Wishlist Wednesday 11.26.14

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Dani @ Pen to Paper where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our shelves :)

Christmas is coming up pretty fast, I've had quite a few people tell me they need gift ideas for me and my husband. Since we just had a wedding about a month ago, we've gotten everything we need for our apartment so I've had to think of other things I need. Go figure, my go-to item is books! It really made me think about which books I really want and as I was cruising around Barnes and Noble today... I found these two that I really want! 

 

Have you read either of these? What's on your wish list?!

Top Ten Tuesday 11.25.14

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish. Every week she posts an idea for a 'Top Ten' list relating to books, and encourages other book bloggers to respond and participate. All the details are listed on her site.

This week's question: Top ten books on my winter TBR list! 

This book has been on my list for a while and I just never seem to get around to it. But I really like Mitch Albom's other books, so I really want to finally read this! Plus its a shorter book, so I should be able to fairly quickly. 

Ever since reading Pride and Prejudice, I've really wanted to read more of these classics, especially the ones I own. This ones on my winter TBR pile and I think it will be a good choice :) 

I've read the other three, so this one is next on my list! I love this series, so I can't wait to keep reading!

Another classic that I want to read soon!

This one's been on my shelf too long! I usually don't let her work sit there without reading it, but with my wedding a month ago, many books got put on hold! 

A perfect one for the Christmas holidays! 

I think a good mystery is perfect for the winter. What better way to curl up in front of the fire place on a snowy day?! .... 

Unless its a good romance, of course! :) 

An ebook I really need to get off my shelves and another good holiday read. 

And last but not least, another Addicted novel! 

I have so many books on my TBR pile and I really, really want to make the effort to put a good dent in them. Its one of my New Years Resolutions (ok, I'm a little early on this, but might as well start sooner rather than later!)

What books are on your TBR list?

Its Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey, where we share what we read last week, what we're currently reading, and what is next for us! 

Well, I'm reading quite slow lately. I started A Clash of Kings about a month ago when I was on my honeymoon, but it's such a long book and I needed a break, so I recently started I Hunt Killers. It's pretty good so far! I'm still reading at a snail's pace, but that's ok :) I've read a lot this year, so if this takes me a while, it's not a big deal! 

I'm Addicted to TV...

Other than reading, one of my favorite things to do in the winter is curl up on the couch and watch some good TV! I decided to write this post because I'm currently wrapped up in a blanket on my couch watching the Packer/Viking game with my husband. Go Pack Go!! I love my Packers! Especially Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson :) Ohhh... Rodgers could take every Man-Crush-Monday for me! Just look at him....

 

Ok, getting back to the point of this post! I have so many TV shows that I absolutely love watching. I probably watch way too much TV, but I don't care. It's a guilty pleasure of mine and since I don't have cable, I just have to watch things on Netflix or regular channels. So here are a few of my favorite shows! 

Nashville

I love country music and this show is all about it! I can't get enough of these characters. Rayna, Deacon, Juliette, I just love them all. I'm still Team Deacon - I won't give up hope that he and Rayna will get back together! This show is filled with drama, comedy and a whole lot of country music. 

Criminal Minds 

I've loved this show since the very beginning. I don't care if these situations won't likely happen and that how the BAU in this show isn't how the actual BSU (Behavioral Science Unit) works in real life. I just love the show. And now that it's on Netflix?!?! OMG I can't get enough! And Shemar Moore?? Yes, please. 

Parenthood

I haven't watched this show in a while, and I'm not very good at keeping up with it on TV, but I love watching this one on Netflix too. There's so much love in their stories and I love seeing Max's story. My pseudo nephew has Autism and and I think it's great that they're showing the struggles those affected by Autism face. 

Gilmore Girls 

I used to watch this show every day afters school and got really excited when, go figure, it went on Netflix! :) I recently started from the beginning and can't wait to finally see the whole series in order! 

Friends

How can I forget this show!? It's one of my absolute favorite! My husband and I borrowed the seasons from his parents a couple years ago and watched them all the way through. We then got the seasons ourselves and watch it almost every night, even if its just one quick episode before bed. 

New Girl 

So funny!! Its definitely got some stupid funny parts, which I usually don't enjoy that much, but something about this show is great. I love Schmidt and Jess! 

The Big Bang Theory

Last, but not least, The Big Bang Theory! I think this show is so incredible funny. Sheldon is probably my favorite, or Raj! This is another show my husband and I have all the season of and watch constantly! We just finally got the most recent two seasons out on dvd, so we're catching up with that! 

I'm sure I could name tons of other TV shows that I love, but those are the first that came to mind! It definitely gets in the way of reading, but sometimes you just need to not concentrate so much :) 

[Review] Garrett by Sawyer Bennett

Garrett by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey, #2
Publisher: Loveswept
Publishing Date: Feb 17, 2015
Format: ARC, ebook
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

Carolina Cold Fury star Garrett Samuelson never wants to miss out on a single minute of fun. Whether he’s playing hockey, hanging out with friends, or walking the red carpet with a new date on his arm, he lives every day to the fullest. When he meets Olivia Case, he sees someone who’s exactly his type—confident, sexy, smart . . . his next fling. But the more he pursues her, the more Garrett shares a side of himself that other women don’t normally get to see.

Olivia has been keeping a secret. While Garrett lives for the next thrill, Olivia’s not sure she’ll live to see the next day. She’s undergoing treatment for some serious medical issues, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship with no guarantees—especially one with a hot-as-sin womanizer who won’t take no for an answer. But as she gets to know the real Garrett, Olivia can’t help falling for him . . . hard. To reveal the truth would mean risking everything—but you can’t score without taking the tough shots.

My Review

I received an advanced review copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. 

Ok. I'm a huge hockey fan. I grew up watching my brother play for over 15 years. Best way to get to my heart from a romance novel? Add some sexy hockey players! Sawyer Bennett knew exactly what to do to make her readers fall in love with these characters. I loved Alex and Sutton (totally off topic, but I love that name!!), and I couldn't wait to get a copy of Garrett's story! I was so excited when I saw it on Netgalley and stopped what I was reading just to download this and start!

This book sucked me and and swept me away. I was immediately hooked by Olivia and Garrett's story and didn't want to put it down. You could feel the attraction and heat leaping off the pages. But besides just that, they had a really good connection. Olivia was able to teach Garrett how to trust and love, and Garrett really showed Olivia how to have fun, let go a little bit. If there are any more single Cold Fury players out there, I want their story!! :) I really want to name names about who would be a great story, but I can't without spoiling things! Ahh! I just can't get enough of this series or Ms. Bennett's work! If you haven't read her books yet, do it now! 

Others in the Series

My review here!

Stacking the Shelves 11.16.14

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews. Its all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, whether physical or virtual books. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course, ebooks! Tynga posts this meme on Saturdays, but you can post on any day that works best for you! Check out the guidelines by visiting Tynga's blog! 

Bought

Only added one book to my shelf this week! But that's definitely a good things because my TBR shelf is out of control (: 

[Review] Somebody Like You by Candis Terry

Somebody Like You by Candis Terry
Series: Sugar Shack, #3
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publishing Date: July 17, 2012
Format: paperback, won
368 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

Welcome Back to the Sugar Shack. 

Straitlaced . . . Chicago prosecutor Kelly Silverthorne has a perfect record in the courtroom and a big fat zero in the bedroom. When she loses her first case ever, she returns home to Deer Lick, Montana, to regain her confidence and shake off the "Sister Serious" moniker she's been stuck with since childhood. Only a few hours into her repentance, karma thrusts her face-to-face with yet another of her major fiascos—a one-night stand with the hottest cop in the county.

Rebel with a Cause . . . Deputy James Harley has always played with fire. When smart and sexy Kelly pops back into his life, he doesn't mind going for a full burn. And that might be exactly what happens when his past threatens to catch up with his future.

A Match Made in . . . Heaven only knows what Kelly's dearly departed mom has planned from the other side—especially since she's already meddled in Kelly's siblings' love lives. But even heaven knows that when love comes knocking, there's no stopping the good things to come.

My Review

So, I don't really like reading books in a series out of order, even if they don't necessarily need to be, but I still feel like it's spoiling something. The Sugar Shack series doesn't necessarily need to be read in order because each book involves a different sibling as the main focus. So because of that, I decided to read Somebody Like You, the third in this series! I still need to read the second, Dean's story, but I just couldn't wait until I got it to read more about this family! 

Can Candis Terry do any wrong in her writing?! I seriously love her stories and this one is no different! I immediately identified with Kelly whose a lawyer working as a State prosecutor, but after a tough case, she doesn't know if she wants to go back. I graduated from law school in 2013 and practiced as an attorney for a little over a year. But I soon learned I didn't enjoy the work I was doing. Sure, there were cases that I was happy to work on and felt like I was helping, but there were so many that didn't feel like I was making a difference. So I left the practice and though I'm still working in the legal field, I'm not a practicing attorney and its a completely different area of law. I might go back one day, but right now, I love my job. And that's what Kelly finds; you do something other than what might be expected of you, especially if it's something that makes you happy! And Deputy James Harley... again, a man in uniform is hot! :) He has so many inner demons he's battling, but Kelly brings out the best in him. And in turn, he brings out Kelly's fun side and challenges her to do something different, find her hidden talent. 

These two couldn't be more perfect for each other and I loved watching their relationship grow. I also really liked getting to know Alex, James' younger brother. They have a difficult relationship but Kelly really helps them work through it. This book is really well written and I can't wait to read more of her work. Hopefully I can get Any Given Christmas, Dean's story, soon! Can't wait to finish this series! I'm also really, really looking forward to the rest of Terry's Sweet, Texas novels. If you haven't read her work yet, what are you waiting for?!

Other Books in This Series

Tell Me Something Tuesday 11.11.14

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings. Each week a new question is presented. Check out Heidi's blog for all the details :)

This week's question: Do you hesitate to read a book by your favorite author when it gets bad or lackluster reviews? 

Nope, not a chance. There are so many books that others have read and absolutely loved, while I only liked them, or I loved the book and others didn't feel the same. I can't base my likes and dislikes on what other readers thought of the book. Sure, it makes me think about why they might not have liked it or not liked it as much as others by that author. There's usually a few good reasons why a lot of people didn't like a particular book, but there's also a lot of good reasons why they did. So, no, I won't hesitate to read a book by my favorite author. The book might not turn out to be my favorite, but I still want to give it a chance. And if its written by my favorite author, I can almost always find some things in the book that I liked - they're my favorite for a reason, right?! :) 

What about you? Do you hesitate to read a book by your favorite author if it gets less than positive reviews? 

[Review] Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult 
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publishing Date: October 14, 2014
Format: hardcover, ARC
416 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.

As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish.

My Review

No matter what Jodi Picoult writes, I absolutely love it! Leaving Time is another great book that I couldn't put down. Before I read this, I read Where There's Smoke, a short story about one of the main characters in this story. It really helped set this book up for being a fun and interesting read. 

I liked Jenna as a character; she is searching so hard to find the truth about her mother and looks for help in two unlikely people who soon become her friends. Virgil is a grumpy old man who doesn't seem to be happy with anything in life, and Serenity has lost her belief in herself and struggles to get it back. 

This story wasn't what I was really expecting. To be honest, I didn't know too much about it before I started reading, just that Picoult had written it and there were elephants involved. That was more than enough for me to want to read it! And reading this made me so fascinated by elephants! I knew next to nothing about them when I started, but while reading this book, I found myself looking up other facts about them and even looking up the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, which I was excited to see is a real place! 

This book kept me hooked until the very end. I wanted to know what happened to Alice, the staff of their sanctuary, Jenna, Virgil and Serenity. I certainly wasn't expecting what happened at the end. It completely took me by surprise, but I liked it! So different than what I thought was going to happen, which is one of my favorite things about books and reading: I'm always finding a new way to look at things and never quite know what to expect at the end of stories (:

Favorite Quote

"...when you're a point, all you see is the point. When you're a line, all you see is the line and the point. When you're in three dimensions, you see three dimensions and lines and points. Just because we can't see a fourth dimensions doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It just means we haven't reached it yet." pg 145

Prequels

                                         review

[Review] Second Chance at the Sugar Shack by Candis Terry

Second Chance at the Sugar Shack by Candis Terry
Series: Sugar Shack #1
Publisher: Avon Books
Publishing Date: August 9, 2011
Format: paperback, won
336 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

Kate Silver’s back in town, and her dead mother just won’t leave her alone.

Kate usually spends her days dressing Hollywood A-listers, but after her estranged mother dies she finds herself elbow-deep in flour in her parents’ bakery . . . in Deer Lick, Montana. She thought she’d left small-town life far, far behind, but it seems there are a few loose ends.

The boy she once loved, Deputy Matt Ryan, is single and sexy and still has a thing for her . . . and handcuffs.

Her mother, who won’t follow the white light, is determined to give maternal advice from beyond the grave.

And somehow Kate’s three-day stay has, well . . . extended. She never planned to fill her mother’s pie-baking shoes—she prefers her Choos, thank you very much. But with the help of a certain man in uniform, Kate quickly learns that sometimes second chances are all the more sweet.

My Review

I read this book in one day and absolutely loved it! I was first introduced to Candis Terry when I was part of a tour for Sweetest Mistake, her Sweet, Texas series. I entered a giveaway and was lucky enough to win the first two books in that series, as well as Second Chance and Somebody Like You, book 3 in the Sugar Shack series. 

I didn't really know what this book was about when I first started reading it, but knew how much I loved her other series and I had won it, so I wanted to see what it was all about! After I started reading, I read the synopsis on the back of the book - a little out of order, since most people do that first (: When I read that Kate's dead mother talks to her... well... I wasn't sure what to expect! That being said, I immediately fell in love with the characters and Deer Lick, Montana. I'm a sucker for small country towns and this one seemed really sweet. 

Kate was an easy character to like. She's worked hard for her career and lifestyle. She had some troubles with her mom growing up, and her death brought out some unresolved issues. Regardless of how anyone feels about the afterlife in real life, in this story, Kate was able to come to terms with her mom's death and the events of the past 10 years. And Deputy Matt Ryan? Who doesn't love a man in uniform?? He's a hunk - no other way to put it - tall, dark, and handsome with ice blue eyes. On top of that, he's a sweet guy! Once we learn about his history with Kate, his actions make sense and we root for their relationship to work out. 

Candis Terry is definitely an author that's going to stay on my list of must-reads! I've loved the Sweet, Texas books that have been released so far, and after this one, I can't wait to continue reading the series! I was going to try not to buy any more books this year, just to get through my never-ending TBR pile, but I must get my hands on Any Given Christmas, the second book in this series. If you like romance, read this!! I'm going to be recommending it to everyone!

Other Books in this Series

If you liked this book, try these... 
(my reviews listed below)

Anything But Sweet
Kissing the Maid of Honor 
Best Fake Day

Favorite Places to Read

If you're like me, you have a favorite, or two, go-to places to read. Since that's where I'm currently sitting, I thought I'd share with my readers my favorite spots!

The living room is probably my favorite spot to read, right in the corner of the couch. I'd prefer a bigger, comfier couch, but this was free, and as a newly married and newly graduated young adult... I can't afford anything else! :) But it's still pretty comfy, and I can't pass up the fireplace! Sometimes I even sit right in front and keep cozy. It's perfect during the colder months, like November is showing us! When my husband and I buy or build a house in the future, it's a requirement that I have a wood fireplace! This gas one is pretty nice, but I much prefer a wood-buring fire! The smells...the sound... just perfect! I grew up with wood fireplaces in my parents' house, so someday I'll have one of my own! The picture on the right is how I was reading the other night - simply wonderful! 

My other favorite spot to read is in bed! I try not to read here too much because I still like being in the same room as my husband and I also tend to fall asleep earlier if I'm in bed. But sometimes I just love laying down with my kitties (Romeo is pictured here!). And sometimes, like later today, my husband will be playing video games with his friend, so going into the bedroom and shutting the door is sometimes the best option (: 

One day, along with my wood fireplace, I'll have a library or book nook (maybe with a fireplace?!). I plan to have a big, comfy chair or couch and cuddle up in there to read! That's not going to be anytime soon, so I'll just enjoy these two spots until then. 

What are your favorite places to read? Post pictures!! I love hearing from my readers!

[Review] Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publishing Date: March 1998
Format: paperback, purchased
192 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

January 24th.

After you've had it, there isn't even life without drugs...

Go ask Alice.

The harrowing true story of a teenager's descent into the seductive world of drugs. A diary so honest you may think you know Alice- or someone like her. Read her diary. Enter her world. You'll never be able to forget Alice.

My Review

When I first picked up this book, I really wanted to love it. I had read Letting Ana Go and really liked the style it was written, so I thought I'd like this one just as much. I've heard questions about whether this is a true story or not, along with Letting Ana Go, and it really doesn't matter to me. Obviously I'd like it to be a true story since that's how it's advertised, but regardless, its more about the content of the book itself.

The girl in this story is difficult for me to relate to because she's young and very immature. Maybe if I had read it 10 years ago, when I was her age, I would have felt differently, or maybe it's because this book was set in the 70's (from what I can gather, though correct me if I'm wrong). She didn't really comprehend what she was doing and didn't think about her actions. She kind of just did things she wanted and maybe thought about it later.

I feel like saying I liked this book is the wrong word because it's not a book about a happy subject, but I did like that it portrayed, or tried to portray, the life of a teen addict. Some of the parts of the book may have been a bit exaggerated, like running away for weeks at a time, and then her parents just seeming to be happy she was home, but not upset with what she did. If that were me, my parents wouldn't have let me leave the house for months! And I likely wouldn't have been able to still hang around those people who I ran away with! Maybe its just different times, but it seems a little unrealistic. However, that being said, I do think this book did a good job of touching on the subject of addiction, though I don't think it delved deep enough into how it can hurt not only the addict, but those around them. That is likely because of the point of view the story is told from - the addict may not really understand how she is affecting those around her.

Overall, this book was okay. I didn't love it, but it was a quick enough read that I pushed through and finished it in a day. I'm glad to have read it because I've heard about it many times and was really curious. That being said, this wouldn't be a book I'd reread.

If you liked this book, try these: 

See my reviews here: 

- Letting Ana Go -

- Crank -

- Thirteen Reasons Why -