Sweet Shadows Review

ISBN: 978-0062001832
September 4, 2012
Amazon Link

 Sweet Shadows picks up right where Sweet Venom left off. The triplets realize their lives are in danger and they dont have all the information. Its about time they get answers and ask the boys just what is going on.

The beginning starts off with a Bang, unfortunately the plot begins to slow down after about 30 pages in. I found it hard to continue, everything the girls said to one another or thought was very repetitive and at times read like the plot was on stand still for a chapter or three. That being said though, we do get some answers from the cute boys but of course that brings up more questions. Also, there were a couple plot twists that were unpredictable but it still couldnt hold my interest and I almost DNF on page 200. I cant say this book suffered from Second Book Syndrome because it had more action than it did in the first one. But something is missing and doesnt have the spark like the Forgive my Fins trilogy had. There's still one more book left in the series and I plan on reading it soon.

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LibraryThing Review: Stopping Short

ISBN: 978-1611384253
August 4, 2014
Amazon Link

*I received a copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

 

I accidentally requested this on LibraryThing from the August 2014 batch. As I was scrolling I must of pressed "request" because this isnt my type of book. But since I won a copy I gave this a try. I have to admit, this wasnt very predictable but I didnt enjoy it too much. 

I was surprised at how quickly the main character Jessica Barnes accepted the "fiance" idea when the first chapter is her complaining about how much she misses her dead husband. She told Drew to get it together and play along which really shocked me. But after that the story slowed down and I was losing interest very fast. This was a short read though and I did finished it which is why I am giving this two stars instead of one.

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Penguin's First-to-Read Review

ISBN: 978-0425272459
September 2, 2014
Amazon Link

 *I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

The August 2014 batch of First-to-Read books from Penguin was the best selection so far. I won my first book from the raffle but this is my second win overall. I was really happy to win a copy of this but I could not finish it and it had nothing to do with the content of the book. I DNF at page 78.

My biggest complaint with this ARC was that the writing was extremely small and very hard to see. I needed the print to be bigger and I hope it is when it is released September 2nd. The writing is Medieval English which made it hard to grasp and understand what was going on. When this book is released I will give this another try. I would love to listen to this as an audiobook. 

From what I read, The main character Gray has been accepted into Merlin College due to his knowledge of magick. After a prank, he lands himself working his professor's garden for the summer. There he meets a girl named Sophie.  I didnt get very far so Im not exactly sure what happens next. I am definitely interested in finishing the book but I'm going to wait until there's an audiobook version.

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Blogging for Books Review

ISBN:  9780770436315
July 9, 2013
Amazon Link  

 *I received a copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review*

Looking back I'm asking myself "what exactly did I just read?" I know the main character starts off stoned and its the end of the world with zombies. The group of characters are too high to know whats going on and it takes them quite a while to figure things out. You really just want to slap them for cussing and being so dumb. The character names are really weird like Typewriter John, KK (which I have know idea what that stands for) and Albino.

Overall, this book was not my cup of tea. However I do like zombie reads.  The descriptions and the gore made this read worth while. The language and violence makes this intended for a mature audience. I would not recommend this to many people.  

Have you read Fiend? Do you like zombie novels? Leave a comment below! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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More Information

From Website PETER STENSON received his MFA from Colorado State University in 2012. His stories and essays have been published in The Sun, The Bellevue Literary Review, The Greensboro Review, Confrontation, Post Road, Fugue, Harpur Palate, The Pinch, Blue Mesa Review, and elsewhere. He is also a recovering addict and has been sober for 10 years. He lives with his wife and daughter in Denver. 

Stacking the Shelves #2

My second Stacking the Shelves post. 

Hosted by Tynga's Review's.

August 18th-31st
*Met the author in person

#Featured in Top Ten Tuesday

Books I borrowed, traded, bought, given will be posted biweekly.

Borrowed from the Library:

The Island at the End of the World
by Austin Aslan

Traded through YABE:

Pictured:

The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

Faces of the Dead by Suzanne Weyn

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

Astray by Amy Christine Parker

Ill Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Between by Megan Whitmer

Not Pictured:

The Nightmare Dilemma by Mindee Arnett*

Anatomy of a Single Girl by Daria Snadowsky

The Girl Who Never Was by Skylar Dorset

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards#

The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams#

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Allies and Assassins by Justin Somper

Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard

Given by the Publisher:

Pictured:

The Unhappening of Genesis Lee by Shallee McArthur (edelweiss)

Bright Coin Moon by Kirsten Lopresti (edelweiss)

Elevated by Daniel Solomon Kaplan (Goodreads)

Twisted Reflectons by Shay West (LibraryThing)

Stopping Short by Mindy Klasky (LibraryThing)

The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith (Quirk Books)

Who is Martha? by Marjana Gaponenko (Shelf Awareness)

Arcana by Jessica Leake (edelweiss)

The Ruining by Anna Collomore (Publisher)

Purchased: 

Pictured:

The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel (Kindle)

Everlasting by Candace Knoebel (Kindle)

Unhinged by AG Howard (Kindle/Hardcover/ARC)

Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision (Kindle)

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (Kindle)

Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards (Kindle)

Cate and the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein* (Kindle)

#16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler (Kindle)

Backward Compatible by Sarah Daltry (Kindle)

Blood Coven Vampires Volume 1 by Mari Mancusi (Paperback)

What do you think of my latest additions to my Library? Most of my purchases were Kindle $2 sales. I love Unhinged and had to own it in Hardcover and Kindle. I love to play video games so I picked out three and cant wait to begin them. Comment below and tell me what you think!

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Sway Review + Giveaway

ISBN: 978-1250051431
September 16, 2014
Amazon Link

**I was given an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Going into this I was very hesitant because I was not the intended person to review Kat Spears debut novel Sway. My Blog partner was interested in reading this but had me read it instead because her summer schooling became stressful.I prefer Sci-fi/paranormal/dystopian books to contemporary. EM prefers contemporary but I don’t think she would of enjoyed this that much either. There's a lot of reference towards drugs and sex and comes up too much as casual conversation. I guess I was taken aback by that a little bit. I was expecting a lighter heart felt high school first love romance. But the amount of drugs and sex really swayed me away.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the plot of the story. Jesse Alderman or Sway is very popular mostly because he is paid to do favors for others. When he is paid to "research" good girl Bridget Smalley to become possible girlfriend material for a fellow football player, Sway starts to lose control. He soon finds he's falling head over heels for this girl and can't stop helping her or hanging out with her and Pete, her brother.

Ultimately this is a fast enjoyable read that will be loved by many. The writing is incredible and I look forward to reading more of this author. A random side note: For a career, Jesse would be a great therapist or counselor because he knows how to read people.

Have you read Sway? Have you seen the other covers...which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: (From her website)

Kat Spears has worked as a bartender, museum director, housekeeper, park ranger, business manager, and painter (not the artistic kind). She holds an M.A. in anthropology, which has helped to advance her bartending career. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three freeloading kids. Visit her website at www.katspears.com

The Guidelines:

-You must have a US mailing address 

-Must be 18 or have parent's permission (The winner has to be able to give me their address).

-All entries WILL be verified, don't cheat. 

-The giveaway will end the September 7th at Midnight 

-Winners will be announced via rafflecopter, email and Twitter

-Response is needed within three days if not another winner will be announced

- Books will be sent out 3-5 days after giveaway has ended

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Tuesday #1

Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke & the Bookish

Top Ten Books I Really Want To Read But Don't Own Yet

Not in order

Extraction
Stephanie Diaz

 The cover is gorgeous and reminds me of Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones. I am excited to read this just so I can compare this other similar recently released titles.

Nil
Lynn Matson

I had my eye on this book for a while now. This wouldnt be something I normally read but the cover drew me in and the synopsis sounded pretty good. I probably wont own this but I do really want to read it.

Moonrise
Ivy Devlin

I didnt think there was going to be a second book to Low Red Moon. Its been years since I last read the first book but I want to see where this story goes and plus I have a love for werewolves. I cant seem to find this anywhere though. Amazon does carry it.

Forevermore
Cindy Miles

I didnt use to like ghost novels but I'm starting to. The cover isnt the best but the synopsis is! I cant find this anywhere other than Amazon. My library doesnt carry it, so I might just have to own this.

Game. Set. Match.
Jennifer Iacopelli

I was on the Tennis team at my University for three years and been to several tennis camps during the summer. This is kind of contemporary novels I like. I have heard great things about this book so I am really excited to own this on my kindle.

Dangerous Girls
Abigail Haas

This also isnt my cup of tea read but everyone loves it so I might just give it a try. 

Earth Girl
Janet Edwards

This sounds soooo goooood! I cant wait to read this! My library doesnt carry this so I will own this whole trilogy.

Half Bad
Sally Green

I heard great things and and the UK edition is breathtaking. I want to own this in Hardcover with the black side version.

Temptation
Karen Ann Hopkins

I know plenty of Amish families and took several courses on Amish communities in high school and college. This sounds adorable. I own the second and third but I need the first so I can start the trilogy.

The Haven
Carol Lynch Williams

I had my eye on this for a while now but there hasnt been great reviews so I am holding off. This actually just arrived at my library so I will check it out sometime.

What do you think? Have you read any of these titles, if so what book do you recommend I buy first?

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Sweet Venom Review

ISBN: 0062001817
September 6, 2011
Amazon Link

Three girls Grace, Gretchen, and Greer are triplets, descendants of Medusa. All three were adopted by three different families. They met  each other in unusual circumstances and had a hard time grasping their heritage. Over the course of the story the characters learn how they are connected to Medusa and learn to be a family all the while defeating monsters escaping the gate and dealing with boys.

 I am a huge a Fan of Tera Lynn Childs Forgive my Fins trilogy. Its a series worth rereading when I need something light and fluffy. I recently just finished the Oh. My. Gods. book and didnt like it too much. I decided to start the Sweet Venom trilogy since I own all three books. At first I had a hard time getting passed page 35 but today I didnt have trouble. I read it from start to finish with one break in between to eat lunch. Overall, I enjoyed this more than I did with Oh. My. Gods. But this was really slow throughout and never picked up the pace. I am hoping the second and third will be more action packed and a little more sarcastic.

Fan of Tera Lynn Childs? What books have you read of hers! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts...there might even be a giveaway for the whole trilogy!

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Quirk Books The Geek's Guide to Dating Review + Giveaway

ISBN:  9781594746437
December 3, 2013
Amazon Link 

 **I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**

I saw this title on Erin (BookNut)'s Quirk Book giveaway and I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I mean the cover is gorgeous! I love video games and briefly glancing at this, I'm picturing my all time favorite 8 bits including Burger Chef from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Mario Advanced 4 from the Super Mario Bros 3 Gameboy Color. I was extremely honored when I received an autographed copy from the publisher.   And I am happy to say, this book does not disappoint.

The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith is exactly what it says...its a guide...made for geeks...on dating. Going into this I thought it was a work of fiction intended for geeks with witty banter and useful tips that could actually work in real world situations. But I was completely wrong. This is a quick 200 page book filled with "yes" and "no" tips on dating. Real world examples are explained with video game characters and scenarios. This isnt a work of fiction, its more of a self help guide intended toward males but insightful to females. I would love to see a female version of this. Turn it into a sequel and have it in a females perspective. But Overall, this book is great and I highly recommend to geek lovers all around.

1 Lucky winner will receive an autographed hardcover copy of The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith. Enter in the rafflecopter below.

Have you read this author's work? Leave a comment below! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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The Guidelines:

-You must have a US mailing address 

-Must be 18 or have parent's permission (The winner has to be able to give me their address).

-All entries WILL be verified, don't cheat. 

-The giveaway will end the last day of August. 

-Winners will be announced via rafflecopter, email and Twitter

-Response is needed within three days if not another winner will be announced

- Books will be sent out 3-5 days after giveaway has ended

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cleaning my Shelf Giveaway

My First Giveaway.

I am running out of room on my shelves so I am getting rid of the duplicates. 

1 Winner will receive the following ARC books:

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

 

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

 

The Taking by Kimberly Derting

 

Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones

 

The Guidelines:

-You must have a US mailing address 

-Must be 18 or have parent's permission (The winner has to be able to give me their address).

-All entries WILL be verified, don't cheat. 

-The giveaway will end the last day of August. 

-Winners will be announced via rafflecopter, email and Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway



This is my first time participating in the Clear your Shelf
hosted by Bookhounds, I am a Reader and Not a Writer

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Stacking the Shelves #1

My first Stacking the Shelves post. 

Hosted by Tynga's Review's.

August 10th-17th
*Met the author in person

Books I borrowed, traded, bought, given will be posted biweekly.

Borrowed from the Library:

The Nightmare Dilemma by Mindee Arnett*

Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones

One Past Midnight by Jessica Shrivington

The Wicked Game by Michelle Zink

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz*

Random by Tom Leveen

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard

Not Shown:

Oh. My. Gods by Tera Lynn Childs

The End or Something Like That by Ann Dee Ellis

Like No Other by Una LaMarche

Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson*

Traded through YABE:

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

The Truth that's in Me by Julie Berry

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta

The Camp by Karice Bolton

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Forever by Karen Ann Hopkins

Not Shown:

Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Constable and Toop by Gareth Jones

Skulk by Rosie Best

The Warrior by Ellen Oh

Echo in Time by CJ Hill

Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein*

The Ivy by Lauren Kunze

Given by the Publisher:

The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter (Penguin's First-to-Read)

Sway by Kat Spears (ARC)

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts (ARC)

Dead Zone by Robison Wells (ARC)

Day 21 by Kass Morgan (Netgalley)

Fiend by Peter Stenson (Blogging-For-Books)

Purchased:

Stormbringer by Shannon Delany (paperback)

Revelations by J.A. Souders (Hardcover)

The Lovely and the Lost by Page Morgan (Hardcover)

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee (Kindle)

Coral and Bone by Tiffany Duane (Kindle)

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz (paperback)

Chantress Alchemy by Amy Butler Greenfield (Hardcover)

Unravel by Imogen Howson (Hardcover)

The Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne (Hardcover)

Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan (Hardcover)

Not Shown:

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (Kindle)

Landline by Rainbow Rowell (Hardcover)

Elegy by Amanda Hocking (paperback)

Night School by CJ Daughtery (Hardcover)

Pivot Point by Kasie West (Hardcover)

Spoiled by Heather Cocks (Hardcover)

Messy by Heather Cocks (Hardcover)

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement Moore (paperback)

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan (3rd copy) (Hardcover)

Slide by Jill Hathaway (Hardcover)

Impostor by Jill Hathaway (Hardcover)

The Willing by Suzanne Young (Kindle)

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (Kindle)

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater (Kindle)

If I were You by Lisa Renee Jones (Kindle)

Never Have I Ever (My Life So Far Without a Date) by Katie Heaney (Kindle)

What do you think of my latest additions to my Library? I am on my 3rd copy of Unspoken because I reread that book so many times. My purchases were aimed for sequels in series and trilogies. Second and third books are the hardest to find at an affordable price and I was lucky enough to find several different ones. Comment below and tell me what you think!

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55 Book Hoarding Questions Part Two

Part Two containing questions 29-55 of the Book Nerd Questions

Provided by The Literary Pop

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

30. How often do you agree with the critics about about a book? Not very often

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? 100% Necessary

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose? Korean

33. Most intimidating book I've read: Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy. The last book itself is 816 pages!

34. Most intimidating book I'm too nervous to begin: 1Q84

35. Favorite Poet: I don’t like poetry

36. How many books do you usually have checked out from the library at any given time? During the summer I check out 15 books a week. During the school year I check out a maximum of 8.

37. How often do you return books to the library unread? I check out so many I normally return 3 unread.

38. Favorite fictional character: Jared from Sarah Rees Brennan Unpsoken trilogy

39. Favorite fictional villain: I never root for the villain so I cant say I have one.

40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation: Normally books I received from the publisher. At the moment it would be Sway by Kat Spears, Zac and Mia by AJ Betts, Day 21 by Kass Morgan, and Dead Zone by Robison Wells

41. The longest I've gone without reading: 3 Months because of school. Accounting is hard.

42. Name a book you could/would not finish:  End Times by Anna Schumaker

43. What distracts you easily when you're reading? TV

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel: To this date The Fault in Our Stars is the obvious answer, however I really enjoyed Twilight. Don’t Judge Me.

45. Most disappointing film adaptation: Beautiful Creatures

46. Most money I've ever spent in a bookstore at one time: $145 for 54 books. Bargain deals I couldn’t pass up.

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? I never skim before I read a book. I skim during a book if it is boring as hell. I read the Synopsis before reading a book.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book halfway through? Too political and/or extremely slow and boring. If I fall asleep then I don’t like it.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized? Yes I do. I rate the covers shelving the best covers and stacking the least favorite covers.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once they've been read? I keep books I enjoy and either swap or sell books I don’t.

51. Are there any books that you've been avoiding? Yes, contemporary because I fall asleep to most of them.

52. Name a book that made you angry: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

53. A book I didn't expect to like but did: Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

54. A book I expected to like but didn't: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

55. Favorite guilt-free guilty pleasure reading: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan or Altered by Jennifer Rush

Published by M

Otherbound Review

ISBN: 978-1419709289
June 17, 2014
Amazon Link

 Nolan lives in Arizona and according to his doctor, has epilepsy. Every time Nolan blinks he is transported into the mind of a servant girl from another world known as the Dunelands. When his eyes are closed, he can feel everything Amara feels. But Amara has know idea. That is until Nolan learns with the help of his new medication to control Amara's body. Together they are on the run to save the runaway Princess and discover how they are connected.

The writing is fantastic. I was drawn in  from the very first page and had a hard time setting it aside. I connected more with Nolan than I did with Amara. For a servant girl, Amara was very headstrong and judgmental. I kept rooting for Nolan because he had the worst luck with just about everything. The love interest was not very convincing or believable. I enjoyed the high fantasy atmosphere and  the connection the two main characters shared.

This is very mystery driven with questions arising 3/4 of the way. There were plot twists I did not see coming that were refreshing. This is a standalone. The author has a second standalone coming next year and I will definitely give it a try.

Have you read this author's work? Leave a comment below! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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Take Back the Skies Review

ISBN: 978-1619633674
June 3, 2014
Amazon Link 

Government official daughter Catherine Hunter just wants to be treated equally like a male. After learning she's betrothed to someone she loathes, she escapes onto the Stormdancer skyship as a boy named Cat. On board the ship, she does her chores gradually earning the crews trust and together they learn and uncover secrets her father and the government are hiding from the public. For example, children are being taken from their families to fight in the war that never seems to end. Where are they taken to and why haven't any of them come back?

The writing is mediocre at best. I would recommend this to a younger audience ages 9-12. This will be a six book series. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the main reason why I gave this a chance. I'm curious to see the next five covers. However, I'm not going out of my way to read them.

Have you read this author's work? Leave a comment below! Sign up for my email newsletter at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, and follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1, and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts! 

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55 Book Hoarding Questions Part One

Part 1 Containing 28 of the 55 Book Nerd Questions. 

Provided by The Literary Lollipop. 

1. Favorite childhood book? I was in love with The Babysitter’s Club. Every birthday my aunt would get 6 of them for me. I also enjoyed the Animorphs series too but never owned a single copy.

 2. What are you reading right now? At the moment I am reading multiple books. This Wicked Game by Michelle Zink and Sway by Kat Spears

3. What books do you have on request at the library? The Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

4. Bad book habit? Falling asleep with a book in my hand from boredom. The sign for either a one or two star review.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? I currently have over 10 titles checked out but my top three are: This Wicked Game by Michelle Zink, Illusive by Emily Loyd-Jones, and The Offering by Kimberly Derting

6. Do you have an e-reader? Yes, I have the Kindle Keyboard, iPad, and Kindle Fire

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? At most I read 5 books at one time.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Yes, I can now read over 150 books every year. In the beginning I had trouble reaching 50.

9. Least favorite book you read this year so far? Oh geez, I have quite a few. Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? I can’t decide! I have ten so far.

12. What is your reading comfort zone? One book a week at least

13. Can you read in the car? Yes, I read the fastest in the car.

14. Favorite place to read? In my 70’s themed lounge chair surrounded by thousands of books in my storage room.

15. What is your policy on book lending? If you ruin it, you buy me a brand new copy! No folded pages!!

16. Do you ever dog-ear books? HELL NO

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Again, Heck NO

18. Not even with textbooks? No, not really. I want to sell my books when I am done.

19. What is your favourite language to read in? English. Duh

20. What makes you love a book? Connecting with the MC, Falling head over heels for the possible love interest and witty LOL banter

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? All said three points from #20 and if I met the author in person

22. Favorite genre? Young Adult Paranormal (Vampires, werewolves, faeries)

 23. Genre you rarely read but wish you did? New Adult

24. Favorite biography? I never actually read a biography but I found one I want to read and own. It’s called My Life so Far (Dateless)

25. Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes, accounting and computer science ones.

26. Favorite cookbook? Eww. Who cooks?

 27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? Say What you Will by Cammie McGovern. I couldn’t put this book down.

28. Favorite reading snack: Cheese Sticks and Coke Zero

Stop by Next Week for Part 2. 

Comment below and tell me what you think!

Published by M

Blogging for Books Review

ISBN: 978-0770437688
April 8, 2014
Amazon Link 

 *I received an ARC from the Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review*

Rosie and Jonathon have been together for the past fifteen years, unmarried. Both characters are in their middle forty's and have a hippie/grad vibe lifestyle. Rosie worries about her grandmother Sophie who is eighty-eight years old. Jonathon has an obsession with teacups and when offered a position across the country, he jumps on it. Rosie, doubtful of her near future, decides to stay to look after her grandmother. Soon enough she's pregnant with Jonathon's child and maybe falling for her grandmother's at-home-care-taker, Tony. What's a 44 year old pregnant woman to do?

Overall, I loved this book. I had the hardest time putting it down. The ONLY thing I would change is the third person writing. I had a  hard time relating to the main character. Eventually I did start caring for her, but I wish I cared for her sooner. If this was written in first person from Rosie's point of view, this would be a perfect five star book.

I have never really been a fan of women's fiction but after this novel, I plan to read more. I would recommend this to women who enjoy short chick-lit romances.

Do you enjoy reading womens fiction? Have you read The Opposite of Maybe? Comment below and tell me what you think! Also, sign up for my email newsletter at  https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1 and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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LibraryThing Review: Idols

ISBN: 978-0316205177
July 8, 2014
Amazon Link 

 * I was given an ARC from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review *

Idols picks up right where Icons ended. Dol is presumed dead by everyone except the four Icon children, giving the group an advantage. Dol, Ro, Tima and Lucas have successfully demolished two Icons. Soon after Fortis is captured, which left the group on the run for safety with absolutely no one to trust. On top of all this, Dol is having vivid dreams of a fifth Icon child. Was it really just a dream? Why did it feel so real? Is it too late for Fortis...is he already dead? What should they do? So many questions too many unanswered. 

I found this sequel to be better than its predecessor. Margaret Stohl writes beautifully. The pacing however needs work. This novel (compared to Icons) was fast paced, interesting, and slightly more entertaining though at times predictable. I thought Icons was slow throughout the whole book and never really picked up the pace. With Idols, the first fifty pages were slow but the amount of action taking place had me glued to the pages more often than not. There were more scenes between Lucas and Dol which made for a more believable romance. I wasn't a fan of the love triangle but the romance gave the plot more depth. I am also a huge fan of aliens. In my opinion, there wasnt enough of them within this series.

As weird as this sounds, the names of the four characters bothered me. I cannot picture anyone named Tima which ultimately lead me to hate her as a character. She came off very annoying to the point where I could not relate to her and was happy when she was suffering or in pain. If placed in Dol's shoes I wouldnt be Tima's friend. 

I would recommend Idols to fans of  aliens and dystopian novels.
  
Margaret Stohl was planned to attend Teen Book Festival (TBF) for the past two years but unfortunately was unable to make it. I have read the first Beautiful Creatures book, however I didnt continue because the southern accent bothered me too much. 

Have you read Icons and Idols? What did you think? Excited for the third and final book? Comment below and tell me what you think! Also, sign up for my email newsletter at  https://groups.google.com/d/forum/mandemread, follow me on Twitter @Miaswartz1 and add me to your Circle on Google Plus at mimizane@gmail.com. Check in every two weeks for more updates and posts!

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