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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Favorite Quote Monday and Merry Christmas Eve

I'm infatuated with this song....
 
I know you've never loved the sound of your voice on tape
you never want to know how much you weigh
you still have to squeeze into your jeans
but you're perfect to me

 I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if it's true, it's you, it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things

you never love yourself half as much as I love you
you'll never treat yourself right darling but I want you to
if I let you know, I'm here for you
maybe you'll love yourself like I love you oh
 
 
 
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday.....Time for me to finish getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner with my family and introducing my little one to everyone!! I'm soooo excited!!
 
 

 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

My Review of The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Book Synopsis From Goodreads:

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

****(New Adult Contemporary)*Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language****
 

 

My Review:

Jessica Sorensen strikes again.....Where do I even begin....The storyline was so intriguing.  I loved the way the characters all had secret burdens to carry.  They had real problems that everyday people face and it made them extremely relatable.  Callie, the main female, carries a burden no one should ever have to endure.  I really felt her pain and torment through this story.  I also felt her loneliness and that really hit home for me because I could absolutely relate to those feelings at times.  For as weak and fragile as she was, she had a great presence in the story and was a strong main role.  Kayden, the main male, also has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  There were parts in the story that I actually cried and wanted so badly to reach out and protect him.  There is one scene in particular that made me crumble inside and feel just how terrible things can be in life.  The two best friends, Seth and Luke are also wonderful characters.  I was in love with Seth from the moment he entered the pages.  He is the kind of friend that everyone needs.  Callie and Seth are a fantastic duo.  I could not put this book down, just like every other book that Jessica writes!!  Her adult contemporary work is so steamy and engaging......Out of this world.   I would (and will, lol) recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart wrenching, emotional read.  So many emotions came over me as I read through this book and think that it's amazing that Jessica's words are so descriptive and show so much feeling.  Sometimes I forgot I was reading and not actually witnessing these events take place first hand.  I felt happy when they were happy, scared when they were scared.  I also felt angry and anxious.   Plus sadness, like I said before, I did actually cry while reading this book.....tear jerker alert!!    Overall I absolutely give this book 5 stars for engaging storyline, strong lead characters, and an emotional rollercoaster.  Oh I should mention the ending will leave you wanting the next book like yesterday, lol!!  I want to thank Jessica for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.  Jessica you rock and as long as you keep writing, I'll keep reading.



Links:
 

Visit Jessica's blog:
 
 
Get your copy (Kindle) on Amazon:
 
 
Like Jessica's page on facebook:


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Favorite Quote Sunday :)

In The Christmas Spirit Today....Here's Some Christmas Quote Pictures That I ADORE!! :)
 
 



 
 
Have a wonderful week everyone!! :)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Michaelene McElroy Blog Tour

Blog Tour
 
 
 
*~Synopsis~*
The Last Supper Catering Company tells the story of B. Thankful Childe-Lucknow. Turned out with red corkscrew hair, one eye brown, the other green, and gifted with the power to hear the voices of the departed, B. Thankful is cast aside by the town as the devil’s child and lives an isolated upbringing in the woods.

Tragedy, followed by the discovery of a long-forgotten paint-by-number picture of the Last Supper, thrusts B. Thankful from the safety of everything she has ever known.

Beyond the boundary of her sheltered life, B. Thankful discovers the world’s hard edges as well as its beauty.  More importantly, with the help of a cast of quirky and tenderhearted souls, she discovers why God made her special

 

*~First Chapter~*
My momma died on a hot August afternoon in 1950, right before I was born.  My grandma, Little G, was out picking blackberries for pie making, and my momma-to-be was out hanging sheets on the line, when Little G heard a scream from across the yard.  She looked up from her bucket of berries just in time to watch Momma begin a lazy fall, as if overcome by some long held tiredness. The wooden clothespins flew from Momma’s hands, snapping at the air on the way down, looking for something to hold onto.  Momma was dead by the time she hit the ground, her head resting on the damp pillowcase in her hand, her why questioning eyes looking up to God.

Little G said I could probably see daylight when Momma squatted down–that’s how close to being born I was.  So, despite her motherly anguish at the sight of her dead daughter lying in the tinder dry grass, Little G reached into her baby girl’s womb and pulled me into this life.  Little G swore she heard a thousand voices follow me into the world, but not a single one was able to comfort her that day.

I listened to Little G tell of that day so many times her words became the marrow of my bones.  And I always took delight when she turned boldly dramatic in acting out the part where she held me upside down and slapped my behind again and again, not because she was angry with me, but because she needed me to live. 

 “Be thankful for life!  Be thankful for life!” she called out then and with every retelling.

When I let out my first baby cry, Little G cut the cord connecting me to Momma’s tragedy, wrapped me in a pillowcase, and clutched me to her old woman breasts.  What with life coming and going in the same moment, Little G’s tears were no doubt confused as to why they were called upon.

Poor Little G had no time to consider the why of it all, for the sun was so white hot it made the air too lazy to move, and my dead momma was beginning to sunburn.  For the life of me, I could not imagine Little G holding me in one arm as she dragged her broken daughter into the shade of the old red oak.  To add to her troubles, I was longing loud for a breast to suckle.  Like those old clothespins, I, too, was looking for something to hold onto. 

Though it might sound a bit more than strange to some, I believe every mother will understand why Little G did what she did next.  Sitting with her back against the old red oak, she took her daughter into her arms, Momma’s head resting childlike in the crook of Little G’s elbow.   One-by-one, she unbuttoned her baby girl’s pink rosebud blouse, pulled back Momma’s brassiere, and laid me to her milk filled breasts. 

“Pretty Childe, this is your daughter, B. Thankful Childe.  B. Thankful, this is your momma, Pretty Childe.” 

There she stayed, rocking her baby girl and me until the sun set and Tyler Lucknow came calling, as he did most every night to make sure everything was right and in its place.

 According to Little G, Momma walked with an empty spot on her right shoulder where her guardian angel should have been.  Without a guardian angel to protect her, and blind to the love of the one who truly cared for her, Pretty Childe fell into the arms of every junkyard dog of a man.  When the dark water washed away what goodness lay deep within Momma and sent her lost soul wandering, looking for some kind of hurtful love for the night, Tyler would come along and find her banged up body outside some booze joint.  Setting the threats to his own life aside, he’d take her home, where Little G cleaned her up and put her daughter to bed.  Shotgun in hand, and Tyler by her side, Little G would stand watch on the porch until the morning light rose over the hills, and the threat of no-account cowards who slithered in the night, passed.

After I heard Little G tell that story, I was certain Momma did have a guardian angel watching out for her.  And that angel’s name was Tyler Lucknow.

The day after Momma died, Tyler dug her grave out in the back forty where all who had gone before were waiting.   No one but baby me, Little G, Big G (my great grandma), and Tyler were there to say goodbye.

My Little G’s refusal to see the world in black or white, preferring to embrace all the colors God created, set tongues to waggin’ when she placed Tyler Lucknow’s name on my birth certificate in the box where a daddy’s name would show up proud.  It was such a nice thing for him to allow, trying to save me from being looked upon as a bastard.  But to town folk, having Tyler Lucknow’s name on my birth certificate made being born a bastard appear saint-like.

Years later, but still with nothing better to do, those graceless folks made sure their hurtful stories traveled all the way down our road.   One day, Little G found me down by the river, my tears bubbling up and over onto the latest spiteful notes I found nailed to our mail box post.  Little G took my face into her calloused hands, wiped away my tears, and brushed back my unruly hair.

“B. Thankful, you are a blessing from God that just happened to ride in on a cursed highway.  Those fools are just jealous because God brought you into this world to do Him a big favor one day.”

 Whenever I tugged on Little G’s patience with my questions around what that favor might be, she would name a chore to be done and send me on my way.  While I waited for God to call upon me and ask His favor, I lived an isolated childhood in the woods between Beauty and the land of Majestic with three of His finest. 

To learn more about B. Thankful Childe-Lucknow and Michaelene McElroy check out these links!

Author Website & Blog:

 
Twitter:

 

Book Links
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:
Smashwords:
Goodreads:

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Review of Dream Boy For Christmas

 
I just finished reading this short story by Shanora Williams.....I received an ARC copy from Shanora to review!!
 
Goodreads Synopsis:
 
After spending her entire childhood dealing with a cruel guardian while also living in an orphanage, Genesis Hales' only fantasy will finally be apart of her reality when the boy of her dreams, Adrian Parker, comes into her life.
Adrian will not only fulfill Genesis' Christmas wishes, but he will also surprise her with one thing that will change her life forever.
 
My Review:
 
This book was a heartwarming story that really made me smile. I loved the characters and the story line was very sweet. If you are looking for a quick read to get you in the christmas mood, this story is for you.  <3 Shanora is a wonderful author and shows emotion in her writing. I can't wait to start reading her other books. Great story Shanora....I loved it :)


Favorite Quote:
 
"When I saw you last night, I wanted to make you happy. I’m not sure why, but I did. There was just something about you that was letting me know that you deserved the world but could never get it—at least not while you’re in this home.” His lips pull up, revealing an embarrassed and nervous smile. “I want to at least give you half of the world today, if I can."
 
 
 
Get this book:
 
Amazon 
 
B&N
 
It's only 99 cents!! :)

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Liebster Award




 
 
How Exciting.....I would love to thank Jennifer Martinez  from Books, Brownies, and Barkers and Kendall McCubbin from Book Crazy for nominating me for the Liebster Award. It is an honor to be recognized and have the ability to recognize other blogs I love. Thank you again!


To participate:
1.Thank and link back to the nominator
2. Answer questions from award giver
3. Nominate 5 other bloggers with fewer than 200 followers
4. Ask questions for nominee's to answer
5. Post Liebster Award on your blog
 
Questions from Jennifer:
 
1. Why did you start Blogging?
 - Well I started blogging to have somewhere to post some of my favorite things and also a place to connect with other book fans, as well as with authors and to post reviews

2. If you could meet and interview one author dead or alive who would it be?
  - I would totally want to interview either Edgar Allen Poe or Jessica Sorensen....They are both amazing!! :)

3. What is your favorite book genre?
   - I like YA, Paranormal, and Adult Contemporary

4. If you could be any character from a book who would you be?
   -I would have to pick Gemma Lucas from The Fallen Star series....She rocks!!

5. How long have you been blogging?
   - I have only been blogging since October, so it is only 3 months now and I'm loving it :)




Questions from Kendall:

1. Have you ever met any of your favorite authors?  If so who and were e.g. an event, a signing, etc.

     - No, I can't say I have, but I'm working on it, lol

2. If you could meet an author who would it be and why?
     - I would love to meet Jessica Sorensen because she is an amazing author, I love all her books, and she is the only reason I started reading again....So I guess if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have met all you guys or be blogging right now!!

3. Who is your favorite author and why?

     - Jessica Sorensen because her writing just flows and is so intriguing....I can easily sit and read her stories in a day or two.....She rocks!! :)

4. What is your favorite book and why?

     - The Promise by Jessica Sorense because that book pulled together the whole The Fallen Star series and I loved every second of that series

5. Where did you come up with the name for your blog? 
     - Book because I love to read and I wanted my blog to reflect that and Nerd because I always refer to myself as a nerd, lol....The 101 just made it sound offical, somewhat like a class....Must be the teacher in me, hahaha.....So I'm a offical self procalimed nerd that loves books!! :)



My Nominee's:

1.
Sweet Treats Reading Reviews
 
My Questions for you:
1. What is your favorite genre to read and why?
2. Who is your favorite author and why?
3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one book character would you want with you and why?
4. What made you start a blog?
5. Do you prefer stand alone books or series? Why?  What is your favorite stand alone or series?
 

I'm Back & Favorite Quote Sunday :)

Heyyy Everyone.....Sorry I've been MIA lately!!  I'm just getting over another spell of Bronchitis, 2nd time this year....Ugh!!  I've pretty much just been down and out!!  All my spare time is spent sleeping and trying to shake this mess.  I just started feeling better yesterday, so I thought I'd jump back on here and post an update!!  I have a ton of books that I need to catch up on and as soon as I'm finished, I'll be posting reviews!!

I am currently reading....
 
Dream Boy for Christmas - Shanora Williams
Flutter - Melissa Andrea
Lucy in the Sky - Annoymous
Meeting Destiny - Nancy Straight
Matched - Ally Condie
Chanel Bonfire - Wendy Lawless
The Lost Soul - Jessica Sorensen

I am hoping to get back into a reading routine and get through these books by the end of the month, well at least the first 3.....Teaching and a new little one get in the way sometimes, lol


*~My Little One~*
This is Ember and I've had her home about a month now.  She is 10 weeks old and a handful, hehehe....But I love her dearly!! :)
 
 
Now On To....
 FAVORITE QUOTE SUNDAY
 
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all... may have been that his heart was two sizes too small. But, whatever the reason, his heart or his shoes, he stood there on Christmas Eve hating the Whos. Staring down from his cave, with a sour grinchy frown, at the warm, lighted windows below in their town. For he knew that every Who down in Whoville beneath was busy now, hanging a holly who wreath...
 
I love this movie....Puts me in the Christmas spirit and who doesn't love the GRINCH!! :)
 
 
Have a great week everyone!!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Cover Reveal for The Coincidence Of Callie and Kayden

I am soooo excited to be a part of this cover reveal for Jessica.  Here it is.....
 
 
Isn't it B-E-A-UTIFUL.....I'm am soooo excited to get my hands on this one!! :)
 
 
 
Synopsis:
There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.



****(New Adult Contemporary) *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.****

Teaser:
Hesitantly, I push open the door and poke my head into the dimly lit room. “Hello.”
Kayden walks out from the back room without a shirt on and a towel pressed up to his face. “Hey, did you get the stuff?”
I slip into the room and shut the door the door behind me. I hold out the first aid kit and icepack to him, with my head turned toward the door to avoid looking at him. His bare chest, and the way his jeans ride low on his hips smothers me with uneasiness.
“I don’t bite, Callie.” His tone is light as he takes the kit and pack. “You don’t have to stare at the wall.”
I compel my eyes to look at him and it’s hard not to look at the scars that crisscross along his stomach and chest. The vertical lines that run down his forearms are the most disturbing, thick and jagged as if someone took a razor to his skin. I wish I could run my fingers along each one and erase it away, removing the pain and memories that hold with it. It hurts to look at it and I lift my gaze to his meet eyes.
He quickly lowers the towel to cover himself up and confusion gleams from his good eye. He presses the pack to his swollen and balances the kit down on the edge of the pool table, his fingers quivering as he pulls his hand back, each knuckle is scraped raw to bone. “Can you get the gauze out of that for me. My hand’s a little sore.”
My fingers fumble to open the kit, my fingernail catching on the edge, and it splits open. Blood pools out as I open the lid and I retrieve the gauze. “You might need stiches on that cut below the eye. It looks bad.”
He dabs at the cut with the towel, wincing from the pain. “It’ll be fine. I just need to clean it up and get it covered.”
The steaming hot water runs down my body, scorching my skin with red makes and blisters. I just want to feel clean again. I blink and take the damp towel from him, careful not to let our fingers touch. I examine the open wound, so deep the muscle and tissue is showing.
“You really need stiches,” I tell him. “Or you’re going to have a scar.”
The corners of his lips tug up into a sad smile. “I can handle scars, especially one’s on the outside.”
I understand his meaning from the depths of my heart.
 
 

Check It Out On Goodreads and add it to your To Read Shelf:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16113791-the-coincidence-of-callie-and-kayden

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Cover Reveal: Obtained by Shanora Williams

Hey everyone....I just wanted to share the brand new cover and some teasers from Obtained by Shanora Williams.....I can't wait to read this book!!  Hope you like it :)

OBTAINED
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February, 2013



 *~ TEASER # 1 ~*
""I can’t lose you because losing you is like losing myself. I won’t know how to live on . . . I won’t know what to do. Everything for me will be blank. My soul will no longer be intact and we all know that a person without a soul is no one at all.""
 - OBTAINED. February, 2013.

 
*~ TEASER #2 ~*
 "“Are you upset with me?” Jules asks, smirking.
That completely sets me on edge. Upset with you? I am furious with you! “You were flirting with her in my face, Jules. What the hell is your problem?” I ask, fuming.
He chuckles lightly. “You are jealous,” he points out.
Jealous? Damn it. He’s right. I am jealous and at the thought of it, my cheeks burn even more. He’s embarrassed me, like always.
“You should just leave,” I mutter then fold my arms.
“I really don’t believe my leaving will help you solve anything, Alexandria. Don’t push your problems away. Say what is on your mind.”
Say what is on my mind? He really wants me to go there? Honestly, I don’t think he will ever speak to me again if I really say what is on my mind. “Jules, please just—”
“Do you see how it feels?” he asks, cutting my sentence off with furrowed brows. I mimic his expression by frowning but my glare is a bit confused. “Do you see how it feels when someone you like shows attention to someone else? Do you realize how annoying it is? You saw Felix sometime between last night and this morning and you weren’t even going to tell me.”"
- OBTAINED. February, 2013



*~Shanora Williams' Stalker Links ~*
 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Ooops....Missed favorite quote Sunday!!

I'm in The Notebook type mood right now, so I thought I would post the quote from one of my favorite parts of the movie......I love the entire thing, but there is just something about this part that gets me everytime!!! :)  Enjoy!!!


Noah: It's not about following your heart and it's not about keeping your promises. It's about security.
Allie: What's that supposed to mean?
Noah: [yelling] Money. He's got a lot of money!
Allie: You smug bastard. I hate you for saying that.
Noah: You're bored Allie. You're bored and you know it. You wouldn't be here if there wasn't something missing.
Allie: You arrogant son of a bitch.
Noah: Would you just stay with me?
Allie: Stay with you? What for? Look at us, we're already fightin'
Noah: Well that's what we do, we fight... You tell me when I am being an arrogant son of a bitch and I tell you when you are a pain in the ass. Which you are, 99% of the time. I'm not afraid to hurt your feelings. You have like a 2 second rebound rate, then you're back doing the next pain-in-the-ass thing.
Allie: So what?

Noah:
So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out. Allie: What easy way? There is no easy way, no matter what I do, somebody gets hurt.
Noah: Would you stop thinking about what everyone wants? Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do YOU want? What do you WANT?
Allie: It's not that simple.
Noah: What... do... you... want? Whaddaya want?
Allie: I have to go now.





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