Book Review - Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Meet Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl--until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiance'. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. In her wildest dreams (or worst nightmare?) this is the last thing on earth Rachel could ever have imagined happening. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness. 'Something Borrowed' is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend.

My Review : 






Best wishes

Debs :-) 

Book Review - OldSoul by Dan Haring

Jason Gouvas doesn’t want to believe he has special abilities or that he's an Oldsoul-- a vessel for the souls of people who have passed away, but the dead girl in his mind can be very persuasive.

Her name is Erin, and through her Jason is able to access the knowledge and skills of the souls within him. And with a group of power-hungry immortals bent on destroying the Oldsouls and overthrowing humanity, he's going to need them all.

My Review:  10 out of 10

(To see my video review, please see the end of this post)


I was very lucky to be able to read and review this for my blog as part of a blog tour that was organised by the wonderful Krista (you can find her blog (and an interview she has with the author) here.  The OldSoul announcement page is here.

I absolutely loved this book, and a very interest concept for a story.  This is the first time I have come across a story about people being vessels that hold the souls of people long before.  


At the beginning, we see Jason who is a young policeman who has been caught by, what I believe to be, the mob with no form of escape until a group of 'people' break in and take him away to another realm, which he never knew existed.  


For me, this story was very fast paced which held by interest all the way through the novel.  You also had a few twists and turns that definately made me sit up and pay attention to the story.  There are a few family mysteries that have to be discovered.


There was a small element of romance in this story which I did enjoy but I would have to say that this story is more action packed than anything else.  


What a fantastic good versus evil story (never really knowing who was who until nearer the end) that I would very highly recommend.

Amazon.com Link here.
Amazon.co.uk Link here.


Old Soul Trailer



Visit the Blog here.


Best wishes


Debs

Waiting on Wednesday - In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

 

Expected Release Date:    8th May 2012
(Release date obtained from Goodreads)


Goodreads link is here.

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.     Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Book Review - 90 Miles to Freedom by K C Hilton

"The counselor suggested I start a journal and write down my thoughts. He called it ‘Journal Therapy’ and said it would help me cope with my feelings."

"I’m not sure where to begin, except to say that I had a wonderful life. Actually, it was a perfect life. A loving family and everything money could buy. A life envied by all, but it was stolen from me. I know I made a mistake. But I'm the one struggling to forgive myself."

"To explain I need to start from the beginning. But before I do, I must be honest and admit that I wasn’t perfect. No, I had a secret. A secret that came with a price. A secret that will haunt my dreams forever."

Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster. 



My Review

Oh my goodness, what can I say about this book.  This book is amazing.  It completely surprised me in so many ways.  I do not want to spoil it for those of you who are interested in reading this book but I will just say that this book is not what it seems.

A very emotional story that kept me on the edge of my seat and the characters are so full of life, it just made the story so much more enjoyable....

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see below.



Best wishes 

Debs :-) 

Fragment Friday - Eon by Alison Goodman (Book 1, Eon)

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Haul/IMM - 22nd March 2012

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Debs :-)

Waiting on Wednesday - Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

 

Expected Release Date:    8th May 2012
(Release date obtained from Goodreads)


Goodreads link is here.

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.
Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.
Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - Tumbleweed Heights by Joan Bird

Danger won't find Gilly in tiny Briarwood, Colorado. Right? Banking on her instincts is all she has left. That and a dream of a simpler life as a rancher. Luke Hudson has secrets. Living a lie, he recognizes a kindred spirit the moment he lays eyes on Gilly. What are her secrets quickly becomes how can he protect her when violence slams through her front door. Will truth ruin their fragile bond or will time run out before they have the chance to admit their love?

Moving to Briarwood, Colorado had not been in Gilly Casey’s original life plan. Sure, she’d dreamed of owning a horse ranch, but as kind of a part-time gig, in Topanga Canyon maybe. But the best laid plans of this high-powered L.A. attorney turn to dust when more than her bar card is threatened. Fleeing to a life she had never imagined quickly becomes a cat and mouse game just to stay alive.

Luke Hudson’s road to Briarwood was no less bumpy. Hiding from his own demons, he’s no longer able to float below the radar when he recognizes the feisty Miz Casey is in more trouble than she’ll admit. Donning the hero mantle years after he’d shed that skin, Luke realizes that rescuing Gilly might just save him, too.

With so many secrets between them, does love stand a chance? When the past trains its loaded gun on them, truth may not be enough to safeguard Gilly and Luke.


My Review - 6 out of 10

This book was an ok for me.   I did struggle to get into the book to start with and did feel that the story left me wanting more, maybe another level to the stories.

What I really liked about this story was the two mysterious main characters, Gilly and Luke.  GIlly who has moved to Briarwood for some mysterious reason, it seems like she's running from something...  Luke is much more of a mystery.  We know that he has not lived in Briarwood all his life, but what did he do beforehand  The suspense of trying to find out the pasts of each of the characters was very interesting to read. 

This book is definately worth a try if you like a bit of romance, suspense and mystery.


Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain

Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, changing diapers and worrying about keeping food on the table. But he’s never regretted his decision. Bella is the light of his life. The reason behind every move he makes. And so far, she is fed. Cared for. Safe.

But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble....

Then a miracle. A job in Raleigh has the power to turn their fortunes around. It has to. But when Travis arrives in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.

With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter’s sake.

Even if it means he might lose her.

Check out the Goodreads page here.

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see the end of this post.

My Review

What a great book.  This is the first book I have read written by Diane Chamberlain and already she is becoming one of my favourites.  I loved the style of writing.  This story has a good mix of tragedy, love and hope and believe me, I did a lot of hoping when reading this book, hoping that Travis would make the right decision and Bella was happy.

This book is split into three viewpoints; Travis, Erin and Robin.  Travis is Bella's father and he needs to get a job so that he can support his daughter.  He has to make a tough decision.  Erin is a lady that Travis and Bella meet when they go into a coffee shop (which they go in nearly every day) and who they become close friends with.  Erin has her own sad past as well, which is equally as heartbreaking as the story of Travis and Bella.  Robin is Bella's mother.  As a child, Robin was very ill and being pregnant with the prospect of dying.

This story is very slow paced but that just adds to the magic of this story.  It allowed me to take my time and digest each of the characters, their surroundings and the choices they have to make.

This is a great emotional story.  For those who like Jodi Picoult, I would recommend you give this a go.

 

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - Hana by Lauren Oliver (Book 1.5 Delirium Series)

In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure.

At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart... In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought.

Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth.

My Review - 7 out of 10

Check out my Review for Delirium (Book 1)  here.
Check out my Review for Pandemonium (Book 2) here.

This was such a great short story and I had only wished  I had read this after I had finished Delirium.   If I was to recommend this, I would definately say that the best time to read this book is straight after Delirium when the story is fresh in your mind.  Although this story does go through some of the same storyline that is in Delirium, this story gives Hana's side of the story (Hana is Lena's best friend). 

This book has a great storyline and an especially great ending...

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - A Bite's Tale by Veronica Blade

A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood. This is more than your average fairy tale.

The Cinderella: Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, attempting to keep everyone around her safe. She tries to carve out some semblance of a life, but can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control and shifting. No way will Cydney risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her.

The Prince: Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper. 

Check it out on Goodreads here.



My Review  : 9 out of 10




I absolutely loved this short story from Veronica Blade (who also wrote Something Witchy this Way Comes, which I have also read and reviewed and you can find here - Debs' Review of Something Witchy This Way Comes)


What I loved about this story, was the romance element to it.  This Cinderella like story of a couple who meet, have a wonderful summer together not really knowing who the other is.  They are torn apart by an incident that Cydney blames herself for entirely.  Will they be reunited?  I especially enjoyed the werewolf and vampire mix in this story.  


If I had only one wish, I would have loved for this story to have more pages so I could have stayed in the story for a while longer...

This is such a fun romantic story that I would very much recommend to all those of you out there who like a bit of werewolf/vampire romance...




Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Best wishes

Debs :-)

Book Review - The Witch of Turlingham Academy by Ellie Boswell

It's not easy being the only day girl at Turlingham Academy: Sophie misses out on all the midnight feasts and late night gossip. 

And when new girl Katy turns up it feels like she's bewitching all of Sophie's friends! Katy's no witch, but there is a witch at Turlingham. Katy comes from a long line of witch hunters whose job is to stop evil magic. 

Sophie is going to help her - anything to get Katy out of her life and get things back to normal. But what she discovers means nothing will ever be normal again




This is such a fun book aimed at middle grade readers but can be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Sophie is the head teacher's daughter and knows how to get into mischief.  There's something not quite right about her past and she must discover what this is all about before its too late.  When Katy comes into the picture, we are not quite sure whether she is going to be friend or foe but reading about these two characters and the adventures they take, was just pure fun to me.

Such a great story about friendships and a little bit of the supernatural.

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see below

Best wishes

Debs :-) 

Waiting on Wednesday - Purity by Jackson Pearce

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

 

Expected Release Date:    24th April 2012
(Release date obtained from Goodreads)

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity

Book Review - Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (Book 1 Midnight Dragonfly)

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late. 

Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario. 

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her. 

My Review:   9 out of 10

 First off, what an amazing cover.  I love the colours; purple and pink....  This would have to be one of my favourite covers for this year so far...

What I liked most about this book was all the secrets that had to be uncovered.  When Trinity dreams that someone is going to get kidnapped and it actually happened, its a race against time to figure out who the kidnapper is and why.  There's definately a lot of paranormal activty going on not to mention the fact that there is so much about her past that Trinity's family have been keeping from her.

Watching Trinity change from being normal and going about her daily routine in the usual way to someone who knows that she has a special power and trying to find out how to deal with it.

A really fun book with great suspense.

If you would prefer to see the video review, please see below - 

 

Best wishes

Debs

Book Review - The Boyfriend Bylaws by Susan Hatler

Melanie Porter has been dumped-again. When others accuse her of "being in love with being in love," she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life with The Boyfriend Bylaws.

EXCERPT

Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.

Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.

Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.

Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.

Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.

Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy's last name. Ever.

Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.

Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!

. . . .

"His name is Nick," I said. "He seems like a total gentleman, not to mention he's insanely gorgeous. Can I get permission to go on a date with him before he asks me out?"

Patti scoffed, stretched her leg out, and reached for her right foot. "No way."

Why did she have to be so difficult? I was playing by her rules. "What's the point of waiting until he asks me out, and then calling you? That's just stupid."

"Why should you wait? Let's see. Brad. Paul. Mike. Marcus. And don't think I didn't see the wink your co-worker, Matt, gave you at lunch today." 




What a great short story.  If you are ever in need of a quick burst of romance and happiness, this is definately a great story to pick up.

My two favourite characters are, of course, Mel and Matt.  Their friendly banter at the beginning of the story was so amazingly funny.  Its not only Mel and Matt who have the friendly banter, the characters who work and play in the gym are also so friendly towards each other it makes me want to work there.


The main character, Mel, is a person who is in love with being in love.  She has been on so many dates but has not yet found 'the one'.  When her friend Patti comes in and 'lay the law down' making Mel look deeper into what she really wants, watching what Mel does next was really enjoyable.  


The story was a bit predictable but this is a great romantic short story not to be missed.



My Review -  10 out of 10

Book Review - Reggie by Reggie Dabbs and John Driver

The inspiring, true story of a man who went from nothing to speaking to more than two million people each year.
Reggie Dabbs's life changed when in the second grade he realized his parents were not his real parents, and that his birth was the result of a twenty-dollar deal his sixteen year old unwed mother made to secure the food she needed for her three other children. Interwoven with humorous and thought-provoking anecdotes and illustrations, as well as stories from the Bible and his travels around the world, this is the true, chronological story of Reggie and his message for students and adults alike that they are powerless to change their past, but they possess a unique potential to change their future. 

 This was such a good read.  I was not sure when I picked it up whether it was going to be an inspirational self help book or a biography about Reggie, but it turned out to be both.

This book does have a religious theme to it, especially as you get closer to the end of the book.

With this book, it follows the story of Reggie Dabbs, from childhood to now and all the struggles he has had to endure in between.   It also has other people's inspirational stories in here as well.

This was definitely a very interesting book to read and very inspirational, especially following the story of Reggie.  The writing was very easy to follow and Reggie's great sense of humour made this a very enjoyable read.

7 out of 10

Best wishes

Debs :-) 

Book Haul/In My Mailbox - 11th March 2012

Best wishes

Debs

Fragment Friday - Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Waiting on Wednesday - The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly memo that is hosted by Breaking the Spine Blog.

 

Expected Release Date:    3rd April 2012
(Release date obtained from Goodreads)

In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter? 



Best wishes

Debs

Book Review - Alzheimer's Killing Me Unknowingly by Jana Pryor

Pryor, Jana. "Alzheimer's Killing Me Unknowingly: Jane's Story"
The book "Alzheimer's Killing Me Unknowingly: Jane's Story" will give readers insight to what really happens in the world of an Alzheimer's patient. Only those who have had a loved one stricken with Alzheimer's can truly understand the devastating effects of the disease. Alzheimer's disease is an abnormal way for an individual to age. It is fatal, and it consists of much more than just memory loss to the elderly. 

Alzheimer's disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Statistics show over five million people are affected, but with baby boomers living longer the number could be rising. There are many books in publication about Alzheimer's and the different stages of the disease. HBO even aired the documentary "The Alzheimer's Project" which focused on behaviors of the Alzheimer's sufferer. But Jane's Story is unique because author Jana Pryor actually takes the reader into the life of her grandmother Jane who suffered and eventually perished from Alzheimer's disease. It is Ms. Pryor's desire to be a "voice" for the elderly who suffer from Alzheimer's. She also hopes her book will help prepare future caretakers of Alzheimer's patients for what lies ahead. 

Ms. Pryor feels society should be gravely concerned about the increasing number of Alzheimer's sufferers, as well as the increasing number of deaths related to the disease. It is not uncommon for Alzheimer's patients to wander off and disappear and eventually turn up dead. They drive on the wrong side of the street and are involved in fatal traffic accidents. They burn in fires they unknowingly start in their own homes. Those suffering from Alzheimer's can be a danger to themselves as well as to others. 



My Review

This is a short book at just under 100 pages and with about a fourth of the book being more factual, it was a very quick read but that doesn't make the story any less heartbreaking.  This is a very emotional story about Jane who suffers from Alzeimers and of Jana, Jane's Granddaughter, who cares for her grandmother. 

7 out of 10



Best wishes

Debs :-)

Fragment Friday - Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (Book 1, Blue Bloods)