Category Archives: Books

Book Review: Dance With Me – Heidi Cullinan

Posted on September 8, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I thouroughly enjoyed reading this novel. After reading my first book by the author called “Nowhere Ranch” I was convinced that this would be as good as said book.

Ed Maurer’s life would be fine if he could just get Laurie Parker off his back. He’s bounced back, more or less, from the neck injury that permanently benched his semi-pro football career, and he volunteers now at a local community center. It’s just that every time he turns around, that damn professional dancer is in his way, hating Ed right back. But when a bargain Ed strikes at the center lands him as an assistant in Laurie’s ballroom dancing class, their perceptions of each other turn upside down. Both Ed and Laurie have heartbreak in their pasts, but somehow dancing together eases their individual pain. For Ed, dancing with Laurie becomes a way to reconnect with his body after losing football. For Laurie, partnering with Ed has erased some of his fear of performing and brought back joy to a sport he wasn’t sure he could ever truly love again.

As Laurie and Ed lose themselves in dance, their lives continue to spin around them: Ed’s injury makes it clear he’s nowhere near recovery, Laurie feels the pressure by friends and family to perform once more, and the community center that has become such an important part of both their worlds threatens to close. Alone, they haven’t had the strength or spirit to face what life has hurled at them. But as the turns of their personal paths lead them into the arms of love, Ed and Laurie begin to think that if they dance this dance together, they might be able to succeed. via Goodreads

What I really loved about Heidi’s writing style is that she’s never boring. She’s got this ability to write a full chapter with mere narration and no dialogues at all and it’ll be interesting. And being a THE Britney Spears stan myself – this already earn some good points for me. I was so giddy whenever Ed go in the zone with Britney!!!! Too EPIC right? LOL

This is another book I didn’t mind losing some sleeping hours over because it’s really that good. That book has great pacing, great characters and amazing premise! Another “gold” from Miss Heidi Cullinan!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2) – James Dashner

Posted on September 7, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

After escaping from the maze, the test continues for the boys chosen by WICKED in the hopes of finding the “cure.” Thomas along with the rest of the Gladers who survived the escape has no choice but to survive yet another test. Transported in a desert-like hell, the boys had to endure the scorching heat of their new environment and meet another group – this time, they are group of girls who escaped from their own similar maze and were apparently also put to the test and were promised a cure upon completion. Lies, betrayal and some truth were also revealed to Thomas here as his search for Theresa became a catalyst for slowly discovering himself.

I find the whole premise of the book almost too predictable this time. From the accomplices and the betrayals and all, it all feels like playing RPG where the reader becomes the tactician and the outcome is almost resolute because you already have an idea about it.

I also thought that the narrative went too long when the goal was as simple as crossing the desert-like Nowhere Land. The controlled environment reminded me of the “arena” in The Hunger Games. Like seriously, If I were part of WICKED, I will never agree for those kids to undergo such trials because it kinda seem stupid to kill some of them just to see who actually has the survival skills and all regardless if they have the Flare or not.

The book is still a great teaser though for the trilogy’s final book and it actually got me a bit pumped up to know who actually have the cure in the end or if they’ll ever find one to begin with.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Training Season – Leta Blake

Posted on September 7, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I’m not really into BDSM stuff so that chapter in this book made me shudder a bit. And that “enema” scene was downright off for my taste. I also thought that the jump to BDSM was quite off to begin with. The analogy the author was trying to make about it and Matty’s Olympic aspiration was way too trying hard If I may say so.

The first half up to the middle of second half of the novel has a very slow build up and the conclusion didn’t even make up for it. I’m glad though that a character like Matty made it into this genre. I mean there’s also few of them who are that flamboyant and I really want to see more. This is actually my first read with an effeminate and flamboyant gay character and that’s the best part of this novel. Matty’s just fabulous!

It’s just too bad that there was too much going on with the characters and the pacing of the story didn’t help at all. I’m not quite sure if there’ll be a reread for me but I’d definitely consider.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Know Not Why – Hannah Johnson

Posted on September 6, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

I cannot for the life of me recall a book that feels like it’s written in a foreign language but it’s so damn clear that somehow it make sense (that sentence made sense right? LOL). It’s funny, clever to the nth degree and just oh-so-damn charming! There’s a whole set of vocabulary here and I totally dig every single words in it. Howie’s character reminds me so much of Drew (Tangle – Emma Chase) for his appeal, candor and his dry humor – just perfection. He’s immature and all for a college boy but hey, no complain there for his character.

Although it was maybe a bit too long, the story was able to maintain the great flow of the MC’s quirky narrative. Like seriously, the main character and the secondary ones are just perfect! Every single one of them made an impact so make the story so great. Some people may not appreciate the way the book was written and its feel good, way too ideal ending but I think it’s kind of refreshing. This is definitely a must read for just about everyone. #scawesome

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1) – James Dashner

Posted on September 6, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I’m one to admit that I’ve read some of the books because of my initial interest for its impending film adaptation. The Maze Runner is one of them. I’m not even aware of James Dashner prior since I’m not really into his genre. I’ve got to admit though, the book’s actually pretty cool!

“If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.”

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers–boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out–and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. – via Goodreads

I loved the whole premise of the book. The maze was a thrill to imagine and each character are clearly unique from each other. I’m just so in love with Chuck’s character. He’s such a doll and some of his moments are just so very human – perhaps, the most emotional in the book. I also loved how the author keeps it subtle when it comes to revealing something from each character. It’s very hard to predict what’s coming up next.

What I didn’t like about it is the “Underworld” vibe I’ve got at the latter part of the book. The e-mailing thingy was like – seriously?

Overall, the cool factor wins over and there’s definitely more to look forward in this trilogy.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Hold on Tight (Take My Hand #2) – Nicola Haken

Posted on September 5, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

In this second installment of the series, Dexter fell apart yet again pushing everyone away. His addiction took a toll in his relationship with Emily who still supported him regardless – the question is will Dexter still be able to come out of this black hole or will he drag Emily down to its core? This is the continuation of Dexter and Emily’s story from Take My Hand picking up the story after the death of Dexter’s mom and the appearance of his Dad who’s supposed to dead.

This is actually slightly better than the first installment only because it’s meatier and it clearly shows a very realistic portrayal of someone in Dexter’s condition. I find some parts of it a s bit “over the top Days Of Our Lives” dramatic but overall, it explains a lot about Dexter which I appreciated. The latter part became painfully predictable but with all the drama going on, the predictability seems like a smart option for the author. I’m still not sure if I’m gonna hang on with the series… perhaps another time.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Only Love – Garrett Leigh

Posted on September 5, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

This is my first book by Garrett Leigh and I just really find it a  wee-bit depressing – it being written in a melancholic fashion.

The diagnosis of a chronic stomach condition leaves thirty-two-year-old Sergeant Jed Cooper with little choice but to call time on his Army career. Then on the dusty streets of Kirkuk, an ambush gone tragically wrong decimates his team, and he returns to the US with a shattered leg and the memory of his best friend dying in his arms.

Life in his sleepy hometown proves intolerable until he finds solace in a lakeside cabin with vivacious young carpenter, Max O’Dair. In the shadow of the epilepsy that periodically plagues Max, he and Jed form an unspoken bond. After a late night episode, Jed realizes how much Max means to him, and life has taught him not to waste time.

But the lines between contentment and complacency are blurred. Things left hidden resurface to tear through their world, and before they can repair the damage, death comes to call again. Faces, past and present, rally around them to weather the storm, but before long, they are left with only love. via Goodreads

I loved both MC’s and the tenderness of how they have found solace from each other but I can’t seemed to let go of that ill-feeling about their future. The way it was written was like that. The pacing isn’t a problem at all. The flashbacks were properly positioned. I guess what I don’t like about it is the approach of the author on her main characters. Overall, the book is a well written story that I believe still deserves a good read.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Take My Hand (Take My Hand #1) – Nicola Haken

Posted on September 4, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

I’m first to admit that I got this title primarily because of its high rating (along with the rest of the books in the series – four overall!). I was maybe hoping that I’d stumble upon another “Beautiful Disaster” or some “Slammed” goodness.

 Take My Hand centers on Dexter and Emily – both with troubled past they’re trying to forget / evade. Dexter is an American expat in London who escaped from home in the hopes of inflicting less pain and avoid dragging down the people he loves with him. Then he meets Emily, the shy, naïve and compassionate student who so clearly made it a point of not veering away from him despite everything she have learned about his past. This leads to Emily pushing away everyone including her family, friends and even school in order to tend to Dexter and his personal demons – personal demons that Dexter have been avoiding from the moment he realized that he’d fallen with Emily.

I find the whole conflict of the story a bit weak – that with Dexter’s mother an all dragging a whole lot of the story. The character of Rachel annoyed me at no end and I’m glad that she was toned down a bit midway. The first person approach narration felt ridiculous, that with the vibe of the character talking to its readers – it just didn’t work for me. I loved the Travis Maddox and Young The Giants reference though. Hooray! Going back to the novel, I’d say it’s a decent intro into the series. It has enough charm but there’s nothing new to it. And it sort of reminds me of “More Than” series by Jay McLean which I’m still cringing whenever I think about that god-awful series. I’m crossing my fingers that the story will pick up on the second book because this seriously has great potentials.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Between Sinners And Saints – Marie Sexton

Posted on September 4, 2014 | Leave a comment
via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Perhaps I’ve expected too much from this book or it isn’t just my type of book because I was extremely disappointed after reading it. I almost didn’t finish it and I actually had to skipped a few pages. I liked the main characters here but there are tons of factors that  totally turned me off.

These are some of my concerns about the story:

1. Religion stuff overload. (the whole homosexuality and the Mormon’s stand  was just too excessive for me.) Usually, I don’t mind a book with a religious undertone but this one just got on my nerves too much and I feel like getting indoctrined myself (no offense meant). Arrrggghhh so frustrating! 2. Ruth. Like seriously, she’s the most annoying secondary character ever! 3. There’s too much medical terms.

I feel that the book tried so hard to convey so many reasoning regarding homosexuality and  religion but it turns out flat. Perhaps, it’s just me since it actually has a very good rating on some review sites. But hey, to each his own 🙂 Peace out!

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Wicked Gentleman – Ginn Hale

Posted on September 3, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

Imagine a world where the descendants of the Devil are living amongst the descendants of Adam and Eve. Imagine the population of hell leaving their realm to go on and live amongst humans who created a group of peacekeeper to control them. The Prodigals are those from Hell and the peacekeepers are the Inquisitors. This imagined world is the wickedly enthralling setting where the one Inquisitor’s quest for purpose led him into the “ophorium” addicted Prodigal who brought all the changes in him.

I actually cannot believe that this was written in 2007 and I’ve just heard about it now! This world created by the author and its characters is a book magic! Like seriously, this should be the start of a series. Hells Below is a place where such beautiful series are made of! Ya know why I’m not giving this a perfect five stars? Because I feel like there should’ve been more pages in this book and it felts a bit rushed at the end. Nevertheless, the whole story made up for it. The sheer greatness of the author’s imagination is top class for sure.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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