I was so excited about this book! It is Grimm brother-esque in its origins and telling. Why do I say that? Probably because this tale is told from the perspective of the ghost of Jacob Grimm. The story is about a young boy, Jeremy, his ghost Jacob and a girl, Ginger. It did start a little slow for me but it picked up quick and I read it in a day.
Jacob tells the story of Jeremy and his friendship with Ginger, a pretty and popular girl in his class. It revolves around a bakery where every now and then green smoke comes out of the chimney signaling to the town that Prince cakes are ready. Delectable little pastries that have green icing on them and that sell in a matter of minutes. (Let me stop and mention that Jeremy can hear the ghost, Jacob and often talks to him). The story really picks up when Ginger and her girlfriends come to Jeremy's window and gets him to accompany them on a mission. The mission is sneaking into the baker's house and putting pop rocks into his cereal, which he eats every night. It's all going well until the milk is poured and the baker goes crazy. He calls the Sheriff and they end up pinning everything on Jeremy. However, the Baker sees that Jeremy is remorseful and drops the charges.
This act leads puts all the other things in the book into motion. Jeremy and Ginger working for the Baker, them becoming great friends, and then going out in the middle of no where with the Baker. I don't want to give away the ending but it all turns out 'happily ever after' and they do go to a place the Baker calls Far Far Away.
Kidnapping, drugging, poisoning, being held captive...all pull this tale together. It is definitely a tale that I think would have been written by the Grimm's. It has everything they usually put into a tale and then some..like the ghost of Jacob who is looking for the 'light'.
If you like Grimm this a great tale and very well written book.
5 out of 5 stars!
I also want to mention that I 'borrowed' this book thru my Kindle Fire via PG County Library System.
Friday, February 21, 2014
A Potion To Die For by Heather Blake
I'm a lover of mystery books. Especially the kind where mystery, love, and humor are all weaved together. This book is probably one of the best first books of a series that I've read in a while. The main character, Carly Bell Hartwell, is strong, independent, funny and also a witch. Her specialty is potions for the mind, soul, and body. As the oldest cousin she has the family 'secret recipe' to making potions. Her cousin Delia is constantly trying to find out the secret so her hexes will be more potent. The whole story revolves around Carly and how a dead lawyer is found in her store with one of her potion bottles in his hand. The whole town of Hitching Post, AL thinks she did it. And now, her business is taking a hit. What a girl to do? Solve the murder of course. With many twists and turns and you'll never guess who did it end this book is great!
One of the characters that did steal the show for me was Carly's best friend Ainsley. She was once a wile child but now a preacher's wife with 3 crazy kids. She brings the humor and Southern love and charm to this but also a sense of kickassery to the story too.
Another character worth mentioning is the swoon-worthy love interest of Carly's, Dylan, the sheriff. Those two have some history! Like being engaged twice and both times never getting hitched history. Burning down a chapel is mentioned a few times throughout the story too.
Aunt Marjie is also a character that people will love! She's a crazy old lady who has an itchy trigger finger. I loved her!
I really think that if you want to start reading good mysteries you should start with a good series...START WITH THIS ONE! Loved it sooo much. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
5 out of 5 stars!
One of the characters that did steal the show for me was Carly's best friend Ainsley. She was once a wile child but now a preacher's wife with 3 crazy kids. She brings the humor and Southern love and charm to this but also a sense of kickassery to the story too.
Another character worth mentioning is the swoon-worthy love interest of Carly's, Dylan, the sheriff. Those two have some history! Like being engaged twice and both times never getting hitched history. Burning down a chapel is mentioned a few times throughout the story too.
Aunt Marjie is also a character that people will love! She's a crazy old lady who has an itchy trigger finger. I loved her!
I really think that if you want to start reading good mysteries you should start with a good series...START WITH THIS ONE! Loved it sooo much. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
5 out of 5 stars!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
The Busy Woman's Guide to Getting Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous by Daniel L. Wallen, CPT
This was a free book that I downloaded onto my Kindle. Wallen does a great job at telling it like it is but with humor. As someone who constantly struggles to not go up a jean size, this book really gave me a better look into what I'm doing negatively that could be hindering my success at losing weight and keeping it off. I really liked that he put it into easy thoughts and that it was targeted towards women (and men) like me who have problems 'liking' exercise and what comes with it. I think that if you have a weight problem this book is definitely a good book to read. It's definitely not my normal reading choice but I'm trying to expand my horizons on the reading front.
While reading this book, it really gave me 'ah-ha' moment where I was shocked that he understood me so well. Like he wrote this book with ME in mind. It's definitely given me a new view on exercising and eating healthy. Cheat days arent' bad, it means I'm human. Positive thoughts and overcoming the negative view I have of myself and of exercise is what I'm working on now.
Pick this book up or download it like I did..It might help you too!
5 out of 5 stars! Great advice and perspective.
While reading this book, it really gave me 'ah-ha' moment where I was shocked that he understood me so well. Like he wrote this book with ME in mind. It's definitely given me a new view on exercising and eating healthy. Cheat days arent' bad, it means I'm human. Positive thoughts and overcoming the negative view I have of myself and of exercise is what I'm working on now.
Pick this book up or download it like I did..It might help you too!
5 out of 5 stars! Great advice and perspective.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Guardians Book 1: The Girl by Lola StVil
This story revolves around Emerson or Emmy as people call her. She gets sucked into the world of angels and demons. I know what you're thinking...Angels and Demons? Snooze fest! Well, yea kinda but there are some interesting things about this book.
For instance,
Emmy is the key to the world not ending.
Emmy is the one thing that can ruin the mission because the 1st Guardian, Marcus, will fall in love for her.
Emmy gets dangled over the Golden Gate bridge by the 2ns Guardian, Marcus' girlfriend, Ameana.
All angels are beautiful- apparently.
A very interesting way that God and the Devil and his counterparts were created is described.
I think people who enjoy reading about good versus evil will enjoy this book...I'm currently reading the second in the series...it's going slowly.
There's not much to say about this book except Emerson for a girls name is different.
3 out of 5 stars.
For instance,
Emmy is the key to the world not ending.
Emmy is the one thing that can ruin the mission because the 1st Guardian, Marcus, will fall in love for her.
Emmy gets dangled over the Golden Gate bridge by the 2ns Guardian, Marcus' girlfriend, Ameana.
All angels are beautiful- apparently.
A very interesting way that God and the Devil and his counterparts were created is described.
I think people who enjoy reading about good versus evil will enjoy this book...I'm currently reading the second in the series...it's going slowly.
There's not much to say about this book except Emerson for a girls name is different.
3 out of 5 stars.
Game by Barry Lyga
Game delves once again into the creative mind of Lyga except this time a new player is in the this game.
Jazz is at it again but this time the stakes are higher. He's hunting his dad, Billy Dent. Billy has escaped from prison and is killing people. But what's different are the people and what he does to them. Hats and dogs? What does that mean? Jazz travels to New York to help the police solve these murders and soon finds out that maybe Billy has an accomplice or two.
Jazz and the NYPD soon find out that Billy Dent is playing a sick game with 2 others who are doing the killings. Bodies are piling up and Jazz is so close to finding out so many more details of who he is and who Ugly J is.
This book gives us more of everyone else involved in Jazz's life and gets out of Jazz's head and the what if's of him becoming a killer like his dad. It is a BIG jump and leap that NYPD would consult a teenager about anything let alone serial killers but I guess for a fiction book anything is plausible. It does add a little bit of 'I don't know if this should be happening' but Lyga doesn't make it too crazy or out of the ordinary he makes feel like a last resort when the police don't have anything better than this teenager.
Lyga does go deeper into darkness with this book and that makes it more interesting but the humor like that first book isn't there as much. It becomes almost like an adult murder mystery rather than the teen fiction it should be.
What drives me absolutely mad is when authors leave you hanging and this author does just that...What the hell happens to Jazz? I can't wait for the next book in this series.
4 out 5 stars...only because of the ending that left me going "WTF"
Jazz is at it again but this time the stakes are higher. He's hunting his dad, Billy Dent. Billy has escaped from prison and is killing people. But what's different are the people and what he does to them. Hats and dogs? What does that mean? Jazz travels to New York to help the police solve these murders and soon finds out that maybe Billy has an accomplice or two.
Jazz and the NYPD soon find out that Billy Dent is playing a sick game with 2 others who are doing the killings. Bodies are piling up and Jazz is so close to finding out so many more details of who he is and who Ugly J is.
This book gives us more of everyone else involved in Jazz's life and gets out of Jazz's head and the what if's of him becoming a killer like his dad. It is a BIG jump and leap that NYPD would consult a teenager about anything let alone serial killers but I guess for a fiction book anything is plausible. It does add a little bit of 'I don't know if this should be happening' but Lyga doesn't make it too crazy or out of the ordinary he makes feel like a last resort when the police don't have anything better than this teenager.
Lyga does go deeper into darkness with this book and that makes it more interesting but the humor like that first book isn't there as much. It becomes almost like an adult murder mystery rather than the teen fiction it should be.
What drives me absolutely mad is when authors leave you hanging and this author does just that...What the hell happens to Jazz? I can't wait for the next book in this series.
4 out 5 stars...only because of the ending that left me going "WTF"
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
I Hunt Killers was a book that I stumbled upon in the bookstore and couldn't stop thinking about after reading the back of it to see what is was about. When I got home, I immediately regretted not buying it and went on my Kindle Fire and bought it and felt so much better.
How do I feel about buying it? I feel like it was the ONLY choice and the BEST choice.
Jazz is a 16 yr old boy whose life is not like most. His dad, Billy Dent, is the most notorious serial killer to ever live. From a very young age, his dad would take him to scope out his 'prospects' and teach him how to be the best at killing. A pretty chilling and sad story about a kid who doesn't want to turn into his father so he works with the police and the local sheriff, G William, to catch killers. He's great at it too. No child should ever have the thoughts Jazz has in this book or worry about whether or not he's going to kill women like his father did. His best friend, Howie, is a great character to have in this story since he gives the comedic relief. Connie, Jazz's girlfriend, is the only one who can stand up to Jazz and takes no shit from him. Jazz's grandmother, well there are no words to describe her except maybe, batshit crazy. She is both hilarious, sad, senile, demented and gentle all at the same time and makes Jazz's life even more interesting.
In the first book of the series, Jazz is helping G. William and the police find what he is certain is a serial killer. He becomes obsessed and no matter how many times is told to stop or to let it go or that it's not a serial killer, he just KNOWS it is.
And it is....
And it's impossible to guess who it is. Lyga does a tremendous job of making the reader look and think one way and then pulling off a fast one with who it really is. The details of the murders are chilling but in such a way that you can't look away.
5 out of 5 stars!
Up next, Game- Book 2 in I Hunt Killers series.
How do I feel about buying it? I feel like it was the ONLY choice and the BEST choice.
Jazz is a 16 yr old boy whose life is not like most. His dad, Billy Dent, is the most notorious serial killer to ever live. From a very young age, his dad would take him to scope out his 'prospects' and teach him how to be the best at killing. A pretty chilling and sad story about a kid who doesn't want to turn into his father so he works with the police and the local sheriff, G William, to catch killers. He's great at it too. No child should ever have the thoughts Jazz has in this book or worry about whether or not he's going to kill women like his father did. His best friend, Howie, is a great character to have in this story since he gives the comedic relief. Connie, Jazz's girlfriend, is the only one who can stand up to Jazz and takes no shit from him. Jazz's grandmother, well there are no words to describe her except maybe, batshit crazy. She is both hilarious, sad, senile, demented and gentle all at the same time and makes Jazz's life even more interesting.
In the first book of the series, Jazz is helping G. William and the police find what he is certain is a serial killer. He becomes obsessed and no matter how many times is told to stop or to let it go or that it's not a serial killer, he just KNOWS it is.
And it is....
And it's impossible to guess who it is. Lyga does a tremendous job of making the reader look and think one way and then pulling off a fast one with who it really is. The details of the murders are chilling but in such a way that you can't look away.
5 out of 5 stars!
Up next, Game- Book 2 in I Hunt Killers series.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Happy New Year (Belated) and Update
Wowzers it's been forever since I've posted...oops.
I have read a lot of books in the last few months and I'm in the middle of one right now :) I will post my reviews of these books over the next few days!
I have read the first 2 books in a teen series which will be my first 2 posts tomorrow. Then I will post my review of the first book in the series I'm currently reading. I have 3 more after those that I will review. All of them are really good and are 3.5 stars or more.
After I finish reading the Guardian series I'm reading, I want to branch out and read something that I don't normally read. I think I'll hit up my local library and see what's out there.
If you have any recommendations please comment and let me know! I'm always looking for something to good to read. I love suggestions and I'll pretty much read anything if you can talk me into it. I've never been a big fan of nonfiction or biographies or the like but hey, if you thinks it's awesome- then recommend it and I'll read it too.
Hope you're having a great new year so far. I've started classes back up so if I start to slack off again I apologize in advance.
Hugs!
M.
I have read a lot of books in the last few months and I'm in the middle of one right now :) I will post my reviews of these books over the next few days!
I have read the first 2 books in a teen series which will be my first 2 posts tomorrow. Then I will post my review of the first book in the series I'm currently reading. I have 3 more after those that I will review. All of them are really good and are 3.5 stars or more.
After I finish reading the Guardian series I'm reading, I want to branch out and read something that I don't normally read. I think I'll hit up my local library and see what's out there.
If you have any recommendations please comment and let me know! I'm always looking for something to good to read. I love suggestions and I'll pretty much read anything if you can talk me into it. I've never been a big fan of nonfiction or biographies or the like but hey, if you thinks it's awesome- then recommend it and I'll read it too.
Hope you're having a great new year so far. I've started classes back up so if I start to slack off again I apologize in advance.
Hugs!
M.
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