Splattered Blood by Michael A. Draper

Synopsis:
THE CHIEF OF INTERNAL SECURITY for New England's professional basketball team, the Highlanders, is found dead in his office, with a suicide note and conflicting evidence of foul play. Refusing to believe he would have had reason to kill himself, and frustrated with the slowness of the police force's progress on the case, Johnny's widow, Roseanne, and best friend, Randy, launch a renegade investigation of their own. Aided by Roseanne's brother Graham, a fiercely protective loose cannon, they dig up evidence that Johnny, just previous to the date of his death, was running his own undercover investigation into the drug overdose of a star player for the Highlanders. The amateur detectives find themselves mixed up with a ruthless gang of mobsters, many of whom are responsible for the drug trade-and a string of violent murders - from Washington, D.C. to Boston. When their quest takes a gruesome and deadly turn, the three wonder if they're in over their heads. A gritty tale in the vein of Dennis Lehane and Robert B. Parker, Splattered Blood keeps readers guessing,with suspense and retribution on every page.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)


My Thoughts:
Splattered Blood took me quite a while to read. It took me almost two weeks, which is very unusual for me. In my personal opinion, the book started off slow and stayed slow throughout the middle and end. Of course, that could be because it's not my usual genre to read. My favorite character was Evan. I liked his attitude, and how he wasn't afraid to get deep to get his story, even if it meant getting hurt or killed. At first, I couldn't stand Graham because of his arrogant and cocky attitude, but by the end of the book I liked him. I can honestly say there's not a character that I disliked in the book. The plot got confusing at times, with all the Russian characters with similar names. This book would be a good read for anyone who likes mysteries.


I give Splattered Blood: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Blog: http://mikedraperinguilford.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michael.a.draper1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5372350.Michael_A_Draper
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mikedtheauthor

I received this book in exchange for an honest review and was in no way compensated for this review.

Wicked and Son of a Witch giveaway on Fall Into Books

Usually, I wouldn't post other site's giveaways on my blog, but this one is an exception. Fall Into books is having an epic giveaway for the Wicked and Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire. These books are what the widely popular musical is based on. For more information on the books check out the Goodreads links here for Wicked. Here is the one for Son of a Witch. Check out the awesome giveaway and enter at the link below. Good luck everyone!
http://falln2books.blogspot.com/2012/01/wicked-and-son-of-witch-contest.html?showComment=1327797782162#c6219125238523207161

Ukus in My Hair by Michael Peacock

Synopsis:
Written and Illustrated by 10 year old Michael, this story of Pirate Fleas, adults and imagination can twist a smile out of anyone.


My Thoughts:
I read this book for the 2012 ebook challenge. Ukus in My Hair is a cute childrens' Hawaiian story about lice, written by a ten year old boy. It uses a little bit of Hawaiian slang, but is still very easy to read and follow along. The illustrations are adorable, also drawn by the ten yea r old. The characters are very creative and witty. The pirates made me chuckle, and had a lot of fun sarcasm. I would recommend this book to any young readers, or parents looking for a fun read with their child.


I give Ukus in My Hair: 4/5.


Want to know where to buy this book?
Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/ukus-in-my-hair/4569893
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ukus-Hair-Childrens-Tale-ebook/dp/B005CS689C
Itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ukus-in-my-hair/id454974342?mt=11
Google: http://books.google.com/books/about/Ukus_In_My_Hair.html?id=bQx8-VNQUXkC
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ukus-in-my-hair-michael-peacock/1105685958

I recieved this book for free for Kindle, and was in no way compensated for this review.

My first giveaway!

Since we reached 50 followers on the blog, and 100 Facebook followers, I have decided to give away some swag. What can I win, you ask? Well, I have trading cards and bookmarks from the book Redheart by Jackie Gamber. I'll have pictures of everything up later tonight, but for now, here's a picture of the book:

I haven't read Redheart yet, but it's in my to review pile, and looks like a great read. Check out the book here if you want more information on it.


Rules

• Become a GFC Follower
• Leave a comment with your GFC name, email address and anything else you want to say.
• US Only
• I will use random.org to pick a winner on January 31st.
• Winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address to claim the prize.

But that's not all! If I get to 100 followers during this giveaway, I'll also giveaway an ARC of Bewitching by Alex Flinn, the author of Beastly, to one lucky follower. To find out more information about the book, you can check out this page.

Have fun and good luck!

11:15: The Making of a Halfling by Heather Burch

Synopsis:
In this illustrated prequel to the Halflings trilogy, written by Heather Burch, Mace and Raven are given a mission to stop a catastrophic event. With his halfling abilities still untapped, Vine is allowed to join the mission, but only as a spectator. The clock is ticking and the tragedy is proving difficult to stop. Will Vine be able to sit back and watch, or will the power of heaven unleash just in time?
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:
I read this for the 2012 ebook challenge. I enjoyed this short prequel more than I did Halflings, book one in the series. It had a great story line and full of suspense. Although, I must admit, the fight at the beginning between Raven and Vine is kind of boring. The thing I liked best about 11:15 was that you got to hear more of Vine's story, and how tapped to become a halfling. I liked Vine in the first book, but we didn't get to hear much about him until this prequel. I was amazed that he found the problem at the concert almost right away. The illustrations in the ebook are drawn really well. They give a lot of insight to what the characters look like, and they looked way different in my head. This was a very enjoyable prequel. I kind of wish I would have read it before I read the book. I think if I would have read the prequel first, I would have liked the first book better. 


I give 11:15: The Making of a Halfling: 4/5.


Want to know where to get this book?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/11-Making-Halfling-ebook-ebook/dp/B006MG3GUC
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/11-zondervan/1107958625
Christian Book: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=23651EB
Zondervan: http://www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/0310723469_samptxt.pdf

This book is free for all devices, including computer.

I received this book free for Kindle, and was in no way compensated for this review.

Save the Last Dance by M.G. Crisci

Synopsis:
A turn of the century romance between a boy named Charlie and a girl named Fanny that lasts for eight decades. Along the way, he marries twice, she marries once. They never marry each other...but the spark never dies.


My Thoughts:
I loved Save the Last Dance. It's very inspiring to think that after eighty years, and several rough patches, people can still love each other as much as the first day they met. I like how Fanny and Charlie even married other people, and still loved each other. I couldn't put Save the Last Dance down, and read it in a little over a day. The only person that I wasn't fond of in the book was Margie. She was very nasty and rude, and her drinking and whining got annoying. It took me about halfway through the book before I figured out it was non-fiction. Normally I hate non-fiction books, but that's not the case with this book. I must admit, the end of this book is sad, but in a good way. It made me cry for a little while after I finished it. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great love story. I can't wait to read the rest of M.G. Crisci's books.


I give Save the Last Dance: 5/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.mgcrisci.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofmgcrisci?sk=wall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5369018.M_G_Crisci
Twitter: http://twitter.com/worldofmgcrisci


I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and was in no way compensated for this review.

Shattered Into Pieces by Crystal Cattabriga

Synopsis:
Shattered Into Pieces is a true story based on events that took place in my life. A man I once call dad and trusted was now the man I was trying to escape from. Would I ever be able to deal with what was coming next? The shocking truth of who he really was and what he really did will leave you stunned. Find out how I survived and found closure to the life I knew and now left behind once and for all.

My Thoughts:

This book was pretty good. It takes a lot of courage to tell your story to thousands, maybe even millions of people. Crystal's story is very powerful and motivating. It makes people feel like no matter what they're going through, if they have hope they will get through it. The cover is absolutely beautiful. The rose in contrast to the woman's dark hair makes a stunning visual effect. The copy I received was a review copy with a lot of grammatical and spelling errors, which made it hard to read at times. I'm not sure if all copies are like this, or if I just got an unedited copy. The writing style was kind of different, which also made it difficult to understand at times. I identified with Crystal when people thought it was weird that she is so close to her mother-in-law. I am extremely close to my mother-in-law as well. This is a great book for people who are suffering through rough times and need a little motivation in their lives. 

I give Shattered Into Pieces: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://www.crystalcattabriga.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ccattabriga

http://www.facebook.com/crystalcattabriga

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5045548.Crystal_Cattabriga

Google+: https://plus.google.com/109241005842574329613/posts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ccattabriga

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and was in no way compensated for this review.

My Next Ten Books to Read and Review.

I figured I would start making these posts to let authors know where I'm at with reading their books. I have about 60 books to read and review and it gets very stressful sometimes. This winter, I've had a lot of interruptions that caused my review pile to get off schedule, such as being sick and tearing my quad muscle. I figured this would make it easier for everyone, and get myself organized at the same time. Once I get mostly done with this list, I'll post a list with the next ten books.

1. Save the Last Dance by M.G. Crisci
I'm about halfway done with this book, and I absolutely love it. I should have a review up by Monday, but hopefully before then.

2. Shattered Into Pieces by Crystal Cattabriga
This book looks good, and should only take me a couple days to read since it's short. I expect to have the review up sometime next week.

3. Splattered Blood by Michael A. Draper
I know that unfortunately, I'll be a couple weeks late with this review. I'll try to have it done a couple weeks after the book is released.

4. Call Sign, White Lily by M.G. Crisci
This book sounds amazing. Since I'm loving his other book, Save the Last Dance, I can't wait to read this one.

5. Patriote Peril by Thomas Thorpe
I must admit, I'm a little nervous about reading this book. It's the third book in the series, and I haven't read the other two. I promised the author I would review it, so I'm going to give it a try. Has anyone read this book? If so, leave me a comment and let me know if it can be read as a stand alone book also.

6. The Deadly by Julius St. Clair
This is going to sound weird, but I absolutely love this cover. I know it's plain, and most people would consider it boring. In my personal opinion, it makes the book more mysterious. I want to open the book and ind out what it's about since the cover doesn't give much away.

7. Caribbean Calling by J.D. Gordon
This book for me, is going to be a break from my normal genres that I read, which is good every now and then. I'm pretty excited to give it a try and find out if I like it or not.

8. Kritterkreep by J.D. Gordon
I love this title. It sounds really spooky and interesting. It should be a short, fun read.

9. Dead: The Ugly Beginning by T.W. Brown
I am very excited to read this book. I love zombie novels, and anything to do with zombies in general. I'm sure that I'm going to have fun reading it.

10. Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani
This book seems like it's been sitting my review pile forever just waiting to get read. I think I got it near the beginning of December. The plot sounds interesting, and I can't wait to read it.


These are the reviews that will be coming up within the next few weeks, with a couple Kindle children's books thrown in. Have you read any of these books? If so, leave a comment and let me know what you thought of them.

Stop SOPA and PIPA

Hi blog followers! Recently SOPA and PIPA have been getting a lot of attention online. I'm sure you've heard of them by now. SOPA and PIPA are both bills that are working their way through Congress and need to be stopped. You can find a lot of information on SOPA and PIPA and how they affect you here. Please sign this petition to let the government know that you are against SOPA and PIPA:

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

I hope you take the time to sign the petition and spread the word to everyone!

Hello!: Is that you God? by Adrian Hawkes

Synopsis:
Our problem is that sometimes we cannot hear properly; and sometimes for all sorts of reasons we fail to understand. A bit like a child who develops communication and they grow and mature in communication skills. It is not immediate; and actually we continue to develop interpersonal communications for the whole of our lives. Many of us could enjoy the same experience (journey) in our communications with God.

"It's interesting that as we get older we cut out certain frequencies. Sometimes our ears are just not attuned, or sometimes it's because of distraction, like when I pull up in my car and start talking to my next door neighbour and sub-consciously disregard the regular bell-like pulse of my alarm that tells me the fact that I've left my lights on to my peril. Perhaps the alarm is ringing and this book will help you to hear it."-Dave Bilbrough, International worship leader and songwriter

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
I did not enjoy this book. The pictures didn't match the stories at all. The author of the story said that he believes in God, yet he doesn't trust God enough to send a hot water bottle to Africa. He seemed very hypocritical telling his stories, such as the one mentioned above. I am happy that this was a very short read, because I didn't waste much time reading it. At less than fifty pages, it only took about half an hour to read. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone to read. 

I give Hello!: Is that you God?: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  http://www.adrianhawkes.co.uk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2060020.Adrian_L_Hawkes

I received this book in exchange for an honest review and was in no way compensated for this review.

Halflings by Heather Burch

Synopsis:
After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with. 

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)


My Thoughts:
I read this for the 2012 e book challenge. This book started off slowly for me. It was very hard for me to keep my attention focused on the book for long periods of time. Some parts of the book are very boring, such as some of the conversations between Krissy and Nikki. When Will is explaining about the Halflings and what they are, I also found that boring. Other scenes, such as the fight scene near the end, keep you on the edge of your seat. My favorite Halfling is Raven. I like his attitude and fighting skill. Instead of just trying to protect Nikki, like Mace did, he also taught her how to fight, which saved her life on several occasions. I personally thought Nikki was an okay character. She was very whiny in some parts of the story.  For example, everyone wanted her to be more girly and she kept complaining. The one time I thought she was very kick ass was when she killed the hell hound. This was a decently good book, but it had the potential to be so much better. 


I give Halflings: 3/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.heatherburchbooks.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4983102.Heather_Burch
Twitter: http://twitter.com/heatherburch
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1385713839&sk=wall

I received this book from the publisher from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Dragons in a Winter Wonderland by P.A. Woodburn

Synopsis:
On a very hot day, two young dragons go out for a walk. They accidentally go through a portal to another world. Suddenly they find themselves lost in a strange, cold world of snow and ice. Too young to fly and unable to climb up the slippery slope they are afraid that they will not be able to find their way home.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)


My Thoughts: 
I read this for the 2012 ebook challenge. Dragons in a Winter Wonderland is a great story to read to your children before they go to bed. It is a cute story, but it doesn't really have an educational lesson in it. Freddie and Alice's father specifically warn them to stay away from the door. However, when they go through the door and come back to their father, they aren't scolded at all. Instead, they are rewarded by getting to spend Christmas with their new friends. I personally think that teaches children that if they don't listen to their parents, there will be no consequences.  The one thing this story teaches a little is the value of friendship, with everyone helping out getting the Christmas tree. The illustrations are very cute. This is a story that will entertain younger children during the winter. 


I give Dragons in a Winter Wonderland: 2/5.


Want to know where to buy this book?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Winter-Wonderland-ebook/dp/B006R1FBBY
At the time this review is posted, Amazon Prime members can still get this book for free.

I got this book free for Amazon Kindle, and was in no way compensated for this review.

James Saves the Moon by Wendy Nystrom

Synopsis:
"Here within lies a tale of a young boy named James, which takes place in a far away island nation of Iceland."
Travel along with James up the mountain, soaring through the air with his friends he meets along the way to reach the moon.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)


My Thoughts:
James Saves the Moon is an adorable children's story. It gives kids hope and teaches them an important lesson: never give up on you dreams, no matter how foolish they may seem. The author adds a lot of Iceland customs and fairy tales, such as the legend of the Huldufolk. She then goes on to explain what each thing is in detail, which kind of annoyed me. If I wanted to know more about dried fish, I could look it up online. From a child's perspective though, I guess it might be easier to explain it instead of Googling it. The illustrations in the book are very well drawn. They almost make the reader feel like they are in the story, seeing it for themselves. I think my favorite character was Syvok. He was witty and a joy to listen to. He made me chuckle more than once. This is a great book for beginning readers. I can't wait to see where James' adventures will take him next. 


I give James Saves the Moon: 3/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wbnystrom
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5077530.Wendy_Nystrom

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and was in no way compensated for this review.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Synopsis:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)


My Thoughts:
I thought Cinder was a wonderful book. Most YA books are about paranormal things, such as werewolves and vampires. This was a refreshing change of pace from the normal YA novels. Cinder is about a cyborg who falls in love with a prince, but can't be with him. It was a great retelling of Cinderella for a new generation. The characters were very well written. Prince Kai was a bit whiny, but it didn't get annoying like most whiny characters do. Cinder is a strong, and smart character. I like that she was willing to sacrifice her well being for the good of her people to find a cure for the plague. The story was a little predictable. At the middle of the book, I was almost certain I knew what was going to happen at the end, and I was right. I recommend Cinder to anyone looking for something good to read. I can't wait for the second book in The Lunar Chronicles to come out. 


I give Cinder: 4/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarissaMeyerAuthor?ref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marissa_meyer

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way compensated for this review.

Weekend Vacation

Hello all my loyal readers and followers. This is just a note to let you know I am taking a weekend vacation from the blog to catch up on reading. I have about 60 physical copies of books that I got from authors and publishers to read and review. I've found that the internet is a distraction for me, and majorly cuts into my review time. So, from now until Monday morning, I won't be online in hopes of catching up on reading. On Monday, I promise things will be back to normal. I will post a lot of reviews about what I read iver the weekend, Thanks everyone for understanding!

Kayla

101 Tips for Traveling with a Vampire by Joleene Naylor

Synopsis:
There aren't many resources for humans running with the "undead" - until now. Featuring 101 tips for everything from boat travel to the classic Road trip. Sometimes funny and sometimes serious, these tips will prepare you for a vampire vacation. Includes a sneak peek of "Legacy of Ghosts", book 2 in the Amaranthine series.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:
I read this for the 2012 ebook challenge. This book, for me, was highly disappointing. I was expecting so much more. The author tries to be funny, but fails at it. A lot of the book is very cliche and cheesey. Most of the tips were things that you would do with anyone, not just  a vampire. Also, most of the tips are common sense things that you do while traveling. The character is never explained in the book, or given any background. In the introduction, her thoughts and sentences are very sloppy and flighty. Instead of explaining why she was giving tips, she just made me confused. This book was free for Kindle, and I am thankful that I didn't pay anything for it because I personally, would want my money back. Honestly, I don't recommend the book to anyone.


I give 101 Tips for Traveling with a Vampire: 1/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.joleenenaylor.com/flash.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joleene.naylor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3165393.Joleene_Naylor
Google+: https://plus.google.com/102925915756209535618/posts
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/joleene_naylor

I received this book for free on Kindle and was in no way compensated for this review.

The Keeper by Jessica Crawford Vernold

Synopsis:
Kaylee Carmichael thinks she's just ordinary but she couldn't be more wrong and wait until you find out who knows just how extraordinary she is. In The Keeper, sixteen year old Kaylee is a typical All American Tom boy spending her time at the barn instead of the mall. She makes an irrevocable mistake that claims the life of her best friend and she just can't pull it together. As a result, her parents decide to uproot the family and move from the Pacific Coast to a small town in Florida in the heart of the Deep South. She's never been good at making friends but when strange things start happening at the old plantation house she now calls home and she begins getting visits from the other side, she makes an unlikely friend, beautiful Zeke, an archangel sent to help her. She can't help falling for him even though she can't keep him, but things change when she finds out his dark secret that involves her best friend's death. Soon she finds herself in the clutches of one of the strongest fallen angels and he wants her for himself, but why? The keeper is the one person that the fallen need to gain control over because that person is the key to gaining power over souls in purgatory and heaven and Kaylee has no idea she is that person. Zeke and the other archangels are able to retrieve her just in time preventing Azza and his army from infiltrating the heavens. But where does that leave Kaylee and Zeke? They will have to choose between their love and his destiny. After discovering that Kaylee is indeed the keeper and the daughter of Michael the archangel she is able to be blessed properly. Azza is sent back where he belongs and Zeke has to return. However Kaylee and Zeke make a pact that in time he will chose life as a mortal in order to return to her.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:
This was a wonderful book. Probably my favorite that I've read so far this year. It kept me on the edge of my seat always wanting to know what was going to happen next. The characters were incredibly well written. When Kaylee was getting attacked by the evil spirits in her house, you could also identify and feel her fear. When she thinks about Cassie and the accident you feel pity for her. Zeke is also very well written. I just wish that his time before he met Kaylee was talked about a little more. I was very curious about it, even though it's not important to the story. Nick was written so well, he actually kinda scared me while reading the book. Some of the plot twists were pretty predictable, and I knew it was going to happen at the end of the book when I was about halfway through. Other plot twist left the read thinking, holy crap, where did that come from. The plot twist and the very end of the book completely floored me. I saw it going a completely different way than how it went. When the story ended, I felt like I was losing a friend. Even though it was a little predictable, I fell in love with this book, and would suggest it to everyone that likes suspenseful, YA, and paranormal books.


I give The Keeper: 5/5.


Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://readthekeeper.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicacrawfordvernold
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4644768.Jessica_Crawford_Vernold

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and was in no way compensated for this review.

Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne L. Watson

Synopsis:
When a stray kitten romps into Lynne's life, she has no idea what she's getting into. As Lynne describes in letters to her friend Angie, Skeeter is all cat-high-spirited, contrary, and inventive. He's so goofy that he reminds Lynne of her own nuttiest escapades; so irrepressible that even Lynne's neighbor, Mark, gets wound around his paw. And when Angie visits to see Skeeter for herself . . . . Well, no one who meets Skeeter will ever be quite the same again.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

I read this book as part of the 2012 ebook challenge. Skeeter: A Cat Tale is a cute tale about a troublesome cat written in letter format. I liked this book, but it could have been so much more. The first few pages left me confused as to who Angie and Lynne were and why they were writing, but that became apparent after a few more page. There is a whole chapter devoted to Melissa, but we never find out much about her. The characters other than Skeeter are under developed. I did like how Lynne put little stories in her letters that related to something Skeeter was doing at the time. Skeeter's antics also made me laugh. I could definitely relate to them, having had a few cats that misbehaved. The book was cute and entertaining, but left me a little disappointed. It had so much more potential.

I give Skeeter: A Cat Tale: 2.5/5

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://www.annelwatson.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53371.Anne_L_Watson

This book is still currently free on Amazon if you have a Kindle and would like to read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Skeeter-A-Cat-Tale-ebook/dp/B004I1KRUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325906929&sr=8-2

I received this book for free on Kindle and was in no way compensated for this review.

The Soul's Sonata by Rachael Wade

Synopsis:
At only twenty-five years old, Emily has lost her sense of worth and her identity has faded into a distant chasm. Abused, isolated, and a former shell of herself, she is trapped in her mind and in her music. Yet she has a dream—the only thing that reminds her she is still alive.
(Synopsis taken from Rachael Wade's website.)


My Thoughts:
I read this book for the 2012 ebook challenge. I thought this was a good short read. It gives hope to women that have been abused. It helps abused women discover that there's always a way out, and things will get better if you seek help. It's about this woman, Emily who gets abused by her boyfriend, Scott. She however finds comfort in gardening and playing the piano. The characters in this book are very well written. I wish that Mrs. Han was described in better detail, and there was a little bit more of her back story. My favorite character was Emily. She might be seen as weak by some people for putting up with Scott's abuse as long as she did. However, I think she was a very strong character for seeking help eventually. This ebook is a free book on her site that I highly suggest reading.


I give The Soul's Sonata: 4/5.


You can get this book for free by following the directions on this link: http://www.rachaelwade.com/?page_id=1450

I received this book for free and was in no way compensated for this review.

City of Lost Souls cover reveal

Look at this, isn't it beautiful? Finally, after waiting quite a while, we get to see the cover for City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. City of Lost Souls is the fifth book in The Mortal Instruments series. Personally, I can't wait for the book to come out, as if you couldn't tell by my Top 10 books I'm looking forward to in 2012 post. Check out this post at USA Today for a special preview of the prologue.

The Dusty Bookshelf Challenge 2012

I don't have bookshelves since we recently moved, but I have about four boxes full of books that have been sitting there just waiting for me to read. I have books from five or six years ago that I haven't even touched yet. Needless to say, I need a book reading challenge that lets me read all these, and I think this is the right challenge.

This challenge is being hosted by Jessica at Books: A true story.

Here are the steps for this challenge:

1. Write a blog post with a list of all those books that are literally or figuratively sitting on your shelf that you’ve been meaning to read for a while. You can pick books that you bought and haven’t read or books that you’ve just been waiting to read for a long time. Feel free to use the badge I made at the top of this post.

2. Pick a level

~Pixie Dust – Read 0-5 books

~Dust Bunny – Read 5-10 books

~Cobwebs – Read 10-15 books

~Grungy – Read 20+ books

EXTRA CREDIT-Say how long that book has been sitting on your shelf!

3. Link your blog post where you are doing the challenge at the bottom of this post (with the blue button) and then enter the giveaway!

I am going to pick Dust Bunny. I think with the other challenges I have going, I should still be able to read that many books. 

Books I will read for this challenge:

1. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for almost a year.
2. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for almost 2 years
3. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for about 6 years. I picked it up many times, and got distracted.
4. Red by Ted Dekker
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for about 3 years now.
5. House by Ted Dekker
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for about 2 years.
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for about a year.
7. Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for about 5 years.
8. Monster by Frank Peretti
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for 2 years.
9. Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side
   This book has been sitting on my shelf for over a year.
10. The Stand by Stephen King
    This book has been sitting on my shelf for 3 years.

Sarah, the little fairy: Grandma gets lost! by Marga M. Garria

Synopsis:
Colorful story from the collection Sarah the Little Fairy. Stories that children will enjoy and which help them to understand some of life’s more complicated issues.
Sarah has a very special secret: her magic doll Mina.
When Sarah finds herself in a jam or needs some answers, she always turns to Mina. She just tickles her doll and says the magic words … and she comes to life as a real fairy!
Come and enjoy Sarah’s fun adventures between the real world and her own fantastic magical one.
A story full of illustrations for kids.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:
I read this book as part of the 2012 ebook challenge. Sarah the little fairy: Grandma gets lost! is an educational story that parents can read to their children about people who have Alzheimer's Disease. It helps the children understand Alzheimer's and identify more with family members that might have the disease. The story in this book is cute, and simply explains the disease. Even a child as young as four can understand the explanation. The illustrations are very well done. The illustration of the black Alzheimer's stone eating the spoon in the star/nueron made it even easier to understand what Alzheimer's does. I liked that after consulting Mina, Sarah's fairy, Sarah is intellegent enough to find out where her grandma went and find her. The only thing I wish the author would have explained in more detail is the fairy part, and how Mina turned Sarah into a fairy. This is a great book for parents to read to their children and discuss with them. This book is sold in English, Spanish, and many other languages.

I give Sarah, the little fairy: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Twitter: http://twitter.com/margamgarriga

Want to know where to buy the book?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-little-fairy-Alzheimers-ebook/dp/B006PGQ3WC

I got this ebook on Amazon for free and was in no way compensated for this review.

2012 Ebook Challenge

The 2012 ebook challenge is hosted by Sarah at Workaday Reads.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
2. Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

1. Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
2. CD - 10 ebooks
3. DVD - 25 ebooks
4. Memory stick - 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive - 75 ebooks
6. Server - 100 ebooks
7. Human brain - 150 ebooks

I think I am going to go for Memory Stick. I'm not entirely sure which 50 ebooks I'm going to read yet, but when I read them, I will add them to a list on this page. 

Amish Prayers by Beverly Lewis

Synopsis:
The Amish as well as other Anabaptist groups have used the same book of prayers for centuries. Now for the first time a selection of these prayers is readily available in English. This exclusive authentic translation from the original German--with an introduction by Beverly Lewis--will give readers insights into the spiritual foundations of the Plain people. Each prayer is paired with a Scripture passage to draw readers closer to God. This hardcover illustrated gift book is perfect for old and new fans of Amish fiction alike.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
I thought this was a great short read. Beverly Lewis's books are usually good, and this one is no exception. I was hoping for a little more Amish stories in it, not just prayers and bible verses. However, it was still a very inspirational book. I didn't really have a favorite prayer or bible verse in Amish Prayers. I liked all of the book equally. It made a great Christmas gift for my mom, who absolutely loved it. It will definitely also make a great gift for anyone who likes Christian or Amish books.

I give Amish Prayers: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.beverlylewis.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis

I recieved this book from the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.