Saturday, March 25, 2017

Ashes to Ashes Book Review


"Don't Go to school November 1st"
Ashes to Ashes by Valerie Thomas.


   Natalie is a normal teenage girl living in a gated community when an altercation between her brother and a strange boy named Zach, leads her to meet a pink haired Girl named Love. Love is a smooth talker who can convince Zach to not try and stab Ben, Natalie's brother and who can talk her way out of anything. She can also be a common link to a string of Suicides happening at Emerson High School and Natalie is bound and determined to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile Natalie begins dating a boy named Evan, who in my opinion seems a bit too good to be true, but after tragedy strikes him close to home he too is on the hunt to get to Love or to get rid of Love. What we find out is that Love is hiding a big secret. One that contains magic and something that could change the lives of Natalie, Ben, Evan and herself. Its a race against time to find out why people are dying, and why November 1st is such a feared date. This story combines a dark mystery, with a bit of romance, some untimely deaths and magic.

   I absolutely loved this book!! I found it so easy to read and so quick. The characters were complex, but no much so that they were unrelatable. This was the first, I guess Mystery, I have read in a really long time and I found myself wanting to find more clues and figure out who was the real "bad guy". The plot twists were timed well and whenever they hit I was left with excitement to turn the page.

   I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars! The only issue I had with it was that the biggest plot twist left me a bit confused, I think it was because I was so focused on finishing it that I began to read too fast. It was a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it!

Friday, March 17, 2017

Harry Potter Spells Tag




Hey readers! I had a few chunk of time this evening and wanted to do a fun book tag! I came upon this awesome blog @dreamlandbookblog.wordpress.com and I had to do one of my own! So lets get into it!

Flagrate, Writing Charm: a book you found interesting but would like to rewrite?
Funnily enough the first title I chose was a Harry Potter book. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was very disappointing to me. While I love the story overall, I would rewrite it in a way that didn't seem so... "half-assed" for lack of a better word. To me it felt like this book was so rushed and the chapters that were filler chapters really read that way.

Alohomora, Unlocking Charm: First book in a series that got you hooked?
I adore The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I remember being a sophomore in high school, this was before I read Harry Potter, and there was a book fair in our library. The cover of this book intrigued me and a friend, so we bought them and were so enveloped in the sadness and quirkiness of the story. I am still plugging away at this series and I am currently on book 9!

Accio, Summoning Spell: Book that you wish you could have right now?
Oh my gosh friends, I am beyond excited for this release. It comes out the day before my wedding anniversary! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!!

Avada Kadavra, Killing Curse: A killer book?
This was such a surprising read. It mixes magic, romance, lust and the devil all in one book. It was one that I took off my self with no expectations (I was in a reading slump) and after chapter 1 I could not put it down!

Confundo,Confusion Charm: Book you found confusing?
I was greatly disappointed with this book and I kept finding myself having to go back and re-read chapters because I was so lost. Once I saw the movie it all began to make sense!

Expecto Patronum, Guarding Spell: Spirit animal book?
Oh my gosh you guys (and gals) this book was amazing! I was so in love with the blend of history and fiction, of magic and heartache, of witches and of ghosts. Adriana Mather is truly a spectacular writer.

Sectumsempra, Dark Curse: A dark, twisted book.
I don't have a picture nor a book for this spell... I tend to put books down if they are too dark for me :(

Expecto Patronum (2) Guarding Spell: A childhood book connected to good memories.
This fricken book. I had it memorized. it makes me remember good times with both my mama and dad!!!!

Expelliarmus, Disarming Spell: A book that took you by surprise.
I don't know how many of you have tried Ellen Hopkins, prose style books but she is a great writer. All of her books are about social issues and this one in particular was such a roller coaster of twists and turns and left my jaw on the floor for a majority of the book! *disclaimer* while her books are amazing they are not for the faint of heart, some of her themes include Abuse, drug addiction, and mental illness.


Prior Incantato, Reverse Spell: The last book you read.
I just finished this book and you can see my review on it, on here as well but this was not my favorite...

Riddikulus, Boggart Banishing Spell: A funny book you have read.
I read this book, this time last year and actually just listened to the audiobook with my husband and oh my gosh I found myself giggling at least once a chapter, especially at the Grandma character!!!

Sonorus, Amplifying Charm: A book you think everybody should know about.
Normally I would say To Kill a Mockingbird but for the sake of mixing it up I had to chose The Cure for Dreaming. This book deals with conversion therapy by hypnosis during the time of the American Suffragettes. It combines a very important piece of history, along with hypnosis and a strong willed women. I recommended it to my mama and she read it in a day and said it was so amazing!

Obliviate, Memory Charm: A book or spoiler you would like to forget having read.
This frickin book. By the end of chapter one I felt so awful and disgusted with it that I threw it away at work. Never have I ever been so sickened by a book...

Imperio, Controlling Curse: A book you had to read for school.
This book changed my life in more ways than one. I loved every aspect of it. I wish that more people would give this book a shot, not because they have to but because it is so beautiful and so well written. I cannot talk about this book enough!!!

Crucio, Torture Curse: A book that was painful to read.
This book made it into my DNF pile. I am so in love with the story (and Logan Lerman's portrayal of Charlie) but the book was so hard to get through. Charlie is a very sheltered and quiet almost childlike teenager and when I was reading it I felt like I was listening to a 7 year old telling the story and not a 14 year old freshman.

That wraps up this super fun tag! If you see any tags that you want myself or Ashley, or both of us to post on please send us a comment down below!

















Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Caraval book review

Hi friends. I just finished reading Caraval by Stephanie Garber and wanted to do a review, so lets get into it.

A Brief Synopsis: two sisters Scarlet and Donatella want to escape their abusive father and go to play the ultimate game Caraval. Caraval is led by a mysterious man named Legend. Each game is creative and unique and there is always only one winner. Scarlett and Donatella get their chance! After years of writing to Legend, their wildest dreams of playing the game comes true...or does it?

The book is broken up into the days spent on the Isle playing Caraval. Its made up of 5 day that include lust, riddles, clues, suspense and a love between sisters that can be unbroken.

My opinion... I really disliked this book! Maybe its because all I have heard is people raving about it and my expectations were not met? Maybe its not my kind of story, I don't know. I hated the characters, I found Scarlett to be so dramatic and over the top. I found Donatella to be selfish and annoying. I think that the concept of the story is one that has never been done and that it why I was so intrigued by it. By the halfway point I found myself, forcing myself to finish it. By the end I was so dissatisfied with the overall execution that the ending was nothing short of a disappointment.

*quick disclaimer* many of you will disagree with this review, I know that so be kind in my comments please!

The silver lining is that I did appreciate the immense love the sisters had for one another. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers so I know that love of doing anything for your sibling. I found that to be very heartwarming and sweet and it made me miss my siblings.

Overall I give it 🌟🌟 two out of 5 stars.

Check back for more reviews

Monday, March 6, 2017

30 day blog challenge day 22

Hi readers! Hope all of you are doing well today! I have been busy since 6:30 am. I had my tax appointment, on top of midterm prep and school work and in an hour I am heading over to my parents house for dinner! Then back on the road tomorrow. With that said tomorrow will be a later posting as I will be driving back up to my house!

Day 22: Book that makes you cry?
I cry at a lot of books but I can remember sobbing at A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. I went and saw the movie before I read the book. After seeing the movie I decided to rent the book from my school library. I didn't read it. Then one day I "was sick" and stayed home from school. I think karma kicked in because the power was out all day that day, so I put fresh batteries into my discman (yes I said discman) and decided to read. Once I got a few chapters into the book I found myself wanting to see what happened next. Mind you I still was not a big reader at this time. within 7 hours I finished the whole book and was a weeping mess. I had never read a book that made my heart hurt until that day. Now, every once in awhile I will pick up this book and revisit all the emotions that go with it, and I still cry every time!

We only have 8 days left. Almost finished, don't quit on me now!

Sunday, March 5, 2017

30 day book challenge day 21

Hi friends! We are 3 weeks in now!!!! So lets get into it!
Day 21: first novel you remember reading. For me that is Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary. It was the shortest AR book I could find and every night for 1 hour I read the book in hopes that I would finish fast and test it with a good grade. Oh the life of a former book hater right!!!

Saturday, March 4, 2017

30 day book challenge day 20

Hi everyone! Hope all of you are well today! I am having a tough day with my math review for my midterm... oh math, its my nemesis!!! We are on day 20 which means that we only have 10 days left of this challenge! That has gone quick!!

Day 20: Favorite Romance Novel
This is the 5th (or technically the 6th) book in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole. This is Cadeon is a Rage Demon who falls for a Math Teacher named Holly! This was by far the best book in the series. It is my sister Jamie's favorite in this series as well as mine! Their story is fast, furious and full of passion. I have recommended this series up and down. So seriously... GO READ IT!

Friday, March 3, 2017

30 day blog challenge day 19

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are well today! Its again, pretty gorgeous here in California however I just received a alert on my phone via weather channel that we have a chance of snow this Monday :( I hate the snow!! Thank goodness for a husband who drives for a living and drives well in snow right!?! Also I started a new practice of utilizing and color coding my planner and writing down literally everything I need/want to do during my day! I just started today and I am hooked! On this list was to do this post so lets get into it!

Day 19: Favorite book turned into a movie!
Okay so all of you know me pretty well by now to know that I LOVE movies!! This was a super hard one to choose but I feel confident in choosing...


I love this movie! I am about halfway through the book and I am loving it just as much. First off let me just say the "Skeeta" is such a force. She has a voice that captivates you. Her idea of writing a book from the point of view of The Help is extremely creative and brave. Hearing the stories of Abi and Minnie is heartbreaking with moments of extreme hilarity. I find this to be one of the most beautiful stories ever and such a refreshing change of pace in a literary would of vampires that sparkle and girls on trains.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

30 day blog challenge day 18

Hi friends! Now that I am back on track I hope that all of you are having a great day wherever you are! Its beautiful in California today. Sunny and warm. Who is ready for summer?? THIS GIRL!!!!

Day 18: Book that disappointed you
So I freakin love this story. I also adore the movie. However... the book left me with a headache. While Anne Rice is a beautiful writer I do not think that she is for me. Her ideas are one in a million but I seem to get wrapped up in understanding her overly wordy descriptions rather than enjoying the story itself. I actually did not even finish this book as I couldn't get past the exceptionally wordy work. Any tips for reading her stories?

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

30 day book challenge day 17

Day 17: favorite quote from your favorite book!!!!!!!!
I already showcased this quote but I adore it. I think its just so endearing.

30 day blog challenge day 16

Day 16: favorite female character...

I chose Hanna Marin from Pretty Little Liars. I absolutely love Hanna. I think the is sassy and a protector of those she loves and although trouble always finds her she has a heart of gold and rises to the occasion when faced with challenges. I also adore Ashley Benson and think that she was the perfect choice for Hanna! She has that All American girl look with her added edge and a warriors spirit.

Ok next post is up to date, see you for day 17!!!

30 day book challenge day 15

Day 15, Favorite Male Character!! I am beyond excited for this one!!!





ATTICUS FINCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So as some of you know I come from a single parent home. I grew up with my mama and she is amazing. She never talked of a book or a man the way she talked about Atticus. When I was assigned it in high school I found a father in Atticus. I was so entranced by the man that he was. He was admirable and strong and came off very formal however the love that he had for Jem and Scout was undeniable. I loved how he was a simple man, living alone with his children (as a single parent, like my mama). Everything he did was for the good of human kind. Oh gosh I could go on and on about this man. The movie as well is a staple in my collection and no actor could have made Atticus what he was, other than the AMAZING Gregory Peck. I love Atticus so much that I have the quote above tattooed on me and I plan on giving my song (when and if I have one) Atticus as a middle name.!

30 day blog challenge day 14

Hi friends! I am playing catch up on this challenge and if you saw my last post you saw that I am so sorry I'm behind. I didn't bring my laptop with me when I went home to visit family and I got behind on a bunch of homework. Now that I am caught up lets get into it!

Day 14 book turned movie and completely desecrated...
I have to say that I haven't had this problem... I am such a movie fan that 9/10 times I watch the movie first and then read the book and its fine. Yes, things get left out but overall I am usually happy with both and I honestly cannot think of one that has disappointed me as of late or in general!


Sorry again guys, Onto day 15

playing catch up

Hi readers! This is an apology as to why I have missed 4 DAYS! I am so sorry and I plan on catching up today. I am hosting a live feed via Instagram in 15 minutes and once that Is over I will begin working on the 30 day challenge!

Sorry for the lack of posts!