Book Review: A Lifelong Love

I heard of A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas through blog that I follow, To Love, Honor and Vacuum. They are doing a challenge for the year to read 12 books, one book a month, that is about marriage. Even if you have the best marriage, it can always get better.

A Lifelong Love: What if Marriage is About More Than Just Staying Together?

That's the goal, right? Staying together.

I believe that there is more to marriage than just the longevity of it. And that where this book comes in.

It was an easy but thought provoking read. Each chapter ended with questions that really got you to think and apply the new information to you marriage.

It talks about God not being just you Heavenly Father but he is also your spouses Heavenly Father and essentially you Father-in-Law.

To bring perspective: How would you feel if your child's spouse was not not treating them with the love that they should? That they weren't appreciative or affectionate?

How would this make you feel? Pretty unhappy with the one they married.

Think about how God feel when we do not take care of our spouses in that way, God is sad because his child is not being treated well.

Kind of punches you right in the face. We need to make God happy by taking care of really loving on his children.

Another chapter talked about how we are not rewarded in heaven by how we were loved in our marriage but instead how much we loved.

This point is brought up again and again. It's not about what we get but instead what we give. Do I love my husband enough? My goal is now to make sure that he know that he knows how much I love him. And that's a forever job.

I recommend this book for everyone who is married or planning on getting married, It really helps to get you in the right direction.

I'll leave with this quote: "Biblical love isn't a feeling to be felt; it's a commitment to be kept."

Book Review: The Blood of Olympus

And it's over. The Blood of Olympus is the final installment of The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan.

I'm a little sad that it is over. I've been reading through since I discovered Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I love the adventures of the books and after I read each one I listen to the audiobook with my kids.

They love listening to books when we are in the car or cleaning the  house. Especially Sidda.

The Blood of Olympus does not disappoint.

The seven demigods of the prophecy are heading to Athens. They are on their way to stop the ritual that will bring Gaea back to life.

But not without a few hiccups along the way. They must face psyco gods and battles that will make them face their own fears and even their own mortality.

Across the Altantic, Nico, Reyna and Coach Hedge are making their way back to Camp Half-Blood with the Athena Parthenos. They are hoping to make it back before the Roman demigods start attacking the Greek demigods. Their only hope is to make it in time and unite the two camps against the rising earth mother.

I loved reading every minute of this book. And I look forward to letting the kids enjoy this final installment.

Book Review: Shopaholic to the Stars

Where do I even begin?  I love, love, love the Shopaholic series.  I love reading about Becky Brandon (Bloomwood) and all of her antics.

But maybe it's time for Sophie Kinsella to put it to bed.  I feel in Shopahlic to the Stars Becky just gets in to one mess after another and none of the problems are really solved. It just kind of ends. It is left with a huge cliff hanger that means there is going to be a follow up novel.  And in truth I will read it because I have to know what happens.

Now even though it wasn't one of my favorite shopaholic novel doesn't mean it didn't have great moments or funny moments or that it was over all bad.  Just not the same. But now, let's get to what happened in the book.

Becky and Luke have moved to Hollywood. And Becky is beyond excited. She wants to rub shoulders with celebrities and walk the red carpet. But more than any of that she wants to become a celebrity stylist. It's really the perfect fit. She would get to dress the Hollywood elite and get to shop to make it happen.  It's really a dream come true. If only she could get her foot in the door.

Luke is working PR for Sage Seymour a very popular actress. Becky is trying to make contact with her but Luke is keeping Sage away from Becky. (Smart guy.) But then Becky catches Sage's rival, Lois Kellerton, shoplifting and it's her way in to get in with Sage.

But Hollywood life is not all that it's cracked to be. Becky's daughter, Minnie, is in a prestige preschool but the head of the PTA is none other than Alicia Billington, Becky's own rival from her years as a financial journalist. Alicia has convinced everyone that she has changed but Becky is not so sure.

Overall I would rate this about a 3 1/2 out of 5.

Book Review: Champion

And we have an ending to our trilogy. It always makes me a little sad when I finish a series.  I feel like there is so  much of the world that I missed out on and want to explore some more.

Champion by Marie Lu did not disappoint as a follow up to Legend and Prodigy.

June is now second in command of the entire Republic.  She is helping lead the country by the side of Anden the Elector Primo.  She has gotten mixed in the politics of governing the nation and has remained in the capital in Denver.

Day on the other hand has left Denver and returned to California with his brother, Eden, who he just found again.  But there is one more thing.  Day is dying.  He's been sick for awhile but it has now reached the breaking point.  Best case scenario, Day lives a few more months.

June and Day's lives are brought back together when the Colonies wage war on the Republic.  The plague that had affected Eden has now spread into the Colonies and they will attack until a cure can be found.  June must ask Day for his help and the help of Eden if they ever hope to find a cure.

June knows nothing about the secret that Day carries around.  How long can he keep it from her?  Will they survive the war?  Will they find the cure that they desperately seek?

Champion delivers action and emotion.  Lu is an excellent story teller with an awesome story to tell.  If you enjoy dystopian novels this should be on your read list.

Book Review: Prodigy

Prodigy is the second novel in the Legend Trilogy.  If you would like to read my review of Legend, you can see that here.

Prodigy by Marie Lu picks up right from where Legend left off.  Day is hurt and June is with them. They are trying to make it to Las Vegas to find the rebellious group known as the Patriots. It's their only chance of receiving the help the desperately need.

Once they finally come in contact with the Patriots they had a very fast decision to make, receive the help they need (healing Day) and agree to the extreme terms or go on on their own.

And what is it that Day and June have to agree to do? Assassinate the new Elector. To do this June must get close to the Elector and Day must prepare to be the one that to do the killing.

But things don't always turn out how you expect.

I again loved this book. Marie Lu knows how to bring you in to a wonderful story. I am now moving on to the last installment, Champion.

Book Review: Artistic License

While perusing my local library last week I picked up a copy of Artistic License by Katie Fforde.  This is the first book that I have ever read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

It did start out slowly but by the middle I really wanted to know what was going to happen so I pressed on and really loved it.

Thea is 35 years old and really just going through the motions of life.  She runs student housing out of her home and though she doesn't mind it, she really wants something more.

Things change quickly when her friend Molly invites her on an artists tour in France.  Thea meets Rory, an aspiring painter, and runs off to Ireland with him.  She sees his painting and decides that she will open an art gallery to show the world Rory's work.
Of course, not everything is as it seems and is not a simple as you make think it should be.  There is confusion and misunderstandings and falling in love.

This novel was more than I expected.  I was fast and fun and I'm glad I got a hold of it.

Book Review: The One and Only

I don't even know where to start with this book.  What happened to Emily Giffin? What happened to the wonderful storyteller that wrote Something Borrowed and The Heart of the Matter?

The last two books I have forced myself to continue reading in hopes that the story would just get better.  And it just didn't.

In The One and Only we meet Shea.  Shea loves all things football, but particularly Walker University football.   Her life revolves around it since she was a young girl.

The head coach, Coach Carr, wife has recently passed away and Shea has always maintained a crush on him since she was small.  But now her feelings are deepening and she wants more.

There are many things that stand in the way of them being together, including Coach Carr's daughter Lucy who is also Shea's life long best friend.

I was so disappointed in this book.  The story was boring and there was no character development.  Shea did not change or grow from the beginning of the book to the end.  Even with the many times that she told herself that she changed.  Maybe it was an effort to convince the reader that there was something different about her after 400 pages.

If you're looking for something to read, I'd say pass on this one.

Book Review: Promises to Keep

I had no idea what I was getting in to when I picked up Promises to Keep by Jane Green.

I was walking around the library and grabbed this book off the shelf.  It was on a complete whim.  I've enjoyed novels by Jane Green in the past that I figured I would give it a go.

I opened this book about a week ago.  I love how Green wrote her characters in this story.  They were simple yet complicated.  Their feeling were raw and emotions were real.

In this novel we meet a large cast of characters but the main ones are Callie, Steffi and Lila.

Callie and Steffi are sisters born about a decade apart and Lila is a lifetime friend.  Each one has a big change coming on in her life.  Steffi, a vegan chef, is tired of life in New York City and jumps at the opportunity to live in the small village of Sleepy Hollow and be closer to her sister.

Lila has finally met the man of her dreams and he is everything she ever wanted.

Callie has the perfect life.  A husband that was perfect for her, two children's that she absolutely adores.  But something is not quite right anymore.  She isn't feeling as she normally does.  Something is just off.

Here is a SPOILER ALERT....

Callie is sick.  And it has rocked the world of all the people around her.  She fought and won the battle against breast cancer five years ago and it is back a vengeance.

Callie is getting weaker by the day and each of her friends and family are doing their best to take care of her and each other.

As I read through this I would feel the tears just pour down my face.  I had no idea what this book was about but it really hit home as we said good-bye to grandpa two weeks ago.  It may have been too much too soon.  But it was still beautifully written.

Book Review: Rock Chick

I have no idea what made me want to read Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley.  I think it came up on a book recommendation on goodreads.com and I decided that I wanted to read it.  I had no idea what it was about when I picked it up.

Indy is apparently a rock chick because she likes rock n' roll and dresses somewhat trashy.  I guess to each there own.  But ignoring the constant references to bands and her clothing choices the story wasn't bad.  It starts off pretty quickly with Indy is in hiding after just been shot at.  Along with her friend Rosie.  Indy doesn't want to return home just in case those who shot at her know where she lives.

She doesn't even know why she is being shot at.  It's really all Rosie's fault.  He had something that belongs to someone else and he's not giving it back.  This is why she ends up at Lee's house.  She has known Lee her entire life, and she has always been in love with him.  Lee never seemed to feel the same but there is something different now.

Now Lee wants Indy too and he will do whatever it takes to have her to himself.  Including getting in the middle of this shooting situation.  But it's ok because it's what Lee does for a living anyway.

There are plenty of moments of page turning action and enough comic relief to enjoy this story as an easy read.  There were some moments when I found myself chuckling and smiling as I read Indy's antics.  The last half of the book really catches it's stride as the beginning at times felt winded.

If you like easy reads that are assuming, I recommend it.  I don't think I'll be venturing anymore into next 8 installments of the Rock Chick series (yes there are 8 more books).  But this one was fun as a stand alone novel.

Book Review: Wither

What would you do in a world where everyone only lived until they were 20 years old?

Seems like such a short life.  A life that can't be lived fully right?

This is how the world is in Lauren DeStefano's novel Wither.  Girls live until 20 and boys 25.  There are one set of people that were lucku enough to live past this age.  They are known as the first generation and they are well into their 70's now.  But every generation sense has died by 20 or 25.

But this story is about Rhine and what happens to her as she waits for certain death.  She is sixteen years old and kidnapped away from her twin brother and forced to marry a man she has never met and far away from home.  He also marries two others when he weds Rhine.

All Rhine wants is to run away.  She wants to find away to escape this life that she has been forced into.  But there were many things that she did not plan on, becoming friends with her sister wives or falling for one of the household servants.

Wither is part of a trilogy and I honestly don't thing I will venture beyond this first book.  There were times that the story was beautifully written and kept my interest.  It started off so well. It caught attention and made me want to keep reading, but then suddenly it slowed down.  It was like reading the same thing over and over page after page with no change or progression in the story.  And then it abruptly ends.  I know this is to make you want to move on to the next book but for me, I have no desire to see how the story ends.  It will be forever left as a simple cliffhanger.

I do recommend this book for teenagers.  It is a perfect young adult novel.  I think I may just be too old for this trilogy.  Oh the joys of 31.

Book Review: Legend

Another distopian novel.  Big surprise here, huh?  But really, it's just most the most fun subject to read right now.  I love seeing different authors take on when society will break down.  Kind of creepy, right?

Well, let's get down to business (cue Mulan...)

Legend by Marie Lu started off slow but quickly became a page turner for me.  The story is told from the views of Day and June.  Day if a criminal from the wrong side of the tracks.  His family thinks he is dead and he is doing his best to hide while still taking care of them.  The Republic is after him but they also know nothing about him other than they want to make an example out of his unruliness.

June, in the Republic's opinion is practically perfect.  Perfect test scores and athletic.  She is smart and crafty. She is sent to find Day after the death of her brother, the last relative that she has.  She quickly succeeds.

This is a book that shows a governments need to control their citizens.  What it will do to keep its people in line and what they do to those who defy the system.

I enjoyed reading it.  The story was interesting and makes me want to move on the the next book in the trilogy.

Book Review: The Walking Dead- Compendium One

Michael finally got me to start watching The Walking Dead with him.  The show is interesting and dramatic.  It has you hooked the minute you begin watching.

Well, since we've been watching it I decided to get Michael the comic for Christmas.  But instead of buying each one individually I went ahead and got The Walking Dead: Compendium One. It has issues 1-48 of the comic in it.

Michael sped through it and almost didn't put it down.  I can't remember the last time he read something so fast.  So I thought that I would give it a read.....

And let me tell you.....

source

I couldn't put it down either.  It just sucks you in.  There are some parts that I absolutely HATED seeing.  There are somethings I could have gone my whole life without ever thinking about.  But at the same time it was just fascinating.

Personally, I like the TV show better.  It's way mild in comparison to the comic.  Much more my speed.  But if you enjoy the show and want to get a taste of the original, pick it up and give it a shot.

Be warned, it is GRAPHIC and INTENSE.  And do not bother getting attached to anyone.  No one is safe.  Even if you've seen the show.... even if you think you know... don't get to like ANYONE.  You'll thank me for it.

Book Review: The Bride Wore Size 12

It's another installment of the Heather Wells series.  The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot reminded me a lot of the third book in the series Big Boned.  I really feel like Cabot just phoned it in to try to round out the series.

The was a super slow read for me.  I had a really hard time getting into it.  Which is sad because I really enjoy her books usually.  But they just haven't been doing it for me.  It seems like the whole book is the very slow build up with literally nothing happening and then boom it ends.  It was not my favorite, that's for sure.

Heather Wells is planning her wedding to Cooper.  They are excited to get things going.  But Heather is soon distracted by her mother showing up unexpectedly after being gone for the past decade.  Oh and there is another death at the dorm she works at.  Classes haven't even started for the semester and people are already dying.

So what's a girl to do?  Solve the crime, obviously.  While being super nosy and getting into everyone else's business.  Heather just can't help herself.  She has to know who is murdering her students.

I really had high hopes, but it just didn't deliver.

Book Review: House of Hades

Not since reading Harry Potter have I enjoyed a series like the Heroes of Olympus.  I love that it is something that I can share with my family and we can all enjoy it together.

In The House of Hades by Rick Riordan we see that the group of seven have been split in two and are making there way back to each other.  Percy and Annabeth in Tartarus and the rest sailing the Argo II to Greece.  Each of them have a part to play that determines whether or not they can make it back together.

Percy and Annabeth have had to rely on each other a lot over the years but now, more than ever, they need support.  Making their way through Tartarus is no piece of cake.  There are monsters searching for them, out to repay them for killing them.  There is the constant challenge of the poison air, the rivers that cause unwelcome damage and constant fear.  But with unexpected help they just might make it out alive.  That is if their friends are waiting on the other side of the doors of death.

Hazel has never been one for magic.  Sure, she can make valuables come up from the ground without so much as a thought, but now she needs to learn to control the Mist to help her friends.

Frank is changing.  He is finding himself.  Though his life still depends on a small piece of wood, he is more confident and becoming a leader that a son of Mars should have.

Piper has mastered her charmspeak, but will that be enough for her to contribute to the team?

Jason is feeling confused.  He has been a Roman demigod all his life but after his time at Camp Half-Blood he feels like that be where he really belongs.

Leo is my favorite.  But he always get the short end of the stick.  He is the odd man out out of three couples.  The seventh wheel.  But will he find love?

The House of Hades was entertaining and page turning.  I just wanted to ignore my family and keep reading all the time.  Now we are going to listen to the audio version so the kids and Michael can enjoy it with me.

Book Review: Pretty Little Liars

I just finished reading Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard.  I started watching the TV show about a year ago after I discovered it on Netflix so I figured it wouldn't hurt to try reading the books that started it all.

It was a quick read and was somewhat entertaining.  But I honestly prefer the show.  The story seems much more intense on the small screen than as I read through the pages.   I don't think I would have ever picked this up if it hadn't been for the show.

My advice would be to skip the book and watch it all unfold on Netflix.

Book Review: Reached

Reached is the third installment of the Matched series by Ally Condie.  And let me tell you something.... I loved it!

There are not too many series that are out there that you kind of like the first book but absolutely love the third.  Usually it's the other way around.

We follow the lives of Cassia, Xander and Ky.  They have now joined the Rising and are in their assigned places waiting to take down Society.  Cassia is sorting in Central, Xander is a medic in Camas and Ky is training as a pilot.  Each has their part to play and each is is waiting for instructions on what to do next.

The Rising seems to have finally gotten it's chance to show their strength when the Plague attacks.  No one in Society is safe.  But the Rising has the cure and is willing to share.  They began administering the cure but soon find that there is a mutation of the Plague that they do not have a cure for.  The Rising is about to fall.

Xander, Cassia and Ky each have their roll to play.

This story flowed well.  I enjoyed every single page.  I read all day long and it was so worth it.  I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good solid story.

Read my review of Crossed.

Book Review: Another Piece of My Heart

I honestly don't know how I ended up finishing this book when I've put so many down at a half way point that were far more interesting.

Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green should have been a lot better than it was.  I have read many books by Green and I was just disappointed in this one.

We start with Andi.  Andi is in her early 40s and is married to Ethan.  Ethan has two daughters from a previous marriage.  They have been married for a couple of years now.  The biggest problem?  Emily.  Emily is Ethan's oldest daughter.  She is 17 years old and a trouble maker.  She fights constantly at Andi throwing temper tantrums to get her fathers attention.  Which he give.  Every. Single. Time.

Andi is fed up.  With as much as she loves her husband she is ready to walk out the door.  She has a step-daughter that hates her and a husband who will not stand up to her.  She is also not given the one thing she has always desired... A baby of her own.

It seemed like it should of been a decent enough of a story but I just found the characters unbelievable.  I couldn't connect like I have in the past with her books.  I found this story predictable and quite boring.  I really can't recommend it.

Book Review: Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Most of the time I find Meg Cabot's books highly entertaining.  She has a way of making me want to continue on with the story, even when I'm not very interested.

Yesterday I finished reading Size 12 and Ready to Rock.  It's the 4th installment of the Heather Wells Mystery Series.  It's been over 2 years since I read the previous books and I honestly barely remember what happened in them.  But I was excited to take some time to read the latest book.

Heather seems to finally be getting what she wants.  She is engaged to the man she loves and has a job that she loves and is starting to go back to school.  All is good.  Until her superstar ex boyfriend's wife Tania Trace decides to hold her Rock Camp at the university and in the dorms that Heather manages.  Heather has no desire to spend two weeks catering to 50 teenage girls and their mothers as they compete for a record contract.  But then people start getting attacked.  Someone dies and Tania is breaking down.  Everyone seems to be leaning on Heather to take care of the problems.  What can she do?

I was into the book over a hundred pages before I felt the story really started moving.  It seemed that it wouldn't pick up the pace.  But once the pace did pick up I enjoyed it quite a bit.  It's not my favorite Meg Cabot book but it wasn't terrible.  I can't say that I would read it again but I wouldn't mind reading the next book in the series that is scheduled to come out sometime this year.

Book Review: Moving Day

I love when I get to spend time reading with my kids.  Recently I got Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day from the library with the intention of reading it with Sidda.  When I started reading to her MJ decided to join in to.  They both loved the story and are excited that we are starting on the next book.  But let me tell you a little about Allie Finkle.


Allie Finkle just started fourth grade.  And now she has just found out that her family is moving to another part of town so that her parents can be closer to work.  For Allie and her brothers this means new house, new school and new friends.

Allie doesn't want to move.  She likes her house and her room.  And her rock collection that she keeps on the floor of her closet.  If they move she has to get rid of her collection!

But at the same time Allie has started having problems with her best friend Mary Kay.  After Allie accidently spills the beans about moving to a classmate on Mary Kay's birthday, she has stopped being Allie's friend.

Allie is determined to be a better friend so she starts her book of rules.  It's a book that Allie writes to keep track of the rules of friendship and as she discovers them on the way.

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot is a fun book that was right up the alley of my 7  and 5 years olds.  I found it entertaining and often laughed right along with the kids through Allie's adventures. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to sit down and read an easy entertaining book for kids.

Book Review: Wedding Night

Sophie Kinsella's new book Wedding Night is fabulous!  I read it while nursing Anya so I was able to get through it fairly quickly.  It has all the wit and humor that you've come to expect from Kinsella.  I don't think it was as great of a story as Twenties Girl which was my absolute favorite by her but it was much better than Remember Me.

Wedding Night is about sisters Lottie and Fliss.  Lottie has broken up with her long term boyfriend because after 3 years he doesn't want to get married.  Soon after the break up she runs into an old flame from when she was 18 years old.  They decide to get married on a whim and honeymoon in Ikonos where they first met.

Fliss on the other hand is in the middle of a bitter divorce.  She doesn't want Lottie to go through the same heartache that she has so she will stop at nothing to keep them from consummating their marriage so that they can have an annulment once Lottie comes to her senses.  Fliss enlists help from hotel staff to get in the way of leaving the couple alone.

This book was entertaining and kept me smiling and giggling the whole way through.  I can't wait for what Kinsella brings us next!