #1 (Audiobook) Review:

I’m going to be honest, I think the only reason I made it through this entire book was based on the nostalgia connect my pre-teen-self had in relation to the aliens in high school concept. Growing up, I was in love with TV Roswell, which was a three seasoned show on the WB about these three teen-aged Aliens living in Roswell New Mexico. Sent to Earth in these pods and biologically reborn into human form after the destruction or political overtaking (can’t really remember) of their home planet, Max, Isabel and Michael found themselves amongst us.

Where, Max, the once and future Alien king falls in love with the human, Liz Parker and after saving her life one day in her father’s restaurant after she is shot, none of their lives are normal anymore.

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Book Review: Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)

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Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)

By Kristin Cashore

Genre: YA, Action, Adventure, Paranormal, Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads | B&N | Amazon

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight – she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po’s friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace – or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away…

Graceling Review:

From start to finish, I loved everything about this book. It was given to me by my younger brother and it had been sitting on my shelf for some time, but it only took the first two pages for me to get into it.

I found this story to be so compelling and I loved the way the book had so many different levels: female independence, gender equilibrium relationships amongst Kasta and most of her male counter parts, Love, friendship, combat, adventure, comedy and even a layer of evil so unspeakable with King Lec. It made my heart stop, my stomach turn and my skin crawl.

I do not think that I can praise this book enough for giving me Kasta. A character so uniquely independent and self-driven with a powerful perspective and aspirations aimed toward helping those in the 7 kingdoms. Kasta knows what she wants and what she doesn’t want in her life and she does not let anyone, not even Po take that away from her by trying to change her mind. And what was even more rewarding, was Po’s acceptance of Katsa as she was and his unwavering love for her and contentment of being by her side without trying to change her.

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Book Review: The Shadow of Loss by: Josefina Gutierrez

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The Shadow of Loss

By Josefina Gutierrez

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Multicultural, Romance, YA

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Goodreads OR buy Shadow of Loss here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble|  Kobo

Blurb:

Evelyn Gonzalez keeps losing people, which is always hard, but has she lost something much more? Has she lost her soul? Evelyn has a nervous breakdown and is institutionalized, after months of sorrow and pain she is thrust back into the world. The world of teenage angst and Calculus. Can she trust people again? Especially after hurtful assumptions and judgments made her miss her junior year of high school. Evelyn is just trying to heal what she lost and graduate from high school.

Book Excerpt

“Hey. You’re new right?” Brody asks me.

I assume he must be playing coy to get me to talk, because I know he saw me. Even if he didn’t see me it is pretty obvious I’m new, so I just nod and look straight ahead. Then I remember I should be trying and I say, “Yeah I am.” He looks different during the day. His skin looks like toasted almonds under the fluorescent lighting.

He’s about to say something when the teacher interrupts. “We have finished our first novel and we are moving on to Pan, by Knut Hamsun. Has anyone read this book before? It’s a brilliant piece I am overjoyed to share with you!”

Ms. Lange seems to think highly of this class if she wants us to read Pan. She looks like she keeps about ten cats, because she is covered head to toe in cat hair. Her hair is in a messy bun, only held together by bobby pins and a pencil. Or the pencil could just be for practical purposes. She almost seems magical, in a cat lady, overly eager kind of way, like she knows books are portals to magical worlds. Or she could just be bat-shit crazy.

“Anyone? Anyone?” she asks again. “How about you Brody? Would you like to contribute your thoughts on Pan?”

Most students don’t read books, they read the Sparknotes. He must be the star pupil. Now that I think about it, it did look like he was reading Pan. I look over at him slightly more interested in class. I didn’t know we were supposed to have read it yet. I read it last year for fun. He looks scruffy and his hair is long and lusciously curly—he belongs in a Pantene commercial. I can’t believe I am jealous of his hair, but it looks tremendously better than my hair.

“I thought he was an idiot for falling in love with Edvarda. She was a supernatural element in a natural environment. She didn’t belong. That’s why it ended how it did. He was tempted by the idea of love.”

“Is the idea of love, so harmful?” Ms. Lange asks him.

“No. Not the idea, the action of love,” he says, and I have to agree. I think the action was his undoing. Then again loving anyone is a mistake, especially when they leave us in the end.

“Good,” she says as she nods her head, “Good. Now I will pass copies around. We will discuss the elements and set up the characters.”

When the books reach me, I just pass it to the next student. Ms. Lange notices and calls me out. Why?! “Evelyn I see you didn’t grab a book, why not?” she asks me.

“I own a copy. I prefer mine. It has notes.” It hurts to talk. But she just nods and says, “Good”, and leaves me alone for the rest of the class. I sit there and think about love, the action of love. Losing her has left me empty inside. I miss her. I have to try for her. She would want me to be bold and engaging. But how can I be more? A new town, all these people, classes all over again, it doesn’t stop.

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Book Review: As You Breathe Again (The Walker Boys #2)

As You Breathe Again (The Walker Boys #2)
Author: Molli Moran
Release date: Feb. 4th 2016
Genre: Romance, Interracial, Women’s fiction
Format: eBook
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Book From: NetGalley
Rating: 3 Stars
Amazon | Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

She’s never had the courage to hold on to anyone. He never learned how to let go of what he wants.

Delaney Shaw isn’t looking for anything complicated. After her teaching career is put on hold, she decides to spend the summer in Georgia with her best friend. Lanie lives for the here and now, and she isn’t thinking past the end of the summer. She’s never had any problem being unattached, because she learned a long time ago that life is safer that way.

Until Reece Walker decides to change her mind.

Almost a year after his ex-wife’s death, Reece is still reeling from her passing. He’s devoted himself to raising their son and working his family’s farm to keep himself grounded. Reece feels like he’s lost sight of the man he used to be, and he’s not sure how to find his way back.

Everything changes when the woman he’s unsuccessfully tried to forget walks back into his life.

Even though she’s fighting their sizzling chemistry, Lanie is losing the war. But love isn’t always like it is in the movies, and they have real issues. Lanie is terrified Reece’s small town won’t accept their interracial relationship, and she doesn’t know how to let him in.

Lanie has had years to build her defenses, but Reece isn’t the sort to give up without a fight. If he can counter Lanie’s fears with the future only he can offer her, maybe they can both learn to breathe again.

This book is considered New Adult and/or adult contemporary romance due to age range, subject matter, and tone.

Note: This is Reece’s book, and a companion (not sequel) to AS YOU TURN AWAY. (less)

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Book Review Post For: Instant Happy Journal (365 days of inspiration, gratitude, and joy.)

Hiya,  Guys:

I am here to do a quick book review, but with this week’s book, things get a little bit personal. However, with the New Year literally around the corner, I don’t think it’s all that surprising that I chose this book, rather why it chose me.

The selection of this book, if not immediately obvious, was based on the idea of with the New Year, marks the beginning of a new start. And with my recent move and job setting change back in October, adjusting has been harder than I initially anticipated. So, one of my New Year resolutions was to find a new balance with this new stage in my life.

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(ignore my hand writing scribble please `-_-`)

Granted this new change will not happen automatically, or easily, I knew it’d be important to figure out small ways to progress the comfort level of this change; ergo, Karen Salmansohn’s Instant Happy Journal.

I was fortunate enough to receive this book from Bloggingforbooks just two days before Christmas(how cool is that?) and was able to gaze through it before beginning my 365-day journey with this journal.

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I’m four days in and I am loving it so far 🙂 and the best thing about this book is that you can get it at any point in the year and work your way through your own 365-day journey. Not just at the beginning or at the end of the year.

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It is the perfect ‘you time’ book and great, I found, for meditation prompts to just take a quote or fact of the day and apply it to your life in that moment. Plus: it’s an easy travel book; small, compact and durable.

That’s it for this post, guys. As always, thanks for reading and I’ll see you all again in the New Year <3.

Until next time,

Gia.

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! xxoxoxoxoxo

 

Dead Jed: Return of The Jed Book Review + Giveaway

DeadJed3Tour

Dead Jed: Return of The Jed Blog tour organized through Chapter by Chapter 🙂

DeadJed3Cover for chapter by chapter book tour

Dead Jed: Return of The Jed
by: Scott Craven
Publisher: Month9Books
Release Date: December 15th, 2015
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Zombie Humor, Supernatural
Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads | Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

Synopsis:

With seventh grade behind him, Jed jumps at the opportunity to spend the summer in Mexico with his dad. But there’s just one catch: Luke and Tread get to tag along.

​In Mexico, fitting in​might be easier than Jed imagined, ​with Holidays such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)​.​ Here, a ​rising 8th grade zombie ​boy ​and his zombie dog ​won’t draw that much attention.

​But then Tread unwittingly sets off Mexico’s Chupacabra Defense Network and Jed accidentally collides with a bus​. So much for blending in. T​​he unusual pair catch the eye of a professional wrestler, who challenges ​Jed to a fight!​ ​

Their antics manage to ​capture the attention of a doctor​ who​se knowledge of the undead ​caus​es Jed to question his very existence. ​Is this the answer Jed’s been hoping for since his parents sat him down for the “you’re a zombie” talk? Jed may have finally found a way to be normal, but at what cost?

Dead Jed: Return of the Jed is book 3 in Scott Craven’s humorous and heartwarming series about surviving middle school, fitting in, and embracing one’s differences – even if you are a zombie.

 

Book & Series Review:

Honestly, before this book tour, I wasn’t aware of this series and I wanted to give the best review I could, so I read the first two books in this series, Adventures of a Middle School Zombie and Dawn of The Jed, and I am beyond thrilled that I did!

Scott Craven does a great job of pulling the reader into a state of suspension of disbelief with the creation of such a relatable, adolescent recall of those awkward pre-teen years, while incorporating such vivid body horror and humor.

This may just be the fan in me—and the fact that I haven’t seen that many Zombie centered films, per say—but I found myself thinking of David Cronenberg’s earlier cult-classics while reading of Jed and his “cardiovascularly challenged,” condition. Which I feel has something to do with Craven’s meticulously serious and professional approach of the undead.

There were a lot of things about this series that made me laugh, that made me teary eyed and that made me fall in love with all of these characters: Jed and Luke’s friendship, Jed’s supportive and quirky parents, and even Robbie-the-bully. Moreover, I really loved reading about Jed’s dog, Tread in book two and the rise of tension Jed had to face in school, but more to the point.

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