BOOK REVIEW: Playing with Fire by Cynthia Eden

Playing with Fire by Cynthia Eden

I received this book through a book subscription I subscribe to called Risqué Reads. I signed up through CrateJoy and so far I really like it. Of the four books I've gotten so far this is the second one I've read.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much that when I realized it was the third book of a series I went online and bought the other two. I haven't read the other two but I don't feel like you would need to in order to read this one. It obviously would give you a little back story on a few of the characters but I really feel like those characters don't play a big enough role for it to matter if you read them out of order.

This book has vampires, sirens, werewolves, and mad scientists. Cassie, the main character, is the subject of some horrible experiments her father put her through and also the witness to other horrible experiments her father put others through. She's determined to make right all of his wrongs. I thought that this book was very well written and that the plot flowed beautifully. Because this book was sent to me from an Erotic book subscription I imagined there would have been more sex in this book, however; I really felt like if they had added anymore it would have ruined the story... and I'm a sucker for a good story... especially fantasy!

You won't be disappointed in this read.
 

BOOK REVIEW: Darkest Fire by Tawny Taylor

Darkest Fire by Tawny Taylor

I received this book as part of book subscription called Risqué Reads which I signed up for through CrateJoy. It's an awesome box to get monthly. They send you two books of your chose (Erotic Romance, Fantasy, or Obedience). This book came from a Fantasy box.

I enjoyed reading this book but it by far is not a favorite of mine. Throughout the whole book the main characters were trying to hide a "secret" but you never find out what that secret is. A bad guy is talked about and then another bad guy is introduced and there's just one small sentence that if you didn't catch it you wouldn't know that the original bad guy was already dead ages ago and that this new bad guy (who was a family member) is kind of a twist. I spent a lot of the book wondering WHAT the main character Drako and his brothers were... as in... were they shape shifters? At one point the family member bad guy refers to them as Dragon, Lion and Eagle.. their names were Drako, Malek and Talen so it would make sense if they were some kind of shape shifter. THEN, right at the end of the book Drako, the main male character, all of a sudden has a super power that it appears he didn't know about and that seemed kind of thrown in.

If you were reading this book just for the sex scenes I think you'd be satisfied. They are all dom/sub scenes and while I'm not into that I would assume they are written close to how things go. If not... I guess they are written how someone who doesn't know THINKS they would go.


 

BOOK REVIEW: Ask Me Why I Hurt by Randy Christensen MD with Rene Denfeld

Ask Me Why I Hurt by Randy Christensen, MD with Rene Denfeld

This book has been in my TBR pile for quite some time. I don't recall how the book was recommended to me but I'm glad that I got the name, where-ever, I got it from.

This is a memoir written by an amazing doctor by the name of Randy Christensen, or as in the book and known to the kids, "Dr. Randy". It's not often that you hear a story from a doctors point of view. This books goes into great depth about the homeless children epidemic in Arizona. Dr. Randy drive the "big blue" bus that parks in various places around Arizona and offer free medical assistance to children who are homeless or otherwise can't afford it. The stories of the children he meets tug at your heart strings for sure. SPOILER ALERT: The stories are also quite eye opening... especially the part about the coach roach found in their ears!

If you have any interest in the medical field and/or the type of medical situations you'd see in the homeless than this would be a good book for you. Actually, I think it would be a good book for anyone. It definitely is a page turner and also an eye opener if you aren't aware of the hardships of the homeless.

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliott

The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliot

I've had this book in my TBR pile for quite some time. I don't recall where I got the name or how it was recommended to me.

The Little Prisoner is a very disturbing (true story) tale of one woman's years of abuse at the hand of her stepfather. While I've read plenty of books about abuse this one was really disturbing as not only did she suffer sexual abuse but severe mental abuse as well. Her telling of her story does a really good job of showing people why someone who has come of age still ends up continuing to get abused. I feel like a lot of people who haven't been abused in their life wonder why... why didn't she turn him in, why did she continue to let him abuse her in the way he was. This also acts as a tale of strength as she endures this abuse and how she rises above. Despite the book being hard to read (difficult subject matter) it was excellently written.

PSA:If you were abused as a child, sexually or mentally, than this book may trigger some bad feelings for you.
 

BOOK REVIEW: The Circle by Dave Eggers

The Circle by Dave Eggers

I went to see the movie Split with a friend of mine and one of the trailers that played before hand was for The Circle. I already owned the book but hadn't taken the time to dig into it yet. The trailer made the movie look like a scary movie so I was anxious to get the book read before the movie released so I could see it in theatres.

The Circle is the name of the worlds most power internet company and Mae, the main character has just gotten hired on as an employee. I was trying to think of a way to explain this book without giving away anything that might be considered a spoiler... and all I really feel I can say is that you are basically following Mae and her employment with this company and learning about it as she learns about it. This company made me kind of think of Amazon... its basically taking over the world.

I can tell you that after watching the trailer and then reading the book it is definitely not a scary book. Well, let me take that back... if you are someone with conspiracy theories and are afraid of a totalitarian society than this might be scary for you... but not scary in the way that first trailer made it look. Not scary as in a thriller. The book moved pretty quick for me and definitely held my attention. The ending, however; was extremely lame. It didn't end how I thought it would... and it just kind of ended in a hurry like the author was tired of writing the book. Endings like that annoy me... you get so invested in the story and the characters and then it's just over. Lame.

Anyways, I think it's worth a read. I haven't seen the movie yet.. actually not sure I even want to see it in theatre's now. I'll probably wait until it comes out in video and then just rent it for the sole purpose of comparing the book to the movie.
 

BOOK REVIEW: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

I received this book as part of a book subscription called Fandom Adventures which I signed up through CrateJoy. It's an awesome box to get monthly and this book was amazing.

What if everything you ever knew about Medusa (you know, the one with the snakes on her head) was wrong? This story leads you down a path of learning who Medusa was before she became a "monster", what her life was like while she was a "monster" and then what her life was like after she no longer was this "monster". It put such an interesting twist on the Greek Mythologies stories I'm sure you're used to. This book really gets down to the nitty gritty in how Medusa feels about life and of course it's not short of any awesome characters. Hermes, Hades, Persephone... Athena, Zeus... Death.. they are all touched on.

If you're into Greek Mythology and want a different take on Medusa and even all of the other Gods than I would recommend you read this book. I loved it! I wish there was a sequel.

BOOK REVIEW: God on a Harley by Joan Brady

God on a Harley by Joan Brady

I was given this book for my birthday from my Mom. A friend of hers that lives down in Texas recommend it. She advised that when she got divorced this book really helped her. While I've been divorced for almost 10 years and don't really need help in that area anymore... I do have to admit that I think this book would help ANYONE in ANY situation.

We learn the main character is Christine and she's suffered a horrible heartbreak in the first few pages of the book. The heartbreak was not fresh but as we come to find out (and she runs into the heartthrob) it's a lot fresher than she thought and hoped. This book takes you through Christine's relationship with God and how she comes to find herself again. How she's able to take back her life and build a new relationship with herself and God.  At one point in the book she has an angry conversation with God and asks him many questions on why the world is the way it is. These are questions I often find myself asking and it made the conversation she has with him very real in my eyes.

I'm not a super religious person so for those of you who are not as well don't be scared off by the title or the fact that Christine is renewing her relationship with God. There's other things that you can take from this book that you could use in your own life if you're struggling to find where you fit in and what's working and not working. This is a fairly quick read, I got through it in one afternoon. Check it out. I don't think you'll be sorry.
 

BOOK REVIEW: How One Attempts to Chase Gravity by Nicole Campbell

How One Attempts to Chase Gravity by Nicole Campbell

This is book two of a three part series (three part yes but 4 books total) and its the end of the love story between the main characters you've come to know and love from books one and one and half talked about here and here.  This whole story of Courtney and Ethan is so relatable. Anyone whose every been in love will be able to relate to the heartbreak, the tears, the happiness, and every other emotion you have when you're in love. This particular book made my heart swoon. I won't give away why but lets just say I said "awwwwww" really loud at home by myself and was forced to explain to my three dogs (who were now looking at me like I was crazy) what was going on in the book. They approved of course and agreed right along with me on the "awwwwww." I know you won't regret reading this series. I almost wish that these characters were real people and I could meet them. What a fascinating thought. Anyways, READ these books. You won't be sorry.
 

BOOK REVIEW: What Comes of Breaking Promises and Guitar Strings by Nicole Campbell

Breaking Promises and Guitar String by Nicole Campbell

 

 

This is book one and a half of this three book series (actually 4) and its written from Ethan's side. This mirrors the first book in the series which I talk about here.  Instead of hearing what's only going on with Courtney's side of things, you hear about what going with Ethan and what he's been dealing with. It's pretty amazing I have to say to read a book from one point of view and then basically read the same book but from a different angle is pretty amazing. I really felt like I was just one of the gang in the first book but now knowing what was going on in both the main characters lives and heads apart from each other, puts a whole new spin on things. If you read the first one you HAVE to read the rest! You won't be sorry!

 

BOOK REVIEW: What Comes of Eating Doughnuts with a Boy Who Plays Guitar by Nicole Campbell

What Comes of Eating Doughnuts with a Boy Who Plays Guitar by Nicole Campbell

I got this book as part of a subscription service called Literary Vacation Club. It was my first "box" from them and I was very excited to read the book they chose.

This book was amazing. So amazing I went on Amazon after I finished it in two sittings and ordered Nicole Campbell's other three books that go with this one. The story is about a young girl named Courtney and her first love. The story is written in a way where you kind of feel like you're one of the gang. Courtney and her best friend Vanessa are so relateable and who doesn't love a good story about your first love. The book made me blush, cry, laugh, and pull out my 'ol yearbook to look back on my first love.

This is quick read and will definitely get your feels going. I recommend to anyone.

BOOK REVIEW: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

I loved this book. I don't recall who recommended it or what list of books I nabbed it off but I'm glad that I did.

The story line is that of Lucky Linderman who is getting bullied by Nadar McMillian. Lucky is having problems at school with a project he started for one of his classes that revolved around how you'd kill yourself. Cause his parents and school counsleors to consider him "at risk". He has problems at home with a father who doesn't know how to be a father and is very absent in his life and a mother who just goes along with it all. Lucky escapes in his dreams to the jungle during the Vietnam War and has full on conversations with the Grandfather he's never met who is a POW/MIA. During all of this he manages to grow up and come to peace with his life and finds himself able to stand up to his bully.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a fairly quick read but very well written and something I feel everyone could relate to.

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I received this book from a good friend of mine the other day and I couldn't be happier with it. The story is told from the dogs point of view. So many books I've read in my life time and only a few that come from an animals point of view. 

Enzo's (the dog) health is declining and in the bringing you learn its the eve of his death. While this might down like a super downer to start with, trust me, it's not. Enzo continues on to tell you his life (ultimately his masters as well) story. He takes you through being plucked out of a group of other puppies right up until the end of his life. You learn about his master Denny and his love of racing cars, which in turn Enzo develops a love for this as well. Denny's wife Eve and what it was like when they first met and how Enzo felt about her intruding in on their bachelor pad. He goes through Denny and Eve's wedding, her pregnancy, their child Zoe and both Eve and Denny's parents. Denny and Eve go through a lot with Eve being sick and then in turn Denny goes through a lot with her parents due to a custody battle. Without giving away all the major points of the book... its a very touching story. 

I currently have a dog who was diagnosed with Lymphoma and I imagine some of the things that Enzo says and feel, are things that she feels as well. The one thing that Enzo doesn't want to have to do is have his master HAVE to hurt him intentionally (put him down due to illness) and that is the one thing I hope and pray for my Bitty. 

I'm sure my description of this book really does it no justice as there is so much more emotion and passion involved in Garth Stein's writing... just know:

I laughed. I cried. I cried some more. I loved this book.

This is another book that I found as a trailer for it. Seriously.. why do all books not have this. (All though, the last trailer I found did a much better job making me interested in the book)

The Art of Racing in the Rain (A Trailer)

I found this trailer too which I think did a much better job of getting me excited about the book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain (A Trailer) #2

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

This was a really cute story. It was written in prose as if the three girls the book is about are writing the stories personally. It was a very quick read, couple of hours tops. Having gone through what these girls did in high school I was really able to relate to the story. I almost could add myself as another chapter.

The topic of the book was a boy in high school who is a jerk, basically. You know the type, the drop dead gorgeous football player that you feel would never be interested in you and all of  sudden he is? The book covers love, heartbreak, kissing, sex pressure, prude and slut. I wish I could have read a book like this before I went through high school. Would have made me a little more aware of what I'd be running into. Granted not all guys are like the guy in this book, but they are hard to pinpoint and if you aren't already aware that someone like this does and can exist.. you can get caught up in the trap.

I think every girl should read this before entering high school. 

My First Envelope from PIPSTICKS

My First Envelope from PIPSTICKS

Stickers in the mail once a month? WHAT?! Sounds amazing right? After much deliberation (okay like, 2 seconds) I decided I was going to try it out. I LOVE STICKERS!

I got my first envelope in the mail today and it was kind of funny actually. I completely forgot that I had signed up so it was a super awesome suprise today.

It was decorated and wrapped fantastically.

FRONT

BACK

After I greedily tore open the envelope and dumped the treasures out:

First I couldn't believe how many stickers were included and second I didn't realize that they sent OTHER things than just stickers. It was a pleasant surprise.

Stickers:

My favorite stickers by far are the pink flamingos and the unicorn. In the top photo of pictures there is a ticket with a star on it. By being a subscription member I am entered in a drawing this month to win a pink typewriter! A PINK TYPEWRITER! My fingers and toes are crossed.

The something extra (postcard & quote card):

FRONT

 BACK

And lastly there was a newsletter included that informed me of my chance to win the pink typewriter, a photo of said pink typewriter.

I don't remember what I paid for this but when I look up the subscriptions online it looks like I paid about $14.95. I think it was worth it for a envelope full of stickers, a postcard, and a quote card. I'm doing it again next month for sure!

BOOK REVIEW: Letters from the Loony Bin by Thatcher C Nalley

Letters from the Loony Bin by Thatcher C Nalley

First off let me say that I read this book thinking that these were actual letters, written by actual patients, and that this whole story was true. Come to find out when I went to do a little research to find more of the back story that it wasn't true at all. So that should give you an indication on what kind of read it was. It felt real.

This is a book of 13 letters written by patients of an insane aslyum called Emerson Rose. The letters describe why the patients were admitted, how they felt about it, and what part they were playing in the "escape". If I had to say anything negitive about the book it would be that it just kinds of ends abruptley. I hope that author is planning a sequel.

On a side note... why don't all books have trailers. Is this not amazing?

Letters From The Looney Bin (Book Trailer)

BOOK REVIEW: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

I've had this book on my 'to read' list for quite some time. I'm not sure where I saw it advertised but I was really anxious to get my nose into it. I was a little disappointed as first as it took me a very long time to get through the first half of the book. I don't normally hang on so long when a book is slow for me but for some reason I did with this one. Once I got to Part 2 however everything changed. I couldn't put the book down and everything that confused me in the beginning, began to make sense.

Code Name Verity is set during World War II (FYI: This is a work of fiction) and it follows the story line of two women. Maddie who is a pilot and Julie who is a spy. They go on a mission to France (who is occupied by Germany at this point) and things go terribly wrong. Julie is captured and held prisoner by the gestapo and forced to document everything she knows about the war effort in lou for her life, Maddie on the other hand is in hiding hoping to reconnect with her best friend. This is a story of best friends.

While I do admit part 1 is pretty slow... STICK WITH IT! I promise you will not be sorry when you finish the book. 

BOOK REVIEW: Shadow of the Titanic: The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived

Shadow of the Titanic: The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived by Andrew Wilson

I've had this book on my "to read" list for quite some time and a random Saturday trip to the library had me walking away with a copy to finally read. 

This book was amazing! I've read other stories about the Titanic but they've always been about the sinking of the ship itself and the people who died on that frightful 1912 night. While I do realize that is the important part of the whole event this book actually focuses on those who survived and what their life was like after the sinking of the ship. I was amazed at some of the lives these people lead after the sinking of the ship. Some obviously couldn't handle the the enormity of it all and ended their lives, others lived as the walking dead, some ended up having very successful lives, while others ended up in loony bins. I never gave much thought to those who survived before and since the majority of them were women and children and the time period they were from what that meant. In 1912 not a lot of women held their own finances and to lose their husband in the sinking of the ship meant more than just losing a loved one. There was also a lot of talk of the honor that someone deemed as a husband/father/brother getting the women and children in to the life boats first and not joining them. There isn't that required kind of chivalry anymore in this day and age so that put an interesting spin on it for me. Something else I found incredibly interesting is the amount of things some of these people brought on the ship with them. Since there are account from survivors you hear about the things that they lost in the ship from fancy dresses to multiple pearl necklaces.

I couldn't put this book down. I recommend this to anyone interested in the Titanic and really anyone interested in a good read. If you've read other books about the Titanic and the sinking of the ship I can guarantee this will be like no other.

My First Challenge Box

My First Challenge Box

Scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed one day I came across an ad for The Challenge Box. Per their website The Challenge Box mission is:

1. Use data to help people live longer and healthier lifestyles.
2. To deliver a challenge every month that inspires people to take the next step.
3. Create products that give people confidence they can set any goal large or small, and achieve it.

So that's all great but what is it I'm sure you're asking, right? The Challenge Box is a monthly subscription box that you get in the mail with challenges for you to complete in the month to help in your goals to lose weight. Each month it includes a personalized workout plan, workout gear, and snacks to help you reach your exercise goals. It works in tandem with the Fitbit that I'm slightly obsessed with these days so I figured, what the heck lets give it a whirl!

I signed up June 30, 2016 and was asked if I wanted my first box to be July or August. I was anxious to get started so I chose July thinking I would get the box in the next week or so. I just got the box today (July 20th) and was disappointed it took so long. I realize that I signed up the last day of June so I decided to give the whole subscription some slack and not think to harshly of it.

My personalized workout plan was given to me via their website and based off a series of questions I answered when I signed up. Questions like, how active do I like my exercises, how often do I work out, etc etc. This month my exercises were a Seated Row, Standing Bicep Curl, and Seated Abdominal Twist. The workout plan came with pictures and explanations and how often to do each workout in order to work toward my goal of losing weight. It's pretty tits.

The part of this that I think is fun is the challenge part. You get points for completely things in the challenge. For example, I get 5 points if I achieve 10,000 steps on at least 15 days this month (tracked via my Fitbit). Each month you can earn up to 100 challenge points and for each 100 points I'll get a reward in my next monthly box! Sweet right?

I kind of think July is awash cause I was patiently waiting for my Challenge Box to come before starting and now here we are at the end of the month already. So for August I'm really going to hit it hard and see if I can't complete all the challenges!

Here is what my first July box looked like:

Woohoo, a package for me!

Very nicely packaged.

Welcome page explaining the challenge points (These are also found in more detail under your account on their website)

SNACKS! Because I have no self control I ate these right away. (It was at least lunch time) These were amazing. So amazing I think I need to find where they sell these and buy more. My flavor was KETTLE, which is amazing cause Kettle Corn from the fair is my favorite. According to the back of the bag though they also have BUTTER, SEA SALT, WHITE CHEDDAR, CHEESY JALAPENO and SWEET CHILI. Being someone who watches calories I didnt think this was too bad (140) for a snack.

A soft case bag with straps to hold all my goodies. This bag is actually fairly big so it would be great for a gym bag... if I went to the gym. :)

MORE SNACKS! Okay, so also cause I have no self control I ate the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bar... this was amazing, but had a lot of calories (200) for a snack. I took a bite of the coffee bar and tossed it. I'm sure it's super good, but coffee flavor just isn't my bag. Plus I was already drinking Cocoa Cola today so I'm not sure how much caffeine my system really needs. The last one I threw in the cupboard to try later having decided that eating in full two of the four snacks was probably enough.

Motivational Poster. This was just a printed out motivational saying on a piece of glossy paper, but I taped it to the door in my office aways. 

Exercise gear! This is one of those thingys that you put underneath your feet and then stretch your arms out and stuff. In my personalized exercise plan they were using one like this for the bicep curls. I've never had one of these and am excited I now do so I can test out some of these July exercises.

Overall I think that this box had some cool things in it. Was it worth the $36.98 I paid for it... I don't know about that, but I'll give it a couple of more months before I terminate my plan.

Wanna try it? Get your Challenge Box here.

And that's a wrap.

**UPDATE** - So apparently when I signed up for this I didn't sign up for a reoccurring plan, just a one month type deal. I signed up again to get the August box and I guess I was too late. I emailed someone who said that they would have one sent out special since I didn't realize I wasn't on reoccurring.. yeah it's Sept 6 and I still haven't gotten it... not to mention if they weren't sending August, I had already paid so they should be sending Sept... it's the 6th already and I haven't gotten it yet. I would think that if you are going to have a box that challenges you to do things for the month that you should get it by the 1st, if not shortly before to prepare and be ready. I had a horrible time with customer service and the one box I did get really wasn't worth all this hassle. Now I need to decide if I ask for my Sept box money back...or just wait to see if I ever get it. My new opinion thus far... don't waste your time or money.

BOOK REVIEW: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning (an Introduction to Logotherapy) by Viktor E. Frankl

The current Pokemon craze landed me at the library last Saturday. Not only to catch some Pokemon I didn't already have but also to check out the local library as I hadn't done so yet since moving here. I carry a list around with me of books I'd like to read in case I ever find my self at a sale. I don't remember where I came across this book and decided to add it to my "books to read" list but our little local library in Princeton Minnesota had it!

Man's Search for Meaning is a memoir of Psychiatrist Viktor E Frankl's time in a Nazi death camp between the years 1942 and 1945. In this book, he doesn't go into great detail of what happened to him but instead talks about the psychology of it all. He writes "suffering is inevitable and that avoiding suffering is futile." So in other words one should make meaning of their suffering instead of surrendering to it. Frankl walks you through each step of the psyche while being in a concentration camp and what your thoughts in turn meant for you at that time.

While this book is of the depressing nature, Frankl is very inspirational.  He was able to find meaning to every aspect of the horrid things he endured while in Auschwitz and other concentration camps he was a prisoner in.

I was hoping that this book would be more of a memoir than it was so I was a little disappointed in that fact. This would have been a good book to read for a psychology class in college.

BOOK REVIEW: Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

I found Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen to be a fairly quick read. Great for a flight or day out on the beach. It was a bit on the silly side with some dark humor. I think that was the whole intent of the book so that's okay. This book kept my interest throughout and kept me guessing on what was going to happen next.

Joey is thrown from a cruise ship by her husband Chaz on their anniversary. Instead of dying, as Chaz had intended, however; she survived the fall and made it to shore with the help of a floating marijuana bale and the assistance of Mick, an ex-cop. Joey than makes it her live mission to screw with Chaz and make him wish he never laid eyes on her.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fast paced, fun, humorous book to read. I really enjoyed it.