A Night Without Armor

This was a blast from the past. I remember this poetry collection being HOT when I was in middle school. That being said I never got around to reading it. I enjoyed this collection, but I wasn't in awe of it. It was ok for a singular read but I didn't find myself bookmarking any pages or wanting to save this to re-read it. Again, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. This was good for a singular read. 

The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

I have only read a few of Emily Dickinson's poems in the past so this was the first time I sat down and dedicated myself to actually exploring her work. It's undeniably beautiful and her use of language and prose is masterful. It's not all perfect though, there were some real standouts and some that felt rushed or just didn't feel right. She is without question one of the greats, but I don't know anything about poetry so I'm not exactly the best judge. Happy that I finally read her poems though, I felt as though I had gaps in my reading history. 

The Deal

Don't get me wrong, I liked this book, I enjoyed this book! I thought it was steamy and sexy and wonderful BUT... the second that Garrett mentioned he needed a fake ID.... it was a bit of a mood killer. I am in my mid-thirties and I just had in my head that they were older than that. I was picturing fifth year seniors or something but I got a reality check real quick when I read that. I was getting a little TOO invested in some 20 year old's sex life. Storyline was good and really reminded me a lot of Icebreaker. I wonder if the author was inspired by this book and decided to mimic it. Hot romance, but my age cooled that down real quick. 

Sunrise on the Reaping

Just as good, if not better than, the original trilogy. This prequel featuring Haymitch had me locked in from page one. It's SO GOOD! And it explains so much about how he got so jaded and critical in The Hunger Games. I read this in one day, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Obviously I went into this book knowing that he would win (because he's a mentor), but wow - his journey is insane. And the ending. My heart could hardly handle it. SO SO GOOD! 

Prophecy

The first in a trilogy, Prophecy focuses on two outcasts, Azriel and Persephone as they try to trust each other and figure out the riddles surrounding their future. Azriel is a handsome thief who spirits away Persephone from her owner. She may have been a slave but Persephone is an independent thinker; while she may have been "rescued" by Azriel but that doesn't mean she is beholden to him. At every turn she tries to evade him and forge her own path, but that pesky little prophecy is keeping them together. Too bad, the prophecy doesn't have any concrete details. This political intrigue has slight elements of fantasy and is perfect for older teens and adults. It starts off quite slow, but really picks up when the duo reaches the castle. The chemistry and undercurrent of romance between Persephone and Azriel is also a smoldering slow burn. Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger so you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. 

Lore Olympus v. 8

One of the best in the series so far! We got the outcome of Persephone's trial and the aftermath. The ending was awesome an we're finally getting closer to Hades and Persephone getting together together. Love it! As always, the artwork is amazing as is the way Rachel Smythe updates the classic mythology to fit the story. I can't wait for the next one! 

The Murderer Across the Hall

A haunting memoir about living with a man who turned out to be a murderer. When Chrystal and her boyfriend Tom found a cheap place to rent they were thrilled to get out of their crappy apartment. Tom had recently reconnected with an old friend and he had offered them a bedroom to rent. Chrystal wasn't thrilled with the house or with the owner, Johnny; but her boyfriend was all in so she tried to be happy about it. From the get go things were weird with Johnny, he was always on drugs and his behavior was getting more erratic. He practically trashed the basement including all the new paint they had purchased to spruce it up. He was always trash talking his ex and just seemed off. When they got the call that their house was a crime scene, little did Chrystal and Tom know what it was about. They thought it was for drugs. When they learned the truth they were horrified. This slim book is only 25 pages and holds the perspective of Chrystal. It is not an exhaustive true crime book, there is hardly anything about the murder of Hannah, it is mostly about Chrystal's experience. While good, it is very short and would be best served as a chapter in an exhaustive book about the incident. This is just one small angle. 

A Talent for Murder

First off, I loved the straightforward murder mystery aspect. This relatively slim novel hooked me right away and was a fast paced read. This was the third in the series, I had no read the previous two, but the story was still easy to follow. Martha Ratliff, a sedate librarian living in Maine has begun to suspect that her husband is up to no good when he travels the coast selling his wares. She doesn't think it's infidelity, but she does think it involves murder. Is her charming husband a serial killer?! Marth enlists the help of Lilu Kintner, a former college friend to help her dig deeper, she doesn't want to come out and accuse her husband, what if she's wrong? What Lily and her partner Henry discover goes much deeper than anyone thought. Chilling and dark, I need to check out the rest of the books in this series. 

The Spy Coast

Maggie is a retired CIA operative and she is enjoying the slower pace of life. For the past two years she has lived on a small farm in a small town in Maine. She tends to her chickens, drinks horribly bitter coffee with her neighbor Luther, and has meet-ups with a few other CIA retirees who conveniently live in the same town. When a body of a woman ends up in her driveway, Maggie knows something from her past has caught up to her. When she is shot at a few days later she knows that her time in Maine is at an end. She along with her retiree friends must get to the bottom of who is out to get her before the nosy police cop gets in the way. To uncover the threats, Maggie is finally going to have to tell her friends what happened sixteen years ago and maybe, maybe, they will be able to figure out who is after her and why. A fine book, but I didn't love the characters. I don't think I will continue with the series. 

How to Tell a True Story

This middle grade story about a teen girl losing everything but her family in a house fire is heartbreaking and full of hope. Amber Price is used to having to worry about studying for math or if the cute boy in her class has noticed her, but when a fire upends her life she hardly knows what to think. Her older brother Gage rushed into the house to save her from the attic and suffered sever burns. Everyone is calling him a hero and wants to help their family. But some things can't be helped. Their dad's stress about the insurance, their parent's deteriorating relationship, the lack of cute clothes to wear. This contemporary novel will make teens think twice about what kindness and the truth mean. 

The Paradise Problem

Christina Lauren books just keep getting better. I don't know how, but let me tell you I am here for it. The premise is borderline absurd, unbelievable, yet works SO GOOD! Anna and West got married in college so they could get cheap lodging. It was never consummated and as roommates they hardly ever saw each other. When they graduated Anna signed the divorce papers and they moved on their happy separate ways. That is until five years later. Anna has just been fired from her crappy convenience store job when West shows up asking for a favor. Turns out they had never actually been divorced and he needs her to pretend to be his wife for a tropical 10 day wedding. Oh and by the way his family is worth billions. Of course she says yes because he is willing to pay her 100,000 and that will pay off so much of her medical debt. What could go wrong? She's a broke adult who has no idea what it's like live with wealth, she can pretend to be a rich bitch.... right? Things start to go sideways when West's brother gets suspicious and when she starts to develop feelings for West. Over the top, witty, and wonderful. Christina Lauren at their best! 

Death in the Jungle

This book was so compelling and so heartbreaking. I was riveted. I knew about Jonestown, the Kool-Aid, Jim Jones, and the works. Or at least I thought I did. After reading this compelling narrative nonfiction title, I realized that it was so much worse than I ever realized. I only knew the broad strokes and author Candace Fleming did an amazing job of connecting the dots and focusing on a few key survivors to tell the story. Obviously the story starts with Jim Jones, but it goes so much more deep than that. This title is geared towards teens, but really I think it's a perfect place to start if you want to know about this tragedy. It is SO in depth and uses the testimonies of some key survivors to help set the scene and make readers understand how normal people could find themselves caught up in the web of deceit. Very well written and includes photos (none of the massacre itself thankfully). Truly moving, a fitting tribute to the survivors and a glimpse into something truly terrifying. 

A Curse Carved in Bone

The shield maiden Freya discovers that not all is what it seems. After Bjorn's betrayal in at the end of the last book, she is more than pissed. She wants answers and she wants them know. She goes with Harald and Bjorn to Nordeland so she can meet Saga and hear from her what the prophecy is and if there is a way to change it. The story definitely floundered the first half of the book and there were so many missing pieces. When the pieces all fit together it was quite a shock. A fitting conclusion to this duology. It's made me want to learn more about Norse mythology. The ending was great and I will be sad to let these characters go. 

Devotions from the Garden

This devotional has been a wonderful way to start each morning. Not only is it filled with beautiful reflections, but the accompanying garden photos showcasing the Lord's beauty is breathtaking. Each devotional opens with a piece of scripture, is followed by a devotional and ends with a prayer. I love how perfectly it tied into gardening!

Monsters in Your Head

Percius is sick and tired of being bullied. He gets it, he is an outcast. But liking monster movies, the local haunted house, and monster magazines isn't that strange. Why can't people just leave him alone?! With no friends and emotionally absent parents; Percius turns to his monsters for comfort. While at his lowest he creates three fictional monster friends and they make him feel stronger and more in control. When he decides to confront his bully, Marcus at school, he takes comfort in their presence, no mater how imaginary. But later that night when Marcus comes seeking vengeance, Percius discovers that there may be more to his imaginary friends then he realizes. Fast paced and well written, this horror novella is a love letter to every kid who was bullied. A new and inventive monster story! 

Year One

This may have been the first Nor Robert's book that I really enjoyed! Year One very much reminds me of Stephen King's, The Stand. It's a dystopian novel about the end of civilization from a plague and the battle for good and evil. There is a lot more magic in this book however. Lots of people who survive the doom (the plague) have found themselves blessed with powers. Many are witches, wizards, elves, and fairies. Not all though were blessed. Some are just ordinary people and they don't take kindly to those with powers. They call them the uncanny and blame them for the plague. Lana and Max along with some others, flee New York City to get away from the raiders and those that wish to use their powers for evil. Along the way they pick up many other people and look forward to starting a community of their own. One that will be safe. How safe can anyone be in a world like this though? A good story, but I may wait a while before I dive into the other two books in the series! 

Wild and Wrangled

I am so heartbroken that this series is over. I want more!!!!! Wild and Wrangled is the 4th and final installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch. It covers the romance between Cam and Dusty. I have been waiting to hear their story for forever! Cam and Dusty were high school lovers who went their separate ways. Cam has grown up a lot, she has a child and is a lawyer. She is also engaged. When Dusty moves back to town he is drawn to Cam like a moth to a flame. But she is off limits. However, when she is jilted at the alter she is back on the market. But is her heart open to romance again? Can they resolve their issues and start again? A heartfelt conclusion to a fantastic romance series.