REVIEW FOR - THE HEARTBREAKERS - BY ALI NOVAK

BOOK REVIEW #6 - FOR TACKLE YOUR TBR READ-A-THON

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver — dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band — when her sister could be dying of cancer?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

When I started reading this all I could think about was a movie my niece had just made me watch that was along the same lines as this book.  I didn't like the movie...BUT I really ended up liking this book.

When Stella's meets the lead singer of her sisters favorite band The Heartbreakers, she doesn't even know who he is.  Stella and her brother Drew are on a quest to get a signature for their other triplet Cara who is suffering from cancer.  She had so wanted to go to their concert but was in the hospital due to complications with her cancer.  Drew and Stella go on adventure to get her the autograph for her birthday, and what happens next turns out to be an adventure.

Not only do Drew and Stella end up getting the bands autograph they hang out with the band.  Stella and Oliver have a pretty instant connection.  Of course who doesn't love a rock star?  I think even if you didn't like the band just being in their presence would be a lot of fun.  Okay, I am kidding.  None of that life style even KIND OF appeals to me.  I can see how it would to a teenager though.

Stella ends up taking so very fun pictures of the band that show how "real" they are.  She is hired to work for the band.  Stella is to take pictures of their "every" day life and blog about it.  It's an instant hit.  

Stella realizes that she might be able to do more with her photography than she thought.  While Stella spends her days with the band, she and Oliver get closer and closer.  Their relationship is a little rocky.  Oliver is a rock star, and they are keeping their "relationship" a secret.  That is until Oliver invites her to an event.

This love story is so sweet.  It's heartbreaking at times, but super sweet.  I love how  Drew and Stella care for their sister Cara.  I love that the story isn't all about the band.  It has so much more depth to it.  I like how things played out in the novel.  This was just such a fun read.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Ali Novak is a twenty-three-year-old Wisconsin native and recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s creative writing program. She started writing her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was only fifteen, and since then, her work has received more than 100 million hits online. When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons and traveling with her husband Jared. You can follow Ali on Twitter @Fallzswimmer and Instagram @alinovak. 

Please note that I don't answer messages on Goodreads. Please feel free to contact me on twitter or my website.

REVIEW FOR - HOUSE OF ECHOES - BY BRENDAN DUFFY

BOOK REVIEW #5 FOR READ-A-THON

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Ben and Caroline Tierney and their two young boys are hoping to start over. Ben has hit a dead end with his new novel, Caroline has lost her banking job, and eight-year-old Charlie is being bullied at his Manhattan school.

When Ben inherits land in the village of Swannhaven, in a remote corner of upstate New York, the Tierneys believe it’s just the break they need, and they leave behind all they know to restore a sprawling estate. But as Ben uncovers Swannhaven’s chilling secrets and Charlie ventures deeper into the surrounding forest, strange things begin to happen. The Tierneys realize that their new home isn’t the fresh start they needed . . . and that the village’s haunting saga is far from over.

House of Echoes is a novel that shows how sometimes the ties that bind us are the only things that can keep us whole. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS

I have been reading some creepy books lately.  I love them.  I don't know why, I just do.  I picked this one up at Barnes and Noble a while back because I loved the cover.  I have a habit of doing that....Thankfully this book didn't disappoint.

Ben and Caroline move their family from Manhattan to a small village in upstate New York, called Swannhaven.  Doesn't it just sound beautiful?  It does to me.

Ben has inherited this big beautiful estate and he and his wife Caroline plan to restore it and make it a hotel.  The town seems to be a sweet quaint town with lots of history.  

Ben and Caroline have had some issues and felt like moving their family here would help them restore their fragile relationship.  Caroline had been diagnosed bipolar and was just getting back on her feet.  Ben was a writer who found this place a nice change of pace to write.

Ben's son Charlie is loving being in this new house where he can venture outside as much as he wants.  That is until his father finds some animals mutilated and cannot determine what it was that is doing the killings.  He tells his son to stay closer to home from now on.

Things only seem to get stranger from that point on.  This book is so stinking creepy.  A huge house, that makes noises at night.  A forest, where animals keep getting ripped apart.  A beloved family dog goes missing.  A little boy stays hours on end in the forest talking to "something".  Pictures drawn with mysterious people in the smoke.  You name it....something probably happened in this book.

I am so glad I read this now, and not when I was staying in a cabin in the woods.  This book was almost impossible to put down.  I was so creeped out and totally drawn into this bizarre world.  

The writing is amazing, the characters are fantastic and the people in the town are right out of a scary movie.  It was FABULOUS.  

When you get to the end, it's like "WHAT"!!!!  In a good way.  Kind of creepy way..hehe  Just an all around great book.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Amazon.com

Brendan Duffy is an editor. He lives in New York, where he is at work on his second novel.

UPDATE #6 - for Tackle your TBR Read-a-thon (probably actually 5, but I did an update on day 1 also )

Today I haven't gotten as much reading done but I got a lot done last night.  This has been so much fun.  I know I have said that before, but it really is.  I love reading, and reading for myself this past week has reminded me of how much I love reading.  Not that I don't love to read for reviews/tours, but this is just different.  It's wonderful :).

Today I participated in the daily challenge.  The challenge is at author Jordan McCollum's website here.   It was a quiz, and it was a lot of fun.  I hope you have a chance to take part :).

Last night I finished:

I am still listening to:

and got to chapter 23.  This book just keeps getting better and better :)

REVIEW FOR - EXTREME MEASURES - BY MICHELE ASHMAN BELL

BOOK REVIEW #4 - FOR READ-A-THON

pic  and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This book brings "bad" mother-in-law to a whole new level.  Seriously. 

When Emma's mother-in-law Margaret falls off the deep end, Emma ends up in a battle for her life.  Margaret has decided that Emma will never have happiness until she is done with her.  She drugs Emma, tortures her, and keeps her hostage.

Emma, struggles to find a way to escape Margaret, while her friends and fiance are out looking for her as well.  

I was interested enough to see what happened, but I wasn't a fan of how it was written.  It was a fast paced book, and had a lot of messed up stuff in it, that was very interesting.  I just think it lacked connection between things that happened.  I wish it would have flowed together better.

Having said that, the story itself was interesting.  The characters were done well, and it was fascinating to see how the mother in law cracks.  The whole situation is crazy.  Crazy.

I am not quite sure what else to say about it.  I enjoyed it enough to finish, it just was kind of "eh" for me.

Source:  I bought this book for myself at Deseret Book.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area. My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests. Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

UPDATE #5 - TACKLE YOUR TBR READ-A-THON

Today was not a great reading day for me.  I cannot complain though I got to play with my sweet great-niece.  I had lots of fun so it was all good.

I did participate in the daily challenge that is here @ Mama Viky Says.  The challenge is to take the name of the book you are reading and make a sentence out of it.  I am currently reading The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak and my sentence was :  Don't mess with the heartbreakers, nothing good will come of it.  I know, silly, but this was a fun challenge.

I got a little reading in, but like I said before, not much...

I got to page 97 of:

and

Chapter 17 of:

I hope tomorrow is a better reading day, but Saturdays are usually really busy around here.  I hope everyone is doing well on their goals!

Happy Reading

REVIEW FOR - KISSES IN THE RAIN - BY KRISTA LYNNE JENSEN

BOOK REVIEW #3 FOR READ-A-THON

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Georgie Tate is a survivor. She's survived an abusive relationship. She's survived the car accident that took the life of her controlling fiance. Now she just needs to survive the memories that haunt her. Escaping to her aunts' cozy home on a tiny island outside of Seattle, Georgie finds just the change of pace she needs to pick up the pieces of her life. Taking a job at a local seafood restaurant is the first step in reclaiming her sense of self, but she is completely unprepared for the battle that awaits her there. 

Jace Lowe has loved and lost, and he's determined that it will never happen again. Hardened by heartbreak, he stays focused on his work as sous chef at one of the island's top seafood restaurants. When beautiful Georgie takes her place on the restaurant staff, Jace is resolved to keep her at arm's length, and his downright rudeness her first week goes a long way in achieving that goal. Georgie, on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with Jace anyway and prickles against his abrasive behavior. As the combative pair comes together on a joint project for the restaurant, they find their distaste for one another dwindling. the connection is undeniable--and it terrifies them both. Can two people jaded by the past be softened by the promise od once-in-a-lifetime love, or is this just another recipe for disaster?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This is what we call in my family an LDS smut book.  Why do we call them that you ask?  Because it's funny.  It's a love story with no smut.  We LOVE them.  It has religion in it, so if that is not your cup of diet dr pepper than this review is probably not for you.

Let's start with the cover.  I just love the cover.  It's screams sweet!  

I needed this book.  I had just finished reading a reallllly creepy book, so I had to turn to my trusty love story shelf.  I needed a feel good story.

Georgie is a lost soul.  She has been beaten down, not physically, but emotionally by her horrible ex-boyfriend who has the nerve to die in a car crash.  Now she has feelings of guilt and shame over the whole thing.  Georgie decided to go live with her aunts to help move on with her life.  To figure out who she is, and to see if there is life beyond bad boyfriends, and horrible car accidents.

Jace...oh Jace.  I love you...I mean, I loved to read about you ;).   Who doesn't love a man who can cook?  Jace also starts out a little broken.  He had just been dumped by his girlfriend, who he thought was the one.  

I love to read about broken people, and how they find their way back to life, and all the good things that can come from it.

Georgie starts working at the same restaurant as Jace, and a budding friendship starts.  I love stories where friends turn into love.  It's makes the story so much more realistic to me. 

While Georgie works through her issues, she finds that she may have feelings for Jace.  She doesn't quite know what to do with them.  Jace, finds Georgie a breath of fresh air.  He can be himself around her, and is realising that he wants to be with her all the time.

When Jace is pulled back to his family diner in Las Vegas, to help, he realizes the feelings he has for Georgie are more than just for a friend.

This is such a sweet story of healing, finding yourself, friendship, family and love.  It's a just a feel good story.  I couldn't put it down.  I was invested in their relationship even before the two of them were.  

If you are looking for a sweet, clean love story then this is a great place to start.  The writing is beautiful.  The setting is even more beautiful.  The characters are flawed and fabulous.  It was just an all around good story.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Nearly every one of Krista Lynne Jensen’s elementary school teachers noted on her report card that she was a “day-dreamer”. It was not a compliment. So, when Krista grew up, she put those daydreams down on paper for others to enjoy. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading, hiking, her family, and sunshine. But not laundry. She never day-dreams about laundry.

Krista writes LDS romance, and fantasy. She is the author of OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE (2012 Whitney Award Finalist) and THE ORCHARD (2013), through Covenant Communications. She is a member of ANWA, Author’s Incognito, and LDStorymakers. Visit her blog at kristalynnejensen.blogspot.com.

UPDATE #4 - FOR READ-A-THON

Today is almost over, but I was ALMOST done with my book, so I didn't want to do my update until I was done...hehe

Today I entered the daily challenge that can be found here @ Melissa McShane's website!  The challenge was "what is your comfort read".  What books do you go back to when you are in the mood for something you love, and can rely on.  Mine will always and forever be HARRY POTTER.  Any one of them.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!  I have them on my Ipod so I can listen to them whenever I want.  I like to listen to them if I cannot sleep.  They are comforting.  Harry Potter will always and forever by my all time favorite series.

I also finished:

Got to Chapter 13 of:

I am starting:

I didn't have as much time to read today until all the kids were in bed...hehe

Again, I am having so much fun with this read-a-thon....I have been needing to take some time for reading for myself for a while now.  It feels so nice to just read some of the books on my list :)  

Happy Reading :)

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - THE PASSAGE - BY JUSTIN CRONIN

(AUDIO) BOOK REVIEW #2 FOR 

READ-A-THON

pic and description taken from Goodreads

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Where to start, where to start?  I don't quite know.  I am still trying to figure out everything that happened.  I saw this book on a fellow bloggers page, and she gave it such a high rating, that I went and bought the audio book right away.

I started listening to it a while ago, but I only listened to it in the mornings while getting ready, or while driving somewhere.  Today, I took the time to finish the rest of it.  It was always hard to stop listening to.  It was really a great book.  Confusing, and hard to keep track of at times, but a really great book.

This story starts by taking a death row inmate off death row, a woman throwing her abusive boyfriend out, a little girl in a convent, and an experiment gone horribly wrong.

Each one of these things is so important.  They don't really seem to be until you really dive into the book.

An experiment has gone terribly wrong, and with that the world changes forever.  People are disappearing off the face of the earth at an alarming rate.  There are things...what they are specifically no one really knows.  Vampires?  Maybe.  They call them "Virals".   I don't know if we ever really KNOW for sure what they are...except an experiment gone horribly wrong.

There really is so much going on in this book.  When the world changed and we meet some of the survivors from the viral outbreak, we really get to know the importance of the little girl in the convent.  

Everyone tries to find out who this little girl Amy is.  In so doing, we get to meet some pretty wonderful people.  They are struggling to stay alive in a new world where "virals" are still wreaking havoc in the world.  They travel to see if they can find more people out in the world.  It makes for a very exciting book..  

When we take this trip with Amy and her friends the story gets even more exciting.  Truths are revealed, and a life that use to be comes to light.  Soon Amy, and the her friends learn the truth behind the "virals" and a whole new adventure starts.

I really cannot tell you much more.  It really is an interesting book.  I still don't quite know what to think.  I have already started the second book in the series.  I cannot wait to find out how this whole things plays out.  I know it will be magnificent.

I hope you take the time to read or listen to this book.  It was a long book, but not once did I wish it would end.  When it came to the end I knew I couldn't stop there!  The book is exciting, a bit creepy at times, and so much going on.  The characters are so wonderful.  The creepy ones, and the not so creepy ones :). 

Source:  I bought this book for myself off Amazon.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Justin Cronin is an American novelist. Awards he's won for his fiction include the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Stephen Crane Prize, and the Whiting Writer's Award.

Born and raised in New England, Cronin is a graduate of Harvard University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He currently lives with his wife and children in Houston, Texas where he is Professor of English at Rice University.

UPDATE #3 FOR TACKLE YOUR TBR READ-A-THON

UPDATE # 3 FOR READ-A-THON

I finished reading:

I started:

I got to Chapter 11 of:

I also visited some blogs I haven't been to before.  Thanks to all who participated in the random read challenge!  I love doing this so much!  Thanks Tressa for the fun read-a-thon.

Happy Reading :)