If you haven't already you should check out Sophie Jackson's twitter account, website and her facebook account.
Monday 11 May 2015
An Ounce of Hope (A Pound of Flesh #2) US Cover Revealed
I am so excited that the cover for An Ounce of Hope has been revealed. It's gorgeous!!!
Remember A Pound of Flesh comes out June 9th...go pre-order now if you haven't already. The follow up An Ounce of Hope comes out in January of 2016, but you can pre-order it as well.
If you haven't already you should check out Sophie Jackson's twitter account, website and her facebook account.
If you haven't already you should check out Sophie Jackson's twitter account, website and her facebook account.
Sunday 10 May 2015
My Story
Goodreads Summary
For the first time, ten
years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth
Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in
the wake of a brutal crime.
On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.
Now for the first time, in her memoir, MY STORY, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.
In the nine years after her rescue, Smart transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker. In 2012, she married Matthew Gilmour, whom she met doing mission work in Paris for her church, in a fairy tale wedding that made the cover of People magazine.
My Thoughts
I knew this would be a difficult read, but I didn't realize just how difficult. This took me forever to read because I could only read so much before I would have to put it down again. This book was so heartbreaking that I could only take so much of it at a time.
Elizabeth did a great job at telling her story. I think she knew that there were so many people out there that were curious to know what actually happened to her and how she coped with everything afterward. I will say that she frustrated me at times. I was never frustrated that she didn't try to escape because I understood that. What frustrated me was that sometimes to, I think, protect the reader she didn't fully explain what was happening. I'm not sure if they were moments she really didn't want to think about or if it was her Mormon beliefs, but she chose to sensor some moments.
I'm amazed by her.
On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.
Now for the first time, in her memoir, MY STORY, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.
In the nine years after her rescue, Smart transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker. In 2012, she married Matthew Gilmour, whom she met doing mission work in Paris for her church, in a fairy tale wedding that made the cover of People magazine.
My Thoughts
I knew this would be a difficult read, but I didn't realize just how difficult. This took me forever to read because I could only read so much before I would have to put it down again. This book was so heartbreaking that I could only take so much of it at a time.
Elizabeth did a great job at telling her story. I think she knew that there were so many people out there that were curious to know what actually happened to her and how she coped with everything afterward. I will say that she frustrated me at times. I was never frustrated that she didn't try to escape because I understood that. What frustrated me was that sometimes to, I think, protect the reader she didn't fully explain what was happening. I'm not sure if they were moments she really didn't want to think about or if it was her Mormon beliefs, but she chose to sensor some moments.
I'm amazed by her.
Thursday 7 May 2015
Anya's Ghost
Goodreads Summary
Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part.
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.
My Thoughts
This being only the second graphic novel I have read, I wasn't too sure what to expect. I gotta say... I was pretty pleased.
The illustrations in this book are amazing. I loved the style of the characters (ok not Emily so much, but...) and the overall colour choice really fit the mood of the novel. Ok some of you are going to be like, "Renee it's black and white" but it isn't. They are hues of purple in there too. Stop judging me! It's pretty!
The plot was a little odd. Anya isn't exactly the most lovable of characters, but she is really realistic. She's who we fear that we are.
It was good. I'm glad I bought this for the artwork alone. If you're interested in checking out a good graphic novel than pick this one up.
Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.
This being only the second graphic novel I have read, I wasn't too sure what to expect. I gotta say... I was pretty pleased.
The illustrations in this book are amazing. I loved the style of the characters (ok not Emily so much, but...) and the overall colour choice really fit the mood of the novel. Ok some of you are going to be like, "Renee it's black and white" but it isn't. They are hues of purple in there too. Stop judging me! It's pretty!
The plot was a little odd. Anya isn't exactly the most lovable of characters, but she is really realistic. She's who we fear that we are.
It was good. I'm glad I bought this for the artwork alone. If you're interested in checking out a good graphic novel than pick this one up.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
Accidentally in Love (Friends First #3)
Goodreads Summary
Ellie Palmer and cops
don’t mix, and getting pulled over by Officer Brett Hale—again—doesn’t
help. Neither does being forced to take a safe-driving course with him.
Brett’s by-the-book attitude leaves Ellie ice-cold, and his rock-hard
body won’t change that. Still, the more time she spends with the guy,
the more she finds herself warming up to his unexpected charms.
Even though Brett comes off like a boy scout, Ellie has sparked something he wants badly enough to get him to rethink his past mistakes. But when her ex shows up, Brett makes it his mission to keep Ellie safe in the here and now. His gut tells him the guy’s trouble, and Ellie must agree, because she doesn’t complain when Brett pulls her close. To keep her safe, though, he’ll have to choose between breaking her heart . . . and breaking the rules.
My Thoughts
I honestly didn't remember Brett or Ellie from the first two books. I did read Plain Jayne over a year ago, but I read Prima Donna not that long ago and I didn't remember them. They were minor characters in both books though.
I feel like this was a good read. It was nice to see the other characters that I grew to really like in the other two books. I didn't enjoy Ellie and Brett as much. I'm not sure it is was because they were both very closed off individuals or what, but I just couldn't connect with them. Meanwhile, the plot was ok, but kinda overdone lately.
If you've read the other two books than check this out, but otherwise I'd say skip it.
Even though Brett comes off like a boy scout, Ellie has sparked something he wants badly enough to get him to rethink his past mistakes. But when her ex shows up, Brett makes it his mission to keep Ellie safe in the here and now. His gut tells him the guy’s trouble, and Ellie must agree, because she doesn’t complain when Brett pulls her close. To keep her safe, though, he’ll have to choose between breaking her heart . . . and breaking the rules.
My Thoughts
I honestly didn't remember Brett or Ellie from the first two books. I did read Plain Jayne over a year ago, but I read Prima Donna not that long ago and I didn't remember them. They were minor characters in both books though.
I feel like this was a good read. It was nice to see the other characters that I grew to really like in the other two books. I didn't enjoy Ellie and Brett as much. I'm not sure it is was because they were both very closed off individuals or what, but I just couldn't connect with them. Meanwhile, the plot was ok, but kinda overdone lately.
If you've read the other two books than check this out, but otherwise I'd say skip it.
Sunday 3 May 2015
The Fill-In Boyfriend
Goodreads Summary
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment,
a few white lies. After that, she can win back
the real Bradley.
The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.
My Thoughts
I am quickly falling in love with Kasie West! I have read a few of her books now and really enjoyed them. They are quick, contemporary reads that just make me happy.
Take Gia. She's a typical high school girl in 2015. She's obsessed with her social media and the praise that comes with it. Unfortunately she doesn't realize that this doesn't make her the best person. She can be a bit shallow, but can't we all?
Gia and her "fill-in-boyfriend" have an adorable meet cute. She is so desperate to not go into her prom without her mysterious, college boyfriend that she just approaches the only guy in the parking lot. They aren't immediately interested in each other. They don't walk away from prom boyfriend and girlfriend. They actually have to work at whatever they are. I love that.
In addition to Gia and her fill-in-boyfriend (who is awesome and slightly nerdy), there is his sister Bec who became one of my favourite minor character in awhile. She doesn't really know who she is (she's a junior for pete's sake), but she is still a strong individual. Bec's mom Olivia is also really cool. She is a free spirit who taught her kids to really communicate how they feel and Gia needed that.
Overall this book was just a really good book for when you want to read about young love. I know I thoroughly enjoyed it.
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment,
The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.
My Thoughts
I am quickly falling in love with Kasie West! I have read a few of her books now and really enjoyed them. They are quick, contemporary reads that just make me happy.
Take Gia. She's a typical high school girl in 2015. She's obsessed with her social media and the praise that comes with it. Unfortunately she doesn't realize that this doesn't make her the best person. She can be a bit shallow, but can't we all?
Gia and her "fill-in-boyfriend" have an adorable meet cute. She is so desperate to not go into her prom without her mysterious, college boyfriend that she just approaches the only guy in the parking lot. They aren't immediately interested in each other. They don't walk away from prom boyfriend and girlfriend. They actually have to work at whatever they are. I love that.
In addition to Gia and her fill-in-boyfriend (who is awesome and slightly nerdy), there is his sister Bec who became one of my favourite minor character in awhile. She doesn't really know who she is (she's a junior for pete's sake), but she is still a strong individual. Bec's mom Olivia is also really cool. She is a free spirit who taught her kids to really communicate how they feel and Gia needed that.
Overall this book was just a really good book for when you want to read about young love. I know I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Sin Eater’s Daughter (The Sin Eater’s Daughter #1)
Goodreads Summary
I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.
Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it's price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.
Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girls she truly is.
Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen's, some truths should not be told...
My Thoughts
This isn't at all what I thought it would be.
I found this to be extremely slow paced. It is only 312 pages, but it took me more than a week to read. I was hoping that this would be a fun, fast-paced book with an interesting world, but it was none of those things. I found myself forcing myself to finish it. Thank goodness for Lief or I think I would have given up completely.
Twylla is a sweet girl who kills people when she touches them. She killed her best friend because she was ordered to do so. I genuinely felt bad for her. She is trapped in this palace, forced to kill people and she is understandably miserable. One day Lief is assigned to be her new guard. He is a breathe of fresh air. He doesn't care about getting into trouble. He talks bad about the queen and is so damn charming while he does so. You worry that he'll get himself killed, but at least he adds some fun to the book. The prince on the other hand is rude and domineering. He isn't outwardly so, but you could tell that as soon as he and Twylla got married she would not be allowed to be herself. She would be stuck in a loveless marriage that would have killed her.
The book was too predictable and at times the author seemed to drag in other elements to try to make the book better...it didn't work. This book just wasn't for me.
1/2
I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.
Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it's price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.
Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girls she truly is.
Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen's, some truths should not be told...
My Thoughts
This isn't at all what I thought it would be.
I found this to be extremely slow paced. It is only 312 pages, but it took me more than a week to read. I was hoping that this would be a fun, fast-paced book with an interesting world, but it was none of those things. I found myself forcing myself to finish it. Thank goodness for Lief or I think I would have given up completely.
Twylla is a sweet girl who kills people when she touches them. She killed her best friend because she was ordered to do so. I genuinely felt bad for her. She is trapped in this palace, forced to kill people and she is understandably miserable. One day Lief is assigned to be her new guard. He is a breathe of fresh air. He doesn't care about getting into trouble. He talks bad about the queen and is so damn charming while he does so. You worry that he'll get himself killed, but at least he adds some fun to the book. The prince on the other hand is rude and domineering. He isn't outwardly so, but you could tell that as soon as he and Twylla got married she would not be allowed to be herself. She would be stuck in a loveless marriage that would have killed her.
The book was too predictable and at times the author seemed to drag in other elements to try to make the book better...it didn't work. This book just wasn't for me.
1/2
Saturday 2 May 2015
The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3)
Goodreads Summary
The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series.
Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rory’s classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious
organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten
missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that
Charlotte’s in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much
more terrible is coming.
Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, they'll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.
My Thoughts
Writing reviews for sequels is so tricky because I cannot give too much away. I will say that this book didn't go exactly as I thought it would after what happened at the end of book 2, but I'm ok with that. I liked how it progressed. I wish some people were in it more than they were, but I understand why it had to be that way.
I thought this was going to be a trilogy, but I guess I was wrong and I'm alright with that considering all the questions I have after this one. Sid and Sadie are definitely going to play a major role in the next book. They will cause problems and the gang will have a tough time dealing with them. I think Jerome and Jazza will also cause a little rift for Rory and the gang after what happened at the end.
Ok I'm giving too much away. I'll just say that I really enjoy this series and you should give it a try if you want to read something a little different.
The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series.
Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rory’s classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious
Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, they'll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.
My Thoughts
Writing reviews for sequels is so tricky because I cannot give too much away. I will say that this book didn't go exactly as I thought it would after what happened at the end of book 2, but I'm ok with that. I liked how it progressed. I wish some people were in it more than they were, but I understand why it had to be that way.
I thought this was going to be a trilogy, but I guess I was wrong and I'm alright with that considering all the questions I have after this one. Sid and Sadie are definitely going to play a major role in the next book. They will cause problems and the gang will have a tough time dealing with them. I think Jerome and Jazza will also cause a little rift for Rory and the gang after what happened at the end.
Ok I'm giving too much away. I'll just say that I really enjoy this series and you should give it a try if you want to read something a little different.
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