Monday, September 29, 2014

Before He Was Gone by Becky Wicks



Before He Was Gone by Becky Wicks

Description from the publisher:

When her rock star boyfriend breaks things off out of the blue, Alyssa applies to hit reality TV show Deserted and to her shock she gets through. Abandoned on a remote island with a bunch of strangers and none of the luxuries she’s become accustomed to, it’s not long before an undeniable attraction to the mysterious Joshua starts complicating things even further.
Joshua's different to everyone she's ever known - a traveler, a man with no plan, a world away from the celebrity life she's left behind. As a series of challenges test their wits and weaknesses, things start heating up in paradise, but in a game designed to break people down, it soon becomes clear that Joshua is hiding a painful secret - one he won’t risk anyone finding out.
Struggling to know where she belongs, Alyssa will have to choose - a life she once loved that wants her back, or a brand new reality that heart breakingly may just have its limits.
This book was different. I did not like the way it was written. It bounced back and forth between Alyssa and Joshua. It took about four chapters for me to finally figure out what the heck was going on! That being said, about halfway through it got interesting and I enjoyed it. About 3/4 of the way through I could not put it down. I was glad that I pushed through the first half because I really did enjoy the second half of this book.

I really liked the story line. The characters were great and some of the lines were hysterical. I just was not personally fond of the writing style.

If you have read  this book, please let me know your thoughts!

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Friday, September 26, 2014

Five Minutes Late Rich Amooi



Five Minutes Late  Rich Amooi

Description from the publisher:

The world needs garlic and somebody’s got to sell that garlic. Cedric Johnson is that man. But even though he’s got just about everything he can wish for, Cedric is still missing one thing in his life: someone special. Fate may be on his side, but he encounters a few distractions along the way—like almost being killed by a UPS truck. Oh, and a little case of blackmail.
Ellie Fontaine is a walking Wikipedia with clear professional goals, but when it comes to landing Mr. Right, she doesn’t know jack squat. She gives online dating a shot, but ends up with an unappetizing buffet of unibrows and losers. What’s a girl to do?
After Ellie saves Cedric’s life, serendipity takes over as they continue to run into each other. Their connection grows stronger with each meeting, even though he embodies her number one pet peeve: he’s always late. But even if they can get past their issues and misunderstandings, Ellie’s ex-boyfriend, an unscrupulous cop, will do anything to keep them apart.

This book was really really sappy and I loved it! All of the characters are amazing and very well written. The story line is great, I mean, come on, online dating, blackmail, crazy exs, and fate........ an amazing mix! There were several times that I caught myself laughing (people kept looking at me funny when I laughed while looking at my phone!)

Overall this was a great book and I am sure I will read it again. I really did enjoy it!

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Friday, September 19, 2014

Gentlemen Prefer Curves by Sugar Jamison


Gentlemen Prefer Curves by Sugar Jamison

Description from the publisher:

Belinda Gordon thought she had it all—a great job, wonderful friends, a home of her own. She’s even come to love her voluptuous body. But she still can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. And then Carter Lancaster, aka Her Biggest Mistake, shows up in town, as irresistible as ever, and shakes up her entire world.

Carter never expected to find Belinda in town, looking as delicious as the day he married her five years ago—before she walked out on him after six weeks and a painful misunderstanding that included his baby daughter, Ruby. A quick divorce is the sensible option—but Carter can’t let Belinda go now, not when he can see the family they could be. Love may be a curveball, but this time he’s going to prove to Belinda that he can hit it out of the park… Gentlemen Prefer Curves is the third book in the Perfect Fit series

I am a big fan of Sugar Jamison so I was very excited when I saw this book available for review! It was so fun to see Belinda finding her perfect match! This book did not disappoint! There was drama, fun, romance and kids! Perfect combo!

The cover is catchy, the book is a perfect size, and I recommend this book to everyone. I am tired of reading books about skinny, perfect people so I have really appreciated this series of bigger women! Thank you Sugar Jamison for bringing REAL to your books!

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Friday, September 12, 2014

Accidentally Married by Victorine E. Lieske



Accidentally Married by Victorine E. Lieske

Description from the publisher:

Madison Nichols, aspiring actress, is floundering. Her rent is due and she needs a job. Desperately. After getting a tip about an open position, she rushes to Jameson Technologies and meets CEO Jared Jameson. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, she is put in the awkward position of pretending to be his girlfriend. Not the job she was applying for. And when she finds out Jared lied to her to get what he wanted, she decides to get back at him. In front of his family. 

Jared is stunned when Madison announces they are getting married. She pushed her revenge too far. How can he tell them it’s all a lie? And when his sick aunt asks them to be married before she dies, Madison comes up with a hair-brained plan to hire an actor and stage a fake wedding. 

What they both don’t know is Jared’s father has found out about the fake wedding. And he’s got his own hair-brained plan. 


This book had me laughing all the way through. The things that Madison said were hilarious and the holes she got herself in were even funnier! Jared made me laugh as he got madder and madder! The web of lies that these two got wrapped up in was amazing and seemed to never end. I LOVE Jared's father!

This book was so catchy that I started it at night and stayed up for hours reading it. I was exhausted at work the next day but it was worth it! Excellent book!

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

No Weddings by Kat Bastion and Stone Bastion



No Weddings by Kat Bastion and Stone Bastion

Description from the publisher:

I think I have my act together as a successful bar owner, my master’s degree within reach, and a list of no-strings-attached women warming my bed. Turns out, I don’t.
Hannah believes she has safeguarded her wounded heart by shunning men and focusing on her new baking business. The thing is, she hasn’t.
When my three sisters and I start a new event-planning business with Hannah as our baker, I have no idea how my life is about to change. As Hannah and I work closely together, the attraction between us becomes irresistible. And complicated. I’ve promised my sisters I wouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules.

This book was amazing. I did not want to put it down! The characters were well written and exciting. There was never a dull moment! Hannah is sweet and sarcastic and hilarious. Cade is a full blooded male who tries desperately NOT to get attached.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance books. Perfect book to read on a lazy day! Grab a coffee, this book and stretch out on the couch! You will enjoy it!

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail by Maureen Stolar Kanefield


The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail by Maureen Stolar Kanefield

Description from the publisher:
Maxwell is a young adorable, intelligent mouse. He has a curiosity that draws him into every subject under the rainbow and an imagination that just won t quit. That is, until the day he discovers his tail is growing much too long. Soon he is the target of jeers and snickers from his classmates. Even his best friend, Mason, is unaccepting. Maxwell, can t you keep track of your tail? I m always tripping over it. 

This book is absolutely adorable! The story line is amazing, the pictures are phenomenal! I am not generally a mouse person but Maxwell is so adorable!

This book can be expanded on for each child's different "situations". Everyone has SOMETHING about them that they do not like. This book can really help them understand that they are amazing and perfect the way they are. I really like that he saw his tail as magic instead of a problem! That is so fun and unique!

Review from my 7 year old son, Max :"I like it! It is so funny and Maxwell is a really cute mouse!"

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

Monday, September 1, 2014

Draw-A-Saurus: Everything You Need to Know to Draw Your Favorite Dinosaur by James Silvani



Draw-A-Saurus: Everything You Need to Know to Draw Your Favorite Dinosaur by James Silvani

Description from the publisher:

This in-depth yet accessible dinosaur drawing guide combines humor, creativity, and the latest dino research to show artists young and old how to breathe life into drawings of their prehistoric favorites. 
Prehistoric Pencil Power!
Even though they lived some 65 million years ago, dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles continue to rule today. From movies to comics and cartoons, these ancient, giant beasts are everywhere you turn. Of course, who wants to just read about or watch these dinos when you can learn how to use pencils, pens, markers, and more to draw your very own? 

Cartoonist James Silvani combines easy-to-follow art exercises with the latest, greatest dino-facts to help you create fun and cool dinosaur doodles all by yourself. With lessons on old favorites like T-rex and stegosaurus, as well as lesser-known (but still awesome) creatures like the massive argentinosaurus, Draw-a-Saurus has everything the dinosaur fan could ever ask for (outside of their very own pet dino!).

When I saw this book up for review I thought it would be perfect for my dinosaur loving son. When it came in the mail, he was beyond excited, we sat down and looked through it and wow!! This book is WAY more than drawing a dinosaur! It  has some facts about dinosaurs, it teaches you beginning drawings such as drawing stick figure dinosaurs that are running, walking, stalking and more. There is a chapter that shows you what kind of materials to use and different techniques. Once you get all of that figured out,  you can pick a dinosaur from pages and pages to draw. It shows step by step instructions. They ARE a little complicated. My son is able to do the basics but gets frustrated with the actual dinosaurs. The great news is that he has plenty of room to grow!

At the end of the book it then shows you different ways to draw an environment so your dinosaur can be active and in an actual scene. There is also a chapter that teaches textures and how to make your dinosaur to be more cartoon-like.

All in all, I love this book and all the variety that it teaches!

Review from my 7 year old son, Max- "This book is so awesome cuz I love dinosaurs and now I can learn to draw them! Awesome!"

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***