Monday, June 23, 2014

Kitty Hawk and The Tragedy of the RMS Titanic Review

Kitty Hawk and The Tragedy of the RMS Titanic (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #4)
By Iain Reading 
Published February 15th, 2014 
320 pages

4.5 stars  - Fun and Exciting Read!

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

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is the thrillingly cryptic fourth installment of the exciting Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series featuring the intrepid teenage seaplane pilot Kitty Hawk and her various adventures of mystery and intrigue as she follows in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart on an epic flight around the world. This fourth book in the series brings Kitty to the emerald hills of Ireland where she meets a handsome stranger and is quickly swept up in a perplexing hundred-year-old family treasure hunt involving secret codes and puzzling clues that lead her on a fast-paced adventure that carries her from Dublin to London - from the decks of the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic to the temples of ancient Egypt and the streets of Jack the Ripper - until she finally unlocks the mystery and discovers the long-hidden treasure. Much like the earlier books in this series, Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is a perfect book to fire the imaginations of armchair detectives of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history the reader will find themselves immersed in brand new worlds that are brought to life before their very eyes as Kitty Hawk experiences the stories and history of a doomed ocean liner and unravels the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic.

Review:

Kitty Hawk is at it again in the fourth installment of The Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series. I have enjoyed all four books in the series but I think this one might be my favorite. I have always been interested in the Titanic and reading about it in this book was awesome. Like I've said before, Reading does a great job at mixing history and information with fiction and awesome characters. The outcome of this mixture is a book that entertains you while teaching you many interesting facts.

Kitty Hawk is in Ireland for her next stop of her trip. She doesn't expect to learn more about the Titanic or get pulled into another huge mystery but she is. There is quite a bit going on in this book and I really enjoyed it. Kitty not only learns more about the stories of the Titanic but also about Egypt, London and much more. There were quite a few different topics that Kitty learned about and I think there is at least one thing for everyone. 

There was also much more suspense in this book as well as action. Kitty Hawk continues to be an awesome female lead that is fun and entertaining as well as brave and smart. I can't wait to see where Kitty will go next! If you haven't read the previous books in the series then I recommend that you do! Like I have said before, this series is great for all ages and has a little bit of something for everyone. I find myself learning so much while being interested at the same time. Check out this book if you haven't yet! You won't regret it! 

*I noticed that the kindle version of this book will be free until June 24th! Hurry and get it before it's too late!*

Vanessa

Monday, June 9, 2014

Crash into You Review

Crash into You (Pushing the Limits, #3)
Crash into You (Pushing The Limits #3)
By Katie McGarry
Published November 26th, 2013 by Harlequin Teen
474 pages

5 stars - FANTASTIC!!


From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane. 

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Review:
Wow. Ms. McGarry has done it again. Crash into You was amazing and beautifully written just like the previous two in the series! I loved this book and I am in love with Isaiah! Actually, I love so much about this book that I know that I can't do it justice by this review. So I won't try. Instead I'll just let you know that this is a book that you need to read and you need to read it really soon. 
If you have read the previous two books in the series, then you know who Isaiah is. We don't learn too much about him in the previous books but Crash into You is all about him and Rachel. I loved Isaiah in Pushing the Limits but I fell in love with him here. He is such a great male character. Like many of the other characters, Isaiah's past wasn't easy and his present life isn't any easier either. He is tough on the outside but once you read through his perspective you see who he really is. I really enjoyed watching him grow and learn throughout the book. I also enjoyed his relationship with Rachel. Rachel was a character that I felt for while reading. I really did enjoy reading about her and I just felt so bad for what she had to go through. She was also able to grow and open up throughout the book and I loved watching her transition. Rachel has 4 brothers and they each had their own personalities. I think my favorites were probably Ethan, Rachel's twin, and West. They all had their own issues and we got to see a little peak at them but I bet we will get to learn more about them soon. In fact, the next book is about West! Another character was introduced and she is Isaiah's friend, Abby. She was another great female character and one that I'd love to know more about. 
We get a visit from familiar characters as well. :) What's better than that? Anyways Crash into You was a great read and I am so glad I was finally able to pick it up. I didn't want to put it down! There was suspense and romance and some amazing characters. The ending is very suspenseful and my heart was beating while reading it. I love McGarry's writing and how she is able to make me feel such strong emotions for these characters. Once again, if you haven't read this book but you've read the previous two, then read this one now! If you loved McGarry's other books then you'll love Isaiah and Rachel's story. It's a story that you don't want to miss out on. Now I need to hurry up and buy the next book! Can't wait to read about West and Haley! Check this one out!
Vanessa

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Olympus Cloud by Stephen Randel Virtual Book Tour

Hello Everybody! I am the host today for The Olympus Cloud (Adventures of a Dreamer) Virtual Book Tour presented by Sage's Blog Tours. This book is incredibly interesting and fun to read! Check out my review and other information below.

The Olympus Cloud (Adventures of a Dreamer)
By Stephen Randel
Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adventure

4.5 stars - Perfect for all ages!!

Do you ever wonder what your dog is dreaming about when its paws twitch? You might be surprised…. 

Some dogs can spend up to sixteen hours a day sleeping. For Max, a pugnacious French bulldog from Texas, this provides plenty of time for him to explore the world through his vivid imagination. His dreams are a doorway to excitement and adventure. Whether he’s solving mysteries, rescuing other animals, or just plain saving the day, Max’s heroic exploits carry him around the block, around the country, and even around the planet. From the plains of Africa to the battlefields of France and into outer space, Max matches wits with everything from a zombie accountant to rodent gangsters and a myriad of mythical creatures. And in the end, the fearless and faithful little dog always makes it home in time for dinner.

Review:

I have two dogs of my own (both Yorkies) and I am always wondering what goes on in their heads. When they are asleep and their legs start twitching and they start whimpering I start to wonder what they dream about. Well now I have a few ideas about what could be going on in their little heads! :) The Olympus Cloud was a great read and pretty surprising. It sounded cute from the synopsis but I wasn't quite sure. Well I'll let you know that you'll definitely have fun reading this book. 

Max is a French Bulldog but when he dreams he becomes much more. I loved reading about each dream that Max had! Some of them were funny and a lot of them were interesting and neat. Max goes from saving a young calf, to being dog-napped, helping the Gods fight Loki, being a detective and much more! There is so much adventure in this book and it is all from a dog's perspective. 

I recommend The Olympus Cloud to anyone who loves adventure, dogs, or just a fun and quick read! I enjoyed reading about the strong and courageous Max and his adventures. Check this one out today!

Vanessa


Author Info
Stephen Randel was born in Houston, Texas.  He is a graduate of Texas Christian University.  Steve now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and their rescue dog.  He is the author of The Chupacabra: A Borderline Crazy Tale of Coyotes, Cash & Cartels and Trail of the Chupacabra: An Avery Bartholomew Pendleton Misadventure.

Purchase Link

Author Website



Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #10




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 wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves. This is hosted by Pen to Paper ! 

Oh My Gosh! I don't just want this book - I need it! I LOVE Katie McGarry's books because they are all really awesome and if you haven't read any yet then you definitely need to. This is the latest book and it sounds amazing! I can't wait to buy it!



Take Me On (Pushing the Limits, #4)
Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4)
By Katie McGarry
Published May 27th, 2014 by Harlequin Teen


Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

What is on your wishlist?
Vanessa

Monday, June 2, 2014

Shiver Review

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1)
Shiver (The Wovles of Mercy Falls #1)
By Maggie Stiefvater 
Published August 1st, 2009 by Scholastic Press
390 pages

4 stars - Intriguing Read!



For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:

Shiver is yet another book that I was unsure of reading and finally decided to give a try. I can’t say that I am disappointed. I will definitely be reading the next books in the series.

I gave Shiver 4 stars because I feel like, while it was good, it was kind of slow in the beginning. Maybe it was just me. I will say that the ending was suspenseful and emotional and kept me interested. The ending was probably when I fell in love with the characters and the book. But other than that I thought it was a great first book.

I LOVED Sam and I loved being in his head. The way his thoughts were written kept me interested and intrigued. Grace was a very practical girl and I did enjoy her character. I felt for her at times because of her parents but she was very independent and strong. The relationship between the two is definitely different but it works and I love them together.


I thought it was interesting how the pack would change into wolves when the temperature dropped. I hadn’t heard of anything like that so I appreciated the uniqueness. Overall Shiver kept me interested and intrigued. I would definitely recommend it and I am excited to read the next books in the series. I’m looking forward to learning more about the characters and the disease. If you haven’t checked this one out yet, then do it now!

Vanessa