The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace

"ah, life-

the thing

that happens

to us

while we're off

somewhere else

blowing on

dandelions

& wishing

ourselves into

the pages of

our favorite

fairy tales."

a poetry collection divided into four different parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, & you. the princess, the damsel, & the queen piece together the life of the author in three stages, while you serves as a note to the reader & all of humankind. explores life & all of its love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, & inspirations. 

AMAZON - http://amzn.to/2aZd70t

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 STARS

Few words and simple phrases can portray truth and utter beauty. They can open up your soul and flood you with deep rooted emotion. Words are wisdom. Words are encouragement. And Words are the way we exploit our true inner selves. This book had a way of making me want to dive deep into the pages and explore meanings hidden beneath the surface. It empowered me and gave me a better perspective of how to live. It moved me in ways I never knew possible. It proved that less is more and captured the essence of finding light in the darkness. 

I forsee many re-reads in my near future. It was a flawless masterpiece that every person should read.

I Shall be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe

An extraordinary novel about a strong-willed woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight beside her husband, inspired by the letters of a remarkable female soldier who fought in the Civil War.

Rosetta doesn't want her new husband Jeremiah to enlist, but he joins up, hoping to make enough money that they'll be able to afford their own farm someday. Though she's always worked by her father's side as the son he never had, now that Rosetta is a wife she's told her place is inside with the other women. But Rosetta decides her true place is with Jeremiah, no matter what that means, and to be with him she cuts off her hair, hems an old pair of his pants, and signs up as a Union soldier.

With the army desperate for recruits, Rosetta has no trouble volunteering, although she faces an incredubous husband. She drills with the men, proves she can be as good a soldier as anyone, and deals with the tension as her husband comes to grips with having a fighting wife. Rosetta's strong will clashes with Jeremiah's while their marraige is tested by broken conventions, constant danger, and war, and she fears discovery of her secret even as they fight for their future, and for their lives. Inspired by more than 250 documented accounts of the women who fought in the Civil War while disguised as men, "I Shall Be Near To You" is the intimate story, in Rosetta's powerful and gorgeous voice, of the drama of marriage, one woman's amazing exploits, and the tender love story that can unfold when two partners face life's challenges side by side. "From the Hardcover edition."

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/25s48cP

MY REVIEW:

5/5 STARS

My heart hurts and my stomach aches. This book wrecked me, but in the best way possible. When an Author can write a story that is based around a tragic historical time and make it beautiful I am held captive by ink. This book made me feel like few others have. It pulled me in and swallowed me up. My whole heart was filled with hope and compassion and towards the end the words slowly broke me. Tears filled my eyes and butterflies eased their way to my stomach. Each page led to an intense inner battle that not only affected the fictional world, but also my reality. My mood fell somber and I had to let the words carry me through the final pages.

To say Rosetta is a fierce heroine is an understatement... For the pains that she experienced and things she willingly gave up for love made her not only strong on the inside, but also on the outside. She took on a new role and did everything she could to protect the one she loved. She served her country and fought like few other women could. The relationship between her and Jeremiah is one of devotion, sacrifice, friendship, and compassion. Things weren't always simple, but together they faced it with unity. It was a classic timeless romance they shared, but also a tragic gut wrenching love. It brought commitment into focus and showed us that it's not about the time together, but how we spend that time...

The book seemed to wrap around me like a ribbon... With each page, I turned in another circle. And another. And another until finally my arms were bound at my sides with nowhere to go. It took self identity and strength to cut the ties and get the freedom I searched for. I picture that is how Rosetta felt... Wrapped up in secrets, lies, and love. Completely and utterly lost until the point of being found. I imagine that she always felt safe in the shadow of Jeremiah, but desperately needed to find herself in order to let go completely. Love grounded her, but fight is what pushed her to live.

I obviously was overwhelmed and have all kinds of personal feelings I could spill, but I will stop and leave you with this. If you love an epic love story with historical roots and inspirational ties, BUY THIS BOOK. It shall be near to your heart forever. That I can promise you.

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

“This is East Texas, and there’s lines. Lines you cross, lines you don’t cross. That clear?”

New London, Texas. 1937. Naomi Vargas and Wash Fuller know about the lines in East Texas as well as anyone. They know the signs that mark them.

“No Negroes, Mexicans, or dogs.”

They know the people who enforce them.

“They all decided they’d ride out in their sheets and pay Blue a visit.”

But sometimes the attraction between two people is so powerful it breaks through even the most entrenched color lines. And the consequences can be explosive.

“More than grief, more than anger, there is a need. Someone to blame. Someone to make pay.”

Ashley Hope Pérez takes the facts of the 1937 New London school explosion—the worst school disaster in American history—as a backdrop for a riveting novel about segregation, love, family, and the forces that destroy people.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1RR4ws4

MY THOUGHTS:

5 HUGE STARS

The Urban Dictionary's definition of a Book Hangover is: When you've finished a book and you suddenly return to the real world, but the real world feels incomplete or surreal because you're still living in the world of the book. To say I'm suffering from one is an understatement. This book transported me to a different time period, a different life, and whole different mind set. I was blown away by the reality within the words and gut punched by tragedy. Out of the Darkness deserves like 10 Stars it was that good! 

Naomi and her siblings are sent to live with their daddy/"step daddy" and with that comes a brutal past and a terrifying present. He is a racist, a drunk, and a born again-but not really- christian. He is a walking nightmare. He is so unpredictable that everyone walks on egg shells around him. Naomi especially because they have a past and he wants her in ways he shouldn't... While she would love to flee and never look back, she has the kids to worry about. She doesn't expect much, but when a guy sees her foot dangling from a tree her life seems to turn upside down. She feels happy and finally can see a light at the end of tunnel. Unfortunately, what may seem great slowly turns to turmoil. 

This book was unlike anything I've read before.. It should be a classic! I will say that again. This book should be read by EVERYONE... While it was based around a forbidden romance it also captured the essence of the time period and how racism touched all those around. It was hard to read at times, but life changing in the most unexpected way. It was like grasping sand... Reality slowly drifted away and I was surrounded by smoldering ash, blood, and a broken heart. 

It wasn't all tragedy though... There was a passionate romance that had intimacy and friendship and so much more. Wash and Naomi will forever be embedded in my mind. I loved their story so much that as soon as I finished the last page I wanted to start it all over. So I absolutely recommend this book! I can't wait to read more from the Author and if I could find this beauty signed somewhere I would be all over it. 

READ IT! 

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron Review

A Mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz--and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl--a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover--the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul--who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1O5daqo

 

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 Stars

 

Oh the feels...
My heart is overwhelmed with joy as I'm writing this review. Let me start by saying that my all time favorite read is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. I am constantly trying to find something comparable and am usually left feeling underwhelmed... Well this one may just be the first read that left me with the same mind blowing feeling.

There are two stories within this book. A modern love story and an epic historic romance. One painting connects them all and it is up to Sera and William to find it. Sera has been in search of the mysterious painting for years and William's career and family depends on it. When the two decide to work together, a journey of Christianity, hope, love, and learning to trust again begins. As the pages turn we get to see Sera and William's romance grow and also get the story behind the girl in the painting.

Adele, the well known musician fell in love with the wrong guy, put her life on the line for her friends, and was sent to Auschwitz. Her story was emotional and all-consuming. On one hand we have her falling head over heels in love and on another we have her fighting for her life. I ate up each word and found myself highlighting quotes like crazy. It was an epic love story with the kind of subtle romance that leaves you breathless. It's forbidden and tragic, but so worth the read.

 

 

The one constant in this story is the presence of God. Each and every character had to believe and have hope in order to move forward with their lives. I thought it was an inspirational book with two unforgettable stories. I recommend it to every reader and am now dying to read the next in the series. My new goal is to find a signed copy of this baby!

 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers Review

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1XVjhk1

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 STARS

I just finished Grave Mercy and am left aw struck. The world between the pages has managed to lure me in and bury deep within my soul. It was full of suspense, royalty, bitter emotions, and unconditional love. It had many twists and turns that left me on the edge of my seat.

It is a story about a young girl who is convent raised to be an assassin. She is taught all the ways to kill and then sent on missions to look for the marque of death. When she is sent with Duval to the palace her world gets a tad crazy. She isn't sure who to confide in other then fulfilling her service to Mortain and her commitment to the duchess. Secrets have to be revealed and lies have to be uncovered... She doesn't expect to feel anything of the sorts of love, but the match is lit and there is no turning back. In the end a slow burn romance turns into a full burn flame.

I just fell head over heels in love with the characters and quickly became envious and jealous of Ismae. Her life was dangerous, but it was also magical, romantic, and intense. I loved how strong she was and how she always followed her heart no matter the consequence... She was a bada$$ heroine that pulled me in and left me captivated.

Overall, this book exceeded all expectations. It consumed me with it's regal setting and left me wanting to bid the lord good night. I definitely recommend it to all readers! Even if you aren't a YA fan... I still think you will enjoy it.

 



Tatiana & Alexander by Paullina Simons

Tatiana is eighteen years old, pregnant, and widowed when she escapes war-torn Leningrad to find a new life in America. But the ghosts of her past do not rest easily. She becomes consumed by the belief that her husband, Red Army officer Alexander Belov, is still alive and needs her desperately.

Meanwhile, oceans and continents away in the Soviet Union, Alexander barely escapes execution, and is forced to lead a battalion of soldiers considered expendable by the Soviet high command. Yet Alexander is determined to take his men through the ruins of Europe in one last desperate bid to escape Stalin's death machine and somehow find his way to Tatiana once again.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1POiZp7

MY THOUGHTS:
4/5 Stars

Let me start by saying The Bronze Horseman is my all time favorite romance... There is no book that compares and because of these strong feelings, I've put off reading the rest of the series. I was afraid that the others would fall flat in comparison and well... this one was really good, but not nearly as epic as book one. I think because the book was so different with switching povs and different settings, it brought a whole new feel. It was still an excellent read, but I was hoping for more romance. We get a lot of emotion and a lot of war scenes, but Tatiana and Alexander were apart until the last 100 pages.

I really loved Tatiana's parts and I think it's important that we got to experience what Alexander had to deal with, but in all honesty... Less war would have been more appealing for me. I liked the suspense and twists and turns, I just felt like there was a lot of filler information that took away the epic romance feel that book one had. Towards the end I started to feel more compelled by the story and when they finally reunited my heart about burst. I just wanted those feelings earlier in the book...

 

Of course I must read book three now because they are together once again. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them!

Jezebel by K. Larsen Review

30 years of affection.
10 years of soul shattering love.
8 years of happy employment.
2 months of turmoil.
1 week of truth.
A lifetime of betrayal.

Would you have seen it coming?

Annabelle Fortin landed herself in a bit of trouble. Mandated to community service at an assisted living facility for early onset dementia she meets Jezebel, one of the residents. This is the story that unfolds over the course of Annabelle's court ordered six month sentence. Nothing is what it seems.
AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1FWpdS4

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS

*I was provided an ARC for an honest review*
This book goes on my top reads of 2015 list. It was truly a beautiful, twisted masterpiece! Romance? Yes! Suspense? Yes! Mind F*? ABSOLUTELY.

 

With one page, I was addicted. The story quickly became my drug of choice. I think it's safe to say that this one is an epic read. It had that addictive feel that pulls a reader in and stays with them long after the last page. It was a story that was filled with characters that you love to hate. I was so conflicted on who to trust and what would happen in the end... The whole time I knew to expect something huge, but in all reality, the twist was MASSIVE. I'm talking jaw on the floor, eyes bulging HUGE! My ideas and thoughts were somewhat on track, but then again, so far away. I will tell you now... Everything you think you know will be tossed out the window with those last pages. It was one heck of an ending!

 

Looking back, I see how well crafted the book really was... It flowed flawlessly and kept you interested to the point of no skimming. Each and every word played an intricate role and I loved every bit of it... From the sweet romance, to the beautiful friendship. From the angst to the ultimate mind f*. It all filled my heart and made a happy reader.

 

I highly recommend this read to everyone that loves their books rich in thought with tons of depth.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven Review

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!
 
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.Includes a PDF Help Line Resource Guide and a Note Read by the Author.

AMAZON LINK - http://amzn.to/1xqJWez

MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

Violet struggles to live life to the fullest because she has the weight of guilt and loss on her shoulders. Finch thinks about death on a daily basis and struggles with mental illness. Together they embark on a unique journey of finding the beauty in their state and their connection to one another.

The early chapters were a bit slow and at times I felt like I wouldn't make it to the end... However, I am so glad I continued on because as the story progressed, it grabbed onto my heart and squeezed tight. It was a beautiful, heart breaking story. The characters were intense and their romance was truly one of kind.

All the Bright Places is one that sticks with you long after the last page. It is a raw and intense plot that will leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. While it had the cutesy YA additions, it also had a deep set message behind it. I was consumed by the romance and mystery and in end ... my heart was shattered into a thousand little pieces.

It's not a light read and it's not for those who like a perfect happily ever after, but I definitely recommend it to readers of all ages!

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.

Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/16dnR7h
MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS

Oh Gosh, I honestly could not swoon more over a book! This one is an epic love story that should not be overlooked. My heart ached and my gut wrenched several times. Everything felt so real and even when the book was closed I was still consumed in the characters lives.

It is a story of hardships, war life, and forbidden romance. The main characters will grab your heart and hold it captive. The romance is so intense. It's not a mushy kind of love, but more of a I'll do anything to be with you kind of love. The sexual tensions pours off the pages and leaves you begging for more. It was intimate, intricate, and just flat out EPIC.

Normally, I have the urge to skim when books are long, but this one held my attention and sucked me in one word at a time. Even now, three days later, I cannot get into another book because my brain is still with Alexander and Tatiana. They were a couple like no other and the story was one I will never forget.

The Bronze Horseman will leave you appreciating the life you live and it will have you holding onto your loved ones a little longer. It is a fictional story based on a past time reality. It will mess with your mind and heart so be prepared!I can't wait to start book two.