tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10306143549318932192024-03-13T18:15:14.277-07:00Reading in ParadiseLove, Happy Endings, and BooksTayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.comBlogger330125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-61403818335157376772019-01-01T11:29:00.000-08:002019-01-01T11:29:14.828-08:00Well...it’s been awhileTo whoever finds this and reads this:<br />
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It’s been about three years since I’ve actually put anything on this blog. I know. A long, long time. Ugh. But that’s college and life for you. Homework, tests, work, etc. get in the way. Do I hope to pick this blog up again? Maybe. I’ll be starting my new job soon, and I have no clue how busy I’ll be. But we’ll see what happens. Happy New Year!<br />
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TaytrTayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-87588203071516946372016-06-14T08:12:00.002-07:002016-06-14T08:13:34.190-07:00Jojo Moyes broke my heart: Me Before You and After You<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/'Me_Before_You'.jpg/220px-'Me_Before_You'.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/'Me_Before_You'.jpg/220px-'Me_Before_You'.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15507958-me-before-you">Me Before You </a><br />
Author: Jojo Moyes<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Goodreads: </span><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; text-align: left;">What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.</span></i></span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; text-align: left;">Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.</span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; text-align: left;">What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ec/ea/7f/ecea7f169ec3b966a6b70f3c4e2646ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ec/ea/7f/ecea7f169ec3b966a6b70f3c4e2646ba.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25041504-after-you"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25041504-after-you">After You</a></div>
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Author: Jojo Moyes</div>
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Goodreads: <em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.</span></div>
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Review:</div>
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<u>Me Before You</u></div>
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Well, my heart it literally broken into bits. Absolutely, tiny little bits and pieces that only another book will be able to fix...in a couple of years. I love these two books. I'm not a crier. I hate to cry. Many may say it's stupid to say this, but I think makes me feels weak and too emotional. But then again, having a good cry is good too.<br />
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In the first book, I love the journey we are taken on through. Lou is an amazing character that truly goes through a change that impacts her life. She's not the standard heroine that I feel society has come used to in fantasy novels or any other contemporary work. Will, while I did feel he was a bit of the stereotypical male asshole turned nice guy, he was amazing and his character was more than that wheel chair. The other characters were amazing at taking my emotions on a ride. I had a love/hate relationship with many of the characters.<br />
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The overall plot was amazing. The love story was well-balanced with the everyday life of Lou's and the Traynors. To me, it was believable. (Then again, some of it has happened in my life.) The ending was incredibly heart breaking. So happy there was a sequel.<br />
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<u>After You</u><br />
First off, the new Lou in this book was so strange. The book opens to her working in a bar. I'm sorry, but from the first book, I couldn't see her doing that. Hell, I couldn't see her doing have the stuff she did in <i>After You </i>based on her character from the first book. But then again, she did change after she met Will. Unfortunately, it lasted only for a bit.<br />
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In the description, it tells us Lou goes to the Moving On group, which everyone can come conclusions about on their own. While I believe a lot of the book was about Lou finally moving on with her life and starting anew from Will, I also believe it was about finding closure to a chapter in her life that wasn't done. Will left this giant mark on her heart, on her life, and then he left. In a sense, the new characters in the book are there to help her find that closure she needed. To me, it was as if Lou needed to reassure herself, in some way, that even with Will gone, she still has a lot left to do in this world, and that the people she met help her come to that conclusion. Can you see what I mean?<br />
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There were parts of this book that threw me for a loop. It all revolved around the character from Will's past that enters Lou's life. There were parts of this book that just seemed...stupid and crazy. But then again, it's Lou.<br />
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Overall, this book was just as great as the first one. Not much as of a tear-jerker as the first one, but the ending has a moment that takes you back to the first book.<br />
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I really hope there's a sequel to this book. I need to know what happens with Sam and Lou.<br />
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5 Starfish</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-42586112611774075772016-06-10T14:02:00.000-07:002016-06-10T14:02:00.562-07:00So...yeah, time to face the facts...<br />
Originally when I started this blog, it was for my own selfish benefits of just wanting an extra entry in different giveaways. Well, now I rarely see that option, so oh well.<br />
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But it's time to fact facts. I'm an awful blogger. I haven't "blogged" anything since September 2015. Why? Freaking school. Freaking college. I know I'm getting a good education (hopefully) and will get a job afterwards that will not only allow me to pay back my debt, but also earn me enough money to travel. What sucks is it takes up most of my time.<br />
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"Well, if you didn't watch so much TV (mostly YouTube) while you did your work, you could read more." The words of my best friend. First off, I don't watch that much, especially compared to her. Second, I have a crap more stuff to do than her. Yeah, I probably should unsubscribe from a few of the blogs I follow to lessen my email load, but that would take FOREVER!!<br />
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College sucks. "Do fun stuff." Well, it's hard to do when teachers weigh you down with a load of books. And then work on top of it. Believe me, I managed to balance it all. I just wish I could have a job where all I did was read. (Yes, I could be an editor, but I'm pretty sure getting an English degree would land me in a grave, thanks to my best friend. Not kidding.)<br />
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Okay, college doesn't suck. This past semester did. Yes, I did find some time to read, but not as much as I wanted to. *Sigh* Well, it could be worse.<br />
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If anyone is actually reading this, well, I have to say. my blogging sucks, and while I do not want to shut it down forever and ever, I will say I probably will never post regular posts until I get my life and schooling done, which is in about five years probably. Ugh!<br />
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I will say this, when I do get to read, let alone find some motivation to write anything, it feels better than anything in the world.<br />
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<br />TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-2662961750235135312015-09-07T21:57:00.000-07:002015-09-07T21:57:48.992-07:00Update + Mini Reviews #11: Hello Again Rick Riordan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, long time no blog! What have I been doing for the past, I don't know, year? Well, as most of you know, I am in college. (At least, I hope someone is reading this.) Now I'm back. What sucks is that I never have time to read what I want. Well, I do, but I get distracted by other stuff. Anyway, it took me a year to finish The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan because of all the college reading I had to do. ONE YEAR! That is ridiculous! What's great is that I remembered most of the stuff and tried to read tidbits of it every once in a while. Well, here is my review of it plus The Crown of Ptolemy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGbausMsiEZIApPtGJKlrR4bRQLw6X-cR9tbAFVxhKCgObZuPNI2hBDp5nHXZ3BbipW68yAA4upwnrfo2y3I2f_17MQ-aXHHjz-CzYIctFYhHh4GPm-ef1IsIU9Eh57Dn6suAnQ04-TdQ/s1600/Serpent_Shadow_jkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGbausMsiEZIApPtGJKlrR4bRQLw6X-cR9tbAFVxhKCgObZuPNI2hBDp5nHXZ3BbipW68yAA4upwnrfo2y3I2f_17MQ-aXHHjz-CzYIctFYhHh4GPm-ef1IsIU9Eh57Dn6suAnQ04-TdQ/s320/Serpent_Shadow_jkt.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12893742-the-serpent-s-shadow?ac=1">Goodreads:</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456px;"><i>He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456px;"><i>To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.456px;">Okay, so despite taking a whole year to read this book, I still enjoyed it. It was funny, dramatic, and had great history a part of it. While I kinda did not like how the romance kinda went down between the main characters and their love interests (it didn't go very fast - it was a typical teen relationship - but I felt that there should have been more interactions between Sadie and Walt/Anubis and Carter and Zia), I loved the over all story. It was a good read, and I am looking forward to Riordan's next book. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.456px;">One thing though: The Kane Chronicles will never be better than Percy Jackson. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150303173538/olympians/images/c/c1/The-Crown-of-Ptolemy-Rick-Riordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150303173538/olympians/images/c/c1/The-Crown-of-Ptolemy-Rick-Riordan.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18752963-the-crown-of-ptolemy">Goodreads:</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456px;">In their first encounter, demigod Percy Jackson and magician Carter Kane had to battle a giant crocodile on Long Island. A month later, Annabeth Chase ran into Carter's sister, Sadie, on the A train to Rockaway, where the pair fought a god named Serapis. Now trouble is brewing again, this time on Governor's Island. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456px;">An ancient Egyptian magician named Setne has come back from the dead and is experimenting with Egyptian and Greek magic, trying to become a god himself. He's so powerful and tricky that all four-Percy, Annabeth, Carter, and Sadie-have to team up against him. But their usual weapons and spells aren't going to cut it this time. Will the heroes be taken down by a wannabe god who looks like Elvis, or will they rise to the challenge?</span></div>
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So, I wasn't a fan on how this story started out - a little too fast for me - I mean, it jumped right into it without warning. But then again, it was pretty cool. I love this crossover between the two Riordan worlds. It was better than the ones with just the two boys or the two girls. I loved it when Percy and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 20.3636px;">Nekhbet "worked" together. Favorite part: When Percy reminded everyone on why he turned down immortality. *Sigh* I love this boy. And this story was amazing. :D</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 20.3636px;">Well, not sure when I'll update again. Probably when I delete pics off my computer or something. Until then, Keep on Reading!</span></span></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-33478014316773472992015-06-09T10:29:00.000-07:002015-06-10T16:36:16.022-07:00A Shell Full of Books: 2014-2015 + Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, this is where I tell everyone what books I got over the past year. Honestly, it's a lot of fun. I hope people see books they want to read or haven't heard of. </div>
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Here they are!</div>
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As you can see, I got a lot of books.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are new books in the store! Please check them out! </span></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-46006546372616820342015-04-04T08:39:00.000-07:002015-04-04T08:39:59.764-07:00Mini Reviews #10: Rick Riordan Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/51/The_Throne_of_Fire_cover.jpg/250px-The_Throne_of_Fire_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/51/The_Throne_of_Fire_cover.jpg/250px-The_Throne_of_Fire_cover.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a><b>Title:</b> The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2)<br />
<b>Author:</b> Rick Riordan<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9067850-the-throne-of-fire"><span id="goog_1400975531"></span>Goodreads</a><br />
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<b>Review:</b> As always, Rick Riordan delivers a fantastic book of funniness and action and awesomeness. While I wish the romance was more spread out like it was in the Percy Jackson series, the book was still awesome. Unlike the first book, I found that this second book didn't remind me of any of the Percy Jackson books. It was new and refreshing. I was disappointed that Ra didn't come back as some awesome super god, but it was a fun book. Totally recommend it.<br />
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Title: The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5)</div>
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Author: Rick Riordan</div>
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Series: Yes</div>
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Finished: Yes</div>
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Source: Won!</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18705209-the-blood-of-olympus">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>Review:</b> The end sucks! It just sucks! I mean, I'm happy that the person who was predicted to die doesn't actually "die die", but seriously, it was left so open! TOO OPEN!!! Anyway, I loved the book. I loved it when Percy said "I love you" to Annabeth and they shared a moment before they fought the giants. I loved that we got to see the POVs of Reyna and Nico, but I missed reading from Percy's view. Annabeth's was okay, but come on, we all love Percy. He's the Harry Potter of the Greek Mythology world. I can't wait for the Crown of Ptolemy to come out in May. Recommending it all the way to Elysium.</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-56220282814325635612015-04-03T21:04:00.002-07:002015-04-03T21:04:44.828-07:00Review: Defy (Defy #1) by Sara B. Larson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyky3e5urQRzh3Mjd_af7GQfT4vA_u07noU0bk8Ctw2QvkZ0zaxqv6Q8KZz4egYID2iDCSqlRQWs_I87-Z2X_z6WcZs8-cjUfJ0skUjFkGxYtSPNF0xlNdlDRa0Uc4NlaZidiGrSb0dyHg/s1600/Defy_AM_Rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyky3e5urQRzh3Mjd_af7GQfT4vA_u07noU0bk8Ctw2QvkZ0zaxqv6Q8KZz4egYID2iDCSqlRQWs_I87-Z2X_z6WcZs8-cjUfJ0skUjFkGxYtSPNF0xlNdlDRa0Uc4NlaZidiGrSb0dyHg/s320/Defy_AM_Rev.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><b>Title:</b> Defy (Defy #1)<br />
<b>Author: </b>Sara B. Larson<br />
<b>Series: </b>Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> Won<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17406847-defy?ac=1"><b>Goodreads:</b></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Well, I read this a long time ago, and I got the sequel for Christmas, which is sad because I haven't been able to pick it up to read. College sucks sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Anyway, to start off, I really like Alexa. She's an amazing heroine that knows what she wants and goes for it. Of course, when it comes to boys she's a little confused. The plot line was a little original - the kidnapping part with Damian was brilliant. A unique twist. O</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456000328064px;">f course, from there, it was a little predictable. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">But not too much. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Sorcerers were banned, but of course, there are a few hiding. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456000328064px;"> Want to get rid of horrible ruler....blah blah blah.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;"> All you need to know is that Alexa had a large hand in saving the day, and Damian turned into </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456000328064px;">something</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;"> that we all suspected he was when his mother was brought up. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The king has to be one of the worst villains I have ever read about. Well, in the top 20, he's at 10. After reading about him, I wanted to jump through the pages and rip out his heart Regina style (hehehe). Of course, that ability is something I lack. What I liked, though, is that Larson made him a very realistic king, as if she took one from history and put him in the story. I say this because - of course - the king is a dictator, but some of the things he did were things kings did back in old times - like rape. Not many books I have read mention the evil king raping or holding slave houses - usually it's just a lot of murder. (Not that I don't mind that either.)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The romance was....I don't want to say horrible, but it wasn't great. As read in the summary, there is a love triangle. Honestly, I think it was more like a scale that was very unbalanced. Alexa was clearly leaning towards one guy more than the other. She friend-zoned him before he got a chance to make her like-like him! And the thing with the other guy....ugh! Crappy insta-love. Let me tell you, there is not such thing as insta-love. It was horrible. And their little moment towards the end about her being with him because she couldn't trust him (please reread through the review if you can't guess which guy this is.)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">The ending - happy, but I still need to read the sequel.</span></span></span><br />
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(4.5)</div>
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Come on, it's a gorgeous dagger! I want one!</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-9915950601647996842015-03-26T21:45:00.000-07:002015-03-26T21:45:38.920-07:00Review: Possess by Gretchen McNeil<div class="NoSpacing1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl3q_t47wZiOtUjQKUPXBJQ2iW1uexpnX52t7T9OsZZww5YaLYPYo8Z-RnZUoGQKBzavRMzTAQsdrWsTT3jBSzZ9ek_OvuWwPSIkf5XvOVwrtzcomtVDNqGhsCZGtjBz3af9vpXhRT78/s1600/Possess+hc+c+highrez.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl3q_t47wZiOtUjQKUPXBJQ2iW1uexpnX52t7T9OsZZww5YaLYPYo8Z-RnZUoGQKBzavRMzTAQsdrWsTT3jBSzZ9ek_OvuWwPSIkf5XvOVwrtzcomtVDNqGhsCZGtjBz3af9vpXhRT78/s320/Possess+hc+c+highrez.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a><b>Title:</b> Possess</div>
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<b>Author:</b> Gretchen McNeil</div>
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<b>Series:</b> No</div>
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<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished</div>
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<b>Source: </b>Won....I think</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8673931-possess">Goodreads:</a></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Rule #1: Do not show fear.<br />Rule #2: Do not show pity.<br />Rule #3: Do not engage.<br />Rule #4: Do not let your guard down.<br />Rule #5: They lie.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.</span></div>
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<b>Review (Thank God I saved this in Word):</b> </div>
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This book was AMAZING! If you haven’t
read this book yet, do so ASAP! While I do sound like a fan girl right about
now, I have every right to be. I mean, once you read the book, I think you’ll
be gushing about it to. Well, maybe not as much as me and sound as crazy as me.
Anyway….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking at the cover, you’d think ghosts, right? Well,
you’d be mistaken. The book is about demons and exorcisms and evil. All that
good jazz. Yes, for those who love a little romance in their YA tale, there is
some. Nothing extremely cheesy (except for one part), by romance nether the
less. So to begin…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bridget is your average teenage girl dealing with bullies
and a boy who loves her just too much for her liking. This whole thing with her
ability to hear and banish demons is pretty cool. Too bad this all had to
manifest within the year of her dad’s death. Sounds like she should be a bit
depressed, but she wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What I loved about this book was despite all the crap Bridget
was dealing with, she still found the time to be with her little brother,
Sammy. And when she wasn’t, she had that badass attitude that we all know YA
heroines have despite their whole world going crazy. She was able to stay
strong and blah blah blah. Yet, unlike some of the other cheesy YA stories,
eventually Bridget was able to let out all that emotion she was feeling, but
not onto her love interest. Yes, she told Matt about some of the stuff she is
dealing with, but nothing that she used his shoulder to cry on. I love that
Bridge was that strong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The whole plot to this story was creepy. Not in the sense
of horror movie creepy, but it was close. I was thinking one thing, but then <i>BAM</i>, something else hits me and sends
chills up my spine because now I’m in the dark. In addition to the creepy plot,
the setting. It was creepy in general. Bridget lives in a fog-covered part of
San Francisco. The creepy church with angels starring down at everyone. And
then the doll shop. *shivers* That scene was wrong in so many ways, but yet so
thrilling and exciting to read about. While there are some parts that are a bit
predictable, the whole book is basically a guessing game. Who’s going to die?
Is she going to pick that boy or this one? Is she going to blow up and yell at
the crazed guy that’s obsessed with her? Yeah, this book was great.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Romance wise…small love triangle. Well, more like a love L.
At the bottom, two people really like each other, but unfortunately, there is
someone hanging on to the middle person (Bridget) that just won’t let go. The
chemistry between Bridget and Matt was cute. Of course, there is the old cliché
that she is fighting him off because of some reason that the readers wish
wasn’t an issue, but in this case, I think an exception can be made. After all,
it deals with her mom and Matt’s dad…get the picture? No, it’s nothing gross,
but it gets to the point that it makes things awkward when Matt finally finds
out. It’s hilarious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Matt. Matt was interesting, yet a very stereotypical YA
male. I loved him, but wish he was bit different. Star athlete, popular, but
falls for the heroine who isn’t popular herself. No, he’s not an anxious jock,
but he’s like the boy next door basically. (He actually was at one point before
he moved away.) But of course, what girl isn’t looking for that boy next door
to sweep her off her feet? (Girls that want bad boys, duh. But not me in this
case.) I loved his humor and the way he conned Bridget into things. That was
funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Can’t really hope for a sequel. Gretchen isn’t known for
doing sequels (wish she was!). But the ending was great (for once).<br />
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Rating & Cover:</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-19238494434398539672015-03-21T23:13:00.000-07:002015-03-21T23:13:02.588-07:00I'm alive. Don't despair.<br />
Well, if you are reading this, this means you have tumbled onto my blog by accident or get my emails. Anyway, I haven't posted anything in the last six, eight months because of COLLEGE!!! Yay me! Getting an education. Anyway, that takes up a bulk of my time. I don't know how others do it. Anyway, hopefully, a few new post will follow this one, including a few reviews of some awesome books mashed into one post (because it's been awhile and I really don't remember many of them in great detail).<br />
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So please, bare with me. Soon, the Sandcastle Bookstore will be full again. Hopefully, if someone is reading this, you can pass on the message. All money collected will go towards my college fund (or other stuff. Not sure for the moment). Of course, there will be books for trade. ARCS! :D<br />
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Well, I hope someone is reading this.<br />
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Good luck to you,<br />
Tayte HunterTayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-53247019975758073562014-08-25T19:42:00.000-07:002014-08-25T19:42:44.993-07:00A Shell Full of Books: 2013-2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, it's been a long time since I've done one of these. I believe a year in fact. Anyway, this is where I post the books I got over the past year from people.</div>
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And here they are!</div>
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I've already read this one, and Racing Savannah, and I've loved them both!</div>
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Read them!</div>
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As you can see, I've gotten a lot of books over the past year. Plus, a bunch of e-books that I have bought/won and didn't write down.</div>
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Thank you to everyone who I won the books from and who I traded with.</div>
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And thank you to Amazon for existing.</div>
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Sooner or later I'm going to do another post with all the books I don't want that I need to get rid of. Stay tuned!</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-64143917606037858862014-08-23T16:16:00.000-07:002014-08-23T16:16:49.256-07:00Review: Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks #5) by Miranda Kenneally<a href="http://mirandakenneally.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BreatheAnnieBreathe_CVR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mirandakenneally.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BreatheAnnieBreathe_CVR-1.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Title: Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks #5)<br />
Author: Miranda Kenneally<br />
Series: Yes<br />
Finished or ARC: ARC<br />
Source: I won it<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16045306-breathe-annie-breathe?ac=1">Goodreads:</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Review:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">The first thing that really hit me when I read this book is how far along the characters from the first book, <i>Catching Jordan, </i>are. Jordan is now the coach for Hundred Oaks football team and the Health teacher. Sam is an SEC agent for the Titans. I hope in the next book see more of them. Then there is Matt Brown and his fiance, Kate, from <i>Things I Can't Forget.</i> Matt is a big part of Annie's goal. What I hate is that he went for a literature degree, and now he's not doing much with it. (Well, maybe he's writing a book that Kenneally didn't tell us about). I'm happy he's engaged to Kate though. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Anyway, I loved this book. Annie is a great character and running a marathon for her dead boyfriend is amazing. It's sad how he died, but it's amazing what Annie is doing to honor him. What I hate is how she feels guilty about what happened. It's like when a person feels horrible for something bad that is not directly related to them, but they find that one little thing that gives them enough reason to feel guilty. I don't like people who do that to themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">The dynamics of Franklin, TN, really has affected the characters of the Hundred Oaks series. There was Parker, and how the Christians of the town looked down on her lesbian mother, which in turn turned Parker into who she was. Then there is Ty, who didn't like hand outs since he was poor. And now Annie, with the way her friendship with her former best friend turned out. It's sad to see what did happen to their friendship, but what really ticked me off was Annie didn't express how she felt about her situation with her friend. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Jeremiah. I'd probably have a relationship with him like the one Annie did. I'd love him for how free and fun-loving his personality is, but I would be deathly afraid he's going to get himself killed from what he does to earn money (no, it's not the Mafia or stripping). His relationship with Annie is a complicated one. Yes, complicated. I said it. Annie has issues and Jeremiah has issues. Jeremiah is more willing to fight through his than Annie is, but Jeremiah helps her get through them. What I loved is that he is willing to do what Annie wants to do without pushing her. </span></span><br />
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There is much comedy in this book. It's mostly Jeremiah, but every now and then Annie thinks of something funny.<br />
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I loved (can you tell how much I love the Hundred Oaks series?) how besides the characters from the first three books, we get to see the characters from the previous book, Racing Savannah. Tie-ins, they are great.<br />
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Now I have to sit and wait a YEAR for the next one, <i>Best Day Ever</i>. Though I'm disappointed this doesn't include the title character's name (like <i>Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker, Racing Savannah)</i>, at least I know her name and her love interest's name: Maya and Jesse. You can find them here: <a href="http://mirandakenneally.com/2014/03/22/hundred-oaks-peep-diorama/">Hundred Oaks Peep Diorama </a><br />
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Rating:</div>
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The Big Kahuna</div>
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Cover: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn64Xp5-uz0Ei-uhpmZBfBoA7NvearnPcT3-WrDfNmoQVWHrOz8Ym0lLCpNcNRH0EfoWxRCcoD6Rl5pEvWVxjy5k7w2mzsr-l8UDQKLcEI6QfrsIclgFUkxi5HeenZcZqAz_ly0Em1vls/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn64Xp5-uz0Ei-uhpmZBfBoA7NvearnPcT3-WrDfNmoQVWHrOz8Ym0lLCpNcNRH0EfoWxRCcoD6Rl5pEvWVxjy5k7w2mzsr-l8UDQKLcEI6QfrsIclgFUkxi5HeenZcZqAz_ly0Em1vls/s1600/4.png" /></a></div>
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Not a fan of the clouds for the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_P_h1UyMf02RHHltg6aD25MMbOo-NAEfkcZgQD5xnzbZj9845-xc5miyLBDAm2Yf30pqNvQmngPKu9mpa74aCzwmzA_4wO-5ZVfOrf8Q4HkJiXVZUJ4OJE-4DMQvedNLEmRIcWEwEJ_W/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_P_h1UyMf02RHHltg6aD25MMbOo-NAEfkcZgQD5xnzbZj9845-xc5miyLBDAm2Yf30pqNvQmngPKu9mpa74aCzwmzA_4wO-5ZVfOrf8Q4HkJiXVZUJ4OJE-4DMQvedNLEmRIcWEwEJ_W/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-36691252986164451512014-08-22T13:05:00.000-07:002014-08-23T16:12:08.923-07:00Review: Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_tlDVliIRcd8weN2ExuLO_cja86wrnneLt9BbH-D1NhSNCfBq1h4N3viGQgnX5fZrEt380SO6WQ1c8DOgtzrVHxry8y7Z3Y1UOnZYs-sNoURsDmIxU2RE30vIi2cTiQYYdOnu1D9i4Uy/s1600/Racing-Savannah-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_tlDVliIRcd8weN2ExuLO_cja86wrnneLt9BbH-D1NhSNCfBq1h4N3viGQgnX5fZrEt380SO6WQ1c8DOgtzrVHxry8y7Z3Y1UOnZYs-sNoURsDmIxU2RE30vIi2cTiQYYdOnu1D9i4Uy/s320/Racing-Savannah-cover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b>Title:</b> Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4)<br />
<b>Author:</b> Miranda Kenneally<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC</b>: Finished<br />
<b>Source: </b>I think I bought this, but I'm not sure. I might have won it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16045296-racing-savannah?ac=1"><b>Goodreads:</b></a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"><i>They’re from two different worlds.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Moral: not all rich people are stuck up snobs and that social class shouldn't matter when it comes to love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Like all of Miranda Kenneally's books, there is a heroine that is pretty awesome and a guy that has some issues. Jack's issue: the fact he is forced to pretend to like someone he doesn't like, and he can't have Savannah because of it and the fact she is him employee. Classic love story situation. Yes, cliche. No, it's not cheesy. This situation between them is funny, but sweet in a way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">I loved the comedy in this book. Kenneally never fails to make me laugh. What I love is that when things are going horrible for Savannah, she inserts a bit of humor in to lighten up the mood. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Savannah is a great character--funny, smart, and kind. What I love about her is that she doesn't take crap from anyone and is very strong willed when she wants something. I love that she was willing to do anything to make sure her unborn sister had a good life, even if she didn't like Cindy, her father's girlfriend, all that well. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">There are some really, <i>really</i> sad moments in this book that made me want to cry. I'm not going to indulge you on what they are, but those moments are ones that can happen in real life, which is what I like about Kenneally's novels. She creates real situations and turns them into amazing stories.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Jack. I have mix feelings about Jack. I thought he was really sweet, but he could be the biggest jackass. I did believe that Jack truly cared for Savannah, but during one scene, I wanted to jump into the story and beat him. He asked a question that was so rude that I can't believe Savannah went back to him. Of course, Jack redeemed himself and everything worked itself out.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Overall, this book was a great read and I loved it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">I love the cover of this book. I love Savannah's outfit.</span></span></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-32611664709003993082014-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:002014-08-22T12:18:04.856-07:00Mini Reviews #9: Christmas in July with A Man's Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-YxBPt45wTb5j7i4MPBT8oagm9_zKANDdVyx__uJnGrg8bgWEx-lXWxCkIZcAz9C7eAnkh3RStm03-lS8fmFjGymMvE_3ErKHu76Nb06dgOu53BXAVOHq33jtUO9qPCux2QKPIn1jUCU/s1600/Mini+Reviews.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-YxBPt45wTb5j7i4MPBT8oagm9_zKANDdVyx__uJnGrg8bgWEx-lXWxCkIZcAz9C7eAnkh3RStm03-lS8fmFjGymMvE_3ErKHu76Nb06dgOu53BXAVOHq33jtUO9qPCux2QKPIn1jUCU/s1600/Mini+Reviews.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18656217-christmas-in-july">Christmas in July (Christmas, Colorado #2)</a> by Debbie Mason </div>
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385889719l/18656217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385889719l/18656217.jpg" height="200" width="124" /></a>I loved this book! Debbie Mason is a brilliant writer who crafted an amazing story about finding love again. While I hated that there was a love triangle and Grace's insecurities made her a bit...irrational, I loved that Jack never gave up on winning her back. I loved Jack, though he was a total idiot for what he did to Grace before he lost his memory. And then while he was gone, he was still an idiot, even if he did lose his memory. I loved how everything worked out, but I kinda feel that Maria's back-story was a bit overdone. If you read the book (which you should), then you'll know what I'm talking about. Overall, this book was really good. (I will admit though, I skipped the first two chapters because they sounded a bit boring to me).</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18168505-a-man-s-heart?ac=1">A Man's Heart</a> by Debbie Macomber</div>
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<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780778315872_p0_v3_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780778315872_p0_v3_s260x420.JPG" height="200" width="126" /></a>Like all of Debbie Macomber's books, I loved this one. While some may not appreciate some of the cheesy romance Debbie may sometimes come up with, I love it. Reading her books makes believe that there are great guys out in the world waiting for their other half to find them. (Yes, I'm a romantic. Sue me.) What I loved about the first story,<i> The Way to a Man's Heart</i>, was that the character's age difference didn't matter to them. And no one judge them! In the second story, <i>Hasty Wedding,</i> the main heroine didn't care that her husband was Indian. Getting past all the prejudice and seeing him the man he is, the heroine fell in love and forgot about her awful ex. Yes, some of parts of the stories is unrealistic and cheesy, but isn't that what makes a great romance novel? I think so.</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-28766601053528489842014-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:002014-08-21T11:27:59.246-07:00Review: Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout<a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Origin-final-1600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Origin-final-1600px.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b>Title:</b> Origin (Lux #4)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Jennifer L. Armentrout<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> I think I won this, but then again, it's been awhile since I got it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13644052-origin">Goodreads</a>: <em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.</em><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.</span><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">All Katy can do is survive.</em><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?</span><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Together, they can face anything.</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? </span><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">And will they even be together?</em><br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
Like all of Jennifer L. Armentrout's books, Origin is full of kick ass characters, awesome action scenes, hilarious comedy, romance that makes your blood sing, and a hot boy. In Origin, Katy is trapped in Daedalus's labs, forced to do whatever they say to stay alive. Daemon is on the hunt for Katy and rescue her from Daedalus. I was surprised that Daemon's quest to rescue Katy wasn't longer. Sure, we had a few chapters of Katy in the labs, but Daemon's "rescuing" her, as in, just getting to her, wasn't very long. Like maybe two, three chapters. I was expecting some sort of huge obstacle, like Daemon's siblings or Matthew. But nope.<br />
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I really admire that Katy didn't crack from all the crap Daedalus made her do. Sure, there were some things I thought she'd crack under, but nope, she stayed strong and powered through it with Daemon. And unlike Beth, she didn't step aside when shit got real and the fighting started. Daemon was just Daemon in all of this. Fighting for who he loves, being a badass, and sassy. <br />
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I really liked Asher. At first I thought he was going to become another Blake: an unnecessary love triangle. Thank you Jennifer for not doing that! Asher is serious, but can be funny when the opportunity presents itself. I hated it when he said he has never been to an Olive Garden. That is a scandal in itself! I'm happy that he didn't on Katy. That would have made me hate him.<br />
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While the characters are great, and the plot itself is good, there is one thing that you should know before going into this book: it's full of cliches. Like when the bad guys say they aren't "bad", and that the good guys aren't actually "good". Or the classic cliche: the world may end tomorrow, let's do something crazy! (I'm not saying what it is, but think about Vegas.) I didn't like them, but of course, the awesomeness that is Daemon made up for it.<br />
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The romance in this book is.....something. While there is sweet moments between Daemon and Katy, there are some of their "moments" that I could have done without all the details...or just without in general. If you've read the book already, then you know what I'm talking about. I get that it does happen with teens theses days (I am still one, and except it from my friends, but still...), but some things don't need to be....as detailed as Daemon's and Katy's was. I'm not saying their sex s was graphic with explicit detail, but there was just enough that I thought it was a bit too much. But you be your own judge.<br />
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The ending....CLIFFHANGER! I hated it. Let's put it this way: I wish there was more of an indication on what is going to happen in the next book. Of course, Opposition has already come out, so I need to get it soon.<br />
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Cover: </div>
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I'm sorry, but as much as I love Daemon, this picture of him sucks. He doesn't look like he's going to kill someone. He looks like he's hungry. And honestly! If you are going to show his abs, don't cover them with a stupid jacket! I also don't like the background. I think there should be more flames if you are going to burn down a city.</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-73614298727419096092014-08-19T11:51:00.000-07:002014-08-19T11:51:59.244-07:00Mini Reviews #8: At 3:59, at the Red Pyramid, the Son of Sobek Married Two Friends with the Staff of Sephasis over two Bleeding Hearts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, I’m going to try to do these reviews in five words,
one phrase, or less, minus the rating and technical info. Click on the titles to go to Goodreads!</div>
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(I just really don't want to write a <i>full </i>review for any these because it's been ages since I've read them and I didn't write anything down at the time I finished them.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF64mCvy0z_t-1TGe_jABM2NDZbKWzdq0BBBJgmPlleDspB7qkvBrDgo-GGYY9iFUjkCQwF58WhzOqTguGf9UnAOJrWONWA3I11T7lelKHtrp8WQL_2oWrt9mmElUHULTfaS01pvZqg/s1600/15836516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF64mCvy0z_t-1TGe_jABM2NDZbKWzdq0BBBJgmPlleDspB7qkvBrDgo-GGYY9iFUjkCQwF58WhzOqTguGf9UnAOJrWONWA3I11T7lelKHtrp8WQL_2oWrt9mmElUHULTfaS01pvZqg/s200/15836516.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>1)</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15836516-3">3:59</a> by Gretchen McNeil </div>
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5 starfish<o:p></o:p></div>
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Creepy,
amazing, why isn't it a movie yet, why isn't there a sequel, awesome characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlilXdGCeXIjci3ID9GL-btYTvp1Hsdv8ZBavGWxIpoQKQaOVixY_nYZvKGBPn3r3GSIUMRIOqj7cr6g4EQ5CJZn-qcita1UhifpxJVwU-HlOGiGxyqFocRPGJCk06goW2cXU03CGOsois/s1600/Riordan_Red+pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlilXdGCeXIjci3ID9GL-btYTvp1Hsdv8ZBavGWxIpoQKQaOVixY_nYZvKGBPn3r3GSIUMRIOqj7cr6g4EQ5CJZn-qcita1UhifpxJVwU-HlOGiGxyqFocRPGJCk06goW2cXU03CGOsois/s200/Riordan_Red+pyramid.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>2)</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7090447-the-red-pyramid">The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1)</a> by Rick Riordan </div>
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5 starfish<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plot,
characters, and funniness reminds me of the Percy Jackson series (which made me a bit sad). Crazy but
funny monkey. Characters were more emotionally involved than some in Riordan’s
other series. Why haven’t I read the sequel yet? It’s freaking amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130507115804/kanechronicles/images/d/d6/Son_of_Sobek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130507115804/kanechronicles/images/d/d6/Son_of_Sobek.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>3)</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17312201-the-son-of-sobek">The Son of Sobek</a> by Rick Riordan </div>
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5 starfish<o:p></o:p></div>
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Awesome
combination of his two series: Kane Chronicles and the Percy Jackson world.
Funny. (PERCY DOESN’T DIE!) What is planning to do with the two worlds? And is he
going to introduce his Norse mythology series with it? Great plot.</div>
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<a href="http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140408211158/olympians/images/d/dc/Staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140408211158/olympians/images/d/dc/Staff.jpg" width="132" /></a>4) <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18752959-the-staff-of-serapis">The Staff of Serapis</a> by Rick Riordan 5 starfish </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Funny.
Annabeth and Sadie are a hilarious combination. Now I know what may happened if
Riordan combines the two worlds. WHEN DOES THAT BOOK COME OUT?! The sneak peek
at The Blood of Olympus (which the cover---eh. Wish it had Percy on it) was
awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380491549l/18006105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380491549l/18006105.jpg" width="126" /></a><b>5)</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18006105-marriage-between-friends">Marriage Between Friends</a> by Debbie Macomber </div>
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4 starfish<o:p></o:p></div>
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A sweet
book for quick reading. Love the romance. A little cheesy, but still funny.</div>
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<a href="http://alyxandraharvey.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://alyxandraharvey.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAh.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>6)</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9728843-bleeding-hearts?ac=1">Bleeding Hearts (The Drake Chronicles #4)</a> by Alyxandra Harvey </div>
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4 starfish<o:p></o:p></div>
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Funny,
fast-paced, romantic, and one of the best couples ever. (Didn’t like how fast
Connor was ‘falling’ for Christabel and how fast-paced the book went. Good book
anyway!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-64784065269742941072014-08-18T12:50:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:50:25.817-07:00Review: The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler<div>
<a href="http://sarahockler.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/bobhcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sarahockler.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/bobhcover.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> The Book of Broken Hearts<br />
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<b>Author:</b> Sarah Ockler</div>
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<b>Series: </b>No</div>
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<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished</div>
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<b>Source: </b>I won it (I think)</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15805597-the-book-of-broken-hearts">Goodreads:</a></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"><i>Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Review:</span></span></div>
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When I read the summary, I thought it sounded good, but
wondered what this “Book of Broken Hearts” was and what it had to do with the
overall plot. After reading it, I understood. The whole story revolves around
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jude’s dad is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Jude
found his old motorcycle, which she hopes to fix up to restore some of his
memories. Now, how does that involve the “book”? Well, it does by who helps fix
up the bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1) This book is extremely sad. Okay, I’m exaggerating,
but it is sad. I knew Alzheimer’s was bad (who hasn’t seen the Notebook), but
reading about it through Jude makes it worse. This book is a heartwrencher.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2) The romance between Emilio and Jude is a true summer
whirlwind romance. It was great reading about Jude’s struggle to follow her
heart and to keep her promise to her sisters. And it’s one of those promises
that could be very real between any sisters, which makes it great. <o:p></o:p></div>
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3) The Book of Broken Hearts. How is it involved?
Spoilers: it revolves around sisters and their relationship to Emilio’s family.
It also was about Jude finding herself instead of being her sisters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And the book had a lot of Jude finding herself. Not the
cheesy “I don’t know who I am”; more of the fact she has live in her sisters’
shadows and clothing and influence for so long that she doesn’t have a sense to
follow her heart instead of her sisters’ influence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All the characters are strong in their own way. Jude is
strong in her quest to get her dad to remember. Emilio is strong by helping
Jude and not being a total jerk like his brothers. The older sisters are older
sisters in the sense they believe they know what is good for Jude, yet each
have stood on their own by finding their way through the world despite what
they have encountered (which is in their Book). Christina and Zoe were the only
characters I didn’t like. And of course, they were the characters that were the
ones that were incapable of understanding Jude’s need to help her dad and thought
of only their summer trip before college. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The ending was great. Period.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Rating:</b></div>
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<b>Cover</b></div>
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How could you <i>not</i> love that cover?</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-15427077193316840372014-07-19T13:23:00.001-07:002014-07-19T13:26:02.363-07:00Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout<div>
<a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitehotkiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitehotkiss.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
Title: White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1)<br />
<div>
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout</div>
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Series: Yes</div>
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Finished or ARC: Finished, ebook</div>
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Source: Bought</div>
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<div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?ac=1">Goodreads</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">One kiss could be the last.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"> </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Review:</span></div>
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I’ve only read this book and the Lux series by JLA. My
friend that has read her series about gods says I need to read that one soon,
too. Eventually I will. But if you want to skip a few of her books and read
something out of the ordinary, read White Hot Kiss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No, it is not about an actually white hot kiss. It has
nothing to do with that except that Layla can’t kiss anyone that has soul. But
it makes the romance part of the book interesting. More on that later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The plot of the book involves these warriors that go
around fighting demons from Hell. Theses warriors are called Wardens, which are
basically gargoyles that can change into human form to blend in. Layla is stuck
between two worlds since she is half demon and half Warden. Yes, there is some
crap about her being between the two and struggling with her place in the
world, but that just leads to the bigger picture. The bigger picture involves
raising a bunch of really evil demons, and to do so, Layla’s blood is needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Enter Roth. Higher level demon and a kickass hottie.
Note: Roth can be caring and a smartass too. His job is odd for a demon, but it
involves Layla. What is crazy about this book is the fact on why Layla actually
exists. It’s crazy, but oddly, romantic, if it didn’t involve something bad
happening to Layla. Anyway, Roth’s and Layla’s adventure together is what you
may expect from a demon and a half demon: they become friends and try to stop
the world from imploding. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, the romance part is a bit…annoying, but at the same
time, you aren’t rooting for a side. There is a stupid love triangle. In fact,
there are two. I know! Stupid right. But in one, there is already a clear
winner (or at least I think there is). There is: Danika, Zayne, and Layla. Both
Danika and Zayne are expected to mate, but Zayne likes Layla and she him, but
she can’t be with him because of the whole soul sucking thing. And then there
is Layla, Zayne, and Roth. Roth likes Layla, and Layla likes both boys, but I
was rooting for Roth. Fortunately, the love triangles are highlighted to an
extreme. It more like Zayne is overprotective of Layla and Roth loves insulting
Zayne, but only to Layla (though he did once to Zayne’s face). Anyway, the
romance isn’t cheesy, but it still is annoying to have a love triangle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Layla, despite being a totally girl (I’m one too, but I’m
not that cry-babyish about it) about her place among the Wardens, is a girl
with spunk and willing to take risks to find out who she is. But I was happy
when she started rebelling. The kicker in finding out who her parents are was
mind-blowing. Seriously, it was the one thing in the book you wouldn’t see
coming. Roth I already talked about. He is sweet, kickass, and a smartass. End
of story. Zayne is a bit annoying. He’s one of those characters you want to
strangle and slap over the head because they can’t see what is going on in
front of them, but at the same time, he’s like the boy next door every girl
wants. I still root for Roth.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The ending was okay. Not what I wished would have happened, but the
summary of the next book makes me feel better. Now, go out and read this book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rating:</span></div>
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Cover:</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-53419566813463079772014-07-19T13:11:00.000-07:002014-07-19T13:23:51.017-07:00Review: Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce<a href="http://ebookwormhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/8436082472_4c8b89a9d5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ebookwormhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/8436082472_4c8b89a9d5_c.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a><b>Title:</b> Cold Spell (Fairytale Retellings #4)<br />
<b>Author:</b> Jackson Pearce<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> Christmas gift! :D<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16039122-cold-spell">Goodreads</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Kai and Ginny grew up together–best friends since they could toddle around their building’s rooftop rose garden. Now they’re seventeen, and their relationship has developed into something sweeter, complete with stolen kisses and plans to someday run away together.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">But one night, Kai disappears with a mysterious stranger named Mora–a beautiful girl with a dark past and a heart of ice. Refusing to be cast aside, Ginny goes after them and is thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with monsters and thieves and the idea that love is not enough.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">If Ginny and Kai survive the journey, will she still be the girl he loved–and moreover, will she still be the girl who loved him?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Reviews: </span></div>
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So, based on the summary, anyone can guess that this is
based on the Snow Queen fairytale. Jackson Pearce is good at retelling
fairytales. Well, this one is pretty amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plot starts off pretty close to the same as the original
tale (except Grandma dies). Kai and Ginny (Gerda) are best friends and in love,
but the Snow Queen comes in and takes Kai away. Ginny, not being one to watch
while her love is taken, goes after him and to stop the Snow Queen. Pearce
adapts the original tale to fit into modern times and makes it quiet
interesting. The witch Ginny was supposed to stay with turns into a group of
Travelers, or gypsies that can live a long time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s the kicker: No shard of glass to get rid of. And
besides being in modern times, there are werewolves. I love the way Pearce
incorporates the previous novels, which involve the ocean girls and the
monsters, and how that translates into this book. If you can guess, the Snow Queen
was an ocean girl, and then was turned into a werewolf. Fenis are the werewolf
species, and let’s say that they are the reason the Snow Queen, or Mora, is who
she is and why she does what she does.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The romance is cute. Basically best friends fall in love,
but then Mora comes in and hypnotizes Kai into loving her. I love that Ginny
never gave up on Kai, but I also love that she got over her fear of being
without him. Ginny is the only character in the book to grow. She goes from
this girl who has no clue what to do in life, but is fine with it as long as
she has Kai (yes she was one of those), to a girl with no clue what to do in
life, but is okay if Kai wasn’t there. I feel that though this type of
character is sometimes annoying to read about, her quest was enough to keep a
reader going. It was entertaining.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The ending didn’t hint to any “sequel”, but knowing
Jackson Pearce, there will be another book within the same world as the ocean
girls and monsters between the pages of her book. It will be interesting to see
what she does next. Meanwhile, the ending to Cold Spell was perfect, except one
detail. I won’t say it, though, since it would give away the book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Rating and Cover:</b></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-72071947300410520972014-06-09T21:47:00.000-07:002014-06-09T21:47:04.624-07:00Review: Ten by Gretchen McNeil<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfq55HRFvunKaFZPUStOY9TSeleSiwXog8-e1mYRSGWcnQVpBx7Ft_NlNYK3ripcLwKpW5SKMYi2cnarH2g-rcVJzfzT0nNYdy9seIpCyabdOr9Z7gxMSLZ51dGvRvGLV28PgZ08WqtrS/s1600/TEN+chosen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfq55HRFvunKaFZPUStOY9TSeleSiwXog8-e1mYRSGWcnQVpBx7Ft_NlNYK3ripcLwKpW5SKMYi2cnarH2g-rcVJzfzT0nNYdy9seIpCyabdOr9Z7gxMSLZ51dGvRvGLV28PgZ08WqtrS/s320/TEN+chosen.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><b>Title: </b>Ten<br />
<b>Author:</b> Gretchen McNeil<br />
<b>Series:</b> No (unfortunately)<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> Finished<br />
<b>Source: </b>Won<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958033-ten">Goodreads:</a><br />
<i><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">SHHHH!<br />Don't spread the word!<br />Three-day weekend. Party at White Rock House on Henry Island.<br />You do NOT want to miss it.</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Vengeance is mine.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Review: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">When reading the summary, it screams creepy. Almost Stephen King creepy. Thing is, the book wasn't--isn't--as creepy as you may think. It's just creepy enough to make you wonder why you are reading this book, what is going through Gretchen's head, and why isn't their a sequel.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">The reason: It's the way the plot was and the motive behind all the killings that may send a chill up your spine. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">The whole plot of the book is centered around revenge for this one depressed girl who killed herself. Now as sad as it was to read about this girl, it was a little crazy what she wrote in her journal. Yes, she tired to fit in, but she also kinda made up a few things in her mind. Suicides are bad, but hers could have been prevented if she had talked to someone. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">To start off with the motive-plot, I feel that if this book was made into a movie, I would be totally scared but excited to see it. Reading it--yes, a bit creepy, but the book kept my interest going because I wanted to know who the a murderer was. Ten's one of those books that if you just want a book with no cheesy romantic crap and a standalone, it;s one to read. And it's hard to put down. And it's not too creepy that it gives you nightmares.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Meg, our main character, is shy, but very brave when it came to certain things. The thing I admired about her was that even though her best friend, Mimie, was a total bitch towards her, she still stuck by her side. Takes a true ffriend to do that. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Now, despite this, all characters weren't perfect, but they were just right to where they each caused tension, backstabbing, suspicion, and anger to come out to make the evil mastermind's plan work. It was genius and I wish I could think of something creepily amazing like this book. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I said earlier that there wasn't any cheesy romantic crap--that doesn't mean there isn't any romance at all. There is. It's just regular teenage love where two girls like the same guy but one backs off because the other. I'm happy Meg gets the guy, and not just because of what happens to the other--Mimie.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">At the end when the secret was revealed---oMG. Sorry to be such a girl, but it was shocking. From parts of the plot, I grew some suspicions on who was killing everyone. I was right, but when the murderer came out to Meg, I was shocked. At this point, it was 1:30 am, but I needed to know why. Man, it was good. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">The ending is a bit depressing, but it's a horror type book, so there isn't really a big happy ending. Yet, there was a small happy ending for Meg.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Rating and </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Cover:</span></div>
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<br />TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-79271277481131760822014-06-09T20:44:00.000-07:002014-08-23T16:10:19.203-07:00Review: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks #3) by Miranda Kenneally<a href="http://forloveandbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12551082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://forloveandbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/12551082.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b>Title:</b> Things I Can't Forget<br />
<b>Author: </b>Miranda Kenneally<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC: </b>Finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> Christmas gift. Thank you, Mom!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12551082-things-i-can-t-forget?ac=1">Goodreads:</a></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Review:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I'm not going to rave on and on about how much I loved this book. yiou can read my reviews of Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker to know how much I love Miranda Kenneally an her books. This book doesn't disappoint.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">In the book, Katie is a very religious girl dealing with the gulit of helping a friend get an abortion, and the feelings she has towards Matt, which are a little more intense than she would like. Obviously, she has issues to deal with that really suck. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">In Stealing Parker, Kenneally addressed the issue of people discriminating against gay people and adults having affairs with minors and both affect everyone. She really pushed the issue out there, like she did in Catching Jordan with girls in football. In this book, she pushed the issue of religion and modern relationships to the limit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">What I mean is that Katie, being very religious, dealing with the way sex is viewed in the world and in relationships and at her age. Today we know many media outlets involve sex somehow, and it affects the youths of today (no, I am not an old middle age adult. I'm 19, but if you heard some of the things I did from kids younger than me, you'd say this too). This means that kids are having sex at a younger age or are doing other stupid things. Katie believes marriage should come before sex and that it should be only a man and woman. She comes around to gay people and their lifestyle, but she struggles with this desire she has for Matt that makes things complicated. He wants to have sex, but she wants to wait, and she struggles to tell him. I feel that there are many woman like that today, even if media doesn't show it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">One thing I liked a lot about Matt was that he understood Katie's desire to wait and didn't push her. I feel many breakups today involve a girl not wanting to put out. Even though it is fiction, this book could be very real, and it's nice to know that there are guys like Matt out there. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I was happy in the end. From the beginning, Katie changed a lot and nothing felt fake about the plot. I think everyone should read this, especially young girls. </span><br />
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The Big Kahuna</div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Cover:</b></span></span></div>
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I love how they are holding hands!</div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-42597028756709457252014-06-09T19:59:00.000-07:002014-06-09T20:46:13.321-07:00Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.katielmcgarry.com/image.axd?picture=2013%2F1%2Fptl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.katielmcgarry.com/image.axd?picture=2013%2F1%2Fptl.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>T<b>itle:</b> Pushing the Limits<br />
<b>Author:</b> Katie McGarry<br />
<b>Series:</b> Yes<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> ARC<br />
<b>Source: </b>I won from someone<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194514-pushing-the-limits">Goodreads:</a> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>So wrong for each other …and yet so right.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.</span></i></span><br />
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<b>Review: </b><br />
I read this over a year ago and haven't put up the review. I know right? College sucks. I will say this, I should have read it sooner than when i did. I loved it. It had a lot of drama, which I can get at school, but there was a nice comedy relief that it was hard to put down.<br />
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First thing I'd love to point out is how real the book could actually be. PTSD is real, and how it is tackled in this book is amazing. And I love the rebellion from Echo--instead of burying it away like she has been taught, she let it out and took it head on.<br />
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Noah was amazing. Not the typical bad boy with a sweet side, but a bad boy who's fighting for something he needs to get over guilt. I loved how he comes to several realizations throughout his relationship with Echo, and that despite how things are, he is willing to take another look at reality.<br />
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The ending was great. It wasn't sad at all, and things were resolved. Am I going to get to read Dare You To any time soon? Probably not, given how many books I still have to read in my personal library, but I really want to soon. Stay tune for more reviews.<br />
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<b>Cover:</b></div>
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Love her hair, but it could have been better in my opinion.</div>
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<br />TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-88450634565742497632014-04-12T21:40:00.000-07:002014-04-12T21:40:12.425-07:00Review: Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRKPqLzeYwXXsLNzO7vkqrGO8MeHldKMEXhvXcgTrVV5odpFDxp3FbCq0l-QZF-p-tngPKFbbf8RPDnAnumFjTrY3Miy4iQv_x2QJrG5OpFPrGytTQz0n_y45oVqQYqquD4T2EefTdKgT/s1600/such_a_rush_final_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRKPqLzeYwXXsLNzO7vkqrGO8MeHldKMEXhvXcgTrVV5odpFDxp3FbCq0l-QZF-p-tngPKFbbf8RPDnAnumFjTrY3Miy4iQv_x2QJrG5OpFPrGytTQz0n_y45oVqQYqquD4T2EefTdKgT/s320/such_a_rush_final_cover.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a><b>Title:</b> Such a Rush<br />
<b>Author: </b>Jennifer Echols<br />
<b>Series:</b> No<br />
<b>Finished or ARC: </b>Finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought at Wal-Mart<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12989112-such-a-rush">Goodreads:</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (some things have been cut out because of length)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A</span>ll her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><i>But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once... When Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><i>By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they’re determined to keep the banner planes flying.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><i>Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Review <span style="font-size: x-small;">(note: I read this over nine months ago. Write reviews in a book people! It's a great idea.)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Jennifer Echols is pretty famous in the YA world. I really want to read her book Dirty Little S</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">ecret. It sounds really good. So did Such a Rush.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">No, this isn't a negative review. Just a review filled with a bit of disappointment. I say this because of this word: typical.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Typical situation: girl wants to leave her crappy home and parent for some place better and for a better life.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"> I wish the situation was...I don't know, not this. I don't know what it should have been, but I feel like this back ground story is a bit boring. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Typical character: girl puts on a mask of "I don't care", but really want to be loved and have the free she wants.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"> I love characters who have a strong backbone and can stand up for themselves. Look at Rose Hathaway and Tris and Lea from Delirium. What I don't like is how much of this attitude of "I don't care" was emphasized in the book. I get that she didn't care what people of her, but it got a little tiring to have it played out over and over, especially when it came to her best friend, Molly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Typical boy: boy who hides a secret but loves the girl and won't tell her a single thing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"> A boy that keeps secrets from a girl usually results in one thing: guy won't tell girl and she gets upset with him but they end up together anyway. the secret that Grayson was keeping was sweet and thoughtful when it came to who it was about and the reason behind it. But keeping it from Leah was bit stupid. I think if she was told, then she would have done a better job helping Grayson.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Yes, most of these things are common in YA contemporary novels, but sometimes they can get really boring. Now the planes were cool. I have never read a book that incorporated planes. In a way, the planes represented the freedom Leah craved, which I thought was brilliant. Planes are like birds: flying free.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Besides some of the comments mentioned before, the one thing I truly didn't like about this book was Leah's best friend, Molly. I get that she's a nice love interest for Adam, and a nice contrast to Leah, but other than that, I don't see the purpose of her. She was annoying. She have a fight with Leah and then she disappears to the background until they make up in the very, <i>very</i>, end. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Don't get me wrong, though. This book good, just with some faults.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Cover</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I love the hair representing the "wind blowing through your hair as you fly" effect, but I wish there was a bit more with planes incorporated. </span></span></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-10173871556133896492014-01-19T22:50:00.000-08:002014-01-19T22:50:23.648-08:00Review: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan<a href="http://www.rickriordan.com/Files/Images/HoHcoverweb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rickriordan.com/Files/Images/HoHcoverweb.gif" height="320" width="210" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Title: </b>The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Author: </b>Rick Riordan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Series: </b>Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Finished or ARC: </b>Finished</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Source: </b>Bought from Amazon.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12127810-the-house-of-hades?ac=1">Goodreads:</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><i>At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Review</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">To me, the Percy Jackson series and the Hereoes of Olympus are one of those series that if you love it, you love it. It's not a YA book that we normally think of: one hero, love interest with some forbidden love triangle or something, and one evil villain. Instead, these two series revolve around several characters (and Percy) and different couples and several evil villains. Great series all around. And I happen to be one of the people on the world that love this series. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">This book.........Holy freaking crap. I loved it. Absolutely loved it.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"> One thing I love to point out is that unlike most YA novels, this series has several authors. I don't really like third person POV, but Rick Riordan does a great job using it. I love getting each character's perspective on the story/plot, even if I really wish I could know every character's thoughts on each scene (what a long book that would be). As much as I wish the story was told from only Percy's POV like in the first series, I do like all the characters narrating.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">In all of his books that I have read (which is just the ones with Percy in them), Rick Riordan brings his own humor to the story, which makes getting through one of his books without a laugh very hard to do. I was surprised that this book didn't have as much funny jokes and humor as his other ones. Maybe it was because this book was a bit more serious than the others; given that Percy and Annabeth are in Tartarus (which was cruel) and Frank, Leo, Jason, and Piper are trying to reach the House of Hades to close the Doors of Death, with Nico's help. As much as seriousness is good for a book with so much suspense, I did miss some of the funniness Riordan brings to his books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Characters:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I have to say, this is the one book I think most of the characters really revealed their true selves. Frank, we know, has been uncomfortable with himself, not only being the son of Mars, but also in his awkward shape and the fact Leo keeps teasing him. In the HOH, he grows out of all of this and comes to accept himself even more. Leo, who left a little left out given that he is the only one of the seven without a girlfriend, expresses this and I came to the conclusion that he teased Frank and was a joker because he felt that was the only way he would be noticed for something other than his awesome mechanical skills. I was really happy that he met Calypso, but really upset that the gods hadn't let her go yet. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">Frank and Leo are just a few examples of revelations. The biggest one to me was Nico. This is the first time we really see him for him. He lashes out at Cupid, who provokes him into revealing his big secret. It is shocking to learn this secret. I'm not going to say what it is since it is a big spoiler, but I will say this: if you look at the whole series, you wouldn't think of it at all. Many books these days have some of this issue (think of Glee when you are wonder what it is) and oddly, I would have never thought Riordan would have put it in his series. It's not that I think he's against this issue (I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone; I can't think of any other word for it without revealing the secret or sounding really, <i>really</i> rude), but it was just a surprise. But then again, a chapter earlier kind of hinted to it, which I wasn't smart enough to pick up on, but still, it was a shock. But I still love Nico. By far, he is one of the strongest characters of the series; not by strength and brute force, but by character in himself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Romance:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">What I love best about these books is that the love dovy stuff isn't overwhelming stupid and cheesy. It is the love you would expect two teenagers to experience as their first girlfriend/boyfriend. Of course, I love Percabeth all the way, but Jasper (Jason and Piper) and Frazel (Frank and Hazel) are good too. Hopefully Riordan doesn't screw it up and forget about Calypso. I love them together. I think their couple name is Caleo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Ending:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">I'm happy it ending the way it did, but I'm sad that Bob died and that Octavian is a horrible ^@*$^#)@ face. He's too power hungry. I really don't like him. I kinda hope he </span><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><span style="background-color: white;">does get</span><span style="background-color: white;"> shot out of a cannon by Frank and Reyna. I can't wait for the last book, The Blood of Olympus, which I hope doesn't mean a main character dies. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>Rating & Cover:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><b>The Big Kahuna</b></span></span></div>
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-18541214447942448622014-01-13T20:34:00.001-08:002014-01-13T20:34:43.277-08:00Mini Reviews #7: The Clockwork Princess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-NIpIORIFoF1s7xD0uvy-C9MaWdxRhZFoytFiIuEP8KDEchxSvGz5ua4DUp4eDdSG8b2xvSUzPRo2nUASXv739COEA6jRWsGFbAx7hWmDqCEWtfo7jr5tRsYf9Ult9woCpXHZ7M8oNC0/s1600/Mini+Reviews.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-NIpIORIFoF1s7xD0uvy-C9MaWdxRhZFoytFiIuEP8KDEchxSvGz5ua4DUp4eDdSG8b2xvSUzPRo2nUASXv739COEA6jRWsGFbAx7hWmDqCEWtfo7jr5tRsYf9Ult9woCpXHZ7M8oNC0/s320/Mini+Reviews.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120711053655/mortalinstruments/images/4/4b/CP2_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120711053655/mortalinstruments/images/4/4b/CP2_cover.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Title:</b> The Clockwork Princes (The Infernal Devices #3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Author:</b> Cassandra Clare</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Series:</b> Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Finish or ARC:</b> finish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Source:</b> Bought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rating:</b> Big Kahuna (greater than 5 starfish)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18335634-clockwork-princess"><b>Goodreads:</b></a></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Tessa Gray should be happy – aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">I don't need to tell you how much this book was loved by practically everyone. I don't need to tell you how awesome the plot and the characters are. This book was great period.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Except for one thing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">WHen you come to teh end of a series, it's sad. It's even sadder when one of the main characters dies because of old age. I mean, the ending was so heart-wrenching that I cried-happy and sad tears. Usually I don't cry for much. I don't like to. But my Lord, this author made the ending so emotion that I couldn't help it. I might be </span><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;">exaggerating, but I can't express my feelings any other way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">I'm not sure how I feel about the end though. It was wonderfully sweet, but because I rooted fro Will the whole series, it was a little shocking and I felt the part of me that loved Will go all sad and depressed. I will say one thing though: I want to go to the bridge and have a relationship like Will's and Tessa's. Maybe even one like Jem's and Tessa's too. </span></span><br />
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TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030614354931893219.post-21535341353394644012014-01-13T17:34:00.001-08:002014-01-13T20:25:13.526-08:00Mini Reviews #6: The Avery Shaw Experiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwHMq4_1kuTeI4u_8a8OTh2lEbvqTIus0ZyIhDqtoBCxMJYWZ-iTWSvSk9eKAmcwXez-3cxP5heL919NdphsU8-jXKr7J4_pbv57tCkHXNaRXt7-o6Xf4o-YU8z0ZR8VQbegWOtPNVc_j/s1600/Mini+Reviews.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwHMq4_1kuTeI4u_8a8OTh2lEbvqTIus0ZyIhDqtoBCxMJYWZ-iTWSvSk9eKAmcwXez-3cxP5heL919NdphsU8-jXKr7J4_pbv57tCkHXNaRXt7-o6Xf4o-YU8z0ZR8VQbegWOtPNVc_j/s320/Mini+Reviews.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-ZITejC4tFBX0UUILaDkIFZLeXQDK_sxGolV_nt8ssGFY3oPxY0gF1BHhtbhvEtILCIUVKp3EVtGQwEmf4Cel-3y-Le6yeZv6KbLmzoImdmIlxzgBHNz-hUp2NOQu_todNN8TMMwBkL7/s1600/ORAM_AVERY_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-ZITejC4tFBX0UUILaDkIFZLeXQDK_sxGolV_nt8ssGFY3oPxY0gF1BHhtbhvEtILCIUVKp3EVtGQwEmf4Cel-3y-Le6yeZv6KbLmzoImdmIlxzgBHNz-hUp2NOQu_todNN8TMMwBkL7/s320/ORAM_AVERY_COVER.jpg" width="205" /></a><b>Title:</b> The Avery Shaw Experiment<br />
<b>Author:</b> Kelly Oram<br />
<b>Series:</b> No<br />
<b>Finished or ARC:</b> e-book, finished<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought on Amazon.com<br />
<b>Rating:</b> 5 starfish<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17660979-the-avery-shaw-experiment"><b>Goodreads:</b></a> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.456000328063965px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><b>Review: </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">Funny. That is the first thing you need to know about this book. It is funny. I was laughing through the whole things (except at the part where Aiden was being a jerk!). The concept of the book, trying to get over a broken heart through science, is hilarious and interesting. The seven stages of grief-go through them to cure a broken heart. At first, I thought the idea of stupid given that Avery never had a boyfriend, but after reading about her, it made sense.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">The plot itself is great.Only a true nerd would think to use her heartache as a science project. I loved that her partner was a jock, but a fun loving one. Not a mean, "I'm only hear because I'm failing" jock. Avery's and Grayson's relationship through the whole was a comedy but very sweet. While they did this project, both Avery and Grayson learned much about themselves. Avery comes to understand that she doesn't always have to shy away. Grayson learned that he was indeed, very smart and just had to apply himself.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;">This book is a definite read for anyone looking for a quick and fun read.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 15.455999374389648px;"><br /></span>TayteHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04527767493058397900noreply@blogger.com0