Sunday, June 23, 2013

Grum Book Review

Grum
Robyn Hill
Publishing Date: August 9, 2011

 

 

Book Description

 

Grum is a chapter book for grades 3-6. It is a story of two girls who discover magical bubble gum. The gum takes them on a series of magical and hilarious mishaps, such as sleeping with slugs, a magic pizzaria in the middle of the desert, a troll who needs help fixing his bridge. Children love this book. One reader commented about her favorite part of this book,  "It is as adventurous as "Coraline", as delicious as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and funnier than "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Enjoy!

 

My Thoughts

 

‘Grum’ was one of the most creative grade school stories I have read yet. The story was written very clearly and simple so that the kids can understand it but yet, it has so much creativity and will take the children’s minds to a new magical world. ‘Grum’ is definitely a new idea and I really thought it was a cute book.

 

I think Robyn’s writing is really good and she has great potential. I would love to read more from her, I think her books will only get better and better.  I think plenty of children will enjoy this book. Great job Robyn! I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to go on a great adventure.
 
 
 
 
* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.
 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Dating Can Be Murder (A Samantha Shaw Mystery) Book Review

Dating Can Be Murder
A Samantha Shaw Mystery
Jennifer Apodaca
Publisher: Kensington
Publishing Date: April 1, 2003
ISBN: 978-0758200754

 

 

Book Description

Samantha Shaw remembers a time when she believed in true love. When buying Heart Mates - the dating service her now deceased husband did business with - seemed like a good idea. But her romantic reveries ended the day she found a stash of sexy panties (not hers) hidden in his car. Leaving Sam with one question: What else was the cheating creep hiding? Try an illegal drug trade and a whole lot of money. That's just some of what surfaces after a man walks into Heart Mates and promises to kill Sam - and her kids - if she doesn't come up with the cash her spouse stole.

 

My Thoughts

Samantha Shaw is one kick butt kind of character. I really enjoyed reading about this character. I really like how she reinvented herself after she found out what a pig her husband was. It was a really funny, witty, and rare find for a mystery. I really loved this book.

Jennifer Apodaca creates such great characters and they always have flaws that they need to work out through the book but yet they always kick butt. I really love that fact that she writes her heroines like that. They aren’t flawless but they don’t let the bad guys win either.  

Samantha got the cruddy end of the stick in this one. She had the nice perfect marriage, two beautiful sons, and was a soccer mom. Her husband suddenly dies from a peanut allergy after eating some homemade candy. Turns out she didn’t have such a perfect marriage. Not only did her husband cheat on her all the time but he was also involved in the drug dealing business and someone wanted him dead. Problem is he stiffed someone out of a lot of money and now everyone thinks Samantha has it. Now she has criminals tracking her and her family’s every move, threatening their lives for that very money.


Problem is Sam has no idea what they are talking about and she definitely doesn’t have that kind of money.  

I think this book was the perfect beginning to a series. It definitely pulled me in, I fell in love with these characters.

Sam is a strong heroine but yet she is so much like an everyday woman. She will do anything for her kids and this story was totally solid and amazing. Her sons were too cute. They were very supportive and quirky from the beginning and they stole my heart from the beginning. I do have to say I think my favorite character was Grandpa though he was the coolest; he was witty and just kept surprising me throughout the whole book.

 

This is only the second book I have read from Jennifer Apodaca and let me tell you I am impressed. I love her attention to detail when she is writing. I cannot tell you how many romance novels I have read that are nothing but repetitive. Jennifer Apodaca is far from it. She is such a great writer her stories just pull you in. She writes characters you easily fall in love with.

 
This was just a great book and I can’t wait to read more about Samantha Shaw. I would recommend this book to everyone.


* I bought this book of my own accord and decided to review it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive compensation for this review.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Possession Book Review

Possession
Book Two: in the Plus One Chronicles
Jennifer Lyon
Publisher: Jennifer Lyon Books
Publishing Date: May 23, 2013

 

 

Book Description

 

**Please note: Possession is book two of a three book series. Readers should start with The Proposition.**

Savagely sexy billionaire Sloane Michaels ruthlessly controls his life and everything in it. Even his sex partners are carefully negotiated plus-one arrangements, including his latest, the fiery bakery owner, Kat Thayne. But Sloane’s control is challenged when his mentor becomes seriously ill, and his need for Kat, his need to possess her at all costs, rivals only his single-minded goal of vengeance for the murder of his sister.

After surviving an attack six years ago, Kat Thayne escaped her fears in the protective world of her beloved bakery. Then Sloane Michaels storms into her life, making her feel beautiful, strong and sexy. Yet as Kat pushes her boundaries and uncovers a dangerous secret in her past, Sloane’s controlling side emerges. Worried that Sloane will possess her mind, body and soul, Kat fights to keep her hard won independence. But just as Sloane demands her complete surrender, she discovers he has a dark side that could destroy them both.

**Possession is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.**

 

 

My Thoughts

 

I cannot even express in words how evil it is to leave me hanging like this Jennifer! Ok now that I have said that! Wow, wow, wow, what a sequel! There was drama, suspense, actions, and lots of hot sex. Sloane and Kat make one hell of a team. I really love this story and the fact that Sloane is helping Kat face her fears and helping her overcome her panic attacks. This really hits home with me. I have struggled with panic attacks for years after becoming very sick. It wasn’t until I met my fiancĂ© that I really learned to get them under control. I still have them occasionally but I know how to handle them and I know I will be okay with him by my side. So that aspect of the story really pulls at my heart.

 

Jennifer always managed to do it again. That’s right folks, she made me cry. Or at least tear up considering I was at work and was trying to keep it together. Sloane’s story about growing up and finally finding out about Sara, oh my, it just brutally ripped out my heart.

 

These endings are going to make me a crazy person, let me tell you! I thought the suspense in the ending of ‘The Proposition’ was bad. The ending to ‘Possession’ was so intense and so brutal. I NEED to know what happens next to them! I am dying over here! Sloane and Kat are begging for you to tell me more Jennifer LOL!

 

In all honesty though I really did love this book, the writing was beautiful. The story was told brilliantly and I really cannot wait for more. Jennifer Lyon has talent like no other. She can write any type of story she wants and make the characters come alive for you. Not too many authors out there can do that today.

 

Major kudos to Jennifer Lyon for keeping true to herself and being amazing at it, I highly recommend this book. It’s a brilliant, sexy, need a cold shower after reading this, kind of book that you will not be able to put down.

 

Read it, I dare you!
 
 


* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I did not receive any compensation for this review.