Monday, April 28, 2014

April '14 Book Reviews


Cybele's Secret by:  

Goodreads synopsis-Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a handsome Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, want to acquire the item as well.
My Review- {{{spoiler alert}}} I really love how this author writes. There is so much color, character, fun and personality in her books.  Although, I felt the story was good. I did have some issues with the character. This is just my option most likely but I don't think she should have ended up with Stoyan. I don't have anything wrong with him but there are too many differance between Stoyan and Paula. Personal experience tells me they won't last a year. Besides who won't want to date dashing and daring Duarte? I hope he gets to me Stela. There is also the fact that Tati was in some kinda of test but instead of giving us more of a hint the author forces on love at the end. I would much rather have a sister story. Besides all the character love stuff, I had a problem understand the city. I would normally say this is me but I wasn't the only one. Also the meeting that Paula was in confused me. I didn't really understand what was going on other then the I knew who the bad guy was when she was introduced. 
OVERALL: I still love the idea of the book and the story but there were alot of problems for me to really enjoy as much as I could have.
Stars: ** (2 out 5)

Come Away with Me by: Kristen Proby

Goodreads synopsis- Being confronted on the beach by a sexy stranger wasn't part of Natalie Conner's plans for a peaceful morning taking photos. And why on earth would he think she's taking pictures of him, anyway? Who is he? One thing’s for sure, he’s hot, and incredibly romantic, feeding Natalie’s wounded soul.Luke Williams just wants the world to give him a break, so seeing yet another camera aimed at his face has him ready to pounce on the beauty behind the lens. When he finds out she has no idea who he is, he's intrigued and more than a little tempted by her. Natalie has a body made for sex, a sassy mouth and Luke can’t get enough of her, but he’s not ready to tell her who he really his.
My Review-  If you like mushy, sweet, hot romance books then this book is most likely for you.
However, I don't really. There were problems with this books. One, exchange with character in settings. Example: The characters are leaving a place while having a conversation. The author forgot to including us in their walk to the car so we go from one setting to another without warning or pause in conversation. I also felt that the ending was just WAY to much WAY to fast. The first 8 chapters are slow, sweet and fun and then it turns suddening into a SOAP OPERA with a mushy sweet ending where everyone wins. I did like the main characters but I probably won't be reading anymore of this series or related series.
Stars: ** (2 out 5)  

The Life of Glass by: Jillian Cantor 

Goodreads synopsis-Even though Melissa knows that beauty isn't only skin deep, the people around her don't seem to feel that way. There's her gorgeous sister, Ashley, who will barely acknowledge Melissa at school; there's her best friend, Ryan, who may be falling in love with the sophisticated Courtney; and there's Melissa's mother, who's dating someone new, someone Melissa knows will never be able to replace her father. To make sure she doesn't lose her father completely, Melissa spends her time trying to piece together the last of his secrets and finishing a journal he began—one about love and relationships and the remarkable ways people find one another. But when tragedy strikes, Melissa has to start living and loving in the present as she realizes that being beautiful on the outside doesn't mean you can't be beautiful on the inside.
My Review- This didn't move or touch me. There was no real major AHA moment or change brought about. It was a simple read and that was it. 
Stars: ** (2 out 5)  

Freak of Nature by: Julia Crane

Goodreads synopsis-Donate Body to Science. Check. When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.
My Review-I received this book in return for an honest review via Netgalley.- I was really exited to for this book. I was expecting so much, but it didn't hold. I don't mind the love parts but it the rest was a little weird. I felt the one of the character was bad turn out differently. I also felt the story was just starting by the end. I was expecting so much more action and nope nothing. Not even a fight. What? Blah. I wouldn't mind a series out of this, just to see where things go. For that read Maxium Ride...it seems like that. More of a Scifi book to raise awareness of stuff. 
Stars: ** (2.5 out 5)  

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Office Depot: Teachers Change Lives





My brother has special needs and will be attending school for most of his life. Although this doesn't change who he is to me, the teachers and education he receives could effect him. Did you know that teachers spend money every year out of their own pocket, especially in underfunded areas? That is why I have teamed with Office Depot to bring importance to Teachers Change Lives program from Adopt-A-Classroom; which is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students.

Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students. Meet Virginia Hamilton who uses her love of animals to teach students about giving back. This story touches me in sooo many ways. I am a huge fan on volunteering. I think that Virginia is doing something amazing by instilling that in her students. I also love that this teacher is in my home state, Florida. We have one of the worst school rates in the country but this just shows that there is good in our state too. Take a watch of what Virginia Hamilton and her students of Indialantic Elementary are doing. 


You can donate to help Virginia Hamilton meet her goals or help another classroom changing lives in all across the country. Please, don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to touch our students lives. This could be your student or your child or your sibling. Please help.
How to Register Your Classroom as a Teacher
  1. Go to Teachers Change Lives website (http://clvr.li/1emq4KF)
  2. Click on the red box that says "Register Your Classroom," which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
  3. Follow the corresponding steps from there
How to Donate to a Teacher
  1. Go to Teachers Change Lives  website (http://clvr.li/1emq4KF)
  2. Click on the teal "Donate to a Teacher" box on the Teachers Change Lives website (http://clvr.li/1emq4KF), which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
  3. Follow the corresponding steps from there.

I hoping to save enough money to donate to this amazing cause. Education in our country is lacking and I believe the time has come to reward our hard working teachers and build our children. 




I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.



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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Site Peek // Catching Cody K


I am follow Shane from Whispering Sweet Nothings and she had this really cool post about the site Peek. What they do is have you submit your site to critic. He records what is wrong, or right, about your site. Well the dude was pretty harsh on Shane. Yet, I was still curious so I enter my blog. Below is the video:


He wasn't as bad as I thought he would, but I did update my blog to my new design. I can't say that I have anything to take back from it. Other then maybe I should start sponsoring again.

What do you think about my review? What about my blog? Do you like the new look? Would you sponsor me? How much would you pay? Are you going to sign up for the review? If so, I'd love to see it.



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Friday, April 11, 2014

Currently + Art Vlog



 

  1. Listening...My video with "Cooler than Me"
  2. Eating...Nothing yet cereal really soon. 
  3. Drinking...Water. It is the only thing I drink anymore. I have been soda free forever now. 
  4. Wearing...Pjays because believe or not I just got up. 
  5. Feeling...Tired but very very creative. I wish I had a craft room or corner because I would be going through all the craft stuff. 
  6. Weather...Yucky and rainy right now. And cold. Blah. Where is my Florida Sunshine?
  7. Wanting...To eat, craft and shop at the dollar tree. You too? =]
  8. Needing...A job to support my unhealthy habit of following really cute IG shops.
  9. Thinking...About a really cool perler bead idea but I need to buy some first. haha.
  10. Enjoying...YOUTUBE! Seriously there are so many craft cute people on there and I have been enjoying every video. I wish my internet was high speed so I could really enjoy it. 
  11. Missing...My cat Koda. I miss him sooo bad. I had a dream about him last. It was good because he was a daddy with an adorable batch of cute kitties and a very pretty wife. 
  12. Dreaming...About my cat, a job, learning to really sew and a BRAND NEW TV
  13. Loving...What is going to happen tomorrow.
  14. Not Loving...That our bank once again has screwed with things. I am getting to the point where I just want have one anymore. 







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Friday, April 4, 2014

Book Reviews Jan / Feb / Mar '14




Huntress: by Malinda Lo
Goodreads synopsis- Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance. To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission.
My Review-  It wasn't a bad book but I felt like the character were flat. I don't know. It didn't seem to have real characteristics. 
Stars: 2

Ash: by Malinda Lo
Goodreads synopsis- In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.
My Review- I didn't like this book. It seems to go nowhere for a long time and then ended just perfectly. To perfectly. The main charter got what she wanted without change or struggle.  
Stars: 2

The Snow Fox: by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
Goodreads synopsis-One thousand years ago, chaos loosed itself upon Japan, upending an era in which the arts flourished. At the dawn of 250 years of civil war, in the opulent court of Lord Norimasa, the beautiful but cruel poet Lady Utsu wages war with men's hearts and holds the fearsome lord and his devoted samurai Matsuhito in her thrall.
My Review- This is one of the most longest books that I have read but it was worth every chapter. I was enchanted from beginning to end. I thought it was beautiful, mysterous and believable. There were so many lines that I loved from this book. I will be sharing them soon. 
Stars: 5

Cress: by Marissa Meyer
Goodreads synopsis-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. 
My Review-Oh My GOODNESS this is packed with action. I don't think I put this book down. I really love how the author has tied everything together and added new twists. I am soo excited for the new book. 
Stars: 4
**Note: It's hard to judge a book in series without thinking of the whole series. So this book might have a 4, the whole series might not be good. (this series isn't finished yet)**

Darkbeast: by Morgan Keyes
Goodreads synopsis- In Keara’s world, every child has a darkbeast—a creature that takes dark emotions like anger, pride, and rebellion. Keara’s darkbeast is Caw, a raven, and Keara can be free of her worst feelings by transferring them to Caw. He is her constant companion, and they are magically bound to each other until Keara’s twelfth birthday. For on that day Keara must kill her darkbeast—that is the law. Refusing to kill a darkbeast is an offense to the gods, and such heresy is harshly punished by the feared Inquisitors. But Keara cannot imagine life without Caw.
My Review- I don't think the author did a good job on writing out the description of things. I was a little confused about some of the books items. The plot was pretty good but it seemed to fall flat half way through. Although the ending kinda of tied together things, I hope that a second book will come out to help. 
Stars: 2


Ignite Me: by Tahereh Mafi

Goodreads synopsis-With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.
My Review- Amazing. Stunning. All the details of the last books have come together, finally! I can't believe that I almost gave up on this series. I am excited now to read the next one. 
**I die** I have to buy this book! So much goodness!
Stars: 5++++ 
**Note: It's hard to judge a book in series without thinking of the whole series. So this book might have a 4, the whole series might not be good. (this is the "last" one but it says series so we will see)**


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