Breaking Free

What is this book about?

Raimi Carter is finally a girl, just like she always knew she was meant to be. At a new school where nobody knows she’s had gender reassignment surgery, she hopes to finally live the normal life she’s longed for, happy in her own skin. 

Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.

My Thoughts....

The best thing about this book is that it is a very quick read.

I was happy to find a modern book about a transgender-ed teen. Not only is Raimi transgender-ed but she has also completed her 'change' from a male body to a female body. She is starting a new life in a new town as a female. I was excited to read this as it is not a topic that is written about enough. However, I was very disappointed.

The actual writing is terrible. It is very sharp, for a lack of a better word. It seems more like an essay than a story. Sentences are to short, there is to much telling and not enough showing, if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Instead of saying something like " She tossed her long brown hair over her slim shoulders" it is written like "she has long, straight brown hair."

The characters are under developed and unrealistic. Raimi is a self righteous horror- she looks down on her peers and is very judgmental for someone who does not want to be judged. The writing is very cliched, filled with teen drinking, drugs, sex, bullying and rape. And it seems the entire teen population of the town all participated in one or more of these things. While I understand that this is the life some teens lead, it is not the life of all teens. The ending was abrupt and unexpected.

I think this book has potential. The plot and the characters need to be developed more. The style of writing needs to be more descriptive and not so cliched. In my opinion, it needs a re-write and a great editor!

My Book Rant Of The Year!

Series? Trilogy? No Thanks! (Most of the time)

Series and trilogies seem to be the "thing" these days. Just about every book I pick up is some part of either of these. It annoys me to no end! Don't get me wrong, I love a good book series/trilogy, but these days everyone is getting into it. The worst book feeling in the world is getting to the end of a really great story only to find out that it will be continued in the next book. Of course, it won't be published until next year. I will forget about it before then. If I don't forget about it, I more than likely won't read it anyway because surely it is going to end the same way- waiting for the next book to be released. If an author is going to do this, it better be a damn good book or they will lose me as a reader before they even had me! 

A great series that had me hooked from day one is Chelsea Cain's Gretchen series. Mind you, the fact that I have to wait so long between books is giving me way to much time to build up my expectations of each new book which in turn is creating disappointment when the books fall short of my expectations. The Hunger Games trilogy was fantastic, but I read the entire trilogy one after another. I think if I had to wait between books I probably would not feel the same way. An example of this is the Divergent series. I read the first one and really enjoyed it. At the end of the book I found out there would be more (for some reason I did not know before I started reading that this was the first book in a series). I was disappointed that I couldn't get the next book right away but figured I would read it when it was released because, well, I liked the first one. Nope, I didn't read it or any other the others that followed it. I did buy the second book and it still sits on my e-reader, never opened. I can honestly say right now, that I probably won't ever get to it. I can't even remember what the first one was about anymore!

The exception to this is a series that is made up of stand alone books. In other words, the books contain the same characters but it isn't necessary to read all the series to know what is happening. Karin Slaughter is a great example of this type of writer. All her books are amazing. The first of her books I read was number four in a series, and then I read every book she wrote and impatiently await more! Her characters are great and the stories she tells are not so interwoven that they cannot be understood without lots of information from past books. 

My new mode of operand e when book shopping is to first check if  the book is a part of a series. If it is, I usually don't even read the back cover let alone buy it. I may be missing out on some great books by doing this, but what is the point of starting a story that I know I most likely won't ever complete? I don't beleive there is one! The exception to this is if it is a book for my book club, then I will at least read the back before deciding if I'm going to risk it.

What do you think of trilogies and series? Do you remember to buy the next installment when it is released? Do you have a favorite completed series? Let me know your thoughts!

A Reason To Live

What is this book about?

In the late nineties, a bad cop killed a good woman and DC Homicide detective Marty Singer watched the murderer walk out of the courtroom a free man. 

Twelve years later, the victim's daughter begs for help: the killer is stalking her now. But Marty has retired to battle cancer. A second shot at the killer--and a first chance at redemption--Marty has A Reason to Live.

My Thoughts....

This book was a typical mystery novel, other than the fact that the main character is a retired homicide detective and has cancer. Soon after Marty's retirement the daughter of a victim in one of his old cases comes to him for help. The story line had a lot of surprising twists, which was nice to see. I liked that it wasn't predictable from the beginning to the end. 

I liked that the author included Marty's doctor visits, the chemo treatments and made it realistic how these treatments affected his life. I haven't read any other book where the main character has colon cancer, it isn't talked about as much as it should be. The author did an excellent job of showing how a cancer diagnosis can happen to anyone and can totally change the direction of that person's life.

Back to the story now! I liked the characters, there was just enough information to make them real without overloading with unnecessary information. It was a well written story and a quick read. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more in the series.

Want more?

For more information on the author and his other books visit this website: http://matthew-iden.com/. There are several other books in the Marty Singer series.

Don't Talk To Strangers

What is it about?

In the woods of Whisper, Georgia, two bodies are found: one recently dead, the other decayed from a decade of exposure to the elements. The sheriff is going to need help to track down an experienced predator--one who abducts girls and holds them for months before ending their lives. Enter ex-FBI profiler and private investigator Keye Street. 
"He lives for the struggle."
" "
After a few weeks, Keye is finally used to sharing her downtown Atlanta loft with her boyfriend, A.P.D. Lieutenant Aaron Rauser. Along with their pets (his dog, her cat) they seem almost like a family. But when Rauser plunks a few ice cubes in a tumbler and pours a whiskey, Keye tenses. Her addiction recovery is tenuous at best. 
"And loves the fear."
" "
Though reluctant to head out into the country, Keye agrees to assist Sheriff Ken Meltzer. Once in Whisper, where the locals have no love for outsiders, Keye starts to piece together a psychological profile: The killer is someone who stalks and plans and waits. But why does the sociopath hold the victims for so long, and what horrible things must they endure? When a third girl goes missing, Keye races against time to connect the scant bits of evidence. All the while, she cannot shake the chilling feeling: Something dark and disturbing lives in these woods--and it is watching her every move. 

My Thoughts.... 

* The publisher provided me with this book to review * 

I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars.
I didn't realize that this book was the third in a series until after I received it. I didn't read the first two books in the series, but it didn't really make much difference. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything other than the possibility that I could have known some of the characters better, for example Keye's boyfriend, business partner and secretary. There were also references to past cases the Keye had been involved in but the author explained the cases for those of us who missed them. There may be a possibility that I didn't know specific things about Keye's life that were discussed or explained in previous books-about her adoptive family and birth family.

This book wasn't a page turner for me. It was very plot driven. It moved from one scene to the next quite quickly and it did have an interesting story-line. But there wasn't anything original about it and I found myself getting bored with it quickly. I was surprised because I like books and shows about profiling so I really thought I would like this. It was just a regular run of the mill police procedural. 

I didn't really like any of the characters, especially Keye. I felt like she was right to many times, that she never made a mistake with her hunches and that she felt that she was above the rest of the police characters in the book. And I have to admit, her name drove me crazy!

I figured out who the killer was before I was half way through the book. I half expected my pick to be wrong and that there would be some type of twist at the end, but I had it right. That kind of disappointed me also.

Overall, it was an okay read, not something I would read again or tell my friends that they just have to read it.

This book is due for release in July 2014.

Want More?

To learn more about the author and this series visit: http://amandakylewilliams.com/ .

Dear Daughter: A Novel

What is this book about?

A sensational debut thriller featuring an unforgettable heroine who just might have murdered her mother 

Former “It Girl” Janie Jenkins is sly, stunning, and fresh out of prison. Ten years ago, at the height of her fame, she was incarcerated for the murder of her mother, a high-society beauty known for her good works and rich husbands. Now, released on a technicality, Janie makes herself over and goes undercover, determined to chase down the one lead she has on her mother’s killer. The only problem? Janie doesn’t know if she’s the killer she’s looking for.

Janie makes her way to an isolated South Dakota town whose mysteries rival her own. Enlisting the help of some new friends (and the town’s wary police chief), Janie follows a series of clues—an old photograph, an abandoned house, a forgotten diary—and begins to piece together her mother’s seemingly improbable connection to the town. When new evidence from Janie’s own past surfaces, she’s forced to consider the possibility that she and her mother were more alike than either of them would ever have imagined.

As she digs tantalizingly deeper, and as suspicious locals begin to see through her increasingly fragile facade, Janie discovers that even the sleepiest towns hide sinister secrets—and will stop at nothing to guard them. On the run from the press, the police, and maybe even a murderer, Janie must choose between the anonymity she craves and the truth she so desperately needs.

A gripping, electrifying debut novel with an ingenious and like-it-or-not sexy protagonist, Dear Daughter follows every twist and turn as Janie unravels the mystery of what happened the night her mother died—whatever the cost.

My Thoughts... 

* I received this book as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review *

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Wow! I loved everything about this book. I couldn't put it down, I literally fell asleep with my e-reader still in my hands.

I'm not going to provide a synopsis of the book as it is already provided so I will start with the main character. Jane is such a well developed character, I switched between liking her and disliking her so many times through out the story! Usually when I was also switching between thinking she was or wasn't the person who killed her mother. She is a sarcastic, manipulative, practical character. There are so many layers to her I kind of wish I could be her psychiatrist for awhile and try to figure her out! She is also quite funny and I laughed out loud at some of her observations through out the book. Jane absolutely makes the book! 

The other characters in the book are also very well developed. They are enveloped in the perfect amount of secrecy. I felt like I knew enough about them to know that there was so much more to learn about them.

The story is told from Jane's point of view. I like that there are chapters that are news articles, text messages, internet posts and emails from different sources that link in the world outside Jane and tell some of the back story. I was not able to figure out where this story was going to go and I can't say to much about the actual plot without giving it away. The ending was fantastic and really sets this author apart from any other in her genre.

This book is very well written. It is hard to believe that this book is the authors debut novel!

Want More?

Check out the authors website for more information about her and this book. http://elizabeth-little.com/  This book is due to be released in August 2014.

The Practice

What is this book about?

The mind has a way of interfering with personal happiness, often causing stress and doubt. Getting in touch with one's inner source of peace and following its guidance over the mind's often-unfounded concerns requires training and discipline. Knowing this truth intimately, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life Founder Barb Schmidt developed a three-part spiritual discipline called "The Practice." "The Practice" is a toolkit to be used throughout the day to guide people who are looking for confidence, less stress, and deeper meaning along life's path. These tools are a compilation of the great Truths taught by authentic teachers and masters throughout the centuries from various religious and spiritual traditions. 
In the first three chapters of "The Practice," readers are guided through the daily routine: Waking Up, Living Present, and Letting Go. Beginning with a morning meditation, a thread of peace is followed over the course of the day through the repetition of a sacred mantra, practicing focused attention, reading for inspiration, and reflecting on the day. In the concluding chapter, readers are provided with an opportunity to deepen their experience of "The Practice" with engaging exercises.

My thoughts...

I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

This book is a practical guide through why meditation is important to living a fulfilling, happy life. The most important part is the author explains how to meditate and what to expect. She offers many examples from her own personal experiences regarding how meditation has changed her life for the better. She also includes many influential quotes from others that have impacted her in some way. The book was set up well, taking the reader through the day with specific times to take a moment to 'ground' yourself with a scared mantra.

The author also provides advice on how to practice focused attention and how it can help you create a peacefulness in your life. She also stresses in the importance of reflecting on you day and using these tools to maintain a peaceful, fulfilling life. Exercises are provided within the book to assist the reader. 
I did find it a bit dry in places, but if you want to learn about meditation and what it can do for you, this is the book to read. It is a short, quick read, but full of reference material that will be great to have on hand.

Cop Town

What is this book about?

Karin Slaughter, the New York Times bestselling author of the Will Trent series and “one of the best crime novelists in America” (The Washington Post), returns with her first standalone thriller: an atmospheric nail-biter about a rookie cop making her own way in the boys’ club that is the Atlanta Police Department in the 1970s.

My thoughts....

★★★★★

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I was so excited to receive a copy of Karin Slaughters' newest book, Cop Town, for review. Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite authors. I was very interested to see how a novel that was not part of her current series would be like.

This novel did not disappoint! I enjoyed every page. All the new characters were very well developed and so interesting to learn about. It was easy to relate to all of them, as I know people who would compare to them all and I'm sure most people do. The book was set in the 1970's and followed two women who were trying to make their mark in the police force and fit into the 'Boy's Club' atmosphere of the times.

I could feel the tension throughout the book as the women attempted to create their niche in the police department. The feeling of oppression that they dealt with on a regular basis made my heart heavy. The author did an amazing job of capturing the racism, sexism, homophobia and desperation that was present during this time period through the descriptions of the settings and the thoughts and voice of the characters.

The story was fast paced and action packed. At no point did I feel like the story was dragging out. Every word in this book was necessary to capture the time period and to develop the characters. It also kept me guessing about who the killer was right to the very end. It is the first book I read in a long time that I didn't know who the killer was before the end of the book.

Also, I always wanted a back story on Amanda, one of the characters in Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series. While this book was not about Amanda and she wasn't even a character in the book, I could easily replace any of the female officers with Amanda's name and see how she became the person she did in the Will Trent series.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery, thriller or historic novels. 

Want more...

Visit Karin Slaughter's website for more information about her and her other great books. She has some wonderful series' that are very interesting and very well written. http://www.karinslaughter.com/

When Smiles Fade

What is this book about?

Emma was unloved from the moment she was born. Her earliest memory is being severely beaten by her father, Pepper Murphy, when she was eight-years-old. Seething with resentment over the sacrifice of his dreams for a woman he cares little about and children he never wanted, Pepper chooses to blame his oldest daughter. Her mother, Valerie, makes matters worse with her verbal abuse, leaving Emma isolated with a man that had no boundaries in punishing his daughter, taking his abuse to unimaginable levels.

Emma's father's coldblooded beatings and the ultimate abuse to which he subjects her, lays the foundation of the person she becomes. As she matures into a resourceful teenager, she is unwilling and unable to stifle her desire for revenge. Reaching her breaking point she can no longer control the impulse to fight back and finally takes matters into her own hands.

Having learned the art of hatred from her father and the mastery of manipulation from her mother, young Emma now sets out to make a better life for herself, leaving the memory of the abused child she had once been behind her. Hardened by the heartless brutality she encounters and the dangerous situations she must overcome in the course of her journey, she faces every challenge that comes her way in her quest for a normal life for herself and for those she loves.

Finally a person emerges from within that guides her toward a better life until she learns of a secret that sets her on the path of ultimate redemption.

What I thought...

★★

I gave this book 2 out of three stars.

I liked that the author gave a realistic look at the life a child who grew up abused and in poverty. There was a lot of rape scenes, but the reality of it is, children in such circumstances as Emma and Gracie were in see and experience much more violence and sexual assault than the rest of the population. Someone who is sexually abused once is more likely to have it happen again. It wasn't nice to read, but it was realistic. I also liked that it showed the positive side to Emma and the negative side. She treated those she loved well, and would do anything to keep them from hurting. That said, getting away with murder so many times is highly unlikely. But it showed that even killers have another side to them and that what is endured in life sometimes plays a role in the actions we take.

It took me awhile to read it because I had several issues with it. First, it was very repetitive. The first section of the book was all about the abuse Emma and her sister endured at the hands of their parents. But it was brought up over and over again throughout the book, restating the amount of abuse they had suffered. Which brings about my second issue. There was to much explanation as to why Emma did everything she did. I didn't see the need to explain everything she said, thought and did and I feel it took away from the story. Third, there was something off about the writing for me- it was to matter of fact and choppy. I think it would have been better if it was written in another tense. As I was reading I was thinking that this must be the authors first novel so I was surprised to see that it wasn't.

Overall, I can't say I enjoyed it, but I thought it was okay. I would be interested in reading more about Emma and Izzy. I think Sydney's story would be interesting to read.

Want more?

For information about the author check out her webpage at: http://www.paigedearth.com/ . There is also information about her other books.

You. Change. Now!

What is this book about?

You. Change. Now! is a 7-Day Life Transformation program designed to help you get clear on what you want out of life and gives you the tools to obtain them!

Take a few moments to examine your life.
Is this where you thought you’d be 5 years ago?
If you don’t change now, where will you be in 5 more?
Think it’s too late?
It’s never too late…
All that you desire is still possible...
If You. Change. Now!

This program will work for you…regardless of where you find yourself today. It is progressive and uses proven techniques of success and achievement. The outline of your 7-day transformational journey;

1. Elevate Your Mind
2. Activate the Triune Mind
3. Strategize
4. Eliminate Fear
5. Focus on a Goal
6. Master Money
7. Achieve Balance

Each day contains time-tested concepts and principles delivered in a contemporary, simple format. The end of each session contains workshops designed to help you build a master blueprint for your life and action steps to help you achieve them. Journal pages are also included so you can chronicle key learning and document your ultimate success!

If You Ready To Live An Extraordinary Life…

Then it’s time You. Change. Now!

What I Thought...

★★★★★

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways. I agreed to provide an unbiased review**

This book is written in an easy to read manner. It is set up as a seven day program with a lesson for each day along with worksheets. The author used easy to relate to examples in each lesson. I really liked that example worksheets were completed, it helped to get my ideas flowing. The worksheets are progressive, helping you identify your wants, helping you set your goals and than helping you create your plan to reach your goals. It also include strategies to assist you with changing the way you think- using positive thoughts versus negative thoughts- to change your outlook on life and yourself in general.

I found this book very helpful. Although it is set up as a seven day program it did not take me seven days to complete it. I now have a solid plan to follow to reach my goals. It would have been much easier to use the worksheets if the binding was a coil binding, although at the end of the first chapter there is a link to a website to download full sized worksheets for free. A better placement for the link may be in the introduction so that the reader knows to print them off before they start.

The River Burns

What is this book about?

The River Burns tells the story of a small town in crisis, the mistakes people make, and the courage it takes to heal a community after a horrific act of destruction.

Wakefield is a small town where a unique collection of longstanding citizens has lived mostly in harmony, accepting of each other’s foibles. But underneath the picture perfect exterior a battle rages between those who wish to preserve the historic single-lane covered bridge across the river, and the loggers who want it replaced with a modern alternative. As the days pass with no change in the dispute, tensions begin to boil over, friends turn against one another, and the town seethes with potential violence.

Family man and second-generation logger Denny O’Farrell has been leading the charge to modernize the bridge. When the bureaucratic route fails to produce results, Denny and his friends need a new plan of action. But local police officer Ryan O’Farrell, Denny’s brother, is very worried about exactly how much Denny and friends are willing to risk in order to win the war. Swept up into the dispute, lawyer Raine Tara-Anne Cogshill, a newcomer hiding from her big-city past, hasn’t bargained on getting caught up in a summer of violence.

My thoughts....

*I won a copy of this book on Goodreads First Reads and I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.* 

★★★★ 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The author writes in a very descriptive, poetic manner. The town and the people he creates and describes could be any small town in Canada. In this book the issue at hand was between the loggers and the environmentalists, historians and tourism industry. But the loggers could be replaced by coal miners, steel workers, fishermen, oil workers- issues that just about anyone in Canada can relate to. Added into all this was the complications of family relationships, love, friendships and small town politics.

I really enjoyed how the author wove baseball into the story. Baseball is a popular game for hardworking, small town folks. It is their recreation, socialization time after a hard days works. The author captured that sentiment perfectly.

The book is quite long and I found it started to drag a bit as I neared the end. There were also a few issues that I thought were not wrapped up or explained. Also, I realize this was an ARC copy but, the binding on my book let go almost immediately. I hope the finished product has a stronger binding.

Overall, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Kick Ass Social Commerce for E-preneurs

What is this book about?

It’s not about Likes. It’s about sales.

You’re not special. Almost all businesses are online marketing these days—everyone tweets, posts to social networks, and blogs. What you’re doing now is not enough to make your business stand out.

Forget what all the self-proclaimed “social media gurus” are telling you. Being active on social media and being successful in social commerce are not the same things. Simply getting a bunch of followers or Likes doesn’t cut it anymore.

In Kick Ass Social Commerce for E-Preneurs, award-winning digital media strategist John Lawson gives you a straight-shooting, no-holds-barred guide to social commerce. In other words, he shows you how to make money online using social media.

One of the most-respected and listened-to voices in the worlds of e-commerce and small business, Lawson stands alone because he can actually back up his words. Lawson is a multi-platform PowerSeller, whose internet businesses have rung up millions of dollars in sales.

In his book, Lawson and e-commerce author Debra Schepp take you step-by-step through:

Creating a business plan using a simple, effective template, a proven blueprint for all stages of marketing—from start-up to empire
Crafting messages for individual consumers and sharing them in real time to engage and convert
Employing the best social commerce strategy for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the hottest new social media sites
Expertly leveraging features such as Likes, Retweets, Follows, Shares, and Reposts
Building a thriving e-commerce business and keeping it vibrant and growing

What are you waiting for? Read this book and start kicking social commerce ass.

My thoughts....

★★★★

I gave this book 4 out of five stars.

This book was full of useful information. There were a lot of suggestions regarding using social media to promote your business, along with lots of resource links and useful exercises. It provided many ideas about engaging customers with blog, website, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, along with ideas on how to turn potential customers into customers. The author wrote a lot about how to keep customers happy and how to make them feel like a special part of your business.

I have to say I still don't understand how to use some social media's sites. I was hoping this book would explain it a bit more, however, the author basically assume that the reader is a user of these sites already and knows what they are all about. I think I need a Social Media for Dummies book, if it exists. It would have also been nice to see a chapter on home based businesses and consultants and how to weave some of these suggestions into their businesses.

 I will definitely be using it over and over again as a resource tool.

The Passage by Justin Cronin

What is this book about?

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

What I thought

I really enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining and very well written. The imagination of the author amazes me, I can't even imagine how difficult it was to put this book together and keep it all flowing so well. 
There were so many characters, which was something I found difficult to keep track of. But I have to admit every character played a significant role in the story and they were quite well developed.
There were some parts that I found draggy but overall it kept me interested and I didn't want to stop reading it at all, which is quite shocking to me considering the length of the book! Really, it read like it could have been three separate novels.
I was surprised to find out that it is the first book in  a trilogy. There are two more, The Twelve  is out already and the third is do out in the fall. 

And More

For information on the author and the entire The Passage series you can check out Justin Cronin's website here: http://enterthepassage.com/author/