Review: All the Little Lights

All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 0 of 5 stars



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Review: Sky in the Deep

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sky in the Deep was a wonderful historical fiction story that I read in one sitting in just over 3 hours. I could not put it down! It had everything from romance, to danger, to family, to OMG everyone is going to die, and I would totally recommend this one to anyone who loves books like Outlander and Enemies to Lovers romance. SO GOOD!!

This one started out with me kind of being like meh. This one is just meg. But that all changed once I got going. After that I could not put this one down!! The story kept me going until the very last page and I only had two things that I kind of didn't like but I could over look. So the first one was that the entire war thing was that every 5 years these two factions would come together and war it was called the waring season and that was all because the gods basically told them to do this. So it just kind of felt like it was two teams of children battling over a red crayon or so. And to me it was just kind of stupid. That these people need to put on their big adult panties and suck it the crap up!! The other issue I had was during the big fight scene that was totally awesome but the fighting just ends. The end of one chapter people are still fighting then BAM its like weeks later. I would have liked to see that transition from one chapter to the next to be a little smoother than what it was. But other than those two things this book was freaking awesome!!

So the charters in this one were fabulous. Eelyn was freaking amazing and I loved her from the first few pages in. She was so strong, strong willed and man can I just be her BFF? The rest of the cast was also great. I loved learning about both sets of people and I think the author did a fabulous job making us first hate then then loving everyone. That it's an eye opener about learning that your enemies are so much different than you are. I also loved all the fighting and the religion/culture that the author added to this story. I think she did an amazing job adding elements of each one to the story and it made it very beautiful.

In the end this one would appeal to those who adore historical fiction with no magical elements to speak of.

Go Into This One Knowing: Romance, Enemies to Friends, Family, War, Suggested Almost Rape (not sure how to explain this one.), No Fantasy Elements, No Cliffhanger,


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Review: To Best the Boys

To Best the Boys by Mary Weber
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I loved Mary Weber's first series Storm Siren, but since that one it seems that I haven't enjoyed anything else she's written. This one was way slower than I thought it was going to be and well I just got bored. The story was very slow and the characters just weren't people that I was rooting for. So this one unfortunately I ended up not lot liking at all.

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Review: Aftermath

Aftermath by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book was HARD being the mom of two girls in school with all of the shootings that have plagued the states the last few years made this book even harder to read. But I’m glad I did. This story gives a great message about perception, forgiveness, compassion, moving on, and acceptance.

The characters were wonderful and you could tell how much the author wanted you to really feel what Jesse and Skye went through. From the perspectives of one teen losing a brother to a shooter. And other loosing a brother because he was a shooter. It was two sides of the same coin and I felt so bad for both of these kids and their situation. It was an in-depth look at what families of both the shooting victims and the shooters family, whom are also victims, go through in the aftermath of such an event. And although this is a story of fiction it felt all too real.

Overall, this is a romance story but also one where a girl is just trying to move on with her life after a tragedy. Where she’s forced to face those who blame her for her brothers actions. Even though she isn’t to blame in any way. It’s about a boy who needs to stop living for his parents and start living for himself as well.

I did love ALL of the parts with Jesse’s mom was she is a force to be reckoned with and I love her so much!!

If you looking for a coming of age story as well as one with grief, love, and forgiveness with some major twists and turns. Check this one out.




Go Into This One Knowing: School Shooting, Death of Siblings, Bullies, Romance


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Review: Olivia Twist

Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was really hoping that I was going to love this one as I have loved Lorie's writing since she and her co author wrote the Doon series. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. I went past my normal 100 pages because of the love I've had for other books from Langdon but at that point I just didn't care about the characters and their insta-love. Yup this is one of those titles that has it and for me it didn't do it well. I understand that Olivia and Jack knew each other but they parted ways at a young age and haven't seen each other since then. I think if a few more chapters would have fleshed out them falling for each other than the romance at least in my eyes would have made more sense.

The flow of this one was pretty fast for the most part. But with the multiple storylines it just felt like this book didn't know what it wanted to be. Was it about Olivia trying to save the other street kids? Was it her and the marriage she didn't want? Or was it about keeping her Uncle safe and not out on the street? Or was it finding Jack and falling in love? It just seemed at times that the story was being pulled in so many directions. And then add a murder into the mix and a villain and I just didn't know what to do with it.

Which comes to my next issue with this one. There were SO many side characters that I was so confused and really just stopped caring about them or really reading about them. I just kept the names of the Jack, Olivia, and a few others in my head and everyone else was just kind of there. I will say that Lorie did a wonderful job bringing each character to life as they all felt well rounded. But with the Ms. this and the Mr. that etc. It was all very tedious on keeping track of who was whom. I wished that the side characters would have been cut WAY down as most of them I don't think were even needed as they didn't bring anything to the story overall.

In the end this one with the characters, the bad romance, and the story that just didn't know what it wanted to do just kind of overwhelmed me a little. And after 100 pages it just started to go downhill and I started to get bored.



Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV, Insta-Love, Multiple storylines, Multiple Characters

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Review: Drawing: Dragons: Learn to draw step by step

Drawing: Dragons: Learn to draw step by step by Michael Dobrzycki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great little beginner book on drawling dragons. I would say that you will find yourself taking your time drawling these dragons to really get into giving them detail. I know my oldest could most likely pop these out like nothing but she has been non stop drawing for sometime now. I did love how each one gave you 6 steps to draw each dragon which really helps get to the most detailed dragon you can get. As well as being able to add your own flair to them. I would recommend this title to anyone who loves dragons and loves to draw.



Go Into This One Knowing: DRAGON!!!

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Review: Girl Made of Stars

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am sitting here in front of my computer where I have just finished Girl Made of Stars by Ashely Herring Blake and I have to tell you that I have no clue how I am going to tell you about this book. This book is one of a kind and is one that will be sticking with me for a while. It was emotional, deep, and eye opening to our world that needs to change.

First off there are some trigger warnings that you should know about if you are going to read this one. Please make sure to check those out below in my list of Go into this one knowing. I myself am a survivor of being molested on more than one occasion when I was younger so I fully understand how these topics might be to much for someone who has survived it. So please be aware of those warnings.

This book broke me. That is about what I feel right now. It will open your eyes to a world that you will not be able to unsee.

This book follows Mara whom is bisexual. Who's twin brother gets accused of raping his girlfriend. Mara is then stuck in the middle of this situation of deciding who to trust and who to call out. It was a no win place to be for her. I have to say that the author did a perfect job with this aspect of the book. You could feel Mara's emotions about how much she wanted to trust her brother but knowing something wasn't right. But also still not waiting to believe that he could do something like this. This felt like a story that could have been pulled from the headlines and I believe that it is one that needed to be told. This book was full of true emotional authenticity that I have EVER seen in a story.

Another aspect of this book is a small love triangle between Mara's ex girlfriend Charlie whom is nonbinary. And another boy that she gets with for a short amount of time. You could really see how everyone was just trying to deal with the situation at hand and move on. And Mara and Adam were just trying to find comfort in any place they could.

A major part of this story dealt with Mara and her own secret trama. Early on in the story you learn that something happened to her three years ago. But you don't find out until way later in the book where it is all set before you. I have to say that her entire experience of what happened to her was one that triggered me to no end. When I was 10 to 11 years old I had the same thing happen to me over the course of a year or so. But it was my mother's boyfriend and not a teacher that abused me in that way.

The trauma of rape and having your freedom taken away, of having your trust violated, in a world where girl's bodies are distractions, where society refuses to believe you is what this book is ultimate about. And I have to say that the author did a fantastic job with it.

This is the story that should be in the hands of every teen out there. That even if you believe that no one is going to believe you. Believe in yourself that you know what happened and that you said NO. Don't let anyone take away your right to say that to have your voice heard!


Go Into This One Knowing: Rape Allegations, Rape, Abuse via a Teacher, Nonbinary, Bisexuality, Love Triangle

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Review: Demons Lie

Demons Lie by Sherry D. Ficklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: First off I would like to say that I am so happy that I got the chance to read this one. It is another book about witches that made my little witchy heart so happy. You could really tell how much work Ficklin did for this story. The only issue I really had with this one was that at times it was very dialogue heavy and well there were a few times that I was slightly confused on who said what and had to go back and reread small passages. But even with those two things this book hit it so far out of the park.

This one was very fast paced. The world is of course like out own but there are guardian witches that are alive to protect gateways to hell that demons and other things can come and go from. I really liked this idea of portals and their guardians. It gave a fresh new look at the world of the supernatural.

The snark that Aria had made this one a joy to read, it was so funny at times and I swear I spent more time taking photos of quotes than anything else. Aria stands out as a very strong female character. She's a great fighter and determined to find the demon that killed her mom, close all the gates, and then go on with her life. I think that this made her one of the best characters that I've read in a long while. Because, unlike most hunters which it is their life (such as Supernatural) Aria just wants to do what she set out to do then leave this world behind. The side characters in this one shine bright and the connections Aria has with them made this story even better. She's been cut off from letting anyone in and she's been alone and on her own for three years. This change made the story even better.

The few battles we get in this one were great. I would have loved to have seen a few more of them however, what we did see worked. I think this book really was more of a girl meets boy and opens herself to the possibility that she doesn't have to be alone. Versus a full on I am a demon hunter, bad a$$ chick, and I don't need anyone kind of story.

Going forward I hope we get even more battles and I hope that Ficklin jumps a few months or even a year ahead. It would get to see where these characters are after the events of this title and how far other characters have gotten in learning how to fight. I also think and this might just be me. That it would be REALLY interesting to have the POV change to Maddie in the next one.

If you are a fan of shows such as Supernatural and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina then this book is right up your alley. I swear this is the second book this year that I have fallen in love with that deal with demons and hunters.

Overall this was one book that I am glad I picked up.

Go Into This One Knowing: Demons, Friendships, Romance, No Cliffhanger


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Review: Before the Broken Star

Before the Broken Star by Emily R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Review: This book was very good. I love Emily's writing and the world's she creates. This one takes us on the tale of a girl on a mission to avenge her family's murder as well as living with a clockwork heart. I have to say that this one would classified as a light retelling of Pinocchio. I mean it even has an evil whale in it. The fantasy elements in this one brings to life the world that Everly lives in and I could not put it down.

The story was well paced and although I do think that the sea voyage took a little longer than I had hoped it did allow Everly to really connect with the love interest. The only real issue I had by the end of this one was that the bad guy and well one other person that I can't really talk about because its a spoiler. They just seemed off just a little. But I still loved this story.

I can not wait until the next one!

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Review: The Haunted

The Haunted by Danielle Vega
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: In this gripping story about a girl recovering from an abusive boyfriend finds herself living in a haunted house.

Man I knew that Vega wouldn't let me down with this one. It was so good!! I love how she can take 250 pages and turn it into such a vast story with so much emotion. The only thing I did feel was left out was Hendrick's ex boyfriend. We learn a lot about how he was so obsessed with her and he only lives about 4 hours away. So why didn't he show up? I think that would have added just one more aspect part of this story. Without it that the story felt a little less important at least on the side that Hendricks was always afraid that he was going to show up.

The rest of the story was so amazing!! We get this awesome cast of characters that are spunky and nice and then the lone boy that has a bad past. I loved everyone but this does have a bit of insta-love. I'm not sure how long Hendricks really speaks to Eddie in this one as we don't get a lot of time line related things. But by the end he is professing his love for her and it just feels like its been about a month or so. And they didn't really spend all that much time together. I do think that if the story would have been just a little longer so they could have spent more than a hot second together that this would have made more sense. So for me the romance in this one was a little over the top but what are you going to do?

The twist in this one was out of this world. Like REALLY!! It deals with ghosts and a little girl who had been killed a few years prior and how her killer was found, released, and then he killed himself. I really enjoyed how this one started. It really got the story moving in a very suspenseful way. And by the end when its revealed where and who the ghosts are I was just like wait WHAT!! Because I really didn't connect something that had happened earlier in the story with the ghosts. So that was so awesome! Thinking about this now there was one other thing that wasn't tied up by the end of this story. I won't put it here as I don't want to spoil anything but the real killer who was still around. The story never said what happened to them. Were they prosecuted? Did they get off Scott free? I would really like to know.

All in all this was one spooky story with ghosts, young love, recovery, and friendship.



Go Into This One Knowing: ghosts, young love (insta-love), recovery, friendship, PTSD, Abusive Relationship mentioned (happened in past)

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Review: Hazel and Holly

Hazel and Holly by Sara C. Snider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: OMG this was such a great book. I really loved how the story unfolded and all the snark that is in this one. It was about witches and warlocks and it was so full of snarkyness that I just fell so in love. Snider brings to life a new world and amazing characters. I really loved Tum and Chester and would love a story about them on their own. Maybe they team up to grab spoils.

If you are looking for a new story to fall for then check this one out ASAP!! Because I was laughing a lot during the story and it was just done so well.

The story itself is not faster paced, it is a slow burn of story that I could not put down. I think that for this one the slower story worked so much better than it being speedy. Every part of this story has a meaning on why it's in there. And Snider did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.

The characters were great. I loved how a side character even mentioned about how the four main characters all had H names. Because that was the only issue I had when I first started this one. Was keeping all the names right.

I don't want to accident spoil anything for anyone else. But I do want to say that although this is tech. an adult title you could totally read it as YA as well. Nothing really over the top happens so I would allow my 14 year old read this at the drop of a hat. I am so happy I got the chance to read this one.

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Review: The Warrior Queen

The Warrior Queen by Emily R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: My goddess this book ripped me apart. It picked a few months down the road from book three and after the events of the last book things are pretty depressing for our heroine Kalinda. This one filled me with all the feels, I loved how everything came to an end. It was so nice to see where Kali came from, where her best friend ended up, and just all of it. I was reading this one as fast as I possibly could because it was just so amazing.

The story tied up all the loose ends that were in the story and even gave us a very nice ending. I do wish we would have gotten an epilogue set a few years into the future but we did get something.

Kalinda in this one found out a lot about herself and what she was willing to save the man she loved. I have to say that I didn't see any of it coming even though I probably should have. Because, it was staring me right in the face. In this one we get one more POV of Ashwin which weren't my favorite for the most part but really worked to get the story moving. It was king of interesting to learn what he was going through with marrying a Bhuta and getting the kingdom to accept them as people who deserve equal rights.
Deven my god his chapters ripped out my little heart they were the hardest to read with what he was going through.

The thrilling conclusion to The Hundredth Queen series transport you to the ending you won't be able to put down until the very last page.



Go Into This One Knowing: Three POVs, Ties Up Loose Ends

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Review: The Rogue Queen

The Rogue Queen by Emily R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: This one picks up where book two left off. To start off this one really reminded me of parts of the Throne of Glass series. They are going into a cove with a breaker just like what is in the Pirates cove in a few of the TOG books. As well as a man who doesn't know his father which is also in the TOG books. I really liked the similarities of the two stories.

The pacing of this one was just as fast as book two. It's really speeding along. I do will say that what was going on with Kalinda and Ashwin was kind of predictable to me. Which when I first figured out what was going on I was a little bummed but once things started heating up I was yelling at them NO NO!!! Because of corse I knew why they were doing certain things but they didn't. So in the end knowing before hand what was happening and why really worked out. It raised the suspense and really just made me want to hop into the book and like slap them both to make them stop.

Kalinda in this one has really come into her own. She knows what she wants by the end of this story and really understands what she wants to bring to the empire. As for Ashwin I really enjoyed his parts of the story and he as well has grown. He isn't so much of a fluffy little boy anymore and is really starting to take the lead on being a ruler. As for Deven I didn't like parts of his POV as much as I did in book two. I do still love the man with all my heart but parts of his POV just seemed a little flat to me.

Another part of this story that I really thought was wonderful is that the author didn't try and have Kalinda stop the multiple wives and courtesans things. I thought she was going to bring it up or have Ashwin say he only wants Kalinda but they never did. I think that really brings a lot of culture and way of life to this story. That just because it's not how we do things. We should still respect how things are done in other places.

The third installment of The Hundredth Queen series will leave you grasping for you heart and gives new understanding what it means for good to fight evil.




Go Into This One Knowing: Slightly Predicable, Good vs. Evil



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Review: The Fire Queen

The Fire Queen by Emily R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: First off you really do need to read book one of this before this one. However if you decide to jump into this one without reading book one. I think the author did a wonderful job giving us an update on what happened in book one. She didn't over do it and did it just enough to remind you of the key points of what happened in the first title.

This story was very well done. I do think that there is one part of this where Kalinda is in a cave and there's something else down there with her. I really hope that we find out what it was. I really thought that maybe it was a dragon that was going to come out of hiding and jump in and save her but that never happened. So much stuff happens in this story and the flow of it was so good. I was up until 2am to finish it and the it left me on a slight cliffhanger and I really wanted to start the next book but of course I fell asleep before that happened.

I really loved how Kalinda was torn between keeping her throne and doing what she wanted. It felt very real and genuine with how she felt and how she was dealing with the aftermath of book one. This is one of those stories where you will be flipping the pages faster and faster.

I asked Emily R. King last night about Kalinda and how in the world she embodied the Dragon Queen from Game of Thrones and she told me she doesn't watch it at all. So that was a big shocker. Because fans of the Danny will totally fall in love with Kalinda in this title. She is fierce as all get out and OMG I love her so much!!
I really did enjoy having Deven's POV in this one however parts of it early on just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I know that Deven had it in his head that he was disgraced but how could he loose faith in Kali so fast? On the other hand I know how it feels to doubt yourself and in this stance he was doing that more than really losing faith with Kali. But I really wished that would have come out on the page. I feel so sorry for Deven in this story to start out with.

Duty and Love war in this second installment of The Hundredth Queen series set in a vivid world you are sure to fall for this thrilling adventure! ~CrossroadReviews

Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV, Light Love Triangle

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Review: The Hundredth Queen

The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Review: OMG I really kind of forgot how much I loved this book!! From beginning to end it was a beautiful story and one that I enjoyed rereading. This one starts off with the world abusing women and slowly changes with the help of Kali. I really can not wait to start the next title. As I remember nothing of what happens. This is one story where the men think they hold all the power but it's really the women that are in charge. This is one story that will make you both happy and sad and it will rip out your heart by the end.



Go Into This One Knowing: Overthrowing an Empire, Death, Slight Insta-Love, Cliffhanger, Abuse of Women

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Review: Ask Me Anything

Ask Me Anything by Molly E. Lee
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

My Review: First off this is totally a book for those who love hacking. It brought back memories of that old movie Hackers that I fell so in love with I think it was in the 90's. It also is a great story about sex education and how important it is. I think this one would be an amazing story for teens of high school to read. It is just so important especially in our day and age for this story to be told.

Schools need to get away from thinking of sex as evil. Telling kids just don't do it and start accepting it for what it is. Sex isn't the enemy miss information and people being to embarrassed to ask questions is the issue. I love the parts in this where Amber is talking to her mom. They are open and honest about sex and they are both better for it. Have an open policy with your kids about this topic (really any topic). I love that my daughter's know that they can come to me and talk about sex and anything else. It's not taboo, or shameful, or nasty, its part of life and more people need to accept that. Your kids will be safer if they can come to you with their questions.

Another part of this book is about rape. So be warned, Amber goes through a lot of PTSD (lightish vs. other books about this topic.). But I think the author did a wonderful job with the micro flashbacks and Amber talking about it. Another great message in this story is that it doesn't matter if you are a girl or a boy rape is rape and no means no. My best advice about going out and parting is to always make sure your drink in moderation (if you drink at all). Know your limits!! And always do the this rule of thumb! It might sound lame but it will keep you safe.

Drink Rules: 1 Alcoholic Drink, 1 Glass of Water, 1 Snack or some kind of food, wait a minimum of 1 hour before you repeat this cycle. This gives your body enough time to to start breaking down the alcohol in your system.

One letter that Amber answered in this story is about a girl who is forced to change her shirt because she is showing to much skin. However the boys are allowed to go shirtless. This reminded me of an issue that was going on at a local high school here a few years ago. Girls were singled out and told that they could no longer show their collarbones. Which is so stupid. I totally agree with what Amber told the girl to do that to use her social media and her voice. Because we as women and girls are NOT a distraction.

The story itself was great. With all the elements it had the only one I kind of had an issue with was Dean. Don't get me wrong he was an awesome boy but I found myself just not enjoying his chapter as much as Ambers. By the end of the book I did warm up to his part of the story and it really started to unfold and made more sense since it gave us information that we wouldn't have known. So when it all went down we already knew who knew what.

There is just so much to say about this important novel. But I just do not have the words to say it all here. This is just one of those stories that you need to read. Buy it for your daughters and sons and your schools and libraries!! Get it into the hands of teens because that is where it will do the most good.


Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV, Sex Education, Hacking, Attempted Rape (PTSD Flashbacks), Doesn't Shy Away from Hard Topics,


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