"47 Little Love Boosters For A Happy Marriage"

I am a romantic. I love gooey, lovey-dovey, sappy anything. I was excited to read this book because I was hoping to get some more ideas on cute, lovey things that I could do for my husband. (I have a whole Pinterest board named after him that is chock full of cheesiness). So I picked this book because I thought, “Hey, this should be a fun little light read.” Weeellll, it was light. I got the kindle version of the book and it came with a link to a webpage with the authors 47 “love boosters” listed (why they didn’t just put this directly in the book is beyond me). The link takes you to some chintzy website with a bunch of error codes and I never actually made it to the list of love boosters. Without this list, the rest of the book is pretty much a complete waste of space. You can read the whole thing in less than an hour and the author basically just states some facts that are already pretty universally known. He tries to put it into his own words, but it is really just a different way to say the same thing.

The author mentions another book that he is working on that will have his 5 love rituals explained in detail. THAT book sounds like it might actually be interesting. THIS book felt like it was something the author threw together really quickly to tide him over until his next book comes out. I don’t feel like I gained anything by reading this book and I would not recommend it to anyone else. If you are looking for some real relationship advice, look elsewhere. Pinterest has no shortage of cute things you can do for your significant other. Just saying.

1 out of 5 stars for this book from me.

I received a copy of this book from Reading Deals in exchange for my honest review.

"The Steel Queen"

“The Steel Queen”, by Karen Azinger, is the first book in a seven book series: The Silk and Steel Saga. I always get excited when I pick up the first book in a long series because if I like the story, then it doesn’t end for thousands of pages. However, you take the risk of only moderately liking the story. Then you are forced to decide between sticking with it to the end of those thousands of pages, or calling it quits after the first book and never having answers to the questions that drive every reader crazy; what happens to the characters, who does she end up with, do they end up discovering he is a back-stabbing traitor, how does it end??

I think I got myself into a little bit of a pickle with this series. The story piqued my interest enough that I know I will be bugged to just give up on it, but the writing drove me crazy and I don’t know if I can stand six more books. Here’s why:

This fantasy story really gripped me right from the start. I’ve heard it’s comparable to Game of Thrones, but I wouldn’t know since I’ve never seen that. The characters are three dimensional, and the plot is deep and thick right from the beginning. BUT the point of view switches between a handful of different characters and I found this to be a little too much. There is only a few pages, (really just like 2-3 pages), with limited information before it switches to a different person in a completely different part of the country. You feel like you are just barely getting to know the character, then it switches and you are left reeling. Once you catch on to who each character is and what is happening in their part of the story, then you see the bigger picture and understand how they all play out together. But this realization doesn’t hit for a few chapters, leaving the reader lost and more than a little confused at the beginning.

The story itself is rich and full of details that draw the reader in. However, the writing is repetitive and juvenile in some places.  You will read the phrase “good Castleguard steel” about 55 times. I think that there could have been more done with this book. A little more proofreading and attention to detail would have improved the quality by a mile. Also, one of the main characters, Katherine, is written as if life is so hard and she is so strong for overcoming her trials, but she really hasn’t had any trials. Every time an obstacle comes in her path, it works out perfectly in her favor in just a few paragraphs. This won’t stop me from reading the next book though. I’m hooked on the story and want to see how it ends.

WARNING: there are some sex scenes and analogies that I would not deem appropriate for younger readers, (or people who don’t like to read about rape).

Overall I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am planning on continuing the series and will report back to let you know if it’s worth it or not. If you have already read these books, let me know what you thought!

I was given a free copy of this book from Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review.

Refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to go!

Hey guys, I’m back! I took an undisclosed, unannounced break. To be honest, I really was just worn out. Mothering two young kids, working, and then trying to find time to not only read books, but then get online and write about them just got to be too much.  Even though writing this blog is something that I consider “me time”, it eventually became just another item on my to-do list and I wasn’t finding the joy in it that I used to.

I found some new motivation recently that made me miss expressing myself through writing. It’s about time too. After nearly a year, my fingers are well rested and I am ready to get my head in the game again. My goal is to get posts on here weekly, (bi-weekly if life gets a little too crazy). Let me know if there are any good books you have read recently, or anything you would like me to read and review before you take the plunge. You can also follow me on instagram @spreading.bookishness

A huge thank you to all of those who stuck with me through this reprieve, and a big welcome to any new comers passing along this way.

Happy Reading,

Carli

"Everything, Everything"

As soon as I saw the preview for the movie "Everything, Everything" I knew that I needed to get my hands on this book ASAP. But, of course, every other person who saw the preview for the movie suddenly had to have the book too. So I waited and waited for a copy to become available at my city library....and huzzah! I finally got my hands on a copy and I devoured it in a few short hours. 

Madeline Whittier is a normal teenage girl, except for the fact that she can't leave her house because she is allergic to almost everything in the world. Madeline has contact with two, occasionally three, people in the entire human species. Her mom, her nurse, and on rare occasions her architect tutor. Despite these setbacks, Madeline thrives, meets new characters, and goes on adventures in the books she reads. She yearns for the thrills that her favorite characters get, but she has accepted her lot in life and is content. Her universe is routine and safe and predictable... until she hears the beeping of a moving truck backing up next door. That's when a fourth person is introduced that sets her small world spinning. Madeline quickly learns that to have everything you have to be willing to risk everything. 

Talk about a book with a plot twist! I almost got whiplash from how fast the plot changed and went in a different direction. From page one this book had me hooked and I literally did not put it down until I finished it a few hours later. The characters are quirky and adorable and they all have a depth to their emotions that is sometimes hard to convey as an author, but which was beautifully done here. The story is gripping and unpredictable. The text is engaging and the format of the book swaps between a normal book and the characters' Instant Messaging conversations as they would look on a computer, with some pictures or other random entries by Madeline thrown in. I personally didn't love how much the format rotated between all these things, I found it to be a little overwhelming at some points, but it did add some depth to Madeline's character and made it easier for the reader to understand her. 

There are a few swearwords littered throughout the text - something to keep in mind if you are getting this book for a younger reader. I would say anyone young adult and up could/should read this book. 5 out of 5 stars by my rating. It's not very often that I find a book that will elicit so many emotions from me in such a short amount of time. I laughed, cried, wanted to scream, and had steam coming out of my ears all in one evening. I'm sure that you will enjoy this story as much as I did. So pick up your copy and then let me know what you think!

The Infernal Devices Series

Shout out to my girl Kassidy for making me read these books. I had the misfortune of watching the TV Series and it disintegrated any desire I had to read Cassandra Clare's work. Kass told me to not judge a book by it's TV show (or movie for that matter) and I am eternally in her debt. She suggested I read the Infernal Devices Series before I read the Mortal Instruments series, so that is what I did.

The Infernal Devices Series, by Cassandra Clare, is a three book series set in the London's Downworld during the reign of Queen Victoria. The main character, Tessa Gray, has discovered that she is not human; but what she is, no one knows. She falls in with a group of Shadowhunters and learns that there is only one thing more dangerous than a demon - her own heart. She is torn between the calm and steady Jem Carstairs and the mysterious and un-readable Will Herondale. Each has is own unique attractiveness and both are hiding dark secrets. Tessa has to choose who has her heart while also overcoming one of the evilest and most powerful men of their time. 

I don't know that I have ever read a series that left me feeling so satisfied at the end. These books filled all of my literary needs. There was action, fighting, betrayal, loyalty, fantasy, friendship, and (most important of all) romance. There were a few times I thought the story was ruined but after I continued reading, the issue would be resolved beautifully. I laughed, I cried, I bit my nails, and I couldn't stop until the last page had been turned. If you enjoy fantasy books where the unimaginable becomes imaginable, then you have to put this series on your to-read list. The main characters are deep and all have strong back-stories that come to light one at a time. The supporting characters add to the richness of the story and each of their unique personalities helps create a more complex and intricate setting. I would suggest these to high-school age kids and older. There are a few swearwords dotted throughout the text and there is a hint of a bedroom scene in the third book but it is not detailed. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Check them out and let me know what you think! 

"The Selection Series"

Can we all just agree right now that "young adult" books are not actually for young adults, but instead are for mature adults who just happen to have young hearts? I always feel a little bit judged when I am skulking around in the YA section of my library. And the fact that my little sister and I read the same books...simply means that she has good taste. Now that we have that cleared up, let me tell you about "The Selection Series" by Kiera Cass. 

In a dystopian America, everyone is split into numbered castes. The lower your number, the better your state of living is, with a royal family that leads them all. When the eldest child of the royal family is ready to wed, the country holds a Selection to help him find a suitor out of any of the ladies in any of the castes. For most girls, being picked to participate in the Selection would be a dream come true, but America Singer is content with her lot in life and doesn't want to move up in the caste system. However when she moves into the castle and meets Prince Maxon, she has to decide between her life of contentment, or a fairy tale that she never dreamed would be possible.

"The Selection Series" spans five books and is packed with twists and turns, big decisions and betrayals, and above all, love. It's like the Hunger Games, but replace the weapons and killing for words and backstabbing. 35 girls are selected to try to win the Prince and only one will win. During the selection process the country is under siege by two groups that want to be rid of the caste systems. Prince Maxon and America Singer's loyalties will be tested and each has to fight for what they want. The first 3 books are about the two main characters, the last two books contain the same characters as the first 3, but the focus is on the new princess and her selection process. So throughout the entire series the reader gets to go through two selection processes, one with a soft-hearted prince and 35 female suitors and one with a no-nonsense princess and 35 male suitors. 

I will forever be grateful that I had the forethought to buy the entire series together, because I gobbled these books up. The reader is swept up into a world where a poor girl is thrown into a castle where she is expected to dress and act a certain way. Through it all she is able to hold on to herself and come out of the trials better than she was before. It really did remind me of the Hunger Games, only I think I enjoyed these more because there is way less violence and nearly everyone gets their happy ending. These books will hold your attention from the beginning to the end. The characters are charming and will resonate with the reader, the story is fast-paced while remaining clear, and the writing is clean. There are a few minor swear words dotted throughout the text, but nothing too serious and no hot and heavy scenes. I still wouldn't recommend this to anyone younger than high-school, but overall I think that readers of all ages will enjoy this series. For their genre, I give them a 5 out of 5 stars. Check it out and let me know what you think!  

"The Rent Collector"

I read this book for my neighborhood book club, and I was so glad to have other people to discuss it with after I had finished. "The Rent Collector," by Camron Wright, is a mixture of facts and fiction and I wished I had never learned which parts are facts and which ones fiction. My knowledge dissolved some of the illusions that the author tries to build and it lessened the overall importance of this story, unfortunately.

"The Rent Collector" is the tale of a family living in Stung Meanchey, which is the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. They pick recyclables out of the mountains of trash each day for income. Once a month, they have to work extra hard to earn enough to not only buy their dinner, but also to pay the rent collector that will be coming around demanding the rent for the small shack that they live in. The main character, Sang Ly, is trying to support her husband, battle the rent collector, while also taking care of their sick child who, no matter how many doctors he sees, is not getting any better. Through an absolutely coincidental moment, Sang Ly discovers that the rent collector, Sopeap Sin, can read. Which is very rare among the people living in Stung Meanchey. Sang Ly convinces Sopeap Sin to teach her to read, and this experience slowly shapes and changes the rest of her life. 

I initially found the story to be inspiring. There were some flaws in the writing that caught my eye, particularly the language the author gives his characters. I wondered how much research went into this work because there are parts of the story that seem distinctly American. Not that I know that much how about how people in Stung Meanchey actually speak and act, but it was things that I knew for certain someone in America would do or say. Then I found out that the author's son did a documentary on this exact story. My assumption is that he put the documentary in his own words, doing little to no extra research, and then added in one or two characters to make his story seem unique. Which leads me to assume that he is either lazy, and piggy-backed on his sons work, or he is a nice dad and did a little extra work simply to give his son's documentary some extra publicity. Either way, I was disappointed in this book and wish that the author would have just come up with his own story for the entire thing. I think that he is a talented writer, but this is definitely not his finest work. 

I would still recommend this book as one worth reading, but I only give it a 3 out of 5 stars for my frustrations mentioned above. This tale that someone can be so kind under such horrible circumstances is truly inspirational, but if you are looking for something that will leave you feeling satisfied at the end, then this is not it. I would love to hear your thoughts on it, so check this one out and report back! 

"Holding Up the Universe"

It is not very often that I fall so in love with a character that I find myself carrying her around with me. Libby Strout, also known as "America's Fattest Teen",  just happens to be the type of character that spoke to my heart and left an imprint there. She is tenacious, lovable, resilient, and compassionate. After years of being homeschooled, Libby decides she is ready to take on the world again and try her hand at high school. She becomes victim to an awful game called "fat girl rodeo" which results in her and the perpetrator, Jack Masselin, landing in group counseling. The more time that they are forced to spend together, the more they realize that being together is far better than apart. 

"Holding up the Universe", by Jennifer Niven, is an incredible story of two teenagers that each have some personal issues that they are trying to deal with while pretending to seem unaffected and normal on the outside. Libby is brave and quick-witted and stands against the cruelty of judgemental teenagers. Jack is putting on a front and no one, not even is own parents, knows that he is dealing with Prosopagnosia (he can't remember faces). They both struggle with their own challenges and eventually realize that those challenges seem to disappear when they are with each other. Their relationship is torturous and adorable and an example that what's inside is what truly matters.  

Each of these characters is so unique; this is a teenage love story unlike any that have come before. The author paints a wonderful story with scenes that are so real they almost hurt. You will find yourself flinching in one moment and then laughing in the next. Brimming with wit, heartache, hope, and joy; I give "Holding up the Universe" 5 out of 5 stars. It is a brilliant story for young people to read and find the courage to appreciate themselves as they truly are. As spectacular as this story is, though, it is riddled with swear words and some inappropriate topics. Keep that in mind before giving this book to the intended reader. Check it out and let me know what you think! 

I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books for this review. 

"Lord Fenton's Folly"

Love is in the air. Does anyone else love the atmosphere that Valentine's Day creates? I enjoy celebrating the whole month through romantic books and movies. "Lord Fenton's Folly", by Josi S. Kilpack, helped satisfy my craving for a cute love story. It is more than simply a cute love story though. This book is full of verbal sparring between the main characters and a secret that finally comes to light after twenty years of hiding.

Lord Fenton has made it his life's mission to embarrass his father, the Earl, in any manner possible. He has transformed himself into one of London's greatest dandies and he takes every opportunity to make the fool of himself in his father's name. This discord between father and son ultimately leads to the Earl deciding to disinherit Fenton as heir and pass it on to his younger son instead. When Fenton begs for redemption, he is given certain circumstances he must meet in order to return to his father's good graces. One such circumstance is his must marry an eligible young woman by the end of the year, just six months away.

Alice has been smitten by Lord Fenton ever since they were children, so when he asks for her hand in marriage she couldn't be happier. She is the giddy bride-to-be but quickly observes that Fenton doesn't seem to share her enthusiasm. When she discovers that their engagement is a forced one, she tries to protect herself in the only way
she can - by burying her feelings.

"Lord Fenton's Folly" is filled to the brim with wit and parrying insults. As you can imagine, Alice is not very happy when she discovers Fenton's true motives, which results in a couple that doesn't know how to do anything but argue. Alice is a strong character and doesn't back down from her new husband. She displays a handful of honorable characteristics and I love when women are written with a strong will and independence. Especially in a time when women were not supposed to be opinionated. Fenton on the other hand is an idiot and he makes so many wrong choices that you want to shake him and put him on the right path. You will fall in love with his character though through the small cracks of vulnerability that the author adds in. This book is a "proper romance" and does not include anything that would keep me from wholeheartedly recommending it. For its genre, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Rad Women Worldwide"

Merry Christmas everyone! It is only about a week away!! This is a time of year where warm fuzzy feelings are in abundance and "Rad Women Worldwide", by Kate Schatz, will definitely add to that. This book is full of inspirational stories of women across the globe. Women from the past and some currently changing the world. Each story takes up about one page and gives enough information to leave the reader feeling inspired without getting into deeper details. There are also illustrations to go with each story.

This book is perfect for anyone that loves to learn about the difference that women can make. The stories vary so much and provide something for every type of female out there. As the cover says, "Artists and athletes, pirates and punks, and other revolutionaries who shaped history." These are truly empowering stories and might encourage readers to look more deeply into these women's lives. It's not the type of book that you would sit down and read in one go, but read a few stories here and there. It would make a great present for any girls looking for some female role models. Check it out and let me know what you think!

I received a copy of "Rad Women Worldwide" from Blogging For Books for this review. Click here to learn more about the author, Kate Schatz.  

"Friday Barnes: Girl Detective"

There is something so satisfying about reading a book in just one day. Even when it isn't THAT big of an accomplishment because the book is meant for elementary aged kids. :) When I closed the back cover of "Friday Barnes: Girl Detective" I thought to myself, "Wow, I read that really fast". Then I had to remind myself that I am not a 10-year old and there were a handful of small illustrations placed throughout the book. However, that didn't stop me from smiling at my small accomplishment.

"Friday Barnes: Girl Detective," by R.A. Spratt, is an amusing tale of a young girl who is way too smart to handle. She solves a robbery case that stumped the cops and uses the reward money to send herself to one of the most expensive boarding schools in the country. Learning is the most important thing to her and all she wants is to melt into the background while the rest of the world goes on around her. Her hopes are dashed, however, when an accident on her very first day puts her at the center of attention. She stays in the spotlight as she helps her classmates find stolen assignments, vanishing desserts, and even a monster that is haunting the school swamp.

This is an engaging book for elementary aged children with a heroine that kids can look up to. Friday is a kind and intelligent young girl that doesn't fit in to any of the school 'clicks' which means she can be friends with just about anyone. Any child will enjoy following Friday as she helps her classmates and solves some of the biggest mysteries at her new school. The story is fun, with some unexpected twists, and is appropriately written for the intended audience. This book receives 5 out of 5 stars from me, in it's respective category. This would make a great present this holiday season! Plus, this is just the first to a five book series. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"My Fair Gentleman"

"My Fair Gentleman", by Nancy Campbell Allen, is a classic tale of the student falling in love with the teacher.  Jack wants nothing more than to live his life as a sailor, but his grandfather has other ideas for him. He names Jack his heir as Earl of Stansworth, on the condition that Jack learns to fit in with the aristocratic society. Despite Jack's lack of desire to be the Earl, he takes his grandfather's offer because it enables him to provide his mother and sister with a very comfortable life. In an effort to fulfill his grandfather's condition, Jack takes on a tutor, the young and unpredictable Ivy Carlisle, to teach him how to impress the ton and ends up learning a lot more than he planned.

"My Fair Gentleman" is more than the ordinary 'proper romance' because the author adds some suspense to the storyline. When Jack inherits, someone decides to remove him from his position by attempting to kill him. Throughout the book Jack has to be on his guard at all times to avoid the attempts on his life. This added suspense deepens the storyline and further adds to the richness of the characters as they try to help each other through these trials.

This is an entertaining story about making the most of any situation while unconsciously falling in love. You will want to hug the characters one moment and then shake them the next for being so silly and shy. It is appropriate for readers of all ages and would make a great gift for the upcoming holidays. Or buy it for yourself to curl up with during the cold weather. Either way, you should get a copy and let me know what you think!

"The Wolf Road"

Hello! Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I am finding out that being a mother of two is twice as hard as being a mother of one. (And twice as time consuming).I have the baby sleeping and my toddler distracted, so now I can tell you about "The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis.

This is one of the most realistic post-apocalypse books that I have ever read. Civilization is nearly destroyed and the setting of this book is almost like an old western. The characters have to hunt and forage for their food, travel is done mostly on foot, and the cities that were salvaged consist of wood buildings and dirt roads. Elka, the heroine in this story, is an incredibly talented hunter. She learned all of her tricks and skills from her childhood caregiver, Trapper. Elka was content with the simple life that she and Trapper had carved out for themselves in the mountains. That is, until she learns what Trapper really does when he goes off on his own to hunt "wolves".

Her world is shredded apart as she learns that the man she secretly calls father is actually a monster of the worst kind. She flees into the mountains with nothing more than her knowledge and a knife. Elka's survival skills will be tested as she tries to outrun Trapper, the law, and the horrors of her past.

"The Wolf Road" is a thriller that will keep your heart pounding from the first page to the last. Elka is a heroine that you will love one moment and hate the next. You won't know whether to root for her or be afraid of her. The story itself is a bit dark and demented with a plot twist that might make you sick. If you like books that are about survival and have an every-man-for-himself mentality, then you might just love this one. However, I feel like this book needs to come with a disclaimer. The language is unsuitable for youth and if I had known the turn the storyline was going to take, then I never would have picked this one up. However, that is my personal opinion. The author is talented and the book is written very well.

I received a copy of "The Wolf Road" from Blogging for Books for this review.

"Challenger Deep"

I joined a book club in my neighborhood to try to expand my horizons. Plus, who doesn't love to get together just to talk about books? "Challenger Deep", by Neal Shusterman, was the first book that we read and let me tell you, I am so glad that I had people to discuss it with.

Neal Shusterman takes you into the mind of Caden Bosch, a high school student that walks around with a secret alternative universe in his head. He has to differentiate between what is real and what is not. For a while, the reader does too. Caden's life is split, and he does a pretty good job of keeping his internal struggle to himself, until he can't contain the voices in his head anymore. His parents send him to get help. This is where the lines between worlds are the blurriest, before they all become clear and Caden finally realizes what he has to do to be free. 

"Challenger Deep" is exactly what the title says - challenging and deep. It doesn't just give the reader an idea of what it would be like to have a mental disorder, it thrusts the reader so far into Caden's mind that you yourself have a hard time picking through the voices and all of the information. You really get to experience what it would be like to have all of these different voices telling you what is right and what is real and how confusing that would be. You can tell the author really put his whole heart and soul into this book. It is full of depth and raw emotion. If you are looking for a book that is more than just a 'light read', then go get a copy of this right now. It definitely earned 5 out of 5 stars. Check it out and let me know what you think! 

"Kiss and Spell"

If you haven't read the first three "Ever After High" books, you need to. They are so much fun. "Kiss and Spell", by Suzanne Selfors, is a continuation of those stories. You don't necessarily have to read the first three before this one, but it will definitely help you understand what is going on if you do.

"Kiss and Spell" takes you back to the world of Ever After High where the children of all of our beloved fairytale characters are going to school together. This story is about the best chef in all of the fairytale kingdom, Ginger Breadhouse (Daughter of the Candy Witch). She has her own cooking show that is about to be cancelled which will take all of her dreams of becoming a famous chef with it. In one last attempt to increase the number of viewers, Ginger decides to bake a wish cake. It will grant whomever eats it one small wish. Except the magic backfires and turns Hopper Croakington (son of the Frog Prince) into a permanent frog. The longer he stays in his amphibian form, the more froglike he becomes. Ginger has to figure out how to turn him back before the frog in him completely takes over.

"Kiss and Spell" is a fun continuation of the Ever After High stories. This one was written by a different author than the first three, but you have to pay really close attention to notice the difference in writing style. Since these books are meant for youth, I don't think any of the intended readers will see a difference. The story is so fun and describes what it was like for Ginger to grow up with the Candy Witch for a mom who always put something nasty in her recipes. Kids will definitely be able to relate to the characters and the story includes some old favorites like Raven Queen, Briar Beauty, Madeline Hatter, and Apple White. The text is clean and easy to get through. 5 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend this for anyone with fantasy-loving kids. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Brooklyn on Fire"

Does anyone else out there love murder mysteries? I eat them up. Especially when they include a twist of romance. "Brooklyn on Fire", by Lawrence H. Levy, just happens to be one of those books. Mary Handley is a female detective working privately out of the back office of a book store. Set in 1890, where female worker's were generally limited to clerical occupations, Mary is determined to fully support herself through her detective work.

Mary's first task is to look into a 20-year old murder that involves some of Brooklyn's elite. This case leads to two more murders and becomes very personal for Mary. She becomes mixed up in a web involving some of the most powerful and dangerous people in New York. While she digs into the case, someone else is trying to dig his way into her heart.

"Brooklyn on Fire" mixes together mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Lawrence H. Levy takes the reader on an adventure with loads of unexpected twists and turns. The storyline is captivating and the characters really come to life. The only downfall is the language and some sexual scenes that are included. The pros of this book definitely do not outweigh the cons, so I would have to recommend that you do not read this book. 3 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from "Blogging for Books" for this review. You can get your hands on a copy by clicking here. Or learn more about the author by clicking here.

"The Reflections of Queen Snow White"

"The Reflections of Queen Snow White", by David Meredith, takes the traditional story of Snow White and adds on to it. Queen Snow White is now a grown woman with a daughter of her own about to get married. Prince Charming passed away and year ago and the queen is still mourning his loss, which means she has shut off the world, including her daughter. In a moment of desperation she goes to the one place in the castle that has been completely abandoned - the evil queen's tower.

Once she's there she finds a magic mirror that reflects images and memories of her past. The mirror helps her remember and face things that ultimately help her find herself again. She goes through the ugliest and best moments of her life through the reflections of the magic mirror. The reader gets to know a different version of Snow White through this book. Her past with the Evil Queen is dark and ugly and her life with Prince Charming is not as completely 'happily ever after' as we believe.

Although this is based off a children's story, this book is definitely not meant for kids. The author describes in detail the types of beatings and punishments that Snow White endured at the hands of the Evil Queen. Then goes on to describe, in detail, her wedding night with Prince Charming and some intimate moments after that. The story line is interesting and, like I said, the reader gets to know a different version of Snow White. The overall feel of the book was a little too dark for my taste and if you are looking for a clean read, then this is not the book for you. Otherwise, you can get your copy on Amazon now and take it with you on your next family vacation this summer. 3 out of 5 stars. I receive a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Pet Vet"

My awesome little sister loaned me her copies of the "Pet Vet" books, by Darrel and Sally Odgers, and kept badgering me until I read them. She is always encouraging me to read the same books that she reads. :) Even though I was able to finish two of these books within a couple of hours, they are still a fun read.

Trump is a Jack Russell terrier that acts as an Animal Liaison Officer to his owner and veterinarian,  Dr. Jeanie. Which means that he helps comfort the animals that need to go to the vet. Dr. Jeanie runs the pet vet clinic and these books are all about the different animals that she helps.There are 6 pet vet books, each one is about 90 pages. These books are fun while still being informational. There are little boxes off to the side of the text that will define big words that kids might not understand and it shares detailed information about the different animals in each book.

The Pet Vet series are good for kids in 3rd grade to 6th grade, depending on their reading level. They are completely appropriate and full of fun information. While the main characters are the same throughout the books, the stories are different, so you don't have to read the whole series if you don't want to. Pick this up for the kid in your life and even read it with them if you want. :)  4 out of 5 stars. As always, let me know what you think!

"The Mapmakers Children"

"The Mapmaker's Children", by Sarah McCoy, is a beautifully written story that ties together characters from modern Washington, D.C. and their predecessors in 19th century New York. Sarah Brown is the daughter of a slave abolitionist. She believes in her fathers cause and she decides to offer her artistic abilities to help the underground movement. She learns that courage, bravery, and love are what she needs most in life and she lives hers to the fullest.

A little over a century later, Eden's life is crumbling as she experiences another failed attempt at starting a family. Her marriage is struggling and she has lost her purpose for living. By uncanny coincidence, she discovers a doll in her cellar left by a little girl on the run long ago. This doll holds the secrets to unraveling history from the days of the Underground Railroad, and also helps bring happiness and fulfillment back into Eden's life.

Sarah McCoy beautifully intertwines these two stories. The storyline simply flows as we go back and forth between reading about Sarah and reading about Eden. This story shows the strength of women and what a difference they can make. It defines bravery, family, courage and love. It is a beautifully written story, with wonderful morals tied in. It's fun, clean, and inspiring. 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this to readers of all ages. Check it out and let me know what you think!

I received a copy of "The Mapmaker's Children" from Blogging for Books. You can get your copy here. And learn more about the author here.

"Throne of Glass"

I was so excited to try something new this time around. I had so much to say about the "Throne of Glass" series, by Sarah J. Maas, that I decided to do a video to tell you all about it. So I got my room all set up, I had to set my laptop on a stack of books on a stool so I could get the lighting just right, and then....my video won't load. :( Turns out I had too much to say about this series and my video was longer than Blogger lets you post. SO, after almost a week of trying to get that video on here, I am going to just write my review instead. (Add pregnancy brain to the equation and it's no wonder it has been so long since my last post).

The "Throne of Glass" series is currently comprised of 4 books, with the fifth one being released this fall. The first book, "Throne of Glass", is about a young girl in one of the worst prisons imaginable. One day she gets an irresistible offer to be taken out of the prison and become a competitor in a tournament to become the kings champion. Because she also happens to be the most famous assassin around. Celaena, has to fight some of the most ruthless men in the kingdom to win her freedom. All while trying to figure out what evil is lurking in the castle and claiming lives of unsuspecting victims.

The next three books are as follows: "Crown of Midnight", "Heir of Fire", and "Queen of Shadows". Once Celaena gains her freedom she is thrown into situations that involve way more emotions than she has let herself feel in years. She finds friends in unlikely places and discovers new relationships. An irreversible tragedy occurs that turns Celaena's life upside down and suddenly friends become enemies and she has to travel to a different land. She meets someone (my favorite character) that helps her realize her true potential and guides her on her journey to fulfilling her destiny.

These books are full of rich characters, an interactive storyline, and twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There are assassins, princes, witches, demons, Fae warriors, and so much more. The setting of the story is unique as well. Sarah created an entire world where there is a mixture of old-fashioned, modern, and fairy-tale. You will live, eat, and breath these books. It satisfied my need for action, comedy, thrill, and of course, romance. This is on my top 3 favorite series list, and it will earn it's spot on your list too. High school age and older is who I would recommend reads this. 5 out of 5 stars. Check this out and please take the time to let me know what you think. I'm dying to know!

   

Disclaimer: I tried to keep this review as "spoiler proof" as possible. Each of the titles of the books will lead you to a more in depth description if you would like. :)