Dearest Series by Lex Martin

Dearest Series by Lex Martin

Dearest Clementine (370 Pages) Avery is trying to move on from her past and has a hard time learning to let people in after all the things that happened to her.

Finding Dandelion (310 Pages) I was excited that this book was about Jax (Clementine brother), and was nice to see what was going on with his life. Dani is Clementine's roommate, she is just one of the sweetest people.

Kissing Madeline (260 Pages) Daren is Jax's best friend and Clementine's ex-boyfriend. Even though he explained why he treated Clementine the way he did.. I wasn't for sure how I would feel about having a book about him. However, I was wrong because I begin to like Daren as much as the other men in the series.

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith

In Elizabeth the Queen, readers are introduced to a young girl who was never meant to be queen. When her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicates the throne to be with the woman he loves, Elizabeth's father is suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Now Elizabeth is "heiress presumptive," and her life is drastically changed and highly scrutinized. But Elizabeth would go on to meet all the hallmarks of a normal life during that time: falling in love, repairing army trucks during World War II, struggling to find a balance between motherhood and the demands of her job. With access to never-before-seen documents and interviews with those close to the Queen, biographer Sally Bedell Smith brings readers inside palace doors for a glimpse into the private life of a monarch who has led her country and Commonwealth with heretofore unseen grace, dignity, and intelligence.

663 pages.   

She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan

This book is the true story of a person changing genders. The author, Jennifer Finney Boylan, began her male to female transition in 2000. This memoir tells Boylan’s story of the secret she lived with for so many years and how she finally admitted she could no longer escape its powerful hold on her. It is also so much more. It is a story about the power of love and acceptance. It is humorous, touching, thought provoking, and sometimes sad. Originally published in 2003, this second edition published in 2013 includes sections written by Boylan’s best friend, novelist Richard Russo, and by Boylan’s wife Deirdre, as well as an update from Boylan herself. The message of this book is best summed up in a passage from a letter Boylan wrote and sent to family, friends, and colleagues explaining her transsexualism and journey from Jim to Jenny: “. . . [W]e all have dragons to slay in life. This one is mine. I hope that doing so will provide a model to others on how to find the bravery to be true to oneself, even if it means doing something that seems impossible.” 322 pages.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

1930: Rill and her 4 siblings are stolen from their parents and put into the Tennessee Children's Home Society Orphanage where they face mental/physical/sexual abuse. On top of that they are slowly separated when the siblings begin to be adopted by the wealthy. 

Present: Avery is following the family legacy of becoming a senator while finding out that her grandmother has a big secret. She starts finding clues to the true identity of Grandma Judy. 

Rating: 3/5

Pages: 342

Jersey Angel

Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman (208 Pages)
It's summer before senior year and Angel is ready for some fun. Her boyfriend Joey pulls away because Angel can't decide what she really wants, her best friend is off touring colleges,  and she finds herself spending more time with her best friend boyfriend.

From Manhattan with Love Series

From Manhattan with Love Series by Sarah Morgan

This Series is about a group of friends from New York. They each have their own stories and different way that they are tied together. (Brother-Sister, Best Friends) Sleepless in Manhattan you first meet all of them for book 1-3. The next two books are some of the couples from the the first one. Book 3-6 is all tied together with main characters being brothers and sisters. 

1.Sleepless in Manhattan (464 Pages)
2. Sunset in Central Park (384 Pages)
3. Miracle on 5th Avenue (384 Pages)
4. New York, Actually (376 Pages) 
5. Holiday in the Hampton's (411 Pages)
6. Moonlight Over Manhattan (384 Pages)

Romance

Something So Right by Natasha Madison (250 Pages) - Second chance romance book for a single mother of two kids. 

Delivery Girl by Lily Kate (243 Pages) - Hockey player orders pizza and the delivery girl is just want he had been looking for. 

Capture (288 Pages), Keep (297 Pages), Steal (283 Pages) by Rachel Van Dyken - This series was about three famous Hollywood people and the path they take to find love. 

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (291 Pages) - Luce becomes a mermaid because she has a rough life. This first book shows you the view of what mermaids are and how they live.

Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh (416 Pages) - Lane has to go back to her home because her brother got hurt. She has to face all her past that she was running away from for year.

Rescue Me (384 Pages), I Do (112 Pages) by Rachel Gibson - Sadie comes home and meets Vince on her first day back in town. Sadie was just going to be there for a day but her dad got sick, so she ended up staying longer. I Do is about Sadie's wedding and Becca's love story. Which is a good friend of Vince.

Flashmob by Christopher Farnsworth

As a fixer for America’s one percent, John Smith cleans up the messes of those rich enough to afford him. But he’s no ordinary gun for hire. Smith is a man of rare gifts, including the ability to read minds. Arriving at the wedding of Kira Sadeghi, a reality television celebrity he recently saved from kidnappers, Smith witnesses a group of gunmen open fire, hitting the bride and others. Though he’s unarmed, Smith cripples one of the killers and is able to pry one word from his mind: "Downvote."

Eager to learn more, Smith hacks into the brain of an FBI agent investigating the attack to discover the Bureau has been investigating a nefarious new threat called "Downvote," an encrypted site on the "dark net" that lists the names of celebrities and offers a hefty bounty for anyone who can kill them—unleashing an anonymous and deadly flashmob with a keystroke.

Finding a mastermind on the internet is like trying to catch air—unless you’re John Smith. Motivated by money and revenge, he traces a series of electronic signatures to a reclusive billionaire living at sea, accompanied by a scary-smart female bodyguard who becomes Smith’s partner in his quest. The hunt for their prey will lead from Hong Kong to Reykjavik to a luxury gambling resort deep in the Laotian jungle. Yet always this criminal mastermind remains one step ahead.

The only way Downvote’s creator can stop Smith is to kill him . . . because while this diabolical genius can run, there’s no hiding from a man who can read minds.

While I did enjoy and finish this series from Mr. Farnsworth, his President's Vampire Series is much better (imo).  This book would be exactly what someone who enjoys tech sci-fi and thriller action would love.  The characters are interesting, the stakes high, and the plot swift, I'm just not as impressed with the villain or the overall story arc in this series like I am with his other works.

3/5

368 pages

Hell and Back

Hell and Back by Natasha Madison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book a lot even though there is a hard story behind Bella past. It is very hard to hear about the stuff that Bella and her daughter Lilah went through in the past. There are two twists in this story, one of them I was able to see coming but the other was a shocker. 

View all my reviews

350 Pages

Tempt the Boss by Natasha Madison

Tempt the Boss by Natasha Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lauren goes back to work when her marriage ends. She is late because she gets in accident on the way to her first day, and he is an arrogant, cocky jerk. Than he turns out to be her boss and has been working his way through assistants. I enjoyed this book, even with the fact that she had issues with her ex husband. 

View all my reviews

228 Pages

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Oh, AIDAN. Such a fascinating and twisted character. We reread this book on our day trip to Astoria, OR. It was also fantastic the 2nd time through.

Book 220 read in 2018

Pages: 602

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
Wow! Just. . . So. Much. Wow! A thousand stars. My mind was blown. This is the best science-fiction novel I’ve read in a long time!

The format is unique, offered as a series of collected reports, online conversations, video feeds, and research, after an extremely deadly occurrence among a small planetary civilization, a fleet of government ships, and corporate terrorists.

I listened to this on audiobook (at double speed, which added to the excitement), and I highly recommend that format, as it comes with different readers for different materials, as well as sound effects which add to the whole experience. However, I feel certain I will go back and read this in print, in the future, so I can study the style and writing concept further.

It’s YA, but I recommend this to anyone who loves Sci-Fi or space fantasy, or anyone who is genre flexible and likes to try new and interesting books.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#BecRereads2018

Still gorgeous, and brilliant. This is also one of the 10 books I'd grab before being stranded on a deserted island. I have a feeling those 10 books would be more like 25. . .

This is one of my favorite standalone YA fantasy novels. It just has so much texture, depth, and heart. Plus it's brutal, which is always a hit with me.

Previous review still stands.

Book 219 read in 2018

Pages: 409

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
Brilliant. Gorgeous. Frightening. Fierce.

The definition of love. The explanation of longing. The reason why humanity is enthralled by that which cannot be tamed or owned. The exploration of loss. The justification for facing down fears and having courage in light of unimaginably poor odds. The argument for both digging up your roots and letting them grow deeper. This story is everything all at once.

Marek by Sawyer Bennett

Marek by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to kick these two in the pants a few times, but they eventually worked it out. This is a first love gets a second chance kind of story, with lots of drama.

Book 218 read in 2018

Pages: 226

Nothing Personal by Jaci Burton

Nothing Personal by Jaci Burton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ryan had to marry someone because of his grandfathers will. He had this all planned out but on the night he was to marry she backed out. Ryan asked his assistant if she would help him out and she did because she has been holding a crush on him since she first started working for him. I love stories that make people open their eyes and see what has been sitting in front of them the whole time. 

View all my reviews

208 Pages

The Martian by Andy Weir

As part of a summer reading challenge, I was required to read a science fiction novel. Science fiction is not a genre I read. Period. So I went to my well-versed sci fi reading coworkers for a suggestion, and their suggestion was The Martian by Andy Weir. I could not be more thankful for their suggestion! It was funny, dark, complicated, and thoroughly engaging. It was so much better than I ever expected. 375 pages.

A Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire Book 1)

Game of Thrones!!! Love the show and love this book. Sure the first season follows really close to this book, but I love the detail and world building, and who can resist sword fights and magic. I am still mad about Eddard Stark, but where would the story be if he didn't play his part. Definitely suggest for anyone who loves fantasy and political intrigue.

Rating: 5/5

Pages: 848

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rian and Pierce meet when he starts talking to her about something that she did a few days ago, than he realizes that Rian has a twin so it was her sister that he thought he was talking to. Pierce was always a great guy from the beginning of the book and falls for Rian fast. Rian needs to let go her past first before she can move forward. 

View all my reviews

320 Pages

Chosen (House of Night #3) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Bloodlust and dark forces are at work at the House of Night…

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird's adventures at the school are about to take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be her friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this "highly addictive series" (Romantic Times), in which Zoey's mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn't have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover about the secretive and sinister power that's turning dead fledglings into bloodsucking monsters must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity.

Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected position of having three boyfriends. Mix in more than a little forbidden desire to the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster of massive proportions. Then, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey's horrid step-loser in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends find out, things are not always what they seem…

Yes.  I'm still reading these.  They're my no-thought-needed, guilty pleasure. 

3.5/5

320 pages

Stella Rhys Books

  Ex Games by Stella Rhys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Taylor was engaged to Aaron, when he woke up one day and decided that he didn't want to be with her anymore. She takes a long time to deal with the fact that Aaron just left her and left her with an apartment that she could not afford. Mason is Aaron's brother and he makes a plan with Taylor to get back at Aaron because only a few months after he left Taylor he is engaged to another woman.

At first I didn't know I was going to feel about another story of someone with their siblings ex, however this turned out to be a great funny story that had me sucked in .

View all my reviews

206 Pages

Sweet Spot by Stella Rhys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lukas moved into his sisters apartment while she was away. When he first met Lia she was coming out of the bath and wasn't expecting to see him. Lia had ended a long term relationship a couple of years ago and was avoiding men because of what she went through with her past. She decides to give Lukas a shot and it turns into way more than what she thought.

View all my reviews

289 Pages

  Bad Boss by Stella Rhys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited that this book was about Sarah she was Lia's best friend. When she decides to quit her job of 9 years to try something new because she was tired of the crap. She ends up working for Julian to help him bring in some billionaires into an investment. They start to see each other behind everyone's back because after all Julian is a workaholic who doesn't have time for anything else.

View all my

327 Pages

  Dirty Deeds by Stella Rhys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emmet is Julian's brother, she you knew that he was a major player and didn't settle down from Bad Boss, so it was nice to get to understand what was going on behind his head. Alyson and Emmet had been friends since they where little but had a falling out 12 years before and just met up again. The first time the met up was the best ever, so I was hooked on this book within the first chapter. Over the course of the book you realize what happened to break them apart and also that Alyson's father treats her like crap and loves Emmet like he should have been his child.

View all my reviews

300 Pages

Killfile by Christopher Farnsworth

John Smith has a special gift that seems more like a curse: he can access other peoples thoughts. He hears the the songs stuck in their heads, their most private traumas and fears, the painful memories they can’t let go. The CIA honed his skills until he was one of their most powerful operatives, but Smith fled the Agency and now works as a private consultant, trying to keep the dark potentials of his gift in check—and himself out of trouble.

But now Smith is unexpectedly plunged into dangerous waters when his latest client, billionaire software genius Everett Sloan, hires him to investigate a former employee—a tech whiz kid named Eli Preston—and search his thoughts for some very valuable intellectual property he’s stolen. Before John can probe Preston’s mind, his identity is compromised and he’s on a run for his life with Sloan’s young associate, Kelsey.

Hunted by shadowy enemies with deep resources and unknown motives, John and Kelsey must go off the grid. John knows their only hope for survival is using his powers to their fullest—even if means putting his own sanity at risk.

4/5

416 pages

Betrayed (House of Night #2) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She's come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.


310 pages

3/5

Heat Wave

Heat Wave by Karina Halle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ronnie is still dealing with the loss of her sister and the way that her family treats her. She takes a job Logan who was married to her sister. While working there she gets a better understanding of who her sister really was and how far her family will go to make them self happy.

View all my reviews

380 Pages