Some exciting news & a book review!

I'm super excited! I am now a member of the Nerd Girl Official Street Team! I get to review free ebooks from Indie authors! I'm so happy to be part of the team and being able to get some great books by some fantastic indie authors out there in to the waiting hands of Nerd Girls like me!

Here is my FIRST review for the Nerd Girl Official:

Book Review: Under the Sun by Jude Ouvrard--3 star rating

Disclaimer: I was given a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

This novella (which is the debut of the author) was a short, easy read. The setting of the story is on a beach (what better place to have a romantic encounter!). The overall plot of the story was good, but the romance/relationship between the two main characters felt a bit rushed. I felt like as soon as they laid eyes on each other that was it and was pretty predicatable. There was no real build-up to the falling in love...i'm all for love at first sight but felt the story could have been even better with a little more build-up. I also felt like there were parts that could have been left out, i.e. the description of Jackson's cabin. I like how both characters had their own story of loss. Jackson had been through his, learned how to cope and was living a life he could be proud of. Tracey, fresh out of her loss, was trying to learn how to move on. I have to admit when Jackson shared his story of loss I felt a pang of sadness. Overall the story was good, if it had been a little longer and had more romance I would have rated it higher. If you're looking for a quick,easy read about loss and finding love after, try this one out.

 

 

Note: Review has been in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding out reviews please visit out Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.Ng

Book Review: Waking Dreams (The Soul's Mark Novella) by Ashley Stoyanoff

I'm not one to typically read novellas. The reason behind this is; I feel like the author hardly has anytime to really create a story that will grab my attention and keep it in around 100 pages. The characters always seem under-developed or rushed and the plot never seems to go anywhere. NOT the case with Ms.Stoyanoff's novella. I was immediately thrown into the story...there was preamble, boom you were there in the field with the main character, feeling what he was feeling. Her descriptions were amazing, they were so vivid I did not once have to try to imagine what she was describing I could actually see it perfectly in my head. I read this novella in less than 45 minutes. From page one the author's words had me hooked. Never have I liked a novella so much. I can not wait to read the rest of the series. Ms. Stoyanoff has a new fan...and it's this girl right here. Usually novellas leave much to be desired but the author has a way with words and the only thing I'm left wanting is the rest of the series. If you would like to check out this series for yourself...I will post the links below for a few sites where you can purchase your copy!



Here is Ashley Stoyanoff's Goodreads Page...Give her a like and see what else she is up to:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5890982.Ashley_Stoyanoff

Links to Purchase Waking Dreams:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dreams-Souls-Ashley-Stoyanoff/dp/0988077590/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375979927&sr=1-4

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waking-dreams-ashley-stoyanoff/1115182156?ean=2940044477261

Links to Purchase the first book in the series, The Soul's Mark: FOUND:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Souls-Mark-FOUND-1/dp/0988077531/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375980141&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-souls-mark-ashley-stoyanoff/1111176513?ean=9780988077515

The Life of Book Nerd & stay at home mom.

I have a life outside of books...really I do! I have 2 kids and a husband who need my undivided attention almost 24/7. I try to give that to them, my undivided attention...but alas a book is always calling to me. They stare at me from their large bookshelf and taunt me with promises of being swept away into an alternative world. It's so hard to resist. I stay at home to take care of my kids and my husband works. I love being able to stay home and enjoy them at these ages....I love it even more when they used to NAP! I could get so much done! Reading, cleaning, cooking, etc...but now that one is 7 and the other almost 3, there is no napping...so therefore very little reading during the day. My days consist of mind-numbing cartoons, reff-ing fights amoung siblings, searching for the lost toy in the more than full playroom, laundry and cooking. Don't get me wrong...I love being a mom, but is it so much to ask to have 5 minutes of peace and quiet? I try to sneak into the bathroom under the pretense of a potty emergency to read a chapter or two...but find that even there I am not immune to the wrath of a 2 year old on the verge of a hysterical episode. It's really hard to read when there is a constant pounding on the door and shrill screaming asking what is taking so long. I try to bribe them with candy or ice cream..."Here eat this...I don't care if it's 8 am in the morning...if you promise to stop trying to murder each other you can have ice cream for breakfast." I find myself saying this or something very close to it on a regular basis. Once school starts again, our house falls into the school year routine...and some normalcy will be present. It will be my son and I at home during the days, while my daughter is in school. I will not have to hear the bickering, screaming etc that comes along with 2 kids being off for 3 months. Maybe, just maybe, I will get to read before it's midnight. Oh, How I long for the days of 8pm bedtimes! They are almost here! Yay for school!

Book Review: WallBanger by Alice Clayton

I love a good book that has a main character that is loveable! Alice Clayton has done just that with her main character, Caroline Reynolds. This woman is not unlike many "typical" woman. She has a career, great friends, her own awesome apartment and an awesome campanion in her cat, Clive. I love how relatable Caroline is in this book. She's quirky, funny, strong-minded, opinionated and she's also been through one to many disatrous encounters with men ( we've all been there now and then..right?) and now has lost the power of the "O" (as she refers to it). In her desperate search to regain her "O" she meets a guy she dubs "Wallbanger."

This book came to me as a recommendation from a friend. I laughed so many times while reading it. Caroline and Simon's banter throughout the book is really great. I also enjoyed how Clive, the cat, was a major player in the story...the author wove him into the story flawlessly...at times you kind of feel like he's a real person. Raunchy humor, mixed in with a love story....how can you go wrong?  I don't really have anything I didn't like in the book....the only thing that was torture was the sexual tension between Simon and Caroline. Would they? Wouldn't they? I couldn't put this book down and would rate it as 5 out of 5 stars.  I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast, fun, quirky read!

Book Review: A Case of Poisons (An Anothony Maxwell Mystery #1) By Hazel B. West

I finally finished this read and review book. It took me longer than normal for such a short book and I can only say that it just wasn't my "cup of tea." People who like detective novels will probably enjoy it, but sadly I am not one of those people. Here is the review I posted on Goodreads, Amazon and Smashwords:





Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.

Let me say first off that I do NOT typically read detective novels, but thought I would go out of my comfort zone and try something new. That being said....I really forced myself to read this book, there were quite a few times I wanted to put it down but I owed it to the author to see it through to the end. It was NOT because the book was horribly written, the writing flowed nicely, it just seemed a little slow for my tastes. I didn't feel it really picked up until about the last 70 pages or so. I enjoyed the banter between Inspector Garrett & Anthony Maxwell, it elicited a few grins at times. I also liked Archie and his relationship with the other orphans & Maxwell, himself. I also didn't guess who the bad guy was at all...which was surprising, because usually I can. A few things I DIDN'T like: I felt there was an overuse of the word "contraption," maybe it's just me, but I felt the author could have thrown in a few different words besides that one. I've read a few other "steampunk" novels and can usually picture the devices used within those books but had a hard time picturing the ones on this novel. I'm not sure that I would read the next book in the series but if someone were to ask for recommendations for this type of novel, I would probably suggest this to them.

Again, I didn't feel the author did a bad job on the novel and wish I could give it more stars but I'm basing my review on how I felt reading the book. (I wanted to rate 2 1/2 stars but felt that a bit cruel being it's just not my cup of tea).

My obsession with reading and books.

I've always been an avid reader. I can remember asking for books for any holiday where presents are involved. My friends would ask for toys, clothes, jewelry, etc and my list would contain mostly books. I would devour any book I could get my hands on and when I was old enough to drive, I would often drive myself right to the library while other kids my age were going to the best "hangouts." I wasn't an introvert, I had a grip on reality, perfectly acceptable social skills, I had plenty of friends and liked stuff other teenage girls liked...I just preferred to be at home reading or at the library and not chasing boys at the mall ( which I'm pretty sure my parents were overly thrilled about and that's probably why they indulged me in my book obsession). I'm not really sure what started my love of books, my mom read to us every night as kids, so I'm sure that is a part of it. I think its because I'm able to picture everything so clearly in my head...but its more than that...when I'm reading a book, I get so emotionally invested in it, if its a great book, and actually feel like I know the characters or I am right there watching what's happening. As a mother of 2 kids, it's important to me that my kids read...even if its just signs (my daughter is currently going into 2nd grade and enjoys reading, my son who is still a toddler loves to "read" me stories before bed). I make sure they always have books available and they both have quite the library, if I do say so myself. I think in this day and age a lot of parents don't read to their kids enough! 20 minutes everyday.... Its such a short amount of time but can have such a profound effect on a child. So, what started your love of reading? Leave a comment and let me know!

Book Review: Vampire Origins by Riley Banks (Strigoi #1)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start out by saying I loved this book for so many reasons. I won't go into the whole list but here are the main reasons. The author seamlessly weaves historical facts and legend into a great storyline. She keeps vampires true to form, killers, pure and simple. There were plenty of plot twists and surprises to keep me turning pages well into the night. There are quite a few characters in the book and I must admit in the beginning it's a little hard to keep track of them and where in time/place you are, but that wasn't a big deal, definitely not enough to deter me from reading. Speaking of characters I quickly adored Caleb, he's kind of the underdog/outcast of the family. I also liked Anna, Alex, Rose, Scarlett, Nataschia and Angeline (even though I hated her through at least half the book). The characters I loved to hate were Lachlan, Renee, Veronika and of course Vlad. They are all just so mean, devious and ruthless. One of my favorite scenes actually has Veronika in it....I don't want to give away too much but she turns someone into a rat. Her whole thought process for the action actually made me grin (she's just so mean). The ending of the book is definitely a cliff hanger which made me immediately check to see if book #2 was out (not yet by the way). I've read many vampire books lately and this is by far my favorite of those. I can't wait to read book #2 to find out what happens next and to learn more about the other vampire tribes. So, would I recommend this book? YES! Who would I recommend it to? Vampire lovers, YA lovers, or just anyone who is looking for a fresh take on an over written topic. Go get yourself a copy of Vampire Origins: Project Ichorus.... you won't be disappointed!

here are the links to buy your copy!

amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Origins-Ichorous-Riley-Banks/dp/1466428775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375448445&sr=8-1&keywords=vampire+origins

barnes & noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vampire-origins-riley-banks/1115214359?ean=2940011138850

smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31426

If you're interested in more about the author and what she is writing next, check out her blog:

http://www.rileybanks.net/