The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo

A powerful and evocative debut novel about two American military nurses during World War II that illuminates the unsung heroism of women who risked their lives in the fight—a riveting saga of friendship, valor, sacrifice, and survival combining the grit and selflessness of Band of Brothers with the emotional resonance of The Nightingale.

In war-torn France, Jo McMahon, an Italian-Irish girl from the tenements of Brooklyn, tends to six seriously wounded soldiers in a makeshift medical unit. Enemy bombs have destroyed her hospital convoy, and now Jo singlehandedly struggles to keep her patients and herself alive in a cramped and freezing tent close to German troops. There is a growing tenderness between her and one of her patients, a Scottish officer, but Jo’s heart is seared by the pain of all she has lost and seen. Nearing her breaking point, she fights to hold on to joyful memories of the past, to the times she shared with her best friend, Kay, whom she met in nursing school.

Half a world away in the Pacific, Kay is trapped in a squalid Japanese POW camp in Manila, one of thousands of Allied men, women, and children whose fates rest in the hands of a sadistic enemy. Far from the familiar safety of the small Pennsylvania coal town of her childhood, Kay clings to memories of her happy days posted in Hawaii, and the handsome flyer who swept her off her feet in the weeks before Pearl Harbor. Surrounded by cruelty and death, Kay battles to maintain her sanity and save lives as best she can . . . and live to see her beloved friend Jo once more.

When the conflict at last comes to an end, Jo and Kay discover that to achieve their own peace, they must find their place—and the hope of love—in a world that’s forever changed. With rich, superbly researched detail, Teresa Messineo’s thrilling novel brings to life the pain and uncertainty of war and the sustaining power of love and friendship, and illuminates the lives of the women who risked everything to save others during a horrifying time.

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS:

4/5 STARS

As far as historicals go, this one was top notch. It had an educational story line with deep rooted emotion and a strong focus on faith/hope. It was about two military nurses and their lives during a tragic time. Each one was faced with their own battle, but in the end, it was courage and perseverance that guided them both to safety. 

To say this was a heavy read is an understatement. At times I became overwhelmed by the slow pace and vivid details, but I learned to appreciate the writing style and ended up really enjoying it. I appreciated the emotion that seeped from the pages and was intrigued by the behind the scenes look at the medical side of war. Not to mention, I found the lusty bits very important as well. If I had to pick, I'd definitely say Jo was my favorite. While both stories were empowering, I found Jo's to be a tad bit more emotional/real-feeling. I felt for Kay having to leave her loved one behind, but once that part passed, I had a hard time fully connecting to her. It didn't break the book for me, but it did push me to skim her parts a bit. 

All in all, it was a really strong, well written historical fiction. It may not be for everyone, but I recommend it to all readers looking to immerse themselves in an important piece of history. 

Beast by Brie Spangler

Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. To make matters worse, on the day his school bans hats (his preferred camouflage), Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg—and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers.

Dylan vows to say nothing and zones out at therapy—until he meets Jamie. She’s funny, smart, and so stunning, even his womanizing best friend, JP, would be jealous. She’s also the first person to ever call Dylan out on his self-pitying and superficiality. As Jamie’s humanity and wisdom begin to rub off on Dylan, they become more than just friends. But there is something Dylan doesn’t know about Jamie, something she shared with the group the day he wasn’t listening. Something that shouldn’t change a thing. She is who she’s always been—an amazing photographer and devoted friend, who also happens to be transgender. But will Dylan see it that way? 

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 STARS

I went into this book blind... 

The ARC showed up at my door and I immediately started it without reading the back. So imagine my surprise when Jamie's identity was revealed... It's not at all what I expected, but it worked so well. You can definitely call it a twist on Beauty & the Beast and I LOVED it. 

The words of this book wrapped around me and slowly pulled me beneath the surface of norm. It was heartwarming, educational, emotional, and inspiring. The focus was on first love, self exploration,  self harm, and painful peer pressure, but there was so much more between the words. Dylan is a troubled boy who is self conscious about his appearance.

"I like you too." she says.
"You are a wonderfully horrible boy."

When he "falls" off his roof and ends up in group therapy, his world is turned upside down. Jamie is going through a transition... When her and Dylan start to hang out, emotions slowly form into something a tad forbidden. Dylan is oblivious to the situation and when the truth is revealed it sends him running the opposite way. Slowly though, he lets his guard down and opens up to what his heart truly wants...

I wouldn't say I have an closed mind, but I definitely wouldn't seek out a trans book. After reading this one though, my feelings have changed. The Author did so good at making this book beautiful and all consuming that at the end I craved more. I wanted to know what happened to Jamie and Dylan after high school. I wanted to know if their love made it...

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL READERS! 

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 Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life—at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

He and his fellow outcast friends must try to make it through their senior year of high school without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self. Graduation will lead to new beginnings for Lydia, whose edgy fashion blog is her ticket out of their rural Tennessee town. And Travis is content where he is thanks to his obsession with an epic book series and the fangirl turning his reality into real-life fantasy.

Their diverging paths could mean the end of their friendship. But not before Dill confronts his dark legacy to attempt to find a way into the light of a future worth living. 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1QCUE98

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

*Thank you for the ARC Penguin Random House*

It's like a game of Jenga... With each word you pull out a block and slowly feel the build up of something big about to happen. The tower starts leaning and eventually it comes crumbling down. More words rebuild the tower and the story finds a beginning from an end. That sums up The Serpent King. It is felt deep within the soul and opens your heart in ways you never knew possible. 

The story is about three friends. Three different individuals, with three different home lives. One is privileged and popular on the internet.  One is abused by his drunk father and one has a tainted name. Together they work through their insecurities and push each other to reach for the stars. It's not always easy though. To be honest, it's punch in the gut. Some of the scenes will grasp your heart and have you gasping for air. I couldn't believe the ups and downs and how real each vivid scene felt. In some twisted way I felt connected to the characters. I could feel their personalities seep from the pages and I could just picture their stance and attitude with each word exchanged. Friendship is the theme, but trust, love, honesty, grief, hope, and anger all play a part in the story of Lydia, Dil, and Travis. 

I applaud the Author because the subjects (bullying, abuse, tough home life, suicide, death, first love) in this story are done a lot, but he took them and made them his own. Each one is thoroughly exposed and touched on with grit and pose. Nothing is sugar coated and for that I am thankful. To say I enjoyed this story is an understatement. I feel like this should be a mandated high school read. It's a book that opens your eyes to the bad and pushes you to find good.

The Mirk and Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson

A Southern girl. A wounded soldier. A chilling force deep in the forest.

All collide at night’s darkest hour.

Seventeen-year-old Violet Dancey has been left at home in Mississippi with a laudanum-addicted stepmother and love-crazed stepsister while her father fights in the war—a war that has already claimed her twin brother. 

When she comes across a severely injured Union soldier lying in an abandoned lodge deep in the woods, things begin to change. Thomas is the enemy—one of the men who might have killed her own brother—and yet she's drawn to him. But Violet isn't Thomas's only visitor; someone has been tending to his wounds—keeping him alive—and it becomes chillingly clear that this care hasn't been out of compassion. 

Against the dangers of war and ominous powers of voodoo, Violet must fight to protect her home and the people she loves.

From the author of Strands of Bronze and Gold comes a haunting love story and suspenseful thriller based on the ancient fairy tale of “Tam Lin.”

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1TOeKfC

MY THOUGHTS:

4/5 STARS

This book had the best of both worlds... a little history and little romance. The beginning was a tad slow because it was setting up the story, but once the cousins came to town, it took a mysterious turn. There was darkness that shadowed the pages and secrets that clouded my visions. Throw in a wounded soldier and well I was hooked. 

Thomas definitely made the book more enjoyable for me. I really loved reading about Violet and his relationship. It started with bitter feelings and ended with a forbidden, all consuming love. It wasn't easy, but they proved just how much deep emotional feelings can overcome. 

The writing was top of the line and the premise of the story was intriguing. There was voodoo, slaves, country folk, and southern belles. We got to experience the feel of war and the struggle between master/slave. We also got to see that some southerners were not okay with what the law presumed normal. Many made friendships with the slaves and wanted to free them so they could make a better life for themselves. It was truly rich in history and for that I am thankful. 

I love romances that tie in raw reality and this one did just that. If you like history and romance tangled with mystery... then this one is for you!

If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan Review

Hilary hates Jews. As part of a neo-Nazi gang in her town, she's finally found a sense of belonging. But when she's critically injured in an accident, everything changes.
Somehow, in her mind, she has become Chana, a Jewish girl fighting for her own life in the ghettos and concentration camps of World War II.
Han Nolan offers powerful insight into one young woman's survival through the Holocaust and another's journey out of hatred and self-loathing.
Reader's guide and an interview with the author included.

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1KbeS3d

 

MY THOUGHTS:4/5 Stars

 

If you love reading about World War 2 then you most definitely need to read this one! It was a story about two girls that were connected in a significant way, but neither knew it until the very end. One was in a coma and the other was at a working camp. They face their own battles, but lean on one another to escape the darkness. There was guilt... There was hope... There was weakness and there was courage like no other... 

 

If I Should Die Before I Wake was an intense story with graphic, painful moments that brought an abundance of feels. I literally got sick to my stomach while I was reading. The vivid scenes and the heart wrenching deaths pulled me right into the pages. I felt for Chana and wanted to be the one to guide her through the dark times. No matter how weak her body and mind were she always pushed through. She helped others and in the end found that faith was her guidance. Hilary was a tough character for me. She was unlikeable from the beginning, but grew on me as the bitterness faded. The more her life blended with Chana the more she changed for the better. By the end I felt just as connected to her.

 

Overall, I was blown away by the history within the words. The Author made it easy for us to imagine what each character was going through and it really messed with my thoughts. I could feel my moods change with the pages. It was really an all consuming read that opened my eyes to just what took place at Auschwitz.

 

I definitely recommend it to all the history buffs or just someone looking for a unique story with a vivid realness to it.

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino Review Tour

Blurb:
For fans of Jojo Moyes and the movie Before Sunrise, a sweeping love story inspired by a real-life missed connections story, from the USA Today bestselling author of the romantic women’s novels Sweet Thing, Nowhere But Here, and After the Rain.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:

We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.

You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.

We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.

Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…

I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.

After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

M 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1K8Mam8
B&N:　http://bit.ly/1I2SlKd
iTunes:　http://apple.co/1D6wj1B
 

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

 

Renee Carlino is a an epic story teller that captures the essence of a beautiful, aw inspiring romance. She never disappoints and that is why she is one of my go-to Authors.

 

Before We Were Strangers was nothing short of amazing. It was a one of kind story that circled around a missing connections ad on craigslist. The couple met in college and embarked on a whirlwind adventure of friendship and all consuming love. As time passed though, the inevitable happened. Life tore them apart and it took 15 years for them to reunite. The connection is still there, but the love is deep seeded. Together they have to uncover secrets to find the truth in their second chance at forever.

 

Like all other stories by Renee... This one was rich in beauty and vivid in color. Each scene pulled me in and I could literally feel the emotion seeping from the pages. The characters were well developed and being the bohemian fanatic that I am, they were perfect. It wasn't your typical college age romance, it was unique with some crazy a$$ dates. The playful banter made me smile and the lengths the characters went for one another made me swoon. I mean... It's the love story that every girl dreams of... The modern day fairytale.

 

However, with beauty comes struggle. There were some gut wrenching and frustrating parts. There was one character in particular that I wanted to reach through the book and shake a bit. Then I remembered that without her, the story wouldn't have had that "real feel". She brought the bitter to the better if that makes any sense at all. She was the added spice that kicked up the angst and pushed Matt to go digging for missing information. I never expected the huge twist he found, but the product was genius! I loved how it was the missing link that tied the characters together like two shoe laces to form a belt.

 

Overall, I LOVED this story. It was fast paced and kept me interested... While, it was packed with romance, there was just enough emotion to dilute some of the sweetness. It felt real and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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EXCERPT:
20. You Remembered . . .

Grace

The present is our own. The right-this-second, the here-and- now, this moment before the next, is ours for the taking. It’s the only free gift the universe has to offer. The past doesn’t belong to us anymore, and the future is just a fantasy, never guaranteed. But the present is ours to own. The only way we can realize that fantasy is if we embrace the now.

I had been closed off for a long time, and I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine the future because I was still stuck in the past. Though it was impossible, I had tried to re-create what Matt and I once had. I wanted nothing else; he was all I could imagine.

But Orvin once told me that time is the currency of life. And I had lost so much of it. It was that idea of lost time that finally made me realize I needed to move on, that I would never have what I once had with Matt. I had to mourn our relationship and move on.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

Two months ago I was walking around in a thick fog of regret. I was going through the motions but wasn’t feeling anything. I’d stare at my new wrinkles in the mirror and wonder where they came from. I wasted more time, repeating the same thing day in and day out, barely present in my own life. I wasn’t looking to break out of the cycle in search of anything meaningful.

Until I saw Matt in the subway station.

Everything changed. I could see in color again, every image vivid and crisp.

Over the last fifteen years, the pain of what had happened to us waxed and waned. Many times I tried to force myself to stop thinking about him, but there were too many reminders. I thought, if I ever saw him again, he’d look right through me, like I was a ghost from his past. That’s how he made me feel that summer after college: someone who no longer existed.

But when I saw him in the station, his eyes locked on mine. He recognized me instantly, and all I could see in his face was pure wonder. It was like he was seeing the sunset over the ocean for the first time. As my train disappeared into the tunnel, his expression turned to desperation, and that’s when I knew there was a missing piece to our story. What was behind his desperation? What had happened to him in the last fifteen years that would send him running down the platform, his hand outstretched, his eyes full of longing?

I needed to find the answer. I had an idea of where I could find Matt, but I was too scared to look.

Check out the Missed Connections Ad Here....

ABOUT RENEE CARLINO:

 

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women's novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReneeCarlino?fref=ts

WEBSITE: www.reneecarlino.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/renayz

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/reneecarlino1/


 

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket one that will declare her feelings once and for all.

Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her."

 

Amazon- http://amzn.to/1fuIGPi

 

MY THOUGHTS:
3/5 Stars

 

The cover pulled me towards this read and surprisingly, the story was pretty good. It takes place over 3 days so not much happens, but what does is emotional, thought provoking, and a tad romantic in a poetic way. The writing was good and I loved the switching of POVs.

 

It's about a girl who gets hits by a car. She comes to realize that the person who did it is the guy she's been crushing on. While she struggles with her romantic feelings, new looks, and physical injuries... she also has to decide if she wants to forgive or not. It's a journey of self discovery and finding light in a dark situation.

 

It kind of reminded me of If I Stay by Gayle Forman in the sense that she's in a hospital drifting in and out of consciousness. She is left broken and confused after the accident. It takes a lot of truth and love to piece her back together again. 

 

I thought the Author did a great job painting vivid pictures in our mind. It was intense and even heartbreaking at times. I'm not going to say it was a great read, but it's definitely an enjoyable, quick story that I recommend to all.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1Tf53r6

 

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

 

Between Shades of Gray grips your heart at page one and slowly begins to dig it's nails in with each page you turn. It's an emotional book about survival and how having hope can make a world of difference.

 

Lina and her family are deported and we get to experience the journey through paragraphs of words. Each sentence holds a certain punch and each tiny mark of punctuation pulls out a new emotion. It's not always pretty, but it's a story that's felt deep within the soul. I couldn't believe all that Lina went through. The way she was treated made me sick. To think that there are people out there that experienced the life in which these characters lived makes my heart hurt. It was an awful way of life and so many were lost during this historical time. Children, adults, women, and men... Some even lost their selves. They were broken down, stripped of all rights, and left with little dignity. It truly makes you appreciate the life you live and all of the privileges that you take for granted each day.

 

I can't say enough good things about this book. The writing was flawless and the story is one that is all consuming. I loved the way everything played out and I especially loved the quaint hints of romance. It wasn't an in your face love, but more of an I will do everything to protect you kind of love. It is definitely going on my all time favorites list. I recommend it to anyone that loves stories with an utter rawness that will leave you breathless at times.

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid Review

This heartrending debut novel weaves a beautiful love story with an homage to the redemptive power of female friendship.

 

Elsie and Ben are average twenty-somethings, but this is not your average love story. It begins bright and promising: the newlywed couple is head over heels in love, having eloped six months after they met. But it all shatters in an instant; Ben out riding his bike, is hit by a truck—and dies on impact.

Elsie hears the sirens outside her apartment, but by the time she gets downstairs, his body has already been taken to the hospital. When she arrives, Elsie is greeted by an unexpected visitor—her mother-in-law, Susan, whom she has never met and who doesn’t even know she exists.

Both are seared with grief; Susan is still mourning the death of her own husband several years earlier, and the loss of her only son is almost too much to bear. The two women immediately sour on one another, fighting over what to do with Ben’s belongings and how to fulfill his wishes. But as time goes by, Susan and Elsie both realize that despite the terrible accident that brought them together, they are now the only family they have left.

Interweaving Elsie and Ben’s charmed romance with Elsie and Susan’s healing process, Forever, Interrupted will make you laugh, make you cry, and remind you that there’s more than one way to live happily ever after.  

 

AMAZON LINK - http://amzn.to/1Hdo3Os

MY THOUGHTS:5/5 STARS

 

I don't think I'll ever look at fruity pebbles the same way again... Talk about an emotional, gripping story that is life changing, inspiring, and an absolute MUST READ. This one exceeded all of my expectations. My heart was shattered into tiny colorful pieces at the beginning and with each word after, was slowly pieced together again.

 

Forever, Interrupted is about a woman finding her one true love only to lose him six months later to a tragic accident. Don't worry though... This isn't one of those books that makes you love the main guy, kills him off, and then sends in a new Casanova to sweep the woman off her feet. No, this one was about the mourning process and how sometimes in order to move on you have to face the past head on. You will get a love story, but through flashbacks. The root of the story is that time doesn't signify feeling. In the briefest moment you can experience something that others never feel.

 

I loved it... I absolutely loved it! The writing was superb. The story was intense and the characters were one of a kind. It made me thankful for my life and it made me hug my husband a little tighter. It is a story that every reader should experience!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an epic novel of love and war, spanning from the 1940s to the present day, and the secret lives of those who live in a small French town.

In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.

Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets the compelling and mysterious Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can...completely. When he betrays her, Isabelle races headlong into danger and joins the Resistance, never looking back or giving a thought to the real--and deadly--consequences.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.  

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1FiQ10i
 

MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS
This was a beautiful, heart wrenching story about two sisters doing whatever it takes to protect their family and those around them. It was inspirational, romantic, suspenseful, and life changing. I wasn't sure what to think when I started reading, but I never expected to feel such an intense connection to the characters and story. It was truly an epic read that should be experienced by all.

 

Please keep in mind that this wasn't an in your face kind of romance... While it had intimacy and romantic scenes, the overall gist of book is classic love, family love, and love that can withstand war. The ugly words come together to form a beautiful journey. Please one click this one. You won't be disappointed!

Vicious Cycle by Katie Ashley

New York Times bestselling author Katie Ashley revs up the danger and sexual tension in her brand-new Vicious Cycle romance series.

Deacon Malloy’s life is dedicated to the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club. Tough, hard, and fast with his fists, he serves the group as sergeant at arms. But his devil-may-care approach to life is thrown for a loop when the five-year-old daughter he never knew existed lands on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans is devoted to all her students—but there’s always been something about Willow Malloy that tugs at her heart. There’s an aura of sadness about her, a girl in need of all the love Alexandra can give. When Willow stops coming to school, Alexandra’s search leads to a clubhouse full of bikers…and a father hell-bent on keeping his daughter always within sight.

The moment Deacon sees Alexandra, he has to have her in his bed—and he’s never met a woman yet who couldn’t be persuaded. No matter how attracted she is to Deacon, Alexandra refuses to be just another conquest. But it’s Deacon himself who could be seduced—into a brighter future for himself, his daughter, and the woman he’s falling for against all odds.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1F2xQZq
MY THOUGHTS:3/5 Stars

 

*Received an ARC for an honest review*
I'm a huge Katie Ashley fan, but this one fell a bit flat for me. She came out of her comfort zone to write something different and I think it showed. A lot of the content reminded me of tv shows and other biker reads. It followed the cliché mold and while I know bikers probably do similar things... I would have liked to see some twists that made the story stand out from others.

*SPOILERISH*
The characters were a touchy subject for me. While I loved Willow and her tiny spirit... Alexandra was not one of my favorites. When she was first introduced I thought she was going to be awesome. She was strong willed, smart, and sweet... However, somewhere near halfway she started to change. She became desperate for Deacon's attention. She went out of her way to throw herself at him and as a reader, that took away the appeal. Near the end she did start to redeem herself. Unfortunately by that time everything was in a rush to an HEA.

 

Overall, I thought this story had all of the ingredients to be a five star read, but unfortunately just lacked the confidence to execute. It was a dark read concept wrote as a contemporary mc read. You will see in the beginning Deacon says some vulgar things and than there is a huge description about how his club would never do what he threatened. To me, this just made him come off as unsure. I say if you're going to go mc dark, go mc dark. Let the actions do the talking.

I applaud the Author for trying something new and I am sure biker fans will devour this read... It just didn't work for me.

Fisher's Light by Tara Sivec Review

Fisher,
I guess this is it, huh? After fourteen years together, starting a life of our own on this island, five deployments and countless letters I’ve written you through it all, I finally go out to the mailbox and see something I’ve always dreamed of: an envelope with your handwriting on it. For one moment, I actually thought you’d changed your mind, that all the awful things you said to me were just your way of coping after everything you’d been through. I was still here, Fisher. I was still here, holding my breath, waiting for you to come back even though you told me you never would. You always said you’d find your way back to me. Out of all the lies you’ve told me, this one hurts the most.

Enclosed you will find the signed divorce papers, as requested.
I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’m sorry it wasn’t me.
Lucy

To get the ending they want, Lucy and Fisher will have to go back to the beginning. Through the good and the bad, they’ll be reminded of why they always made their way back to each other, and why this time, one way or another, it will be the last time.

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

MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

Fisher's Light was filled with raw emotion and utter beauty. It reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks book because the flow was flawless. It was easy to fall into Fisher's Island and feel like a new resident. We are taken on a journey through the past and left to hold onto the words of the future. It's about a second chance at love and the intense battle of PTSD. It's not always an easy read, but in the end I found myself quite satisfied with how everything turned out.

 

The Author did a wonderful job at creating vivid pictures in our mind. Each detail about the town displayed a beautiful painting and each deep, dark emotion the character felt was painfully portrayed. Fisher and Lucy have an intense connection and even after divorce they still are drawn to one another. It's not always pretty, but the love they share is something to be desired. I loved watching them reconnect and overcome the obstacles of life.

 

My only complaint would be that towards the end I felt that the emotional aspect was pushed aside for the sexual connection to be focus. I would have liked to see less sex even if that meant a shorter read.

 

Overall, this book was fantastic! I was captivated from the beginning and consumed long after the last page. My heart ached at the emotional parts and swooned at the romance. I loved how the lighthouse tied the story together like a beautiful bow.

I HIGHLY recommend this read!

Black Rose by Kris Thompson Review

Lillian Locke had the perfect life in Boulder, Colorado. She had the boyfriend of her dreams, a wonderful family, awesome friends, and a spot on the track team at a great college. There wasn’t anything life could throw at her that she couldn’t get through . . . until he found her.

Lillian never could have imagined being abducted and chained up in the dark. Worse yet, being just one of many girls kidnapped and held captive by a madman. All she can do now is hope that she survives the brutality of their captor long enough to find a way to free herself and her new captive friends.

When Richard Haines’ girlfriend goes missing, he makes it his personal mission to find the woman he loves and bring her home to the safety of their loved ones. Seeking the help of friends and family, Richard abandons everything except for his pursuit of Lillian. But when someone else close to Richard goes missing, and the bodies of the abducted girls start showing up in the hills outside Boulder, the only thing he can do is hope that he finds her before it is too late.

 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1Gwy5Kd

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS
I've never read a book that crawled into my bones and put fear in my veins. This one did just that...
It was raw, gritty, and scary.

 

The story will consume you from the beginning and stay with you long after the last page. It is about a girl who is kidnapped and taken to a cellar where other girls are being kept. Together they form a bond and help one another survive the brutal torture they receive. Their time is limited though... The girls witness murder and realize they must get out before it's too late.

 

The story is told in switched POVs. We get to see Lee's story of trying to survive and we also get to see Richard's search for his girlfriend. Normally, I am not a fan of multiple POVs, but with this one... it worked.

 

If you are wondering if it's similar to other books, I will say this... It is in a league of it's own. Yeah, it's your typical dark read, but the twists and turns along the way are incredible. They will have you on the edge of your seat, begging for an HEA.

Now, if you like your stories clean and romantic... This book is probably not for you. As stated, it is a wild ride with a MAJOR creep factor. There is rape and torture. You have been warned*

If you like a slightly messed up story... THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!
Highly Recommend!

Emmy & Olvier by Robin Benway Review

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.  

 

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

MY THOUGHTS:

4/5 Stars

 

*RECIEVED AN ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
This book fits the sweet YA mold, but has unique features that add intensity and angst. The story is based around a web of lies. It is our job as readers to reveal the truth and unveil the secrets. It is a wild ride that has an ending you will never expect...

Emmy and Oliver share a bond even after being apart for 10 years. It isn't an instant reunion, but slowly the old feelings form again. Everyone expects Oliver to be excited about being found, but deep down he feels as though he's been kidnapped all over again. Everything he knew is erased when he is thrown into a new life, with new siblings. He struggles to grasp the present and push away the past... Emmy tries to be the listening ear, but it's hard when she is faced with what brought her so much pain all of those years ago.

Was this story predictable? Maybe at times, but overall no! I was blindsided by the ending and couldn't believe how everything unfolded. I loved the romance and the cute additions that made this a swoon worthy read... Add in the mystery and I am hooked!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story... At times it was a tad slow, but in the end I was quite satisfied with what the Author gave us.
Highly Recommend to YA fans.

Sweet Little Thing by Renee Carlino

Ever wonder what happened after the final pages of Sweet Thing?

From his candid and sometimes neurotic point of view, Will tells all in this musical and sexy follow-up novella to Renée Carlino’s USA Today Bestseller.

Life is pure bliss for Mia and Will. They have a puppy, a loft in Brooklyn, and a new music studio on the rise. It seems things couldn’t get any better for this talented couple when life decides to throw them a sweet little curve ball.

They quickly learn that things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes happily ever after is one giant leap of faith away.
With the help of good music, good friends, and one eccentric old lady, they overcome a few of life’s little bumps to find the sweetest thing of all.

Watch this duo grow in more ways than one in SWEET Little THING.  

My Thoughts:
4/5 Stars

I wanted a quick read and that is what I got with this one. I really enjoyed Will's POV. It was on point with the male personality. There were sweet parts and funny parts. A few times I laughed out loud. Will's friend was outrageous, but added so much humor to the story.

Mia and Will are adorable as usual. They are planning a wedding and getting ready for a new adventure. It isn't always easy, but they make it work. Their romance pours off the pages. From their simple gestures to their sexual attraction to one another... they have the perfect romantic connection.

I really enjoyed it, but wished there would have been a little more depth and a little less sexy time... Because it was a novella, it kind of felt like an overkill of intimate scenes. However, it was still a great read. I definitely recommend this book to those who loved Sweet Thing and want a quick read.

What's Left of Me by Amanda Maxlyn Review

Life works in mysterious ways.

Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.

I refuse to cry.

And I refuse to give in.

A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.

He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.

But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.

What if it changes everything?

Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.

Love found me when I was twenty-one.

My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.

 
AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1d9vWtt

My Thoughts:
3/5 Stars

A  story about falling in love and the daily struggles of Cancer...

 

 I am honestly on the fence with this book. While it left me turning the pages and kept me interested in the storyline, I couldn't help but feel like it has been done before and done better.

It had some really strong points... For example The writing was good and the male lead is a Vet. You don't see that often and I was intrigued. Another fantastic part with the mind f* at the end. I fell for it and was completely shocked when the truth was revealed.

The part lacking for me was... Her telling him about the Cancer too late in the book. I would have liked to see them work through it together. There were so many perfect opportunities for him to find out and I just felt like I would have connected more to the story if she would have told him sooner.

The writing was good and the idea was good. If you are looking for a sexy, emotional read... This one is probably for you. If you like your emotional books more realistic and romantic, then I would not recommend you read this one.

 
 

My Skylar by Penelope Ward Review

From the author of the #1 bestselling romance, Jake Undone, comes a friends-to-lovers story of longing, passion, betrayal and redemption… Skylar was my best friend, but I secretly pined for her. One thing after another kept us apart, and I’ve spent the last decade in fear of losing her forever. First, it was the cancer, but she survived only to face the unthinkable at my hands. Because of me, she left town. For years, I thought I’d never see her again. But now she’s back…and living with him. I don’t deserve her after everything I’ve put her through, but I can’t live without her. This is my last chance because she’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life. I can see it her eyes: she doesn’t love him. She still loves me...which is why I have to stop her before it’s too late. My Skylar is a STANDALONE story and a companion to the novel, Jake Undone. This book is recommended for readers over the age of 18 due to strong language and explicit sexual content

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

My Thoughts:
5/5 Stars

Wow! What an unforgettable romance!

I fell in love with Skylar in Jake Undone and was so excited to hear she was getting her own book. The Author surely didn't disappoint. It was a beautiful, well written story about first love and heartbreak.

 

We get to see Skylar meet the one and only Mitch. We watch them connect as children, then as teens, and again in adulthood. Things aren't always perfect though. Struggles arise and feelings get hurt. One thing that remains the same is their love for one another.

This book was packed with words that pulled emotions out of me. I found myself invested in and consumed by the storyline. Even when I closed the book the characters remained on my mind.

 

I loved this book and highly recommend it to all readers!!

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes Review

A New York Times bestseller—with more than three million copies sold—by the author of One Plus One and The Girl You Left Behind They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

 

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

 

My Thoughts:

5/5 Stars

 

Be prepared to have your heart ripped right out of your chest. This is a tear jerker that will leave you speechless at the end.

 

The book starts with a young woman searching for a job. She tries many different things, but each one ends shortly after. When she is offered a care position she isn't sure what she is getting into.

Her patient ends up being a handsome young man who was in a tragic accident.

At first they don't get along, but slowly signs of attraction are revealed. Louisa wants Will to want to live again. She does everything in her power to show him that he can do the things he loved to do before, but Will has other plans... He wants an out. He doesn't want to be stuck in the situation he's in.

Together they embark on a journey of struggles, romance, and heart break.

 

This book gutted me. With each intimate gesture my heart squeezed tightly. The romance is so unique, almost forbidden, but beautiful. It shows that love isn't always flowers and hearts. It proves that sometimes in order to show love you have to let go...

 

Will Traynor was the perfect, handsome man that loved to adventure. Now he is a handsome man stuck in a dark place. It's as if he is slowly drowning. Sickness happens frequently and the pain comes and goes. Life is living in a wheelchair with minimum movement. He is miserable and even though Louisa brings out a bit of the old Will he still isn't ready to commit to being a disabled man for the rest of his life.

 

I highly recommend this read to everyone!!