Monday, December 31, 2012

NEW YEARS!!!!

Lets kick this off right with some honesty....

I've often been described as a powerhouse diva that sweeps in and owns who she is and what she wants... but that's not always the case, only what I let people see.  Beneath all the sarcasm, witticism and bantering is still the little girl who is looking for her parent's approval.

I've always been plagued by a lot of self doubts and culminating self esteem issues.  I've never felt like I've measured up to peoples expectations, nor did I think every good thing they've thought of me was true, and often tended to agree with all the negative aspects they spoke about me.  Its an never ending revolving door of self hatred and depression, one that I have fought with for years, and one that people who love the 'real' me have beaten themselves bloody over trying to get me past.

It all started with my mother. Not a lot of people know that she was an alcoholic. I use the past tense because on December 28th, 2010, she drank herself into a vegetative state, and finally her body gave out on her and she died.  I spent my life fighting with and for her, taking care of her, and always being the one to provide the love she always needed, but never valued.  If I wasn't enough for my own mother to stop drinking for, then how could I be enough for anyone else?  No matter how many awards I won, nor how good my grades were, how many jobs I worked, it still wasn't enough for her to stop, and I ended blaming myself.

Don't get me wrong, I'm intelligent enough to understand the concept that alcoholism is a disease and a person will only stop drinking when they're ready to stop, nothing you do can speed the process and you shouldn't blame yourself, blah blah blah.  But the emotional side of me doesn't like to listen.

So, on top of my mommy issues, my papa's way of showing support is the whole 'tough love' thing.  You know, say you're good but not the best in the hopes you'll get pissed off enough to prove him wrong..... not necessarily the best thing to use when someone already has a damaged viewpoint of oneself.  Again, comprehend the concept, but emotionally.... nah, not so much.

I went from being down on myself for trying so hard and not being enough, swapping to the viewpoint of 'well, I'm only going to fail anyways and they'll never have faith in me, so f*ck it, why bother'.  That lovely self fulfilling prophecy.  Well, I'm 25 years old, I'm a mother of four beautiful children, and enough's enough.

I'm tired of living in the shadows of my past.  I've had enough of the re-occurring doubts about my abilities, and I'm f*ing done with living (or failing) up to other peoples expectations.  I've come to realize that I have in myself the capability to do EVERYTHING I have ever dreamed of, regardless of how many people think its a fools hope or irrational.  So I'm going to stick my neck, heart and soul onto that f*ing chopping block and am giving this all I have without the fear of being rejected or the fear of it not being enough, because god d*mn it I AM ENOUGH!

Whew, now that my rant is done, lets get to the good part, which is what this is all about: my resolution.  Now, most people want to lose weight, quit smoking, or general improvement in their lives.  Me, not so much. I mean sure, I'd love to lose the last of the baby weight, become a millionaire, etc, but it's not what I'm focusing on.  My sole focus (besides home and kids) is going to be this: finishing my book.

I've always had stories and characters bounding around in my mind.  I've spent years writing them down and describing their story to the most insignificant detail, but I've never had the guts to actually FINISH what I've started due to all the emotional mind f*ing that was stated previously.  Well, by June 24th, my 26th birthday, my book will be completed.  You'll have to kill me to stop me from finishing it cause I'm on a damn mission. Be sure to note that I will keep posting on my blog with all the ridiculous things that will pop into my head over this 'journey', some of which will entertain, some of which will sound like me having a major dose of PMS, but never-the-less it will help you keep track of progress, and give me an opportunity to look over what happened during the process.  Almost like a diary for the world to see.

So, to all the nay-sayers, non believers, or people who are just shaking their heads thinking 'yeah right', I have one thing to say to you.... Watch me.

Until next time my sexy stalkers, Happy Reading.

Kicking Eternity by: Ann Lee Miller

 Stuck in sleepy New Smyrna Beach one last summer, Raine socks away her camp pay checks, worries about her druggy brother, and ignores trouble: Cal Koomer. She’s a plane ticket away from teaching orphans in Africa, and not even Cal’s surfer six-pack and the chinks she spies in his rebel armor will derail her.
The artist in Cal begs to paint Raine’s ivory skin, high cheek bones, and internal sparklers behind her eyes, but falling for her would caterwaul him into his parents’ life. No thanks. The girl was self-righteous waiting to happen. Mom served sanctimony like vegetables, three servings a day, and he had a gut full.

Rec Director Drew taunts her with “Rainey” and calls her an enabler. He is so infernally there like a horsefly—till he buzzes back to his ex.

Raine’s brother tweaks. Her dream of Africa dies small deaths. Will she figure out what to fight for and what to free before it’s too late?
 
Okay, so I have to be completely honest when it comes to this book.  I did not know it had religion as a basis when I first cracked it open, and it threw me off.  Now, I'm not an atheist by any means, nor am I against faith, but I do have a wee bit of a problem when it comes to religion, so I automatically wanted to dislike the book.  I stopped reading it after 13%, and put off reading it for two days.  After getting an email from Ann warning me that there was religion in it, I felt bad and decided to 'toughen up' and get through it.... and I'm glad I did.
 
Ann has a quality to her 'voice' that is almost magical.  It draws the reader in, and in my case, against their will.  I found myself falling into and absorbing the emotional impact the pasts of the characters had on their religion, or in some cases, lack of religion.  The plights throughout the book that dealt with the characters not only doubting themselves, but also their faith and God's will was refreshing to me when it comes to religious ideals.  99% of the time when I'm confronted with religious views or ideals, its almost like the people are sitting in a dozer, trying to shovel eighty thousand pounds of 'you will go to hell if you don't believe this, this and this' down your throat, which is why I was against this book.  But, the religious aspect of this book is not meant to throw religion or the threat of hell in your face, but is more of an aspect of the characters, much as their flaws or virtues are an aspect.  So, it was easy for me to get over my reservations the more I delved into the story.
 
The characters themselves are beautifully flawed.  Not in the sense that she didn't do her research and just slapped traits here and there, but, more in the sense that each character has a fear, or a burden, or an inhibition that makes them extremely human and relateable.  The love between the characters is also extremely relateable, even when they become confused about they're feelings.  I don't believe anyone can honestly say that they've never felt emotions for someone, been heartbroken, then realized you loved someone else.  If you can say that, you've never experienced adolescence.
 
What I loved most about this book was the purity of the story.  I'm not saying that everything was flowers and 'oh holy moley, I'm so pure and untried and see everything through rose colored glasses', because that is far from the case.  The characters face many, many obstacles and real life situations; from meth addiction, rebellion, parental pressure, sex addiction and uncertainty to forgiveness, closure, love and heartbreak.  All of which makes this an extremely well rounded book.
 
I give major kudos to Ann for writing a religious romance, knowing how many people, including myself, view them.  But, you have a new fan when it comes to your work, and that would be me :) religious aspect and all.  Keep up the good work suga!
 
So please take the time to read Kicking Eternity.  It is a heartwarming story you can definitely sink your teeth into.
 
To get your copy of Kicking Eternity, click HERE
 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Hardball By: V.K. Sykes

After years of hard work and keeping her nose firmly to the grindstone, Dr. Holly Bell has finally achieved her dream: a position as a pediatric surgeon at a prestigious teaching hospital. Children's lives rest in her skilled hands. That means total dedication to her work and her patients without letting anything or anyone get in the way. And a hot affair with a superstar athlete is most definitely getting in Holly's way.

Nate Carter, star pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, has the world in the palm of his baseball glove. He's at the height of his game, a west coast team is about to lure him with even greater riches, and the most gorgeous women in town are in full pursuit. Nate has everything he wants, or at least he thinks he does, until he meets the beautiful and brainy Dr. Holly Bell. He's totally up for a hot affair, and Holly turns out to be the hottest.

But will Holly be willing to play his game? When the lovely doctor starts changing the rules, Nate realizes he just might be playing for keeps.
 
 
First off... Yuuuuummmy ;)  Somebody please fan me after reading this!  I've never been a sports fan but you can bet your a** I'll start watching baseball.
 
Not only were the 'sexy' scenes absolutely drool worthy and explicitly detailed without crossing the line into crass, but Hardball was extremely well written and wasn't, as a lot of romances are, just sex scenes split up by meaningless dialogue.
 
I absolutely loved the story line, and how believable the strife of the characters was and how their past and fears reflected on how they viewed relationships.  The twist, throwing in a psychotic, bloodthirsty a**hole, didn't feel strained at all and added to the story, instead of taking away from it or confusing the readers.
 
The book, in its entirety, left me emotionally choked up, ranging from tearing up, grinning stupidly, yelling at my Kindle, and doing a happy dance :)  This is definitely a book to cuddle up with, and for the time being its FREE!!!! So, what are you waiting for???
 
Until next time, Happy Reading!
 
To get your copy of Hardball click HERE

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Blood of The Sorcerer (The Kingdom Chronicles book 2) by: B.C. Morin


Love will be tested, great powers will emerge, and hearts will break over a death no one saw coming….
Princess Alannah hoped that upon her arrival in Anrad, things would begin to look up. But she comes to find that the warrior fae that she has fallen in love with is truly the Prince of Anrad and has been betrothed to another by his dying father. Isibeal, his betrothed, is beautiful, strong, and hiding a secret that Alannah is determined to reveal.
Adding to her worries, her sister Evyette has set off on a journey to uncover her increasingly mysterious past. Finally discovering who she is and where she came from, Evyette will find that some things are better left unknown. As Tristan and Kaleb help Eveytte through this discovery, she is yanked from their clutches by Samil who has volunteered her as the final sacrifice for him to remain in this realm.
Will Alannah succeed in her training at the hands of Master Jadoc, the Elder Faerie and still make it in time to join Tristan and Kaleb in stopping Samil? Will Brennus go against his dying father's last request and follow his heart?


ARE YOU FLIPPING KIDDING ME!!!! Why in the HELL would you leave THAT big of a flipping cliff hanger Barbie???? AHHHHHH!!!

Okay, so while I was reading BOTS, this is what happened to me (and what I ended up saying out loud) and probably why my boyfriend looked at me like I was from mars:
 
*eyes widen* ooooh no he didn't!!!
"Jeremy, if you interrupt me one more time I will hit you with my Kindle"
'if he doesn't fix this I'm going to flipping strangle him!'
'oh come on!!! SOMEBODY better whoop his a**'
'no no no no no no noooooooo'
*sobs*
'awe that's so sad yet so sweet'
'YES! DON'T GIVE UP!!!'
*slapping Jeremy on the arm* "WHAT THE EF! WHAT THE EF! WHAT THE EF!"
 
And that's just some of the mentalness that attacked me while reading.  All I can say now with the emotions still running high through me is: "Barbie, you better get the third book published pronto!!! I cannot survive with that much of an emotional cliffhanger!!!! AHHHH!!!"
 
 
Okay, so in BOTS, there is no wooing from B, because hey, she already had you snared from MOTP (Mark of The Princess). So it reads like the middle stages of love, where you know the flow of the relationship (characters vs. readers), and you think you have all details mapped out...... NEWS FLASH! No, you don't!  Barbie throws you through an emotional wringer, leaving you gasping for air and in a state of shock at the end.
 
You'll think to yourself 'Yeah, I know who's going to end up with who, and you knooow they're going to have a happily ever after and whoop some major but, go good guys!', but Barbie just laughs in your face and says, 'hey, watch this', and BAM!!! all preconceptions are thrown right out the flipping window leaving you in a state of what-the-ef-ery.

As much as I would LOVE to go into explicit details about how much parts of this book affected me, and could probably write thousands of words on my feelings of what happened, I CAN'T because that would be a HUGE spoiler, and as much as I am in dire need to vent about the awesomeness and sometimes tragic (very heartbreaking, sob in your cheerios and go into a depression, tragic) parts, I shall not spoil the book for you.... *sobs* it's just soooo hard!
 
But, what I can tell you is: Yay! no more love triangle! BUT you will flip when you find out what exactly happens between some relationships and who actually ends up falling for who (never guessed that would of happened and, oh my flipping monkeys, I'm still reeling from it).
 
There are MANY climatic scenes in this book, and while with some books there's a drag between action, in BOTS there isn't, which makes the ride much more fun and even more ensnaring.  The battles the characters face are written out beautifully to where you get the full scope of whats going on without the nauseant pages long of blah-blah-blah details that end up making your eyes glaze over and cause you to lost track of what's happening.
 
The character vs. reader emotional tie in this book was so strong that i literally started crying.  Not just a glimmer of tears with a little sniffle cry, but full out, tears streaming down my face, snot building in my nose, completely unattractive cry.  And that RARELY occurs for me.  So bravo Barbie! Major brownie points for you with that one :)
 
Unlike a lot of series where one book is better than another, or (as is dreaded by a lot of readers), you absolutely HATE the second, third, etc. and can't believe you wasted that much time reading it, BOTS is actually one of those rare occasion books where it's not better or worse, it is a perfect continuation. Almost like the second part of a movie where the climatic scenes increase more for the epic precipice.
 
I cannot stress enough my level of recommendation for this series.  I'd be screaming in your ear and threatening you with a wooden spoon (hey, they can hurt really bad if used properly) until you finally relented and clicked the little button that says 'buy now'.  Soooo, what are you waiting for?
 
Until next time, Happy Reading!
 
To purchase Blood of The Sorcerer click HERE
 
 

 



Monday, December 24, 2012

The Kingdom Chronicles: Mark of the Princess

The feisty and determined faerie Princess Alannah is many things, but she never thought she would be the key to her people’s destruction.

Kidnapped for a power she does not yet possess, Alannah finds herself in the clutches of the most malevolent sorcerer of her time. Maligo. Alannah escapes her prison with help from the handsome and stalwart warrior faerie, Brennus.

Now she must cross mountains and forests fraught with rogue faeries, vicious Fae-hating trolls, dangerous shape-shifters, and more to reach the only ones that can help her control her incoming powers. The Elder Faeries.

With Brennus by her side, Alannah is determined to reach the Elder Faeries and save her people. Maligo is just as determined she never makes it that far.

"Made a friend, did you?" Brennus asked cynically  Alannah huffed at the remark. "Yes, I do no see you getting help out of here!"
 
 
Oh my flipping baby Jesus.  I'm sitting her stunned as my eyes finally pop back into place after protruding from reading the last few pages of Mark of the Princess.  Well done Barbie! That was one hell of a cliff hanger you left me with. Seriously WHAT-THE-EF!!! Why would you go and leave me feeling emotionally shredded with that hell of a whopper? I'm hating you right now but also loving you for it.  The ending of this installment couldn't have left me wanting more even if you threw in some take home faeries that would do all my household cleaning.  Well done! *applauds* :)
 
It took me awhile to get into the swing of how Barbie writes.  I'm not used to the swinging viewpoints, but after awhile the flow is easy to fall into.  This is the perfect example of a book that sneaks up on you and grabs you by the (figurative) balls. First, I started out thinking, "eh, its okay".  Then Barbie started romancing me into the story, wooing me with intricate and lovable (if sometimes hate-able) characters, to where I found myself rooting for them, encouraging them, and, at times, wanting to b*tch slap them. Then BAM! She throws you for a loop, and just as you're getting used to the new direction the stories going and you THINK you can foresee what is going to happen next, Barbie shakes her head and throws you for yet ANOTHER loop, leaving you breathless from the ride, and almost wanting to sneak a look behind you to make sure nothing else is going to creep up on you.  Before you know it, you're fully emerged in the story, and by the time the ending rolls around (with a flipping HUGE ass cliffhanger that will leave you wanting to strangle somebody) you'll be sitting there stunned, just like me, wondering how in the hell it crept up on you so unexpectedly.
 
Unlike a lot of female leads, Alannah is extremely self sufficient.  Yes, she has moments where she needs to be saved, but, for the most part, she is the one doing the saving and isn't falling in the category of "oh my god I need a man to take care of me", which I absolutely love in a female lead.  I found her completely relatable, and even though I'm not Fae (duh!) and haven't gone through the exact circumstances (would be kinda hard considering I don't live in a magic kingdom), her reactions and emotions are fitting, and very human, to where you end up feeling her turmoil for yourself.
 
She was shivering. She was cold and in pain. She was running from who know how many trolls into a mountainside that could eat them alive. She missed her family and her new friends. She thought of Evy and of Kaleb. Kaleb. Could Kaleb still be alive and be searching for her? Why was she taken in the first place? No, she was not alright.
"Yes, I am fine. Just a bit out of breath, and cold." There was no time to not be alright, they had to move on.
 
Now to the boys.  Kaleb and Brennus= YUM!.  You may be thinking "Oh gees not ANOTHER love triangle" because, lets face it, they get kinda old whenever you read one after another after another.  BUT what makes this triangle interesting and absolutely non eye-roll or puke worthy is that Alannah, though she may be torn, is actually focusing more on bettering herself, even while she's being emotionally thrown around between the boys.  So while she may be indecisive, you don't want to throw your book/eReader because of it.
 
Kaleb is your swoon worthy sweetheart and a heart breaker (he doesn't try to be, he just is).  Their attraction is automatic, and completely sweet.  On the other hand, Brennus is your hard shelled bad boy, with the soft gooey center that you just want to eat up.  He's arrogant, cocky, sarcastic, and sometimes a complete ass, but there's the vulnerability you see in him that makes you swing between wanting to slap him and wanting to kiss him senseless. Between the two I'm totally Team Brennus!
 
Now, on top of the love triangle, there's also a separate love story within the story, which makes the story line even more complex and interesting.  And on top of THAT love story, there's a dark shadow hanging over their heads which Barbie leads you to presume can cause MAJOR problems with their relationship (threat of turning evil and letting the darkness consume you? Yeah, major problems ahead).
 
So, to wrap this review up: lots of what-the-ef-ery; you'll love them, then you'll hate them, then you'll love them again; excellent moments of "oh my flipping baby Jesus!" and "where the hell did that come from!".  It will leave you cheering in your seats and holding on for the ride. So what are you waiting for?  It's time to start the journey :)
 
Until next time, Happy Reading!
 
To purchase Mark of the Princess for Kindle click HERE

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Why I review the way I do....

I've always hated reading reviews of books that go through each step of the book in sequence, thoroughly outlining the plot and characters, because it, basically, ruins the entire book for me.  Whenever I read about what's going to happen, there are no longer any surprises for me in the book and it ends up lacking the reader to character emotional bond that I love about reading.

While I could go into details about every book I read and break it down into its basic written form, I choose not to because I like to leave the surprises to the readers.  So, I tend to focus more on the emotional impact the book has left me with and my thoughts while reading.  I'll give you my basic feeling of the book, whether it's just a small glimmer of tears in my eyes, or while reading I happen to slap whomsoever is unfortunate enough to be near me while shouting "WHAT THE EF! WHAT THE EF!" because I can't hold the emotional barrage in any longer during a climatic scene.

While some bloggers are extremely critical about any small editing  issue, I'm not as long as it doesn't sound like a 5th grader wrote it, because I know that catching everything in editing is difficult, especially when you're self published.

Don't think I'm all sugar and spice about my reviews though.  While I praise the books that I like, if there happens to be a book that I truly cannot connect to or that just annoys the hell out of my by their simplistic characters and lack of cohesion (and yes, there are A LOT of those out there), then I leave appropriate reviews of them, and tend to be harsh.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not harsh because I think writing is easy and they should have gotten it right the first time around. I know that writing is extremely difficult and not everyone can do it, and while I can be harsh with my reviews, I don't do it for the purpose of dashing an authors hopes and dreams about writing.  I do it so they can take the review and use it towards their next book so that way they can improve their skill.  An author fails if they refuse to turn criticism into a device to use for the betterment of their materials.

So, whenever you read one of my reviews and see a 'holy flipping monkeys' or 'what the ef-ery', please remember it's not because I am simplistic of mind and do not have the education to thoroughly compile a list of faults or praises about an authors writing.  It is simply my way of expressing my feelings over a book, hopefully with enough enthusiasm to get a reader wanting to enjoy the experience I am referring too.

So, keep that in mind, and until next time, Happy Reading!

This is Seriiiooouuuussss ;)

Okay, so I'm kind of obsessed with checking my blog to see how many people are viewing it and how many are subscribed..... yeah, it's almost turning into one of those "they like me, they really like me!" or  "they hate me, they really hate me!" type of thing depending on the day.  I have come to the conclusion that I must have some sexy blog stalkers, because (as of now) there are 159 views and only 2 followers......... O.O........ yeeeaaahhhh you sexy stalkers you ;)



So, while it would look totally ridiculous to get undressed in front of the computer for my proverbial stalkers (bah hahahahaha just had a mental picture, too bad ya'll can't fully merge with my mind.....), here's something else to entertain you!

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Ascended (The Saving Angels Series Book3)

The Ascended is the final installment of The Saving Angels Trilogy. With Krista's life in turmoil, she is now struggling with the responsibilities that have been passed down to her. With the help of Haniel and her friends, Krista risks everything, including her soul, to march into the den of the Dark Angel. Their only chance for survival is for Krista to find the courage to accept the new role that fate has bestowed upon her, even if it means losing her loved ones forever.



Holy flipping monkeys! Tiffany Kings finale to the saving angels series has left me in a state of mixed emotions. After the beautifully written and heart wrenching climax, I don't know whether to laugh with joy or shed some tears.... Or track her down and threaten her with bodily harm if she doesn't find a way to continue the series (just kidding Tiff..... Or am I?)

Anyways, the story flowed smoothly throughout the entire series with nary mishap with either character traits or subjective plots. I don't believe she could of written a better book to end the series and am amazingly grateful that I won this series (which is why people must keep up with bloggers and their epic giveaways) because it gave me the opportunity to read this amazing series. Tiffany, I definitely have to give you kudos for this series, and I am now an eager fan :-) So people, take my advice and buy this series, or throw it out the window and lose the opportunity for something magical. Until next time, happy reading!


To get your copy of The Ascended for Kindle click






What I do when I'm not reading, chasing kids around or cleaning.... I WRITE!!! *evil laugh*

I'm bored (how unusual ;)) So I figured I'd blog out a snippet of my book (one of many) that I have been writing! Enjoy!

 
“I can’t believe you shanghaied us to here.” Glaring out the car window, Star twisted her long auburn hair nervously around her hands. Streaming sunlight illuminated the red tint in her dark tresses with strands of gold gleaming sporadically throughout her long locks. Trees flew past her window, causing a dizzying display of brown and green. “Seriously mom, we could be headed straight into a den of inbred serial killers. Haven’t you seen Wrong Turn? There could be cannibalistic mountain men lurking everywhere!”

Star switched her glare from the passing scenery to her mothers’ reflection in the rear view mirror. Sarah, her mother, was the epitome of perfection, with long strawberry blond hair cut to frame her fairy like face.  Her large, slightly angled violet eyes were her most capturing feature.  Their jewel like tone sparked with irritation, causing Star’s own eyes, the same jewel tone but with gray flecks causing it to appear murky, to flare with rebellion.

Sighing, Sarah met her daughters gaze. “Star, we’ve been over this a million times. There are no mutant freaks, ‘cannibalistic mountain men’, or deranged serial killers here. I wish you’d quit watching so many scary movies.”

Slouching down, Star replied, “Hey, I did my research. Ten horror movies are based in Virginia.”

“Let me guess, Google?” Sarah looked to her husband, silently pleading for help. Paul looked up as if seeking divine intervention.

“I like being informed.”

“They’re movies Star, not reality. And besides, there’s as much of a chance of you being eaten or murdered in California as there is here.” Her father added oh so helpfully.

Sitting up straighter, Star turned her glare on him. Her father’s baby blue eyes sparkled with mirth. “Gee, thanks dad. I feel so much better about my chances of survival.”

Grinning, Paul said “Glad to help keep you informed.”

“You’re not helping.” Sarah whispered with an elegant eye roll.

“Well it’s the truth. We could have moved to Florida and faced flesh eating bath salt zombies instead. But, hey, I’d rather face the possibility of cannibalistic mountain men over zombies any day. There’s more of a survival rate that way.” Shrugging, he turned his full attention back to the twisting road ahead of them.

Star slumped back in her seat and turned up the music on her iPod, watching the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains pass by.

Twenty minutes later, they passed a redwood sign saying Welcome to Shiloh, Home of the Mighty Beavers. Incredulously, Star twisted around in her seat, staring at the sign to see if it would actually change. Whipping her head around, she stared out the windshield.

“I’m going to a school of beavers,” she muttered.

“What pumpkin?” Her father asked.

“Dad, do you know the school mascot is?”

“Umm…”

“Beavers.”

“What?”

“Shiloh is home of the Beavers!”

Her father and mother turned silent. Then, one by one they started laughing.

“It’s not funny.”

“Of course it’s not dear,” Her mother replied between giggles, “Beavers are very respectable woodland creatures.”

“I cannot go to a school of beavers! Dad, let’s go to Florida, surely we’d be able to withstand a zombie attack?”

Forgotten Souls (The Saving Angels Book 2)

Any chance Krista Miller had at a normal teenage life is now gone. Less than a year ago she lived under the radar, avoiding any relationships that would send her emotional sensitivities out of control. Little did she know that her life was destined for something more. Something that will test her very soul.

After facing certain death at the hands of the man responsible for their mysterious past, Krista and her friends learn the truth behind their origins and the purpose for their newly discovered abilities. Now, they must band together to fulfill their inherited, sacred duty. As Guides and Protectors, they must save Mankind's Forgotten Souls before they are lost forever.

"We may have been created to save the forgotten souls, but what happens when one of our own become the most important forgotten soul of all."

 
After finishing this second installment, all I can say is WHAT THE EF!!!! Tiffany King did it again! I was completely enraptured, hanging on the edge of my seat when the epic battle erupted. There I was, enjoying the camaraderie between character's and thinking to myself "Hell yeah, they're going to bust some a**!" When all of a sudden BAM!! Sneak attack via Tiffany's fabulous twists, leaving me with at WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM and AW HELL NO THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN moment!
 
I can still feel my heart jumping around sporadically in my chest and my mind is still reeling from the twist this book has taken. All I can say is ya'll better jump on this band wagon because I can see great things happening for Tiffany and I can't wait to crack open the next book in the series :D
 
To buy a copy of Forgotten Souls for Kindle click 
HERE

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Meant to Be (The Saving Angels book 1) By: Tiffany King

 
Krista Miller feels like she has lived her entire life in a glass box with her every emotion on display. She can’t help feeling like a defect as her sensitivities have made her socially inept and without any real friends; the one exception being the boy that visits her each night in her dreams.

Krista’s emotions are put to the test when a move to California triggers a devastating change to her fantasy world. The nightly comfort that the boy provides has now become a recurring nightmare as he is taken from her by an unseen force.

Struggling to appear normal, Krista enrolls in a new school and finds it to be nothing like she thought. Her new life is sent spiraling out of control from a strange connection with a boy, Mark, who claims to know all her secrets.

As Krista begins to explore the emotions that Mark evokes in her, secrets about their mysterious past and their predestined purpose threatens to separate them just when they have found each other.
 
"You are the only thing that matters," he continued as he raised my hand to his chest and placed it over his heart. "Can't you feel what you do to me?"
 

 
 Meant to Be is capturing from the first page.  At first, I thought Krista was flipping nuts! I mean, seriously, who the heck dreams the same dream every night, and has radical emotions that make them vomit at the drop of a hat? But, all of the oddness that came when getting to know her character played beautifully into the unfolding mystery of who, or better yet, what they are.
 
You'd think that since this is an angel book, that it would be the same ol' same ol'. BUT Tiffany took the regular old angel story and threw it completely out the window.  While there is the standard Divine creationism in it, this book has a different aspect of what angels are created for, and what their purpose is in human existence.
 
As the storyline progressed, I became enraptured in all of the characters different quirks and emotional history.  Tiffany King created her characters to the point where you get a complete sense of who he/she is, without any deviations.  As they learned and grew throughout the story, I found my self learning and growing along with them. The farther into the story I travelled, the more enraptured in the mystery I became.
 
The entire book is one giant, consistent, incline to the unexpected and explosive precipice.  The ending completely knocked my socks off and has me craving even more! While some authors throw everything out there for the readers in the first book of a series, Tiffany only gives you one slice of the pie, which leaves room for more shocking and intriguing plots and discoveries will no irritating fillers needed. Tiffany King is definitely an author to look out for, and I encourage everyone to buy her books.
 
To get your copy of Meant to Be for Kindle click

Friday, December 14, 2012

Heartache For The Masses

 
As I sit here, watching my children eating cookies and drinking hot cocoa, I can't help but think about what it would feel like if one of my children were the unfortunate victims. My heart fell to the bottom of my stomache, and a gaping hole seemed to spread where my soul should be.  If I felt this undescribable despair just THINKING about it, I cannot imagine what those parents are going through.  Yes, my kids drive me up the wall, but they are my life and a part of me that NO ONE would ever be able to replace. My heart aches for those parents as I find myself wrapping my children in my arms, afraid to let them go.
 
What has this world come to when we can't even send our children to school without the fear of them never coming back?  To have to wait with your child(ren) at the bus stop, fear radiating through you that this would be the last time you saw them smile? The last time to hug them and tell them you love them?  This rational fear is unbearable and all-consuming.  No one can assure the masses that this will never happen again, and no politician, whether for or against gun control, will ever be able to take back this moment in time, and will never be able to ease the suffering of this nation.
 
It never should have gotten to this point.  After Columbine you'd think that things would change, that psychological care would of increased and that there would of AT LEAST been a more difficult way to get ahold of weapons, or at least a psychological test to be performed in order to attain weapons if you passed.  That would of been the less offensive way for both parties to compromise on and prevent tragedies such as this.  But no, people would rather hear themselves speak and refuse to see others opinions because they, from my perspective, see themselves as all-knowing dieties that need to be bowed down to and obeyed.  Enough is enough.
 
We, as a people, have become docile, and like blind sheep, whe have let our shepards (the self involved politicians who placate us with pretty words and false promises) lead us straight to the slaughter.  We have forgotten the most important thing about this nation: the politicians and political offiliates are NOT the ones with the power. We, the PEOPLE, are the ones with the power, and it's time we stopped following blindly.  I refuse to be lead to slaughter, and I refuse to have my children, and the children of this nation, live in fear. Not only fear from the prospect of being killed for an education, but also fear of the uncertain future. A future where having an education doesn't mean you'd be able to get a job with enough income to live by.  A future where being free to choose whom you love is dictated by authorities who will never see farther than their own greed.  A future where, everyday, you just pray that things will get better, because your hope is the only thing left of true value.
 
It's time for us to change, to rise against this madness before all hope for humanity, and the future of our children, is truly lost.
 
My prayers and heart felt tears go out to all the families, not only of the victims, but to the witnesses too, because they will forever be changed by this. As will we all.  

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Holy Flipping Monkeys!!!

Okay... so I've never created a blog before, and I'm feeling nervous, excited, and slightly narcissistic at the same time. Here's a little about me: I'm a 25 year old mother of four incredibly sweet (when they want to be), loving (again, when they want to be) and incredibly intelligent evil monkeys (aka my kids). No, I did not start popping kids out at a young age, I just tend to breed fast and had all four kids within four years (should get a damn medal).  If you haven't noticed already, I tend to be a wee bit sarcastic and very blunt, which is why I love reviewing books :)

My hope for this blog is to obtain more avid readers for some of my favorite authors, and to also bring to light some not so known authors who deserve more recognition and fans.  There will be tons of intermediate blogging between reviews for whatever crazy thing that pops into my mind.  Hopefully I will have fun, and you will also (hopefully..... or whomever reads this may turn into an angry, pitchfork weilding mob).  So for now, happy reading!