Hundreds cheer on their king and his tyranny. I cried on the walk across the bridge, in the face of so many blaming me for their loved ones' deaths.
From page 6-7 of King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard.
Gerard's:
But somehow, in front of Anna, she couldn't declare that she was desperate for food. Which was absurd, she reminded herself, since the girl was nothing but a shammer.
From page 49 of The Wonder byEmma Donoghue.
Whether it is sleeping or dying, I cannot say. Clutching it, I start away from the train.
From page 19 of The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. Happy Reading!
The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins is about two young teen girls--Ariel and Maya. Ariel lives with her dad. Her mom disappeared when she was a baby, When two people come into her life, she has some tough decisions to make. Maya wants so bad to get away from her abusive mom but when she does, she finds trouble at every turn.
The stories go back and forth, but Ariel's is told in verse so it goes pretty fast. I enjoyed both of the stories very much. The story lines were very good and the characters very believable with a shocking ending I really liked!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue is based on a true story. Remember that as your read this book! Eleven-year-old Anna has not eaten for four months, yet she still lives! Lib wright, an English nurse, has been sent to verify that this is true but she doubts it and is determined to get to the truth.
This book really drew me in. The story line is very good and the characters are very believable. Even though there is not a lot of action, I still kept turning pages. The last part of this book is gripping and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to get o the stunning conclusion!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
Carry On—A Story of Resilience, Redemption, and an Unlikely Family by Lisa Fenn is an inspirational non-fiction read about caring for others that focuses on her ESPN story about Dartanyon, a visually impaired wrestler and his friend, Leroy, a legless wrestler. It follows their story even after they graduate high school. This book is amazing. It is about overcoming all kinds of obstacles and the power of love in peoples’ lives. Lisa Fenn is an amazing woman of faith who really made a difference!
This book challenges the reader to not make assumptions about people but rather, get to know their story and thereby understand them. There are a lot of touching parts in this book and both highs and lows which makes it a very interesting read. The parts I liked the most were the wrestling and Judo matches, but it was all good once I accepted that it was much more than just about sports. I would recommend this to anyone!
(Karen's review, 5 stars)
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He had long bought into the Wolverines' misfit identity, and he figured if he learned how to coach kids without shoes, he could learn how to coach a kid without legs too. "Tell him to come to practice," he said finally. "We'd love to have him."
From page 17 of Carry of--A Story of Resilience, Redemption, and an Unlikely Family by Lisa Fenn.
Gerard's:
I recognized the paramedics and I could tell they recognized me, so they knew who they'd be finding in the bathroom and rescuing from the clutches of death. It wasn't the first time I'd seen them and it wouldn't be the last.
From page 16 of Train I Ride byPaul Mosier.
No, I will stand. And though I have no idea how, I have to keep fighting, even here in the belly of the beast.
From page 7 of King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard (3rd book in The RED QUEEN series)
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. Happy Reading!
Train I Ride by Paul Mosier is a children's story about Rydr, a little girl on an Amtrak train. This book tells the story of the people she meets on the train as well as the back story on Rydr.
Every so often I need a book that I can relax with that doesn't have somebody getting hurt or killed so I read this book. Rydr is a great character who will surprise you with her antics. I think people of all ages would enjoy this debut book. Job well done, Paul Mosier!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Karen's review, 3 stars: I read Train I Ride by Paul Mosier because my husband liked it so much and it is short and quick. I liked Rydr, the main orphan girl who is on her way from Los Angeles to Chicago to live with some old uncle she never even met because her mom died and probably her father and her grandma who she was living with. On the train, she meets several people who she really likes. Although her money runs out, she is quite resourceful in finding ways to get some. I especially liked her invisible monkey act but felt bad when she didn't even take the money she got from people. I thought this was a pretty sad story but enjoyed the funny parts.
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
All Dressed in White is a contemporary fiction thriller about a show called Under Suspicion that is like Unsolved Mysteries. The book focuses on the most recent cold case the show is investigating about a missing woman who disappeared the day before her wedding from the Florida resort she was supposed to get married at.
This book was very good. I was never sure exactly what happened to Amanda until it was finally revealed near the end and the killer ready to kill again was a twist I did not expect! This book is a warning to choose your friends carefully.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
The Ice Beneath Her by Camilla Grebe starts with a gruesome murder. In fact, it looks like one that happened years ago and the police have no clue! A CEO on whose property the murder too place is missing. The search is on to find him and a woman desperately also wants to find him.
I thought this book was fantastic! The writing is very good and the characters are believable. The suspense really builds in this book and what you think you know, you do not! This is my "book of the month" so far!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)
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Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass is a companion to The Selection series and should only be read after you have read the series. It fills in some gaps and answers some questions about some of the main characters in the series, and retells events from different perspectives. It gives background about Queen Amberly and Maxon. Shares perspectives from Aspen, Marlee, and Celeste. It gives more details about Marlee and Carter woodwork’s story and Lucy and Aspen’s romance. It gives closure on what happened with Kris, Elise, and Natalie after The Selection was over and they lost.
This was not as good as the books in the series but I still enjoyed reading it. It seemed kind of like dessert—a nice final touch but not really necessary. I devoured the series and enjoyed it immensely so was glad when I discovered this book which gave me a little more.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)
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She's charming, smart, gracious, beautiful; and though she's seen her share of sadness, she tries to be joyful. So how did this magical woman fall for someone the likes of Clarkson Schreave?
From page 6--An Introduction to the Queen of Happily Ever After (Companion to the Selection Series) by Kiera Cass.
Being able to pull up a verse in the middle of a totally different activity is more important than saying it 10 times, one after another. You memorize when you practice recalling, not when you repeat.
From page 17 of Hiding the Word in My Heart--Fun Ways to Memorize the Scripturesby Tina Houser.
Joseph Scriven (1819-1896), writer of the much-loved hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," knew the pain of heartache and loneliness. His bride-to-be drowned the evening before their wedding.
From page 14 of Tune My Heart to Sing--90 Devotions on Hymns from Our Daily Bread.
Gerard's:
Manfred groans and sinks down on his haunches. I lean forward, taking in the macabre scene. Letting it in--that's important.
From page 10 of The Ice Beneath Her byCamilla Grebe.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. Happy Reading!
The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a YA contemporary fiction mystery about Tess Kendrick, a 16-yr-old who is taken by her older sister, Ivy, the "fixer." Ivy left the ranch years before and works closely with the President of the United States in D.C. to fix problems. Tess resents Ivy for not taking her along when their parents died so lives with her grandfather whose Alzheimer's gets worse, When Ivy visits, she moves the grandfather to a care facility in Boston and has Tess live with her. Ivy tries to protect Tess from getting involved in her job but Tess becomes involved in spite of Ivy's efforts. Tess is shocked as secrets come to light and bravely seeks the truth.
This was very good with a combination of politics, murder and family relationships. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and especially the surprise twist near the end. I finished this in two days and looked forward to getting back to it.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
In The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson, Ted and Lily meet at an airport bar. They get to talking and drinking and all of a sudden, they feel a connection. They decide to hatch a plan. If it goes as planned, their lives will be forever changed. I enjoyed this book. The plot is good and the characters are cold-blooded to say the least. I loved the ending!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
In The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles, it has really been a bad year for 17-yr.-old Zoe. Her dad died, an older couple who befriended her was killed, and now a blizzard has come and her young brother and her are in it and are being attacked. Then a stranger comes out of nowhere and Zoe's life as she knows it will be forever changed.
This book had me from page 1! The story is really good and I cared about the characters. It went quick! I really enjoyed it and feel it was well worth reading!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
Frost Blood by Elly Blake is a teen fantasy involving some people with special powers called Frostbloods and Firebloods. Frostbloods like all things cold and can create ice and cold as opposed to the Firebloods who like things warm and can create fire and heat. Although they are mortal enemies, Arcus and Ruby join together to destroy the curse behind the throne of the King Frost Blood. Ruby, the main character, is a 17-yr.-old girl who was brought up to hide her gift so must be trained to develop it. She is believed to be the special Fireblood who will be able to destroy the curse behind the throne. There is lots of action with some surprises in the turn of events!
This book kept my interest from the start and I especially liked the parts of Ruby at the Abby and her fighting the King’s champions in the arena. Although the magic involved in this book around Manix was a bit confusing to me, and the writing was not that great, I thought it good enough to continue on with this series. The relationship between Ruby and Arcus that develops didn’t really grab me but maybe that will become more interesting in the next book. I am giving this 3 stars because there are other “super power” series I’ve enjoyed much more.
(Karen's review 2-8-17, 3 stars)
In Frost Blood by Elly Blake, Ruby has power but her mom
forbids her to use it! But when her mom is killed and Ruby is put in
prison, she yearns for revenge and to use her power. Later some men
come and help her escape. She is in a safe house where she is told that
she must destroy the throne and kill the king or all is lost! Does
Ruby have the power and the will to do it? I thought
this book was really good! There is plenty of action and the writing is
really good! Ruby is a great character! Can't wait for book 2!
(Gerard's review 1-21-17, 5++ stars)
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Flames ate at my clothes and roared in my ears. My skin was blistering hot, but it didn't burn.
From page 13 of Frost Blood by Elly Blake.
I sat beside her, holding her hand. Silly as it sounded, I had slouched in my chair, certain that would make her come to and correct my posture.
From The Crown by Kiera Cass (Book 5 of The Selection series.)
Gerard's:
Zoe had the binoculars trained on Stan when he turned back toward the lake and saw it blazing in the darkness--and when he first noticed the figure shooting toward him, covering hundreds of feet in an instant.
Stan was terrified.
From page 38 of The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles.
An flips through the channels. There will be tornadoes, floods, landslides, ash, fear, depravation, suffering, death.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. Happy Reading!
Rules of the Game by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton is the third and last book of "The Endgame" series. I thought this one was the best of the three! It is a non-stop thrill ride with action galore that kept me turning pages throughout the book! I wish the ending could have been different, but that being said, I still give this book and this series 5 stars! Glad I read it.
(Gerard's review)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
In The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, a man called Kvothe is telling his life story to a chronicler. He has heard about Kvothe and wants to find out what is fact and what is fantasy. This is the first of three books in this series. This book covers his life until he is in his teens. The stories in this book are really good! It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I had to keep flipping pages. Not sure if this book is for everyone, but I enjoyed it! It lived up to the hype for me.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
I loved The Crown by Kiera Cass, the fifth book in The Selection series because Eadlyn grows up quickly when her mother has a heart attack and shows both maturity and compassion for others, finally! This was a really fun series and I was not disappointed at all in this last book! She picked the one I thought she should and I loved how she became so caring about the feelings of the selected. I do not want to spoil anything because if you are reading this series, you have to read this one too!
(Karen's review, 5 stars)
I should have dressed up to do these videos--thought of it too late!
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
Windwitch by Susan Dennard is the follow up to Truthwitch which I Loved! Iseult is trying to reconnect with her sister, Safi. There is plenty of good action in this book with surprise twists and turns. I enjoyed the characters of Merik and Aepvan also. Looks like a book 3 is next and I will be on it!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
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The Heir by Kiera Cass is the fourth book in this series and although I enjoyed this one the least, it still gets 4 stars from me. This is 18 years after the end of The One and the main character is America and Maxon’s eldest by seven minutes, Eadlyn. The castes have been faded out by now and there is peace; however, old prejudices and discrimination still exist among some people. Small fights all over continue to break out over dissatisfaction with the monarchy. In an effort to provide a distraction while Maxon and America try to figure something out to correct the situation, they ask Eadlyn to have a selection of her own. She very reluctantly agrees and this book then becomes similar to the TV show, The Bachelorette! 35 suitors are picked live on TV with a draw, choosing someone from each providence. Someone entered Kile Woodward’s name (Marlee’s son who grew up in the palace with Eadlyn) and he is one of the selected. Eadlyn thinks love makes one weak but made a deal with her parents to go through the process for three months provided if she didn’t find love, she would not have to choose anyone in the end and that any of them were free to leave any time if they chose. Her parents are hopeful, she just wants her freedom. It’s fun to look back to the previous book as her parents reveal things about their Selection experience to Eadlyn and how interested she is
Eadlyn is a spoiled brat and basically rude to the suiters, but in spite of herself, her wall begins to crumble and she does start to really care about some of them. Her best dates turn out to be the ones that the cameras aren’t ready for. The two group dates were really fun. Some of the guys were outside playing baseball and she came by and decided to join them! The other was set up by the guys who felt left out of the ballgame—they got her to agree to join them for the “best date ever.” They put on a talent show and through this she actually laughed and finally enjoyed herself while getting to know a bit more about the suitors.
Eadlyn is so bratty that I did not like this book as much as the previous ones, but by the end she was becoming more decent. I like how there are really several possible choices for her and I am not sure who she will pick. I think it is a very interesting addition the Henri needs a translator, Eric who tries to stay in the background and is quite smart. Henri speaks only Finnish but is very nice and a great chef! Their kitchen kiss was so sweet! I also like seeing America’ and Maxon’s friends appear in this book as well. I cheered when I saw Aspen is now a General! I flew through this book as well and continued right on with the next. I am eating up this series and highly recommend it as a light, funny, entertaining read.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)
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