i am not a bookworm!: giveaway

Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Sunday, October 6, 2019

One Small Thing by Erin Watt | A Book Review

I won this book from a giveaway on Instagram. I read this a few months ago but I have been feeling so tired lately, actually these past few months, that I have rarely written reviews. I kept thinking, this weekend, I'll write some reviews because I am way behind but when the weekend arrives, I am just too exhausted to do anything that requires any conscious thinking. I'd rather do anything that requires lesser brain usage because I just don't have the energy left. That has been my days lately. I am not sure if it's a health issue or night shifts are just too taxing and the added stress caused by concerns at work just took all the fight in me.

So, with all those things I've said above, this book reminds me that when everything seems to be going downhill or nothing seems to be going as planned, think of one small thing to make you get through the day. Just one small thing. And it usually works. I've tried it.

The book cover says: A Boy. A girl. An impossible situation. These three things exactly sum up this book. What that impossible situation is will definitely blow your mind. It's tragic. It's cruel. You wouldn't wish it to happen to anybody. But it happened to Beth. And just when she thought that their lives couldn't get any worse, she was wrong, because the person who caused everything in her universe to shift from its axis is the same one she wants to spend time with. The only one who seems to understand her. But her friends, her parents and everyone is telling her to stay away from him. What should she do? Follow her heart and break her parents' heart even more or break her own heart?

This story has left me breathless, even hours after finishing it. It broke my heart the same way Beth's heart broke to a million pieces when her sister died and her family fell apart. There seems to be no going back from that. The pain is so immeasurable and comprehensible only to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Pain that has no plan of ever going away or receding. It's as permanent as the changes it has brought to the lives it has touched. That's how Beth and Chase' life seems to be going until they met and suddenly there seems to be hope. Everything that has lost its color seems to take its hue again. The sun, which seemed to be absent for some time has decided to take a peek from the dark skies again. It looks like everything might just turn out to be all right. Or was it just wishful thinking?

Beth and Chase' life changed in an instant due to one very tragic event. These two didn't know that the instant connection they have is actually going to be either strengthened or broken by the one tragedy they were both victims of. Fortunately, what most people thought should keep them apart was actually the one thing they could actually share to help deal with the pain and the loss. These two found strength in each other instead of destroying each other further.

I think the most admirable character in this story is Chase after the tragedy. When he came back, he was a different person. He grew up while he was away because he had no choice. And in order to survive, he has to dig very deep into himself and find the strength to last each day. One small thing each day is all he needs to survive another day. And that was what he did. He tried, even in his very desperate situation, to find that one small thing each and every day that would give him the strength to keep living for one more day. And that alone is true strength of character for someone at a young age, barely an adult, who had to go through something unfortunate. Hope, even in the most dreary and darkest room is still hope. No matter how tiny or minute it is.

This story may start out as tragic and bleak but it's actually very full of hope. Even when it looks like Beth and her family's life is all going to be looking gray because of the tragedy they experienced. But the truth also has a way of making everything all right. Maybe not back to the way things were but at least, the hatred would be lessen and all the pain would at least be relieved. And then finally lead to healing and forgiveness.

I give this book 5/5 doors. Yes, the door is very significant in this story. It represents the last vestige of freedom Beth has that her parents took away. When that door was taken down, they might have as well taken Beth's life. That was how bleak the story of Beth's life is shaping up to be. Until she met Chase. This book will definitely destroy you. That was what it did to me. I cried like Rachel was my sister and Beth was my only other surviving relative. My heart broke every time Beth's did. But in the end, the story will also build you back up. Repair all the damage it inflicted because that's how love is. That's how love works. It makes the impossible possible and the hopeless alive again.

This story left a permanent mark in my heart and in my head. Every time my day seems to be gloomy or everything is out of control, I think of this book. I'm reminded to remain calm even if I'm more tempted to get hysterical. This story reminds me to think of that one small thing, one tiny good thing that I want to happen or that had happened. That somehow makes the day a little less overwhelming and it helps give me some small measure of strength to at least go through the rest of the day. That "one small thing" idea is actually very powerful. And I want you, the one who happens to read this, to do the same thing when life seems to press you to smithereens. Think of that one small thing and the world won't feel too scary at all on days when you'd rather die than live.

I lean into him, borrow his strength, because now that the seal is off, I can't stuff any of this back inside the bottle.

The pain stretches its tendrils, traveling through my veins until every part of my body aches and shudders under its burden.

- Erin Watt, One Small Thing -

Thank you so much @nadirasworld for hosting this giveaway which led me to win this book. Maybe the universe knows that I badly needed to learn from Chase. Thank you also Erin Watt for writing this very inspiring story and for that one small thing idea. You have just made a difference in this world because of it and I hope that more people will be inspired to follow that kind of mindset. We all need it.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Perfectly Misunderstood (Perfect Series #4) by Robin Daniels | Book Blitz and Giveaway

Perfectly Misunderstood
(Perfect Series Book #4)

Author: Robin Daniels
Publisher: Bluefields
Publication Date: April 4, 2018

This dual perspective book is the final installment in the Perfect Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Jayden Valdez is an overachieving intellectual. Mike McGinnes is Franklin High School’s dumbest jock. Even though they barely know each other, she finds his personality repulsive and he thinks she’s got a giant stick up her you know what. Mike and Jayden are surprised and annoyed when their teacher pairs them together for Spanish tutoring. Both feel it’s a complete waste of time, since nobody could learn from a person who bugs the crap out of them. Not to mention that their reputations might be ruined if people realize what they’re doing. But it doesn’t take long for Jayden to discover that Mike has a secret—he isn’t the person he appears to be. Much to her dismay, Jayden finds 'Secret Mike' strangely attractive. And for some crazy reason, Mike is amused by Jayden’s clever insults and witty banter. Suddenly, they have a much bigger problem than their mutual disdain. What started as irritating tension is beginning to feel more like romantic tension and acting on it would be a very bad idea.

(Mike): Jayden’s glare intensified, and I could tell she was sending me mental death threats. Eventually, she gave up and sat down across from me. “Was that so hard?” I asked.

“About as hard as you head.”

“I have harder parts than my head,” I countered. Her eyes grew wide at the implication. I let her stew for a second before lifting my sleeve and flexing my bicep. “You think that’s hard? You should see my abs.” I’d said it as a joke, but it was basically true.

She was surprised for the briefest moment, then she grunted. “How Cro-Magnon of you.”

“Your grunt suggests you’re familiar with the genotype on a personal level.” I smirked.

Jayden’s eyes narrowed. “At least I’ve evolved. Your face suggests that you haven’t yet.”

I tsked in good nature. “Your face might be prettier than mine, but your manners prove you haven’t evolved as much as you think.”

Robin Daniels is a sixteen-year-old trapped in a middle-aged body. She's married to an amazing guy and has five cute but crazy kids. When she's not chasing children or writing books, she's coaching volleyball or working on her blog. She tries to read as much as possible, but often gets distracted by Netflix. Robin's favorites include napping, dessert, pedicures, Christmas, Arizona winters, and Diet Coke.

Runs the whole month of April. Winner will be selected on May first and receive signed paperback copies of all 4 books in the series, along with a $50 Amazon e-gift card. Physical copies are only available for a winner in the US. For a winner outside of the US, e-books will be substituted for paperbacks.

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Monday, February 26, 2018

Pen and Xander by Laekan Zea Kemp | Book Blast and Giveaway

Title: Pen and Xander

Author: Laekan Zea Kemp

Published Date: October 31, 2017

Genre: YA

Amazon | Goodreads

Pen Prado has a passion for cooking. Specifically, cooking her father's food in her father's restaurant. It's the heart of their immigrant neighborhood, a place where everyone belongs, and second chances are always on the menu. Except for Pen. Despite the fact that there's something almost magic about her food, her father can't imagine anything worse than her following in his footsteps. And when Pen confesses to keeping a secret from her family, he fires her, ensuring she never will.

Xander Amaro is undocumented but that doesn't stop Ignacio Prado from offering him a job at his restaurant. For Xander, it's a chance to make amends and to sever his toxic relationship with the druglord, El Cantil--a man whose been like a father to him since his own disappeared. Soon after, his mother abandoned him too, leaving behind a void that not even his abuelo can fill. Until he meets Pen.

Both seeking a place where they feel like they truly belong, they end up finding each other, and in the face of tremendous fear and self-doubt, they end up finding themselves.

The parking lot hasn’t changed; the science building looks the same as that first day of school five months ago. But as I sit in my car, watching girls I met during orientation skip up the steps, hugging their bags, excited to play nurse, I try to convince myself that something inside me has. That today I’ll actually be able to go inside. That today I will stop lying and be the person they want me to be.

Class starts in approximately seven minutes—the class I should have taken and passed last semester, moving me one step closer to a degree in nursing.

Six minutes.

I sit in the parking lot, watching the clock tick down. The car is in park but I can’t bring myself to turn off the engine.

Walk inside.

I turn off the car, reminding myself how much I’ve already wasted on tuition and books.

You can do this. You can.

I reach for my bag.

Get. Out. Of. The. Car.

And then I can’t breathe.

My mother’s shoes.

All I can think about are my mother’s shoes.

How they’ve sat in the same spot by the door for almost twenty years. Scuffed and cracked, the shadow of her foot pressed to the leather even when the laces are loose. I imagine every hallway they’ve ever walked down, every door they’ve propped open, every mess they’ve ever stepped in, every second they’ve held her up when all she wanted was to collapse. Because one of her patients couldn’t remember her face or their daughter’s name or how to speak.

When she lost one I’d wake to the knock of the rolling pin and the smell of dough warming on the hot plate. Sometimes I’d try to take the pin from her but there was something about the force, about the rhythm that reminded her how to breathe. We’d work in silence and three-dozen tortillas later she’d wrap them in foil and drive them to the family. The family that only visited once a month. That would accept my mother’s food without acknowledging that she was more family to the deceased than they were.

And then the next day she would go back to work.

For almost twenty years. She went back.

And if I step out of this car, if I walk up those steps, if I sit at that desk and pretend…how long will I be sitting there before I realize I’m trapped?

I take a deep breath, the scent of a thousand shifts at the restaurant tucked into the fabric of the front seat. Mango and cilantro and epazote, tomatillos and roasted pepitas and tortillas. I can’t sleep without those smells tangled in my hair, without those flavors still on my tongue.

So I have to decide what’s scarier: living a life that doesn’t belong to me or losing the one I love. If the truth breaks my father’s heart, I know he’ll take it from me. But if it doesn’t, if he understands, if I can makehim understand, I can be free.

I weigh each option, simmering in the anxiety they provoke, in the hope. Because I have to do what scares me. It’s the only way to ward off the helplessness. To stay in control. I always have to be in control.

Which means that today is not the day I go inside.

My stomach drops, my hand reaching to put the car in drive again.

Today is the day I tell them the truth.

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Amazon

Click on the photo or the Enter Now! link below to enter the giveaway.

Giveaway ends on March 25, 2018.

Prizes:

1st Place: (1 winner)
Kindle Fire
E-copies of My Entire Backlist
Digitally signed copy of The Girl In Between
Digitally signed copy of Pen & Xander
The Girl In Between Instrumental Soundtrack
Printable Bookmarks

2nd Place: (5 winners)
E-copies of My Entire Backlist
Digitally signed copy of The Girl In Between
Digitally signed copy of Pen & Xander
The Girl In Between Instrumental Soundtrack
Printable Bookmarks

3rd Place: (10 winners)
Digitally signed copy of The Girl In Between
Digitally signed copy of Pen & Xander
Printable Bookmarks

4th Place: (15 winners)
Digitally signed copy of Pen & Xander
Printable Bookmarks

Enter Now!

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Sprite by Anna B. Madrise | A Book Review

The Holidays are coming and this book is just in time. This felt like a retelling of The Christmas Carol. Remember the story of Ebenezer Scrooge? This story reminded me of Scrooge but only with some twists that make this its own.

I got this from the author's giveaway on Instagram. Can you believe it? I won six paperbacks from the author. Yes, I felt so lucky. This is the third book of that 6-book prize. Thank you again, Anna B. Madrise.

Sprite, not the carbonated drink but a supernatural being. They are similar to fairies but a little bigger, more like a little child. Their most distinguishing feature is the ability to command snow or shower snowflakes. This supernatural creature is one of the major player in this story. Sprite, which is also her name is tasked to change Blaine Frost into a compassionate, giving, courageous and joyful person. Blaine's motivation is to be able to keep the love of his life--Noel.

Like the very popular Christmas story of Scrooge, Blaine's story also started on the eve of Christmas day. He was driving home with Noel on a snowy night when he lost control of his car because he drunk. Blaine woke up to an unconscious Noel on the passenger side and the appearance of a child-like character with white hair and pink lips sitting on his hood. The said character gave her an assignment to perform so he could have Noel back. Failure to do acts of compassion, charity, courage and joy in seven days will lose him Noel for good.

This is a very modern twist to the classic Christmas story of all time. Blaine represents the modern-day Scrooge but with more good looks and a very nice girlfriend. Blaine is a workaholic and a person who never thought about anyone else but himself. He grew up in a family who never thought about money because it was never lacking. His only redeeming quality is he loves his girlfriend which makes him an upgraded version of Scrooge. At least Blaine is capable of loving someone other than himself.

The story ended with Blaine being able to perform all virtues required by Sprite. He got Noel back and got more friends who became like family to him because of his change of heart. A happy ending. Great! But what I really liked about the story is how it emphasized paying attention to our surroundings. Blaine, if you really look at him, is not a bad person. He never hurt anyone intentionally but he also never cared about anybody else's business. I think his faults were in his omissions. He did not care about his employees spending more hours at work thereby, missing out on family events. He never cared about the homeless person which turned out to be someone he knew in high school. All these minor details added up have major effects in other people's lives. How many of us are just like Blaine? We are all guilty. What I love about this story is it is so unassuming. It even comes as a cute and funny tale because of Sprite's character but it also poses a very heavy reminder of the very small things we try to not see. The things that we refuse to look and turn our heads away because it has no bearing to us in any way.

I give this book 4/5 snowflakes. Though the story is done in a light way, with Sprite's character who is very playful, it holds a very important and relevant lesson. It reminds us all of doing a random act of kindness everyday. Just because we are so busy with our lives and our own problems, doesn't mean it gives us the license to forget about the rest of the world. A little random act of kindness goes a long way and this was what really hit me in this story. Though, in here, all the acts done by Blaine were not totally done to strangers, the meaning and essence is still the same. If you can't be compassionate and giving to the people you know, how much more to those who aren't? This book is really in time for the holidays but kindness should be practiced all the days of the year. Kindness is not only done during Christmas. It should be given any day. And let's not forget about love. After all, it was Blaine's love that moved him to be a better man.

Being homeless doesn't just strip somebody of the basic necessities, like shelter and food, it also strips away one's dignity. Somehow, maybe not monetarily, but somehow, I will pay you back for your help. Give me that-- my dignity, my self-worth.

- Anna B. Madrise, Sprite -

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

If Two Trains Leave at Midnight by Meredith Rose | A Book Review

This book just screams Math is fun! Math is fun if you love it and if you have the aptitude for numbers and equations. But if you are a word-person, simply you'll find Math a pain in the butt. And if you won't try hard enough, there would be no use making numbers, x's and y's make sense. Me? I actually love Math, but before I memorized the Table of Multiplication, I found long division tedious and annoying. Until, one of my classmates tried to show me how he solved long divisions. I realized, the only secret is to memorize the multiplication table. Unlike in this story, he was unsuccessful in teaching me because I found the solution all by myself, which isn't exactly a secret at all.

If two trains leave at midnight...is the most used algebra problem ever. I think everyone has been asked to solve this train-problem at least once. This is my first time to read a romance story with Math in it. And it was not awkward or forced at all. Math perfectly fits into the whole equation of the story.

I am not sure if I was unfortunate not to experience being tutored by my crush. That would have been a nice experience to look back on. But I did have a similar experience. The guy helping us pass the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) was a looker so it was not so hard paying attention with the summer heat full on and with only a fan to fight it. Our rooms did not have air-conditioning. He was giving us pointers on how to pass the exam. I did pass the test but I decided not to study there. Looking back, I should have, but during that time, my heart was telling me no.

This was fun, with that secret meeting place right in the middle of a hidden forest and the LARP game (live action role-playing) and Dungeons and Dragons. Reminds of episodes of Big Bang Theory where the guys were playing the same game.

At first, I find Cate irritating the way she brushes Math like it's a really complicated subject and beyond her comprehension. I think she was just not trying at all because she just wanted to piss off her parents. She was trying too hard not to like Math because she doesn't want to follow in her parents footsteps. She knows what she wants and it's far from her parents expectations. It took someone she was interested in hanging out with to make her appreciate Math.

I give this 3.5/5 Math books. This story brought back memories of my student days. Days spent in the study halls doing group study or working on our feasibility study. This also reminded me of times when my friends would visit me at home to ask my help about their confusing homework. I think I was pretty good at tutoring for free back in high school. That was how my mom got the idea that I would make a good teacher and was pushing me to take Education but I had my mind set on something else.

It makes me feel old and wistful, like looking at a pair of shoes I can remember adoring as a child and realizing now they won't even fit on my fingers much less my feet.

- Meredith Rose, If Two Trains Leave at Midnight -

Monday, October 2, 2017

Ruffled Feathers (The Shearwater Mysteries #2) by Anna B. Madrise | A Book Review

Here comes book two. Yes, I read this right after book 1 (Chirp No More) and finished this about an hour. Just like the first book it was easy to read and their is another murder here. And again, the Carrier ladies are in the middle of it.

Same with the first book, the cast is introduced before the story starts. Here are another set of interesting characters. This time, they are not the locals of Shearwater but tourists who happen to book the only B&B in town--The Bird's Nest which is owned by the Carrier sisters--Abigail and Evalynn. Along with the guests, is a famous critic who will give their B&B another review, which this time they will make sure that it will be a good one, unlike the last one. This time, Abigail and Evalynn will make sure that The Bird's Nest will reach the outside confines of Shearwater and be known in the whole state of Maryland and in the East Coast, or the whole US in particular, to draw more guests and money in. That's the plan. Until, the plan got derailed and there might not be a B&B at all and they may have to finally close it because of an incident.

And of course, the said incident in this story is no other than a murder. Yes, a murder, again. This time, right in the heart of the sisters' inn. One of their guests was murdered. What would this mean to The Bird's Nest, or the sisters? In the midst of the chaos, Kitty, the sisters' mother, had a vision of a white knight coming for Abigail. Kitty's visions were always on the target. They never fail even if her knees fail her nowadays. Who is this white knight? A lot of interesting things happened in this book and adding in more outside characters is even more going to make this story a riot.

So, so far we have, a murder, a new face in town, and not to mention a storm that isolated the island-town from the rest of the state of Maryland. No cell signals or outside help could intervene. It's up to the Carrier ladies and their men, the sheriff and his not so reliable assistant to figure out who had committed the deed right in the sanctum of the Carriers. Honestly, here my guess as to who the culprit is, was wrong, though at some point, it started to get obvious who it was and I then started to change my hypothesis. The mix of characters surely threw me out and knowing they were tourists, not residents of town added to that. Even our esteemed ladies were unsure how to go about their investigations realizing again, just like the last time, that each guest staying at the inn has it in for the victim also. Everyone, again, had known the victim and each had his/her own motives for killing.

Aside from the new set of characters involved in this story, the difference from the previous one is the arrival of a new face who will likely end up as a permanent resident of Shearwater. That is Lance, the son of Henk the curator of the local museum. A Dutch who is according to Kitty is Abigail's white knight. And he sure did turn out to be, in more ways than one could ever imagine.

There is no way I could choose which of the two stories so far is better than the other. I think they bought entertain me and the mystery was totally puzzling but I think the killer was more obvious in the first story than the first. Saying that, does not mean that Chirp No more is less. And I don't have to decide which one is better because these two have both served their purpose well--to entertain, rouse my curiosity and interest, and of course, to affirm my love for mysteries. The two books did good on all counts.

I give this book 5/5 bottles of prescription pills. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series. It seemed like the Carrier ladies will always find a use for their special abilities. Thanks, Martha Carrier! I can't wait to find out what is the next incident that they will find themselves in the center of.

For those who are not yet into mysteries and are looking into testing the waters, The Shearwater mysteries is a good start. It is not so taxing that will have you confused and overwhelmed, but a light read. A light read that will almost make it seem like reading about a murder is fun.

Oh, get ahead of yourselves--I am not getting any younger while I wait around for more grandbabies!

- Anna B. Madrise, Ruffled Feathers -

Thank you again, Anna B. Madrise for the copy.

Other books by Anna B. Madrise:

Chirp No More (Shearwater Mysteries #1)

Chirp No More (The Shearwater Mysteries #1) by Anna B. Madrise | A Book Review

I won a load of books from the author last summer through an Instagram Author Hop. I got six books from the author. Yes! Six paperbacks. Seemed like I hit the jackpot. Thank you again, Anna B. Madrise for the books. I have two down and four more to go. So far, I have enjoyed The Shearwater Mysteries. Looking forward to reading the rest of your books.

This is my first time to read a book by the author and I do not know what to expect. She seems to be into different genres. I decided to venture into the Shearwater mysteries first as a lot of people commented that this series is really good. And I love mysteries. Here it comes.

This is a mystery with a sprinkling of comedy and supernatural with also a little romance on the side. Yes, this seemed liked a neat little book with almost everything in it. It was so easy to read. I think I finished this within an hour while minding the small fashion store of my sister. I was not surprised to find that I liked the book. I love the characters. The Carrier ladies are really adorable, especially Kitty, the mother. She's an eccentric yet very lovable character. She puts a lot of life and hilarity in this story. I think she brought the word comedy to this story. No, she's not a comedian but her witty retorts are just so hilarious. Right on the mark.

The town itself, Shearwater is a quaint little town. A very perfect setting for very quaint characters with quirky personalities. What I love about the author is she listed all the characters in the story before the first chapter starts. It was like introducing each character to the reader formally. The introductions were done clearly without the possibility of anyone mistaking one character for the other. And of course, the town of Shearwater is introduced too. How it is such a fitting and special town that creates a perfect backdrop for this story.

The story starts with a dead body. Yes, someone died in the first chapter. What turned this peaceful tourist town in a fuss was the fact that the dead woman was not liked by everyone. It seemed like the people who were not in the town meeting, who were considered persons of interest in the murder had each a reason to push the victim to her death. And in the midst of this is Abigail Carrier. A clairtangence, just like her sister Evalynn, who can see a person's memories just by touch. Her abilities came in handy but it was not easy-peasy. Her visions were not straightforward or clear. They are just snatches and it is up to the Carriers to figure out what those visions all mean. Whether they'd lead to the murderer or not, Abigail and Evalynn, with the Kitty pitching in from time to time, would need to do a little sleuthing to piece together facts to identify the murderer.

If I were Abigail, my first suspect would have been Peter Bakerfield. I am a mystery fan and I have read lots of mysteries. As I have mentioned, it's my favorite genre and my bookshelf is filled with varying mystery authors. So, I sort of have this habit of guessing the murderer or the culprit whenever I read mysteries and crime thrillers. Here it was Peter. He sort of planted himself in to the thick of things. The fact that he went back to the crime scene, to scout or probably get some items left that may point to him, is one indication. It just so happened that Abigail was there also and bumped into him. Second thing that led me to believe it was him was that he mentioned someone who might have done it. Trying to misled Abigail's investigation by pointing his finger to someone else is definitely a sign of guilt. Third thing was, he sort of misdirected Abigail's attention from him by supposedly being interested in dating her so she would not be focused on her sleuthing. And a lot of other clues that more or less pointed to his direction. Good thing, the Carrier ladies talk a lot and they examine everything from all angles. Points for Abigail too for not totally believing everyone, including being misled by Peter's supposed to be affections for her.

I totally enjoyed this story. Yes, someone died but it was not gory or morbid at all. This is probably the lightest murder mystery I have ever read. Light because of how fun this quirky characters make the investigation sound. I can't wait to read the second book of this series. What else would the sisters get themselves into this time?

I give this book 5/5 historical plaques. I haven't been reading a lot of mystery stories lately. I try to diversify my reading and read all other genres. My readings have been a mixture of a lot of other genres but mysteries have not been included into the mix until this book came. This reminded me of my first love of the mystery genre. This is how I got addicted into reading, buying and spending sleepless nights with my head buried in a book. I just got this feeling that I never get reading other genres when reading a mystery. Especially mystery and suspense books by my favorite authors. I just get lost in the pages and be immersed in them for as long as it takes. Thank you, Anna B. Madrise for reminding me this great feeling of having unraveled and solved the mystery myself.

Did I mention that the book includes recipes too. Yes, for someone like me who is also interested or more of a frustrated chef, I find these recipes really helpful. I will try them one day and see how they taste.

Good job, honey; ya couldn't have done it without us.

- Anna B. Madrise, Chirp No More -

Other books by Anna B. Madrise:

Ruffled Feathers (Shearwater Mysteries #2)

Monday, September 25, 2017

Nemesis (Project Nemesis #1) by Brendan Reichs | A Book Review

I won this book through the YASH (Young Adult Scavenger Hunt) Spring 2017. This book came out March of this year. It's also my first time to read a book by Brendan Reichs.

Having the hardbound book in my hand was a bit intimidating. The book is huge and it's thick. It's been a while since I last touched a hardbound book like this. I have become more accustomed to paperbacks and ebooks. I decided, I will start reading it once I am ready for it. I won't start unless I can't give my heart and mind fully into it because by the way this looked, this requires concentration. I can't take this book lightly and guess what? I was right with my initial assessment. I judged the book by its cover and I totally nailed it.

At first, it was disconcerting or confusing finding that the one of the main characters--Min, kept dying every two years and then later wakes up in the middle of the forest. Yes, I did ask what's going on? What kind of phenomenon is this? Thankfully, it was answered but on the later part of the book.

Do I feel like the story was dragged out? Honestly, a little! I felt like I don't need to read some of the parts but when I reached the part where things were revealed and my questions were answered, I realized the pages I thought that were unnecessary actually helped explained the answers to my questions about the story. Yes, the first few parts could be a little boring. I actually had to stop and read something else and then came back to this after I finished that other story which was a lot shorter than this one. I think the best part of the story was in the last few chapters where everything made sense. Finally! The wondering and the mystery was over.

Each chapter which I first thought were not so important just added to the mystery of the story. If you don't have the patience to push on and finish the story, you will likely end up hating this because as I said, the best is yet to come. The best lies in the last parts and it would definitely blow you off your seat. This is absolutely a story I have not heard of before. The plot had me asking questions even to the point of irritation but my patience was later on rewarded as the story wrapped up and told me anything I need to know.

I am still unsure if I liked the story but the fact that it piqued and stroke my curiosity, is totally a point for the author. And yes, the title kept me wondering too. How it relates to the whole story? That was answered too. I give this book 3.5/5 asteroids. And I would definitely like to read the next book. The mystery baffled me enough that I would want to know if the author can keep that throughout the series. I also want to know if the next book would make me decide if the series is worth following or not.

This time, I was going to fight for what I believed in, no matter the consequences. I was going to do something. I just didn't have any idea what.

- Brendan Reichs, Nemesis -

Thank you again, Brendan Reichs for the copy.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Blood Road (Blood Oath #1) by Amanda McCrina | Blog Tour and Giveaway | Book Review

Title: BLOOD ROAD

Author: Amanda McCrina

Pub. Date:April 25, 2017

Publisher:Month9Books

Format: Paperback,eBook

Pages: 329

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD

Nineteen-year-old Torien Risto has seen dissidents dealt with before. He knows the young local girl who just knifed him will hang for assaulting an Imperial officer, unless he can stop it.

Someone inside the provincial government is kidnapping Imperial citizens and selling them across the desert to the salt mines, silencing anyone who tries to intervene. The girl’s brother is one of those who has been taken. Rejected by the corrupt courts, she’s waging a personal war against the Empire.

Determined to save her life, Torien sets out in search of answers on the Salt Road, the ancient trade route running deep into the heart of a desert—territory claimed by the hostile Mayaso tribe.

Now, Torien is no longer sure where his own loyalty lies, or how far he will go to break the cycle of tyranny, political bullying, and social injustice in an empire that seals its borders in blood.

This is the story of Commander Torien Berio Risto. The second son of Lord Risto of Cesin. An unfortunate event led him to make a blood oath to a girl named Lida. In order to perform his promise, his journey brought him to the Salt Road or more popularly known as the Blood Road. Named so because of the rampant killings and blood shed on this road. Torien Risto wants to get to the bottom of the corruption in the government involving kidnapping of Imperial citizens. His search will lead him to a very deep hole with very influential and filthy rich individuals involved.

Wow! This is like one man versus a world of corrupt government officials. Torien's oath opened up a canned of worms with people bent on killing anyone who will expose their dirty deeds. The rich and the government holds all the power. The high and mighty. While the ordinary citizens are eating scraps. Not exactly far from the real world--might be the same scenario in any third world country. Torien's crusade brought on by an oath to a poor girl lead him to deadly situations and ambush. Along the way, he finds good souls who share the same aspiration as his and they try to topple the vicious and corrupt system. In the end of this story, their efforts seem to have paid off but they are not sure if the problem has really ended. It's obvious that new adventures and deadly situations are going to be waiting for Torien.

One of the most memorable characters in this story is Torien's adjutant--Lt. Senna. He is also from a rich family but was disowned by his father. I like his and Torien's relationship. Honest and loyal. Lt. Senna can be blunt with Torien about anything. He can speak his mind and truth without fear. These two have each other's back and would lay down each other's life for one another. I just hope that the author will not kill Senna's character in the next stories.

I have observed that throughout the story, Torien kept passing out. He lost consciousness a lot of times. More than I could count. Maybe it's due to the fact that Torien has it in his personality to try to take on the world alone. He is often blind-sided though he also often escapes those very tight situations with help from unlikely and unexpected sources. The propensity for him, more often than not, ending up unconscious bothered me. It seems like a flaw to his very admirable and strong character. I am not sure if this flaw will eventually lead him to his end or will continue to save his butt. I am dying to know if this will continue to be Torien's trademark in the next books. I am not sure if the author is even aware of this. I hope she is.

All in all, this is a very inspiring story. I can't help but be moved by Torien's strength of character and convictions. He is a new hero to watch out for. A new champion! He has a heart for the oppressed and the forgotten. He is bound to breach every wall that stands in his way against his fight with corruption. Though stubborn, he doesn't just go to any battle unprepared. He tries to weigh some facts and information at hand. I think his success is due to using his brains and not pure brawn. And yes, fainting. I wish there's someone like him in real life. One who would stand bravely and stubbornly, against all odds, to remove all the corrupt government officials and individuals and end their hemorrhaging of the nations coffers.

I give this book 4/5 open palms. I am open to read the next books in this series. I want to continue Torien's fight for a slave-free empire.

Prudence is groveling. Wisdom is holding your tongue until this passes over and we can all of us act on reason, not impulse.

- Amanda McCrina, Blood Road -

Thank you, RockStar Book Tours for the copy.

Amanda McCrina has studied in Italy, taught English in Japan, and currently tutors Latin in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her BA in History from the University of West Georgia, and is now pursuing her MA. She writes stories that incorporate her love of history, languages, and world travel. She drinks far too much coffee and dreams of one day having a winning fantasy-hockey season.