The Bookish Diaries

REVIEW: Code Name Cassandra (1-800-Where-R-You Series #2)

2014-07-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Code Name Cassandra
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: 1-800-Where-R-You
Published: 2001
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

JESS MASTRIANI
was dubbed "Lightning Girl" by the press when she developed a psychic ability to find missing children after she was struck by lightning during a huge storm. Now Jess has lost her miraculous powers...or at least she would like the media and the government to think so. All she wants is to be left alone.
But it doesn't look like Jess is going to get her wish -- especially not while working at a summer camp for musically gifted kids. When the father of a missing girl shows up to beg Jess to find his daughter, Jess can't say no. Now the Feds are on her tail again, as is one ornery stepdad, who'd like to see Lightning Girl...well, dead.

Jess is back and has a job at summer camp in the second installment of Meg Cabot's 1-800-Where-R-You series.

Since lying to the Feds about the loss of her power to find missing people Jess has continued to find missing children who are truly missing and wanting to come home by calling Rosemary at 1-800-Where-R-You. With a system in place to keep using her gift to help the missing kids, Jess feels safe taking a summer job as a camp counselor. The reporters are no longer camped out n her front lawn so what could go wrong....

On a personal note I did not like book two as much as I enjoyed the first book. Though this time she does come to face the dangers of find kids who have been kidnapped with out the proper authorities going with her. She is still in love with Rob who says he can not be with her because of the age and him being on probation thing, but he seems to keep coming when she calls no matter the distance. Of course I think she is over doing it to get him to give in and date her and that may be one of the things that I really do not like about this book/series in general. But I am rooting for them to get together. I think that has something to do with the fact that he will drive hours so that she does not get a ride somewhere from another guy.

Overall review a quick easy read if you want to borrow it from you local library for a summer read.

REVIEW: When Lightning Strikes (1-800-WHERE-R-YOU #1)

2014-05-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Title: When Lightning Strikes
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: 1-800-Where-R-You
Published: 2001
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Jess Mastriani has never been what you'd call a typical Midwestern teenager—her extracurricular activities, instead of cheerleading or 4-H, include fist-fights with the football team and month-long stints in detention. A part of Jess would like to be the prom queen her mother has always envisioned her being, but another part is secretly counting the days until she's saved up enough money to buy her own Harley.

Then something happens that guarantees Jess will be one of the in-crowd...at least until her newfound talent ends up getting her dead.

I have loved Meg Cabot since I was in high school and I first read The Princess Diaries. So with my love of The Princess Diaries I decided to give another shorter lived series by Meg Cabot a try, and on a personal level I have really liked it.

This first book reminds me of the writing style of The Princess Diaries, Jess Mastriani is writing the story of what had happened to her. The events of what had caused her to be able to find missing children. Personally this is a very quick and easy read but I did love the story telling style of Jess telling the FBI her side of what happened. This book has been in my TBR pile not because it was written by on of my all-time favorite authors, Meg Cabot, but because I watched the TV Series that was loosely based on the books.

Now onto the review, if you are one of those people who like to take a red pen to everything you read, you may want to skip this one. I like to think that this is supposed to be written by a 16 year-old and I have read some papers I wrote at that age, I do not understand why the teacher gave me a passing grade (and there are times I still can not seem to form a sentence correctly.) But other than a few hard to understand sentences this is a very good book.

Jess Mastriani is writing her statement of events to the FBI that led to her being able to find missing children on the milk cartons as well as the events afterwards. Everything from being struck by lightning because her best friend wanted to walk home, to the escape from the "closed" military facility she goes to because her brother has a problem with the press on the front lawn. Jess has a lot going on within just this first book even some everyday teen girl problems - boys.

Loved it and can not wait to enjoy the next 4 books in the series.

REVIEW: The 100 by Kass Morgan

2014-05-06T02:30:00.000-05:00

Title: The 100
Author: Kass Morgan
Series: The Hundred
Published: 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.
Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

MY REVIEW

So The 100 by Kass Morgan is a post-apocalyptic society where the Earth has been completely uninhabitable. With the “Ark” Space Station they have been living on running out of air, the Council decides to send 100 juvenile delinquents down to Earth to see if it is inhabitable for the rest of the population.

Overall this book was pretty good, hard to read at times if you get so absorbed in your reading that you miss the chapter change and all of a sudden you are reading a new character (I had to start a few chapters over because of this). The characters are great they each have an interesting back story which leads to them being in the “Detention Center”; of course this makes it hard to keep up with also since each character also has their own flashbacks in the middle of their “Scene”. So yes hard to read but if you are paying attention to what you are reading it can be a pretty quick read.

It has all the things that every good YA has in it, No Parent Supervision and a Good Love Triangle.

The Earth in the years that no one has lived on it is pretty interesting from two headed deer to what was once a church now abandoned with trees growing through it and bodies left kneeling where they died. Yeah the Earth has changed a lot in the years that humans have lived in space.

SPOILERS are coming, if you plan to read this book and do not want to be spoiled stop here. If you have read it or just are not interested keep on reading.

Personally I think a society that thinks teens are an acceptable test subject needs to rethink their life choices but this society has a lot of questionable decisions they have to live with, and I get it Survival of the smartest and the most useful. The more your occupation is useful to society the more “money” you get for food and other necessities. But some of the things these people do to “save” as many people as possible are kind of scary.

Let’s look at the people whose lives we follow with this book alone. What we know about them and the crimes that got them “locked up” until their 18th birthday.

Clarke’s parents were both killed for testing radiation levels of Earth on the kids that were Unregistered aboard the Station. Now these kids already have no parents as they were killed for having them to begin with as that is a crime and then to be tested on by people of the Council (Though said person denies giving order) is just wrong. Since Clarke had spent a lot of time in her parent’s lab bonding with one of the girls, Lilly, she was also found guilty of the same crimes as her parents and locked up.

Wells, was Clarke’s best friend and “boyfriend” until he told his father what Clarke told him about the testing her parents were doing. But when listening to a conversation his father was having with the Council about the mission to Earth and the timeframe on when it should happen he knows he needs to speed up the date as well as get himself on that mission and that is what he does. I love and hate Wells, I hate him for breaking the confidence of the girl he loves but I love him because he gets himself arrested so that he can join her.

Bellamy is 1/2 of the only pair of siblings living on the space station. Most people choose someone to be the “sibling” type but they do not have any by blood. Besides your parents it is very unlikely that you have any blood relatives aboard the Space Station with the way the laws are. And when said sister is going to be sent down to Earth he knows as her older brother he needs to get on that ship to protect her down on Earth. In doing so he got the Chancellor shot but he made his way on the ship to protect the girl who he has spent most of his life protecting.

Glass is the last character we follow. I like her character because she is not on the ground, she is our eyes and ears on the Space Station since the moment Bellamy fought his way on the ship she escaped and went to find the man she loves. Glass is now a “free” woman on the Space Station but at what cost, the guy she loves may have moved on to another girl and she has not told him her dark secret that got her arrested to begin with. The pregnancy that should never have happened and the fact that she said the baby’s father was his best friend, and not him to save his life. Glass sees people going on with their lives like nothing has changed but she also sees the bad in the fact that the council seems to be limiting oxygen to the decks that could be considered “non-essential”.

Overall this book has some great scenes: a kiss between Clarke and Wells on the ground, a kiss between Clarke and Bellamy, as well as some shirtless Bellamy (this will make fans of the show happy). And even the discovery that there are people living on the ground and they are not that friendly. I will admit to Shipping Clarke and Bellamy already in just the first book. I think they make a great couple already. Then there is Clarke and Wells who I just think do not work, I mean he turned in her parents when she trusted him with the information.

If you were one of the 100 sent down to Earth what kind of skill would you bring to the Survival of yourself and fellow friends? Personally I know how to fish and hunt (not well) now I may have to find the tools or learn how to make the tools from things that are in the woods but they were sent down to Earth with some weapons and one was a bow and arrows so I think the hunting thing I could figure out.

Personally I have fallen in love with this book and can not wait for the sequal this fall.

You can Purchase this book and more with FREE World Wide Shipping to Most Countries by following this link and shopping at BookDepository.com

WATCH THE REVIEW

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2014-02-03T18:04:00.000-06:00

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments

Published: 2007

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

I had already seen the movie and listened to the audio book of this book, but I decided I want a complete fresh take on the book and the rest of the series before the release of the final book in May.

I will admit to wanting to break my iPod when listening to the first book as the surprise twist which had I read the blurb for the next few books I would not have been so surprised, bun on some weird level I did see it coming. I mean you do have that think that comes between the destined couple and it was a biggie. All in all I love this story, I wish the movie had been better but hopefully the next one will be.

In this first book we really get to meet the major players in the series and I do love them.

Clary Fray - The girl who grew up thinking she was normal with a father who died before she could really get to know him. That is until she saw someone killed that no one else could see, opening up the doors to demon and other supernatural beings. When her mom gets taken by the believed to be dead Valentine her only goal is to remember what her mom made her forget so that she can find the Mortal Cup and get her mom back.

Jace Wayland - Described as a danger magnet by Alec is the super hero, bad boy all rolled into one. Being raised by the Lightwoods at the Institute, he loves to go off killing demons sometimes at both the risk of death to himself and those around him.

Though Jace and Clary are great I think it is the other characters who make the story amazing. Alec who lives in the closet in "love" with Jace. His sister Isabelle who is amazing with the whip. Simon who has been in love with Clary even though his mother said she will break his heart. And my favorite Magnus Bane the warlock who has a thing for Alec and watched Clary grow making him kind of protective of who her mother was really protecting her from.

Overall the plot line keeps you entertained and wanting more, the humor is also great for a good laugh and the plot twist at the end makes you need to put the next book on your TBR list. I personally liked this book and can not wait to get my hands on the next book since this is as far as I got during the reading of this series the first time (I was reading during back to school shopping time and I work retail, life got in the way). I will admit that while reading the book this time I did read some of the goodreads bad reviews, though they make some valid points I have found that not all books are for everyone. Some people will like something that someone else will find fault in. So yes these books are not for everyone but I have found that I do like them. The book was readable, followed a good story line but it did have some slow moments that made me take longer to read a few parts. The one downside I see with this book that for a first book in a series it is very long, but it does get off to a very quick start since the book starts in Pandemonium where she firsts witnesses something that no one else can see.

Review: Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

2014-01-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Devil's Bride
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Series: Cynster Series
Published: Avon March 1998
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis

Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, astonishes the ton and offers marriage. Cousins wager on the wedding date. Honoria wants to see the world, bets on solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin instead, until her passion for Devil tempts her to an adventure of the heart?

My Review

This has to be one of my earliest Historical Romances that I read and probably part of the reason that I love them so much. I will admit to finding this book on one of my aunts bookshelves in my senior year of High School probably when I first started getting into romance in books. I had read the first four Harry Potter by this time and most of The Princess Diaries but beyond that I did not read much in the way of books back then unless it was Nancy Drew and the Boxcar Children.

I really do not know what caused me to read my first romance and a Historical (Bodice Ripper) to begin with but I did. There have been many of romances books on my shelf ever since then and there will be many more in the years to come because as a friend of mine from work likes to tell me they are the cocaine of all books. Once you start reading romance you just can't stop unless you just really do not like the happy love stories that romance brings your way, but enough about why I first read this book and more about my thoughts this most recent time of reading this book.

So Sylvester "Devil" Cynster best known to his family as That Devil Cynster is the 6th Duke of St. Ives. When he comes across Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Wetherby who is helping his recently shot cousin he knows that she is meant to be his. When Devil tells Honoria that she is to marry him she flat out refuses as she has no ambition to marry at all, her only goal is to travel to Egypt and ride camel back under the shadow of the Sphinx, something that Devil and her brother Micheal have come to agreement she shall not be doing. So to keep her occupied Micheal gets her to agree to stay with the Dowager Duchess through out her mourning period. Which works well for Honoria as he plans to use that time to find out who killed Tolly, Devils cousin, and why.

The best part about this book is the butting of heads between Devil and Honoria since he wants to keep her perfectly safe and she wants to have an adventure and solving the murder with our without the help of Devil is exactly what she plans to do. The sexy level of this book is also pretty strong which makes me want to know what I was thinking reading this book in high school at the age of 18. Now of course I think the eyes have been fully open to all things sex and not much surprises me until you think about the age at which you first read one of these books and you think "What was I thinking?".

Overall I like this book, the question of who the killer was and why were not an overall the basis of the book but Stephanie Laurens does not leave you completely guessing as she does keep giving you clues every so often.

Books 'n' Bloggers Swap Round 2

2014-01-12T04:15:00.001-06:00

I participated in this swap about this time last year and really did enjoy it. When I came across it again I decided that I would participate in this one again. It worked out pretty well for me the last time. I am really looking forward to participating in this one more time.

http://cgswaps.blogspot.com/2014/01/books-n-bloggers-swap-signups.html

Your Swap Objective

Send your partner THREE books:

A book you love
A book you haven't read but are interested in
A book from your partner's wish list

Books 'n' Bloggers Swap Rules

Packages must contain 3 books that fit the criteria stated in the Swap Objective.
Send books that fit your partner's genre preferences.
You must respond to emails from the swap hosts within a timely fashion.
Books MUST be mailed on or before February 1st, set to arrive by February 5th!
You must send a tracking number for your package to your partner and to us at Chaotic Goddess Swaps.
You MUST post and link up your swap reveal post. This is non-negotiable.

Please do not sign up for this swap if you cannot fulfill your obligation to the rules above.

We don't want anyone to be left out and not receive a package, especially after sending one. If for any reason you become unable to participate YOU MUST CONTACT US here at Chaotic Goddess Swaps immediately so we can work out another arrangement. Failure to send a package, contact us, or to link up a reveal post, will result in blacklisting for all future swaps.

Work Out: Audio Book Style

2013-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

OK, so it is not really and audio book, but it does remind me of listening to an audio book.

So I heard about this app from a YouTube video and since I have wanted to buy so I finally gave in and purchased it in August. This is a story to keep you interested in running/walking (which is what I have started out doing.)

I will admit I have recently gotten into listening to Audio Books but there is something about mixing it up with music (even when not working out) that I seem to have to do. When I am working an overnight at work, I will stop and audio book and listen to some Lady GaGa, Katy Perry and even Taylor Swift to keep it interesting and this app gives you that.

The story line portions are short and sweet then they throw in your own workout music. There are many of different settings to the app for your work out and you don't even have to be running outside for it to work. I started this app on a treadmill at a gym just getting into working out every week.

REASONS WHY:

My main and really reason to get interested in this app is I have recently watched The Walking Dead and that show gives me nightmares so I know that I want to be prepared to survive. OK in reality I do not believe in the actual Zombie Apocalypse, but I do believe in something similar to it. I think there is something that is going to make us need to be prepared.

10 Book Series that I have never started though I do want to read them

2013-05-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

I know there is a Top 10 Meme every Tuesday but I can never think of anything for the list when it goes up or I just forget about it on Tuesday. So I am doing a 10 list whenever I feel like it over any topic from her past and future topics that interest me.

So if you want to view other Top 10 Lists go and visit The Broke and the Bookish they have some great Top 10 list ideas to do if you are interested.

And This is one that caught my interest when I was having a conversation at work with a guy who loves the show Game of Thrones. Now first I do not have the HBO channel at my house, we do not watch enough TV to get us to pay the cost of getting the channel when we can watch the movies we want to watch on Netflix cheaper. But I realized there are plenty of series made into movies/TV shows and some that are not that I have never started and I have always had on my TBR list.

10. Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire Series)

This is one of those series that are blowing up the Internet. Whether it is the books or the TV Show everyone is interested in it. Since I do not have HBO I have not had a chance to get interested in the show, but I do want to see what all the hype is about and at least read the first book.

9. Percy Jackson and the Olympians

I have seen the first movie in this series and I loved it, but I have this feeling that I will not like the movie after reading the book. Though I do want to read them, I have yet to do it, I even own the first few.

8. Sookie Stackhouse

Another series I have never read is the Sookie Stackhouse series that the TV Show True Blood is based on. Another HBO show that I can not watch for my lack of the channel and partly I do not care as I have seen the first season (I bought it on DVD) and I thought it was good. Actually I thought the show had ended as I really do not see anything about it too much but turns out it does still come on the world of HBO is over run by Game of Thrones for me to notice it any more.

7. Outlander

My cousin's wife said I would enjoy this series (she has read all of them I think from her sisters recommendation) and I do own the first book on my nook but have never actually started it.

6. Bloodlines

I had read the first book in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy so I think their is a good chance of liking this one. I even was given the third book in the series from a friend at work but I have never read any of the series.

5. Uglies

Seen the reviews just never had the time to pick it up (I had even at one time had it checked out from the library but never actually started reading it.)

4. Lord of the Rings

I see all these people I know who just love these books and I keep thinking there is no way I will love them like that. I will admit I did love the movies but that was also during my Orlando Bloom days and there is no way a girl will not love a movie that stars him and Elijah Wood. And yes that was back in High School for me so it was really a good crush where you write all over your folder "I Love Orlando Bloom" or even "Mrs. Orlando Bloom". Actually I don't think I did that.

3. Maximum Ride

James Patterson is a great author, I loved The Women's Murder Club but I have the fondness of just solving those mysteries could another series ruin that for me? But the description has caught my eye and I am interested in reading this series just never got around to doing that.

2. The Infernal Devices

That is right I have not read this, though I am making plans too. But wait til you see #1 you may really hate me for not having started it just yet.

1. The Mortal Instruments

So this is why I never started the Infernal Devices I had not yet read the Mortal Instruments series. I know they are separate series and don't need to be read in order of release but I am kinda crazy about a few things like that.

So there you go 10 series I have shown interest in reading but never actually started.

Which of these series should I start first? Which is not on here that you would add for yourself?

Movie: Agent Cody Banks

2013-05-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Another Saturday, another movie. This time I went old school (prior to graduation from High School for me). This movie stars my favorite Disney Star, yeah there were people before Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez and some of the rocked. Lets guess who this movie stars:

If you happened to guess Hilary Duff from Lizzie McGuire you would be correct. So I went with a theme this week (and for the next 2 weeks following) we are watching movies that have to do with spying and stealing. Starring Hilary Duff and Frankie Muniz I have come across in my massive DVD collection (by the way there are plenty I could watch a movie a day all year and still not finish them all):

Agent Cody Banks, I watched this movie back when I was still in High School when it first came out. This is a great movie on teen spies. Very quirky but I loved quirky then and I love it now. Personally I do not care if my little brother tells me a movie is stupid and should never have been made (yes I have one of those as a younger brother).

This movie reminds me a lot of the Gallagher Girls Series, they are secretly trained to be a spy and have no clue on how to act around or talk to the opposite sex. Instead of being taught during the school year kids are picked to attend a special camp which trains teens to work for the CIA and Cody Banks was one of those lucky teens. But not knowing how to talk to his target (Hilary Duff) makes his handler's (Angie Harmon from Rizzoli and Isles) much more difficult. And for anyone wanting to see what a CIA operative does not wear at every turn take a look at what Angie Harmon wears through out the movie.

I love the technology used in this movie (though I do hope bad guys really do not have this type of technology somewhere). Nano's that can eat you from the inside out put into ice cubes may keep you from drinking anything with ice for a good long while. But I also loved the holographic phone they used (one day I will get myself one of those).

There are plenty of things to like about this cheesy movie but when you are a 17 year old girl you can like whatever you like and if you still at 17 like cheesy movies about spies you can still like them.

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

2013-05-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Heist Society
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Heist Society Book #1
Published: Hyperion 2010

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.
Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.
For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

MY REVIEW

This is the second time tjat I read this book and even though I already know what is going to happen I am still immersed into the world of Kat and Hale. The girl who wants to be a normal teenager and the boy who has been normal and wants to be a part of a family.

The internal struggle of Katarina Bishop is a big one. Growing up in a family of thieves is something you can't fully leave but Kat planned too. When Kat comes back to save her dad the leaving hurts in statements of "You left" from family and friends. Then there is the struggle of not wanting to be a thief, but having to do the biggest job of her life to keep her friends and family safe.

There are some great moments that leave you wondering what happened. Like what happened between Kat and Hale when Kat tried to steal the Monet?

(Don't spoil me, I know that it is mentioned in book 3: Perfect Scoundrels.)

Then there is the relationship with the son of the Interpol agent tracking her father, Nick, where is that going to lead to if anything. Or is the love for Kat going to be Hale the boy that was home when she tried to steal the Monet? Personally I have made my choice on which relationship I have chosen for Kat, but I am interested in which you have chosen if you had read the books of the series (just remember I am not interested in being spoiled on upcoming events just yet).

I just love this line. It has to be my favorite in the whole book.

My Rating

Follow Friday #6

2013-05-02T21:39:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read

New and Old Followers, with the possibility of the end of GFC (I want to be prepared ahead of time) I have set up a Bloglovin button as well as moved the GFC follow away from easy to find sidebar location. I would prefer to see you either follow using the Bloglovin or the Email in the sidebar.

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

If you happen to follow me on Instagram you saw me post a picture of the book that I am currently reading with a little caption over what it reminds me of. No it is not a new book but I have not really been reading anything brand new since starting this project.

There is a cute sneak peek into what I am thinking and feeling about this book right now. I am thinking how much I miss watching Firefly and how I need to go and find the DVD collection.

Bloglovin

2013-05-02T17:44:00.000-05:00

This is TEMPORARY Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Review: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

2013-05-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Hyperion
Source: Yep I bought it for my love of Ally Carter books

Cammie Morgan is back, and it's clear that her life hasn't calmed down since the events of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. At first, giddy anticipation is in the air. Gallagher Academy, Cammie's elite spy school, is hosting a visit from a covert training center for boys. Soon after the boys' arrival, though, everything goes dangerously awry when a series of security breaches are discovered at the academy. Worse yet, teenage agent-in-training Cammie is being blamed for the penetration. With the school's top-secret status at risk, the Gallagher Girls have to work quickly to save their beloved school.

The Gallagher Girls are back with their second book ad it is just as boy crazy spy filled as the first.

In the first book the girls got caught sneaking out to learn about the mystery of boys, one in particular Josh. This turns out to be eye opening for everyone involved.

So when the school brings in the Boys from Blackthrone things get interesting. The mysterious school fro training boys that the girls had heard a rumor of but never had any proof, well the proof had caught all but one of them going to a secret meeting location and know were coming to school with them.

So the girls are back to spying on boys with a little more information than "does he like me? " in mind. They need to know who and what these boys are that are taking over their school.

This book holds the first meeting of Zach Goode the Blackthorn boy that holds Cammie's attention. She does not know what it is that makes her like him, but she know that she can not trust him as he is lying about something and ever since the boys arrived there have been some strange things happening with the security.

Cammie has probably met her match with Zach and a good match it is.

Ally Carter brought the Gallagher Girls back with an amazing story that keeps you questioning if the Backthrone boys are the good guys or the bad guys. Even if you can actually trust them. I love Cammie and Zach and can't wait to tell you more.

Spring Fling Giveaway Hop

2013-04-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

Hosted by Eve's Fan Garden & I am A Reader, Not A Writer

Earlier this week I reviewed this book and I am sure there are still plenty of you who have not yet read it. So I am giving 1 lucky person the chance to win a copy of Ally Carter's first book in the Gallagher Girls Series I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You.

Quick synopsis if you have not already read the book or if you missed my review.

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

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Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

2013-04-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

TITLE: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion 2006

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?
Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love

MY REVIEW

We are going to start this review with a short note on title, with the length of the title I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You being so long, we are going to refer to this book as Gallagher Girls #1. This was not my first Ally Carter book, actually Heist Society was (will be reviewed later on). But like Heist Society this book just proves my love for Ally Cater.

In Gallagher Girls #1 we meet Cammie Morgan the Chameleon. Most other girls would not want to be known for skills of disappearing, but at the Gallagher Academy that is a good thing.
W are also introduced to Rebecca "Bex" Baxter the first Gallagher Girl not born in the US. Bex is known as Duchess while on missions for class which has a lot to do with her being from the UK. If I had to choose a favorite character, it would be Bex, she is confident in her ability as a a spy.

The third friend and roommate we meet is Elizabeth "Liz" Sutton who is known to Cammie for "Oopsie Daisy". Liz is more the lab girl type with her tendency to be clumsy but she is the smartest of all the girls at Gallagher Academy.

Last we meet the new student Macey McHenry the daughter of Senator James McHenry. Macey is on her last chance of prep school, as the only student to have really spent any time with the opposite sex she is the go to girl on all things Josh.

This book is a great "first boyfriend" story. Most girls don't marry the first boy they kiss but when you are 15 you want to find the perfect boy. When Josh notices her on a class assignment the girls make him the assignment. Using their skills from school the girls learn what they can about Josh from family to friends and using the knowledge of Macey to decipher what the found out.

I love this book, the characters are great the plot keeps you coming back to see what happens and you can't help but wish for a happily ending for the characters.

My Rating

Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 23

2013-04-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

ANNOUNCING MY HOUR 19 MINI CHALLENGE WINNER:

Some of my books, my unhealthy snacks, and my reading desk. #dewey #readathon twitter.com/dani_sarabia/s…
— Danielle Sarabia (@dani_sarabia) April 28, 2013

Hour 23

I have this feeling this will be my last update for the night, I am really tired my eyes are drooping and I do not think I will make it the next 2 hours. So here is what will most likely be my final counts that have not been updated in a while. I wish everyone still standing in this 24 hour adventure good LUCK for the final 2.

Total Hours Read: 4

Total Hours Listened: 8.5

Total Pages Read: 222 (111 each) 4 hours and this is all that I finished that is how tired I am.

Total Books Read: 2 (well 2 short novellas, does that count)

Total HOURS: 12.5 so not so bad for my first time participating.

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Hour 19 Mini Challenge: Picture Break

2013-04-28T00:55:00.000-05:00

These last few weeks I have become addicted to taking pictures with the Instagram app on my phone and I am wanting to see your pictures as well from these last few hours. If you are anything like me, you have taken and shared plenty with your followers (if not, it is time to share some).

My phone is addicted to @instagram not me
— The Bookish Diaries (@BookishDiaries) April 20, 2013

Let me see:

The Books you have Read
The Books you still have to Read
The Food that you have eaten and maybe even the snacks you started with.
Take a picture of that spot you have called home these last few hours

I am showing this again because I CAN and I am wishing this is where I was

I would be telling you to go and check out my instagram but it is currently dead as my phone is looking like this.....This was not the plan today, I should have been overwhelming instagram with photos.

Leave a comment with a link to your pictures

You can post using Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or even your blog

I have added a Rafflecopter giveaway just paste the link to your image entry. I am doing it this way because I do know that not everyone is able to use Google+ entries. Please if you do have a Google+ account still share the link in the comments section so everyone can stop by and view the images that you have shared with us.

1 Lucky winner will receive 1 paperback copy of the book Divergent by Veronica Roth which was the book I was listening to while at work and everywhere else I had to go today. This contest is open internationally if you live out of the US I will use Book Depository to send you book if in the US, most likely Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

This Giveaway will end at the beginning of Hour 23 in 4 Hours at which time I will close the rafflecopter and let it chose me a winner

Good luck to everyone entering. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 16

2013-04-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 16

FORGET telling you all about what I am reading and how reading is going, I just happend in on my sister watching Doctor Who from earlier today (yes I plan to watch it later) to see this screen:

So I have decided to change my reading location next year to this lovely library in the TARDIS. To make it even better there is a swimming pool around the corner so I can always take a break by the pool and layout to read some more.

If anyone else wants to join me in that location please leave a comment and we will try to locate our library for next year.

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 14

2013-04-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 14

So while I was gone at the Baby Shower we passed the half way mark for me, during that time I did some listening but when things like this are going on they are more important so here are some cute images as well as some fun from me of the baby shower. Not much listening was done but you know I may get through with Divergent by the end of the night which is good to me, I would have finished 1 of 4 books that I wanted to finish and the longest form of the 4.

Total Hours Read: 0

Total Hours Listened: 5

Total Pages Read: 0

Total Books Read 0

This is why there have not really been too much on the update front. Looks Great Right?

The Baby's name is going to be Colton and one of my other cousin's wife makes these.

Another Cute little cookie.

An this because this is also a Craw-fish boil, you cant have that without Liqueur.

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 9

2013-04-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 9

Well Lets take a quick audit of everything real quick:
My 2 hour nap was wonderful why thank you. Is it still a "cat nap" if it last for 2 hours?
Ok I am awake and back to reading/listening because now I am off to the baby shower.

Total Hours Read: 0

Total Hours Listened: 3

Total Pages Read: 0

Total Books Read 0

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 7

2013-04-27T13:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 7

Done with work for the day. Since getting off work I ran a few errands that I did not know I was going to need to do. Like get gas so that I can make it home. I also went on ahead and got myself something to eat for lunch that was more than a sandwich. So I had some chicken strips from Express Chicken (have loved that place since it was built.)

I am going to make a quick admittance right now, I am really getting into this audio book, and I may want to go back and actually read the book to see if I missed anything but listening to an audio book may be longer than to read but it is sooooo much easier when you have so much to do.

Total Hours Read: 0

Total Hours Listened: 3

Total Pages Read: 0

Total Books Read 0

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 4

2013-04-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 4

So I spoke to soon about being not busy. We started getting busy this last hour and i did not have any time to really listen and when i did i keep having to do the 30 second rewind

Total Hours Read:0

Total Hours Listened:2

Total Pages Read:0

Total Books Read0

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 3

2013-04-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 3

So working has been fun while listening to Divergent, lucky for me we have not been busy (actually i have had no customers) giving me time to listen and type this up. So far so good.

Total Hours Read:0

Total Hours Listened:2

Total Pages Read:0

Total Books Read0

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 2

2013-04-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hour 2

Total Hours Read:&0

Total Hours Listened:1

Total Pages Read:0

Total Books Read0

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Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon: Hour 1

2013-04-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

So this is my first year to participate in the read-a-thon as a blogger, I have participated as a cheerleader (which I will be doing for some time) and just read during the event but this time I am going to do this while trying to keep up with the blog each hour and for the first few hours that may a little easier than not because I will be doing this while at work until the beginning of hour 5.

Lets get a few things out of the way though:

1. What books are in my TBR pile today?

First I plan to get through all of my over due library books that I have found in my bookshelf and never got around to returning. Yes there are three of those books that I would like to read and return no later than Monday. Second I bought the audio book Divergent back during Christmas when Audible was doing their deal of the day and I have yet to get around to listening to it (well actually I may be starting with this one as I can listen to it at work). For the most part I think this will take me most of my 24 hours since I do have more than just work to do today.

My Overdue Library Books I plan to read today

2. Where can you find updates besides here on my blog?

Yes I will try to update here every hour, most will be little updates until after work when I can really get into updating and even then I may have to do little updates since one of the things I have to do today is a baby shower/crawfish boil (yes I will be eating Mud Bugs) for my cousin and his wife who are having a baby this summer. But you can keep following me through out the whole day in a few different places.

Twitter - This will be an easy way to follow me as all I have to do is quick and easy updates from my phone and yes I will be cheering people on from there as well.
Facebook Fan Page - Another good way to follow what is going on with my reading as well as my instagram updates as they are shared automatically there.
Instagram - Yes I will be sharing pictures (even if it is the baby shower)
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
Houston
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
DIVERGENT
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Spray cheese
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I really do not have time to participate but i am here
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?