ARC Review: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Synopsis:
She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

My Thoughts:

I have a feeling that 2013 will be a great year for the Young Adult genre. Out of all the 2013 books I have read, I have yet to find one that I dislike. I really love The Rules for Disappearing. The story was original. I had never read a Young Adult book where the main character was in the witness protection program. It was very interesting to watch the plot unfold. The book was suspenseful. I liked reading all of the rules at the beginning of every chapter. It was kind of cool to see which rules "Meg" stuck with and which ones she broke. I liked all of the characters. Meg’s mom was a bitch, but I felt sorry for her. My favorite character was Teeny. I liked that she was vulnerable but could stick up for herself if she had to. She was brave. Not many children her age would be able to handle her situation as well as she did. The ending of the book left me shocked. I had no idea that was going to happen. It just goes to show that one of Meg’s rules is right. Never trust anyone. Even the people that are supposed to be helping you could end up hurting you. From the way that the book ended, I am assuming there will be a sequel. It hasn’t been announced whether there will be one or not. If there is one I can’t wait to read it. 

I give The Rules for Disappearing: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://ashleyelston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashley_elston
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ashleyelstonbooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5317545.Ashley_Elston

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

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

My Thoughts:

I love The Nightmare Affair. It was one of my favorite books that I read in 2012. In fact, it might be one of the best books in 2013. I know that’s a very early prediction and I haven’t read many 2013 novels yet. However, I think that my prediction isn’t too far off. The book is unlike anything I have ever read before. In fact, it’s so original I can’t even think of anything to compare it to. That’s how you can tell an author is truly talented. In a lot of YA books today, the stories seem to all blend together. They have similar plots, characters, settings, etc etc. However. The Nightmare Affair truly stands out in a place all its own. The plot was intricate yet easy to follow. Even thought the book takes place at a school, it’s not your average predictable school story. I was blind sided by who the killer was. I never would have guessed it in a million years. The characters were all well written. They all have a certain snarkyness that I loved, especially Dusty. I don’t think I could pick a favorite if I tried. The Nightmare Affair was an astounding book. Mindy Arnett couldn’t have written a better debut novel. I am dying to read the sequel to find out what happens next to Dusty and her friends. Too bad the release is so far away. The Nightmare Affair should definitely be at the top of your 2013 preorder list. 

I give The Nightmare Affair: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://www.mindeearnett.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindee-Arnett/215046761888669

Tumblr: http://mindeearnett.tumblr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindeearnett

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5145808.Mindee_Arnett

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

Too Pickley by Jean Reidy

Synopsis:
Too wrinkly, too squishy, too fruity, too fishy! It's time to eat, but somebody doesn't like a single item on his plate. What's a picky eater to do?This romping text and stylishly bold art make for a delectable board book. Parents (and the picky eaters they love) will recognize themselves in the hilarious antics played out here, while the ending brings reassurance-and with a little luck, a clean plate.

My Thoughts:

Too Pickley is a cute children’s bored book. The little boy in the story is a very picky eater. Everything that gets set down in front of him, he finds fault with. I am sure some children and parents can definitely identify with this. Some of the words are silly and made up, which is guaranteed to get a chuckle out of a child. I like that the book rhymes. Books that rhyme usually hold children’s attention longer. The hamster that is with the boy in every illustration makes me laugh. In the end, the boy gives up on being a picky eater and eats everything. I feel bad for his stomach ache later. I recommend this book for children three and older. 

I give Too Pickley: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.jeanreidy.com/index.html
Blog: http://jeanreidy.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeanreidy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanreidy
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3000947.Jean_Reidy

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

I Love My Slow Cooker by Beverly Leblanc

Synopsis:
Life is stressful enough without spending hours in the kitchen. Give yourself a well-deserved break and put your slow cooker to work "I Love My Slow Cooker" features more than 100 recipes for hearty soups and starters, tender meat, delicious poultry and fish courses, inspiring vegetarian dishes, and divine desserts. Whether you want to make New England Pot Roast, French Roast Lemon & Thyme Chicken, Cajun Dirty Rice, or an indulgent Almond Creme Caramel, just prepare the ingredients and let this heaven-sent machine do the cooking 

My Thoughts:

My husband and I use our slow cooker on an almost weekly basis. So when I saw a recipe book with nothing but slow cooker recipes, I decided to check it out. While reading the book, we found quite a few recipes we wanted to try. Most of the recipes are a little expensive to make (quite a few include lamb and duck). However, we did find a few inexpensive and delicious recipes to make. The book has easy to follow instructions. It also has the only squid crockpot recipe I have ever seen. I was very excited about that because my husband and I had bought squid on a whim and had no idea on how to cook it. The book even has a special vegetarian section for all of the vegans. Other than most of the recipes being a little pricey to make, I really like the cookbook. 

I give I Love My Slow Cooker: 4/5.

Want to know where to buy the book?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-My-Slow-Cooker-Recipes/dp/1848990405
The Book People: http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=310047

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

The RFID Truancy Solution by Sharon Perkins

Synopsis:
Fictional short about Kelli, a precocious teenager who rebels against wearing her school’s mandated student-tracking Radio Frequency ID badge. She believes the RFID badges are part of a nefarious government plot, but no one will listen.

As an added bonus, I've included another short story I've written about a girl whose friend manages to get her elected president through a "Facebook Campaign."

My Thoughts:

This review will be a bit shorter than my usual reviews because the story was so short. At first I agreed with Kelly, the main character, about the RFID, because I thought the story was going to turn into a dystopian/science fiction. However after finishing the story I disagree with Kelly. Even though the story was short, it left a lasting impression on me. The ending creeped me out. The story teaches that technology is a good and bad thing. It can save lives but it can also ruin them. The book also teaches never to meet strangers from the internet alone in person. I look forward to reading more of the author's work. I like her writing style and hope she writes a full length novel some day. 

I give the RFID Truancy Solution: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sketchyminds

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

Cover Reveal: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Title: The Forgotten Ones

Author: Laura Howard

Genre: NA Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Expected release date: May 15, 2013

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designer: Stephanie Mooney 

Book Description:

Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more.

When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.

Laura Howard | Facebook | Twitter

Share on Facebook and/or Twitter and you could win a $50 Amazon (or B&N) Gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Knees by Vanita Oelschlager

Synopsis:
Knees shows the ups and downs of life with dyslexia. We have done this book in the style and size of a chapter book so that younger children and older children at low reading levels can read what seems to be an older child's book.
We cover dyslexia’s symptoms and the reasons school can be hard for dyslexics. We talk about some famous people who had or have dyslexia.
The book is endorsed by the head master of a school where many of the children have dyslexia. He has dyslexia himself.

My Thoughts:

I have read a couple of Vanita Oelschlager's children’s books before. She always writes though provoking children’s books. Her books usually teach that just because someone is a little different than you doesn’t mean that you won’t have a something in common. In fact, you might have a lot in common and become good friends. Knees is no exception to that rule. Knees is about a boy named Louis who has dyslexia. The book helps children understand what dyslexia is. It also teaches that a lot of famous people have had dyslexia and have still been successful in life. The most important lesson that the book teaches is just because you have difficulty doing one thing doesn’t mean you won’t excel at something else. Louis has difficulty reading but he is amazing at basketball. I really like that the print version of the book is printed on special paper so the children with dyslexia can have an easier time reading it. The illustrations were hard to see on my Kindle. However, I think that may have been a compatibility issue with my Kindle and the file I received for review. I would be ecstatic if Vanita Oelschlager continued to write more children's books. 

I give Knees: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://vanitabooks.com/index.html

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

ARC Review: Over You by Amy Reed

Synopsis:
Max would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be all about them. This summer will be perfect.

But that’s before they meet Dylan.

Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.

But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.


There are some problems you just can’t escape.

My Thoughts:

I’ve always heard a lot of good things about Amy Reed’s novels. She writes young adult novels about social issues, which is my favorite genre/sub-genre. I am glad that after all this time, I have finally got to read one of her books. Over You definitely lived up to my expectations. Over You is about Max and her best friend Sadie. Sadie gets into some trouble drinking, so her father sends her to live with her mother for the summer. Sadie and Max are inseparable  so Max joins her. I only had one problem with Over You. Sadie gets in trouble for underage drinking. Yet when she is sent to her mom's, her mom lets her and Max drink all the time. Even when it’s obvious Sadie has an alcohol problem, her mom still lets her drink. It kind of seems like a moot point to me. Otherwise, I love the original plot and setting of the book. Both of these things work well together and lead to some interesting moments. I liked most of the characters. Sadie was horribly annoying at times. At the beginning I didn’t trust Dylan. I am glad I didn’t trust him. He was a complete jerk. I really liked that Amy Reed added a minor underlying LGBT theme. Although it wasn’t important to the plot, she still made Max a bisexual character. I love it when authors have LGBT characters in their stories. I will definitely be borrowing the rest of Amy Reed's books from the library sometime soon. 

I give Over You: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://amyreedfiction.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2871046.Amy_Reed

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Reed/276325095746385

Twitter: http://twitter.com/amyreedfiction

I received this ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Blog Tour: What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Synopsis:
Allie Kim suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum: a fatal allergy to sunlight that confines her and her two best friends, Rob and Juliet, to the night. When freewheeling Juliet takes up Parkour—the stunt-sport of scaling and leaping off tall buildings—Allie and Rob have no choice but to join her, if only to protect her. Though potentially deadly, Parkour after dark makes Allie feel truly alive, and for the first time equal to the “daytimers.”
 
On a random summer night, the trio catches a glimpse of what appears to be murder. Allie alone takes it upon herself to investigate, and the truth comes at an unthinkable price. Navigating the shadowy world of specialized XP care, extreme sports, and forbidden love, Allie ultimately uncovers a secret that upends everything she believes about the people she trusts the most.

My Thoughts:
I really liked What We Saw at Night. I thought it was interesting learning about Parkour. When I was read the book, I thought it was something the author had made up to make the story more interesting. After finishing the book, I did some research on Parkour. It turns out, Parkour is real. I'm still not sure if XP is real though. I have yet to do research on it. Although, I did find the idea of XP fascinating. Parkour and XP combined with a mystery made for a great plot. The book had me turning pages until the end, wondering what was going to happen next. I didn't really care for Juliet. I thought she was rude and had a crappy personality. I enjoyed What We Saw at Night. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel, What We Lost in the Dark, which I think releases later this year.

I give What We Saw at Night: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://jacquelynmitchard.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jacquelyn.mitchard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieMitchard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*GIVEAWAY*

I am giving away one copy of What We Saw at Night to one lucky follower. Want to know how to win?

1. Follow the blog either GFC or Networked Blogs.
2. Leave a comment with the name you use to follow me and your email address.
3. Winner will be picked on 2/12/2013 at 12:01 a.m.
4. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my email.
5. U.S. Residents only

Good luck and have fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

A New Dawn by Various Authors

Synopsis:
*Is Edward a romantic or a (really hot) sociopath?
* How is the Twilight series just like one of Shakespeare's tragedies?
* Who would you rather date: the guy who thirsts for your blood, or the guy who drinks out of the toilet?

You can't read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series without wanting more- more romance, more suspense, just more of Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the rest of Forks, Washington. You aren't alone.
Join some of your favorite writers as they look at the series with fresh eyes, and fall in love with Bella and Edward, and their world, all over again.

Find out:

* How the literary vampire went from horror show to heartthrob
* Other Native American wolf myths, and how the Quileute werewolves compare
* What Bella and Edward's romance has to say about free will
* Why vampires and werewolves really shouldn't date, and what that has to do with Edward's insistence that Bella go to prom

With Essays From...
* Robin Brande
* Rachel Caine
* Cassandra Clare
* Rosemary Clement-Moore
* Linda Gerber
* Cara Lockwood
* Megan McCafferty
* K. A. Nuzum
* James Owen
* Janette Rallison
* Ellen Steiber
* Anne Usru

My Thoughts:

A New Dawn was an interesting take on the Twilight phenomena. I really liked that the introduction was done by Ellen Hopkins. She is one of my favorite authors. I really admire her and value her opinion. While I don’t see this book becoming a best seller, I think Twilight fans will want to read it. I recommend getting it from the library, unless you are a diehard Twilight fan and have to have it because it has Twilight on it. I have found out in the last few months that I enjoy Smart Pop books. I hope they publish more. In Linda Gerber’s essay, she teaches about wolf history, which I thought was really interesting. I learned several things that I never would have known otherwise. K.A. Nuzum brought up an interesting point in her essay The Heartache Monster. Edward is a vampire, so he could do destructive things to his body such as smoke and drink without any negative consequences. I know that seems obvious, but Edward is such a moral person that most people don’t think about him doing things like that. I was also excited that Cassandra Claire wrote an essay for A New Dawn. She is another one of my favorite authors. I liked A New Dawn but I wasn’t absolutely blown away by it. 

I give A New Dawn: 4/5.

Want to know where to buy this book?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/New-Dawn-Completely-Unauthorized-ebook/dp/B0041D8432/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357723657&sr=8-1&keywords=a+new+dawn

Google Play: http://books.google.com/books?id=e88ONAAACAAJ&ei=8zftUMPgK4LyM9qdgIAD&ganpub=k117601&ganclk=GOOG_1557348499

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

Star Crossed by Jennifer Echols

Synopsis:
Wendy Mann loves her job rescuing celebrities from public relations scrapes. She grew up with nothing, and now she’s drawn to glitz, glamour, and a lighthearted lifestyle. She speaks her mind, so she’s just the tough cookie to tell stars the truth about how other people see them, even when they don’t want to hear it. But after six years at the top of her game, Wendy crosses the line. A star she was sent to save rebels against her and nearly gets her fired. To salvage her job, she must rehabilitate the career of a singing starlet with a penchant for posting inappropriate photos of herself and arguing online with her famous ex. Problem is, the ex is represented by Wendy’s arch nemesis from college, the hot and haughty Daniel Blackstone. And both stars are scheduled for a collision course on national television, broadcast live from Las Vegas.

Daniel’s uneasy when he hears Wendy Mann from his firm’s most hated competitor has been brought in to revive the career of his client’s ex-girlfriend. Daniel must win at any cost. And if he has to seduce Wendy to smooth the way to their partnership, he’s willing to sacrifice himself for the cause. But Daniel doesn’t count on the scorching heat between them—and when they get to Vegas, all bets are off.

My Thoughts:

Star Crossed was my first Jennifer Echols book. I must admit, I liked her writing style a lot. I was hoping that the book would be more about the celebrities interaction with the publicist. It wasn’t. It was mostly about Wendy, the publicist from Stargazer and her arch rival Daniel, the publicist from Blackstone. Then again, it’s to be expected from a romance novel. The book started off slow. It took about eighty pages for me to get into it. However, once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. I took it everywhere I went and managed to finish it in a little over 24 hours. The plot was great. It had me in suspense wondering when Wendy’s stalker was going to show up next or what he was going to do. The book made me chuckle a few times. It’s interesting what publicists will do in order to make sure their client will get good press. I liked all the characters. At first, I thought that Daniel was an absolute jerk but he turned out to be ok. The story ended with all the loose ends wrapped up, so I am interested in how the author will turn this into a series. Based on Star Crossed, I will definitely be reading more of Jennifer Echols work in the future. 

I give Star Crossed: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.jennifer-echols.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferecholsbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferechols
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203238.Jennifer_Echols

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

Dark Side of the Mirror by R.L. Austin

Synopsis:
Emily is a happy, well-adjusted fifteen-year old. Her family relocates from New York to San Francisco, and they move in with her uncle to save money. Emily is determined to cope, but her new life quickly spirals out of control when her uncle turns out to be a creep, she can’t make any new friends, and her parents take her to a psychologist when she insists the mirrors have voices only she can hear. One of those voices belongs to a boy named Tyler. Emily feels drawn to him and decides to help, even after she discovers that her uncle imprisoned Tyler in the mirror. The decision sets her on a path of self-discovery, with new-found powers, a dark family secret, a cute boy she’s crazy about, parents who think she’s gone bonkers, and an uncle who wants to destroy her. Emily must find her inner strength before all her troubles come crashing down on her. For readers 12+, and young adults of all ages.

My Thoughts:

Dark Side of the Mirror was a quick, fun read. The book took me less than twenty-four hours to finish, including breaks. In Dark Side of the Mirror, Emily and her family have to transfer from New York to San Francisco. They have to move in with her uncle, Mansel. The transfer is hard for Emily. She misses her friends and can’t stand her uncle or his rules. The transfer is even harder on Emily when she starts hearing voices in the mirrors. The plot flowed smoothly. There were no boring parts. Also there were not any spelling or grammar errors that I found. I like that Emily finally found a friend, even if he was in a mirror. I can identify with Emily, who is socially awkward with people her own age, especially if she doesn’t know them. I also like that at the end of the book one of my main worries about the plot was addressed. Emily wanted to help everyone get out of the mirrors, but not every one of them is going to be a good person. They might be trapped in the mirrors because they are evil. I liked all the characters. Mansel frightened me a bit, but every well written villain should. My favorite character was Nick, Tyler’s dad. I liked his bravery. I also like how he helped to calm everyone down and how he helped to get the situation under control. I am excited to read the next book in the series and learn what happens to Emily and Tyler. 

I give Dark Side of the Mirror: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://rlaustin.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/RL-Austin/142568345826646

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

Piece of Mind by Rob Reger

Synopsis:
Emily the Strange stands for: Do it yourself; think for yourself; be yourself.

In the concluding volume of the story arc that has defined this singular 13-year-old, Emily’s uniquely odd to-do list includes:

1. Lose (and regain) mind
2. Reprogram golem
3. Locate secret book vault
4. Commune with Dead Dark Aunts
5. Rescue Cousin Jakey
6. Redecorate souvenir kiosk
7. Thwart Thought Thief
8. Endure hero worship
9. Grant ancestral enemy’s deepest wish
10. Save cat-napped kitty
11. Summon black rock
12. Defeat Shady Uncles
13. Guard family legacy and claim inheritance!

Lavishly illustrated with trademark black-and-red art, this delightfully quirky story follows Emily on her journey to uncover her family’s mysterious secrets—secrets that are ancient, surprising, and Strange!

My Thoughts:

I love Emily the Strange. Comic books, graphic novels, novels, t-shirts, it doesn’t matter. If it says Emily the Strange on it, I will check it out. The Emily the Strange novels are one of my favorite products. Piece of Mind was no exception to that. In Piece of Mind, Emily has to learn how to harness the power of black rock before her uncle Attikol beats her to it. Compared to the other books in the series, this book felt slow, especially in the middle. It felt like the middle of the book was just random filler that had nothing to do with the story. Other than that, I really liked this story. The plot was fun with Emily getting into her usual mischief. All of the usual characters from the other three books are back, along with some new ones. Out of the new characters, my favorite was Dottie. At first she seems like a complete jerk, but at the end she becomes a likable character. I thought it was great what happened to Raven at the end. It surprised me and made me happy. From how the story ended, and what I could find on the internet, I think that this will be the last book in the series. It’s unfortunate because I really like the series. I’m hoping the author will write more books or a spin-off series. 

I give Piece of Mind: 4/5.

Want to know more about Emily the Strange?
Website: http://www.emilystrange.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-the-Strange/115366458320
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmilyTheStrange
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/EmilyThe13th

I borrowed this book from the library. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

Synopsis:
An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all 

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

My Thoughts:

I loved The Friday Society. In fact, I have no complaints about the book. Towards the middle of the book, I was beginning to wonder why the title was The Friday Society. By the end of the book, it is revealed why the book is named that. I loved the author’s witty sense of humor. There wasn’t a chapter where I wasn’t chuckling, if not full out laughing, at least once. Normally in books I can’t stand it when the character’s perspectives are switching every chapter. However, it seemed to work really well in The Friday Society. Maybe it was because even though the perspectives are switching, the book is written in third person. I liked most of the characters. The only character I couldn’t stand was Callum. He was arrogant, rude, and just an asshole in general. I thought it was hilarious that Michiko kept calling him Callum-kun. I’m hoping that the author writes a sequel about the girls adventures. I would definitely love to learn more about the characters. I even think it would be cool to learn more about the minor characters, such as Lord White and Raheem. 

I give The Friday Society: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.adriennekress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrienneKress
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrienne-Kress/46814987762
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AdrienneKress?ob=0
Tumblr: http://adriennekress.tumblr.com/
Blog: http://www.ididntchoosethis.blogspot.ca/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/777907.Adrienne_Kress

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

Seth's review of Rise and Fall by Joshua P. Simon

Synopsis:
An ill-prepared queen, a soft-hearted mercenary, and a crippled warrior struggle as a kingdom falls and an empire rises.

For years the High Mages of Cadonia have maintained an uneasy peace among the nobles disgruntled with the rule of the king. In the aftermath of a tragic event, Elyse, the king’s daughter, is thrust into a role she is not ready for. As queen, she must now determine who to trust while struggling to keep the kingdom from collapsing around her.

The Hell Patrol, a legendary mercenary outfit commanded by Jonrell, finds itself disenfranchised with their current employer. Recalling a promise he made over a decade ago, Jonrell breaks his contract in order to right the wrongs of his past. 

On the continent of Hesh, the Blue Island Clan has long been ignored by its neighbors. Tobin, a warrior and son of the Clan’s ruler, struggles as an outcast as he watches his brother Kaz lead his father’s army to glory. Emboldened by a new friendship with a mysterious shaman, Tobin finds himself gaining the respect he always wanted. 

An epic fantasy tale, Rise and Fall is the first book in the Blood and Tears Trilogy.

Seth's Thoughts:

Yes, I have felt that I may have read something similar to this in the past, but I don't recall exactly what it was that tickled my memory. It may have been the tricky magician or the warrior. But, nagging memories put aside, I loved this book. The story jumping back and forth between several perspectives might be a little much for some, but I love stories that bring several different stories together for a final product of awesomeness. The viciousness and callousness of the one character mixed in with the amazing leadership of the other along with the reform of the vicious one makes for an awesome read. Plenty of intrigue to keep you interested in reading just one more chapter. 

 Seth gives Rise and Fall: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://joshuapsimon.blogspot.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshuaPSimon

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5254590.Joshua_P_Simon

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in anyway for this review.