Review - In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham

Title: In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It
Author: Lauren Graham
Pages: 64
Release Date: 3rd April 2018
Format: Hardback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Advice for graduates and reflections on staying true to yourself from the beloved Gilmore Girl acctress and New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Talking as Fast as I Can and the novel Someday, Someday, Maybe.

"If you're not where youwant to be on this day - don't worry about it. Because the spotlight aspect of life? That's not the satisfying part."

In this expansion of her 2017 commencement speech at her hometome Langley High, Lauren Graham reflects in her hilarious, relatable voice, on growing up, pursuing your dreams, and living in the here-and-now. "Whatever path upi choose, whatever career you decide to go after, the important thing." She reminds us to be curious and compassionate, no matter where life takes you, "Whether you hope to be an actop or a politician ot a mathematician, I've learned that empathy and kindness are your most vauable tools." Grounding and inspiring, this is Graham's roadmap to a happy life; "Be a fan, not a theater critic."

My Review: This is a short and sweet book about the commencement speech that Ms Graham made at her old high school in 2017 that her dad signed her up for with some awesome advice. The things that she talks about are relatable and motivational.

She talks about life and how no matter what you go on to do after high school don't stress about what comes next as you never know where life will take you even if you think that you have it all figured out.

The message of the story is that if you don't know what you want to do with life after high school then that's fine you have time to decide later in life and it will all be okay, as long as you embrace the present and do not worry about the future.

I really loved the little doodles that she included in with the book.

Currently Reading: Something, Something, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Read in 2020: 5/40

Review - Addicted to Love by Alice La Roux

 

Title: Addicted to Love
Author: Alice La Roux
Series: 
Pages: 57
Release Date: 5th February 2021
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Motherless and living with a father who would rather get high, than move off the couch and get a job, Tammy Reuben has always been trailer trash. And she's never been ashamed of that fact, until now.

Rich boy Luke Anderson is everything she hates. Privileged, arrogant and completely unaware of life on the other side of the tracks.

So when he strides into the record store she works in, why does he make her feel uncomfortable in her own skin?

And why does he make her feel like she has potential to be something more?

Put that Aqua Net away and slip into something a little more comfortable with one of twelve couples as they fall in love in Pine Grove.

My Review: I really enjoyed this story, I loved Luke as he took care of Tammy even though she was plenty capable to look after herself especially once she had gotten rid of the toxic people in her life and had gotten herself out from under her dads roof.

Tammy is really smart and is really good at turning something cheap into something cute and looking like it's not actually from a charity shop.

This book is really up there with my favourites by this author.

Currently Reading: Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham

Read in 2020: 5/40

Review - Gravity Happens by Lizzie James

 

Title: Gravity Happens
Author: Lizzie James
Pages: 167
Release Date: 16th December 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: A friends-to-lovers Christmas stroy

Lauren

He was there, Through all the good times, and the bad, when my world collapsed and me family passed away, he was there. He picked me up and gave me a reason to keep going. He just never saw that the reason was him.

Thomas

My best friend started oulling away. The girl who has always been by my side was now too busy for me. Suddenly, the revolving door of my bedroom no longer held my attention, and I wasn't sure why.

Would Thomas finally wake up and see what he'd been missing all this time?

Find out if this crazy pair finally take a chance and allow their love story to unfold this Christmas.

My Review: Thomas and Lauren have been friends for years, his mum took her in after her parents died and Lauren has loved Thomas for a long time but he never noticed her as anything but a friend, he always seemed to have a girl and this annoyed Lauren to the point that she decided to move on and get on with her life.

Lauren starts to date in an attempt to move on and Thomas decides that he doesn't like it and even stops seeing girls himself and he starts to notice Lauren and finally starts getting the hints that his friends and family have been giving him about Lauren liking him.

Thomas didn't like the fact that Lauren was dating and he starts to make a move on her and Lauren pushes him away until eventually they both decide to give love a chance.

Overally I liked this book, I was a quick read and had plenty to keep you going.

Currently Reading: Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Read in 2020: 5/40

Read in 2020

So 2020 was a crap year for many reasons one being COVID-19 however because of COVID-19 I was able to surpass my goal of reading 35 books and I read 50. Most of my reads in 2020 were rereads due to not being able to go to the library and me not wanting to buy more books until I had read the ones I already own.

Heres what I read in 2020:

1. Flashpoint by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
2. Web of Lies by Elizabeth Knox et el
3. The Dark Kingdom Anthology by Krissy V et el
4. Lady and the Biker by Glenna Maynard
5. Blush For Me by M. K. Moore
6. Kickflip Summer by Danielle Jacks
7. Smoulder by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
8. Hide and Seek by AJ Everheart
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
10. Grandad's Girl by Emma Louise
11. Can I Let You Go? by Cathy Glass
12. Fallout by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
13. Evermore by Alyson Noel
14. The Society by Michelle Brown
15. Decay by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
16. Empowerment by Alice La Roux
17. Girl on Point by Chloe Lukasiak
18. Convergence by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
19. Master by Alice La Roux
20. Mercy by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
21. Barren by Yolanda Olson
22. Matus by Jason Hes
23. Matatus by Ally Vance
24. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
25. Inhuman Behavior by Faith Ryan
26. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
27. Pins and Needles by Ashleigh Giannoccaro
28. Coquette by A. A. Davies
29. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
30. Night Star by Alyson Noel
31. Everlasting by Alyson Noel
32. Radiance by Alyson Noel
33. The Orphans by Martina McAtee
34. Shimmer by Alsyon Noel
35. Shade by Mere Joyce
36. The Friendship by Alison Croggon
37. Wicked Mourning by Heather Boyd
38. Haunted by Willow Cross
39. The Vampire Hunter's Daughter by Jennifer Malone Wright
40. The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas by Tom Fletcher
41. The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate by Tom Fletcher
42. Dreamland by Alyson Noel
43. Elbow Grease: Get out and Play by John Cena
44. Elbow Grease: My Monster Truck Family by John Cena
45. 52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody
46. Heist Society by Ally Carter
47. Whisper by Alyson Noel
48. Double Crossed by Ally Carter
49. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
50. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

My goal for 2021 is 40, I know I can read more that that I proved it this year but I'm hopinglife goes back to being 'normal' again which means I will be going back to work as well as having college and university this year.

I hope you all get to do plenty of reading in 2021 and you all stay safe x

Happy New Year

I would just like to wish everyone a very happy New Year, I hope you all have a great 2021

Don’t forget to set yourself a reading challenge.

Have a great New Year love Annamarie

Happy Christmas

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, I hope that you all have had a great day and got lots of nice presents.

Review - Shade by Mere Joyce

 

Title: Shade
Author: Mere Joyce
Series: Oracle of Senders #1
Pages: 283
Release Date: April 10^th 2018
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Callum Silver sees dead people. It’s not a gift. His family thinks he’s crazy. Sometimes he thinks he’s crazy. He has no friends. He’s forced to live his life surrounded by nothing but the searing pain, sickening smells and desperate moans that accompany the murdered ghosts who seek him out.

When he’s offered a place at Camp Wanagi, the ten weeks in the French countryside isn’t a vacation, it’s a lifeline. A way to meet others like himself and prove his ability can offer more than years of loneliness and expensive therapy bills.

Run by a mysterious group known as the Oracle of Senders, Camp Wanagi brings together teens from around the globe who all possess the unique ability to see the dead. While Cal is relieved to find others like him, he learns quickly that not everybody experiences the spirits as he does. Some of the campers revere their abilities and don’t understand his hesitation, while others—like quiet bookworm Meander Rhoades—have good reason for wishing they could get rid of their ‘gifts’.

While researching their final project, Cal and Meander find an unmarked grave which reveals aspects of their abilities neither knew existed, forcing Cal to decide if the torture of seeing ghosts is worthwhile and, more importantly, if being a part of the Oracle of Senders is necessary, dangerous…or both. 
 
My Review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
 
This is another new to me author. This book tells the story of a teenage boy wo is attending a summer camp for people who have special paranormal gifts.
 
Each of the ten new recruits have different gifts though some overlap, the main character Callum see’s the spirits of people who have been murdered. His parents thought he was scrazy and sent him to therapy but the Senders know different, they believe he has a gift that he should embrace. He isn’t sure why he’s at camp he accepted the invite because he wanted to be around people like him even though he believes his ‘gift’ is a curse because of how it makes him feel then he sees the spirit.
 
Callum makes friends with the other kids in his group, but he is closer to some more than others and I hope in the future we get to read more about the other kids and their gifts.
 
This kind of book is my type of book, I love all types of supernatural books, witches, vampires and even ghosts.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - The Orphans by Martina McAtee

Title: The Orphans
Author: Martina McAtee
Series: Dead Things #1
Pages: 198
Release Date: May 1^st 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Welcome to Belle Haven where the paranormal is normal and being human is a liability.

Kai Lonergan is struggling through math class when he gets a new charge to cross over. It's just another day for a reaper until he sees the name. November Lonergan. Before he can question how he's supposed to cross over a soul who's been dead for years, his twin sister, Tristin, screams. No big deal, that's what banshees do. Except, Tristin lost her scream the day November died.

Mace is a mercenary monster who hunts other monsters, so when he's hired to trail one ordinary girl, it seems like overkill. Until Mace witnesses her powers firsthand and he realizes there's nothing ordinary about Ember Denning. He finds himself unnaturally drawn to her, which might be a problem since he just threatened to kill her.

Ember Denning prefers the dead. She spends her days skipping school in the cemetery and her nights working at a funeral home to avoid her alcoholic father. But that won't be a problem anymore. He's dead, and Ember is about to learn her life until now has just been a series of carefully crafted lies and her real life...well, it's a lot stranger than she'd ever imagined.

Reapers, witches, shifters, and fae all converge in a town in the middle of the Florida panhandle where Ember must learn a hard to swallow, terrifying truth. She's not a human, but a supernatural ticking time-bomb, and figuring out how to disarm her means reconnecting with people she can't remember, trusting a family she never knew existed, and accepting that the only person who can save her is the beautiful boy who just tried to kill her.
 
My Review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
 
This book was by a new to me author and I really enjoyed the story.
 
I liked that all of the characters, they all have different personalities which is great as it gives the story diversity. My favourite character so far is Quinn, he’s the only human amongst the group but he's every ones friend. I also liked Tristin she seems to be the only one worried about Ember being there and she is worried for her brother who didn’t complete his job like he was supposed to.
 
Although I’m not a fan of shifter books I did enjoy this story, maybe because it focused more on the powers of the Reapers than on the shifters.
 
I’m curious as to how Mace managed to find out where Kai and Tristin took Ember and how he managed to get into Bell Haven with it having a magical barrier so to speak to keep people out. I am looking forward to the next book so I can find out if this is answered.
 
If you’re a fan of Magic, Witches and Shifters then this is one I recommend.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Conquette by A. A Davies

 

Title: Conquette
Author: A. A Davies
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #7
Pages: 78
Release Date: July 6^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: The lights flickered. The crowd turned silent. Then all eyes were on me.

They watched me every night. Captivated by each layer of clothing I removed.
They salivated at the sight, but only one lucky man would get the chance to have me.

I’d been trapped in the confines of slavery for as long as I could remember. My body hadn’t been my own, not until I came here.

This freakshow was my home.
The only place I felt safe.
And the only way I could regain my control.

I’d served men for years, but now it was my turn.

With a flick of my hair and a purse of my lips, I caught them in my web.
I let them have my body because I needed their souls.

My beauty knew no bounds, and neither did I. 
 
My Review: This was the final book in the series and I have to say I had been wondering how Alina fitted into a Carnaval for freaks as in the other stories it didn’t really give any information as to why she was there, she was just referred to as the Circassian Beauty.
 
Alina performs her act using her beauty at the Carnaval while trying to supress her haunted past, and one day Xero joins and Carnaval and changes her life for the better.
 
Alina is determined to get revenge on the people who hurt her but she ends up finding a new friend who is happy to do anything she wants including combining their act.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Pins and Needles by Ashleigh Giannoccaro

 

Title: Pins and Needles
Author: Ashleigh Giannoccaro
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #6
Pages: 59
Release Date: June 29^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: It’s that perfect tingling feeling just beneath your skin, the one you can do nothing to fix. She’s the needles to my pins, she gives me that feeling. When I saw her I felt it and I knew — mine.

Needles, my quiet packrat, my sweet seamstress, she thinks I have a heart inside this hollow chest. I stick a knife through it everyday just to show her I don’t. Still she won’t believe me, leaving me notes sewn into my clothes, and touching me when no one is looking.

No matter what I stab into myself, it doesn’t take away that feeling, the skin crawling, needle pricks that scuttle just below the surface whenever she’s too close. I love it — it’s mine.

I will be her pincushion, she pins the pieces of me together so softly with her quiet smile and shimmering eyes. I don’t need her words, I have her and I’ll never let her go.

My Review: Pin’s the Human Pincushion spends his time at the Carnaval inflicting pain upon himself but he heals up quickly and Needles fixes him back up, she is the Carnaval’s seamstress, she makes costumes for all the other freaks but she never speaks.

This story was nice and romantic, Pins is mean to Needles and she speaks to him by sewing words into his pillow. They both have trauma in their lives but they manage to find comfort in each other

Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Inhuman Behavior by Faith Ryan

 

Title: Inhuman Behavior
Author: Faith Ryan
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #4
Pages: 136
Release Date: June 15^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Animal. Pet. Dog. Freak.

Entertainment.

That’s all I’ll ever be to those outside of Carnaval des Ténèbres.
So I perform for them.
I fetch, roll over, and stay.
I fulfill their demented need to see me as an animal, as something beneath them. But underneath the hair, I’m just a man.
A human being with human needs and emotions.

Now I’m trapped in a cage.
He’s taken me away from the only family I’ve ever known and if I ever want to see them again, I need to play the part.

I’ll be his pet.
I’ll play his games.
I’ll be the best damn show dog in the world.
I just pray I still have my humanity when it’s all over.
 
My Review: Inhuman Behavior is the forth book in the Carnaval des Ténèbres, this story is about Wren the Dog Boy and Uri.
 
Uri sees Wren perform at the Carnaval and wants him as a gift for his wife so he kidnaps Wren and treats him just like a dog, he is kept in a cage and made to drink and eat from a dog bowl and then made to play fetch.

Uri has every intension of giving Wren to his wife but he wants to train Wren first and now Wren is in a strange world and is made to play along with Uri’s requests in the hopes that he will eventually be able to escape.
 
However Wren discovers the truth about Uri’s wife and everything changes and Wren likes his new life with Uri, he likes it so much that he returns to the Carnaval with Uri.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Mutatus by Ally Vance

 

Title: Mutatus
Author: Ally Vance
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #3
Release Date: June 8^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Family. Friends. Freaks.

I'm a little person, but more than that I'm a fairy. It’s not by birth, or by choice. These people who surround me every day accept me for who I am, and what I was transformed into. Yet, none of them truly understand the weight I'm carrying on my breaking body.
I'm running from a past that's riddled with pain. It haunts me. Every single day, every time I look in the mirror, it feels like he's there too, looking over my shoulder.
I was born a freak. He turned me into a monster.
 
My Review: I was so excited to read Maia’s story from the get go. Maia had spent her life in pain in one way or another and I felt sorry for her. Maia was born a little person and her parents gave her to an evil man.
 
Maia put her trust into the wrong person, he ended up causing her so much pain by turning her into his own little Thumbelina, luckily for Maia she managed to run away and found a place at the Carnaval de Ténèbres for several years amongst other freaks until her nightmare came true and the evil man who turned her into his own little fairy found her and took her hostage.
 
Maia was so kind for someone who had been through what she had been through. Each and every time she performed she was in pain and she used this pain to overcome what happened to her and to help the other freaks.
 
This story would have been rated higher but Vance killed Maia off in the end, I really loved Maia and she was my favourite freak.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Malus by Jason Hes

Title: Malus
Author: Jason Hes
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #2
Pages: 224
Release Date: June 1st 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: BEAU
I hate the Carnaval. The freaks and wide-eyed visitors make my flesh crawl. They are lower than my brother and I. We are gods amongst monsters. As they say, two heads are better than one. Everyone else is dirt. But Nox is all that matters. He’s not just an extension of myself. He is more than flesh and blood. To me, he’s all I need. The only man I’ve ever loved. And if anyone dares hurt my brother… I’ll make the whole world bleed.

NOX
The Carnaval is my home. These are my people. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with the troupe and Beau right beside me. The two of us spent years aching to see the world, and now we live the dream every day. Almost. What will it take to truly win over a Beauty? And what lengths am I prepared to go to in order to make sure she stays by our side?

MINERVA
Elysium is in sight. So close I can almost taste it. The two-faced god is the gateway to our true home. He will take us there, that much I’ll make sure of. Even if it means spilling the blood of a thousand pathetic mortals, which I’ll do with a grin upon my face.

My Review: Malus is the second book in the Carnaval des Ténèbres series, it follows Beau and Nox who may share the same body but they are complete opposites, one is happy at the Carnaval the other hates being there and Minerva is just pure crazy and because Beau and Nox are complete opposites it helps with the stories conflict.

Minerva believes she has been told by unseen Gods that the twins are a God named Janus and they are key to helping her and the other Gods to open a portal so that they can return to Elysium.

While trying to get the twins Minerva has the twins kicked out of the carnaval for something that they never did so she can manipulate them to go with her.

Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Read in 2020: 35/35

Blog Birthday

Today is the blogs 10th birthday.

This blog has been going for 10 of years now and I’ve loved every minute of it because I find it is the best way to keep in contact with authors and to see what people think of the books I’ve read.

I know that it hasn't been constantly active for the last 10 years but thank you for sticking with me.

Review - Kickflip Summer by Danielle Jacks

Title: Kickflip Summer

Author:  Danielle Jacks

Pages: 263

Release Date: July 15^th 2020

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Kara
All I want is one last summer of fun with my best friend, Toby.
Blue Oaks Theme Park seems like a perfect place to work while blowing off some steam. It’s our last summer before university and we want to make every day count. The thing I didn’t consider was being attracted to my new boss.
But it’s just one summer. One quick fling. What harm can it do?

Bear
Returning home is something I can’t avoid. My dad wants me to start getting serious about my future, while I want to spend the summer teaching kids skateboarding.
As always, he gets his own way, but when a cute brunette – literally – knocks me off my feet, I’m finding the theme park interesting in a whole new way.
A summer romance. Totally insubstantial. I can handle that. Right?

Two people brought together by chance. Both finding something they don’t know they need. A sweet romance about finding a home in the heart.

My Review: This is Danielle’s first book and I really enjoyed it, you wouldn’t know that this was her first novel.

The story follows Kara who wants a summer of fun with her best friend Toby for their final summer before university and Bear who wants to spend his whole summer skateboarding before he takes over his family business from his father.

Kara and Toby plan on going to Blue Oaks to work and have fun for the summer but Kara stays behind and helps look after her nieces and Bear plans to teach skateboarding all summer but nothing goes to plan for either of them as their plans are turned upside down.

Kara and Bear meet while she’s picking up her nieces from a summer club where Bear is teaching skateboarding and when they meet you are left wondering if something is going to happen between them but Bear gets called back to reality and Toby and Kara’s sister gang up and have Kara go on her summer adventure.

When Kara gets to Blue Oaks she ends up being put on the Swan Ride but wants to be at the Haunted House with Toby as they are supposed to be having a summer adventure together but after a while she enjoys where she is. Kara enjoys her final summer before university and she makes a lot of friends and memories.

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35

Saturday Review - Mercy by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus

Title: Mercy

Author:  Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus

Series: Flashpoint #6

Pages: 171

Release Date: February 21^st 2020

Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: All roads lead to Mercy as survivors from all walks of life, with intentions ranging from good to evil, meet for the final showdown in Flashpoint Book 6.

Half of the earth's population has been wiped out. Impossible to predict or stop, the Gamma Ray Burst tore through the Earth like a bullet, its radiation wave killing hundreds of millions and the aftereffects ensuring the deaths of billions more.

Now, as the world crumbles around them, a ragtag group of survivors make for the only home they know - the small town of Mercy. Spared the worst of the GRB's effects, the town is isolated, safe and self-sufficient - for now. The flash hasn't just decimated the Earth's population, though. It's brought out the worst in many of those who are still alive.

Survival in this new world doesn't just depend on preparedness - it depends on strength.

*****

It's the one disaster no one can plan for. A rogue cosmic event called a Gamma Ray Burst, sending a spike of radiation through the earth like a .50 caliber bullet through a ripe watermelon. It's speculated that such an event hit the Earth at some point in the past, causing a mass extinction event. With two potential sources for a GRB pointed directly at our heads, the chances of another one happening in our lifetime is remote... but still possible.

In Flashpoint, we explore such an event and the havoc it would wreak across the entire planet. From destroying our atmosphere to millions dying from incredibly painful radiation exposure, a GRB would be unpredictable and unavoidable for everyone, rich and poor, prepared and unprepared alike.

Flashpoint is a six-book miniseries-like event, written by Tara Ellis and #1 best-selling post-apocalyptic author Mike Kraus. This thrilling post-apocalyptic survival series will have you second-guessing the very nature of post-apocalyptic disaster scenarios and leave you breathless with every turn of the page.

My Review: I think that Mercy was the best in the series as it brought all of the characters together.

Danny got to her dad and she decided to stay in Mercy to be with Tom and to help everyone instead of going on to Helena. 

Mayor Patty stood down and made Tom the new Mayor which at first I was wary about but he did seem to do a better job than Patty was as everyone seemed to respect him and listen to him. He was able to stop the takeover of Miller Ranch and keep his town safe.

I'm glad that Sam was able to find a place in Mercy even though he had no family there, he seems so determined to help everyone in Mercy so that they can farm indoors, and he seems to know a lot about everything. 

Ethan was a smart kid and really knew a lot about farm life and was happy to help around the farm without being told to. 

Chloe might have been a bright girl who had anger issues but she was able to keep it under control by running and once Ethan arrived at Mercy she seemed even happier at first I wasn't sure that they would get together with her thinking that every time she did something happy something went wrong but when I saw how much her and Ethan got along I was sure they'd get together. I thought that Chloe would be the one to figure out that Russell was involved in killing Father White especially since she was the one who saw him with a syringe. 

Patty seemed to be in way over her head and once she made Tom Mayor she seemed to be a lot happier but she was way to trusting, letting Russell in when she knew nothing about him. 

I knew Bishop was hiding something and figured he'd spent some time in the military especially after he tied up the people at the lake on Miller's Ranch but I didn't think he was a secret member of the government. 

I knew Russell would be trouble, I actually almost cried at one point. I'm glad that he didn't blow up the cave but I would have liked him to die after the town found out he killed Father White and Gary. 

I didn't like Montgomery from the start he was too strict with his military stuff. I know it was the end of the world but killing people for dumb reasons (wanting to be the new president for example) just makes him stupid. 

I never thought that Walsh would turn on Montgomery, I thought that they were too close. I'm also glad that he fired Dillinger.

I was glad that James turned out to see what Montgomery was really like. I wouldn't have guessed that Bishop was his dad not until he was at The Farm with Hicks. 

Overall, I enjoyed the series they were really good.

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35

Review - Barren by Yolanda Olson

Title:  Barren

Author: Yolanda Olson

Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #1

Pages: 111

Release Date: May 25^th 2020

Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: I always wanted to find a place where I belonged.

A place where I wasn't looked at differently for being one in a million.

I left home when I was seventeen looking for this nirvana on Earth that I knew had to exist somewhere, and I finally found it in a small revival of traveling performers.

No one here looks at me any differently because of my illness. See, even though I look like the perfect picture of health, that couldn't be further from the truth.

I don't believe that my anomalies make me any less of a person than someone who has the ability to feel certain things.

My new family has welcomed me with open arms, and even made me a top billing because of what I can withstand—which to say is a lot.

Until him.

I never knew that I didn't care to feel anything until he joined us.

I want to feel him.

I need to feel him.

I’ve finally found the one thing I’m unable to withstand, and when I feel his eyes on me, I know that things will be alright eventually.

He wants to help me—I can see it in the way he looks at me. Whether he admits it or not, I know that he’s come here for me.

My Review: This is the first book that I have read by this author.

Barren is the first in the Carnaval des Ténèbres series and is about Yager a man who cannot feel, he cannot feel and cannot feel emotions which means he cannot tell when someone is happy, sad or angry but his little friend Maia helps him by explaining what a person’s facial expression means and how his face should look while he’s listening or communicating.

Each of the ‘freaks’ are introduced in this first instalment and you hear about all of their afflictions, they all have something unique and they protect each other like family so when a new guy Indogo arrives Yager seems to get a strange feeling nothing like he’s ever had before and fells like his family is being threatened so he arranges for everyone to ‘welcome’ him into the family to see if he’s worthy but it doesn’t go as planned and Indigo hurts the carnival members on their turn at hazing.

I am looking forward to reading the other stories in the series and getting to know each of the characters.

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35

Review - Empowerment Anthology: Renascence by Alice La Roux

Title: Renascence

Author: Alice La Roux

Series: Empowerment Anthology

Pages: 256

Release Date: April 5^th 2020

Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Empowerment /ɛmˈpaʊəm(ə)nt/
noun
the process of becoming stronger

Join us in celebrating empowerment in its many forms with this collection of tales from Indie Love. There’s something for everyone, from dark and paranormal to contemporary romance.

This anthology explores what it means to overcome the feeling of powerlessness, to grow, to push personal boundaries and to fight back. If you want fierce women who refuse to be held down in the quest for mastery over their lives, then Empowerment has just what you need.

*The proceeds of this anthology will be going to charity.

My Review: My review is solely on Alice La Roux’s Renascence. Elizabeth or Betty is a strong independent woman who has not had very good luck with men. Betty’s married to a mobster Vinnie, he is her third husband and an evil man who she is desperate to escape from. Will the help from a very good friend be enough for the two of them are able to escape him for good?

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35

Review - Convergence by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus

Title: Convergence

Author: Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus

Series: Flashpoint #5

Pages: 156

Release Date: January 17^th 2020

Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: As the military coup reaches its final stages, Mercy faces new threats from multiple directions in Flashpoint Book 5....

Half of the earth's population has been wiped out. Impossible to predict or stop, the Gamma Ray Burst tore through the Earth like a bullet, its radiation wave killing hundreds of millions and the aftereffects ensuring the deaths of billions more.

Now, as the world crumbles around them, a ragtag group of survivors make for the only home they know - the small town of Mercy. Spared the worst of the GRB's effects, the town is isolated, safe and self-sufficient - for now. The flash hasn't just decimated the Earth's population, though. It's brought out the worst in many of those who are still alive.

Survival in this new world doesn't just depend on preparedness - it depends on strength.

*****

It's the one disaster no one can plan for. A rogue cosmic event called a Gamma Ray Burst, sending a spike of radiation through the earth like a .50 caliber bullet through a ripe watermelon. It's speculated that such an event hit the Earth at some point in the past, causing a mass extinction event. With two potential sources for a GRB pointed directly at our heads, the chances of another one happening in our lifetime is remote... but still possible.

In Flashpoint, we explore such an event and the havoc it would wreak across the entire planet. From destroying our atmosphere to millions dying from incredibly painful radiation exposure, a GRB would be unpredictable and unavoidable for everyone, rich and poor, prepared and unprepared alike.

Flashpoint is a six-book miniseries-like event, written by Tara Ellis and #1 best-selling post-apocalyptic author Mike Kraus. This thrilling post-apocalyptic survival series will have you second-guessing the very nature of post-apocalyptic disaster scenarios and leave you breathless with every turn of the page.

My Review: Another great book in the Flashpoint series.

The citizens of Mercy seems to be working together and helping out whenever they can and doing whatever they can to keep their small town safe, even if that means that Mayor Patty is holding back on telling the town that she lead the military to believe the bug was worse than it was.

General Montgomery has got a reconnaissance team to find the people on the survivors list but are his intentions good or bad? His best friend seems to be doubting him even if he isn’t speaking it out loud.

This book deals with a lot of secrets and you have to try and figure out who you can and cannot trust. Russell is up to something but what? Bishop is up to something and  hiding a big secret which makes you question if his intentions are good or bad.

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35

Review - Girl on Pointe by Chloe Lukasiak

Title: Girl on Pointe

Author:  Chloe Lukasiak and Nancy Ohlin

Pages: 208

Release Date: January 23^rd 2018

Format: Paperback

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Chloe Lukasiak is a big believer that things happen for a reason. She knows that life would be easier without disappointments, bullying, and medical issues-but sometimes it takes challenges to inspire you to achieve big things. From her status as fan favorite on the hit reality television show Dance Moms through her life as a social media star with millions of fans, Chloe has found that self-acceptance and kindness are the key to getting over the rough spots in life and realizing your passions. This full-color, heavily designed book featuring never-before-seen photos, inspirational quotes, and Chloe's own doodles offers exclusive insight into Chloe's world as well as a message that will inspire all readers to be their very best selves.

My Review: I really enjoyed reading about Chloe’s life and knowing that even though she had haters it never stopped her from going after her dream. The book was a fun read and if she ever wrote another one I would probably read it.

I have been a fan of Chloe’s since Dance Mom’s, she has always been my favourite as she was just as talented as Maddie but Abby only cared about Maddie and none of her other students.

The book tells about Chloe’s life before, during and after Dance Moms with cute pictures, poems and short stories. It seems to be written with love and to share her experiences and to help deliver message’s on subjects such as bullying and gives you tips on how to approach life ourselves.

Chloe has a love for reading just like I do and she recommends some of her favourites and we seem to share the same type of book interests, most of the books on her suggestion list are on my TBR pile.

I didn’t really enjoy the layout, I ended up reading her story for that chapter then going back to the beginning of the chapter to read the little captions and stories/poems.

Currently Reading: Malus by Jason Hes

Read in 2020: 21/35