It's been awhile....

So I have been gone for a whole year!
I haven't had much time to blog because life got too much in the way, with raising twins (who are now 2 and a half years old) and working more than one job, life is a little rough and at times I feel like all I do is work and sleep and take care of my kids in between which means no free time to read and publish blog posts or to even do much of anything. So here I am challenging myself to publish some blog posts (even if it is one or two a week) and to get back to reviewing and reading books that I love!
So welcome back everybody and sorry for being such a flake.....

Rachels Deception

                   
 Rachels deception
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
  Pages:324
Published: May 8th 2015

Summary: Growing up Amish is difficult…but leaving it behind is even harder.

Noah was Amish...Rose wasn't. Being together should have been impossible. But somehow they found a way to make it work. They are finally a family, but their happily-ever-after is still a long off. Will Rose and her friends be able to force real change in the community?

Karen Ann Hopkins returns with a gripping new book in the YA Temptation series. The powerful family saga continues with Rachel's Deception, as events spiral out of control in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview. And Rachel Miller has her own secrets to hide. Noah’s younger sister has been living a double life. That is, until Justin Cameron, Rose's little brother, catches her in the act. Rachel is not the obedient Amish girl that her sister was, and her rebelliousness takes her to a very dangerous world. A world that only her true friends can help her escape from.

As Rachel questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment, Rose discovers what it really means to be shunned. And an evil shadow looms on the horizon, threatening not only Rose, but everyone she holds dear.



My Review:
I have reviewed all three of the first books in the series and I fell in love with everything. The writing, the Amish lifestyle, the storyline and the action that came with and I thought that the 3rd book in the series would be the last one and I got sad knowing there was no more of Rose and Noah's story. There was so much I wanted to know yet. I wished for just a little bit more of there life and when Karen announced that there would be another book I fangirled a little bit.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of "Rachel's Deception." Even though the fourth one was more about Noah's sister Rachel and Roses sister Justin, I sill couldn't wait.

I started this book as soon as it came in the mail and if I'm being honest, I felt like the beginning went a little slow. For some reason I couldn't stay in the story and my mind wondered to other things and I started putting it down and reading something else. After finishing another series I started off where I left off and finished the last half of the book.

Maybe I was out of my book slump but the second half was definitely more intriguing and help my attention a lot more. So if there's more of you out there thinking that you just cant get through the book, there hope! I wanted to read more and more. There was more action and I loved every part. I was sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails with suspense.

If you loved the first 3 books in the series. You wont be disappointed with this one. We have a different view on different characters and its a nice change. I'm just wondering...... Will there be another one?


3/5 stars



Read my interview with Karen here .

Becoming Beauty book review

Title: Becoming Beauty
Author:Sarah E. Boucher
Pages: 243
Publication Date: November 11 2014









Summary:
Claws. Long, filthy, and dangerously sharp.

They’re the first thing Bella sees after what’s been the worst day of her life. If Bella were the quintessential Beauty—gorgeous, kindhearted, and self-sacrificing—she might have a chance at transforming this monster into a man, but she’s never been the toad-kissing kind. Obsessed with landing a wealthy nobleman and escaping her humdrum life, Bella will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Which is precisely what landed her here, at the mercy of the Beast.

In this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Bella's sense of entitlement strains both her family's finances and patience. As punishment for her selfishness, she's sent into the Beast's service where she must choose whether to follow the path she's always dreamed of—or risk it all for something even greater.



Review:
 

Retellings of the classic fairytales have been becoming more and more popular. We have movies, shows and books popping up everywhere with their take on the fairytales we all grew up to know and love and most of them have been so compelling and interesting that I can’t stop reading or watching them. 

Becoming Beauty did not disappoint me. I fell in love with the characters from the first page. The main character Bella is self centered and a brat who only wants the finest gowns and jewels, she puts her needs before the whole family. And while a character like that usually annoys me, I found her oddly engaging. I wanted to keep reading about her life and who she was as a person. 

This retell of the “The Beauty and the Beast” was magical. I loved who Bella became and how she made the characters come alive. The plot was different from anything I’ve read and I liked the twist she made in the plot. 

I would say Sarah’s first book is a success and I can’t wait to read what she has coming out next!

5/5 stars

Snack Girl to the Rescue Review

Snack Girl to the Rescue
 Author: Lisa Cain
 Pages: 273
Publication Date: April 15th 2014








  Summary: From popular blogger Lisa Cain, aka "Snack Girl," a common-sense guide to healthier eating and weight loss, including 100 Weight Watchers-friendly recipes. Since 2009, Lisa Cain has been blogging at Snack-Girl.com about how to make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. Her mission is to share the secrets and recipes that have helped her stay fit and healthy, without sacrificing fun or flavor. Snack Girl to the Rescue contains Lisa's best advice on avoiding common weight-loss pitfalls, shopping healthier on a budget, and getting in shape, along with 100 recipes for fun, quick, and affordable meals and snacks. Written in Snack Girl's signature voice--down to earth, encouraging, and funny--this is the go-to resource for anyone looking to incorporate healthier food choices into their lives, whether they are looking to lose weight, have more energy, or just feel more confident about their family's nutrition.



Review:  

 For years I have wanted to “eat healthy” and exercise to lose a little bit of weight. But as soon as I would see a donut or candy my brain screamed “eat me “ and I would cave in and consume empty calories.

After several attempts of eating better and saying no to certain foods, my body craved the sugar and fat and I would eat the whole house out of sweets. I would constantly get mad at myself for eating these foods that I know are not good for me but because they were there and accessible I ate them.

After I found this cookbook online I grew excited to see that it was for healthy snacks and food that still tasted good. 

After I received it in the mail I went through it right away to pick out the recipes that I wanted to try first. 

There were so many to choose from so I just chose a couple of recipes for food that I had around the house. 

I made the Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Sugar Roasted Almonds which tasted so good! You wouldn’t even think it was that healthy, but it was great tasting and 183 calories per serving. My boyfriend is the pickiest eater and even he liked it. 

 Some of the recipes you might have to tweak but I loved every single recipe I tried to make. 

People who are looking for a healthier choice in their meals for the day should go pick up a copy of Snack Girl to the Rescue. Lisa Cain motivates you and teaches you how to shop healthier. It’s not just a cookbook it’s a helpful guide to get you on the right track.

5/5 stars

*I received this book from blogging for books.

Reasons My Kid is Crying Reivew

Reasons My Kid is Crying
Author: Greg PemBroke
pages:196
Publication Date:April 21 2014








Summary: 
 A glimpse into the tribulations of parenting that is part documentary, part therapy, and completely hilarious.
 
It all started when busy father Greg Pembroke posted a few pictures online of his three-year-old son, mid-tantrum, alongside the reason his son was crying: He had broken his bit of cheese in half. In Reasons My Kid is Crying, Greg collects together photos sent from parents around the world, documenting the many, completely logical reasons why small children cry.  Among them: “I let him play on the grass” . . . “He ran out of toys to throw into his pool” . . . “The neighbor’s dog isn’t outside”.  The result is both an affectionate portrait of the universal, baffling logic of toddlers—and a reminder for burned-out parents everywhere that they are not alone.



Review:

This book is absolutely hilarious. Each page has a picture of a baby or toddler crying with a caption. If you’re not laughing with tears coming out of your eyes then you’re not reading it right.

As a new mother of twins I found myself thinking of all the little cry’s and tantrums my boys are going to have.  This book is such a fun and fast read that you’re going to want to take this book wherever you go and show it off just so everybody can have a good laugh.

Greg had a great idea in capturing the world of toddlers and their innocence of the world.

 I received this book for free from blogging for books.com

3.5 stars

A Very Good Life

 A Very Good Life
Author: Lynn Steward
 Pages:281
 Publication date: March 6 2014








Summary: 
Very Good Life ranked #1 for more than 26 hours on Amazon's list of Top 100 Free ebooks! Dana McGarry is an "it" girl, living a privileged New York lifestyle of a well-heeled junior executive at B. Altman, a high end department store. With a storybook husband and a fairytale life, change comes swiftly and unexpectedly. Cracks begin to appear in the perfect facade. Challenged at work by unethical demands, and the growing awareness that her relationship with her distant husband is strained, Dana must deal with the unwanted changes in her life. Can she find her place in the new world where women can have a voice, or will she allow herself to be manipulated into doing things that go against her growing self-confidence?

Set in 1974, A VERY GOOD LIFE recreates a unique time in New York City when women like Dana hungered to have it all. From lunch at Cipriani’s to the annual Rockefeller Center holiday tree lighting ceremony, from meetings with business icons like Estee Lauder to cocktail receptions with celebrity guests like legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, Steward’s intimate knowledge of the period creates the perfect backdrop for this riveting story about a women’s quest for self-fulfillment. A VERY GOOD LIFE is bound to become a beloved favorite of readers everywhere.


Review:

I definitely wouldn’t have usually picked this book off the shelf myself. I read mostly Young Adult novels so this was a big change for me but after reading this book I actually want to start reading more adult novels.

 What really caught my attention about this book was the fact that it was based in NYC and from the year 1974. I don’t know what it is but I am attracted to anything NY. I just love the feel and the atmosphere whenever I go there and I wanted to feel what it would be like to go to NYC in the 70’s.

Lynn really has a way with words and knows how to make the characters come alive. There were no times when I had a hard time imagining what the character looked like, what their emotions were and what they were feeling. The words jumped off the pages. 

Dana’s life has so many ups and downs that you just want to jump in the book and give the poor woman a hug, but I loved every minute of her drama filled life.

I highly recommend reading this book and I can’t wait for the second book!

3.5 stars

Brunnette Ambition

Brunette Ambition
Author:Lea Michele
 Pages:200
Publication date: May 20th 2014






 Summary:
The star of the hit show Glee shares her experiences and insider tips on beauty, fashion, inner strength, and more in an illustrated book that’s part memoir, part how-to, and part style guide. Lea Michele is one of the hardest working performers in show business. Whether she’s starring as Rachel Berry on Glee, rocking a glamorous look on the red carpet, recording her solo album, or acting as the spokesperson for L’Oreal, Lea is the ultimate multi-tasker. She knows better than anyone that it is difficult to be your best self and keep things in perspective when your to-do list is overflowing and you are faced with challenges, so she’s developed a foolproof system for remaining healthy and centered. In Brunette Ambition, she reveals the lessons and advice that have worked for her--from beauty and fashion secrets to fitness tips, and career insights. Supplemented with never-before-seen photos and revealing anecdotes, it’s the book Lea wishes she’d had in her teens and early twenties: A practical and inspirational guide to harnessing tenacity and passion and living the fullest life, no matter what obstacles life puts in your way.



Review:

  As a fan of Glee, I was excited to find out that she was writing a book. I didn’t know what it was about but I was excited to get my hands on a copy. 

I have to say that I loved every word from this book. From page one I felt like she was showing the side of her the public eye doesn’t get to see. She’s shows us what she does on her day to day life.

For anybody who wants to see what life as a celebrity is like, reading Brunette Ambition gives you a close look into it. 

Reading her health tips and healthy food recipes were inspiring and very helpful. So go pick up a copy of Brunette Ambition. I promise you you’ll love it from the start! 

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

4.5/5 stars