Life Update (Summer 2017-Spring 2020)

Yes, you saw that right. It has been about 3 years since I have posted an update. I had to step away for a multitude of reasons and had a lot of healing in order to be where I am today. Life has been such a roller coaster and I was on a downslope for a really long time. Now I am at the point of an uphill, despite it being quarantine.

Home
The last time I updated you all. I didn't actually have an actual home yet, which was tough and I almost went back home in Scranton, PA. Thankfully, I preserved and really have made a life here in the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Federal Way, WA, for a year and a half where I dealt with a lot of hardship with an abusive narcissistic boyfriend. I managed to get out of that situation a little over a year ago and have been on the road to healing a few months before that.
Now I live close to the water in Tacoma with my two cats that have completely opposite personalities. My tortoiseshell tabby, Calypso, is more like a dog and responds when called. Arlo, my long-haired cat, is very much like a cat in that he is completely antisocial with pretty much everyone. He just started being friendly with me, but I only think that's because I am the one feeding him. I should also be getting a gecko very soon, too, so I am really excited to add to my little family of animals.

Work
My last update told you that I was working as a travel bank teller/member service member but that ended up not panning out. That's okay though because I got a job as a technical writer/instructional designer which is so much fun. I am always learning so many new things by working with all kinds of companies. I still work for the same company and I work from home so it's nice to be able to travel to visit family and other places.

Traveling
Unfortunately, the last two years have not had a ton of traveling but I did do a small trip to Portland, OR, soon after moving to the  Pacific Northwest and a couple trips last summer (2019). The church I have been attending since moving here had a mission trip to Liberia, which I joined. That was such an experience and I am glad that I went on it. I've always wanted to do a mission trip and felt like this was an excellent first mission trip. I also got to take my brother and sister on a trip to the beach when I went to visit my family. That was a really fun trip that felt rejuvenating.
Fortunately this year despite the Coronavirus, I have a few trips planned. In August, I am heading to Hawaii for a week, which has been on the top of my list of places to visit. That would mark state #26 out of 50!
I am currently planning a trip to France just to dip my toes to see what it may be like if I end up doing a Europe tour later on.

Reading and Writing

I haven't been reading and writing as I wanted to over the past 3 years since I have been doing so much, but I have done some of both. I have been staying very up-to-date on my favorite authors and have been reading all of their newest books. I have even gotten to meet Veronica Roth who wrote the Divergent series, which I partially wrote about in my senior thesis. I thought that was pretty cool that I was able to meet her. I almost got to see Veronica Roth again in April and was hoping to see Suzanne Collins near the around same time, too, but Coronavirus changed that. I am also looking forward to more authors to come visit the Seattle-Tacoma area in the future.

Other Fun Stuff
Even though I lacked traveling in the last year, I marked something off my bucket list, which is scuba diving. That was such an experience and I am so excited that I live in an area where I can do that. Because of Coronavirus, not many people are out and about diving so I haven't been doing it as often as I like.

I also got another tattoo to add to my tattoo collection in memory of a close childhood friend who I lost a little over 2 years ago.
During the quarantine on nice days, you'll find me hammocking at the park with a book and a
blanket enjoying the sun!

Finally, I really did some book housekeeping activities, which include painting my bookshelf to match, stamping my books with a personalized stamper, adding plastic protective covers on my beloved hardcovers, and creating a personal library so that I can help friends find recommendations.

Review Wednesday: Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*


Title: Beautiful Sacrifice (Maddox Brother #3)
Author: Jamie McGuire
1st Date of Publication: May 31, 2015
ISBN: 9781511847506
# of Pages: 270
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: 
Falyn Fairchild can walk away from anything. Having already left her car, her education, and even her parents, the daughter of the next governor of Colorado is back in her hometown, broke and waiting tables for the Bucksaw Café. After every shift, Falyn adds to her shoebox of cash, hoping to one day save enough to buy her a plane ticket to the only place she can find forgiveness: Eakins, Illinois.

The moment Taylor Maddox is seated in Falyn’s section at the Bucksaw, she knows he’s trouble. Taylor is charming, breaks promises, and gorgeous even when covered in filth—making him everything Falyn believes a hotshot firefighter to be. Falyn isn’t interested in becoming another statistic, and for a Maddox boy, a disinterested girl is the ultimate challenge.

Once Falyn learns where Taylor calls home, everything changes. In the end, Maddox persistence is met with Falyn’s talent for leaving, and for the first time, Taylor may be the one to get burned.

Setting: Colorado Springs, Colorado and Eakins, Illinois in the 21st century
Point of View: 1st Person- Falyn Fairchild

Goodreads Rating: 4.08

My Rating: 4.35


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: Why is the woman's hair on fire? Is she giving up her life?
View on the Title: Can a sacrifice really be beautiful when it's going to cause pain and suffering? What kind of suffering and sacrifice can be beautiful?

Pros:

• The main characters are a really interesting mix.
• Don't let Falyn Fairchild fool you. She is not very nice to men interested in her, but she is really great as a waitress. She is sweet, caring, and extremely hard working to the point where she refuses to take any short cuts for her personal mission, which is to go to Eakins, Illinois.
• Taylor Maddox is the perfect package. He's very attractive, successful, and a hotshot firefighter, or someone who fights extremely dangerous wildfires. He has his eyes set on Falyn and he is relentless in becoming closer to her. It's really endearing to read.
• This book really gets at your heartstrings. Falyn's past has more heartbreak in it than the other Maddox boys' women. Falyn's past truly speaks to why her current circumstances are so drastic from what they could be.
• The mystery compels you to read more. Why does she live a life of "rags" when she grew up in "riches?" Why does she hate her parents so much? Why is she cold toward men who are attracted to her? Why is she dead set on going to Eakins, Illinois?
• The secondary characters really add to the story. They provide a lot of depth to Falyn's character as she sometimes holds back information that is vital to know how the story will unfold.

Cons:

• It seemed like there lacked some depth in Taylor's character. If you don't love Maddox boys, then this series will seem slightly repetitive when it comes to the Maddox men.

Jamie McGuire's Website:

http://www.jamiemcguire.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles
Easy by Tammara Webber

Review Wednesday: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

Title: RoseBlood

Author: A.G. Howard
1st Date of Publication: January 10, 2017

ISBN: 9781419719097
# of Pages: 432

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

Setting: Paris, France in the 21st century
Point of View: 1st person- Rune Germain, 3rd person- Thorn

Goodreads Rating: 3.36

My Rating: 2.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover

View on the Cover: It is absolutely beautiful yet haunting. The thorns might mean that she is stuck and tangled in something that she can't get out of. Is the mask a reference to Phantom of the Opera.
View on Title: Isn't the color of blood the same as the color of roses? I think that's redundant.

Pros:

• The writing was the only good thing about this book. The style is beautiful and that was the only thing keeping me reading. It made me hope things would possibly get better.

Cons:

• The jumping from the first person as Rune to the third person as Thorn was really confusing at first and made it extremely difficult to read even after figuring out what happened at the point of view switch. The concept of switching seemed like it was cool but it wasn't executed properly.
• The Phantom of the Opera is a classic and this novel did no justice to it. The novel was filled with so many cliches that weren't executed well either.
• The Rune's superpower through the use of her voice was pretty ridiculous and didn't really fit well into the story.
• The vampires were by far the worst thing in this book. It was awful.
• There was a lack of description, purpose, and action for the opera school RoseBlood.

Critics' Reviews:
"A rich, atmospheric story that readers will be hard-pressed to put down." -Kirkus
"This is an accomplished undertaking... A good purchase for paranormal romance collections, and the connections to a classic work of literature add appeal." -School Library Journal
"Part vampire lore and part love story, this will appeal to those who enjoyed titles like Beautiful Creatures and Vampire Academy." -School Library Connection

A.G. Howard's Website:

http://www.aghoward.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Review Wednesday: Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Title: Zen in the Art of Writing

Author: Ray Bradbury
1st Date of Publication: January 1, 1987

ISBN: 9780884961024
# of Pages: 176

Genre: Memoir/How-to

Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Zest. Gusto. Curiosity. These are the qualities every writer must have, as well as a spirit of adventure. In this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing. Here are practical tips on the art of writing from a master of the craft—everything from finding original ideas to developing your own voice and style—as well as the inside story of Bradbury's own remarkable career as a prolific author of novels, stories, poems, films, and plays.

Zen in the Art of Writing is more than just a how-to manual for the would-be writer: it is a celebration of the act of writing itself that will delight, impassion, and inspire the writer in you. Bradbury encourages us to follow the unique path of our instincts and enthusiasms to the place where our inner genius dwells, and he shows that success as a writer depends on how well you know one subject: your own life.




Setting: Venice, CA in the 20th century
Point of View: 1st person- Ray Bradbury

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I think the pencil is very interesting. Every grain is distinct as if it is important to represent writing to be clear but beautiful.
View on Title: Writing can seem very stressful so getting relaxed and "in the zone" probably really helps the flow of writing.

Pros:

• This book is more of a memoir than a how-to novel. At the beginning of a few sections, there is advice about having passion in your writing and letting yourself have an easier time writing a novel.
• It's really interesting how times have changed because the rent was only $30/month when Ray Bradbury was writing. He earned enough money through his writing to pay rent for a year and prepare for the new baby. It shows inflation at its finest.
• It shows the struggles of being a writer while providing for his family, which puts life as a writer into perspective. How many people have tried to do the same thing, but fail? We only really hear about those who have succeeded, not those who have not.
• This novel has humor in it similarly to On Writing by Stephen King.

Cons:

• I wish this book had more advice in it for writing. It was misleading when it was recommended as a writing how-to/memoir.

Ray Bradbury's Website:
http://www.raybradbury.com/

Other Recommendations:

On Writing: A Memoir of Craft by Stephen King
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Review Wednesday: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Title: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Author: Stephen King
1st Date of Publication: October 3, 1999

ISBN: 9781439156810
# of Pages: 291

Genre: Memoir/How-to

Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
"Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999--and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it--fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.



Setting: Numerous locations in the United States
Point of View: 1st person- Stephen King

Goodreads Rating: 4.31

My Rating: 4.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Stephen King seems pretty relaxed writing in his room with a little corgi.
View on Title: I wonder what Stephen King has to say about writing and how he came to become the writer he is.

Pros:

• For the story portion of the book, Stephen King is one of the greats in my book. His story is astounding with how he came from nothing to having a huge name. It is really inspiring to a struggling writer, like myself.
• For the craft portion of the book, King does an excellent way to paint a picture with words and humor that makes you want to continue reading. It makes you want to be under his wing as an intern
• For the advice portion of the book, he makes the art of writing seem so easy when it is hard to even start. I felt like I was able to make some progress to writing my own book. I used this book as the pioneer book of many that will lead to my book writing journey.

Cons:

• It was overall a great book. I just wish there was more about Stephen King's life between his publication of Carrie and his accident in 1999.

Critics' Reviews:
" Loving it is essential, though, and having a good "toolbox," full of vocabulary, grammar, and the usage and mechanics prescribed by Strunk and White's perdurable Elements of Style, is next most important. It is invaluable to read a lot, and the key to novel writing is following the story--not a plot that can be charted or outlined, but the developments natural for the characters, given the situation they are in. For himself, King says, good health and a good marriage have been crucial, never more so than during his recovery from the accident. Good advice and a good, ordinary life, relayed in spunky, vivid prose, are the prime ingredients of what must be considered not at all the usual writer's guide." --Booklist
"King stresses character and situation over plotting, and insists on basics-like Strunk and White and, above all, endless reading and writing. While his proposed output might intimidate some, his enthusiasm wins out. A useful book for any young writer, and a must for fans, this is unmistakably King: friendly, sharply perceptive, cheerfully vulgar, sometimes adolescent in his humor, sometimes impatient with fools, but always sincere in his love of language and writing." --Kirkus Reviews

" Along the way, King touts the writing philosophies of William Strunk and Ernest Hemingway, advocates a healthy appetite for reading, expounds upon the subject of grammar, critiques a number of popular writers, and offers the reader a chance to try out his theories. But most important, we who climb aboard for this ride with the master spend a few pleasant hours under the impression that we know what it's like to think like Stephen King. Recommended for anyone who wants to write and everyone who loves to read." --Library Journal

"While some of his guidance is not exactly revolutionary (he recommends The Elements of Style as a must-have reference), other revelations that vindicate authors of popular fiction, like himself, as writers, such as his preference for stressing character and situation over plot, are engrossing. He also offers plenty of commonsense advice on how to organize a workspace and structure one's day. While King's comical childhood anecdotes and sober reflections on his accident may be appreciated while driving to work or burning calories on a treadmill, the book's main exercise does not work as well in the audio format. King's strongest recommendation, after all, is that writers must be readers, and despite his adept performance, aspiring authors might find that they would absorb more by picking up the book." --Publishers Weekly

Stephen King's Website:
http://www.stephenking.com/

Other Recommendations:

Carrie by Stephen King
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Review Wednesday: For You by Kristen Ashley

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: For You (The 'Burg #1)

Author: Kristen Ashley
1st Date of Publication: March 14, 2011

ISBN: 9780692323663
# of Pages: 534

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Sexual Content)

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
Lieutenant Alexander Colton and February Owens were high school sweethearts. Everyone in their small town knew from the moment they met they were meant for each other. But something happened and Feb broke Colt’s heart then she turned wild and tragedy struck. Colt meted out revenge against the man who brought Feb low but even though Colt risked it all for her, Feb turned her back on him and left town.

Fifteen years later, Feb comes back to help run the family bar. But there’s so much water under the bridge separating her and Colt everyone knows they’ll never get back together.

Until someone starts hacking up people in Feb’s life. Colt is still Colt and Feb is still Feb so the town watches as Colt goes all out to find the murderer while trying to keep Feb safe.

As the bodies pile up, The Feds move in and a twisting, turning story unravels exposing a very sick man who has claimed numerous victims along the way, Feb and Colt battle their enduring attraction and the beautiful but lost history that weaves them together.



Setting: Brownsburg, Indiana
Point of View: 3rd person- February Owens and Alexander "Alex/Colt" Colton

Goodreads Rating: 4.19

My Rating: 4.5

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I like the heart since it reminds me of a sort of high school sweethearts feel, except it doesn't have the initials of the lovers on it. It looks more like pointless vandalism without the initials.
View on Title: What is "for you"? Who is "you" and who is the one giving or doing something for the recipient? It's really vague nut it seems interesting enough to read.

Pros:

• The ages of the main characters were really different compared to the other new adult novels I have read, which I think made it more interesting. I liked the sense of maturity between the two characters. It really makes you think what is really important in life. Both main characters are in their early 40s rather than in their 20s or 30s like characters in the other new adult novels I have read in the past.
• I really enjoyed the 2 main characters, Feb and Colt. It's easy to tell that they both have a history together. Their history together started really good but something happened to them, and now they can barely look at each other.
• February Owens just want to go back to a normal life where she is only responsible for herself. She's been through a bad marriage and several toxic relationships after leaving Brownsburg for almost a decade. She is a strong character but her world is shaken when someone tries to do her the favor of killing all the people who she is associated with. She doesn't take any trouble from anyone especially since she is a bartender at her parents' bar.
• Alexander Colton is a rags to riches kind of man. Both his parents are alcohol and drug addicts and it seemed like he was headed into that route until he meant the Owens family. He's the lieutenant of the town and is extremely protective of Feb. He is also a  strong character as he doesn't stop to solve and catch the murderer
• The importance of family and why failed relationships occur are important in this book. Feb and Morrie's (Feb's brother) always make sure to put family first, even Colt, and that's apparent throughout the novel. Unfortunately, Morrie's marriage is gone because he chose work over family, and Feb is divorced to a man who would beat her and now living on her own.
• The mysteriousness of not only the murders but the reason of the failed relationship between Feb and Colt makes you want to keep reading.

Cons:

• There were a lot of secondary characters in the book that showed up and it was sometimes hard to keep track if they had shown up earlier in the book. This may have been intentional because when you're in a situation that is very stressful and dire like Feb's then it is normal to just breeze through and lose sight of certain characters.
• The book seemed a little long winded. I felt that the book didn't necessarily need to be as long as it was. The whole situation was very drawn out and there was lot of "white noise" where there was nothing really happening.
• The ending seemed too cliché and parts seemed a little unlikely to happen.

Kristen Ashley's Website:
http://www.kristenashley.net/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Slave to Love by Julie A. Richman
My Skylar by Penelope Ward

Review Wednesday: The Baller by Vi Keeland

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: The Baller

Author: Vi Keeland
1st Date of Publication: January 17, 2016

ISBN: 9781522858416
# of Pages: 284

Genre: New Adult

Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Sexual Content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room.
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players.
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I’d date an athlete.
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…
And this one is ours.


Setting: New York, New York
Point of View: 1st person- Delilah Maddox and Brody Easton (and a surprise)

Goodreads Rating: 4.13

My Rating: 4.25

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The man sees to be very fit and attractive, but I want to see his face.
View on Title: There must be someone really good at playing ball. Or, maybe he is just cocky and thinks that he is so great at playing.

Pros:

• This book is different than many of the books in the genre it resides in. It's really neat how it uses the idea of sportscaster and a football player. The main characters are really interesting
• Delilah Maddox has been single for a good amount of time and has no intention of looking since she has had her heart broken by someone she truly loved. She is brand new to the newscaster world, but it's a man's world so that means she has to prove herself. She is spunky and really funny as she gives inappropriate names to people that she doesn't particularly like.
• Brody Easton is a force to be reckoned with. He is a cocky football player and likes to give people a hard time especially female sportscasters. He doesn't let anyone in because he has been hurt by someone else just like Delilah has. He doesn't take "no" for an answer which makes the dynamic between him and Delilah pretty humorous.
• The relationship that blossoms between Delilah and Brody is far from easy. Their first encounter was humorously inappropriate as Delilah tries to get an interview from Brody from the locker room after the game. They have to learn to depend on each other as any couple needs to do.
• I like how the names of the football teams aren't real football teams but sound similar to ones that are real football teams. Brody is on the New York Steel team. It's like the Pittsburgh Steelers but modified.
• The issue of drugs and alcohol is represented in the book and how it could ruin everyone you love (not only yourself). It is probably the most realistic part of the book and it wasn't hidden at all.

Cons:

• The book seemed to repeat the same issues over and over again. It felt like the issues were being beaten to death. It became a little annoying and made the read a little difficult. It took me a little longer to get through this one than it probably could have been.

Vi Keeland's Website:

http://vikeeland.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James
My Skylar by Penelope Ward

Review Wednesday: The Heiresses by Sara Shepard

Title: The Heiresses

Author: Sara Shepard
1st Date of Publication: May 12 2014

ISBN: 9780062259530
# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
You know the Saybrooks. Everyone does. Perhaps you’ve read a profile of them in People or have seen their pictures in the society pages of Vogue. Perhaps while walking along that choice block on Fifth Avenue, you’ve been tempted to enter the ornate limestone building with their family name etched into the pediment above the door.

The only thing more flawless than a Saybrook’s diamond solitaire is the family behind the jewelry empire. Beauties, entrepreneurs, debutantes, and style mavens, they are the epitome of New York City’s high society. But being a Saybrook comes at a price—they are heirs not only to a dizzying fortune but also to a decades-old family curse.

Tragedy strikes the prominent family yet again when thirty-four-year-old Poppy, the most exquisite Saybrook of them all, flings herself from the window of her TriBeCa office. Everyone is shocked that a woman who had it all would end her own life. Then her cousins receive an ominous threat: one heiress down, four to go.

Was it suicide... or murder? In the aftermath of the tragedy, the remaining heiresses—Corinne, the perfectionist; Rowan, the workaholic; Aster, the hedonist; and Natasha, the enigma—wrestle with feelings of sadness, guilt, and, most of all, fear. Now they must uncover the truth about their family before they lose the only thing money can’t buy: their lives.


Setting: 21st century in New York City, NY
Point of View: 3rd person- Corrine Saybrook, Aster Saybrook, Rowan Saybrook, and Natasha Saybrook-Davis

Goodreads Rating: 3.48

My Rating: 3.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: I really like the look of this. It looks classy and ritzy. It makes me want to live in New York City
View on Title: How do these girls get such an inheritance that each is known as an "heiress."

Pros:

• This is a murder mystery story so it gets very suspenseful. Sara Shepard really knows how to keep her readers on their toes.
• I think it was really cool how the characters are basically celebrities just because they're wealthy business owners.
• As things unfold, everyone and everything is not who or what they seem. Everything is hidden by all the glamor.
• I'm not a fan of 3rd person but Sara Shepard does an excellent job writing while following different characters.

Cons:

• This seemed a little bit like the Pretty Little Liars series Sara Shepard has written and finished.
• There is also the issue of several female characters with a similar surname (Saybrook) that it gets confusing at first who is who.

Critics' Reviews:
"The sexy, silly frolic that is summer reading kicks off with The Heiresses in which four really, really rich cousins skirt murderous mayhem in Manhattan’s priciest zip codes.” -New York Daily News
"A Pretty Little Liars for grown-ups, mines the bold-faced misfortunes of sisters plagued by sex-tape scandals and seersucker—and, perhaps, a serial killer." -Vogue

Sara Shepard's Website:
http://www.saracshepard.com/

Other Recommendations:

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Review Wednesday: The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Title: The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1)

Author: C.J. Redwine
1st Date of Publication: February 16, 2016

ISBN: 9780062360243
# of Pages: 387

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

Setting: Fictional world of several kingdoms
Point of View: 3rd person- Lorelai Diederich, Kolvanismir Arsenyevnek, and Irina

Goodreads Rating: 3.79

My Rating: 4.30

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is very interesting in a disturbing way. Why is the apple black and dripping as if it is poisoned? It seemed like a Snow White allusion.
View on Title: Who is the "Shadow Queen?" Is it the heroine or is it the villain (who are obviously both females)?

Pros:

• This book was not a let down at all. I really liked the twist on Snow White and the of being a mardushka, in other words "witch." She has the ability to control anyone she touches and uses magic with, which is neat.
• The protagonists are great and I really enjoyed this despite not being a fan of third person point of view books. C.J. Redwine pulled off a difficult task.
• Lorelai's character is the semblance of Snow White but she is so much more than Snow White ever was. She has the power of magic but she is one with nature. 
• She can protect herself and has a great sense of responsibility. She is great with animals and even has a "pet" gyrfalcon which I wish I had one.
• Kol's character shows a lot of strength since he "accidentally" becomes the king of his land in Eldr, which are people who turn into dragons (So freaking cool!). He is given a great deal of responsibility that he was not signed up for and never planned on having to deal with the responsibility of a king, but he takes it on very humbly. 
• Irina is a mardushka like her niece, Lorelai, and is the evil queen who usurped the throne. But, her story is actually sad and you can sympathize with her character.
• The love story, which was bound to happen, was actually sweet and unusual in a good way. Plus, it wasn't completely predictable. The couple in this book are what you would say is the real book power couple in my opinion.
• The world inside the book is interesting because it is fictional and shows several kingdoms. In my version of the book, the map of all the kingdoms are drawn inside the cover.

Cons:

• I felt that the ending became rushed so quickly. I read one chapter where there was conflict and struggle and then all of a sudden it's the end of the book where the build up could have been better and a little more satisfying.

Critics' Reviews:
“Forget everything you think you know about Snow White. There are no shrinking violets here, just a bold and cunning princess determined to save a kingdom that’s rotting beneath dark magic…. A gripping addition to the retelling genre.” -Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles
“A perfect addition to the fractured fairy[tale] genre…the princess does not need any saving in this tale.” -VOYA
“Filled with complex characters, imaginative and horrible consequences, and sharp twists." -Booklist
“An action-packed retelling of “Snow White”...Great fun” -School Library Journal
“A fully imagined fairy tale landscape.” -Publishers Weekly

C.J. Redwine's Website:
http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Review Wednesday: Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton

Title: Cinderella's Dress (Cinderella's Dress #1)

Author: Shonna Slayton

1st Date of Publication: June 3, 2014

ISBN: 9781622663408

# of Pages: 322

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
Being a teenager during World War II is tough. Finding out you're the next keeper of the real Cinderella's dress is even tougher.
Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella's dress, life gets complicated.

Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart shipped off to boot camp, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.

Setting: 1940s (WWII), New York

Point of View:  3rd Person- Kate Allen

Goodreads Rating: 3.61

My Rating: 4.0

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The dress on the cover is absolutely beautiful and so is the girl modeling with the dress. It is mesmerizing for me to look at.
View on Title: I love reading fairy tales, which was intriguing because it only concentrated on Cinderella's dress rather than her shoes which I believe is the most important part of the original story since it continues the plot line of the original tale.

Pros:

• I love how it is set in World War II era. Many of my favorite historical fiction books are written in this time period because there are so many aspects of society that can be shown. This one specifically shows a couple aspects of World War II
• The fashion world while rationing in efforts to support troops and the war effort. It truly shows how people appreciated the little they were able to have while trying to make things beautiful during a time of struggle.
• This also shows immigration of those oppressed during the war through Kate's great uncle and great aunt who ran away from Poland. The United States became a refuge for those who were oppressed by the Nazis and their followers.
• Some of the things teens did for fun or dates are shown through going out to get shakes and trying to do little things to impress each other but in a 1940s way.
• The concept of "Keeper of the Wardrobe" was interesting because it is a royal duty given to a servant girl who knew and loved the real Cinderella who is Polish and has a complicated name that starts with a "K." The duty is handed down to each generation but it's a dangerous task because the step sisters' descendants come with a vengeance for the dress themselves.
• Kate Allen's character is an excellent way to show a young woman who is fighting for her own rights while fighting for the country she loves.
• I also love that I got to see some of the Polish culture and language that was most likely used during that time.

Cons:

• The only thing that bothered me was that I wanted more from certain characters. I felt that it concentrated so much on Kate Allen rather than some of the other characters such as Johnny Day, her brother Floyd, and her mother.

Shonna Slayton's Website:

http://shonnaslayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek

Review Wednesday: Operation: Hail Storm by Brett Arquette

Title: Operation: Hail Storm

Author: Brett Arquette
1st Date of Publication: November 15, 2016

# of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781365120725
Genre: Military Fiction

Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Some Graphic Images)

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
Marshall Hail was a husband, a father, a Physics Nobel prize winner and industrial billionaire. But when Hail's family was killed in a terrorist attack, he became a predator and redirected his vast industrial assets toward one goal, removing every person on the FBI's Top 10 Terrorist list. With the help of his MIT colleagues, Hail designed and built a devastating arsenal of attack drones of all shapes and sizes that are flown by the nation's best young gamers. The world will come to realize that Marshall Hail possesses the capability of getting to anyone, anywhere, at any time, unleashing an operation so disturbing that the CIA has named it Operation Hail Storm.



Setting: Numerous locations
Point of View: 3rd person- Marshall Hail

Goodreads Rating: 4.25
My Rating: 3.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title

View on the Cover: It doesn't particularly interest me. It's probably something that involves war.
View on Title: It reminds me of how kids create silly names for their little missions when they play, but it's probably not involving any kids of any sort.

Pros:

• Hail's character is one where you can really sympathize with. He lost his family and all he has left is his wealth. He's smart and knows a lot of military strategy. He can easily enjoy his wealth and retire, but he decides to go on missions with his private team to help the United States. In reality, it just to fill the void for his pain.

Cons:

• For me, I like to structure how much I read a novel so it was very hard to gauge how many pages to read because this was given to me through an e-book. There are no chapters to this book, which made even harder.
• This book is definitely not for everyone. It's meant for people who like military fiction, but I have never been am a fan of military fiction. When I was emailed to read this book I was told it was horror similar to Stephen King's work.
• There is very little characterization and it doesn't seem like the characters grow very much, which made it even harder to read this.

Brett Arquette's Website:
http://brett873.wixsite.com/brettarquette

Other Recommendations:

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Review Wednesday: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Title: Once and For All

Author: Sarah Dessen
1st Date of Publication: June 6, 2017

ISBN: 358

# of Pages: 9780425290330

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 13

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Book Description:  As bubbly as champagne and delectable as wedding cake, Once and for All, Sarah Dessen's thirteenth novel, is set in the world of wedding planning, where crises are routine.

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants.

Setting: Colby in 21st century

Point of View: 1st Person- Louna Barrett

Goodreads Rating: 3.85

My Rating: 4.0

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: It looks like someone is catching a bouquet of flowers that a bride has thrown. Who is catching the bouquet.
View on Title: What has happened "Once and For All?" Is it good or bad?

Pros:

• Louna's character seems to become more complicated as the novel progresses. When the  novel starts, Louna doesn't believe in love but she felt love once but lost it soon after. It doesn't help that she works for her mother's business, Natalie Barrett's Weddings. Her mother had her heart broken by Louna's father a few years after marriage so Natalie's skepticism feeds to Louna's own skepticism.
• Some of the names are really unique, such as Louna and Ambrose's. Louna's name, a combination of Louis (Louna's father) and Natalie, shows how deeply her parents loved each other once upon a time.
• The summer is wedding season after all so it was a bit refreshing to read while people are getting married. Sometimes you can get annoyed by all the happiness and bliss of it all. The novel had a different view of weddings, which seems pessimistic but it shows the ugly reality of weddings and what goes into planning them.
• Another issue this novel presents is the growing problem of school shootings, which is happening very frequently.
• I love the story about Louna and Ethan. It felt very natural and exciting.

Cons:

• I had very little issues with this novel. It is probably one of Sarah Dessen's best novels. I just wish the pace was a little better. It felt very uneven in a way like a bumpy road. It felt like once an issue was solved another would arise almost immediately after.

Critics' Reviews:
"Dessen’s expertise at creating a character faced with change is once again on display in this book that reminds readers that love is measured ‘not in minutes but in moments.’” —VOYA
"Romance, humor, kindhearted characters, and a touch of painful reality make this another sure bet for Dessen fans." —Kirkus Review
"There is no question that this title will be popular with Dessen fans and romance lovers." —School Library Journal

Sarah Dessen's Website:

http://sarahdessen.com/

Other Recommendations:

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
The Siren by Kiera Cass
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Review Wednesday: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Title: Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School #1)

Author: Gail Carriger
1st Date of Publication: February 5, 2013

ISBN: 9780316190084
# of Pages: 307

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Setting: 1850s in fantasy world

Point of View: 3rd person- Sophronia Temminnick

Goodreads Rating: 3.79

My Rating: 3.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The girl in the dress looks like someone you do not want to mess with because she is obviously holding a pair of scissors in her hand in a way that she can stab whoever may attack. This definitely has a steampunk sort of look.
View on Title: The title sounds like a well-rounded woman. She has manners but she can kick some butts if she needs to.

Pros:

• The titles of each chapter make the book seem really fun and foreshadow what will happen in that chapter. It kept me captivated and wonder what will happen in the chapter.
• This book has a bit of mystery which makes it more fun and easier to read.
• I really thought that Sophronia's character was a realistic character. She isn't perfect but it doesn't stop her from learning and growing.
• I really enjoyed the steampunk aspect to it. It made the Victorian era of dresses and ettiquete. The machines answer the soothes  (miners) made the book have more depth.

Cons:

• It takes a while to get into the book. It took me about a third of the way through before it got interesting. The chapters also seemed a bit long.
• I had a hard time reading this book because it was in third person which made the book drag a little bit.
• There were so many characters that it was a little difficult to keep track of them all.

Critics' Reviews:
"Carriger's YA debut brings her mix of Victorian paranormal steampunk and winning heroines to a whole new audience...with cleverly Victorian methods of espionage, witty banter, lighthearted silliness, and a ship full of intriguingly quirky people."―Booklist
"[A] delightfully madcap espionage adventure..."―Kirkus Reviews
"Carriger deploys laugh-out-loud bon mots on nearly every page...Amid all the fun, the author works in commentary on race and class in a sparkling start to the Finishing School series."―Publishers Weekly
"Carriger's leading lady is a strong, independent role model for female readers... Ladies and gentlemen of propriety are combined with dirigibles, robots, werewolves, and vampires, making this story a steampunkmystery and an adventure mash-up that is sure to intrigue readers..."―School Library Journal

Gail Carriger's Website:
http://gailcarriger.com/

Other Recommendations:

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Cinder by Marissa Meyer