Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Childrens Book Review: The Apple Thief


Children's Book Reviews

Title - The Apple Thief
Author - Gail Herman & Duendes del Sur
Series - Scooby-Doo! Readers #13
Published - September 1st 2002
Publisher - Scholastic Paperbacks

Synopsis
Scooby and the gang are going apple picking. But no matter how fast Shaggy and Scooby fill their baskets with apples, the apples disappear! Is a ghost taking their apples? Time to look for clues because there's a mystery to solve!


Review


My daughter and I read this one together. We both loved the story and the pictures that went along with the story. It's a cute mystery that my five year old enjoyed and I did too. Knowing what I do about Scooby-Doo I total didn't expect who the apple thief would be. This is our first time reading this book but I know from the way my daughter is attached to it we will be reading it again and again. To quote my daughter " The story is awesome and I loved it!!" 

Book Review: Disney after Dark

Title - Disney after Dark
Author - Ridley Pearson
Series - Kingdom Keepers #1
Genre - YA Fantasy
Format - Kindle freebie
Published - August 29th 2005
Publisher - Disney Press 

Synopsis
In this fantastical novel, Disney's Magic Kingdom suddenly becomes a bit eerie. Finn Whitman and four other teens have been hired as Disney World guides, but with an odd twist: With cutting-edge technology, they have been transformed into hologram projections capable of leading guests around the park. What begins as an exciting theme park job turns into a virtual nightmare as Finn and his pals attempt to thwart an uprising by a menacing group of Disney villains.

Review
Disney after Dark is the story of 5 teens hired by Disney to become holograms that walk around the park as guides. However things aren’t as they seem when Finn wakes up in a dream or at least he thinks it’s a dream in Disney confronted by Wayne. Wayne explains it’s up to Finn to get the other four DHI to meet at the same time before he is willing to explain everything. The kids are local celebrities so it should be easy to figure out who they are but Finn is going to need help.

With the help of his Amanda from school Finn is able to track down the other DHI kids who all go to different schools. They need to solve the Stonecutters Quill before the pirates and the overlord figure it out. While the teens are thrust into a magical world they learn that when they sleep they take on the abilities of their hologram counter parts. Thus allowing them to move around the park and solve the clues faster.

I liked Finn right from the start he’s a good kid who is willing to risk it all to save the park. The other characters each have a role in the story but Finn is clearly the main character but I think the way the supporting characters are woven into the story is really well done. I also really liked the way the overlord who’s our bad guy plays out in the story.


I picked up Disney after Dark as a kindle freebie a while back with the intention of starting it right away but never seemed to get around to it. My hubby is the Disney world nut so when he saw the book on his kindle he had to read it and it’s all I’ve heard about for months. I typically try to stick with older characters because some get to young I can’t connect with them. However the characters in the book don’t come off as young but very mature which made it easy to connect with them. I love the way the author took the Disney concept adding their own unique twists to the story. Disney after Dark is one of those fast packed action packed novels that you just can’t put down. I enjoyed it and plan to read the next one in the near future. 

W...W...W... Wednesdays

W...W...W... Wednesdays December 31st 2014
W...W...W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Be sure to link up to her so others can see what your reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions..
1.What are you currently reading?  
2.What did you recently finish reading? 
3.What do you think you'll read next? 

Books
1.What are you currently reading? Disney after Dark by Ridley Pearson (Goodreads)
2.What did you recently finish reading? Loramendi's Story by Angela Carlie (Review)
3.What do you think you'll read next? This Night So Dark by Amie Kaufman (Goodreads)
How are you coming on your reading? 
I Should be able to finish Disney and The Night before tonight. 

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday
Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the list and onto our wonderful shelves. 
Hosted by Pen to Paper

Since it's the end of the year and last Wishlist I figured I would pick one of my favorite genre.....Paranormal haha so not creative with that one. I do have this weeks on my amazon wishlist. The cover is beautiful and synopsis sounds interesting. 

My choice this week is:
Forbidden by Selene Charles
(Goodreads)

Synopsis
Welcome to Whispering Bluff, Tennessee. Where the guys are hot. The girls are sweet. And nothing is what it seems... 


Flint DeLuca is sick and tired of moving. Her and her dad have moved three times in the past year. But that's the life of a carnie. Even an ex-carnie like her. Her father swears this is the last move. All Flint wants now is to graduate from High School and put the carnival life behind her. Unfortunately, one of the two ain't gonna happen. So now not only is she back in the life she can never seem to get away from, she's also met this guy who pushes all her "I totally hate you" buttons.

Cain. No last name. Wears shades in school. Dresses entirely in black. And only speaks to her when he's insulting her. She hates him. Hates him. And yet... there's something about the Goth boy that draws her like a moth to flame. God, she can't wait to graduate and get away from Whispering Bluff, only problem is she's pretty sure her high school is infested by vampires. Cain might be one of them. And for some reason, she seems to be on their menu.


Sometimes High School really sucks...
What's on your wishlist?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday December 31st 2014
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. In my case not so patiently waiting for the new releases, which I lack.

Wow it's the last Waiting on Wednesday of 2014 so I better pick a good one. 

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
Expected Publication February 10th 2015
(Goodreads)

Synopsis
For readers of A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games comes an epic new series.

The night Quin Kincaid takes her Oath, she will become what she has trained to be her entire life. She will become a Seeker. This is her legacy, and it is an honor. As a Seeker, Quin will fight beside her two closest companions, Shinobu and John, to protect the weak and the wronged. Together they will stand for light in a shadowy world. And she'll be with the boy she loves--who's also her best friend.

But the night Quin takes her Oath, everything changes. Being a Seeker is not what she thought. Her family is not what she thought. Even the boy she loves is not who she thought.


And now it's too late to walk away.

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday December 30th 2014
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read
~Open to a random page
~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page
~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

So my hubby keeps giving me the guilt trip about not reading Harry Potter. He's currently reading The Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson and keeps telling me I need to read it so I've decide to. I'm only 10% in but so far it's interesting. 

Currently Reading:

Disney after Dark 
by Ridley Pearson
(Goodreads)

Teaser 
“The dreams. Disney after dark,” Finn said. That stopped her cold.
Amanda looked at Finn curiously, but knew better than to say anything.
“Dreams that aren’t dreams,” he added.
Charlene spun to face him, excitement and alarm in her sparkling eyes. “No way you could know that,” she said.
“Unless…” Finn said. “I’ve been there, too.”

What are you currently reading?

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

I'm playing around with my own graphic I'll be trying a few out of the next month. I want one unique to me. 


This week's topic:

Top ten sequels Goals for 2015
This one has been on my mind a lot. I hope to do things better over the next year. 

1. Read 200 books I didn't come close this year to that goal which is really sad. However a lot changed over the last year and I should be able to commit to more time to read this year. 

2. More discussion posts and meaningful posts. I have the ideas but this year has been crazy busy. I also want to pre plan more posts I've started this month and it's been awesome. 

3. Comment more on other blogs and to reply on mine. I'm terrible at this more of a creeper since I'm shy and not very social and I want to change that. 

4. I want to catch up and close out a bunch of series that have been hanging on forever. I keep meaning to but never seem to get around to it and this year I'm going to make a effort to do so. 

5. Challenge myself to read more out of my normal comfort zone. I've signed up for one challenge in 2015 that I hope will do just that. Check it out (here)

6. Organize - This one is tough because I'm decently organized but I feel like I could do better. I've been playing with my January Reading list for the month and putting my challenge read list together for all of them. 

7. I want to revamp The Reading Diaries. Recently I changed the background but I want to do more. I'm not super good with graphics but maybe I'll get better. For now it's a beach scene that I love. Who knows what it will be next. 

8. Host a giveaway at least once a month. Who doesn't love a giveaway? I do but I've just had so much going on it's been slacking. Even if it's just a couple of kindles or amazon gift card. 

9. Work on bringing up my Netgalley %. I'm not telling you what it is but when I first joined and had just started blogging I requested a lot and didn't expect to get them all so now I have this crazy list of books that's super old and I've not requested to many over the last couple of years. I'm hoping to clear of a bunch of those books this year. 

10. I want to make a blogger/bookish buddy this year. I'm super shy and I've noticed everyone has a buddy they are able to chat about books with on a regular basis. I have two people who will chat about books one is my hubby and the other my friend but we only talk about them very rare. I hope to find my bookish twin this year. =D I know this one is crazy but I would love to find one. I plan to be more social and active in my search this year. 

So I feel like I could make a list that never ends in all my goals for 2015 but this would be my top ten. 
Happy holidays and I hope you had a great 2014. 
Happy New year!!!
What's on your top ten list this week?

Monday, December 29, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 29th 2014
Welcome to It's Monday! is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney to share with others what you've read the past week and are planning to read the next.

Last week

With the holiday I was able able to read a couple of books. However now that the massive cooking and family stuff is all done I should be able to get back into a groove. 

Loramendi's Story by Angela Carlie (Review)
Hidden by Sophie Jordan (Review)

Currently Reading 
Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson (Goodreads)


Up Next
Shifter by B. Zaras (Goodreads)


Rest of the week
Still making my 2015 reading list so not sure yet. 

What are you reading this week?

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Book Review: Loramendi's Story


Title - Loramendi's Story
Author - Angela Carlie
Series - Lords of Shifters #1
Genre - YA Fantasy romance
Format - Kindle freebie
Published - August 2nd 2011

Synopsis
 Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it.

A Lords of Shifters Novel -- YA Paranormal with Romance


Review
Lora’s summer was far from interesting until she catches the attention of a sexy windsurfer. Her best friend has returned from being gone all summer but something is bothering her and Lora isn’t sure what it might be. When her windsurfer shows up at her work Lora decides to seek him out where they windsurf and falls asleep only to wake up to him sitting next to her. Chance is determined to win her heart which isn’t hard because Lora quickly falls for him as well.

Things are starting to change for Lora first is starts with a stranger in the forest around fog. Wild bear attacks are happening all over the area and she’s even the target of one. Suddenly Lora’s too tired to function and forced to stay home where she learns the truth of whom and what she really is. As well as who Chance is and what their future holds. Will the dangers that are threating to destroy her get ahold of her?

I liked Lora she seems like your normal everyday girl but she has some flaws. I wasn’t sure about Chance at first he’s kind of comes on to strong. However the more we learn about his story and future with Lora it all makes sense. I’m not a huge fan of insta love I think they need to work at it a little more but they are meant to be. We don’t have another love interest so no love triangle bonus. I wanted to connect with Lora but she just accepted her future and everything going on around her like she was changing her socks.


I picked this one up as a kindle freebie a long time ago and it’s currently not available to purchase. I was drawn to the cover and the synopsis because I’m a huge fan of shifter stories. Loramendi’s story is a fast paced novel that was a quick read it’s a mix of action and romance. I think the concept is very creative I just think the story is rushed and not executed to its fullest potential. I found the idea of alternate dimensions for the supernatural was intriguing and very unique. I secretly hope that since you can’t purchase them maybe we will see them revamped because I think the author is on the right path. I enjoyed the book and I’m curious to see how it plays out in the future maybe if it’s a kindle freebie. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Reading Challenge Addict

Reading Challenge Addict

I'm a reading challenge addict so this one is a must this year. I can't seem to stop signing up for them. I have a notebook that I'm keeping track of all my reading challenges in. 

As of right now I'm currently signing up for In Flight 11 - 15 challenges (Entered and completed)

Challenges I've signed up for
1. 2015 Reading Challenge (here
2. New To You 2015 (here) 0 of 24  
3. New Authors (here) 0 of 25 
4. 2015 Mythology Reading Challenge (here) 0 of 10 
5. You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2015 (here) 0 of 150
6. 2015 Reading Assignment Challenge (here) 0 of 24 
7. 2015 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge (here) 0 of 25
8. 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge (here) 0 of 15
9. 2015 Fur & Fangs Reading Challenge (here) 0 of 24
10. 2015 Debut Author Challenge (here)  0 of 12
11. No Book Buying Challenge (here) 0 of 24 
12.




Book Blogger Organization Challenge: Winter/Spring 2015

Book Blogger Organization Challenge: Winter/Spring 2015
Runs from January 1st to June 30th
Social media #BlogOrganization!

I'm terrible with organization and hoping this challenge will get me into a groove. Some days I feel like I can't catch up on reading/blogging. 

Challenge Schedule
Want to see what the upcoming months have in store? Here’s a general outline of what we’ll be focusing on each month!

JANUARY: Reading challenges & resolutions
Picking challenges, making resolutions, scheduling, forming plans, picking reading/blogging buddies,

FEBRUARY: Blog maintenance
Updating old reviews, pages, layouts, features/memes, contact info
Clean up images, broken links
SEOs

MARCH: Social Media + Review Ooutlets
Update social media accounts: bios, who you follow, delete old accounts you won’t use, resolve to use some accounts more
Organize Goodreads shelves: duplicate copies, version of books, creating shelves, removing shelves
Cross-posting

APRIL: Graphics, HTML, CSS, Plug-ins
Update graphics for posts/memes/events, update button, update header
Learn Photoshop/Gimp/PicMonkey
Brush up or try to learn simple HTML and CSS (for layouts, fonts, etc). Take this month to delve into the scary world of coding! (Or at least teach yourself one new thing!)

MAY: Book clean-up + spring cleaning!
Culling shelves, giveaways, donations, giving back borrowed books
Reading books you were given as gifts, ARC catch up
Rearranging shelves, updating Goodreads again, giving back borrowed books
More cross-posting & cleaning up GR shelves

JUNE: Freebie
Recapping what you’ve organized, focus on biggest area of need, review TBR list

I'm really excited for this challenge it's not your typical reading challenge. I'm looking forward to completing everything on the schedule

2015 Book Blog Discussion Challenge

2015 Book Blog Discussion Challenge 

Runs from January 1st - December 31st 
Share on Twitter  #LetsDiscuss2015

I'm not a big discussion blogger because I'm so shy. One of my big goals for 2015 is to be more social, active and participate in discussions. This challenge is perfect to pull me out of my shell. 

My goal is 13 - 24 Creative Conversationalist. 
I plan to do two discussions each month on my blog as well as take part in several each month.

I've got to make a list of topics for 2015
1. 
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.



2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge 
From January 1st to December 31st

This challenge is all about New Years Resolutions for books and Book Blogging. 

Goals
1. Read at least 24 Netgalley books which will help get my % up. I'm to embarrassed to disclose my % but when I first joined Netgalley I was way to over excited and took on so many it's out of control. I've also limited my number of books that I request in hopes of not adding to my crazy to read list. 

2. Complete all my reading challenges in 2015. I've been working hard to keep my list manageable for the new year. Check out my list (here). I also want to read 200 book in 2015 since I didn't read my goal last year. 

3. Comment and respond to comments more. I'm super shy so I'm more of a blog creeper but I want to become more active and social this year. My goal is to increase my commenting on other blogs as well as respond to my comments. 

4. Craft projects that are bookish, cross stitch, book marks, kindle covers and more. I have a whole list of fun stuff on pinterest that would be fun bookish projects. I hope to do a new project with a bookish theme each month. 

5. This one is a non-book/bloggish goal I want to exercise more and loose weight. I'm not going to divulge how much weight I want to lose but I am a little on the chubby side. 

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves
Stacking The Shelves December 27th 2014
Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tynga Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

The holidays are over and book buying can resume at my house.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Book Review: Hidden


Title - Hidden
Author - Sophie Jordan
Series - Firelight #3
Genre - YA Fantasy Dragons
Published - September 11th 2012
Publisher - HarperTEEN
Format - eBook Kindle

Synopsis
Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.


The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy. 


Review
Jacinda may be bonded to Cassian but he’s not the one she wants to be with. While escaping his sister is captured with the help of Will they may just get her out before it’s too late. Jacinda knows that they have to save her from the Enkros or else they may not see her ever again. They send her in fully manifested in her Draki form turning her over to the Enkros with the understanding that in twenty four hours later they will plan the escape. What Jacinda finds in the compound is shocking to say the least, all the Draki are in cells treated like animals. She’s released into a fake forest where she encounters a grey Draki who is savage and determined to kill her, but the Enkros intervene before it’s too late.

Before her twenty four hours are up the Enkros take Jacinda into the lab intent on embedding a silver disk under her skin in her skull but it’s interrupted by the rescue. In their attempt to free the compound another Draki free’s the grey Draki but before they can escape Cassian is attacked by the savage Draki. If not for Will they wouldn’t get him but hunters are hot on the trail. Will they be able to escape from the Enkros once and for all? Who is the grey Draki that they freed? Will Jacinda find out what happened to her dad?

I loved Jacinda in each book she just kept getting better and better as the novels continued. In the first two I was a little on the fence I like both guys each one is unique in his own way and would be a good match for her. I was nervous because Jacinda loves both guys just in different way it’s duty to her people or following her heart in the end. I loved her sister Tamra in the first two books and I was thrilled to see her shine in her own right. The girls are kick ass heroines in this series they don’t need the guys to fight for them. I was able to connect with the characters which I find a huge plus when I’m reading a novel.

I’ve had Hidden since I finished the first two but I couldn’t bring myself to read it because I didn’t want the series to end. I started Hidden last night but it became apparent if I didn’t put it down I would be up all night reading. This morning I dove right into Jacinda’s story captivated right from the start and didn’t stop till I finished. I was nervous about how the novel would play out but the author does a fantastic job weaving an intricate story that ends the series beautifully. I’m really sorry to see it end because I loved the world of the Draki it’s such a unique play on dragons and I want more. I see potential for maybe a spin of series and hope one day we will see more of them. Hidden is an action packed adventure, loaded with suspense, mystery and even romance. The Firelight series is a must read for fans of dragon romance. I would love to wake up one more and manifest into a Draki to be able to fly would be so cool.  

Follow Friday

Follow Friday
Hosted by:
&
The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!
Each week a new question, new answer, and new blogs to follow. 
If you want to follow via GFC just in case it goes away I ask you follow a second way, email, Linky, Bloglovin'. Thanks!!!!
This Week's Question: What books did you give other people this holiday season?

Answer: 


This is a sad one to answer because the answer is none. I don't have anyone who would be excited to receive a book. However does it count I gave my kindles books? My kindle Fire received Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven, my kindle paperwhite received This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & my old keyboard revived Elite by Nicola Claire. Yup I'm a nerd my readers received books because I didn't have family or friends who would want books. 

How about you? Did you give any books this holiday?