Maybe Someday Review

Maybe Someday (Maybe #1)

By Colleen Hoover

Published March 18th, 2014 by Atria Books

367 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!! 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance.

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.

Review:

I'm slowly making my way through Colleen Hoover's books and I'm absolutely enjoying them! I definitely think that this is one of my favorites though. There were so many emotions that I felt throughout this book and there were quite a few times that I cried like a baby (which is a good thing). 

I really enjoyed Sydney's character and reading through her perspective. She's a talented song writer and a good person. She makes some mistakes but she's a realistic character and a great friend. I felt for her during most of the book and I loved that the reader gets to see her grow. Ridge was an awesome guy and I fell in love with him almost immediately! He makes a few mistakes as well and while he is awesome, he isn't perfect. And the fact that both Sydney and Ridge were realistic was great. Ridge is also an extremely talented musician and I wish I could tell you more about it but I don't think it is something that one should know before going into the book. And since I don't want to spoil anything I can't go into much detail about the whole relationship between Ridge and Sydney.I can tell you that it is completely amazing and unique though. I loved watching them interact and seeing their relationship grow. There is a love triangle but it is not an ordinary one at all. I won't say who is in the triangle but it definitely plays a major part in the book. It wasn't annoying either. It added to the emotions that the characters felt and that I felt with them. And that's another thing! There were quite a few characters in this book that I really loved. They each had something good about them and I'd love to know more.

All I can say is that Maybe Someday is a must read! If you have read Colleen Hoover's other books, then you HAVE to read this one. If you haven't read anything by her, then definitely start with this one. There is so much that goes on this book and the characters grow so much by the end. I was completely enthralled by this book and I could not put it down! Plus it is dual perspective so you can read through Sydney's eyes and through Ridge's! I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to be able to read more of Colleen's work. Check it out now!

 Vanessa

My Christmas Wishlist #1

2014 Christmas Wishlist 

Happy Holidays Everybody! I hope everyone has been having a great month. Today I have a few books that I am hoping to receive under the tree! This is a part of my Christmas Wishlist in no particular order. What books are you wishing for this month? 




The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3)
By Michelle Hodkin 
Published November 4th, 2014 
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.

There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

It is absolutely killing me that I don't have this beautiful book in my hands right now! These books are amazing because there is suspense, mystery, romance, and much more! (By much more I mean Noah Shaw ;)) If you have not read the first two books in this trilogy, then you have not lived! Pick up all 3 for Christmas or just because!

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout 
Published October 21st, 2014 by Harlequin Teen


Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

I cannot wait to get this book! I loved White Hot Kiss and fell is love with Layla and Roth. If you haven't read the first book yet, then I recommend picking it up. Jennifer L. Armentrout is an awesome-sauce author and I always enjoy her books so check out the rest of them as well! 


The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1)
By Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published September 9th, 2014 by Scholastic Press

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .



I have always enjoyed reading books by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare so I definitely need this book soon! I don't really read middle grade but it is Holly Black and Cassandra Clare so why not? Plus it sounds pretty interesting. :) 


So these are a few books that are on my Christmas List. What are you wanting for Christmas?

Vanessa

Book Spotlight: The Paragraph Ranch

Hello Everyone! Today's book spotlight is The Paragraph Ranch by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon and is hosted by Sage's Blog Tours. Sounds pretty interesting so be sure to check it out!

The Paragraph Ranch
By Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Description 

Every writer knows you can’t go home again. But that’s just what is required of West Texas expatriate Dee Bennett-Kaufmann when her mother is badly injured in a mysterious car accident.

Single-again “Dr. Dee” has never been on the "A-team" in her trendy East Coast MFA program. When a prestigious summer fellowship gives her the chance to finally finish her book, salvage her career, and spend some quality time with her college-age daughter, Dee’s certain her luck is about to change. Returning to care for her irascible, widowed mother threatens all of that.

With so much at stake, Dee engineers a series of unorthodox strategies and creative tradeoffs to keep her options in play—and despite herself finds friendship, love, and the power of words in the unlikeliest of places.

Author Bios

Kay Ellington, a native West Texan, has worked in newspapers from New York to California to the Carolinas—and back again to Texas.

Barbara Brannon formerly led the Publishing Laboratory at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, but got to Texas as soon as she could.

Website - www.ParagraphRanch.com

Facebook -  www.facebook.com/TheParagraphRanch

                     www.facebook.com/ParagraphRanch refers to the writers’ retreat

  Twitter - @ParagraphRanch    

www.twitter.com/ParagraphRanch

Amazon -  www.amazon.com/Paragraph-Ranch-Book-ebook/dp/B00N6UFXR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410882991&sr=8-1&keywords=paragraph+ranch

Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/book/show/23198108-the-paragraph-ranch

Rules for Riders Excerpt!

Hello Everyone! Today I have an excerpt from Rules for Riders by Natalie Scott. The book sounds interesting so make sure to check it out! 

Rules for Riders

By Natalie Scott 

Published August 2014 

Genres: Young Adult / Romance

Synopsis:

Rules for Riders is a fast paced coming-of-age novel set in the competitive world of equestrian riding.

After a near fatal riding accident, Bebe Barkley is banned from riding and sent off to boarding school. There, she meets her roommate and fellow equestrian rider, Finn Foxley. The girls devise a scheme to get themselves kicked out of boarding school in order to return to the world that they love. Once back on the circuit, former friends become deadly rivals. 

Bebe's handsome trainer, Billy O'Reilly, gives her seven rules to follow in order to successfully compete. Through a series of tragic events, both girls are forced to abandon their dreams of Olympic gold. Bebe ventures down a dark road of self-destruction as she breaks every rule Billy taught her, only to be forced to relearn them in order to reclaim her life. Rules for Riders is a tale of lost dreams and the struggle to create new ones.

Available for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in eBook and paperback.

Excerpt:

KING

CHAPTER 1

I can still remember the first time I saw him...

He’s seventeen hands high, a dark bay, almost black, a white star on his forehead, and four white socks on his hind legs. I’m fifteen years old when I spy King bucking and rearing and giving the grooms a terrible time. I think he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

I point straight at him, “I want that horse.”

My father (otherwise known as the Colonel) rolls his eyes. “No, he’s wild. You just want him because he’s difficult like you.”

We’re at our neighbors, the O’Rileys, on a crisp Sunday morning. Jim O’Riley owns Starlight stables and is one of the best horse trainers in Connecticut. Jim winks at me. “For God’s sake, Colonel, everyone knows you made a ton of money in the stock market. Let her have the damn horse.”

“I said no,” shrieks the Colonel, remaining unconvinced. “Besides, who’ll train her?”

“I will,” Billy O’Riley, Jim’s oldest son, steps forward. His clear green eyes stare straight at King. “He’s a warm blood, sir, from Holland. We just bought him.”

The Colonel growls at Billy. “Listen son, I don’t care if he’s from friggin’ Japan! For God’s sake you’re only a couple of years older than my daughter.”

We all stand there watching, while his face turns bright red with rage. There’s no way in hell he's going to let me have this horse now. That would be too perfect. Instead, he shocks the pants off of me!

“Fine, but if you break your neck, don’t blame me.”

First thing the next morning I race over to the O’Rileys. By the time I reach the stables, I’m out of breath. Billy’s busy brushing down his horse, Stargazer. I walk over to King and stroke his mane. Then I pull a sugar cube out of my pocket. “Hey, boy.”

Billy looks up. “That’s funny, he doesn’t usually take to people so quickly. So let me guess, you want to take a ride?”

God, I’ve been riding since I was six! Okay, I admit it— Billy’s a hottie. I’ve had a crush on him forever. But it makes me crazy the way he still treats me like a little kid. He leans closer and places his hands firmly on his hips.

“Bebe, if I’m going to train you, there are rules for riders. The first one’s commitment. Without it, none of the other rules exist. If I agree to train you, you’ve got to give me 100 percent.”

I stare right back at him, giving him my best killer smile. “I’m all yours!”

For the next few weeks, he insists I do nothing but flat work. He hardly lets me ride across the yard without making sure I am doing it properly. Unlike the Colonel, Billy brings out the best in me and plays down the worst. Whatever I lack, he teaches me with infinite slowness; guiding King and I so we both gain confidence.

“That’s right. Keep your back straight, hold your head up, shoulders back.”

I learn from Billy that difficult horses become easy once you know how to handle them. With Billy’s training, I’m right on course. The Colonel’s threats don’t scare me. Instead, they fuel me, making me even more determined to succeed.

A few days later, I get to the stables early for some quiet time with King. Billy sneaks up behind me. I can feel his breath against my neck.

When I turn around, he has an amused look on his face. “So, do you finally want to take a ride? Isn’t that what you’ve been dying to do—jump every fence this side of Connecticut?”

I have this wild urge to hug him. Instead, I saddle up King. “C’mon, boy.”

King and I take off.

“Tell me what you’ve learned when you get back!” Billy shouts.

About the Author:

Natalie Scott grew up in Melbourne, often referred as the cultural capital of Australia because of its great restaurants, trendy cafes and great shopping! Natalie developed a love of books when her fourth grade teacher read the book Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis.

In high school Natalie devoured the classics, her favorite being Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. At University she studied English Literature and Communications, though she will openly admit to spending a lot of time at the college pub where she liked to make up outrageous stories before traveling extensively through Europe and the United States.

Throughout her travels, she fell in love with sunny California where she attended classes at UCLA Writer’s Program. Natalie also attended numerous writers’ conferences including Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Grubstreet. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Fiction award given at the Southern California Writers Conference. In her spare time, Scott worked as a spokes model for companies including the AMC Network,, We Entertainment, Hasbro, Adobe and Sony.

The Aussie gal is a foodie who loves Vegemite and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona where she enjoys sharing her passion for food, enjoys exploring new restaurants, happy hour, traveling, and a passion for books and fashion.

Scott’s debut novel, Rules for Riders, is a fast and furious, coming-of-age story set in the world of equestrian riding.

Connect with Natalie on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

To learn more, go to http://www.nataliescott.com/

The Franciscan by WR.PARK Excerpt!!

 Hello Everyone! Today I have an excerpt from The Franciscan by WR.PARK. The novel itself sounds pretty interesting so go ahead and check it out!

The most internationally anticipated religious suspense-thriller since Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, WR.PARK’s The Franciscan is now available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and CreateSpace. Written 14 years ago, The Franciscan eerily forebodes current events in the Vatican predicting the coming of the current Pope Francis and proves to be a timely novel more than a decade after it was penned. This is the first book in The Franciscan Trilogy.

Synopsis:

“The pope is not infallible.” When the newly elected Pope Francis utters this bold and unprecedented statement, he captures the attention of the world’s population. His reforms leave no corner untouched as he strips away the mask so long held before the face of the papacy. Bringing with him and open-minded candor rarely seen by public figures – he’s an inspiration to his followers – and a threat to those who oppose him.

“When I penned this novel about a fictitious Pope Francis fourteen years ago, I never envisioned that a future pope would select the name, Pope Francis I. This novel’s Pope Francis is a bold and courageous pope whose sweeping reforms reversing ancient Vatican edicts place his life in grave danger. The world can only hope and pray that today’s Pope Francis, as bold as he is, will be fruitful in his endeavors and have a lengthy and healthy reign,” said WR.PARK.

Excerpt:

NEARLY A WEEK HAD PASSED since Symon's discovery, and he had read the translated manuscripts numerous times.  He consumed the written words as a dying man gasps for breath.  The mystery surrounding the ancient narrative fueled his imagination and stimulated his craving to know more.  While he sat by the opening of the cave, the sun warmed his body, and meditation purified his soul.  What could have been Assuri's last words on earth, and the narrative of his days at the Library of Alexandria bewitched him beyond belief.

            “Somewhere,” he thought.  “Somewhere between the lines, somewhere hidden within Assuri's journal could be a clue to a far greater treasure.  A treasure that has  eluded humankind for thousands of years.  A treasure that could help answer the question: what was the history of the world prior to the mass destruction in Alexandria of recorded chronicles?”  Once again, Symon read the rendering of the second journal-manuscript.

“I, Assuri, a trusted slave of Babylon, journeyed by the great river to the northwest (Symon's note: Euphrates River), disembarking at a predetermined site before reaching the town of Carrhae.  Then west by land over the mountain range to the sea and Tarsus.  My beloved master had a relative who lived in Tarsus and who arranged passage by boat to Alexandria.  In all, I witnessed ten suns rise and set, and paid homage to the gods for my safety, which was in peril as I will relate.” (Symon's note: Estimating a distance of some 2,000 kilometers.)

            “My thoughtful master, knowing all well that I have never ventured far from the city, dispatched two mercenaries to accompany, guide and protect this humble servant on the trek to Alexandria with our most cherished volumes in tow.  When the request from Hypatia (Symon's note:  A most highly respected female mathematician and astronomer.) of Alexandria arrived, my master immediately routed a message to inform his dear friend that he would certainly comply.  It was an honor to have the writings of our late high priest Berossus' three volumes of

the world dating from Creation to the Great Flood copied and preserved in the Great Library at Alexandria.”  (Symon's note: About all that is presently known about the volumes is that Berossus estimated the time between the two events to be 400,000 years—a hundred times longer than Old Testament chronology.)

“I was excited beyond belief.  The journey would be tedious and dangerous, but my master's description of Alexandria and the library, and Hypatia's beauty filled my being with joy.  His entrusting the volumes greatly humbled this person.  My love for him grew like a raging river as he told me of rooms upon rooms filled with writings gathered for hundreds of years and valued more than gold.”  (Symon's note: There were an estimated 500,000 scroll-books

from Greece, Persia, Israel, India, Africa, and many other countries, all comprising the knowledge and history of the world to date.  Alexandria was a community of scholars studying and teaching: physics, literature, astronomy, philosophy, music, medicine, biology, mathematics and engineering.  The world's first research institute.  In the early 300's BC King Ptolemy I wrote:  ‘To all the sovereigns and governors on earth. I implore you to immediately send me works by authors of every kind: poets, rhetoricians and sophists, doctors and soothsayers, historians, and all others, too.’  Thus began the Library of Alexandria, and for hundreds of years the known writings, including history, were duplicated and stored.  The line of Ptolemys, ending with the death of Cleopatra, set out to not only collect every book in the world, but to translate them all into Greek.)

“With Berossus' works slung over my neck, close to my person in a large leather sheep-lined pouch, and my guides aboard, we set sail northwest.  The night's encampments were uncommonly dark.  On the fourth night, berthed on the bank where the great river sprang streams to both the north and south, I overheard the two men plotting to kill the servant and nip the valued prize. On the fifth night, playing the fool and obedient servant, and after grinding a powder from a known venomous plant, I sprinkled an amount sufficient enough into the

wine jug to render them in a death-like state for at least two days.  If they survived.  They fell for my offering, and drank with gluttonous passion.  At first light I left them in slumber, and pushed on, knowing full well they would not follow once they realized I was two days ahead of them.

Praise for The Franciscan:

New York Times bestselling author James Rollins commented on WR.PARK’s thirteenth novel: “I’ve been a fan of WR.PARK’s work for years.”

“The Franciscan featuring the first Pope Francis is about murder, suicide, extortion, assassins, devilish plots with a narrative with more twists and turns than a ride through purgatory.” – Publisher’s Auxiliary

“Unexpectedly thrust upon the throne of St. Peter by dark forces within the Vatican, this pope is trying to institute a radical agenda of change while contending with assassination attempts and political intrigue… and then things get really exciting.” – The Leaven Catholic Newspaper

“The Franciscan is a fascinating tale and has great general appeal. Readers who like intrigue and mystery in a colorful historical setting will enjoy [WR.PARK’s] effort and will certainly look forward to his subsequent offering.” – The Sun Newspaper

“Every now and then a book I’m asked to read and write about pleasantly surprises me. The Franciscan is a case point. It’s an intriguing read – weaving together two fascinating tales. It kept me interested up to and including the end.” – Northwest Florida Daily News

About the Author:

Author, columnist, teacher, lecturer, past president of three advertising agencies, William R. Park, Sr. is nationally known and respected in the advertising and literary worlds—and a Member of International Thriller Writers, Inc. His past works include: The Talking Stones, Overlay, Fatal Incision, plus ten others, each backed by glowing praise from numerous bestselling authors.

WR.PARK currently resides in the Kansas City area with his wife Genie. To learn more, and read what bestselling authors said about his body of work, visit: http://www.wrparkpublishinggroup.com/

Connect with WR.PARK on Twitter and Goodreads:

https://twitter.com/park_wr

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4132383.WR_PARK

Cress Review

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3)

By Marissa Meyer

Published February 4th, 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

550 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!!

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Review:

I absolutely LOVE this series! I have always enjoyed reading retellings of fairy tales and Marissa Meyer knows how to write a fantastic retelling. I love the characters and the situations they get themselves in. The character development is amazing as well. The reader is able to read the thoughts of multiple characters and it doesn't ever get confusing, at least not for me. It seems that we are introduced to new characters in each book but I haven't ever gotten them mixed up. They all add something to the whole story and are unique and lovable. I really don't know what I can say about this book that will do it any justice. I just know that it is amazing and I CANNOT wait for Winter next year.

In Cress our old friends are back along with some new ones. One of those new characters is Cress herself and I enjoyed how she is meant to be Rapunzel. Readers get character development with Cress, Thorne, Cinder, Scarlet, Wolf, and Kai. Cress and Thorne spend time together throughout most of the book and readers get to see them interact and form a type of relationship. I enjoyed Cress's character. She was a little naive at times but that makes sense because she had been by herself for so long. She was incredibly smart just like the other female leads. Cinder gets more weight added to her shoulders and Scarlet finds herself in some tough situations. I was so proud of the female leads because they went through quite a lot. Iko was also funny and sincere as usual. The guys were awesome as well and I got to see them in different situations. 

All in all, this was another great book in the series. I really want to read the next book, Winter. Readers get to meet some of the characters that will be in the next book and I'm very interested in learning more about them. There were so many feels that I experienced throughout this book. I cried, laughed, held my breath and cringed. If you haven't read this yet, then you definitely need to now! Marissa Meyer is an absolute favorite of mine and I can't wait to read more from her. 

Vanessa

Hark - A Christmas Collection Cover Reveal!

Hello Everyone! Today I am participating in the cover reveal for Hark - A Christmas Collection by Justin Bog. It sounds like a great read for the upcoming holidays to make sure to check it out! The cover also looks awesome and just right for the stories. 

Hark---A Christmas Collection 

By Justin Bog

Genre: Fiction, Short Stories

Book Description:

A beautifully written collection of short stories from critically acclaimed Pacific Northwest writer Justin Bog, Hark explores the range of emotions surrounding the holidays. From melancholy to madness, loss and despair to hope and forgiveness, these six tales shimmer with feelings, some we'd rather stuff away, that Christmas can evoke.

Set in colorful locations around the United States, from Anacortes, Washington, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sun Valley, Idaho, each tale focuses on people who struggle to make good choices, learn lessons, and maybe even find peace during the holiday season.

A bonus story, Poseidon Eyes, from Booktrope's upcoming reissue of Sandcastle and Other Stories---The Complete Edition, is included.

Add Hark---A Christmas Collection . . . onto your Goodreads Want To Read list: http://bit.ly/1A2jyoe

Vanessa