Wednesday, March 26, 2014

John Dreamer Review & Excerpt!

John Dreamer
John Dreamer (John Dreamer #1)
By Elise Celine
Published February 1st, 2014 
203 pages

5 stars - Brilliant New Series!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

“There are eight characters in the story, and many of them play a very important role, but it all comes down to Andy and John,” says Elise Celine. “Andy is a troubled soul. She is very compassionate, but she’s so afraid of getting hurt that she guards her feelings and shuts people away. John is an enigma, a good-looking natural leader, who observes and learns, who waits quietly before speaking his mind.”


Andy wasn’t usually sure about much, but she was absolutely certain this was the weirdest day of her life as she stood stranded in the middle of a great white room with six strangers. Well, they were mostly strangers. She could have sworn she’d seen the guy with the green eyes before, and maybe that was why he kept staring at her. 

When a man calling himself the Guardian appeared and said they had come to make their deepest dreams come true, they embark on an adventure none of them ever imagined, and the consequences of their actions would change them forever.

"John Dreamer" is the first in a series of books set in the confines of the Great White Room.


Review:

I absolutely loved reading this book! I can't say that I have read anything like this in awhile or ever. It was fresh and unique and very uplifting in a way. Celine did a fantastic job at creating an interesting world where the characters overcome their fears and achieve their dreams.

There are seven different teenagers when this book starts out and as you read you learn more about each one of them. We also have a man who calls himself the Guardian but aside from him saying cryptic things we don't know too much about him. He does know a lot about the characters but we don't know why yet. Andy is the main character of the book and we see everything through her eyes. We also have a guy named John that Andy is curious about. The five other characters include two other girls and three other boys who all have their own personal problems and fears. We don't get too much time with all the characters but we learn so much about them from the experiences they go through in the Great White Room. The characters were great and I loved each one of them! 

Aside from the characters, I loved the whole story line as well. These teenagers are in a Great White Room and have no idea why they are in there. They end up learning things about each other and themselves and it was great to read about. I don't want to give away too much because this book isn't too long, but I can say that it is a fantastic read. It goes by so fast that I didn't even realize I was already 80% done with it when I was. I can't wait for a second book because this world is a very interesting one and I want to learn more about it. I feel like anyone can relate to this book because there are many different personalities to relate to. There are also different situations and problems that anyone can go through. This book will inspire you and lift you up. It's a romance novel but it is so much more than that. If you haven't had the opportunity to read John Dreamer, then I suggest you get to it! Check it out! AND...check below to find out more about Elise Celine and read an excerpt from the book!

Vanessa

About Elise Celine:


Born storyteller.
Lover of nature.
Reader of everything and anything. When in absence of book, even encyclopedia will do.
Prefer the book to the movie.
Photojournalist (there is no such thing as too many pictures).
Archiver of infinite useless facts (can't help it, but it's great when playing trivia games).
Fantasy and romance will make my day.
Endless daydreamer.
Road trip fanatic.
Happy-go-lucky kid turned sudden adult.

Music is the soundtrack to my movie, I mean, life.


Excerpt:

I found myself in the middle of a great white room. No windows, no ceiling, no doors. I took a step and then another, not knowing where I was, or why. I could not remember entering the place, or dropping in: it was as if I had just appeared. Everything felt eerie, from the complete silence to the seeming absence of walls.
I was wearing my favorite denim shorts, white button-down shirt and flats, my usual casual attire, but I couldn’t recall putting them on. My hair fell loosely down the sides of my face, cascades of golden natural waves, the way I like to wear it when I have no one to see and nothing to do. My skin felt soft and warm, the way it does after a pleasant day in the sun, the air was cool and light. Everything felt fresh and comfortable, as if I had just awoken from a very relaxing sleep. Was I actually awake?
In the middle of the room I found seven chairs lined in a row. They were all in different sizes and shapes, from modern and classic, to eccentric and ornate; they were also labeled. I walked beside them to get a closer look and found that one near the middle had my name on it. It was rustic wood, the design simple and at the same time organic. It was worn down and aged, like a very loved object that has been passed from generation to generation. I looked again at the row before me and thought that, if I had been given the chance, it was exactly the one I would have chosen. The names on the other chairs I did not recognize: Marcus, Olivia, Matty, John, Linda, and Roy. Perhaps I wouldn’t be alone for long.
I walked around again, and had the odd feeling that the place was moving along with me. Every time I tried to get to the other side, the way became longer; if I retraced my steps, I returned to the same spot.
Was I in some sort of institution? I felt completely sane, even though everything around me seemed daft. I wanted a mirror so I could see my face. I needed that sense of self.
Then I saw him. I hadn’t noticed him arrive. He hadn’t seen me either since he was standing with his back to me. He was roughly my age, with wavy hair that fell to his neck, unkempt but clean. He was slender and fit. His head was level and he stood tall, giving me the impression of being self-assured, comfortable in his own skin. He was looking toward the other side of the room, getting accustomed to our new surroundings. I sensed he was as confused as I was.
“Do you know where we are?” I asked, and he turned surprised at the sound of my voice. It was then I got the first glimpse of his beautiful green eyes. There was such an intensity in his stare, conveying so much emotion, I could hardly hold his gaze. I felt electricity run through my spine as I dove into this stranger who was inviting me in. He kept looking at me without answering, making my insides aflutter. This had never happened to me before. So I stood there, frozen solid, averting my eyes from his, but coming back to them. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, eight and a half. Scientists state that it takes only eight and a half seconds to fall in love at first sight. So there it was.

Links:






Saturday, March 22, 2014

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold Review

Kitty Hawk And The Curse Of The Yukon Gold (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency, #1)
Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #1)
By Iain Reading
Published December 3rd, 2012 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
336 pages

4.5 stars - Incredible Series!!

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*


Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new series of adventure mystery stories that are one part travel, one part history and five parts adventure. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations.

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada and as the plot continues to unfold this spirited story will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon, the harsh land made famous in the stories and poems of such writers as Jack London, Robert Service and Pierre Berton. It is a riveting tale that brings to glorious life the landscape and history of Alaska's inside passage and Canada's Yukon, as Kitty is caught up in an epic mystery set against the backdrop of the scenery of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves as Kitty prepares for her next adventure - flying around the world!
Review:
Kitty Hawk is an awesome book and I'm very glad that I was able to read it. I actually can't wait to be able to get the next books in the series because this first book was full of interesting information. Read the synopsis and you'll already be hooked. The author, Iain Reading, does a great job at mixing history and facts with interesting characters and situations. I learned so much while being entertained at the same time! 
Kitty Hawk is a born pilot and is fantastic at what she does. She decides to go on a trip to research Humpback whales and gets way more that she bargained for. She deals with gold and makes surprising new relationships, all on her trip to Alaska. Kitty was a nice girl and very smart. She was brave and caring as well. She was a great character to be able to read through. There are also some other characters who we learn to love. 
Aside from awesome characters we also have surprises along the way. There are surprises throughout the book that I didn't see coming and that kept me on my toes. I stay interested the whole time and was thoroughly entertained. Once again, you will learn quite a bit but it will be so interesting that you won't even realize that it's true stuff. I definitely recommend this book to all ages! A great story for any age and a great first installment to this series. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books! If you haven't check this one out yet, then do it now!
Vanessa 





Monday, March 17, 2014

Ignite Me Review

Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3)
Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)
By Tahereh Mafi
Published February 4th, 2014 by HarperCollins
408 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!



The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.
Review:

WOW. I can not even begin to describe how amazing this book is. Mafi has created a captivating ending to a thrilling series. This final book blew me away and I loved every minute of it! It will grab a hold of you and not let go! There is so much suspense, action and romance packed into this book. Readers will learn more about favorite characters and will be rooting for them until the very end. This is a book that you do not want to miss! 

Ignite Me starts off where Unravel Me left off and we are immediately drawn into the story. Juliette is stuck with Warner and the others are somewhere unknown to us in the beginning. This final book gives us a lot more information about Warner and I loved it. He is definitely not all that he seems to be. I actually felt for him after hearing all his stories about his childhood and his mother. Juliette and Warner's relationship progresses in this book but I'll let you figure out just how much. I'm not sure if this is a spoiler but it happens pretty early on in the book so I'll just let you know. Adam and a small group are still alive. We don't get too much more information about Adam but we do see another side of his character. We see another favorite as well, Kenji. The relationship between him and Juliette is just plain awesome. I think my favorite part of this series is the characters. We learn so much about them and how some characters have way more to them than what we see. 

I don't want to share too much and ruin the surprises but this was a truly captivating book. There are some twists and turns and the ending felt right. I loved how much Juliette was able to grow in this book. She really took charge and picked herself up. She stopped feeling sorry for herself and figured out that she needed to become who she was meant to be. I'm not sure if what I'm saying is making sense but all I know is that you should read this book if you haven't yet. It is definitely going onto my favorites list as is the whole series. I'm glad that I was able to get into this series and I encourage you to read this book if you still haven't. So check it out today!!

Vanessa

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Ring the Alarm Review

Ring The Alarm (Tales from Jamaica #1)
By L.C. Andrews
Published October 25th, 2013 by Wood & Water Publishing
Contemporary Romance (multicultural)/Literary Fiction
266 pages

4 stars - Great start to the series!

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review!*

Hot Jamaican Days, steamy Jamaican Nights...  Come along on a spinning, whirling tale of romance and adventure!  Of human struggles, conflicts, and inner pain... Of redemption, gratitude, and Love.  Of Jamaica!  

Join two best friends in this memorable story as they discover romance, the true Jamaican spirit, and themselves!

This is where the Tales From Jamaica series, and L.C.'s exciting, rapid style all begins.

Review:

Ring the Alarm is without a doubt a different type of book. I can definitely say that I haven't read anything like it! It's an enjoyable and quick read but be warned that Andrews' writing style is anything but conventional. The writing style of this book is different but it's fast paced and pretty easy to follow. The rhythm keeps you reading and before you know it the book is done! 

I think Ring the Alarm was a good start to this series and besides reading about the characters, we also read about Jamaica. I've never been to Jamaica but from the looks of it, the country is definitely a wondrous place. L.C.'s character was funny and, in a way, it was like you were in his thoughts. You join these characters on an adventure full of humorous, romantic, and touching times. Andrews teaches us a little about the country and it's people and what they have to go through.

Again, this was a quick and entertaining read. I will say that some of the content is mature for younger readers. Ring the Alarm is a good book that may go a little too far at times. :) But it'll make it up to you with it's unique writing style and humorous scenes! If Ring the Alarm sounds like your kind of book, then I suggest you check it out today! 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Scarlet Review

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)
By Marissa Meyer
Published February 5th, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends
454 pages

5 stars - Amazing Sequel!!



The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...


Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review:

After reading Cinder I couldn't wait to read the next book. Scarlet was an awesome sequel and brought even more to the table. There are new characters introduced as well as new issues. We also have the characters we grew to love in Cinder. Scarlet was full of suspense, humor, action, and some romance. I can't wait to read the next book and find out more about my favorite characters.

In this sequel we are introduced to Scarlet Benoit. Scarlet was another strong female character and I enjoyed reading through her eyes. She is a few years older than Cinder and lives in Paris. I loved how Scarlet was meant to be Red Riding Hood and Wolf was obviously meant to be the wolf. Wolf was an interesting character and I new something was different about him when he was first introduced. Can I also say that I am loving the relationship between the two of them? Well I am. :) Cinder is back and trying to escape the prison when she meets a new friend, Carswell Thorne. Thorne is an interesting character and quite funny. I'm interested to see what happens with him in the next book. Kai is back but he is stuck in the palace as he is the emperor now, and we don't get to see any one on one time with him and Cinder. :(  There are many more characters introduced and slowly we are able to see that everyone is connected in some way. I love how Marissa was able to do that.

We learn more about Queen Levana and what her plans are in this installment. We also learn more about Princess Selene, aka Cinder. There is quite a lot of action and the ending is definitely suspenseful! One of my favorite parts about this series is that fairy tales are mixed in with the new age technology. We have the future and the classics mixed together and I couldn't enjoy it more. I'm excited for the new book and I can not wait to get my hands on it! I love these characters and the story line. If you haven't read this sequel yet, then you definitely need to! It's even better than the first. :) Check it out!

Vanessa