Starry Night: A Book Review

Starry Night: A Book Review

**SPOILERS**

My latest read was this one, Starry Night by Debbie Macomber. This was a short and sweet novel. Perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. The thing about this book, and what my sister says about most of Debbie's work, is that it might as well be a Hallmark Channel movie. I couldn't agree more with my sister on this, for once. This book was warm hearting, Charming, and overly cheesy like your typical Hallmark Christmas film.

This book revolves around a society page writer named Carrie and a best selling author named Finn. It is full of romance, second chances, and of course, holiday spirit.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Finn is a best selling author for his book about surviving in the wilderness and cherishing the nature around you. Carrie as I said is a reporter for the Chicago times who's been given the task of locating Finn to do an interview when he prefers to stay in the shadows. It is an assignment that could make or break her career. Little does she know they would have to put up with one another In a small cabin in Alaska for an unbearable but turns into a blissful couple of days. Love shines through in the unexpected places and they soon discover they cannot move on from thoughts of the other.

Worlds crash and turmoil ensues as they struggle trying to maintain a long distance relationship. Of course all ends well with a happily ever after. The book had some sweet moments, funny remarks between characters, and of course, the "Cheese" I will admit this book is nowhere near my forte and I get bored with books easily. The good thing about this book was that it was so small that by the time you had enough of it's cheesy interior or were overall bored with the book in it's entirety, you'd be at the back cover. It's a great book if you are into sappy christmastime romance that would be considered a "light read" I think it's a decent enough book if you're into that specific genre.

The Next Full Moon: A Book Review

The Next Full Moon: A Book Review

**SPOILERS**

I read this novel in October. It was a rather slow read even though the storyline was decent. It is of the pre-teen audience which made me a little bored at times at the teenage behavior of the main character who is a 12 year old girl. The book managed to leave some questions answered. I liked another one of this author's books so I gave this one a shot. Though it was decent, I wouldn't say I was anywhere near impressed with this one.

This book is about a 12 year old girl named Ava who, as a pre-teen, is going through some normal and abnormal changes.  there's also a family secret that was hidden from her by her father. She spends the upcoming summer uncovering the secret on the journey to self-discovery. There's teenage romance and a great deal of fantasy in this book  but I'd have to say it's a bit premature for an adult to really take any pleasure in reading.

I wouldn't say it was really the author's fault in this. She wrote to the audience it was ultimately aimed for which was non-adult pre-teens in which she captivate's the troubled circumstances she is going through and made the character completely relatable to a 12-14 year old girl. Reading this I flashed back into a sense of nostalgia about my teenage years and going through puberty and being a bit boy crazy. I had my fair share of problems in my youth along with the trouble of starting to learn about myself and who I might become.

Stardust: Book or Movie?

Stardust: Book or Movie

**SPOILERS**

I first saw the movie Stardust years ago. It was introduced to it by my then husband. I absolutely loved the movie to the point I named my son Tristan after the main character of the movie Tristan Thorn. After finally watching the behind the scenes featurettes I discovered it was based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. I was then determined to one day reading the book and that would lead us to this review.

I finally got to reading the work and I would say it was like a dark fairy tale. it was well written but I was a little thrown off. In the movie his name was Tristan but in the book Neil added an R for Tristran. I suppose it's the same name regardless but it made me need to double check. Even though this novel was pretty good, I would have to admit I enjoyed the movie much better. It was one of those books where you're all "They should have put that part in the book!" or "Why didn't they add that scene to the movie?" constantly. They both did have their fair amount of charm.

**Spoiler Alert**

In the movie they made Captian Shakespeare, who was given another name in the book, was played by the great Robert DiNero who pulls off a hilarious performance and there's a scene that will very well make it impossible to look at him the same way again. however in the novel, he had a much smaller influence in the book. There was quite a good cast of Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Henry Cavill who you wouldn't even recognize in his role of Humphrey as well as guest appearances by Ben Barnes, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everette, and Ricky Gervais.

The Novel was of a teenage age level but I think anyone who loves adventure, fantasy, and slight romance would enjoy this book. Neil is a very talented author who pulls you into his mind's world for a great ride through time and space to another universe throughout the worlds he's created. It's a rather small novel of 248 pages for a quick read but it's a rather intriguing and dark brilliant piece of work. It just isn't as captivating as the storyline and visual stimulation as the movie. As most novels to books, it shares a similar story while changing up many of the ongoing details. Both are definitely worth checking out if fantasy and adventure are your forte.

Wicked Deeds: A Book Review

Wicked Deeds: A Book Review

**Spoilers**

I finished reading another good novel yesterday and I must admit, it's probably my favorite so far. It's part of the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham. Number 23 to be exact. I started this series pretty late in the game but it's a really good read. The characters are fun, the content is edge of your seat compelling there's really not much not to like about this series. There's ghosts, mystery, suspense, crime, a little romance that's pretty subtle. Everything that I personally like in a novel.

Heather has a unique writing style. Sometimes you find words or phrases that just don't fit well. Happens in every one of her books that I've read but she really knows how to suck a person into her books and wanting to know more of the plot within the novel. She's detailed but not too descriptive in her writing She seems to have very interesting story ideas and has a knack for getting her ideas out on paper. I would definitely recommend this author to fellow bookworms.

**Spoiler Alert**

Vickie and Griffin are back and this time it's a series of crimes based around the death of the late and great Edgar Allen Poe. Writers turned up dead in Edgar Allen Poe written scenarios such as the Tell Tale Heart and Fall Of The House Of Usher. The fun is how it all ties into the murder of Edgar Allen Poe as his ghost hangs around Vickie and Griffin  uncovering clues so that he can move on to the afterlife. It really makes you think back on the history of his death as if something similar could have actually happened to him. It's a definite page turner.

This series is always a pleasure to read. It's a wide variety of genres and not too mushy. I had somewhat of a hard time putting this book down due to the plot twists and being eager to know what would happen next. I like that this novel has some paranormal help to the main characters as Vickie and Griffin are able to interact with ghosts which makes them imperative to the Krewe.

Reading Spell

Reading Spell

Turns out my reading stint didn't exactly go away like I had thought. I was just extremely bored with the book I was reading. How I know is because a book I've been waiting to be available at the library finally was. I have been having a hard time putting the thing down. I take it everywhere with me. I love to read it while my son plays on the playground.

It's another Heather Graham novel. Wicked Deeds that was just released in September and is the newest of the Krewe of Hunters series. I'm not quite sure what it is about that series that has me so captivated but I always have a hard time not reading them regardless of the grammatical errors she tends to have throughout each book.

The book that had me bored was Christine Feehan's novel Dark Legacy which is part of a Carpathian series. The content was compelling enough it's just perhaps that it was obvious that it was part of a series and I have a thing about that. Krewe of Hunters seems to catch you up in the beginning of the novel in a way which makes it feel like its own novel and not a carry on. nor is there any cliffhangers at the end. Not that I would really know the content on the Dark Legacy novel I lost interest at the second chapter or so.

I'm so happy my love for reading came back if it even really disappeared at all. It's a great way to escape reality don't you think? I believe so.

A Downhill Occurence

A Downhill Occurrence 

Something rather unfortunate has happened. I'm burned out from reading. For the last few months i'd read books cover to cover back to back from one novel to the next. Maybe i'm now worn out from reading. I hate it though because I used reading as my escape from reality. My reality rather sucks. More than enough family drama to last a lifetime, no social life of any kind outside of work, and occasional restlessness.

Why must this happen to me? This isn't the first time either. I go in and out of spurts of reading but this one I think lasted the longest. I went on a reading stint of about 4 months and now I can't even be bothered to pick up a book without getting bored a couple sentences in. I'm not sure if this is part of my mental illnesses or just my personality as a person.

I get completely obsessed about reading. I'll read all day on my free days and stay up late into the night to get a book finished, constantly go to the library to find books to buy that I plan to read but never actually get to, then all of a sudden it disappears completely and I won't even want to pick a book up and I switch to buying movies at the library instead.

It's almost like I become bibliophobic. I completely forget I have a book case in my room filled with books I haven't gotten around to reading. I can't even stand to start reading again and it's highly annoying to me. I suppose all I can do is force myself through it and read until I push myself into another stint. Does this ever happen to you? How do you get around it or force yourself through these stages?

Dark Rites: A Book Review

Dark Rites: A Book Review

**Spoilers**

This book I found very interesting. The main problem was there were a lot of grammatical errors. Many words didn't make sense in the context they were used. Another person who had the book before me managed to point out all of the errors. It was a little more slow moving than it's predecessor but was still a pretty decent read. The content is still rather interesting if you're into witchcraft, satanism, cults. It's got that aspect to it. It was just a tad dull in my opinion.

**Spoiler Alert**

Dark Rites is the 22nd novel in the Krewe Of Hunters series by Heather Graham.  It's about a woman named Vickie who with her FBI lover agent Griffin Pryce, tracks down the disappearance and murders of various women. With the help of agents Devin and Rocky they uncover the truth about these disappearances and discover the plans of a satanist cult. It's a race against time to find her friend Alex who had been captured for his knowledge and the last of the women who may or may not be alive.

I had read this book in 4 days and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Despite it being very difficult to stay into it was still generally a good book. There may be a lot of written errors but I still want to follow the series since it's a rather captivating story line.

Dying Breath: A Krewe of Hunters book review

Dying Breath: A Krewe of Hunters Book Review

**Spoilers**

on the 18th I had went to the Library down the street from my house. I decided not to go to the Harvey & Friends Bookstore and instead looked at the new release section. I came across this gem. Dying Breath by Heather Graham. It's the 21st installment of the "Krewe of Hunters" series which I wasn't aware of until after I read it. Kind've drives against my OCD, I hate reading books beginning in the middle of a series. Although with this one you could barely tell. It reintroduces the characters in each book and does subtle referrences to former books. Or so I believe since i've yet to read any of the younger of the series.

**Spoiler Alert**

The book is about Vickie Preston, a young woman living in Boston Massachusetts who is under FBI protection when clues come up referring to her name in the Undertaker murders. Various women come up missing and it's a race against the clock with Vickie's historic knowledge to find their locations based on the clues. She has a ghost friend Dylan who helps her on her journey as well as her protective love interest Griffin where she finds passion with throughout the novel.

Heather Graham is by far a genius! She keeps up on a story line that leaves you intrigued and wanting more. It keeps you on edge wondering what happens next. Her sense of mixing crime, suspense, mystery, fantasy, and romance all into one is rather interesting. I can definitely say I enjoyed this read very much. I didn't know it was even part of a series when I read it aside from the subtle referrences that appeared to have come out of the blue. I can only assume now that it's from the book's predecessors. I was hooked on this novel and now reading the 22nd installment Dark Rites which I will be sure to review as well. Happy reading!

Book Addiction

Book Addiction

It's official, I have a book addiction. I buy books wherever I find them. Whether it be given by friends, found at the little library bookstore, The Arts and Sciences bookstore down the street, or the Give-A-Book/Take-A-Book library staked down by my house. What is it I love about books so much? Maybe it's the awesome covers they seem to have that spark your interest. Or it could be the smell of the old musty delicate paper. I also love the texture of pages between my fingers as I turn page after page while being engulfed in it's content.

These are two books I picked up at the Library's little bookstore. Their titles and covers grabbed a hold of me and I couldn't pass them up. I usually give myself a $4.00 budget every Friday to hit up the Library and always seem to come home with a nice score. Occasionally, when there's a worker present I'll even get discounts. I went to the last book sale and got 4 dollars worth of items for $3.00 a dollar can go a long way there.

The next day something in my head told me to go back. Sure enough when I went, the bookstore was re-stocked and I came home with a nice book haul. You really never know what kind of goodies are in store for you when you go. I even bought Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist book at the Art & Sciences bookstore down the street.

I know I will probably never in my lifetime get to read all these books but they sure look nice on my bookcase don't they?

Book Boredom

Book Boredom

**An Unfinished book review**

After finishing Heart-Shaped box I started this one called Morifications by Derek Palacio. I'm part of a books for reviews site and couldn't be more bored with this book. It's going to take me forever to read because I can only tolerate one chapter at a time. It's not up my alley much period! It's not that he's a horrible author, the writing style is very well done but the content isn't really compelling.

Most other books I've read had a vast sense of appeal. I'm the type to judge books by their covers and am not normally disappointed. I've read many great books just because of their awesome covers. Reviver by Seth Patrick, Shadow People by James Swain, Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon, Horns by Joe Hill, The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, Under The Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan,You can find those characters easy to relate to and show empathy towards, and the content extremely captivating to the point they were difficult to put down. I think I read the hardcover version of Ann Rice's Interview With A Vampire novel in less than a week. I read that book everywhere I went, even at the doctor's office while I was waiting.

This book however is plainly dull. I suppose it would be more interesting if you liked Cuban-American's backstories and modern historic novels.  It is based around a family in the 1980's who come to the United States and start to drift apart with their daughters new found love for the Catholic faith, the son's rebelliousness, and the mother's love of a European man. There's so much going on that I hope the story gets better as I drag forward with it but it seems unlikely. I'll be happy to get this book over with, write my blasted review, and obtain a better read.

Heart-Shaped Box: A Book Review

Heart-Shaped Box: A Book Review

**Spoilers**

I just got done reading this yesterday. It was the second book I've read by Joe Hill who just so happens to be the great Stephen King's son. He has yet to disappoint me! I discovered him when I saw a trailer for the Daniel Radcliffe movie Horns which I found out was based on a novel. I quickly got the book with the same title and read it in only three days before the movie was actually released. That is for a different time though, I want to review his first published novel Heart-Shaped Box.

Unfortunately this took me a while to read. Not because it was dull, but because I was one. very busy with work and doing things at home. and two. because i'm weaving in and out of my book reading phase. This book was a real page turner and kept you on the edge of your seat wanting more. You'd predict one thing to happen but then something entirely different happens. It wasn't as horror contented as others had said in Facebook groups. It did however have it's fair share of extremely creepy moments within. It is based on a former rock-star named Judas Coyne and how he was blamed for the suicide of a girl named Anna by her family.

**Spoiler Alert**

When Anna's stepfather died, he tethered himself to a black suit in which Anna's sister Jesse put on an online selling site and tricked Jude into purchasing. The ghost of Craddock starts to haunt him and pick off his loved ones. He and his girlfriend Marybeth, also known as Georgia go on a road trip with his two dogs who were his protectors against this ghost to Jesse's house with an intent to force her to release the ghost from dwelling on him.

Many skeletons in the family's closet were released throughout this book and it took many turns. The part that haunts me is how when Jude and Marybeth are at his childhood farm where his father is on his death bed, Craddock shoves himself down his father's throat and possesses his body to try and physically kill the two of them. The other sad notion of this novel is both of his dogs get killed.

The book does have a happy ending. More bittersweet than anything. After Marybeth and Jude recover in the hospital from the horrific events and Craddock's demise, they move on and settle down together in a good life of traveling, love, and puppies. With Jessie's daughter stopping to say hello and show her gratitude for what they've done for her. She also apologized for things she had done to Jude and wished them well. There were no hard feelings between them and he even bought her a bus ticket to escape her bad memories.

The characters were very well written. Their pasts are mentioned to get a sense of the soul of the main characters. I found them completely able to relate to on different levels and could express empathy for what each of them have gone through. I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. I absolutely loved this one and was happy to add it to my collection. Now I want to check out more of his work.

Blogging for Books

Blogging For Books

Thanks to a member in a facebook group, I was recommended a site to write reviews in exchange for free novels. I think it's something my mom could get into as well. It's called Blogging for Books. Through this site you can choose a book you're interested and receive a free copy (if available) to get shipped to you. You link your blog page and social media and can link your review to the book through their site. Then you look for another book.

How I came across this site was by asking if anyone did book reviews and where to find a site that may present an opportunity to do so. I asked via social media and I was recommended this specific site and had received my first book to review. After i'm finished with my current book, I will begin on this one to get a review out in a timely manner. You can only get one book at a time and must post a review in order to receive another.

This was my first book through them. It's about a rural Cuban family in 1980 who are torn apart during the Mariel Boatlift. It's a mythic historical novel and seems like an interesting read. I'm actually looking forward to this one. The summary of the novel seemed interesting enough.

Reviews and Relaxation

Reviews and Relaxation

**Not A Review**

I love to relax with a good book. Whether it be sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and my current read or laying on my bed on my stomach with music playing in the background and my book in tow. It's always comforting to escape real life into a good novel. You can read anywhere! With the invention of Kindles and reading apps you can take an e-book novel on the go. I do that occasionally but my preferences are hardcover paper books. The smell of the musty paper has somewhat of an euphoric hold on me. I also love to feel the pages between my fingers as I turn to the next chapter.

There is a little anxiety in it though. When will this chapter end so I can begin another? how many pages does this book have? I always check for those two things so I skip ahead briefly to see what page the chapter ends to keep on my motivation to finish it or constantly check to see how much I've read or how many pages there are to go. I even update my progress on GoodReads often and use my progress on the app as a personal accomplishment.

A while ago I would get into books reading them back to back in merely a few days. I believe I read Interview With A Vampire in about a week's time, that was a huge hardcover novel but a very good one! I read Warm Bodies and The New Hunger by Isaac Marion in about 2 days, but they are smaller books. I also read Horns by Joe Hill in 3 days.

My love for reading kind of comes and goes. It's between "I just can't put this book down" to "I don't even want to pick this one up!" I go in and out between reading and ignoring my collection. I don't know if it's attributed by my Bi-polar and Depression or not. Lately though, My love has been sticking. Sure I don't read a book cover to cover in less than a week anymore but that's probably because I have a job now as well as 3 blogs to keep up on.

For me it's a great way to settle in for the evening. I always like to get at least 2 chapters done before I call it a night and go to sleep. I even have a book-light I use since my son sleeps with me. Lights tend to be visually stimulating for him thus keeping him awake a lot longer than his normal bedtime.

I burn an incense stick and put the radio on low volume, it's all a way to set the mood for the night's reading frenzy. I've actually stayed up well passed midnight just reading even when I had to be up at 6:30 in the morning for work. It definitely takes it's toll but I find it well worth it and that's why there's coffee in existence, Right?

Reading is very relaxing and enlightening. You actually learn a wider vocabulary from it and if you also write, alters and improves your writing style. I am a blogger and it has increased my skills immensely. I find myself using bigger words and relating to the Author's writing styles often. I'm not sure if you've noticed that or not. I tend to temporarily include an author's sense of writing in my own after reading a book, I suppose it's actually kind of amusing.

Books are a great way to escape reality in this world that just seems to be going wrong. You get to become the characters and live their lives for a short time while engaging in your book. You start to think like they do and relate to them fully if you're very interested in its events and the book is written well. This is why I love reading. Occasionally I suffer from drama at home and racing thoughts but this is my way out for a period of time. I will lock myself in my room with a good book for a few hours and allow the drama to ensue without me in it. I'm in a world that a good author has created for me and with imagination it becomes your own. That is an incredible feeling.

I also enjoy reviewing the wonderful novels I have read. It's a way to communicate with other bookworms like myself and learn of new genres and good books to add to your read-list. I like fantasy, Romance whether it be mushy like Nicholas Sparks, or Historic Fiction, I'm also very much into mystery and crime. I like a good twisted suspense and horror like novels too. On this blog you often find many reviews because I like sharing my love for books and giving my readers ideas of what they should look into. I tend to write a review maybe a day after finishing the book to let the ideas come into my mind. It's also a good way to express yourself and your opinions.

Combo Isaac Marion Book Review

Combo Isaac Marion Book Review

**Spoilers**

I'm doing a double book review since this is part of a 3 book series and this is the only picture I seem to have of these novels. I watched the movie Warm Bodies a while back and thought it was really cute. I then discovered it was lightly based off the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion. I had rushed to the library to find their copy and began reading the hell out of it.

**Spoiler Alert**

Warm bodies is about a Zombie named "R" Who meets a girl after killing her boyfriend and takes her captive to "keep her safe" They hide out in a commercial airplane where tons of zombies roam the airport. He takes care of her by scavenging for food and rescues her every time she tries to escape. He begins to change and starts becoming more human as time goes on and a budding flame ignites between him and Julie. This book is filled with an unexpected romance, tragedy, and blood throughout R's journey to becoming alive again. The zombies begin to feel and dream, something between the spark of R and Julie triggers an alive mask throughout the Zombie race. This was more like a teen love story but I'd have to say it's a very good novel. Issac Marion pays close attention to detail and his tactic of story progression is very well done. I'd have to say he's rather creative and has an extraordinary imagination.

The second book in this series is The New Hunger. It's a prequel to the Warm Bodies novel and very captivating. R wakes up after the zombie apocalypse and lightly describes his experience being newly dead after has taken place. However, this novel more surrounds a character from Warm Bodies, a young woman named Nora and her young brother. Their journey through the world of the undead and survival. It is filled with sadness as her little brother dies and she's left all alone. It ends with a happy ending as she eventually comes across Julie and is rescued by the military survival team and brought to their camp site downtown. Just like it's predecessor, this book is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat yearning for another chapter and more excitement.

As I said, as of now this is a 3 book series as Issac Marion is currently on the 4th installment. I'm currently in the proccess of reading The Burning World little by little on my phone while i'm out on the go. It is about Julie and R's life together after the death of her father. There's a slight shift in the world as zombies must rediscover themselves. I am looking forward to finishing this book as well as getting the new installment when it comes out either late this year or the beginning of next year.

The Fallen Angel A Book Review

The Fallen Angel: A Book Review

**Spoilers**

The Fallen Angel written by David Hewson is the 9th novel in the Nic Costa series. I haven't gotten to read any other of the series and I can't say I really want to. No offense to Mr. Hewson but this read was extremely strange. It's about a detective in Rome, Italy who witnesses a tragic death of a man who fell from a scaffolding balony to the street below. His daughter was covered in his blood as she comforted him in his last breath of life. All evidence leads to her and the familiar story of a woman named Beatrice who was murdered for an alleged murder of her family. Everything that happens is like history repeating itself.

**Spoiler Alert**

Nic Costa and his colleagues investigate the stories behind this death that was deemed a murder where there are three suspects. The daughter, son, and the mother. I will give this writer credit for a compelling story of crime with twist and turns but I still can't unread the last chapter of what truly happened in the book. The fact that the daughter was prostituting herself for the family's income by her own blood uncle is just disturbing. He took her virginity and was a disgusting man. I'm sure there are just as demented and messed up people like him out in the real world.

It was a decent read but I must say it's not a series I will continue on. Nic Costa had his fair set of troubles in romance but really, it was the only thing I could relate to in this novel. Otherwise, I was primarily detached from all of the characters. It's better when there are characters you can find in some way to relate to. otherwise it's nothing but paper. Was so glad when it was over. Not a book I would full-heartedly suggest to other book lovers.

It's No F*cking Secret: Letters From A Badass Bitch! Review

It's No F*cking Secret: Letters From A Badass Bitch!

Book Review

Kelly Osbourne's Novel was really easy to get into. I can really relate to her. Sure I wasn't in a rock god's family and sure I wasn't a drug addict at any point in my life but just like me, she's very blunt and outspoken. This novel is definitely not for the easily offended types. She cusses, She lets out the skeletons in her closet, and she talks about some terrible events that have occurred in her life.

**Spoiler Alert**

Where she mentions her mother's cancer almost had me in tears. She was 18 at the time and had to sign consent forms for them to treat her mother all while her father was also in the hospital due to alcohol and drugs. It is the worst thing to have to go through seeing your loved ones suffering and all you can really do is wait it out. My heart goes out to Kelly for these hard times she's had to face. Especially as a teenager.

It's for sure not easy to be the daughter of a rock star, The whole world is trying to pick at things to hate her for or criticize but what I like about her is she tries not to be anyone but herself. She's grown up a lot and mentions things she'd undo if she could. My only advice to this dear girl is "Don't live with regrets, the past helped mold you into the person you are now. Embrace it!"

She's talked about her troubles with boys and being in the music scene. She talks about womanhood and a rebellious childhood. She shares many memories she had while on tour with her parents and people's expectations of her all the way into adulthood. I learned some useful "English" language as well. Whenever she used a slang British term, there was a little note on the page that describes what the word means in American English.

All I can really say is I loved this book so much I had to purchase it for my collection all while reading the copy I had got from the library thanks to a friend recommending it . It's one of those books that you can refer to whenever you're feeling lost in this horrible world we live in. That if you think you've got it bad, read about shit 20 times worse that has happened to someone else. Especially somewhat famous.

It goes to show whether you're popular in tabloids or not, we are all human. We make mistakes and have our bad days where we're just extremely depressed. The other lesson here is don't be afraid to be you. Other people suck why would you want to be someone else? you're awesome!

Under The Wide And Starry Sky Review

Under The Wide And Starry Sky

**Spoilers**

I just had the extremely pleasurable read of a Historic/Fiction/Romance novel by Nancy Horan. Normally historic novels aren't my forte and even though it took me quite a while to finish it was ultimately a very good read! I bought it on eBay. I'm one of those people that judge the book by the cool cover. Come on now I know i'm not the only one! I'm usually pretty accurate though. the ones I pick based on the cover are 9/10 good reads!

**Spoiler Alert**

It starts off with an American woman Fanny who drags her three children to France but winds up in England when the youngest, Hervey, falls ill. She is trying to fill her dreams of painting at an art institute that only allows men so must find other means for her son's medical assistance. Ultimately he dies from his illness. She soon meets a man named Robert Louis Stevenson who is a mediocre writer who is trying to fulfill his dream at writing a masterpiece. (He was a real novelist in the late 1800's)

Fanny and Robert's relationship was rocky at start but soon Louis falls for Fanny and tries his best to court her. She is still married to her estranged husband who she left behind in America for a better life. Louis' life wasn't easy. he endured illnesses throughout his life consisting of lung hemorrhaging. She later falls to his charm and agrees to marry him while promptly filing for divorce from her significant other. After their marriage he completes his masterpiece "Treasure Island" and becomes the talk of the century. They marry and their lives aren't easy on the journey to getting Louis back to perfect health.

They discover he becomes nearly cured while at sea so they plan a four month trip to the Samoan Islands and decide to live there to escape all the fame. They are befriended by the natives and teach one another many things. Fanny falls mentally ill due to all the stress and will lash out against her youngest son who grew into a gentleman and Louis. They head out on another journey to make her well. She later becomes well and they return to the Samoan islands.

Louis had gotten the strength to climb the tallest mountain on the island and claims that's where he wants to be buried when he dies. Unfortunately he is given that wish sooner than Fanny could bear. He dies of a brain blood clot and is buried on the peak of the mountain. 

This book was filled with drama, romance, and some facts about R.L.S and was very well researched by the author. from historical documents and accounts of some of their ancestors. I loved this read and would think my mother would like it too.

Mermaid A Twist On The Classic Tale Review

Mermaid: A Tale On The Classic Tale Book Review

**Spoilers**

I just finished this book by Carolyn Turgeon the other day. She paid beautiful attention to detail and came up with a good original twist to the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale of The Little Mermaid. The book is about the Queen of the sea's youngest daughter Lenia who dreams of going to the upper world and being human.

**Spoiler Alert** 

On a mermaid or merman's 18th birthday they could decide whther or not they want to spend it above the current watching from afar for a day. That's how Lenia met Prince Christopher. However soon into play comes Margarethe, a lovely princess in hiding who takes in the prince not knowing exactly who he was. Only that he was dying and she was staying in a convent that swore to nurture the ill back to health.

Margarethe and Lenia have a form of competition over the prince's heart after Lenia goes to the sea witch Sybil to get her fin turned into legs but paid a horrible price to make her dream come true. She is adjusting to human life and Princess Margarethe was in a fight for the Prince's acceptance in the arranged marriage that has been promised to reunite the south and north kingdoms.

This book has a very bittersweet ending and I had a hard time putting it down. I could never fathom leaving a child behind but at the same time, she didn't really have much of a choice. Don't know what i'm referring to? Give the book a read and find out!