It's about that time where I show you what's on my shelves.
Enjoy!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
What I'm reading now
Hey fellow readers/bloggers! I know I've been so laxed on reviewing, but to be fair I sort of have a reason for it. I have way to many books that I'm reading that I can't finish them. I know this sounds horrible, and in a way it is because I know I need to finish one and then start a new book. I have this bad habit of starting new ones because I get easily distracted. So I'm pledging today that I will finish all the ones I have started, and to make sure I'm going to list the ones I've started here and mark them off one by one. Then after I do that I have my review books I need to work on.
Printed copies:
Envy by Gregg Olson
Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.
Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.
Crank by Ellen Hopkin
In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.
In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra BrackenWhen Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison
When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.
There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?
When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.
There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?
Ten by Gretchen Mcneill
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.
But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.
But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.
Ebooks
Grave Mercy by Robin Lefevers
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.
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.
Blood Rights by Kristen Painter
Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.
Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Kindle Deals (10)
I always see blogs that have a page that show deals for the kindle, and I occasionally find one or two books on there that I would want. I'm more of a YA girl, and seeing as how most my followers are (I'm assuming here) I decided to make a list of the YA books I found that are $3.99 and less for the kindle. There are plenty more Ya books that are on amazon, but these caught my attention because either I have them, I've read them, or I'm dying to read them. :) Just click on the title and it takes you to their amazon page in a new window.
I'm not sure how long these deals will be here so get them while they're available.
(Sidenote: Remember to look at the prices to make sure)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Updates: Life, wedding, books
Hey all my lovely BA readers. Sorry I haven't been around lately with any bookish things or reviews. I feel pretty horrible about it, seeing as how this is a book review site. I am reading just not like I want. I have two on my kindle and two hardbacks I'm trying to get through. It's not because I'm not enjoying them. I really am. An assasin for death, kids with special abiities, kids stuck on an island with a murderer, and vampires that don't sparkle :) I've just been busy with work and after that I just don't feel like doing anything, but sleeping.
Wedding is also kind of taking precident over other things. Although, his mom is doing alot of it for me which is totally fine with me because I wouldn't have a clue what to do. The closer November gets the more excited and nervous I get. This is something I never thought would happen. I'm pretty freakin lucky to have found the one person I want to spend my life with. I've seen friends and family go through so much heartbreak that at times I wasn't sure I wanted anything to do with that, but Ryan has definitely changed my views. :) We went back in April to get our wedding bands. I must admit they are awesome. I tried to say just keep it til the wedding, but I couldn't after I saw it.
Oh, and guess what I got this past week.....a new car. Well it's new to me it's a 2011 Kia Soul (yes it's the hamster car) Maybe you're wondering why I'm excited about this well I haven't had my own car since about a year ago.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Kindle Deals (9)
I always see blogs that have a page that show deals for the kindle, and I occasionally find one or two books on there that I would want. I'm more of a YA girl, and seeing as how most my followers are (I'm assuming here) I decided to make a list of the YA books I found that are $3.99 and less for the kindle. There are plenty more Ya books that are on amazon, but these caught my attention because either I have them, I've read them, or I'm dying to read them. :) Just click on the title and it takes you to their amazon page in a new window.
I'm not sure how long these deals will be here so get them while they're available.
$3.99 and above
$2.99
$1.99
$.99
Free
Reviews I've written for the books above
Wings
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Today is my birthday!!!
So today is my birthday. The big 27, okay so it's not so big, but it's 3 years away from 30 ya'll. :( You know how you always want your birthday to be a special day, or at least have fun. No such luck today. I know if ryan would have been off we would have actually gone out and done things to day and then tonight as well, but of course CVS ruined that. I guess we'll just have to make tomorrow work. I did go eat at Olive garden with Ryan and my mom, and then I came home and have been by myself since. Karaoke can only be so much fun by yourself for so long. :)
I did sign up for RAK this month if you wanna go check it out at Book Soulmates
I know I have been so MIA on here lately, but in all honesty I've been busy with wedding stuff. Yes, I finally started doing things (okay so his mom actually has, but I really love that she's helping.) I actually have gotten my wedding dress and accessories (veil, hair clips), the place it's going to be at, the date, and his mom bought me some of the accessories for the wedding for my birthday like the guestbook, pen, flower girl basket, candle, ring bearer pillow, and she's the one who bought my dress and the things with it. Apparently, my family doesn't know how to help.I'll see if I can get pictures of the place up later on. I would put pictures of dress up, but I do that and some how Ryan would find the site. It really is a beautiful dress though. When I put it on and came out of the dressing room his mom and the lady helping us said my face just glowed, and I tried a few others on, but none came close. It really was an awesome feeling to know that I'll be wearing that on November 16th this year. If you're dying to see it email me at ashleyjowens@gmail.com and I can always send a picture of it to you. (That if I know you well enough)
As for the reading aspect of my life right now I have been reading just not so much reviewing for which I always feel guilty. I have reviews started that I actually need to get myself to finish. Right now I'm reading The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken and then Grave Mercy on my kindle. Both of which are good so far. Like I said I'm just in a slump, or busy working, or out doing things with friends and family when I have free time.
I do love all of you and will continue to love you because if not for you all I would be pretty much talking to myself. I will find a time do a giveaway to thank everyone too.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Book Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 309
Series/stand alone: Series-Book 1 in the fever series
Outline:
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Pages: 309
Series/stand alone: Series-Book 1 in the fever series
Outline:
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….
Wow, I mean that's all I can say about the first book in this series. Okay, I know that doesn't really work well for a review so I'll try to elaborate. I will start off by saying I may have just let this series slip by had it not been for a co-workers wife that said I should read it. Normally I don't listen to recommendations. I'm one of those people who likes to go off of my own judgement and not others, but I figured since she enjoyed the VA series maybe, I could trust her judgement.
I'm so...so...so glad I did, and the weird thing about almost letting it go was I have books 2, 3 and the last one. Anyways, back to the raving, even though this series is (to me) more towards the adult genere and not what I typically read in the way of YA it still had aspects that lingered toward YA for me.
YAish: Mackayla, or Mac as she goes by is in her early twenties. (She's not some wife having a midlife crisis and lost her job and husband. Do you get where I'm going with that?) She's not some lovestruck, help me, teenager. She's very strong and independent. I mean who would give up and travel over the oceans to a foreign country to find a killer? Then when things go from bad to worse for her she doesn't give up, she doesn't give in to what the people around her are telling her to do she stays and fights through it. We need strong heroines to look up to and I truly believe Mac is one of them.
Adultish: Why I would classify it as adult is for some of the more x-rated scenes. It's not like it went into total details, but it was close enough.
Let's talk about Barrons. What is his deal? Seriously, he is like a girl on PMS. As much I hated him I really enjoyed him. He really didn't give to much away so now he has me wondering what the heck he is.
I'm definitely ready to read the next few books.
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