Review: The Merciless by Danielle Vega

The Merciless

Danielle Vega

Published: June 12, 2014

Length: 336 pages

Synopsis

Forgive us father, for we have sinned.

Review

I bought The Merciless yesterday evening because I couldn't wait another day without reading it! I read a few reviews on Amazon about it and I watched one or two videos from booktubers saying that they are scared to read it. I, personally am a horror fan. I absolutely love horror, so I didn't not hesitate before purchasing this book at all.

The book is mainly about a group of friends and this one outsider who was part of the group. A new girl attends their school and she becomes friends with the group of girls. Crazy things happen (that I can't say or I'll give the book away) and... you read a lot about the new girl's history and figure out that she isn't exactly who she seems and says she is. The group of girls are extremely religious and it's almost funny to me that they did not notice evil right under their noses. Amazing! I think Danielle Vega masterfully planned this book. It is incredible. 

In a few months, once I think everyone has read the book who desires to read it, I will give a more in depth review of the book because I believe there is so much to be learned from this book and everything isn't easily known. You have to read between the lines! All in all, I'm pleased with this book. I love the hot pink cover! So adorable. I will say that inside the cover there is a warning about the sensitivity of the book. It is for mature audiences only. A lot of dark.. and gory things things happen that wouldn't make it appropriate for a child. Mature teens and adults are okay. 

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Review: Holding Out For A Hero (A Short Story) by Stacey Joy Netzel

Holding Out For A Hero (A Short Story) 

Stacey Joy Netzel

Published: August 16, 2011

Length: 34 pages

Synopsis

Kelsie Newman meets the man of her dreams at the beginning of a really, really, bad day, so excuse her for not recognizing him. Good thing she's a smart girl and a quick learner. When he rescues her from her Good Samaritan act gone bad later that day, she doesn't make the same mistake twice.

Review

I thought the short story was okay. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. There are so many movies about women who are having a really bad day and they meet their prince charming in the process. This isn't something I haven't seen before. I want to say I found it interesting and refreshing, but I didn't. It could be a good, short read for someone else. It isn't terrible; just unoriginal.

Review: Love Sucks and Then You Die by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Love Sucks and Then You Die

Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Published: September 10, 2013

Length: 33 pages

Synopsis 

Fifteen-year-old E.V. (Evening) doesn’t know where she fits in to the universe. After a particularly disastrous school dance experience, she’s begins to wonder if she fits in at all. She did bloody the school heartthrob’s nose and all because he tried to kiss her. Having been accused of being a "frigid bitch," E.V. begins to question her place in the cosmic world of relationships and dating to little avail; her CEO mother is emotionally unavailable, her dad is dead, and her best friend thinks true love exists in the back seat of a used Honda. But then E.V. spots someone, a blip on her otherwise indifferent radar that suggests there just might be someone out there for her . . .

Review

I recently ordered Eve and Adam and I wanted to research it on Amazon (Like I do every book I order) and found a prequel, Love Sucks and Then You Die to the story that I was really excited about. I downloaded it immediately and read. I loved it. I can't wait to receive the book. It's pretty much about a girl, who's mom is the CEO at a large company and is able to make things.. possibly even people and Eve somehow was able to make the perfect boy. I don't want to give too much away, but in this book Eve created Adam. I think it's a really cool twist to the original Adam and Eve story.

I must say that I do not like books where the author designates chapters for different characters for us to read their own point of view because those books can get pretty confusing. However, I don't think this book will get me too confused because from first glance, the storyline is pretty simple and I'm hoping the book will be. The prequel has me begging for more, so I'm really glad I ordered the book. I must admit that reading the prequel has shortened my patience quite a bit that now I wish I would have paid for rush delivery!!

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Review: After by Francine Prose

After

Francine Prose

Published: March 11,  2004

Length: 352 pages

Synopsis

School has become a prison.

No one knows why.

There's no way to stop it.

Review

After is a young adult novel about a group of friends who attend a school that is 50 miles away from a school that had a shooting. ...and suddenly their classmates and best friends start disappearing. 

The book isn't terrible, but it could have been better. I won't say she's a terrible writer, but I think the book was longer than it should have been. It was as if the story was drawn out. By the time I got to the climax, I only had 2 chapters left which wasn't enough. She didn't build the climax enough... I don't know fit there really is a climax, to be honest. The story ended where it should have began. She spent too much time developing the introduction and background on the characters. 

It wasn't a terrible idea, but she spent too much time developing the wrong things. The ending could have been better. It could have been more developed. She spent too much time writing about the basketball game. I just wish she would have given more time towards the end of the book. Before you know it, the group of kids that are left got in a van and went on a super long vacation and were never heard from again............ I wish the parents would have gotten the principle in his office and done something terrible. I wish the whole school would have rebelled and the principal would have left town or something. I wish there was much more to it. This book left a lot to the imagination.

June 2014: What's In My Kindle?

I've decided to start a string of blog posts, "What's In My Kindle?" I download books to my Kindle almost everyday, so I may just post updates once or twice a month. I've been finding very interesting books in the Kindle store, so I would like to share them and hopefully you'll read them, too. :)

The list of books that are currently living in my Kindle:

1. Glamour by Penelope Fletcher

2. The Accidental Hero by Joshua Graham

3. Holding Out For A Hero (A Short Story) by Stacey Joy Netzel

4. Dirty Little Secrets: A J.J. Graves Mystery by Liliana Hart (Adult Content)

5. Getting Dirty by Cheryl McIntyre (Adult Content)

6. The Housewife Assassin Handbook by Josie Brown

7. Murder on The Mind (A Jeff Resnick Mystery) by L.L. Barlett

8. The Art of War by Sunzi

9. Small Town Evil by Ken Berglund

10. Everflame by Dylan Peters

11. Game, Set, Match by Nana Malone

12. What She Saw (Forensic Handwriting Mysteries) by Shelia Lowe

13. The Girl In The Box Series by Robert J. Crane

14. The Beautiful Ones: A Vampire Romance by Lori Brighton

15. A Killer Thriller Collection - Eight The Hard Way by Nick Stephenson

16. The Descent Series by SM Reine

17. The Mind Readers (Book 1) by Lori Brighton

18. Rushed by Brian Harmon

19. The One You Love by Paul Pikington

20. Seduced by Innocence by  Karprov Kinrade

21. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurtson

22. Pink Ribbon Blues by Gayle A. Sulik

23. Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

24. The Ancient East by D. G. Hogarth

25. I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman In Guatamala by Rigoberta Menchu


Most of the books and series I listed are free in Amazon's Kindle bookstore. I will update my list when I download a considerable about of new books. Happy reading! 

WARNING! You Should Think First About Buying Books Within A Series

Warning! 

Do you know what you're getting yourself into?



I know a new book series can be enticing for those who enjoy reading them, but you should know that some are not worth your money! Particularly the ones that are in the form of ebooks. There are many ebook series out there written by independent authors that are available for download and some of them are very interesting reads (minus the grammar mistakes and misspelling). The catch is you will only get the first book of the series for free and the last two will cost you. I know you're wondering why I'm telling you this. A book is a book, right? You're also wondering why I'm telling you that some authors may not care how their books are delivered to the reader, as long as you pay. As with everything you buy, books are a consumer item and as authors, they should not try to "get over" on their customers. Why is this information so important? Well, let's get to the dirt!

First of all, there are authors out there who will sell their ebooks as if they are part of a series. Meaning the author will sell you the same book three times... with the first one being free (sometimes). They basically separated one book into three parts and selling them separately under the guise of it being a series. If you prefer reading ebooks over physical copies, then there is an easy way to know if it is a series you shouldn't be buying (or at least know how to detect them and decide to buy it or not). 

Always look at the number of pages before you buy an ebook and check to see if it is part of a series. If the first book is between 50-80 pages long (or under 100 pages), then you know it is one book the author is selling three times. The only books that should be that short are short stories, children's books (however, less likely), novellas, and samples. Those books will be described as such very clearly in the book description. I'd rather pay $2.99 for the whole book than thinking it is part of a series that doesn't really exist. 

On the other hand, if you are a reader who enjoys reading books in small doses and you're okay with buying each part of the book separately, then it shouldn't be a problem to you. As long as you know it is not a traditional book series. I know a lot of people won't notice what they're REALLY buying, so I hope this information will be helpful to you in your future browsing around in the ebook store. 

Why I (Most Likely) Won't Read Hilary Rodham Clinton's Memoir

As we all know, Hilary Rodham Clinton is the wife of  former President of the United States, Bill Clinton. She was also appointed the Secretary of State by Obama during his first term as President. Mrs. Clinton is an amazing woman. Regardless of your political affiliation, you have no choice but to give her what she's due! She is one of the most influential women that filled the role of being married to one the most important men in the United States in the 90s.

Mrs. Clinton's career in politics has been an impressive one and she recently released Hard Choices,  a memoir chronicling her life and professional accolades. However, her memoir is over 500 pages long (656 pages to be exact)! It is the Harry Potter book of nonfiction. I skimmed through the book at my local Barnes and Noble and I was highly taken aback by the length. It's so many pages that I don't want to begin reading in the fear of never finishing. I don't want to fight the book and lose! There is a perk to buying the book. B&N has the hardback copy for 30% and an extra 10% for members.  I more than likely will purchase the audiobook instead of purchasing the physical copy. Finishing the audio version seems more doable (and ego friendly) than reading.

Book Review: Small Town Evil by Ken Berglund

Small Town Evil

Ken Berglund

Publisher: Ken Berglund (February 4, 2013)

Pages: 71

Synopsis

A father and daughter are hunted by a girl they thought they had run over in their car while returning home from a weekend vacation. When the father realizes that his daughter's condition is getting worse, and that the girl he hit may or may not even exist, he returns to the small town where he had the accident, hoping to find answers.

Review

I just bought my Kindle Fire HD on yesterday and of course I had to check everything out, so I looked at some books in the bookstore. Small Town Evil turned out to be a pleasant find. The ebook is written by an independent author who has also written several other books including more fiction and nonfiction. As you read in the synopsis, the book is about a father and daughter who hit a little girl as they were returning home from vacation and the father sets out to find out more about the victim. This book is filled with suspense and it keeps you asking questions. I won't consider it horror because I find it hard for horror to be a hard genre for any author (unless you're Stefan King). It has the typical country setting, but it also has surprising twists. I do not recommend young readers to read this book because it has a lot of profanity and sexuality. ...it even deals with another serious subject that I do not want to say in this post. It is definitely geared towards adults. 

Small Town Evil does not stand alone. There is a second book in the series called Small Town Evil 2. Unfortunately, if you want to know what happens next, you have no choice but to buy the second book because the first book ends with the father asking a question to his daughter and you won't know the answer if you don't get the second book. Amazingly, the first book is only 99 cents and the second one is 99 cents as well in the Amazon bookstore. I think these books are a steal. The chapters are short, which is good for someone like me who has a short attention span. I did not find any grammar errors and misspellings in this book that I would normally find in books from independent authors, so I will recommend this book to anyone! I will be buying the second book and I will post a review of that one, too.

BookOutlet Order #1

I just received a package from bookoutlet.com containing six books for under $20 (including shipping) on yesterday. What a deal, right? Of course, it is! I received another order from bookoutlet before I received this order, but since I'm too excited about this one, I will post what I just got and add another post (#2) later for the previous order. 

                                   

Let's get to it, shall we? The six books I ordered can be seen on the second shelf on my bookshelf, but you need to know which! So, here's what I bought! 

1. Entwined by Heather Dixon

2. The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho

3. A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn

4. Adele: The Biography by Marc Shapiro

5. The Accidental Diva by Tia Williams

6. After by Francine Prose

I will go into detail about all six books once I've read them. I am currently reading The Devil and Miss Prym, so that will be the first book I will review from this order. I'm really excited about the books I bought. I don't think I will be disappointed with them because I think I bought interesting ones. We will see once I read them all and post the reviews. *bites nails* 

Book Review: The Mind Readers (Book 1)

The Mind Readers (Book 1)

Lori Brighton

Publisher: Lori Brighton (January 11, 2011)

Synopsis

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth …that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers. 

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life. (amazon.com)

Review

The Mind Readers is the first book in The Mind Readers series. Book 2 is called the Mind Thieves and Book 3, The Mind Games. All three books are available as an ebook or paperback and is geared towards the young adult (YA) audience (but individuals of any age can read it). The first book is now available for free in the Amazon ebook store. 

I've been on a paranormal, mystery binge for a while. I just finished reading Confessions of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom: Demons Are Forever that I did post a review for, so you can read that post if you are interested. My first impression of The Mind Thieves was a good one. I got through the whole book without any gripes other than there's a few grammatical and misspelled words, but since she released this book herself, I'm sure she did not have the funds for an editor and besides, it's something you have to get used to with independent authors. 

I loved the first book. It has moments where it's a little immature, but that's what you should expect from YA novels. However, it does not have a simple storyline. You have to finish reading the book for it to make sense to you. A lot of things aren't apparent in the beginning, but begin to unfold towards the end. As the title suggests, it's about a girl who can read minds (who has a grandmother who is also capable of reading minds) and soon she begins to fall in love with the new guy who moves into down. She leaves town with him and things start to happen. I don't want to give the whole story away! All in all, it's a good read and a page turner. 

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

Published: October 29, 2013

Pages: 382

Synopsis

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of peculiar photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction with photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its decaying bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that Miss Peregrine's children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. they may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow--impossible though it seems--they may still be alive.

Review

This book is one of the books I wanted to love. I think the concept is utterly genius. Ransom Riggs is awesome for thinking of something like this. The photos are amazing... the photos are absolutely amazing and I thought it was going to be horrific. I thought the book would be scary, but it isn't. This book has a mystery feel and very elementary in nature. I could not read more of this book because of the wording. It reads as if a teen wrote it and wasn't exactly schooled in proper English. There's a lot of jargon...urban lingo if you will. I've heard reviews of adults praising this book, but I cannot.

There is a second book in the series called, Hollow City. If Riggs compiled great photos in the second book as well, I would buy it just for the pictures and think about reading both of them later (maybe). I added some photos down below so you can see how super creepy and equally amazing they are!  These are only a few pictures I added to this post. There are so many in the book! If you would only buy this book just for the photos, it would be completely sane! They are Ah-MAZING! *goes to buy Hollow City...*

A contortionist!

Double reflection in the water

 A face painted on the back of a man's head

Book Review: Belong To Me

Belong To Me

Author: Marisa de los Santos

Published: March 17, 2009

Pages: 481

Synopsis

Cornelia Brown surprised herself when she was gripped by the sudden, inescapable desire to move with her husband to the suburbs. Her mettle is quickly tested by her impeccably dressed, overly judgmental neighbor Piper Truitt--the embodiment of everything Cornelia feared she'd find in suburbia. With Lake, another decent arrival, Cornelia shares her love of literature and old movies--as she forms an instant bond with this warm yet intrusive woman and her perceptive, brilliant young son, Dev. But there are shocking secrets and unexpected surprises lurking beneath the peaceful veneer of suburban life--and nothing is quite what it seems.

Review

I purchased this book from bookoutlet.com because I wanted to read more fiction. I wanted to love this book. I was so intrigued by the cover, but the pages say something totally different for me. I barely got through to the eighth chapter and I didn't finish. What I did not like about this book was there are too many different stories going on at once and it was hard to keep up with them all. You wonder who's talking.. who is narrating the chapters? Sometimes I thought Cornelia was talking. Other times I thought Piper was talking. This book is very confusing. You read about Cornelia's story... Piper's story... and Lake's story separately and sometimes they weave together and as a reader it can be confusing. You even read from the view of Piper's best friend and Dev's son. So confusing!!! What was I supposed to get while reading this book? Where's the climax?  If there was one or two stories within the main storyline, that would have been fine, but this is too much! I wish I could have finished the book. I wanted to love it, but I didn't. I'm sure I will give her books another try. I know she's written a few more. I will try to read another one after this experience, but I believe I won't get to it this year. Hopefully, I will! 

Book Review: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom

Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom:

Demons are Forever

Author: Julie Kenner

Published Date: July 3, 2007

Length: 292

Synopsis

It isn't easy when your daughter's learned that her mom's a Demon Hunter---and wants to grow up to be just like her.

Or when you suspect your dead husband used the forces of darkness to filch the body of another human. And your living husband has shifted into such a political overdrive that he doesn't seem to be the man you married.

Moreover, Kate Connor has acquired a precious---but deadly---item that every demon within the community distance is seething to get a hold of. With husband woes wreaking havoc on her emotions, an ambitious teenage protege at her heels, and hell to pay, this stay-at-home mom's putting in a lot of overtime...

Review

When I first saw it on the shelf in a local Dollar Tree, I was taken aback by the cover (I thought it was a bubbly teen read because of the bright colors and liberal font. There's even a school bus on the cover!), but I'm glad I bought it. Just recently found that it is book three of a series, but the opening chapter did not give me a clue. She introduced herself as if it was the first book of the series or if it was a stand alone novel. 

I enjoyed this book. The lead character Kate is a stay at home mom during the day and a demon hunter by night. She has to keep her demon fighting, post retirement adventures from her family and the rest of the world. However, she does have a close friend she often spills her guts with. If being a demon hunting mom isn't enough, she is in a love triangle with her current husband and her dead husband (you will get this when if you decide to read the book). Soon, Kate has to tell her daughter about her double life and her daughter becomes her helper in the battle between her and demons... something about a ring (read the book!)....... that has every demon in town threatening to kill her and her family... interesting read. I was thinking that some characters (mainly the characters who lived with her) were plotting to kill her! Or they were in on the whole debacle. 

I did not like the ending. I wanted her daughter to do more... I wanted to know more about her father.. I wanted to know if Kate's (breathing) husband ever found out about her demon hunting abilities... I want to know what happens to Kate and her dead husband's relationship after the book ends. I want to know so many things! I even want to go and buy the first two books to figure out how all of this started (but it would be totally okay if I didn't. All of the characters involved are described, but I can't help but wonder what the first two books hold). Good read! I will post the link at the bottom of this review if you are interested in reading it. You won't be disappointed! 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Are-Forever-Confessions-Demon-Hunting/dp/B0017HZ0WI#

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Published: Jan. 10, 2012 

Pages: 336

Synopsis

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal. her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at the Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars brilliantly explores the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. (Apple iBooks)

Review

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I cannot believe I did not hear about this book when it first released! I guess two years later is not so bad. :)  I first heard of this book through fellow book lovers on the internet. Little did I know the movie will be available soon for the whole world to view. The book is geared towards young adult readers, but anyone can enjoy it. It is a beautiful love story between two teens who are going through the cycles of having cancer. There is a lot of humor and of course sad moments throughout the book, but anyone who reads this book would enjoy it. I wish I could say more but I don't want to spoil the book for those who want to read it.

A movie has been in the works for a while and it opened in theaters across America on June 6th (yesterday). As soon as I see the movie, I will right a review about it and somehow tie it into the book. I wish they tried to keep the movie as true to the book as possible and I hop I won't be disappointed. I strongly recommend reading the book before the seeing the movie (if you're interested in the seeing the movies) because movies that are based on novels have been known to leave a lot of things out that made the book an interesting read.

Overall, it is a lovely book and I think I will read it again... I'll definitely read it again. I actually download the book from iBooks thinking it was another hyped YA novel, but it was not! It lived up to the hype. If you are a huge fan of this book, there is a collector's edition I came across in Barnes and Noble last weekend, so go pick it up if you like silver dust jackets. ..it almost looks platinum. ...eye catching. Go see the movie! (If you've read the book, of course).