ARC Book #Review: The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden # 1) by A. R Torre'

Book Title: The Girl In 6E (Deanna Madden # 1)
Author:  A.R. Torre' |Website| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Orion
Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Mystery
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: Trade Paperback 

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: ARC from BEA 2013

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 2013
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Synopsis:

I haven't touched a human in three years. That seems like it would be a difficult task, but it's not. Not anymore, thanks to the internet.

I am, quite possibly, the most popular recluse ever. Not many shut-ins have a 200-member fan club, a bank account in the seven-figure range, and hundreds of men lining up to pay for undivided attention.

They get satisfaction, I get a distraction. Their secret desires are nothing compared to why I hide... my lust for blood, my love of death.

Taking their money is easy. Keeping all these secrets... one is bound to escape.

What if you hid yourself away because all you could think of was killing? And what if one girl's life was depending on you venturing into society?

Enter a world of lies, thrills, fears, and all desires, in this original thriller from A. R. Torre.

This one took me a while to read because I wasn't originally int he mood for a thriller, I put it down then eventually picked it up and dived right back in. I know I love Alexandra's writing so I knew once I was ready I would be able to dive in and enjoy it. I will say that at the beginning while the story is being set up Deanna repeated a lot of her ideas about herself and this bogged the story a little. 

This story is being marketed * at least by those who loved it and recommend it* as for fans of Dexter and since I've never seen that show I wasn't sure how I would handle it I enjoyed it. I didn't understand why she believed what she did when she only thought about it. The way she was hyping it up you would have thought she's been out her slaying all day but nope. Having survived a nightmare from her childhood and believing herself to be like the killer due to her fascination with it she's locked herself away and even seeks therapy but doesn't share all the information she really needs to so she can get all the help she really needs.  

As the story progresses we learn more about Deanna who had put herself in self-imposed exile and then began working as a cam girl in hopes of earning an income. She wanted to occupy herself away from society and yet she didn't move into the middle of nowhere she lived in a building with people and paid others through their vices to help control herself. She's got a bit of a crush on the UPS man but she knows nothing can come of it.  She begins to get uneasy about a client (rightfully so) and what they had as their fantasy and when she found out a child is missing she decides to leave the apartment for the first time in years. It doesn't go as planned as she hasn't counted that she's stronger in her mind than in real life and when she challenges a the UPS guy for his truck he's able to subdue her fairly quickly.   *I cackled so hard, cause not so big and bad now huh??* Deanna is a pretty likable character once you begin to really get to know her. I understood her reasoning for not going to the cops right away and even when she does they don't take her seriously  *because duh* so she decides to take matters into her own hands. 

I absolutely loved what happened when she went to 'rescue' that little girl. Fantasy and reality are two different things and just because you believe something about yourself doesn't make it real.  I think she needs a few good hours with a therapist and to be genuine with them and cut the shyt.   I understand her belief that her ideation could be considered odd and concerning from a law enforcement perspective if she had an actual target in mind, which she doesn't.  Deanna is made to face some home truths about herself and her situation. While the mystery timeline is going on, we also have the UPS driver who actually has a fascination with her because he's been delivering for years and never gets to see her and when he does he realizes she's an even bigger mystery than he thought.  He's fascinated and his family is intrigued by his obsession with the mystery woman.  I thought they were pretty interesting together. Deanna is an intriguing character and I just know there are going to be repercussions from her actions in this book and I can't wait to see it all shakedown. 

This isn't a romance and beyond her job as a cam girl there isn't any sex, and yet it kept me intrigued. The slow revelations of who Deanna is and what shaped her to be this woman and wondering how it's all going to come out. Especially now that she has this attraction to the UPS guy, how will she handle her obsession?? 

I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of the series.
Happy Reading my loves,

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• The Girl In 6E
• Do Not Disturb # 2
• If You Dare # 3

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Blindfolded Innocence

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Spotlight & #Excerpt : After The End by Natasha Preston .@InkSlingerPR .@NatashaVPreston

Book Title: After The End
Author:  Natasha Preston |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Natasha Preston

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 

How I got it: Blog Tour

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
Publication Date: Sept 25th 2018
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Synopsis:

One fatal mistake changes Tilly and Linc’s lives forever.

After the tragedy, Linc and his family fled a town they were no longer welcome in.

Still grieving the death of her brother, Tilly’s world is rocked again when, three years later, Lincoln Reid has to come home.

Linc tries to stay away from Tilly, but once he sees her fighting feelings for him, he can’t stay in the shadows.

Excerpt

“Tilly,” I groan as she leans flush against my chest.

The alcohol has given her permission to let go of the reservations she has over us being something.

The beach has now cleared completely, everyone has gone, and I’m supposed to take Tilly to Hanna and Jack’s, but she’s making it very difficult.

I want to take her back to mine.

She looks up at me, and her amber eyes lose focus. “It’s you, isn’t it?” Her voice is barely a whisper, but I feel the fear in each word.

“What’s me, Tilly? You really should have stopped drinking about an hour ago.”

“I couldn’t stop.”

“Drinking? Why not?”

“Because I know this is the only way that I won’t feel immediately guilty for being this close to you.” Her eyes flit closed. “I want so badly to be this close to you.”

My breath catches. I want to pull away because her words are gutting me, but my body needs to be closer to her, too. My fingers dig further into her flesh, holding her closer, tighter, never wanting to let go.
“Tilly, there is no need for you to feel guilty. Robbie would have been okay with this.”

“I know. It’s not him I’m worried about.” She leans forward and lays her head against my chest. “My parents are having a hard time with you being here.”

I rest my chin on her head. She’s tucked so closely into me. “Have they told you that?”

“They don’t need to.” Her arms wrap around my back like she’s scared I’ll walk away after hearing this. There is nothing she could ever say to scare me off. I love her unconditionally.

“I don’t want to hurt them, but I don’t want to hurt you either. It’s such a mess, Linc. I wish we were just two normal people without a past.”

“Everyone has a past.”

“Not everyone’s past is all mixed together,” she replies. Her voice is a little slurred, but our conversation seems to be sobering her quickly. “Ours is messy.”

“Yeah, it’s messy.”

But she is admitting she wants me!

With raw emotion clogging her throat, she breathes, “I don’t want our families to fight.”

I bend my head and whisper in her ear, “I’m not giving up on us. It’s worth the fight, Tilly.”

“Then, fight hard, Linc, because I don’t know how to stay.”

These are some quick thoughts I'll do a full gushing review later.

A slow burn romance about friends finding their way back to each other after a tragedy strikes their families. It's told from dual perspectives, of Tilly who is stuck in the same place trying not to hurt her remaining family but beginning to feel stifled and Linc who thought he had gained enough distance that he wasn't going to hurt as much as he was.  Coming back to town may bring the change they both need in their lives.  

Filled with great friends who want to stand with and for them, grieving family learning to stand as a unit again, survivor's guilt and the desire to live for the person who is gone as well as for oneself. I enjoyed the read.  I loved that therapy was discussed the use of medication to aide in getting through the grieving process the discussion on how grief doesn't really go away. I loved that it was discussed so richly and even normalized. Showing how the process works differently for everyone.  While at the same time that grief was both a burden and an excuse. For Tilly and her family they couldn't navigate the after, the what happens next phase even with the therapy; much of the steps that needed to be taken weren't done because Tilly was afraid to hurt those that were left.   I loved that Linc was a catalyst for change, much like he was apart of the problem before.  

I did have a few issues with some of the characters like her friend Greg, I wanted to slap him so bad like boy get off your high horse and come live down here with the rest of us mortals struggling with doing what's right.   I loved the other friends who were great for her and wanted better for her especially Hanna, even when Tilly wasn't ready to hear it.  

A great romance and I loved the way it ended. I must confess when I first saw the preview I was expecting some great mystery to pop up because I had read several of her previous works and know her that way. It took a second to realize nope this is just an emotional rollercoaster and wasn't about some crazy psycho kidnapping people, still a good read though.  

Happy Reading

Book #Review: Thrill Ride by Julie Ann Walker | Bewitching Bibliophile

Book Title: Thrill Ride
Author:  |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: NetGalley, 

Purchase: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository| Publisher
My Rating:★★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: 
Add To Goodreads

**This is a review that was originally posted on my first blog, I am currently transitioning all the posts to here**
Synopsis:

He's Gone Rogue Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information, and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc. aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all, but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows just how to drive him wild—refuses to cut him loose. She Won't Back Down Vanessa Cordova hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist very long, but she knows how to read people—no way is Rock guilty of murder. And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

I'm so in love with the Black Knights. Where can I meet them?? This is the second book by Julia Walker I have read and I love her writing.  Rev It Up was my introduction to her and I loved the Jake the Snake so much I went and got all the other books in the series that I didn't have right away.  I really loved the glimpses of Rock and Vanessa we got in the book.  I love that each book gave you a preview of the next Black Knight to fall in love.  I'm so intriqued I can't wait to read the next one.

In reading Rev It Up, I had some serious expectations for Rock & Vanessa's story and Julie delivered on them all.  Rock is just that man who is so awesome but doesn't take himself too seriously, he's confident but not arrogant, and he fell hard for Vanessa although he didn't think he should act on it.  Vanessa fell for the hot cajun the minute she walked into the Black Knights building, she wanted to be a tough operator and she did her best to toughen up so she could fit in.  She totally kicked ass when she needed to, and even though her goal was 'tough operator" she was still in touch with her feelings; & still knew when she was totally out of her depths and allowed Rock to lead where Rock led.

That moment in Eve's house?!?!?!?! OMGawds, even though I knew what was happening I was still devestated right along with her. I was totally invested in the story and couldn't put it down, Poor Vanessa, she probably lost like ten years off her life.

It took one day to read this because I dived right in and didn't come up for air until I finished it.   The characters are so well written and it's so engaging, the wit, the funny stories, I can't wait to read Steady's story by the way, "details are superflouos" indeed, I loved those glimpse into each character's personality.  I loved the inner monologue of both Rock & Vanessa, they are so awesome, I so couldn't stop reading that garage scene then when Ghost caught them?!!! The laugh was pretty loud when I read that scene. Heck I'm smiling now writing about it.

Eve looks like shs's going to be a great character as well. I can't wait to read the story between her and her guy, it should be totally interesting. Now excuse me while I catch up with the rest of the Black Knights I'm heading to Becky's first then I hear Ali's story is kick ass as well. See you guys. Have fun!!

***FTC Rules require I state that I received this as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**** 

#Review: The Wanderer (Thunder Point 1) .@RCarrWriter

Book Title: The Wanderer (Thunder Point 1)
Author: Robyn Carr |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 384

How I got it: ARC From Blogger Friend 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million
Publication Date: April 2013
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Synopsis:

From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you'll never forget. Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands. Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.(l

The Wanderer is an excellent first in series book, Robyn laid the groundwork for us to see the entire town, To learn the layout, the quirky inhabitants, the hidden love stories, the long lost loves, the future residential loves, the newcomers and everyone who had been through.

I personally loved that we got to know the side characters, the towns folks and to really get to know Cooper before he met his love interest.  Hank Cooper is a Wanderer, a former Army helicopter pilot he's spent the last few years wandering wherever the wind blew him,  when his friend passes away he ends up in Thunder Point to say goodbye to his comrade and get the shock of his life.  I loved reading and getting to know Cooper, he wasn't an overly complex man, he had lived it up during his years in the military, he had had relationships and knew how they worked but he's never felt the need to settle down and be in one spot. Thunder Point works it's magic and gives him a glimpse of what life in a community feels like and he hangs around for a little bit.

I loved reading the budding romances of the other characters especially because I know she's going to flesh them out in their own stories. We meet some fresh new blood to the town, and even see the hidden lives of a few of the older crowd.  Of course you have your characters you want to push out a window, or give a good slap because they clearly need it.  And then there are the characters who are so slow they didn't even realize they were about to lose a good thing until it was almost gone.  I loved reading those lines and laughing so hard.

The love story wasn't insta love, they didn't fall into bed right away either, they were older people with a few years and a few heartaches under their belts so they came at the relationships a little differently.    I loved the good slow build to the relationship. I loved the flares of temper, the building of connections that would become friendships and the healing the characters embarked on. Yeah it's safe to say I'm in love with the town and can't wait to return in the next one!!

 ★★★★☆

Have you tried Robyn's writing?? If you haven't I suggest you do, she writes in a way that makes you really feel like you're there and could go driving into town any moment.  Have any suggestions based on this book?? Share them down in the comments my loves and I'll see you later.
Happy Reading

YA Book #Review: Iron Queen ( Iron Fey 3) @Jkagawa

Book Title: Iron Queen (Iron Fey 3)
Author: Julie Kagawa |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Trade paperback

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 359

How I got it: Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfabililty: Must Read!!
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Synopsis

My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back.

OMG  I totally love this series.  U just.. WOW. So beautifully written, I even teared up a few times (they didn't fall just a little moisture in the eye..maybe 1 lone thug tear fell..maybe).  I loved seeing Meghan's growth, her maturity, yes, she had her moments but umm she's only 18, I kept forgetting until she reminded us, Holy crap. I think I would have had a full on melt down with half the crap going on in her life.

I totally knew it from certain clues we were given who exactly the false king was and I was right,  How she didn't see it I'll never understand also the packrats were a huge clue that something was up.  And the ending.. oh gawds can we talk about the ending.  My heart just broke into a million little pieces, just broke.

I'm stunned, thrown for a loop, hurt and afraid to read the next once because can it do the story justice??  Ash's vow just made me love him even more, and broke my heart, all while making a lone thug tear flow.  Ironhorse was an amazing character and he was right.  I do have a bone to pick with Julie though, in describing Ironhorse she called him a monstrous black man (when you read it you'll know what I mean), yeah no other character was called monstrous why the Black guy?? Everyone else was discussed in terms of their beauty. There were so many other words that could have been used like massive, gigantic, humongous, heck you could have even said "Hella big" if you wanted to get down liek that but monstrous though?? Le Sigh Julie Le Sigh. I'm giving you the side eye from hell Julie. From. HELL O_o

★★★★

All I know is Thank the book Gods I have the other books in the series.  Thank the book gods indeed.

I highly recommend the series. Just awesomesauce and then some.

Happy Reading

Craft Book #Review: Soap Crafting

Book Title: Soap Crafting
Author: Anne-Marie Faiola    |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Storey Publishing
Genre: Non Fiction Crafting Books
Format: ebook, spiral bound

Cost: $12.91

Pages: 240

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
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Synopsis:

The Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola, shows you how to make perfect cold-process soap that is better than what you can buy at the store! Simple instructions and great photography walk you through every step of 31 exciting recipes, making it easy to master the techniques you need and produce the soaps you want. You'll find chapters on colors (neon, oxides, mica), molds (milk jugs, yogurt containers, pipes), food (pumpkin, coffee, beer, avocado, oatmeal), and building (embedding soap in soap, funnel pour, swirling). Faiola offers everything you need to make your own soap, safely and enjoyably!

I have never wanted to crawl into a book and eat soap as badly as I did while reading this book.  I totally see why she's called the soap queen I mean just take a look at thos beautiful bars!!

I have been a fan of soap making for several years (I'm more of a melt and pour gal), but I decided I wanted to take it up a notch and learn more about cold press soaps. Now I will confess to having read a few books but never really trying anything from them. This book, not only did I read, I hooked a friend into letting me use her second kitchen as the experiment room, we had a blast trying to make soap and keep her kids out of it.

The recipes were easy to follow, the instruction and the little tips to remind you of what to watch for made reading this book the perfect way to really try my hand at cold pressing. I liked that she shared resources and some substitutions and even some really great additives to try.

Now I won't be showing you the hot mess I made attempting these but once I get them half way decent??
 ★★★★☆
Ohh you can expect to see lots of pictures all over the place. I'm actually purchasing a physical copy for myself and for my best friend. And now I'm addict for Soap Queen everything all over the internet.

Book #Review: New York To Dallas (In Death Series)

Book Title: NY To Dallas
Author: JD Robb |Website| Facebook|

Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Genre: Mystery Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Hardcover, ebook

Cost: $ 5.99

Pages: 479

How I got it: Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
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Synopsis:

Twelve years ago, Eve Dallas was just a rookie NY cop when her instincts led her to the apartment of Isaac McQueen, a man she discovered to be a sick murderer and pedophile, who was keeping young girls in cages. Now a homicide Lieutenant, Eve is one of the most distinguished officers in the city—and then she learns that McQueen has escaped from jail. Bent on revenge against Eve and with a need to punish more "bad girls" McQueen heads to Dallas, Texas—the place where Eve was found as a child, the place where she killed her own abusive monster when she was only eight years old. With Eve and Roarke in pursuit of McQueen, everything is on the line and secrets from Eve's past are about to be shockingly revealed.

This book has got to be the most emotional roll coaster ride for me as a reader and I'm sure for Eve and Roarke as well. So much happens to Eve, especially once she figures out why the person doing the crime is doing it.  It becomes one elaborate puzzle that must be pulled apart. Without her team Eve would have never begun to even come close.

I wouldn't be a cop for any money in the world.  (I mean no disrespect but the shyt cops have to see?? Yeah NO, I get messed up enough working with the survivors no need to be in the middle of the storm) This case the details, were just so depressing because with the equipment they have now??  This guy would have gotten away.  The emotional journey that Robb took us on to the get to the end of this story?? Just so much feels!!

Just blew me away.  Eve worked out some serious issues to even begin to get this case to move along. This more than any other book has been more about her past than ever before. She confronts pieces of her past so viscerally, I just don't know how she did it and still kept coming for the guy.

This book Roarke grows all kinds of bossy and really sets his foot down and makes Eve get serious help.  I'm finally glad she talked to Mira and worked through so much. I just can't get over how hard this book was. It's deep, raw, emotional, exhausting and Oh Goddess it was good.

For the first time in a long time Robb married the two parts of the book.  She had both case and progression of Eve's personal story, normally she never has both in a book.  Two and half years to get to this *according to Eve's time frame*.  So it's going to be a very long time before Eve starts to heal and deal with the rest of the issues.

 ★★★★☆

I'm sure the books will be interesting reads and now we really know where Eve comes from. Personally I wonder if we are going to find relatives much like we did for Roarke, people who didn't know what was happening, or didn't know their daughter or son had a child.  It should be interesting to see if she does the same for Eve as she did for Roarke.

Happy Reading

YA #Review: Fault In Our Stars (#Cancer Awareness Week)

Book Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green |Website| Twitter| Youtube|

Publisher: Dutton Books
Genre: YA Fiction
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardcover

Cost: $8.99

Pages: 318

How I got it: BEA 2012 Author Breakfast

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Jan 2012
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Synopsis:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars/ but in ourselves    ~Shakespeare

If I could go higher in stars I and make it really count I totally would as it is this is a Five Heartbreaking Stars book.  This was the first book this year that I actually shed tears to. And one of the few books in my collection where I didn't care where I was, I just let the emotions come.  I went into this book not knowing anything about it because I refuse to read reviews before hand, but I just knew everybody was in love with it and I didn't know why.

I got this book at BEA 2012 when he was in charge with Chris Colfer for the Author Breakfast. I knew my sister almost had a stroke when she heard and demanded that we go, I had no idea who John was or anything about nerdfighters, I had moved on from YA and didn't even visit so none of the authors were people I knew other than Lois Lowry (because really who doesn't know her??).  I didn't get around to reading the book until 2013 when I pulled it from my TBR jar, and man listen ok, I wasn't prepared. I was unable. No one warned me. And that made it even more amazing & funny

OH, my God. I've seen him at parties. The things I would do to that boy.  I mean, not now that I know you're interested in him. But, oh, sweet holy Lord, I would ride that one-legged pony all the way around the corral" pg94

As a chronic disease sufferer this book hit right at my heart. And I totally love it.  Some of my own sentiments about the cleansing power of death was expressed here and I just ...it's just so amazing.  Gus's letter at the end just made me cry so hard..Just so many feelings. Oh Gawds the feels.  I can't explain to you how truly amazing this book was. You just have to read it.

The quotes the books mentioned, just the shear amount of awesome from Gus & that letter!!!  I'm now a huge fan of his work and even have signed up for his vlogbrothers youtube channel.  I'm going to go on reading his writing and hope it's all as good as this one.  I already own an autographed copy of "An Abundance of Katherines" I can't wait to read it.  Mr Green, Thank You for an amazing story that touched so many of my feelings a chronically ill woman.  Thank you for not just making this a "great cancer battle story" but an amazing story.

By now you know the movie is coming out at in June (6 in US, 20th in UK) and for weeks I refused to watch the movie trailer because I just knew I would cry.

OMG it looks amazing and I hope it truly sticks to the book, but since John raves about it all the time, I think it does. I'm going to see it, and I'm bringing tissues. Are you going??

I didn't do a more detailed review because I think going in without preconceived notions is the way to go.  It's an amazing book, bring tissues and make sure to slot away a few hours to read it, because it's such a fast engaging read.  Read an Excerpt

I'll be blogging more about the young woman who inspired the book and the movie. As well as how to support her organization.  I also be blogging about Cancer All Week For Cancer Awareness Week. 3/31 to 4/6. There will also be giveaways so check back!!

 ★★★★☆

Happy Reading

YA Book Review: In Too Deep

Book Title: In Too Deep
Author: Amanda Grace |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Flux Books
Genre: YA Fiction
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: paperback

Cost: $9.95

Pages: 228

How I got it: BEA 2012 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 2012
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Synopsis:

Carter didn't rape me. People at school think he did. Suddenly, new friends are rushing to my side, telling me that Carter hurt them, too. They say he's getting what he deserves. Maybe I don't want to fix this. Sam is in love with her best friend Nick, but she can't seem to tell him. So she decides to flirt with golden-boy Carter Wellesley, hoping Nick will see it and finally realize his true feelings for her. On Monday, everyone at school is saying that Carter raped Sam. He didn't, but Sam can't find the words to tell the truth. Worst of all, she's afraid she'll lose Nick if he finds out what really happened. As graduation approaches, Sam discovers that living the lie isn't as easy as her new friends make it sound--and telling the truth might be even worse.

I've heard a lot about this book. Kristi the Story Siren gave a great review that made me want to read it.  When I saw Flux Books at Book Expo America 2012, I was super excited and I quickly snagged a copy.  It's a small quick read, it took me one day, not because I loved it, but because I needed to see this car wreck through.  It's written for the young adult audience, so perhaps that's why it's like being in the mind of a little child, but if this was trying to be like Speak it failed miserably.

This book made me so mad I wanted to scream. This character was weak, stupid, deserved a bitch slap and then some. The character was beyond immature for her age, and made an accusation that was disgusting then tried to make it sound as if she was the victim,  I F**king hated this book, the concept, heck even as I'm typing this I'm getting mad all over again.  This book was not hashed out, it was a piss poor job of a story, if they had wanted to discuss how it affected the boy, cool if it had been told from his point of view this would have been a good story, this vapid, insipid idiot of a character?? If they had told the story as say someone else made the accusation and she was actually trying to clean it up?? Maybe then it would be different but she WENT along with the lie, KNOWING it was a lie; yes she never actually told the lie, but when given chances to fix it she allowed it to stand and allowed others to embellish it. She had a million chances in which to correct the mistake and didn't and I'm not here for it. 

This kid's life could be over, all these people someone is going to tell an adult and you f**king worrying about losing some dude...who asked you point blank to tell him the truth. Bitch your priorities are all f**king wrong get it together; especially because your father is the SHERIFF, how do you think this is going to go down?? Granted his friends were douchebags and they shouldn't have threatened her, because really that's not helping the situation. How many chances did she have to fix this before it got this far??? Yes the guy in this scenario is an idiot and an asshat, but NO ONE deserves to be accused of raping someone (unless of course they are actually a rapist).   If during her lying it had come out that he had raped another girl then I would say yeah, keep telling the lie because then maybe justice will be served, but it's all because he didn't treat them nice. 

There are no heroes in this story, the accused is one step up from a bottom feeder and the female lead is a dummy. I'm so done with this story. The only good part?? The ending because just as I suspected someone told a parent and it made it back to her dad.  I felt no sympathy for her at all as she dealt with the fallout.

 I know I wasn't the only one who thought so, as one of my fellow BEA buddies flipped out when she read it. My sister also read it because we heard so much about it, she read it on the way home; right after we got back from NY she texted me " You remember how excited we were about this book?? Yeah lower your expectations like lower yeah and keep going lower Yep right around there would be good. She could have solved all of this in fifteen minutes but she didn't she's an idiot" And I totally agree with her.

This is one the worst books written on this topic in my opinion especially in light of the events that was taking place when this came out. Nope I HATE THIS BOOK.  When books like this come out, it helps to feed into the belief that girls and women lie about rape, and while there might me a minuscule amount of idiots like this character, the vast majority of women aren't lying and their voices are being silenced by those who point out the few who did lie.  I feel no sympathy for the character because she knew it was a lie and the minute she figured out what was happening she had plenty of opportunity to correct the mistake.  

While I'm happy her classmates were willing to back her against her 'attacker' the truth is way too many young women are slut shamed by their peers after an attack. There are no lessons in this book, She didn't learn anything, the friends who egged her on didn't learn a lesson, no one went to jail,nothing was accomplished. She simply blew up her life and if gods forbid she was ever really attacked??? No one would believe because this story would always come up.

As a woman who has friends & a family member who were once victims; I feel like this book makes light of the devastation to family, friends and of course the victim.  Many victims never come forward because they won't be believed or they don't believe they will be heard and here she's believed even when it didn't happen. Her panic attack when she's confronted and her acting as if something did happen when the only thing that went on was an embarrassing tale of rejection?? Yeah, she's not a likable character at all.

I can't recommend this book to anyone because it's truly not worth it to me to pass on. Or perhaps it can be used as a cautionary tale, of what can happen when a lie gets out of hand.  IDK, but I do know that even though I despise this book, it could be a good conversation starter. Speak being on end of the spectrum and In too Deep the other.
 ★☆☆☆☆

Happy Reading

YA Book Review: Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School Book The First)

Book Title: Etiquette and Espionage (Finish School 1)
Author: Gail Carriger |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Little Brown for Young Readers
Genre: YA Paranormal/ YA Steampunk
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Hardcover

Cost: $17.99

Pages: 307

How I got it: Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school

I liked reading this steampunk version of one of my favorite romantic periods.  The ballgowns, the prepping for parties, the finishing school education is simply amusing, especially because the lead character hates doing most of it, so she thinks down about it all the time

Truly a good read especially because  it's about the character finding herself  and her place in the world and not through a man; much to her mother's disdain.  Although eventually she will have to marry but it'll be for practical reason or at least that's how it's presented now. We'll see how that goes later. The names throughout the book were a great source of amusement for me.  I'm trying to not spoil it for anyone, but the idea that the woman was completely clueless as to what was happening on her ship?? Makes me wonder about her. The teachers were also amusing, the idea of a werewolf who wore a hat so you could recognize him was very funny. I got quite a few chuckles from the teachers alone.

The other characters are written in a way that makes you form a opinion and very rarely did any of them give you a reason to change that initial idea. I can already tell she's going to have a few friends and quite a few enemies, especially the young woman being punished. The concept of teaching the young women to be Ladies while being spies, is great because clearly Sophronia wouldn't last anywhere else. Heck she hasn't even been at school all that long and already she's caught up in things best left to the experts (although she manages to become quite adept at many of her lessons.)

The world we were being introduced was very intricate and I'm intrigued to learn more about the world and the role her neighbor is going to play in her world.  I loved reading about the many mechanical alternatives to the things found in actual history.

I'm however not amused by the scene in page 115 that appears to equate a Black character with being dirty. I'm NOT amused at all and for that I dropped the rating from five solid stars to 31/2 stars, I'm not ignorant I'm aware that not many people would know how to describe a Black person when they first meet then, but to immediately equate his color with cleanliness is a questionable comment, even if it's only in her head. This maybe the Victorian era but by then, most if not all knew of Blacks even if they hadn't seen one. If that was to be within the role of the character it needed to be explained as naivete instead of appearing as a racial comment from the author.
 ★★★1/2☆
I do look forward to the other books in the series, and hope there will be fewer incidents like in here. I still recommend the book.
Happy Reading

YA Book Review: Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

Book Title: Iron Daughter (Iron Fey 2)
Author: Julie Kagawa |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Trade paperback

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 359

How I got it: Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfabililty: Must Read!!
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.(

I have said many times before that I'm not a big YA fan, but ummm if all YA is going to be like this??? SIGN ME UP!! I love it!! This is the second installment to the Iron Fey series and I'm in love!!! Meghan is at the mercy of the Faere courts * and we've seen how loving they can be*.  To really get what happened between her and Ash you have to read the little novella contained in The Iron Legends book, because several important characters are introduced and several things happen that make this story more.

I LOVE Puck, he has got to be one of the best characters ever!! Especially on page 216
Well. this should be easy, then" Puck smirked " We'll just stroll in the front door. waltz up to Virus, grab the scepter have some tea and save the world before breakfast. Silly me thinking it would be hard" Lol yeah it's really just that easy Puck never mind the all powerful scepter, she's too lazy to deal with vermin LOL.

I knew at once the Gremlins reaction to her in the moment before battle was an amazing foreshadowing; I mean the fact that Ironhorse showed up to be there for her was a clue but man oh man talk about being obtuse Meghan.  So much action takes place in this book and it moves not only the relationships forward but also the story, we meet even more characters that play a major role in Meghan's life and the battle between the Fey loom ever closer with both leaders believing the other is the cause.  It's a great divide and conquer strategy, one that would have worked if Meghan didn't exist.  There are many moments where my open palm may have wanted to meet several different characters' faces but I managed to restrain myself *just barely*. Once again Julie managed to pull me in and make me love the characters all while wanting to shake them. Yes Ash I'm looking at you, you too Meghan.

I loved the love between Meghan and Ash, the Homecoming Dance?? Yeah, Ash is a poet, y'all he's a poet!! I just...the two of them.. it's just yeah I'm gushing I'll stop now. The emotional scene between Meb and Ash, those heartbreaking moment when Meghan thought all was lost to her.  Man listen Julie can spin a tale and that moment right there??!!! I might have choked up a little...just a little.
 ★★★★★
I loved me some Ironhorse, I loved how the book was left on a nice cliffhanger so you had to  dive right into the next one. I totally marathoning the whole series. I'm so in love with this series. I'm team ASH all the way baby, I love Puck but not for Meghan.  And of course this story wouldn't even be a story without Grim being there, this Cat is everything Awesome!!

Happy Reading

YA Book Review: Iron Knight (Iron Fey 4)

Book Title: Iron Knight (Iron Fey 4)
Author: Julie Kagawa |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Trade paperback

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 400

How I got it: Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfabililty: Must Read!!
Add To Goodreads
Publication Date: November 2011
Synopsis:

My name - my True Name - is Ashallayn’ darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl… To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. Then Meghan Chase - a half human, half fey slip of a girl - smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end - a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side. To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

There are so many amazing moments within the novel and I found myself highlighting (with post it flags) quite a few of them, and I hadn't even gotten half way through and that's how I knew I loved this book to the core. Ash made a promise to Meghan in the end of Iron Daughter and because it is a vow he must keep, a vow he desperately wants to keep, he makes a few deals so he can make it back to her. And as we have learnt any deal within Faerie is a big deal, as Ash never deals.  He makes a important bargain first of course with the Cat otherwise known as Grimlkin. All of that, to get back to Meghan, I loved how he was beyond specific, no way in Goddess's green world was he reverting back to old Ash and he made damn sure the contract stipulated that.

Of course our lovely frenemy from the novellas showed up, The Big Bad Wolf, heck just even writing those words helped him out. Yeah this is when I knew I had to go back and read that little in between because if he almost killed Ash, he must seriously be totally kick ass and man he didn't disappoint.

There are several moments that I laughed because come on Puck's here, Grim is his totally witty self and poor Ash is here, who can't laugh with that combination??  I loved how Mab came around and totally did the mom thing to help him out.  The Wolf and Grim don't get along of course because come on a dog and a cat right?? These jokes just about write themselves.  "Don't flaunt your idiocy dog" Grim to Wolf.

Of course with Puck and Ash being in the same area for too long their long lost love comes up and we finally begin to understand how deeply wounded they both were, but Ash even more so because once he swore he couldn't take it back, and now he was alone after swearing a blood oath to kill his one and only best friend.  Of course more stuff comes out and I get sucked into the book, I found myself yelling for him not to trust certain characters, not to believe what his eyes showed him, to remember Meghan.  

In the end, we still have an adventure that of course takes us to the deepest parts of Faerie, allows to meet the kind of Power that makes even Puck act with reverence and Grim think twice.  The different challenges, the desperation that Ash fights for and with makes you just love him, In the end, despite all the bad deeds you look at Ash differently.

Did I mention that I love this series?? But once I read this novel?? I just fell even deeper in love and I might have even choked up a little when the battle of wits begun.   I stretched finishing this book because I didn't want it to be done. And according to the prophecy at the end of the book, we will be getting more Meghan, Ash and Puck. Hopefully soon!!

 ★★★★★

I highly recommend this series and of course this book

Enjoy the journey my loves

And Happy Reading