Where I've been

Hello all! It's been a long while since I posted anything I know! But I've been busy with my new little bundle of joy! But hopefully I'll be back soon! Thanks for sticking by me:)

Arc Review: The Savage Grace

The Savage Grace
By Bree Despain
Published by Egmont USA
488 Pages
Release Date March 13 2012
Book 3 of 3 in the The Dark Divine series




My must have playlist:

What its about (from goodreads):

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion

What I thought:

I'm always really nervous to read the last book in a series, I mean I've been disappointed a lot, however The Savage Grace doesn't disappoint in anyway. Grace is an easy Character to follow, love, and want to help get her to right choices in life. She has moments of weakness like anyone, but she pushes through.  I feel like this was a beautiful end to a series that I've loved from page one of The Dark Divine.

I enjoyed watching Grace's Internal struggle reach an all time high as she pushed away and hurt the ones she loves all while she's fighting the external struggles as well. I guess I shouldn't say I enjoyed that part but I love the way she is able to over come and fight for the ones she loves in the end. It's easy to feel Grace's pain and loss that she feels towards Daniel as well the hurt and distrust she feels towards Talbot and Jude. I love that Bree is able make these emotions so real and relatable. I also loved how strong the connection was between Grace and Daniel, this one you'll have to feel for yourself so I don't give away spoilers about what happens between the two of them but trust me its a relationship worth lusting after.

There are for sure some really sad and rough parts of this book but I respect that it isn't all pretty because real life isn't always pretty. But there is a great message that there is always family and religion to lean on when times get tough.

What I'm doing with my ARC:

This is the first ARC I've ever gotten that I could actually keep but I debated doing a giveaway, or something with it when an opportunity to do something good with it came up. One of my oldest friends is about to have a new Nephew.  However The baby has been diagnosed with Shone's Syndrome it is is a form of heart disease that has two main features. First, there are multiple problems with the left side of the heart, which receives blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. The valves and passageways are often too small or blocked. Second, the abnormal areas on the left side get worse over time. This second aspect of Shone's Syndrome makes it very different from most other types of of congenital heart disease, which may be equally severe at birth, but do not progress over time.
To help correct the problem the baby will undergo several open heart surgeries as well as be in the NICU for a long period of time. They are a young hard working family whose lives will be changed forever.  And my friend is trying to raise money to help the family cover the medical bills.

They will be doing a Silent Auction and dinner soon to help raise money.  So I'll be taking my ARC to get signed by Bree at her release party and donating it to them to add to the silent Auction. If you'd like to learn a little more about this family and how you can help donate go HERE.  I will post more details about the Silent Auction and dinner when I find them out.

The Release Party:

The release Party for The Savage Grace will be March 13th At 7pm at Kings English Bookstore.  Hope to see you there!

Also starting on the 3rd you can get The Dark Divine and The Lost Saint ebooks for only 1.99 leading up to the release of The Savage Grace

I Give This Book:

EVERNEATH release party

Last night was the release party for Brodi Ashton's EVERNEATH! It was held at Kings English and I think it was one of the best release parties I've ever been to.  There were tons of people there I swear more than I've ever seen for a release! It was amazing and Brodi totally deserves the support and love.

I was so excited to look over and see Brodi's dad there ready to record her speech and take pictures!  It was so happy and exciting!  I really wish I had video of Brodi's speech myself because it was fun and so her!  I loved it! 

There was even cake with the beautiful cover on it!

And Jenn Aubrey and I got a picture with her. Her Husband promised to give out hugs to everyone who bought her book I didn't see that!  But I think I got better.. I got a hug from Brodi :)

We of course went to Cheesecake factory after, it was a really fun night!

ARC Review: EVERNEATH

EVERNEATH
By: Brodi Ashton
Published By: Blazer + Bray
370 pages
Release date: January 24th 2012










My Must have playlist:

What its about(from goodreads):
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

What I thought:

I have liked this book for a really long time... I'm not going to lie, even before I ever saw the beautiful cover or held the ARC (My very first!) in my hands. I  got the ARC through a blog tour set up by Windy Aphayrath so I didn't get to keep the ARC (a very sad day when I had to give it back.)  Anyway, the reason I liked it before I read it is because of it's Author Brodi Ashton.  If you don't already follow her blogs or tweets I think you should be sad!  You've missed a lot of belly button lint:) okay and much better things than that.  She's amazing, blogging about everything from her dad's amazing battle with cancer and how they handle it with rainbows and sunshine, to the stress of writing books she always has a way of seeing the positive side of things! She brings a lot of humor to the blogging world.

EVERNEATH isn't funny like her blog but its beautiful.  From page one I couldn't put it down. The way she's able to tell a story from two different times is haunting and perfect.  Every chapter leaves you wanting so much more. This book is the start of something new for Paranormal lovers.

I love all the little Utah traditions I was able to spot in the book. The family values and subtle references to the way Utah lives were perfectly added through out the story. It made it feel more like home, and I think the rest of the world will love it too.

The Characters:

Nikki Beckett:  Nikki has gone through alot in 100 years and it shows in the sides of herself portrayed through the time gaps. She has to learn to be her, to love, to say good-bye. She feels so real you just want to hug and her and tell her it will all be okay.

Jack Caputo: My favorite book crush!  I'm pretty sure he even surpasses Dimitri from Vampire Academy (if you know me at all you know this is BIG!)  I love LOVE LOVE him.  With out giving away any of the story My favorite scene is the one where he tosses her a deck of cards and says "You deal, then when you're ready to talk, talk."  I think this part of the story sums up who Jack is and just how much he'd actually do for Nikki.

Cole:  The bad boy you love to hate and hate to love. There's a lot of 'he loves her, he loves her not' going on with Cole. From his good looks to the draw no girl can ignore you're left with mixed feelings for the immortal guy.



IF YOU LIVE IN UTAH: the release party will be on the 24th at Kings English! I'm making all my friends come for my birthday girls night! hope to see you there:)

My Rating:

Review: Crossed

Crossed
By: Ally Condie
Published by: Dutton Books
367 pages




My Must have playlist:

What its about (from goodreads):

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

What I thought:

Okay, I'm having a hard time trying to come up with words for this review, for a few reasons. 1. I'm really trying to think of a way to show how I feel with out spoilers. and 2. I'm little bit confused on how to feel.

I loved the first half of the book.  All the passion and excitement from Matched carries over. As you follow Cassia on her Journey to find Ky you can't help but cheer for a reunion.  The setting is amazing and written beautifully, it feels like your right there with them.

The second half of the book though... I don't want to say I didn't like it because I'm holding out faith for the characters I love. However I feel like we went through a lot in this book just to take ten steps back. I'm holding on to a belief that it will turn out in the end of book 3.  But I was left feeling a bit lost. There were also a few points where I had to check the chapter heading half way though the chapter to see whose POV I was currently reading.  I know its really hard to write first person and multiple POV's.  I did enjoy getting to know KY better though.

I think if you liked Matched you should for sure read this! Just be prepared for the end.

I give this book:

Really big news and why I've been MIA lately.

Well I have big news!  but you have to check out my other blog for all the info.!  and welcome to my new followers!  can't wait to read your reviews!

SO CHECK THIS OUT FOR BIG NEWS!

Follow Friday

 

Today's Question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

Happy Friday!!