Reviewing: Third Degree (book)

Third Degree

By: Julie Cross

Summary

I used to be “Isabel Jenkins, child prodigy.” As lame as that sounds, at least it was an identity. But now I’m not sure what I am. I just failed the most important exam of my life—the emotional readiness test required to get into a medical residency program—and it turns out my parents can’t stand each other. Now I’m trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life, and that means re-enrolling as a college freshman, but this time I’m shutting the books and majoring in being eighteen.

But so far, my roommate hates me and I’m not into the party scene. The only good thing about school has been getting to know my insanely hot RA. Marshall Collins makes me wonder about everything I missed while I was growing up too fast. Pretty soon we’re hanging out constantly, but for the first time, I find myself wanting more than a no-strings-attached physical relationship. And the lesson I really need is one Marsh definitely can’t teach me: love. Because I’m going to be alone forever if I don’t learn fast.

What I Thought!

I got this book from Net Galley in turn for an honest review.

This book was neither great or terrible. The feel throughout was pretty blah. I doubt I would read it again. Izzy's character reminded me of Sheldon/Amy from the Big Bang Theory television series. She has no social skills. She lives in a black & white world that doesn't have the want or the need for knowledge of the term "bed-side manner". I did like how Marshall made her relax, but the sudden illness just turned me for a loop. It came out of nowhere. It seems like I enjoyed the book more from the beginning then it sizzled out by the end. It's very important for me to find at least one memorable quote that speaks to my heart in the book I'm reading. That didn't happen reading the book. I wasn't attached to the characters. The story didn't pull me into their world like other books do. It was just an okay read to me.

Reviewing: Forbidden (book)

Forbidden 

(The Soulkeepers,#1)

By: Lori Adams

What It's About!

When Sophia St. James learns that she’ll be moving from Los Angeles to a podunk town somewhere in Connecticut for her senior year of high school, she isn’t expecting an otherworldly encounter. But there is more to Haven Hurst than meets the eye: it’s home to a family of Guardian Angels, and she is the only one who can see them in spirit form. Sophia soon realizes she wants to see much more of Michael, an irresistible yet volatile Guardian who seems drawn to her too.

As Michael battles his forbidden desire for the beautiful young newcomer, one of Hell’s most notorious Demon Knights arrives. Handsome and charismatic, Dante has come to claim the reincarnated soul of his lost lover trapped in Sophia. Cursed with the demon of Persuasion living inside him, Dante will use his seductive charms to lure Sophia into a dangerous game that ends with the kiss of death—unless Michael, who has captured Sophia’s heart, can now capture her soul.

My Take!

I received this from Net Galley for an honest review. 

This book was awesome. I stayed up all night reading it. The characters were attachable. I could envision myself in the story as if I was living along with them. I loved the town description. Just everything. Michael's character was "swoon worthy". Certain parts during the book had me smiling like a goofy teenager. It was different than other paranormal stories that I've read. This is a book I could definitely see myself reading over more than once. I just loved it. It's important to me to find worthy quotes in the books I read. It makes them important when they speak to my heart. For me to give a 5 star rating it has to have at least one. It did. I'll add it when I get my hands on a copy of the finished book. I cant wait for the next two books to come out. I want more! Lori Adams did an excellent job. I would most definitely suggest it!!!

Reviewing: Song of The Fireflies (book)

Song of The Fireflies

by: J.A. Redmerski

What It's About!

Since they were kids, Elias Kline and Brayelle Bates have been inseparable. When Bray moves to South Carolina, separating the two for the first time, they both at last realize that their innocent childhood friendship has developed into something much more. So when Bray finally returns to Georgia—and to Elias—things between them couldn’t be more perfect…until one fateful night changes everything.

Desperate not to go to prison for a terrible accident, Elias and Bray decide to run. As they try to make the most of their freedom, the two find themselves relying on a rebellious group of people who tempt the duo into a wild and daring new life. But they can’t run from their troubles forever.

As the consequences of their past catch up to them, the couple must finally face reality. Even if they can make it through the unimaginable, Elias knows the truth about Bray’s painful history, and in the end he may not be able to save Bray from herself…

My Take!

So even though I didn't like the previous read (The Edge of Always ) I read into Song of the Fireflies, at the end of the book. It grasp my attention. I also noticed that it was available on Net Galley. I just wanted to get the same feel that I did reading The Edge of Never, because it was the same author. I wanted to give the author another chance. 

Song of The Fireflies was a pretty messed up story. It was too far out there for me. The whole running after killing someone,the drugs, the desperate sex, the whole bumming, and living from place to place had no appeal to me as a reader. I personally wasn't into that at all. I had trouble attaching to the characters as adults. Just the whole story and everyone that was in it had me thinking..gross. The parts I did like were the flashbacks from when they were kids and teenagers. I wish it was more of those stories rather than the chaos the rest of the book ended up being. I will say it was cool how Redmerski included Andrew and Camryn's beach scene from a different point of view. I didn't see that coming.

Reviewing: The Edge of Always

The Edge of Always

by: J.A. Redmerski

What It's About!

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to The Edge of Never, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they'll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure-and challenges they never could have anticipated.

My Take!

I really liked  the previous book. (The Edge of Never) So I had really high hopes for the sequel. I was very disappointed. Everything changed that I loved in the first read. I saw everything coming. There wasn't a lot of mystery. Like she had to quickly finish their story, so she shoved a little of everything in this book. I don't understand how New Orleans was so important to the both of them in the last read, and then they just decide to never go again? He had important family-like people there. I had  trouble relating. Understanding. This book's mood was just rushed and their story instead of going smoothly felt pushed or forced. I think the ball was dropped this go around. Instead of taking the needed time to describe their adventures, especially overseas. They were just jotted down as a check-in. I personally can't attach to characters that way. Then the whole ending by their daughter's point of view, just put the icing on the cake of disappointment. I have to keep in mind that The Edge of Never and this read are two different books, although both in the same sequel. It's hard for me to refer a book in a series that I didn't like the second one in. 

Reviewing: The Testing

The Testing

By: Joelle Charbonneau

What It's About!

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? 

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. 

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one. 

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

My Take!

This book was referred by a friend. I enjoyed The Hunger Games and loved Divergent. This had the same feel, and similar style. I was delighted to find a new trilogy to sink into, since I finished the others. It reminds me that there are some great books still out there just waiting to be read. I loved Cia. For some reason she reminded me of a Tinkerbell. A little tinker of sorts who lives and breathes knowledge in figuring things out and the way they worked. I loved her loyalty to her family and humanity. I appreciate a heroine who knows who she is as a person enough to go with her gut, regardless of what people think. If she believes in something, she'll stand alone to prove her point. She doesn't follow the path. She makes her own. I immediately downloaded the next book.

Reviewing: Killing Honor

Killing Honor

By: Suzan/S.M. Butler

 

What It's About!

 

Only she ignites the passion within him…Navy SEAL Brody Battles’ last mission ended with him shot twice. He’s made enemies he’d like to forget ever existed all over the world. He’s more than ready to go home to the family he left behind, but when he returns, he faces sleepless nights, a possible security breach and the fear that his family has moved on without him.

Only he fills the void left in her heart…
Marrying her childhood sweetheart sounds like a fairy tale dream come true, but not for Devyn. Thanks to his job, her husband has been off on a secret mission for so long, he’s never even seen his daughters in person. But now he’s back, and the fairy tale life is in sight, but Devyn’s not sure the man that returned is the same man who left.

…and only death quenches their enemy’s thirst for revenge.
Stitching their broken family back together proves difficult when nightmares and secrets build a wall between them. And while they’re adjusting to being a family again, an enemy waits in the shadows, salivating for the sweet taste of revenge

 

 

My Take!

I enjoyed this read. It was realistic to me, especially me being a military wife of a grunt. When they come home it's an experience full of all kinds of different emotions balled into one, for both the military member and the spouse. I think the author did a decent job explaining it. It's nerve wrecking, scary, exciting, exhausting, and passionate. I know from my experience I had constant doubt. Will he still love me? Will he still find me attractive? Is he the same person? Then there are the worries to adjusting back into everyday life coming back from deployment. It's hard. Flashbacks, crowds, and every family member in the world bombarding you stretching you for time isn't a joke. Simple things as going to the zoo or sleeping with your spouse is a job, where it used to be normal. Readjusting is hard  on both. I've read military romances, and I am one to pick it apart and go in with really high expectations. Sure there were some grammatical mistakes in this read, but I think the author did a great job explaining both points of view. I enjoyed their story. I was interested the whole time, and I read the book in one day. I  look forward to the next books in the series. I rated it a four star rating because I didn't find a memorable quote that stuck with me, but this is a good read. I'd suggest it. Special thanks to Netgalley.com for allowing me to read this for an honest review.





Reviewing: Endless (book)

Endless

by: Amanda Gray

 

A Little Taste of What It's About!

 

Jenny Kramer knows she isn't normal. After all, not everybody can see the past lives of people around them.

When she befriends Ben Daulton, resident new boy, the pair stumble on an old music box with instructions for “mesmerization” and discover they may have more in common than they thought. Like a past life.

Using the instructions in the music box, Ben and Jenny share a dream that transports them to Romanov Russia and leads them to believe they have been there together before. But they weren't alone. Nikolai, the mysterious young man Jenny has been seeing in her own dreams was there, too. When Nikolai appears next door, Jenny is forced to acknowledge that he has travelled through time and space to find her. Doing so means he has defied the laws of time, and the Order, an ominous organization tasked with keeping people in the correct time, is determined to send him back.

While Ben, Jenny and Nikolai race against the clock - and the Order - Jenny and Nikolai discover a link that joins them in life - and beyond death.

 

My Personal Take On The Book!

To me this book had a lot of interesting things to be a great read. Unfortunately I just couldn't lose my self in it the way awesome books always do. By the time I got interested in Jennie's current story, the author would give a dream/flashback and have me focus on Maria. I never had the time to really get to know Jennifer or Maria due to the constant flip flopping. The love interest was there with Jennie too short of time. I didn't have the chance to really know him or get to root for him in the book. It's like she suddenly fell in crazy love with this stranger, and cast aside her only other male companion, Ben. Very confusing. I would understand more if we had more of the relationship Maria had with him. Or that Jennie somehow started to remember him and the past life she had, but that wasn't the case. I think this read had too many pots stirring on the stove with nothing really worth while in them. I'm not satisfied and don't have the hunger I should to even read the next one, even if it becomes a series. It just seemed rather juvenile. There were no memorable quotes or songs either. That is super important to me. I do have to give a shout out to NetGalley for allowing me to read it and give an honest review. This is just my personal opinion.

 



She has no life...all she does is read!

This is sooooo true! Each book you read can take you further than most will ever go! I personally want many different lives. That sounded a bit weird, but that's why I choose to read and suggest people to try out other types of books. There are so many different genres. lol I have to experience them all.

Reviewing: The Edge of Never (book)

The Edge of Never

by: J.A. Redmerski

A Little Taste of What It's About!

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

My Personal Take On The Book...

This book did exactly what I look for when I read. It captivated me. I felt the characters lives were my own.  When they hurt.  I hurt. Moments of joy. I caught myself smiling.  This story had me on the edge of my seat til the very end. I  related a lot to it. It awakened a lot of emotions in me. Dreams, regrets, and plans. It made me think. Some cynics believe you can't take away anything from a romance novel and that simply isn't true. This book was a new adult romance, but it taught me and reminded me things that have been forgotten or swept up in every day life. It's rare for me to give a five star rating, but this book deserves it, in my opinion. I got a memorable quote and a meaningful song that spoke to my soul. 

Andrew:

I liked Andrew's  character. He lived his life to the fullest. He wasn't without fault. He like every other person in his world wasn't perfect, but it was so refreshing to experience a character like him. He constantly pushed Camryn past her limits. He was the strong support behind her assuring her in her capability to believe in herself and the decisions she makes in life. He encouraged her to make her own choices basted on what she wanted, not what everyone else expected from her, but what her soul longed for.   His sex appeal and ability to sing and play guitar didn't hurt any either. 

Camryn:

I related so much to her character. People in this world like to push others into living a life "they" think is correct. She had the courage to ignore them for once.  She was so used to living life by the book, structured into her day to day , that she forgot what she wanted. So she set out with no map to escape the normalcy. To explore. No certain destination other than to find herself. She harbored a lot of bitter feelings on what she thought was love, and just shut off the world. Until she found Andrew. 

"I think when you fall in love, like true love, it's love for life. All the rest is just experiences and delusions"

He taught her to have voice. Say what you want out loud. Try new things. Be scared. It's all a part of the experience of life. She let her hair down and it was really refreshing to read her story. I also loved the fact that she was loyal to the very end. That is so important to me. 

New Orleans:

A huge piece of my heart lives there. I loved that they went there. I swear I could imagine myself sitting in that smoky bar listening to him sing. (Laugh, I Nearly Died by the Rolling Stones. In fact while I was reading that part, I pulled my headphones out and listened to the song as I read.  It moved me. I of coarse immediately downloaded the song.  Camryn's love for The Civil Wars was appealing to me as well. It's like the author was speaking to my soul. It's nice to read a book that has a lot of things that you hold dear personally in it.  

So many parts in this book made me smile. I  wish to could be that kind of person who can just pull over and try to sleep underneath a blanket of stars in an open field. Or climb  on the hood of your car during a random rainstorm and watch the drops fall to your face. I have a problem letting go. I see the world black& white and forget I'm allowed to live in the grey from time to time. Spontaneity is import.Sometimes when we live life we  just get so wrapped up in the normalcy of things that we forget that  those off the beaten path moments are what we look back on and cherish. Sometimes we need to just let go. Sing out loud. Learn not to constantly look behind your back to see who is watching or judging when making decisions. We have only one life to live. It should be spent the way you want. This is just my personal take. I don't regret reading this book. I loved it. It gives  me hope for more meaningful new adult romance novels in the future.

Reviewing: Endless Love (book)

Endless Love

by: Scott Spencer

A Little Taste of What It's About!

One of the most celebrated novels of its time, Endless Love remains perhaps the most powerful novel ever written about young love. Riveting, compulsively readable, and ferociously sexual, Endless Love tells the story of David Axelrod and his overwhelming love for Jade Butterfield. 
David's and Jade's lives are consumed with each other; their rapport, their desire, their sexuality take them further than they understand. And when Jade's father suddenly banishes David from the house, he fantasizes the forgiveness his rescue of the family will bring and he sets a "perfectly safe" fire to their house. What unfolds is a nightmare, a dark world in which David's love is a crime and a disease, a world of anonymous phone calls, crazy letters, and new fears — and the inevitable and punishing pursuit of the one thing that remains most real to him: his endless love for Jade and her family.

My Personal Take On The Book...

This book.  Oh this book... In this book I had certain expectations given. It has been a very popular upcoming remake movie to be premiered this Valentine's Day. I saw the trailer and I immediately began research to find out if it was a movie based on book. I was excited to find that it was indeed a book. I was prepared for a summer first love romance novel like the trailer led me to believe. It was not at all what I expected. I feel like a rug has been pulled from beneath me in the utter shock of what I spent my entire night reading. I kept thinking, "Surely this can't be it. When's the happy love part?". It never came. IT NEVER CAME. Instead of a first love romance, I got a depressing, devastating, dark, sometimes wordy boring, at times disgusting roller coaster of crazy book. 
    I initially rated the book a two because I was so disappointed in having my high expectations burned as the house did in the very beginning, but now that I've calmed a bit. I realize I have to rate this book a three, because of the emotions it's brought out. I will never read it again. I won't refer it to anyone. I will warn every friend that doesn't have the crazy trait that I do that makes me have to read the book before the movie to prepare them as much as I can for what they are walking into. The emotions were a crazy mix between The Silver Linings Playbook and Revolutionary Road for me. I was so excited for Revolutionary Road to come out in theaters because it was the first movie since Leo and Kate starred together since Titanic. I rented the book and BAM! A depressing hopeless dark read. I never could bring myself to watch the movie after I read that book and honestly I don't know if I can stomach watching Endless love after reading this book. It's not only about David and his hopeless, stalking, depressive, obsessive, dark, mission in his life that keeps me away. I mean some parts, especially one in particular. (If you read the book, you know which I'm thinking about..) It was disgusting and extremely hard to read. I can't and don't want to imagine them putting that on screen. This book was strange. The characters...all of them were STRANGE. Yet through out all the madness I found at times it was hard to put down and got interesting. I'm thankful for those parts, because it helped me get through the book, but damn. David has been driven away by his own family. He falls in a crazy love with Jade. He becomes obsessed with not only her, but her family. He finally found his place where he belonged, then lost it all and his mind. This book wasn't about their love story. It was about their end. Not just Jade and David's end, but the entire family's. I cannot stress how dark this read is. How crazy messed up the families are, and the fact that if you are going in hopeful for a happy ending with rainbows and unicorns. You simply are not going to get it. The adrenaline from reading this book is still pumping through my veins. I'm still shaking my head. I would understand anyone who rated the book on each level of 1-5, because at some point in my thought process of writing this review I experienced each. I think of it like in good shows or movies when an actor plays a bad guy. You just hate him. That shows a good actor. He played his part correctly. He took over your emotions. This is how I feel about the author. Scott Spencer took over my emotions and completely blew my mind. I've never had this feeling before. Usually after I read a book that I know is going to be a movie. I have too high expectations demanding it to be play by play from the book. This time is different. I'm hoping it is nothing like the book. Give me their love story that I was tricked into thinking I was getting. That is if I find the courage to watch it after reading this. I'm going on a light read hiatus. I was so not ready for that read.

****This is my first review on my blog. I'm really not 100% sure of what I'm doing, but I know I'll make mistakes and learn along the way. My reviews are my opinions. I don't expect everyone to agree with my reviews. They are my personal opinion. If a book is horrible. I'm going to say it. Just as I would if a book is excellent. I feel it's important as readers and movie watchers that we review the things we see and read. It's not just important to authors and directors etc. It's important to the fellow viewers.  I need to stress meaningful quotes coming from books I read, need to be there. I want it to speak to my soul. I want to stop reading to write it down where I keep the ones that left a place in my heart. A book could be a horrible read in my opinion, but if I got a quote that communicated with me on a level like I'm talking about the book was worth the read. I appreciate authors that speak to the reader. That leave their prints long after their book has been read.  Just as I appreciate mea ningful songs or quotes from movies. I plan to do both on my blog. Thanks for the listen.****