BB New Year's Challenge: Worst Book of 2013

I'm not going to lie, I read some real shyt books in 2013, some I didn't even finish because I refuse to waste good time reading bull.  But even if I hated a book this year I'm not sure I can find one I will take the WORST book of the year.

I think labeling books like that will not only bring the rabid crazy fans down on our heads, we risk alienating the ones who really loved the book but value our other book recommendations, plus I think it just gives the drama queens another piece of drama to latch onto.  That there is my belief and I'm sticking to it.   While I won't label a book a worst book of the year I do have some contenders for "these should have been thought through a little more before they were published or even not published at all" List:

In Too Deep This book made me so mad I wanted to scream. This character was weak, stupid, deserved a bitch slap and then some. I know I wasn't the only one who thought so, as one of my fellow BEA buddies flipped out when she read it. 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. She had a million chances in which to correct the mistake and didn't and I'm not here for it. 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.

Bringing up the number two position for idiot books of the year is   A Scandal So Sweet. Where do I begin??  This book, oh this book?? I want any writer who thinks "Hey let's write about fake rape" to just STOP at the thought process, don't put your hands on a keyboard, don't actually write it down , Unless you plan to FLESH the story out. This was an abysmal attempt at making it ok. This was just as bad as the one above. You become a movie star, with a huge platform and every time they discuss you they bring this scandal up and you NEVER clean it up??? You never once share that it was a mistake perpetrated on your behalf?? That it was never to come to this?? You let that shyt ride?? And then, he comes back and falls in love with you?? Personally I'm just not that forgiving, I see you coming after you and your family attempted to send me to jail I'm not stopping to spit on you if you were on fire, much less talk.

Taken by Kelli Maine. Le Sigh, where do I begin?? The story starts off great, the prologue enough to pull you in and then??? Chapter 1 begins and I'm lost, why are we in this POV?? If I read one more "you" in describing the character I would scream. Seriously?!!! Who really falls in love with their capture?? Did it happen I have no idea because I couldn't finish reading, Don't try to pull me into the story, this method sucks when dealing with such topics. And there are supposedly two more books out there??? Yeah I'm soooooo good. I was so intrigued, and I liked the cover, I'm so not even going near this book ever again, Thankfully it's a finished copy.  I looked it up, it's got a solid four rating on goodreads, so others must love it, just not me. ( If anyone wants it, email me, if not I'm donating to the library) this is not a keeper to me.

Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods 1) Melissa De La Cruz I grew up watching Gossip Girl, and reading this to me was like watching the early episodes from 2000s now in 2013. You looked at it and saw it as dated and kinda lame compared to what can be seen, done now it was trying way too hard to be cool.  Blair never talked like this because she knew she was the Queen ( and even she was pretty vain).  I couldn't even make it past 50 pages. I just couldn't. I'll stick with Blair, Serena & Chuck, these watered-down versions are just too Meh. 




I'm sure somewhere out there are people who loved these books. I just couldn't and I'm not sorry.  If these were your faves, don't feel bad, I'm sure they were awesome for you, they just really weren't my kind of books.  Make sure to swing by Parajunkee to see what everyone else has put on their list.

BB New Year's Challenge: Anticipated 2014 Books

Well Rachel has no idea the craziness that she  has unleashed!! Make sure to swing by Parajunkee's View to see the other participant's lists.  I of course already had a loosely thought out list that I'm anticipating reading for 2014, but with this I'm going in. I'm going to list them all here.  I'm excited aren't you???

My List:
ALL THE BOOKS. All. OF. THEM.

that's it!!!
Ok I'm just kidding..... that's not even the half of it. So here's my attempt to share my book lust, just know this list is subject to change at a moment's notice (like me learning the dates of new books coming out)

1. Dark Wolf Christine Feehan due out Jan 7th (already preordered) READ
2. Theirs to Cherish Shayla Black due out Mar 4th (preordered)GOT IT
3. Since I saw You by Beth Kery due out May (preordered)
4. Sixth Grave on the Edge Darynda Jones
5. Accidentally....Cimil (Accidentally Yours 4.5)
6. Silence of the Wolf Terry Spear
7. Shadow Spell Nora Roberts
8. Jaguar Hunt Terry Spear READ &REVIEWED
9. The Innocent Shiloh Walker
10. Lynn Kurland Novels
11. Maggie Shayne
12. JD Robb
13. Waking the Dead (and anything else) Heather GrahamGOT IT
14. Dark Blood Christine Feehan
15. The Book Of Life Deborah HarknessGOT IT
16. Hero of a Highland Wolf Terry SpearGOT IT
17. To tempt a Viking Michelle Willingham GOT IT
18. Julie Garwood
19. Hell For Leather Julie Ann Walker
20. Carolyn Brown

Yeah the more I research the longer the list gets, let me just say these are the ones I have either already preordered or am sitting on pins and needles waiting for them to give us release dates. I do have soooo many more but then y'all would be here until the end of time, nope not a hyperbole I do mean that my list is unending.   So to spare us that, I will go back to my original statement. I.want.all.the.books.

What's you list look like??? Does it keep growing the more you hear about?? Share in the comments down below and of course like always I will swing on by and take a gander.  Oh boy I can already see I'm going to need a pencil and lots of paper.  

BB New Year's Challenge: Books of 2013 I'm Sad I Missed

Another day of posting to this challenge, I'm loving it so far because it's really making you think. Make sure to swing on by Rachel's Parajunkee blog to see the other participants.  For today's topic I have to list the ones that got away, it's going to be a mix of genres so don't hate me for the jumbled mess that's about to happen.

1. Savage Blue Zoroyda Cordova
2. Rogue Gina Damico (I soooo need to finish this series)
3. The newest addition by Beth Kery
4. Shayla Black's newest books in the Wicked Lovers Series
5. Thankless in death ~JD Robb's
6. Lookaway, Lookaway by William Barnhart
7. Scorched by Mari Mancusi
8. Fifth Grave past the Right Darynda Jones
9. Dark Witch Nora Roberts
10. Heather Graham's The Night is Forever
11. Mad about the Boy Helen Fielding

those are the ones I can think of right now, I received far more books to review that were originally on the list, I just haven't gotten a chance to read them yet.  Many of my favorite authors published this year and I snapped them up, so I didn't miss them but I haven't read all of the yet either.  I looked at tomorrows topic and I'm shivering just thinking of the list I'm going to create.  

What's your list looking like?? Did you miss many?? Or do you have them in the pile you just need to dig to get to them?? Share in the comments below and I'll swing by and share some love.  Thanks again to Rachel for hosting this awesome event.

Much love and Happy Reading

BB New Year's Challenge : Pros & Cons of Book Blogging

PROS

• Reading and getting to gush about your favorite books/stories/characters with like minded people
• Having a place to share all the nerdy moments you have and know that you won't be judged too harshly because your readers are just as nerdy.
• Getting your fave author to tweet at you, or comment back to you on facebook, or on your blog, or having them share your blog post. Yeah gotta be some of my fave moments this year
• Book Conventions, yeah there is nothing like meeting your fave authors, hanging out with publishers/editors and learning about future books coming out
• The books, I would be lying by not sharing about the books, I love reading and getting books before they come out. I love getting to dive into my fave stories with little to no wait.  
• Learning new things so I can do more things on my blog, and even within my personal life.
• Being exposed to new people. books, authors, cultures through new stories & new genres

CONS

• Never anytime to really read, especially if your on a blog tour, you have to read with a deadline in mind and then if you have other books due out around the same time your speed reading, not so much for enjoyment
• Reading books and hating them but having to write a review that doesn't make others hate the book
• the guilt, oh gawd the guilt when you don't read the books on time or even close to on time,
• the guilt of not posting your review on time.
• not being able to formulate a brilliant review without sounding like a teenager gushing over and over about the book even though you love it to pieces
• writing reviews and having no one read them, especially if you took the time to formulate a brilliant review
• the tons of time spent creating content and not really living your life offline for a while, especially when your trying to grow your blog, expose yourself and be heard.
• feeling like no matter how much you do, it's never enough for you to get surprise boxes in the mail from your favorite publishers
• trying to balance showing the books and bragging about what you got
• budgeting, because books don't buy themselves.

Well that's all I've got, what do you have on your list?? Share the link below and I'll swing on over and show some love.  Want to participate?? Swing on over to Rachel's blog and see all the information for yourself.

BB New Year's Challenge: Book Blogger Resolutions

Ha!! Didn't I just say I'm not doing resolutions???? Well I'm not I'm making this my book blogging goal list. This isn't a comprehensive list as I'm sure as I reach each goal I will want to go higher, achieve more and learn more.

1) Network more, I'm going to go ahead and confess that I suck at Social Media (SM). I don't always pay attention and I certainly am not completely up on what's going on, I'm going to learn more about the different networks and how to use them to enhance the blog, drive traffic to the blog and how to share my information with more people.

2) Refresh my memory on HTML, and all the computer crap I have forgotten since leaving college, yeah yeah yeah I know I majored in comp Science but I switched in my third year and I haven't looked back since, now I need to, so I can make the blog a whole lot more fun and a whole lot better looking.  Even though I'm loving the new simple look aren't you??

3) Blog Blog Blog, I'm going to learn to schedule my blogs more and actually just go ahead and type them up instead of writing them down, because the I lose papers, get bored and don't transcribe them. Consistency will be key, so bear with me over the next few weeks because I have a huge back log to clear so, the posts will be coming up pretty often.

4) READ books I want to instead of books that are big but not really my genre, or even my kind of books.  I found that this year I picked up quite a few books because they were big in the book community and some weren't even my cup of tea, I simply didn't want to be left out of the conversation. This however meant I missed out on reading the books I really wanted to.

5) Participate in more book events, I love going to BEA and meeting wonderful authors, bloggers and fellow book lovers.  I can however go to more events especially because there are so many near me. *I really don't have an excuse other than poor planning, and not being in the know when I need to be, which of course goes back to SM and networking*

6) Share the love, I have a few extra copies of books I love, new books I have gotten at different events, and of course a few I have received from publishers. I'm going to get better at giveaways, at advertising them, at actually hosting them and doing the hosting better. so if you love books, why not subscribe and keep an eye out for those wonderful freebie days??

7) Sharing the know how, when I learn something new I love to share with everyone, so when someone shows me, I learn something new or a book blogger does something totally awesome, I'll share the links and the blogs so y'all can learn it too.

8) Youtubing more in the new year, I have a ton of videos recorded but I haven't posted them yet, I'm going to be editing and putting them up, along with posting there on Fridays and Sundays every week.

And that's it, I have more but those are more for me not for public consumption, as you noticed I didn't list the dates on these, that's because these are for the whole year, but I'm breaking them down, starting with networking and using SM more with the end goal being growing the blog, but that's going to take time so, SM more, and grow one new reader at a time!!

What are you resolutions?? Or are you like me calling them goals??  Share your link below and I will swing on over and share the love.  Want to participate?? Swing on over to Rachel's blog and see all the information for yourself.

Book Blogger New Year's Challenge 2014

Hi my loves,

How are you doing?? How was your holidays?? Are you excited about the upcoming New Year?? As many of us always do I'm always making resolutions and generally by March I have forgotten what those resolutions are.  (yeah I know, not very good, but heh at least I make it to March)

This year I'm not making any, yep you've heard me. I'm not making any big plans I know I won't follow through on, this year however I'm setting goals, not resolutions but actual goals *that have deadlines and everything*. I had done a similar idea last year and had quite a bit of success so to help kick start my goals.  I'm participating in the New Year's Challenge set up ny Rachel over at ParaJunkee's View

You can swing on over and check out the very interesting list of items to post about, and hey lookie there I already have 14 posts all set up!!! I love this idea, of course as always I will be signing up for challenges galore so don't be surprised to see more of these posts popping up.  Won't you join us?? Sign up and share you links so we can all get to know one another, I'm not a new blogger, nor am I a new book blogger, but this is my first dedicated book blog.  For the last few years the books have been taking over my other blog, I'm excited to see the developments throughout the year and getting to know y'all, and sharing my love of books with y'all.

Thanks so much for stopping by, leave a comment below and let me know if you are participating so I can check you out as well.

 
Happy New Year

Book Review & Giveaway: Gabriel's Redemption & Christian Louboutins

Book Title: Gabriel's Inferno Book 3: Gabriel's Redemption
Author:  Sylvain Reynard |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre:  Erotica Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 3
Format: ebook/paperback

Cost: $7.99, $9.41

Pages: 496

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Shelfablilty: Must Read It
Season: All Year
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father. But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets. In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

*sobs* OMG it can't end this way....Ok Ok I'm going to get myself together now. *deep breathe in* And ....

Hi there!! Can I just say well heck these stories flew by pretty darn fast. I started on book one on Friday and I was shoulder deep in book two on sunday and completed book three last night and OMG I'm so glad I had them all on hand.  So book three was never supposed to happen and I can totally see why she made the book. I just wanted more from each of the characters than I got in book two.  And man oh man did SR deliver.

I got more sexy Professor, more cool but learning her way Julia, more family dynamics and drama, more gentle giant Paul, more just more everything.  This book tied up so many ends and yet left a few open to the reader's own interpretations.  I have to say while racing to the end I was sobbing right along with the character (not really but man my heart seized like *nooo it can't end this way*).  Either ending would have been great but I loved this ending better.  It gave us a better more well rounded view of the characters and made me glad I had read the series in the first place.  I giggled at Gabe's description of nurses shoes, his clear love for Julia in her vulnerable moments, I just loved that man.  Now I'm so happy to see Julia on her way to being a better woman and a great academic.  I'm happy for the progress they have made from book one, especially with respect to their belief in themselves and each other as a couple, it's amazing to see how far they have come.

Now I will say t took a little while to enter into the world of Julia and Gabe, simply because I'm not really that informed about Dante's Inferno and I really dislike reading someone else's interpretation before I have read the book myself, but I didn't have time to put these books aside and read it then come back to this so I just had to take her words for it.  I really learnt a few new words, some really great places to check out in Toronto when I go and even learnt a little bit more about the academic life (or a least this version of it).

I have only a few cons, and I can't tell you about them without ruining the ending for y'all so I'm going to let them slide for now.  But I must say these have been an entertaining read for me and I have enjoyed rolling around the world of Julia and Gabe.  I believe this has earn each of the stars it has and I really would love for you to check it out.

Happy Reading my loves and Good Luck on the contest:

 ★★★★☆
 Also make sure to enter below for the giveaway being hosted by the author:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Homesteader's Sweetheart

Book Title: The Homesteader's Sweetheart ( Wyoming Legacy 1)
Author: Lacy Williams |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Paperback

Cost: $5.75

Pages: 280

How I got it: BEA 2012

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Published: May 2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything—even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door...…. With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.

This was a first-time genre read for me.  I can't remember ever reading this kind of romance and I like it. I was pleasantly surprised by it.  I really loved the characters, they were down to earth, and both so sweet that you couldn't help but want things to be good for them.

Jonas wanted to be more than just the help but no one would give him the chance, after being accused of a crime he takes off and creates a life worth being proud of.  He also happens to be a great neighbor and a good friend, and an even better Father, who was struggling now that his broad was getting bigger and needed things he wasn't equipped to provide.  He made the decision to start looking for a bride, one who would be able to help on the farm and would have no problems with raising seven children.  Penny is looking for a way out, her father is hell-bent on selling her off to a local businessman who makes Penny's skin crawl.  She can't prove it, but something about this man is off. When given the chance to help out her Grandfather who is ill.  In the process, she reconnects with Jonas who worked at a local business when she was going to school.

Before long the two are fighting, working, and without realizing it at first making a family.  I loved how they challenged each other, on faith, on beliefs, they had about themselves and others and just all around pushed each other to grow.  The children were a great addition to the story, helping to make points and clarify things for the adults in only a way children can.  I loved that Penny first fell in love with the children then with Jonas, once she knew him and why he had so many kids.

A very good story that I flew through pretty quickly.  I haven't read anything by Lacy before, but I will continue this series as soon as I have space on the TBR Pile. A definite read for those looking for a great religious romance, that doesn't really preach at you but shares the message in a beautiful way.

 ★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Book Review: Love at First Date ( Better Date Than Never 1)

Book Title: Love at First Date ( Better Date Than Never 1)

Author: Susan Hatler|Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Hatco Inc
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 85

How I got it: Kindle Freebie

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: 10/2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it’s about to rewrite her life . . . Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person. When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him. Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?

This one was hilarious, it's the start of a fun little series by the auhtor and i', enjoyeing myself immesnly.  Ellen creates a profile online looking for the perfect guy, but she also gets roped into taking care of her friend's dog.  As with all stupid pets the dog eats his way throguh her pocketbook and she rushes him to the local vet, There she meets Henry a ho hunk of a man, but he doesn't have any of the qualities she requires from a guy. Or so she thinks

I loved reading this story and getting in the characters' heads and seeing how they thought. It made for some seriously funny moments.  Poor Ellen doesn't believe love and ever after because her mom never met a man she could keep.  Because of that Ellen went about love differently and yet when faced with having to change she fought it a little more than necessary.

I really loved the ending of this novel and don't want to spoil it but man oh man was Henry amazing!!! I loved that even though this was a romance novel, the author managed to make the characters liekable and relateable, she made Ellen a character you wanted to route for.  I loved reading her friendships, and can't wait to learn more about the other women in the series.

 ★★★★☆

i Highly recommend this book and the series to follow ( as I have read two others already)
Happy Reading

Book Review: Truth or Date (Better Date Than Never 2)

Book Title: Truth Or Date ( Better Date Than Never 2)
Author: Susan Hatler |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Hatco Inc
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 188

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: 4/2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

(Better Date than Never series, Book #2) Gina Hall is done with men who won’t commit. Ten years waiting for her ex to propose wasted her time. Never again. When her friend Kristen starts a game of Truth or Dare, she dares Gina to go on a date with Ethan, who’s amazing and total marriage material. As Gina plans the going away party for office playboy Chris Bradley, she spontaneously initiates a game of Truth or Dare with him. When his turn comes around, he dares Gina to pose as his girlfriend to help get a flirty colleague off his back. Gina finds playing couple with Chris way too much fun. Even though Gina and Chris are pretending, their relationship begins to feel painfully real. Fearing she might be falling for another fly-by man, Gina must focus on Ethan so she doesn’t make the same dating mistakes all over again.

I lol'd a lot reading this book. The characters were quirky and funny. Gina's relationship ended badly I mean really though all that time and no ring or date picked out?? NO madam.  I loved catching up with Gina who made a few appearances in the first book in the series.

After her breakup Gina has decided that men aren't for her for a while, yet she finds herself playing Truth or Dare with office friend Chris who is leaving soon. When Chris needs to make an impression he dares Gina to help him out and she goes for it. What Gina doesn't know is how much Chris has liked her and now that he's leaving the company policy no longer counters that and she's now free, Yeah you know where this is going... let the shenanigans Begin!!,

Gina didn't realize at first that she had a thing for Chris; it wasn't until another woman started making advances that she began to clue into her true feelings. Due to her previous relationship she still has some issues with her sense of self worth, and attractiveness and I could totally relate to he feeling blue when it seemed another girl had gotten his attention.  She was relateable and real and I loved every moment of her coming back to herself.

It was awesome to read Gina's reawakening, as she's been off the market so long she doesn't know how to do this fake dating thing, but boy oh boy Chris is hell bent on showing her.  I really loved them together.

I really loved how much emotion was packed into this small book and how well Susan wrote the converging of a relationship.  It was realistic and so well done.  I just loved how everything flowed and how well each scene was depicted.

I also enjoyed the little side characters & the side stories that were being told, the foundation for the other books being laid out so you kinda knew the next story. Of course I'm going to get those as well.

*I want to note that I received this from NetGalley then forgetting that I had the review copy purchased the second & third books from Amazon.  They had given the first book away for free and that one hooked me in.  It's both a review copy and a purchased book and neither of those influenced my review*

 ★★★★☆

I highly recommend the series, it's fun, funny and a romping good time
Happy Reading

Month In Review: September

Where the heck did the month go?? Why is it already about to be October???  I can't believe this it's only a few more weeks until my favorite time of year. Samhain and then after that Yule!!! (otherwise known as Halloween and Christmas to you muggles).

Well, I new I wasn't going to complete the 30 books but I did come pretty darn close, I'm breaking the books down by genre so here it goes.

Adult Books:

Erotica


Young Adult Books

Well there you have it folks. 16 Books!!!  What did y'all do for the month?? I can't wait to hear from y'all share in the comments down below and I'll be sure to swing on by to check them out.

What's going on your TBR for October?? I'm picking some horror/paranormal romance what about you??

Book Review: Survival Lessons

Book Title: Survival Lessons
Author:  Alice Hoffman |Website| Facebook|

Publisher: Algonquin Books by Chapel Hill
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: Inspirational
Format: Hardcover

Cost: $13.95

Pages: 96

How I got it: Book Expo America 2013

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

Fifteen years ago, Alice Hoffman received a diagnosis that changed everything about the life she d been living. Most significant aside from the grueling physical ordeal she underwent was the way it changed how she felt inside and what she thought she out to be doing with her days. Now she has written the book that she needed to read then. In this honest, wise, and upbeat guide, Alice Hoffman provides a road map for the making of one s life into the very best it can be. As she says, In many ways I wrote this book to remind myself of the beauty of life, something that s all too easy to overlook during the crisis of illness or loss. There were many times when I forgot about roses and starry nights. I forgot that our lives are made up of equal parts sorrow and joy, and that it s impossible to have one without the other. . . . I wrote to remind myself that in the darkest hour the roses still bloom, the stars still come out at night. And to remind myself that, despite everything that was happening to me, there were still some choices I could make

I love Alice, yes, I love her so much, so when I heard she was going to be at BEA I was all over myself to get to her.  I got the book and I love it!!! As a long term disease sufferer, it's a pain in the rear to read books that try to make it sound like that you will be fine (you will be, but still don't invalidate my pain).

I read this book on the train and I was crying my eyes out, because it's so good to hear so many of these lessons from someone who has also suffered.  The book is small but she gets right to the point and shares what she has learnt during her years of chemo.

It's crazy to think all of this was happening and we didn't know about it.  I'm glad she is sharing with us now, This is a small but had quite a strong impact and I totally recommend this to anyone who loves to read survival stories.

 ★★★★★



Happy Reading my loves