tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47384489608843540952024-03-14T13:49:31.773-05:00Walking on BookshelvesJ Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-44953120994466515962020-07-05T17:07:00.000-05:002020-07-05T17:07:32.606-05:00Review: Fable by Adrienne Young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_rQkqXmpyM/XwJOM2-TW1I/AAAAAAAAOeY/W2K2kX9U96wAVtBeUcdDce8OrJ2o665lQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_rQkqXmpyM/XwJOM2-TW1I/AAAAAAAAOeY/W2K2kX9U96wAVtBeUcdDce8OrJ2o665lQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Fable.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I've read a book in 24 hrs. I got hooked from the description! Fable is a SURVIVOR with a capital S! Using her wits and sheer will she overcomes so much to get what she wants. Despite it being hard to accept I understand why Saint did what he did. I was fascinated with her ability to free dive. The amazing things she must see as explored the coral reefs. By the end, I felt like Fable had come to terms with it as well. The story is very well written with great characters to support Fable on her journey. I knew as I got closer to the end that I'd be left biting my nails for the next book! I look forward to finding out more about Isolde and where the story will lead for all the crew of the Marigold. I highly recommend this story for lovers of sea adventures. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mild to moderate violence and adult situations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Recommended for ages 15 and up.</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-22072315943124522422020-03-22T17:47:00.004-05:002020-03-22T17:47:45.446-05:00Review: Call it What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFre3AAvdPU/XnfqpHN_jDI/AAAAAAAAOYE/FAJHFSFIeQQvwSaUHoMvZ3lwvV40h8fLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Call%2Bit%2BWhat%2BYou%2BWant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFre3AAvdPU/XnfqpHN_jDI/AAAAAAAAOYE/FAJHFSFIeQQvwSaUHoMvZ3lwvV40h8fLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Call%2Bit%2BWhat%2BYou%2BWant.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brigid Kemmerer has been one of my favorite authors for many years. Starting with her Elemental series she has yet to disappoint. This book was no exception. Her characters are always so well written and complex. Rob and Meagan were just as pragmatic. Both Rob and Meagan were shouldering the burden of not only their own secrets, but those of their loved ones too, While Meagan was judged by a single bad choice, Rob was judged by a choice someone close to him made and never given the benefit of the doubt. The best part about this book was that as the story progressed both characters still made good and bad choices; showing that all choices and their consequences can shape us and help us evolve. The book illustrates that not everything is always "black & white" and what may be wrong in one person's eyes, may not be in another's. As with all of Kemmerer's books, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great, contemporary YA read. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Recommended for 15 & up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mild to adult situations</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-27230189321333316152019-03-21T11:49:00.002-05:002019-03-21T11:49:35.782-05:00Review: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX_m_apynyM/XJO3mdJ4IxI/AAAAAAAAOTg/bNXCuqq1hnQu8L6MiNNKyH_9Uc1O42ZIgCLcBGAs/s1600/Breath%2Bapart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX_m_apynyM/XJO3mdJ4IxI/AAAAAAAAOTg/bNXCuqq1hnQu8L6MiNNKyH_9Uc1O42ZIgCLcBGAs/s400/Breath%2Bapart.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Jesse Lachlin is cursed. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year, Scarlett Copeland.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Scarlett Copeland is psychic.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings for each other. But as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: Every book I've ever read by Katie McGarry has been breathtaking! So this book was adequately titled. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Both Jesse and Scarlett are harboring some big demons. Things that keep them isolated and from developing real connections with others. That's when the universe or divine intervention decides it's time their paths cross and things change. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have always loved how Katie writes about such serious subjects with gentleness and validity. It's so easy to relate to her characters. The complexity of each character gives them such depth and pragmatism. Jesse has lost the two people he loves most; one by choice and one by death. Now he has to decide if he's inherited his family's curse or if he can break the cycle and become more than the Lachlin name. Scarlett has seen her hero fall from grace. Her father, the one man who controls her universe is now the one man she doesn't trust. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I loved how Jesse and Scarlett put aside damaged feelings to help each other. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Readers who are familiar with McGarry's books will not be disappointed! If you haven't read any of her books add them to your TBR list right away! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Suitable for readers 15 & up. Mild to moderate violence and adult situations.</span></div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-65092570343484971202018-05-24T06:00:00.000-05:002018-05-24T06:00:05.628-05:00Review: Regen by Cassie Greuman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCEttnzbPvU/WwWXXzPhKRI/AAAAAAAAOP0/7QvOXA-LRn0Db9i7LI9Ael7T7ng0_bt7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Regen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCEttnzbPvU/WwWXXzPhKRI/AAAAAAAAOP0/7QvOXA-LRn0Db9i7LI9Ael7T7ng0_bt7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Regen.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Life is finally shaping up for Trisha. For the first time, she’s with a foster family she doesn’t hate. Her new school is decent, and she even has a boyfriend. Until the night she finds herself waking up in the woods covered in blood, a bullet hole in her dress. </span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Without her fae abilities, she’d be dead, but now the Faerie Council has given her an ultimatum. She has to help find an escaped fugitive, or be taken to Faerie, a place her missing mother told her horror stories about. </span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Now, Trish has to keep her day job a secret from her foster parents, join forces with the ex-boyfriend who killed her, and hunt down a dangerous criminal before he comes into his powers. Should be a piece of cake.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts: I love books about the Fey. This one has its own unique take story line. There were a few things that happened in the story that happened in the story that seemed to be there just move the story along. They didn´t really fit well. Trisha was a complex character. Sometimes she was hard to figure out. I really look forward to learning more about her and her parentage. She evolved from a self-centered teenager to one who looked after others and cared about her family. I hope we get to learn more about Wade and if he´s really a good guy or a jerk. Trisha discovers that there are people who care about her and will support her unconditionally. I hope I won´t have to wait too long for the next book to see what happens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you like to read books about the Fey, I think you´ll enjoy this one very much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for readers 14 & up. Mild language and violence.</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-49125419814299993572018-05-23T10:56:00.001-05:002018-05-23T10:56:33.476-05:00Review: Furyborn by Claire Legrand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F31toV5if6M/WwWOLlu_1UI/AAAAAAAAOPo/jK4TCNzZb1MQ8t42nqR_JxwkeDvYxwNcQCLcBGAs/s1600/Furyborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F31toV5if6M/WwWOLlu_1UI/AAAAAAAAOPo/jK4TCNzZb1MQ8t42nqR_JxwkeDvYxwNcQCLcBGAs/s1600/Furyborn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">When assassins ambush her best friend, the crown prince, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing her ability to perform all seven kinds of elemental magic. The only people who should possess this extraordinary power are a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light and salvation and a queen of blood and destruction. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven trials to test her magic. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">A thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a mere fairy tale to bounty hunter Eliana Ferracora. When the Undying Empire conquered her kingdom, she embraced violence to keep her family alive. Now, she believes herself untouchable--until her mother vanishes without a trace, along with countless other women in their city. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain on a dangerous mission and discovers that the evil at the heart of the empire is more terrible than she ever imagined.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world--and of each other.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The only thing that made this book hard to get through was the going back and forth between POVs. I liked how the story was presented but sometimes the supporting characters or villains would get confusing at times as I read through alternating POVs. The story is original and I liked the imagery very much. The characters were very well written with Rielle being the exact opposite of Eliana in so many ways. Despite knowing Rielle's fate I couldn't help but wonder how she got there. Eliana's part of the story was my favorite. She was selfless and selfish all in one complex character and I can't wait to see how her story ends. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a new series with a unique story and a fast pace. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Recommended for readers 16 & up.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Mild to moderate adult content and language.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-13193788019420595792018-03-05T00:00:00.000-06:002018-03-05T00:00:35.432-06:00Review: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBvUC929RGg/WpxJ55XURfI/AAAAAAAAOPE/7UM08tbGeYQeOxXE_kShBR_0mLRitAXCACLcBGAs/s1600/More%2BThan%2BWe%2BCan%2BTell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBvUC929RGg/WpxJ55XURfI/AAAAAAAAOPE/7UM08tbGeYQeOxXE_kShBR_0mLRitAXCACLcBGAs/s640/More%2BThan%2BWe%2BCan%2BTell.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">*While this book exists in the same universe as </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Letters to the Lost</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, it is a standalone title.*</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay...until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;">When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;">I read Letter to the Lost and LOVED it. I loved the way it </span><span style="color: #181818;">approached</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"> parent/child relationships. This book does much the same but with different characters. Rev is Declan's best friend so we got to know him a little in Letters to the Lost. More Than We Can Tell is his story along with Emma's. Both characters are dealing with some really heavy issues in their lives. At first they confide in just each other. But they soon discover that their actions don't just affect them. I enjoyed learning more about Rev's background and watching him face down his demons. It was so touching as Rev figured out how truly loved and supported he was. It hit me hard in the "feels". Emma is still figuring out who her "people" are. I think she definitely put her faith in the wrong ones and it took her a while to see who was really there for her. Both characters were pragmatic and complex. I felt that Emma's story was left a little open ended, but nothing that really bothered me. I kind of wanted to find out what would finally happen with her and her mom. The best part was not only getting to see Rev close a huge and painful chapter in his life, but getting to Declan doing the same. While you don't have to read Letters to the Lost to enjoy this book, I highly recommend reading them both. I hope if this series continues we get to see how Matthew turns out.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">Recommended for 15 and up. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">Mild to moderate language and violent issues.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">I received this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.</span></span></div>
</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-23847631712358445342018-03-04T13:30:00.001-06:002018-03-04T13:54:37.114-06:00I'm Baaaaaaack!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd2IL8MA8bU/WpxG3VC7ZOI/AAAAAAAAOOw/JdAQWQyuJ1kMcAzscXAzvTr2ns9iQjZVwCLcBGAs/s1600/I%2527m%2BBack%2BSheldon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="375" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd2IL8MA8bU/WpxG3VC7ZOI/AAAAAAAAOOw/JdAQWQyuJ1kMcAzscXAzvTr2ns9iQjZVwCLcBGAs/s320/I%2527m%2BBack%2BSheldon.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello my friends and followers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry it's been a few months since I've posted. I have no other excuse other than life just got me all kinds of busy. That doesn't mean I haven't been busy reading. I have sooooo many reviews to post. I hope that'll you'll be patient with me while I get back into the swing of blogging. If you're still getting my emails and blog posts thank you so much for sticking with me! My goal as always will be to give you honest reviews for books that I've read. If I can help you find your next favorite read or help you avoid one you will regret reading then I'll have done what I set out to do over 5 years ago. I've been thinking of updating the look of my blog. It's had because I am a little attached to the design. However, I know change can be a good thing. So, that being said, if you'd like to see me change the look or design I'd love you to comment on this post and let me know. Give me some suggestions and if you know someone who does blog design send me their way. I'm to all suggestions and ideas! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp1aMP4rtlI/WpxJMn-gKGI/AAAAAAAAOO8/9YSYPqO99_M_h59K1wv6J28dZULYmZqwQCLcBGAs/s1600/Thank%2Byou%2Bfallon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="400" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp1aMP4rtlI/WpxJMn-gKGI/AAAAAAAAOO8/9YSYPqO99_M_h59K1wv6J28dZULYmZqwQCLcBGAs/s320/Thank%2Byou%2Bfallon.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again for your love and patience! Hope to hear from you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jeannette</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-76090139908159569832017-10-22T16:32:00.000-05:002017-10-22T16:47:27.283-05:00Review: The Hunt by Chole Neill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8DlDG-4Caw/We0OENmPRlI/AAAAAAAAONk/SqGetphyTeknydRVKBVQ9vrk9eCw3ZvLACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BHunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8DlDG-4Caw/We0OENmPRlI/AAAAAAAAONk/SqGetphyTeknydRVKBVQ9vrk9eCw3ZvLACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BHunt.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span id="freeText10131676448422980894" style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil's Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.<br />Now the weight of Liam's own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she'll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out....</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">OMG I love this series! Claire's character grows along with her magical abilities. She's finally done with hiding from herself and the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Claire's always shown bravery but there was a little bit left of her trying to hold on to the old life she had with her dad. That time has gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Now it's time to fight for the one's she cares about and for the town she hold dear. Liam is learning to deal with his possession of magic. To become something you've hated for so long is a huge WHAMMY to one's psyche. I really enjoyed watching both Liam & Claire adjust to this new development. Liam and Claire are now both wanted for things out of their control. Liam is falsely accused of murder and Claire is a fugitive because she has magic. Despite helping to keep the Veil closed the government still wants her a prisoner of Devil's Isle. Some big secrets are revealed in this installment. Claire finally deals with her father's secrecy and why he kept so much from her. It's the bombshell about her mother that really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait to see what happens next. I mean Chloe can't just leave the ending like this....can she?! If you haven't started this series get on it!! Magic, suspense, romance and secrets...how can you say no?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for readers 16 & up. Moderate sexual situations</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-87755934159730103382017-10-05T07:22:00.003-05:002017-10-05T07:22:52.906-05:00Review: The Veil by Chloe Neill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on4vPfZ_F68/WdYjspqFuZI/AAAAAAAAONU/gPwj08hyHJIARaC2Bc45ZU1OeVGmq5rJgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BVeil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on4vPfZ_F68/WdYjspqFuZI/AAAAAAAAONU/gPwj08hyHJIARaC2Bc45ZU1OeVGmq5rJgCLcBGAs/s640/The%2BVeil.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so excited to have a new series to get hooked on! This book has all my "must haves" to make it a great read. Great characters. Claire is both brave and vulnerable. She has survived the war and adjusted to a simple life in New Orleans. She didn't let the war break her despite all that it took from her. Liam is the perfect "knight in tarnished armor". He's seen the side of war that most people haven't and he knows that the lines are not so evenly drawn. When he decides to help Claire instead of taking her in as just another bounty; life starts to get a lot more complicated for them both.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The original story concept and steady pace of action made this book one of my new favorites. I can't wait to read the next one!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For readers 16 & up. Mild to moderate sexual content and adult situations. </span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-66107281925201535612017-08-23T00:00:00.000-05:002017-10-29T16:47:45.602-05:00Review: Dating The It Guy by Krysten Lindsay Hager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsxpgPkKQmg/WfZGUf8mrmI/AAAAAAAAON8/uiTu5TJly-QApQHTXgjsBQuXcJEfClClgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dating%2Bthe%2BIt%2BGuy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsxpgPkKQmg/WfZGUf8mrmI/AAAAAAAAON8/uiTu5TJly-QApQHTXgjsBQuXcJEfClClgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dating%2Bthe%2BIt%2BGuy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Emme is a sophomore in high school who starts dating, Brendon Agretti, the popular senior who happens to be a senator's son and well-known for his good looks. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon's world and it doesn't help that his picture perfect ex, Lauren seems determined to get back into his life along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend cheated on her and her whole world is off kilter with her family issues. Life suddenly seems easier keeping Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you're dating the it </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">guy.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be honest. This book was hard for me to get through. Emme's immaturity was her biggest downfall as a character. She was immature even for her age. After reading the whole story is was obvious why Emme remained so self-centered and made little progress in her character growth. She was completely surrounded by self-centered adults. Her parents missed signs and opportunities to help their daughter through some really tough situations. Then Emme was surrounded by self-absorbed peers too. Her friend Margaux was unlikeable most of the time as she proved time after time to be a terrible friend while giving bad advise and never really offering Emme any real help. The only two people I felt had Emme's best intentions in mind were Kylie and Darren. And Darren gets fazed out without any closure to his part of the story. It's not that I didn't like the story. It's that it had such huge potential to show growth and development with its characters along with touching on some big issues that affect teens today and it fell short. I kept rooting for things to go deeper and for Emme to get some kind of epiphany to get her to rely on herself more. All the back and forth drama and emotional roller coaster between Brendon and Emme was exhausting. At one point I was struggling on why they should even be together. In the end there is some slight evolvement for both of their characters but honestly it was too little, too late. All this may come down to the fact that I just couldn't connect with Emme. That doesn't mean reader's between 13 & 15 won't have a different experience. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Recommended for readers 13 & up. Mild emotional situations.</span></div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-66995925857919859552017-08-04T00:00:00.000-05:002017-08-04T00:00:33.869-05:00Review: Shiftless by Aimee Easterling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_diXsmUS3Q/WX-fkZffUyI/AAAAAAAAONA/5WhKvfKLHCcKTE1jzMueJWOrs0jU1goDgCLcBGAs/s1600/Shiftless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_diXsmUS3Q/WX-fkZffUyI/AAAAAAAAONA/5WhKvfKLHCcKTE1jzMueJWOrs0jU1goDgCLcBGAs/s1600/Shiftless.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">PMS is no fun for werewolves.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Forget the full moon, female werewolves shift uncontrollably at that time of the month. But after years of practice, teenaged Terra learns to squash her wolf, which allows her to flee the repressive village where she grew up.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">A decade later, Terra realizes she has an even worse problem. After hiding from her wolf for so long, she is now shiftless, unable to change back into canine form.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">When her father shows up with an ultimatum, Terra knows she'll have to learn to shift or return to her place in her family's pack. Will Wolfie, a nearby alpha who's more wolf than man, be a stumbling block in Terra's quest to maintain her freedom?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">As Terra struggles to escape two werewolf packs that seem poised to suck her back in, the real question becomes --- does she really want to stay away?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I've read a werewolf series so I'm glad I found this one. Terra has been on the run from her overbearing, sadistic father for more than a decade. Even though she struggles with not being part of a pack, her freedom is worth the heartache. Now she's being pulled back in to craziness of the pack. Terra has to make a choice...her freedom or her sacrifice her only nephew to become her father's next pawn. I love how Terra isn't perfect. She has some serious issues and she actually has to learn to overcome them in order to forge on to her true path. Wolf Young is the perfect hero who doesn't impose himself and immediately take over Terra's life. The only thing I really didn't like about him was his nickname. "Wolfie". I just couldn't make it fit the image in my head so I just read his name as Wolf. The story is a great kick-off to what I think will be a good series. I'll be reading the next books in the very near future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for 16 & up. Mild to moderate sexual and adult situations. </span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-76874485579327028592017-07-31T15:58:00.000-05:002017-07-31T16:02:40.780-05:00Review: Undertaking Irene: a Jane Delaney Mystery by Pamela Burford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2XGAkgKTss/WX-Zf3QtzsI/AAAAAAAAOM0/Kk_Bcvss2agfxMlFrOLefWb2n68mWz0xACLcBGAs/s1600/Undertaking%2BIrene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2XGAkgKTss/WX-Zf3QtzsI/AAAAAAAAOM0/Kk_Bcvss2agfxMlFrOLefWb2n68mWz0xACLcBGAs/s640/Undertaking%2BIrene.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Jane Delaney does things her paying customers can’t do, don’t want to do, don’t want to be seen doing, can’t bring themselves to do, and/or don’t want it to be known they’d paid someone to do. To dead people.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake—on behalf of the rightful owner, supposedly. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner. Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is, not to mention dangerously sexy.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn. But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">OMG this book was hilarious!! Just the right combination of mystery & comedy. Jane is a funny and intriguing character who's affinity for un-groomed poodles and expensive tequila made this story a great read. Jane can't seem to quite get over her ex-husband, who is still her best friend, Dom. When she finds her employer/surrogate grandmother dead, she's immediately suspicious of the circumstances and decides to follow her gut. Throw in a pilfering priest impersonator and you have the formula for good time! I can't wait to read the other books in this series. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for readers 16 & up. Mild to moderate adult situations. </span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-57193124116479547512017-06-29T00:00:00.000-05:002017-06-29T00:00:18.340-05:00Review: Water Spell by Lizzy Ford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdtXy1nOiMM/WVKprkZOP9I/AAAAAAAAOMk/IYAfTwyXMUYd4wKfYAbIUvWU3ck3fjYRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Water%2BSpell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdtXy1nOiMM/WVKprkZOP9I/AAAAAAAAOMk/IYAfTwyXMUYd4wKfYAbIUvWU3ck3fjYRQCLcBGAs/s640/Water%2BSpell.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">A water mage and the protector she never wanted. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Rare water mage Sela is given no time to mourn the loss of her longtime protector and father figure before she’s faced with the one man standing in the way of her freedom: her new guardian, mage-warrior Tieran. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">An Inlander with no honor, Tieran is loyal to no man, priest, king or god. If not for the magic binding him to the infuriating water mage, he would abandon her amidst the land-locked Inlands, away from the sea she yearns to visit, and pursue vengeance against those who killed his family. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Sela and her reluctant protector are soon thrown into the middle of a power struggle raging among the rulers of the four island kingdoms. To survive, both mage and warrior must overcome their distrust of one another, for the longer they resist their bond, the more perilous their journey becomes. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I bought this book on a whim. I have read and liked several of Lizzy Ford's books so I thought I'd try this one. I'm glad I did. This was a unique and interesting book. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sela is a water mage who has no idea how powerful she really is. Tieran is a rough Inlander who sees no value in a water mage stuck in the middle of nothing but land. Since one can't live without the other they must learn to tolerate each other or they won't survive. Sela has some major losses to grieve through. What she doesn't know is that Tieran is also dealing with his own massive loss that has made revenge has sole purpose in life. When they set aside their personal stuff to help each other they realize their may be more than just tolerance growing between them. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. If there's a blog tour or early review team in the works, sign me up!! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I recommend this book for ages 16 & up. Mild to moderate sexual and adult situations. </span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-22436732524879943892017-06-27T13:45:00.004-05:002017-06-27T13:45:58.634-05:00Review: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_x2Hfz6fBLU/WVKhzPqlGLI/AAAAAAAAOMU/EJL7o_n1o_8t739Qg_qn5u5InfCGd-SfACLcBGAs/s1600/Letter%2Bto%2Bthe%2BLost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_x2Hfz6fBLU/WVKhzPqlGLI/AAAAAAAAOMU/EJL7o_n1o_8t739Qg_qn5u5InfCGd-SfACLcBGAs/s640/Letter%2Bto%2Bthe%2BLost.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Brigid Kemmerer is an amazing author. Her Elemantals series remains one of my favorite series of all time. I wish it would become a t.v. show. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I got the chance to read Letter to the Lost I felt confident it would be fantastic. Of course I was right! Juliet & Declan are fascinating, complex characters that had my attention from the start. The supporting characters have just as much depth as well. The story held the perfect pace and never lagged. The thing that I loved most were the realistic reactions of the characters to their situations. I can not tell you how many times a book has been ruined by the characters reacting unrealistically to their own story. Letters to the Lost touches on the relationships between parents and children. Not just the typical ones either. It shows there are different kinds of parent/child dynamics, and that each one is unique. This book also dealt with the fact that parents make mistakes too and sometimes it's hard to get past that. Juliet and Declan are able to help each other past some big issues as they both journey through the stages of grief and forgiveness.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> You will love this book if you want good writing and great characters. I recommend this book for ages 15 & up. </span></div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-81688395181630030862017-05-19T13:01:00.000-05:002017-05-19T13:01:00.726-05:00Review: Storm Revealed (Phantom Islanders Part II) by Ednah Walters<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKX1NcQdgcI/WR8yjaJfppI/AAAAAAAAOME/lyHUqsOSnDwrHXJWjYL47qck7DtLBurPQCLcB/s1600/Storm%2BRevealed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKX1NcQdgcI/WR8yjaJfppI/AAAAAAAAOME/lyHUqsOSnDwrHXJWjYL47qck7DtLBurPQCLcB/s400/Storm%2BRevealed.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Lexi resigns herself to the primitive living and the strange customs of the islands but struggles with the fact that she will never see or help her brother again. As the people embrace her as Storm’s chosen mate, Lexi slowly begins to see the magic around her. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">When she discovers the truth about Storm and his people, she finally understands why he abducted her and why he needs her to stay. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Just as her feelings start to change, someone obsessed with her strikes and threatens to destroy the island and its people. Left with no choice, Lexi makes the ultimate sacrifice. </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had an internal battle over this novella. I wanted to read it so bad, but I knew it would end in a cliffhanger and I knew I wouldn't want it to end. I couldn't hold out any longer! It was really good. In this installment of the Phantom Islanders we get to know more about Storm's background and his connection to the evil Tullius. Lexi is adapting to island life with bravery and spunk. The ending was one that will leave you clinging to your sanity not knowing what will happen next! I can't wait to read what comes next!! I highly recommend this series. It has such a new and creative angle on mythical pirates and sea creatures. Plus she's added a little of my favorite subject; the Fae. Hurry up Ednah I'm going crazy!!!</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-53801653752896799372017-04-25T00:00:00.000-05:002017-05-19T13:01:15.621-05:00Review: The Black Tempest by Ryan Dalton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KGpMwa1Xh4/WOebWQkWiuI/AAAAAAAAOLY/l5YA9oj3W30I7SJ8xL4mKW_bkZtPqpCQgCLcB/s1600/The%2BBlack%2BTempest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KGpMwa1Xh4/WOebWQkWiuI/AAAAAAAAOLY/l5YA9oj3W30I7SJ8xL4mKW_bkZtPqpCQgCLcB/s400/The%2BBlack%2BTempest.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span id="freeText664934833479996393" style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">It’s summer in Emmett’s Bluff, and the ice is spreading. Six months after confronting an enemy from the future, Malcolm and Valentine Gilbert have returned to their normal teenage lives. Or, they’ve tried to. During the battle to save their town, a mysterious force awoke inside the twins. Time calls to them, and it’s growing too strong to be ignored. When warriors from a mysterious ancient kingdom appear, they bring warnings of an unstoppable foe—one whose control of the ice is powered by Time itself. But ice is far more than the Black Tempest’s signature. As the twins uncover the truth behind it, they realize their town is only the beginning. If the Black Tempest is not stopped here, his corruption will threaten the very course of history. As cold advances and doom draws near, the twins’ only hope lies in learning to wield Time itself, and in trusting their strange new friends—even if those friends have secrets of their own.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This book begins six months after the last book ended. Malcolm and Valentine are just now starting to feel like things are getting back to normal. Just as they are saying their final goodbyes to a friend lost in battle, another warrior falls into their world. This starts a series of events that sets the twins on a path to learn just how special their relationship with time really is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed all the new elements introduced in this book. The first book only scratched the surface of the twins possible powers. Not only do their powers evolve but so do their relationships. Some parts of the story were a little predictable, but others came as a complete shock. I appreciated the realistic reactions all the characters had to their situations. It added depth and made the book so much better. I hope the author reveals how the twins are or became Chronauri. This book is great for anyone who loves reading adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for ages 13 & up. </span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-66409314152213363472017-04-07T10:55:00.005-05:002017-04-07T10:55:31.886-05:00Review: Storm ( Phantom Islanders Part I) by Ednah Walters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhZebMgz7Q/WOe182HniPI/AAAAAAAAOLo/IfM12uHk1WsuhnVN1kUXc0fNfSgN1Q8DACLcB/s1600/Storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhZebMgz7Q/WOe182HniPI/AAAAAAAAOLo/IfM12uHk1WsuhnVN1kUXc0fNfSgN1Q8DACLcB/s400/Storm.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Pirates no longer roam the seas.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Phantom Islands don’t exist</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Nanny to a wealthy family, eighteen-year old Alexandria “Lexi” Greendale sends most of what she earns home to support her disabled brother. She is determined to help him get the surgery he needs to walk again. Her dreams come to an abrupt halt when she rescues a man from drowning.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">How does he repay her? Captain Storm Orath abducts her, claims her as his chosen mate, and takes her to a magical island that is centuries behind times with barbaric customs.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">For Lexi to make it home to her family, she must fight the lure of the man and the island he controls, and escape, or stay trapped forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">This is Part I of a 3-Part New Adult UF Serial about a woman and her journey of discovery, adventure, and unforgettable love.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have spent the past few years emerged in Ednah Walters 2
universes, The Guardian Legacy & The Runes series. I have loved every word and every detail of
them both! Now she has introduced us to
a new world. I am so excited for this
fresh, new adventure. In this first
installment we meet Lexi. She's a girl
who loves her brother and will do anything she can to help him, including
putting up with her step-monster and putting off college and her dreams. Once Storm enters her life nothing makes
sense. Her already complicated life
reaches new levels of crazy. Lexi keeps
her eyes on what she wants and is determined to get back home to her family no
matter what. Lexi is a strong, capable
character who will no doubt give Storm a run for his money! Storm is a guy who is used to getting what he
wants. He takes care of his own and now
he's decided Lexi is HIS. I can't wait
to unlock the many secrets this series holds.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for 16 & up.
Moderate sexual situations and violence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I also recommend Ednah's other series as well. She is an amazing author!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-84061876916999510222017-02-14T09:03:00.003-06:002017-03-08T21:08:15.663-06:00Release Day!!! And Review - Goddess ( A Runes Novel) by Ednah Walters<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8QHWdAxg7I/WJgNWoKFotI/AAAAAAAAL20/y_6NRNR4RWkeBxFYHZDWRdt3xLYJ8iIhACLcB/s1600/0-9.1%2BGODDESS-FIRETRAIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8QHWdAxg7I/WJgNWoKFotI/AAAAAAAAL20/y_6NRNR4RWkeBxFYHZDWRdt3xLYJ8iIhACLcB/s640/0-9.1%2BGODDESS-FIRETRAIL.jpg" width="411" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Goddess by Ednah Walters</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Runes Novel, Book 7</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Genre: YA Fantasy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>BUY THE BOOK:</u></span><br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.to/2llMZ7e">http://amzn.to/2llMZ7e</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Amazon UK: <a href="http://amzn.to/2kPCsR5">http://amzn.to/2kPCsR5</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">iBooks: <a href="http://apple.co/2lpBlnI">http://apple.co/2lpBlnI</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">GooglePlay: <a href="http://bit.ly/2kPAYpV">http://bit.ly/2kPAYpV</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/2k4fshs">http://bit.ly/2k4fshs</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>BLURB:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cora Jemison has come a long way from her stint in a psych ward and her fear of the dead. A confident Medium, she allows souls to possess her to help them find closure. When she decides to tell her parents the truth, that she still sees the dead and that her fiancé is a soul reaper, the Jemisons reveal secrets of their own.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her world starts to crumble, the ripple effect threatening to destroy the one thing she can always count on. Her relationship with Echo. Cora must sort through the lies to learn the truth about who and what she is. Only then can she embrace her destiny and claim her soul mate, Echo.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was so excited to read Cora's story! This did not disappoint! As I've said in reviews past, Ednah has such a gift with weaving all aspects and different views of the story into a multi-</span>dimensional universe! Cora and Echo have such a sweet & spicey love story. I melt every time I read something new from their story. I really enjoyed all the new relationships Cora developed and even the new one she had with Eirik. Cora has turned into a character just as wonderful and loveable as Raine. It's hard knowing this series is coming to an end. It's like preparing to say goodbye to dear friends. You will love this series if you haven't already succumbed to its magic!!<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<u>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOcBEcdr1NM/WJgNjIk6ObI/AAAAAAAAL24/5g2ePm48DHMK_sGkWQ1RTiSQmIOwdFTxQCLcB/s1600/Ednah%2BAuthor%2BPictur%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yOcBEcdr1NM/WJgNjIk6ObI/AAAAAAAAL24/5g2ePm48DHMK_sGkWQ1RTiSQmIOwdFTxQCLcB/s320/Ednah%2BAuthor%2BPictur%2B2.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://www.ednahwalters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">WEBSITE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> ~ </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEdnahwalters/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">FACEBOOK</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> ~ </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ednahwalters" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">TWITTER</span></a><br />
<br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA Today </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bestselling author Ednah Walters holds a PhD in Chemistry and is a stay-at-home mother of five. She writes about flawed heroes and the women who love them. Whether she</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s writing about valkyries, pirates, nephilim, or contemporary millionaires and billionaires, love, family, and friendship play crucial roles in all her books. </span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her award-winning YA Paranormal Romance</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">— </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Runes Series</span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;">
</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">started with Runes and has a total of 9 books to date. The next one, Goddess, will be released in 2017. </span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-334dac51-1fe4-ac4a-24a9-0d0d23e8944c" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her YA Urban Fantasy series</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Guardian Legacy Series is published by Spencer Hill Press (BeaufortBooks). The series focuses on the Nephilim, children of the fallen angels. GL Series started with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Awakened and has a total of 4 books. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ednah also writes Contemporary Romance as E.B. Walters. Her contemporary works started with The Fitzgerald Family series, which has six books, and now focuses on her </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA Today </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bestselling series, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Infinitus Billionaires.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When not writing, Ednah travels with her family.</span></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kTSmfbFFFw/WJgNjIKaK8I/AAAAAAAAL28/P9eOdOjSHYY0qrsxzuZQ8QjxqUarc6MYwCLcB/s1600/Ednah%2BWalters%2BPublishing%2BLogo-GOLD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kTSmfbFFFw/WJgNjIKaK8I/AAAAAAAAL28/P9eOdOjSHYY0qrsxzuZQ8QjxqUarc6MYwCLcB/s320/Ednah%2BWalters%2BPublishing%2BLogo-GOLD.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedCoatPR/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.facebook.com/RedCoatPR/" border="0" height="128" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPJoZHsD1N4/WJuiDLwsB3I/AAAAAAAAL3g/8i_Pd_iMMTgkThAiIwzlhbWbZHBgDIamQCLcB/s200/RCPR%2BLogo%2BGeneric.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedCoatPR/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/RedCoatPR/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-53438336515994712162017-01-03T11:43:00.000-06:002017-01-03T11:43:24.953-06:00The Rise of Miss Nottey by Rachel Anderson<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="the-rise-of-miss-notley-gr" class="aligncenter wp-image-32309" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/The-Rise-of-Miss-Notley-GR.jpg" height="400" width="258" /> </div>
<br />
<strong>The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson</strong>
<em>To escape an undesirable match, Miss Notley must give up her riches for rags.</em>
When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow.
The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced for the position, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe?
<em>The Rise of Miss Notley</em> is the delightful tale of a mysterious gentleman and a determined young woman, caught together in a web so tangled it begs the question: Will they ever get out?
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Coming February 2017</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33773917-the-rise-of-miss-notley"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24086" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a>
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-3302"><img alt="Rachael" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3302" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" height="250" width="250" /></a><strong>Author Rachael Anderson</strong>
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amazon-or-paypal.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-24994"><img alt="amazon or paypal" class="size-full wp-image-24994 alignleft" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amazon-or-paypal.jpg" height="123" width="182" /></a>
<strong>$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway</strong>
Ends 1/25/17
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831750" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831750/" id="rcwidget_4gcyeten" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-14854827359115101082016-12-30T17:24:00.000-06:002016-12-31T19:23:56.286-06:00Review: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levensellar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDTvlfZYY_I/WGbrjEt31PI/AAAAAAAAOKg/Xq6ENHW8SZoVWqFgFTK-jVwQ4-l_QQKuwCLcB/s1600/Daughter%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BKing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDTvlfZYY_I/WGbrjEt31PI/AAAAAAAAOKg/Xq6ENHW8SZoVWqFgFTK-jVwQ4-l_QQKuwCLcB/s400/Daughter%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BKing.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">A 17-year-old pirate captain intentionally allows herself to get captured by enemy pirates in this thrilling YA adventure.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><i style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">If you want something done right . . .</i><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">When the ruthless pirate king learns of a legendary treasure map hidden on an enemy ship, his daughter, Alosa, knows there's only one pirate for the job—herself. Leaving behind her beloved ship and crew, Alosa deliberately facilitates her own kidnapping to ensure her passage on the ship, confident in her ability to overcome any obstacle. After all, who's going to suspect a seventeen-year-old girl locked in a cell? Then she meets the (surprisingly perceptive and unfairly attractive) first mate, Riden, who is charged with finding out all her secrets. Now it's down to a battle of wits and will . . . . Can Alosa find the map and escape before Riden figures out her plan?</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling YA pirate tale.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I loved that this book was from a female pirate's POV. The book was interesting and a fun read. Alosa was not your typical female character. Not once she plat the damsel in distress. She was witty and smart. I loved her strength and tenacity. She has many secrets and does a good job of hiding them. I can't wait to read more about her in the next installment. Riden was wonderfully complicated. I like characters that have some dimension to them and he did not disappoint. He was conflicted and loyal. He and Alosa had great banter that kept the story entertaining. Some things I'd like to learn in the next book or books are about both of their pasts; such as how did Alosa get to be in her father's custody and what really happened to Riden's father. Any reader looking for a fun and adventurous story will love this book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">P.S. I hope they do a better cover to do this book justice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recommended for reader's 16 & up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mild to moderate sexual and adult content.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8ER5F2V_Ag/WGbsY_wEPKI/AAAAAAAAOKo/7tHTMZBzF7IjNgmcn0t3d1SX2DOQ5PJfgCLcB/s1600/walking4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8ER5F2V_Ag/WGbsY_wEPKI/AAAAAAAAOKo/7tHTMZBzF7IjNgmcn0t3d1SX2DOQ5PJfgCLcB/s1600/walking4.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-4956435569756935972016-11-15T00:00:00.000-06:002016-11-15T00:00:16.760-06:00Review: Jack Templar and The Last Battle by Jeff Gunhus<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="jack-templar-and-the-last-battle" class="aligncenter wp-image-31878" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Jack-Templar-and-the-Last-Battle.jpg" height="557" width="380" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In the last book of the Jack Templar series, Jack and his friends race to stop Ren Lucre before he launches this Creach army against humankind. But the Lord of the Lesser Creach and the Lord of the Zombies hold the last two Jerusalem Stones Jack needs to have any chance of success. To make matters worse, the Oracle predicts that one of their group will die in the upcoming fight, and Jack discovers betrayal among those he trusts most.
Even so, Jack must find the courage to lead his friends into battle. Either they collect the Stones in time to defeat Ren Lucre or die trying. It’s "Do your duty, come what may" no matter the cost. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Templar-Last-Battle-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B01M1CJE6Z?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30726" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/amazon.png" height="70" width="300" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32054710-jack-templar-and-the-last-battle"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24086" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a></span>
</div>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My Thoughts:</span></h1>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As with all great series there's a bitter-sweet feeling when it ends. On one hand I'm glad to see how things have turned out. On the other hand I'm sad the adventure is over. I've loved this series from the first book. I've become so attached to Jack, Eva, Daniel, Will, T-Rex & Xavier. They've all changed and grown so much; each of them conquering their own personal demons. In the end they all stayed true to themselves. Jack discovered the true value and power in their bond of friendship. From the beginning chapter to the last epic battle this book was loaded with adventure. I can't help but hope it will become a series of movies that I can fan-girl over. I've recommended this series to countless people looking for a great story and EXCEPTIONAL writing. My daughter, a 7th grader, LOVES this series and tells all her friends about it. I don't have to tell you what high praise that is! If you haven't started this series I don't know what more you're waiting for. Packed full of adventure, witty dialogue and "lol" moments this series is bound to get even a reluctant reader interested. I can't wait to see what Jeff Gunhus will entertain us with next. </span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><br /></strong>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Excerpt from the book:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">The old hag, because that’s what she was now, laughed in a low chugging sound that rattled around in her chest. She held out a hand toward me, clenched into a fist. Slowly, she opened it with her palm up. Resting in her hand was the Jerusalem Stone I’d left her.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“You tried to use it,” I said. “You promised you wouldn’t.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“And I lied,” the witch hissed. “What? Did you think only the Black Guard could tell lies? Only hunters were allowed to break their vows?”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">The fire in the hearth blazed higher as if feeding off her bitterness and anger. In the light, I saw that the hand holding the Stone was curled into a claw. Worse, it was blackened. No, worse than blackened. It was charred as if the Stone had caught fire but she’d refused to let it go.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“What did you try to make it do?” I asked. In my heart, I knew the answer, yet I had to ask. Everything that had happened since walking into the cottage somehow felt out of my control. Like I was on a path I couldn’t get off. And I had a bad feeling the path was leading me somewhere I didn’t want to go.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“Why is it that I’m made to suffer?” she asked, ignoring my question. She took a hobbling step closer. “I was the one who was wronged. You see that, don’t you? Anyone can see that.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">I remembered the dozens of Talib, the small-bodied creatures that had been everywhere the last time we were there. Each one had an identical head grown in the witch’s cauldron. All of them made to look like her murdered son.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“Where are the Talib?” I asked.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">She clutched the Jerusalem Stone in her hand, and smoke rose from her fist. The air reeked with a burning smell. “I just wanted … I wanted …,” she whimpered. “I just wanted to take back what those monsters stole from me.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">As she said the words, I looked past her to the wall where the firewood was stacked from floor to ceiling. Only now, I realized it wasn’t firewood at all. It was all the heads of the Talib, rows and rows of bodiless heads, piled up ten or twelve high across the length of the wall, their eyes all open and staring at me.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">She noticed me staring and turned toward the heads.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“I tried to bring him back,” she said. “You can see how hard I tried. But the Stone refused to work for me. I knew I should wait until I had three, but I was impatient. I thought one might do it. I thought that one might be enough.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">My body tensed. What she was saying wasn’t far off from my own thoughts. I hoped the reunited Jerusalem Stones would be enough to turn both Eva and Daniel back into their human forms. Shakra, the Lord of the Vampires, had told me it could be done, that she knew the Stones had performed this transformation before. But bringing someone back from the dead? That was entirely different.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“But what happened? Why are they all …all …?”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“Why are all my children without bodies?” the witch asked. “Because the second I tried to use the Stone, somehow all the magic I’d used to bring them alive was gone. The heads just rolled off onto the ground. The bodies, the ones I’d spent so many years gathering, all fell to the ground. Worthless.” She turned as she spoke and stared into the fire, losing herself in the flames. “I should have waited,” she mumbled. “Should have waited to get the other Stones.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Her hand with the Jerusalem Stone in it fell open again. That terrible smoke stopped. Somehow, I had to get that Stone and get out of there. I was starting to regret coming by myself. “Bella,” I said. “You and I made a pact. You swore on your son’s name that you would return that Stone to me if I was able to get the Stone from the Lord of the Demons. I’m going to unite the five and defeat Ren Lucre for good. Give it to me so that I can continue my quest and make him finally pay for what he did to your son.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">She continued to stare into the fire, but she must have heard me because she answered in a whisper. “But you’ll fail. Just like your father before you. Just like your mother. Traitors, the both of them. In their own way.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">I took a step forward, fighting down an impulse to pull my sword. “Why do you say that? What do you know about them?” The Lord of the Demons had said something similar to me. Said I was a pawn in a game I didn’t even know I was playing. Even Aquinas had hinted there was part of the story about my parents that I didn’t know. I was starting to get a little tired of it all. I wanted answers.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">The witch only smiled, pleased that I was upset. “A trade, perhaps? The other Jerusalem Stone for the truth about your parents. About Aquinas. About this fool’s quest you’re on. Give me the Stone and I’ll tell you everything.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“Whatever you tell me will be lies,” I said.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">She lunged toward me, moving faster than I imagined she could. One second she was by the fire, the next she was right in front of me, her face a grotesque sneer. “I might be the only one willing to tell you the truth,” she rasped. “Give me the Stone. Give it to me now.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">I took a quick step back and pulled my sword. “No, you give me the one I left with you,” I said. “Look at the way it’s burned your hand. Look at what trying to use it has done to you. It won’t bring your son back. I’m sorry.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">She jerked back sharply as if I’d slapped her. “You’re sorry?” she asked. “Did you say you’re sorry?”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“Give me the Stone. Please,” I said. “I don’t want to fight you.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">“You don’t have to fight me, Jack,” the witch said, clenching the Stone in her fist again. Black smoke rose from it immediately. She raised both hands over her head as if she was about to throw something at me. “All you have to do is die.”</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<center>
<img alt="award" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-31912" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/award.png" height="150" width="174" /><img alt="award-2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-31913" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/award-2.png" height="150" width="174" /> <img alt="award-3" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-31914" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/award-3.png" height="150" width="174" /> <img alt="award-4" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-31915" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/award-4.png" height="150" width="174" /></center>
<strong><img alt="jeff-gunhus" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-31916" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Jeff-Gunhus.jpg" height="250" width="250" />Author Jeff Gunhus</strong>
Jeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year-old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 30 on Amazon, have been recognized as Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active life in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel or on <a href="http://jeffgunhus.com/" target="_blank">JeffGunhus.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jeffgunhus.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffgunhus" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffgunhusauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><img alt="$25 Blog Tour giveaway" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-28423" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/25-Blog-Tour-giveaway-300x225.png" height="225" width="300" /></strong></div>
<strong>$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway</strong>
Ends 11/30/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831731" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831731/" id="rcwidget_xxms4ali" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-24314695773556324512016-11-07T10:31:00.000-06:002016-11-07T10:31:20.889-06:00Review: Omega by Lizzie Ford<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tEfntNmeFk/WCCsDlZDwjI/AAAAAAAAOKI/6j-oBbOUoIkWZtcwVOK7HkX_deoy7kBZwCLcB/s1600/Omega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tEfntNmeFk/WCCsDlZDwjI/AAAAAAAAOKI/6j-oBbOUoIkWZtcwVOK7HkX_deoy7kBZwCLcB/s400/Omega.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">In a modern world ruled by territorial Greek gods, the human race has been oppressed, exploited and now, nearly destroyed by the constant infighting of gods. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">However, a human girl with the power of a goddess is coming of age. Alessandra is the Oracle of Delphi – the last prophesized – and bears the mark of the double omega. Soon after she turns eighteen, Alessandra is told her destiny: to step between the warring gods and the human race and save her world from certain ruin. </span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">For the gods, her appearance marks the beginning of the end – their end. They and the Triumvirate – leaders of the human elite – who serve them will stop at nothing to preserve their power. </span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">Alessandra emerges from the forest where she spent her life hidden from gods and men and immediately plummets into a race against time, gods, and herself to discover who and what she is in a world where everyone she meets has a hidden agenda, and those pulling the strings remain in the shadows.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">Before she can determine exactly what kind of savior her world needs, she must first master her power by completing three trials devised by the Triumvirate to enslave her. </span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">One lone girl stands between warring gods and the people she’s destined to protect, but it’s the battle to understand who she is that she must win first.</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love Greek mythology and this particular take on the story of the Oracle is unique and interesting. Alessandra has been sheltered from the outside world for as long as she can remember. While this has given her plenty of disadvantages, it has also prepared her for a battle that will decide the fate of humanity. Alessandra handles her new situation pretty well. I do think she trusts a little too easily. It was hard to tell who was really trying to help her and who was trying to use her for their own gains. I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens. I look forward to seeing Alessandra's abilities grow as well as her inner strength. This series is off to a great start!</span>J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-6935515872765059592016-09-23T13:30:00.002-05:002016-09-23T13:31:12.452-05:00Review: King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5WsEyiv6lc/V-VxAqv3xxI/AAAAAAAAOJM/cMbVLKN5idkb6ZJUFV-Sn1836BHPmu5fwCLcB/s1600/26255150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5WsEyiv6lc/V-VxAqv3xxI/AAAAAAAAOJM/cMbVLKN5idkb6ZJUFV-Sn1836BHPmu5fwCLcB/s640/26255150.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">From the Power of the Matchmaker series:</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem. </span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Thoughts:<br />
I loved Ms. Pearl's role in this book the best so far. She was a "hoot"! I liked Esme & Hunter. I thought Esme was a little bland at times but I think that's how she was meant to come across. I got so frustrated with both of them when they were being so stubborn. Oh how I despised Jon. I thought he was a control freak. I really liked how Hunter handled him. This book had some great banter & funny moments. I really wanted to find out more about Luke his story. I hope that comes along soon. I recommend this book along with all the books in the series. They are each so unique. <br />
<br />
Recommended for readers 16 & up. Mild to moderate adult situations & sexual content.J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-73551069114417120272016-09-04T00:00:00.000-05:002016-09-04T00:00:23.965-05:00Review: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moYLBnkXJT8/V8mel5eGrfI/AAAAAAAAOIw/iReEqhUoyvQ1CJ-0-JtcsdHjVQdiw2-9ACLcB/s1600/The%2BFall%2Bof%2BLord%2BDrayson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moYLBnkXJT8/V8mel5eGrfI/AAAAAAAAOIw/iReEqhUoyvQ1CJ-0-JtcsdHjVQdiw2-9ACLcB/s400/The%2BFall%2Bof%2BLord%2BDrayson.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span><br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="1" id="myReview" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="readable reviewText" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I usually don't enjoy historical romances. The reason being usually the language puts me off a bit. However I really liked this book. The story was well written and none of it got lost in the language. I loved how Lucy didn't take herself too seriously. She wasn't so worried about propriety that she wouldn't help with the daily tasks of her own life. She was brave & strong willed. She manages to teach Colin how the other half lives. Colin was, at first, your typical "Lord of the Manor." He was more worried about his responsibilities that he was missing out on some important things in life. Then he starts to see some of the simple joys in life. Rachael Anderson always writes well-rounded characters and entertaining stories. Every time I read one of her books I'm left with a light hearted and satisfied feeling. This is a clean, sweet read. I recommend it for readers 14 & up.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4738448960884354095.post-40948030999363016022016-09-03T00:00:00.000-05:002016-09-03T00:00:23.425-05:00King of the Friend Zone - Promotional Post<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/King-of-the-Friend-Zone.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31345"><img alt="King of the Friend Zone" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31345" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/King-of-the-Friend-Zone.jpg" height="475" width="307" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt</strong>
Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem.
The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.
Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.
The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.
When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.
They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.
Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/King-Friend-Zone-Power-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B01L9U3GRS?tag=blasttours-20" rel="attachment wp-att-30726"><img alt="amazon" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30726" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/amazon.png" height="70" width="300" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Excerpt</strong>
While everyone around Hunter ate and drank, Hunter swirled the liquid in his glass and watched his friends and family interact with Jon.
The man was suave when he wanted to be; Hunter would give him that. He wore the right suits, said the right words, and charmed the right people.
What a hero.
He was also several inches shorter than Hunter, which meant Esme fit neatly against his shoulder as they stood and spoke with all their guests. Esme looked so content as she reclined against Jon, and Hunter wasn’t the only one who had noticed. The last person who had commented on Jon and Esme within Hunter’s earshot had called them “two peas in a pod” as if there were awards to be won in the category.
Well, there weren’t.
In that moment, Hunter was very glad he hadn’t been drinking that night, because otherwise he might have gone so far as announcing that fact to everyone. <em>There are no awards for being two peas in a pod, everyone. Oh, and by the way, you should meet this guy when he isn</em><em>’t trying to impress you. He’s a bit of a prick.</em>
But, of course, no one wanted to hear that. No one wanted to hear anything from Hunter tonight except for a glowing toast endorsing the golden couple.
He still hadn’t written anything, although he had googled a generic speech and printed it out. It was in his pocket now, but he hadn’t practiced it and reading the prepackaged speech was pretty much out of the question now, thanks to his dyslexia. Reading on the best of days usually didn’t go that well for Hunter, but when he was seething mad?
Yeah, that wasn’t happening.
So he sat and swirled and watched and tried to imagine what in the world he could say that wouldn’t earn him more frowns than his jeans had already earned him.
Then it hit him: Why try? Why not be honest?
There wasn’t a face at this party that he hadn’t known for the better part of twenty years—well, except Jon. His smug mug was as new as it was unwelcome in Hunter’s book. But everyone knew Hunter and they’d know if he vomited some fake, glowing speech their direction.
So why should he?
Why not be honest?
The idea grew on Hunter as the night went on and the praise for Jon became more and more abundant. The clincher was when Jon’s best man stood up and gave a speech that proved he’d probably met Esme all of once, and everyone in attendance nodded and beamed as the guy praised Esme in the most generic of terms.
According to whatever the best man’s name was, Esme was kind and compassionate and a joy to all those who met her.
Seriously? The guy had clearly never been within earshot of Esme when an ice cream truck passed in July playing Christmas music. That would redefine the guy’s definition of “joy to all those around her.” Yet everyone <em>oooh</em>ed and <em>ahhhh</em>ed and clapped until the guy sat and Jon gave his bestie an appreciative slap on the back with a look that said, <em>Well done</em>.
Then everyone in the future wedding party looked at Hunter expectantly. It was his turn.
In that moment, Hunter had a choice to make. He could either repeat the same lame puffery the best man had, or he could give the speech that had been building up in him like a sneeze all night.
Be nice now and freak out later, or let it all hang out? That was the question. And one quick glance at Jon’s arrogant face gave Hunter his answer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26255150-king-of-the-friend-zone?" rel="attachment wp-att-24086"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24086" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sheralyn.jpg"><img alt="Sheralyn" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30507" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sheralyn-300x300.jpg" height="300" width="300" /></a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Author Sheralyn Pratt</strong>
</div>
<div>
Some describe Sheralyn as a girl who's been around the block and worked at every shop. This isn't far from the truth. Writing is what she loves most, however. There's a magical power in stepping into new perspectives time and again, and seeing the world through different eyes. Few things increase empathy more than walking in another's shoes for 100,000 words or so. At least that seems to be the trend so far.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Some random things to know about Sheralyn:
* She's a wanderer (geographically)
* She can write a novel, but doesn't have the attention span for one page in a journal
* She vehemently disagrees with Stephen King's stance that authors should not watch TV
* She is pretty much incapable of sleeping before <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1160436278" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">midnight</span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sheralynpratt.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/sheralynpratt">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sheralyn-Pratt-Author-236317059755192/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<strong><a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amazon-or-paypal.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-24994"><img alt="amazon or paypal" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-24994" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amazon-or-paypal.jpg" height="123" width="182" /></a>$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway</strong>
Ends 9/23/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831711" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831711/" id="rcwidget_7ay6b6al" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
J Whitushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922646115121894785noreply@blogger.com0