"The Blood That Bonds" by Christopher Buecheler ( II AM Trilogy)

****
Two is trapped: hooked on heroin, held as property, forced to sell her body to feed the addiction. Time brings her ever closer to what seems an inevitable death and Two waits, uncaring, longing only for the next fix.

That’s when Theroen arrives, beckoning to his Ferrari and grinning his inscrutable grin. He is handsome. Confident. Eager to help lift her out of the life that’s grinding her down.

The only problem? Theroen is a vampire.

His blood can cure her addiction, grant her powers she has never had, change her forever into something greater than she was. But when he sinks his teeth into her neck, Theroen also thrusts Two into a world of danger, violence, madness and despair. The powerful, twisted elder Abraham will use her arrival to shatter the uneasy peace that exists in his mansion, bringing an end to the dark game he has been playing for centuries.

Its an okay vampire book. Not so sure about the storyline. Enjoyed it but over before it really began. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I have enjoyed other novels. Two was an interesting character but, my favorite was Tori...dont know why just loved her!!! Anyway good book, easy to read, fun and adventureous. A different type of vampire...Good read, pass on!!!

"How to Survive the Coming Retirement Storm, A five-step Process for success in Volatile Times" by Robert Margetic

****
New retirees are caught in the transition period between the old crumbling system and the yet-to-be defined system. This interim is the retirement storm. Its full impact is two to five years out, but the ominous clouds are on the horizon. Seventy-five percent state that they aren’t prepared to manage the twenty to thirty years they will spend in retirement. Fifty-four percent fear outliving their money.”

How to Survive the Coming Retirement Storm helps you navigate the gap between the old, broken system, and the yet-to-be-defined new system. It offers a new perspective on the new retirement environment and the tools to guide them to safety.

Retirees are taught on how to place a new emphasis on the balance between expense and income; manage their personal affairs and their investments in a different way; learn new ways to manage and control their retirement; and create a dynamic form of retirement planning and management.

Through this book, you will be able to mark actual and relative progress, make informed decisions, and continually renew projections to guide them to a successful retirement

Great self help book! Though I am years away from retiring, yet this will come in handy!!! I have already loaned it to my parents to read. Great, helpful and easy to read!!!

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for the book!!!

"The Earworm Inception" by Jon Konrath

****
A food truck craze involving human cannibalism. A Texas Governor who obsessively listens to Rebecca Black right before every state execution. A chainsaw factory that plays Ozzy Osbourne for its welding robots. An ex-girlfriend drunk-dialing from Kandahar, where she's starting a Shakey's Pizza restaurant chain. And an endless search to find the right mix of prescription medication to stop the memories of a bizarre past. These mad stories make up the latest by Jon Konrath, a collection of 20 flash fiction narratives that cross between metafiction and experimental prose, telling grim and absurd fast-paced tales about Konrath's life in a twisted fashion.

Oddly enough...I enjoyed it..A little creepy, alot like some messed up dreams that I have had...May just have to make the hubby read this one...May also pass this around to a couple of my insane friends...lmao. Good job, fun writing technique...

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for the book!!!

"Where There Is Love, There Is God" by Mother Teresa

****
Mother Teresa’s relationship with God and her commitment to those she served—the poorest of the poor—is here powerfully explored in her own words.  Taken largely from her private lessons to her sisters, published here for the first time, Where There is Love, There is God unveils her extraordinary faith in and surrender to God’s will. This book is in some way a sequel to Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, in which her own very private spiritual struggles were explained.  Sent to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, she assumed their struggles and pain in the depths of her heart. This led to particularly intense anguish which she lived through with heroic courage and fidelity over several decades.  As important as this aspect of her life is, that remarkable testimony of her life and her words intensifies the need and desire to know more of her thought.  There is much she can teach us as we face our daily struggles or sufferings, which can at times be unusually severe.  Where There is Love, There is God, though not an exhaustive anthology of Mother Teresa’s teaching, nonetheless shows what she believed and taught about important issues that confront all people. Due to her constant interaction with people of diverse backgrounds, no life situation was foreign to her and in this book her role is primarily one of teacher and guide.

Love is perhaps the word that best summarizes Mother Teresa’s life and message. The title reflects what she proclaimed during her entire life: God is alive, present, and “still loves the world through you and through me”.  Mother Teresa sought to be an extension of God’s heart and hands in the world of today. She was called to be a missionary of charity, a carrier of God’s love to each person she met, especially those most in need. Yet she did not think that this was a vocation uniquely hers; each person is in some way called to be a carrier of God’s love. Through the practical and timely advice she offers, Mother Teresa sets us on the path to closer union with God and greater love for our brothers and sisters.

MOTHER TERESA (1910–1997) was born in Skopje (present-day Macedonia), and joined the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin in 1928. She left the Loreto order in 1948 to begin the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. Her service to the poorest of the poor became her life’s work. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was beatified in 2003. Editor of Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, FATHER BRIAN KOLODIEJCHUK, M.C., Ph.D., was associated with Mother Teresa for twenty years and is now director of the Mother Teresa Center, which has offices in California, Mexico, India, and Italy.



“What you are doing I cannot do, what I’m doing you cannot do, but together we are doing something beautiful for God, and this is the greatness of God’s love for us—To give us the opportunity to become holy through the works of love that we do because holiness is not the luxury of the few. It is a very simple duty for you, for me, you in your position, in your work and I and others, each one of us in the work, in the life that we have given our word of honor to God.…You must put your love for God in a living action.”

-Mother Teresa, From Where There is Love, There is God

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for the book!!!

"The Prophecy" by Jeffrey M. Poole (Bakkian Chronicles book 1)

*****
Dragons, griffins, and BNPs (Bugs of Nightmarish Proportions). Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined what was in store for them.

After learning he had inherited an enormous mansion and a huge tract of land from a reclusive set of relatives, Steve Miller, along with his wife Sarah, decide to take a few days off to investigate their new-found fortune in Coeur d'Alene, a quiet resort town in northern Idaho.

While taking inventory of the vast manor, they discover a unique set of doors on the top floor. Mistaking them for an ornate decoration, the doors are accidentally activated, presenting the two new homeowners with a tantalizing decision: step through or ignore? No harm could possibly befall them by simply walking through an open door, right? Curiosity getting the better of them, they step through, and both husband and wife are sent on a one-way journey to a land of unimagined wonder!

Realizing they were now stranded on a world populated with creatures that should exist only in one’s imagination, they enlist the aid of the local king and queen. Their troubles continue to escalate, however, as it is revealed their arrival had been long foretold by an ancient local prophecy, bestowing upon them the status of Royal Bodyguards to the young crown prince.

Stuck on a foreign world where mythical creatures abound, trying to avoid being attacked by griffins, and hoping to impress a living, breathing dragon, the newly appointed babysitters must find a way to return home soon before harm could befall the young prince.

Some days it didn't pay to get out of bed.

Had no clue what to expect. But it wasnt this!!! AMAZING STORY!!!! I want to read the next one!!!! I have to find out what happens!!!! What had me stuck on this book was Steve and Sarah remind me of the way my husband and I are. I loved it!!!!! Very easy to read, loads of suspense, humor, love, action!!! Awesome descriptions!!! MUST READ PEOPLE~!~!~!!!!! Looking forward to book 2!!!!

"Huntress" by Nicole Hamlett (A Grace Murphy Novel)

****
Grace Murphy, a newly single mother finds this out as she's trying to figure out how to lead a perfectly normal life. The big question becomes, what do you do when you find out that your mother is Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt and she expects you to take up the family business?

You can try hiding, but escaping when you have an ex-husband to deal with, a kid to raise and an unknown being who's trying to kill you is tricky at best.

Now the woman who couldn't put a bookshelf together without getting sweaty and perplexed must learn how to roar...without getting herself and everyone she loves killed.

Saving the world? Not a problem.

Getting home in time for chocolate chip pancakes might be a whole other matter, though...

When I first got this ebook I took one look at the cover and wasnt real interested. Then I read....And WOW. What a really cool approach to old myths. Completely caught me off guard and I  am DYING to read what comes next in the Grace Murphy series!!!! Easy to read, alot of suspense, action, really REALLY sexy GODS!!! The best part???? She is a mother and has a P.O.S. ex-husband. Not to mention she has a more average body. Extremely easy to read with powerful descriptions. MUST READ to all you crazy readers out there!!! GREAT JOB Nicole!!!

"City of Lost Souls" by Cassandra Clare

*****
The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to h`rm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! Clare throws me yet another AMAZING book. Am I an addict??? Yes sure am. Jace really scared me in this book. Clary was courageous and a little hard headed, seeming to be a bit stupid. I love her character and think she is one of the best characters out there today. Izzy is just as beautiful and insane as ever and omg...magnus???REALLY????? Im not a spoil sport so I am not going to ruin anything. I loved the book and again say it is a MUST READ!!!! Fantastic writing, easy to read and follow, loads of suspense, action, humor and of course LOVE. LOVED IT!!!!!

Bricktown shooting after Thunder Game...

Coming to realize the worse night I have expierenced. My husband, brother and two of our friends were having a blast in Thunder Alley. The OKC Thunder won an amazing game and we were ready to go and not stay after the game. Walking on the sidewalk on the northside of Reno Ave in front of the bricktown field, i heard a loud gunshot and with the second one we were falling to the ground in the only way i knew to keep safe, flat as can be. 8-10 shots rang out ,screams and panic was all around after the shooting was over. Standing up and seeing a man laying on his back in the street, checking around then the sirens of police came, it was overwhelming. We traveled another few feet down from this victim to come across another shooting victim, a young girl. after yelling at the police there was another one, we walked probably another 10 ft and there laying on the ground was yet another victim. We came so close to being shot, I was in shock. Making it to our truck was hard enough. I patted myself down everywhere looking for blood or holes, did the same to my husband. God had his arms wrapped safely around us, we (5) were lucky we werent shot. I cant help thinking if we wouldnt have hit the ground...Could not sleep last night, if i did drift off i dreamt of loud gunshots and seeing my friends and family with bleeding bullet holes. No clue how I will sleep tonight, but even as i sit here typing away, I can feel the aches and pains and shock wearing off. I love the OKC Thunder, but with going to watch their games are going to turn out like last night...my children deserve to have their parents here and not shot to death on the street. I can honestly say I am scared. My honest account of what happened..After hearing the first shots and watching the entire crowd of people falling to their stomaches with screams of terror, kids, babies, adults, everywhere. I am done with this blog insert. Just thought I would share.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

*****
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun...

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Took me awhile to get it read. Once I stole it back from my step-son. Can I just say how awesome this book is!!! Very original story line and I was constantly on the edge. I loved it and I really need to dive into book two...I have refused to see the movie until I read the book...Just how I am. Loved the main characters and the plot. Rue....I literally cried! Its awful how they make a blood-bath of kids into entertainment. Anger doesnt describe how I feel towards these people. Fantastic writing, easy to read, amazing twists and turns. FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Curb CheK" by Zach Fortier

****
Curbchek is the story of a damaged cop, Zach Fortier. Fortier worked in the police department for the city where he grew up. One foot in the world of the cops, courts and legal system. The other in the world of gangs, drugs, thugs and street violence. Where the laws and rules are made by the strongest, the schemers and the most brutal. Read about the transformation of Fortier from a green rookie to a damaged paranoid veteran seeing danger in every situation. Follow along as he walks this tight rope. Trying to make difference, breaking the laws he promised to enforce. This is a story of law and order uncensored.

Wow and again wow. Zach takes the reader deep into the city streets of violence, gangs and drugs. Completely taken back again as Curbchek is the 2nd book of his I have read. Amazing, spooky look into the law enforcement side. Amazing what others do in situations like the author has been in. This and Street Creds are MUST READS. I am moving on to Curbchek Reload....See you all after~!~!

"The Labyrinth" by Kenneth McDonald

**

This fantasy novella tells the story of a young wizard who participates in a magical competition that goes fundamentally wrong, pitting him and his fellow competitors against a deadly maze in a desperate struggle for survival. The novella is a prequel to Of Spells and Demons, also available here at Smashwords.

 

Not worth the read. Confusing and completely lost me no matter how many times I tried to re-read sections. I am amazed I read it through. No offense to the author, but not impressed..and I hate leaving bad or negative reviews.

 

"Awakening" by Karice Bolton (The Watchers Trilogy)

*****
Alone in snowy, remote Whistler village, Ana tries to build a new life since losing her parents. With a cozy condo, a sweet-faced bulldog and an evening job to leave the days free for the slopes, life slips into a great routine. If only she could shake the guilt for not remembering anything about her parents and banish the night terrors that haunt her every dream.
On a whim, Ana goes out with Athen, a guy she's just met in the Grizzly Pub... The only problem is that she feels like she already knows him.

Within 48 hours of meeting Athen and his family, Ana's world implodes. She falls for Athen quickly and before she knows it, a past life begins to resurface. As thrilling as the revelations appear at first, she fights against the chilling information that Athen is from the underworld. Soon she begins to struggle as her own supernatural gifts are slowly unveiled, and she realizes that the nightmares she's been having might be premonitions and not dreams at all.
It is up to Ana to decipher between fact and fiction before it is too late, and her new love, Athen, follows in her same fate - one that is lost between two worlds.

What an awesome book!!! Unusal theme and Extremely entertaining!!!!! MUST READ....Karice Bolton did a fantastic job. Completely talented author. Fell in love with Ana, see alot of myself in her. Now the smexy Athen...Oh buddy!!!! Dying to get my hands or kindle on books two and three....its coming!!!! loved loved loved it~~~~

"Beyond the Veil" by Brian Rathbone

**

In this short story, Vincent Pels struggles to save his daughter in life and death.

 

begining was great! but seems like middle through the end was completely rushed and was stopped suddenly. Could have been a whole lot bigger and more! Not even short story, like flash there it is and there its done.

 

"Intangible" by J. Meyers

*****
Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

OMGG!!!! I am literally DROOLING to get my hands on the next book!!!! Unusual, fantastic, heart stopping, magical, a bit spookie, a bit AWESOME!!!! Fantastic writing talent, easy to read, captured my attention and couldnt let it down for a bit. Sera and Luke are completely awesome characters with just enough "bam" to make the reader fall in love with them. As far as Marc is concerned.....Well I suppose we will see????? J. Meyers, thank you for this amazing expierence and I am totally looking forward for book two!!!!!!!

1,000

Okay so I know its not THAT big of deal, but I now have over 1,000 page views!!!!!!!!!!! Lets see where we are when we hit 2,000!!!!!!! Thank you all for keeping tabs on this blog and it is only going to grow!!!!!! And Yall know I love comments so COMMENT AWAY!!!!!!!!

"The First Dragoneer" by M.R. Mathias (A Dragoneer Saga)

****
This PREQUEL NOVELLA to the Dragoneers Saga is a FREE Goodreads ereader Download. If the format looks good I will leave it that way!

Two young men, on the cusp of adulthood go on a hunt they want to remember forever. When they cross a ridge and leave the protected boundries of their kingdom, they find themselves a cavern to explore. Inside the cavern they find exactly what they were seeking.....
Lurking inside this hole in the earth is something they will never forget.... If they can live to remember!

OH lure me in and hit SEND to grab the Dragoneers Saga!!!!!!! Fell in love with the main characters and I am DYING to read the first in the saga!!!!!!!! Fantastic Job!!

"Unforgettable Embrace" by Joanne Clancy

***
Unforgettable Embrace, by Joanne Clancy, is a story of a woman’s journey in self-discovery with many unexpected and often hilarious encounters along the way.

Rachel’s life has become a boring and monotonous routine. Life is just not what she expected it to be, so she decides to make some drastic but exciting changes.
A significant event occurs during a friend’s hen weekend, the seriousness of which wouldn’t be unveiled until later.

Tense moments arise that are suddenly and brutally made to look miniscule compared to the serious events, that unknown to Rachel, have already taken place, in which she is unwittingly but dangerously involved.

Interesting book about love lost and love found. I enjoyed the book, but I wasnt too into it. Loved the main character and how it was based in Ireland. It was a bit slow and boring but all in all a good story line. If I find myself drifting off during read time it wasnt keeping my attention. That is my personal opinion. It was a good book and I am not trying to lower anyones thoughts about it. Rachel was adorible. Loved her friends and sister. Absolutely loved the traveling through Ireland.