Friday Five 12/14/12

Life has been fairly busy this week. Here are a few things going on:

1. I really wish retailers wouldn't put the Christmas decor, etc up so early. It makes it seem like FOREVER until Christmas finally arrives. Case in point, my two year old has argued that Santa is coming every night since Thanksgiving. She isn't quite old enough to understand the calendar I keep showing her. This makes my mornings quite rough as she is disappointed there aren't any presents. Although I must admit her enthusiasm is pretty cute.

2. I finally broke down and got an apartment for our trip to Los Angeles for my son's acting. We have stayed in a hotel the past few times and really with the new baby it would just be way to small for the 2 months that we stay there. I'm very excited about the apartment since its a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom. It will be nice to have space to move and not have to constantly try to find places to go so the kids don't get too restless. I'm a little nervous as I've only seen pictures online but I've stayed in the area a few times and hope it is as nice as it looks... I also rented my furniture and have no clue if its even going to match so that should be interesting.

3. So I have been dieting post baby (She's 6 weeks old as of yesterday) and I know I just had her yada yada. However, since I did the two kids back to back I have 2 pregnancies worth of weight to loose so I really want to get a good start on it. I have really enjoyed the weight watchers app for my phone. For those of you that need help with keeping up with what you eat its great. I don't need the meetings, etc so I gave the app a try and I love it. With 3 kids I need something that is low maintenance and this really is. I love the barcode scanner that I can use while grocery shopping to decide if something would be good for me. I also love that with 3 clicks I can journal my food and have it with me at all times. So far I'm down about 8 lbs since starting the weight watchers 2 weeks ago and about 30 since having the newest addition. Of course she was 9lbs of that weight loss...

4. I'm so excited Pitch Perfect will be coming out next week. I am going to find some time to watch it. If you haven't seen it I thought it was hilarious! The music is great and the plot is fairly decent. Mostly I enjoyed a lot of the dry humor on the part of several actresses. I'm not usually one to watch or go to movies (which I realize is weird with a child that acts in them) but this one is definitely worth the time to see it.

5. I can't wait until after Christmas when my kids get their swing set to play on. I desperately need them to run off some of their daily energy because staying home with them is wearing me out! Honestly, going to work everyday requires less than being an at home mom. Especially since I can't get my youngest 2 on some sort of schedule. It seems like when 1 is sleeping the other is awake an in need of something. I really hope I can get them on some sort of similar nap time to get at least an hour to think or get things done. Hopefully, with the swing set my two year old can at least go outside and wear herself out on the small slide and see saw that is attached. I even went and bought "outside" clothes and shoes she could ruin...

Hooked by LIz Fichera

I'm very excited that I got an early galley of Hooked. This is the first one I have gotten in awhile since taking a break from blogging and it was definitely a good start. It is scheduled to be released on January 31^st. Before I give you what this book is about I want to say this was a refreshing read. It seems that a lot of literature is repeating itself with themes. I was really happy that this contemporary YA didn’t have a love triangle or a played out angle. Here’s the summary from goodreads:

Get hooked on a girl named Fred...

HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Why is a girl taking my best friends spot on the boy's varsity golf team?

SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.

HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.

SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.

But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile...

I was a little leery of a book on golf but I was pleasantly surprised with the complexity of the story. This isn’t another story about a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. So here are the things that I loved about this book!

-       - Underneath the plot there are themes of race and gender woven throughout the book in a tasteful manner. Not only is Fred a girl but one of 6 Native Americans in her school. I really liked that the topic of race wasn’t overly prevalent in the story. It felt like it would be in today’s society.. subtle.

-  * I haven't read anything with a golf theme so it was nice to pick up something new while reading the book. 

-   * Fred is a great character. She is strong but still makes those around her want to shelter her. She is a great blend for a lead. Ryan is also a great character in that he is very flawed but it is a fairly realistic flaw.

Some of the points that I wasn’t as fond of:

-     * The relationship between Fred and Ryan moves really fast. Ryan goes from completely hating her to an intense like for her in a really short time. I really felt like that part was rushed and could have been developed a little slower especially since they didn’t go through any extreme situations that would rush their feelings.

-     * Some of the behavior that Ryan exhibits is completely without consequence. While his teenage rebellion is definitely realistic, however, the lack of punishment seemed completely unreal.

Overall I found that this book was extremely enjoyable and it was very different from the other books that have been coming out recently. I would recommend this for those that like Sarah Dessen and Jennifer Echols.

Waiting on Wednesday & I'm back

Well it has been a long time since I posted on here but I am delighted to be back. In the quiet I quit my job to stay home and allow my son to pursue acting full time, had my third child, and found new employment working from home as an adjunct math instructor with a few different universities. Life has had a lot of changes in the past year but I am finally settled and have time to get back to one of my favorite hobbies: reading!

Since I have gotten back into reading I have been doing a lot of catching up with series that I have fallen behind on. The up side to this is that I don't have to wait near as long for the next installment. The book that I am eagerly waiting on this week is Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep.

Here's the synopsis from Goodreads: I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself.

The thing that I really enjoy about this book is that it involves a lot of different mythologies. It is still paranormal with a touch of romance but without all of the usual suspects (vampires, werewolves, etc). Since there are several different mythologies it really holds your attention as you try to keep up with what is going on. Lastly, there is a lot of butt kicking going on in this book. If you are looking for a great series to start reading check out the Mythos Academy series. It would make a great winter read!

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Schultz

Spellcaster is the second book in a series by Cara Lynn Schultz. It is a nice deviation from the typical paranormal YA. It has a touch of a historical romance feel to it but it is set in the present day. Here’s the description from Goodreads:

Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own

If you thought the first book in the series was action packed then you will love this one. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with all the action that was happening. I loved that the plot kept a quick pace all through the book. There were still sweet moments between Emma and Brendan but the storyline didn’t linger too long on them.

What Emma and Brendan face in this book is so logical and semi-realistic that it made the book that much more enjoyable. While there is a paranormal element to the issue at the heart it is something that anyone could face without the paranormal side. I also loved how much Emma grew in this book. She was NOT the type of heroine to hide behind Brendan anymore. She becomes a fighter. I could liken her to a young Merit from Chloe Neill’s books. She decides that she will fight to keep Brendan and she definitely takes care of things.

The relationship between Emma and Brendan is very well written. I like that they are waiting to tackle the physical aspect of their relationship and Cara doesn’t let it take away from the intimacy that they share. The moments that they share just holding hands are written so well that you feel their intimacy there.

There is also a lot of disclosure in this book. More people get brought into the world that Emma, Brendan and Angelique are in. I think this will make for a great continuation on the series. Overall, this book is definitely a 5/5. I like the unique historical romance side of things with them being reincarnated souls that share a past. It makes for a unique book in a genre that has so many things that are alike. 

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

I have really come to love the YA greek myth/paranormal novels. It is a slightly smaller genre but I have always loved greek mythology. I was so excited to come across Goddess Interrupted in my Netgalley account. Here’s the description from Goodreads:

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

First of all I want to point out that this is the second book in a series. You really need to read the first one before picking this one up. There is too much that happens in the first novel to start with this one.

As far as plot this book has everything. There is mystery as something begins to stir in the underworld, there is romance in the relationship between Henry and Kate and there is plenty of side stories with the other gods. I love the way Amy writes and I was a little unsure of what was stirring despite having a good knowledge of Greek mythology. I also like the Americanized names of the Gods. In this book they get a little more into who is the god of what. While it is necessarily surprising it was intriguing to see some characters and know who they are in mythology.

What keeps you reading this book is the frustrating relationship between Henry and Kate. The great thing about it is his past haunts Kate. How many of us can honestly say we aren’t haunted in some form by our other halves ex? There is always a little jealousy with an ex. Aimee magnifies this in her book to a much larger scale but it is still very relatable.

For me I kept rooting for Henry the WHOLE book. Even when it looked like he was going to be a complete idiot. There is something about his character that is very compelling. I like Kate but I love Henry. He makes the book for me.

If you aren’t a fan of cliffhangers this is NOT the book for you. I finished this book around 2 AM and panicked because it will be quite a while for me until I see the third book since I got this one early. If you aren’t hooked on the series there is no way you can read this one and not want to read the next one. Not only are you left wanting to see more of Kate and Henry but you also are left wondering what is going to happen next in the plot.

I give this book an enthusiastic 5/5. It was a great read that was VERY hard to put down. 

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantasky

I have been waiting for the sequel to the first Jessica book for quite awhile. I read the first book and the web story and have been anticipating this book for quite some time. I can't help but feel that this raised my expectations considerably. There are several things that make this series great: Jessica's strong personality and a leading lady, Mindy (enough said) and the relationship between Jessica and Lucius. The sequel feel a bit flat as we really don't get to see much of Jessica and Lucius. The majority of the book they are separated physically but even when they are together there is an emotional block in their relationship. I realize there is strain in the storyline but I find it odd that Jessica finally gets married and turns into the timid mouse she is portrayed as in the book.

Honestly, Mindy was one of the best parts in this book. Her sense of humor and strength carried the book for me. I found myself more interested in the side story between her and Raniero than the main characters. All in all after the enormous wait for this book it just didn't measure up to the other books or my expectations. Key aspects of the book were missing. Although, the plot moves and there is some fun dialogue it is just missing that "it" factor the other two have.

I also recommend that you read the first book in the series and the web book on Beth's website before reading this book. If you haven't read the wedding story you will be missing some small pieces needed for this book.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me is one of my first forays into the futuristic writing world. I have really been trying to avoid picking up a future society book because they really don’t interest me. However, I am very glad I picked this one up on the Vine. Here’s the description from Amazon:

"You can't touch me," I whisper.

I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.

He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.

But things happen when people touch me.

Strange things.

Bad things.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.

But Juliette has plans of her own.

Wow! This book was amazing. While the description is very vague it really was an incredible read. The book starts out with Juliette being locked away for what her touch has done to another. We see crazed interaction with herself and her cell mate. Then suddenly she is pulled from that life into a political pawn role with the new government. From there the plot thickens as Juliette fights to be true to herself.

Juliette was an amazing character. I loved how passionate and compassionate she was without ever really being able to experience love and affection. I also loved some of the surprises that were thrown our way with her love interest and the villain. I really can’t say much because it will spoil the book but there were several curveballs that were thrown in the plot.

The writing was very fast paced and I truly enjoyed the author’s style. She managed to use small things in her writing to give some clues as to what was going on without the reader being able to figure out where the book was headed. I particularly enjoyed being able to think back to the beginning and follow the “crumbs” to what happened in the end. I am still very curious about how her touch works and it isn’t as clear cut as it seems.

I give this book a 5/5 and highly recommend it to people even if you are skeptical about futuristic books.