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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

SIMPLIFY & SAVOR THE SEASON by Connie E. Sokol



Connie has sprinkled her trademark humor throughout this insightful, and much needed, book. She helps lead the reader through an easy 3-step plan that will simplify the holidays and yet keep what is dear to your family close. This book helps remind the reader to stop, breath and wonder at the holiday magic.

Her four step plan using PADE: Plan, Abbreviate, Delegate and Eliminate is a life savor! And worksheets are included in the book.

Connie also included touching stories and quotes that will melt your heart, make you smile, and help all of us enjoy the holidays a little bit better.
 
This book is a must read for the holidays. And every other day that we need to simplify. 

 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

THE 5TH WAVE (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancy

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.


First line: "There will be no awakening."

I started this book but didn't really want to finish it though I was hooked from the beginning. I thought I had picked up another zombie book. But nope! I was pleasantly surprised by this book, just like I was pleasantly surprised by HOST. 


 Quotes:
"Sometimes in my tent, late at night, I think I can hear the stars scraping against the sky."

"Something takes over when you're facing death. The front part of your brain lets go, gives up control tot he oldest part of you, the part that takes care of your heartbeat and breathing and the blinking of your eyes."

"What doesn't kill us sharpens us. hardens us. Schools us.
You're beathing plowshares into swords, Vosch. You are remaking us.
We are the clay, and you are Michelangel.
And we will be your masterpiece."

Rating: PG 15
V: Fighting, shooting
L: Yes and a couple of "F" bombs
S: Kissing


4 STARS

Thursday, November 14, 2013

THE SIREN'S SECRET by Heather Ostler

Julia’s life has gone from complicated to nearly impossible! When Julia loses her shapeshifting powers and her appearance changes in alarming ways, she flees to Sirenity, where she learns an incredible secret about her mother. In this thrilling sequel, Julia must take greater risks and make bigger sacrifices as she discovers who she really is and what she can really become.

First line:
"Julie sat down at the dinner table across from several other soldiers, who were busy conversting about Ossai, Lockham Castle, and the Guild.

Interesting tale of a girl who can shape shift but also is a siren. Which path will she choose?
This good, clean read will take you to two different, magical worlds.

Rating: PG
V: Fighting
L: No
S: No

Liked:
Unique story

Dislike:
Quick resolve at the end

3 STARS

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

SIX MONTHS LATER by Natalie Richards

Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her?
And why can't she remember



Paperback, 326 pages
Published October 1st 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire 
 
First line:
"I'm sitting next to the fire alarm, and my best friend is going down in flames."

FORGOTTEN meets STEPFORD WIVES. That's what I thought of this young adult mystery. There's not many mysteries where I can't figure out the bad guy. This one stumped me for a little bit. I liked the intrigue and the mystery.
The romance was okay. Blake was creepy (as were many of the characters after Chloe woke up). Adam was mad a lot. Chloe was great at not being annoying.
So much goes on in this book. It wasn't hard at all to root for poor Chloe. how would it be to fall asleep then wake up n a totally different room and season? She has no idea why her BFF hates her now or why the unattainable boy she's had a crush on forever is now her boyfriend. And why is that creepy bad boy, Adam, so familiar to her now?
Plus, Chloe has perfect grades and is on track for scholarships at big name colleges. That wasn't her reality six months ago.
The mystery of her memory loss keeps the pace moving along and I found it hard to put the book, or Kindle, down.


Rating: PG 17
V: No
L: Yes, "hell" is used often as is "God"
S: Kissing

Liked: 
The mystery of six months lost

Disliked:
Swearing


3 STARS
Thanks, netgalley!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

THE SILENT SWAN by Lex Keating

Once upon a time – better known as “now” - Gabriel Pritz reigns as king of his high school. Easy grades, perfect baseball season, a pretty date for prom—he's coasting into a golden future. Until his parents demand he cook dinner once a week. Caught between kitchen fires and ballpark withdrawal, Gabe is thrown into Tam Swann's orbit. Hostile, friendless, and stubborn, she's exactly the sort of person he'd prefer to avoid.

Tam's sphere of influence expands beyond Gabe's sad domestic skills, rapidly invading everything from his favorite game to parts of his soul he didn't know existed. It's uncomfortable, it's hard work, it's...making him a better man. And that's just what she does to people she doesn't like. The better he gets to know her, the more he has to face the truth: this sharp, heart-breaking outcast is worth fighting for. How many families, fairy tales, and felons will he go through to ride to the rescue of the bravest person he's ever met?



Paperback, 422 pages
Published August 26th 2013 by AltWit Press 
 
First line:
"Gabe Pritz drove through the Callahan High parking lot without waving at any of his friends."

Maybe someone will enjoy this book. I didn't and I tried, I really did. I liked the Swan clan. I liked how they stuck together and loved each other. Tam is their big sister and really looks after them even though they are in different foster homes. Tam is smart and working on bringing the family together again once she's of age. Her dad was a famous baseball person and very respected.
Gabe is a popular jock (I think I read about that in one chapter?) who begs Tam to help him cook. Gabe falls for Tam, hard. Tam? She doesn't care.
And there you have it. That's what I got out of the story. I couldn't follow the story sometimes, either. If you like baseball, you might like this story.


Rating: PG 16
L: No
V: No
S: No


Liked:
Tam Swan and her siblings

Disliked:
Gabe
Meandering storyline

2 STARS

Thanks, netgalley