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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:15:37 GMT -5
Book Title: Child Molestation Stories: Voices of Survivors Author: Lynn Daugherty Published By: Genre: Non Fiction Recommended Age: +14 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 5 Ravens It’s horrible to think that bad things happen to children everyday. Some of us may even want to close ourselves off and not listen to people. Ignore the signs and the problems that may be right in front of our faces. Tell ourselves no this couldn’t happen, He/She wouldn’t do that to a child. The harsh reality is that they would and could or worse have. These are the stories of children who have suffered these fates. Be it from family , friends or fellow children it’s the glimpse into these unfortunate times and how these people have learned to cope with what happened and moved on. A wonderful collection of accounts and the out comes even the way that some of the children/ no adults have come to cope with the fate that had befallen them and get a better grasp on themselves. It’s not a easy thing to hear especially if you are someone like me but now I know that I would not keep my mouth shut or allow such things to go on if I have seen them or at least offer help where help might be needed for a child that is crying out for one. Take a read and see for yourself.
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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:14:03 GMT -5
Book Title: Pride and Popularity Author: Jenni James Published By: Brigham Distributing Genre: Young Adult Recommended Age: 13+ Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 5 Ravens I’m a sucker for Jane Austen I always have been, Not many girls I know aren’t. She when I saw that this was a modern version of one of her classics I had to peek in and take a look. I found it very humorous and enlightening with snippets to the book of Pride and Prejudice that is aptly known. The characters are funny even the witty banter between the two students kept me chuckling the whole time while they fussed with each other. Chloe and Taylor were two peas in a pod that didn’t seem to know it. I kept looking for all the similarities of the book to Jane Austen’s and was pleased when I saw them cleverly tucked in here and there not only did the author take this story and make it her own in a little way she also saw to make sure to pay tribute to the original book. I loved it so much is taught in this book and I think it’s definitely one that a young girl will read and love. Chloe had showed up as the new girl and with one little incident and claiming she was now a member of the Taylor Anderson Fanclub she swore not to become just another girl hanging onto Taylor’s every word action and praying for the moment she might get her chance to become the next Taylor Anderson with every unfortunate brake up he had. Now that it was her senior year and she was immune to all that Taylor said or did , at least that’s what she thought. Taylor is the school Jock, all around good guy and loved by all. He’s not use to having people not do what he says, fall over themselves to help him or just give him the attention he needs. So when he first sees Chloe he thinks he’s got it in the bag. Secretly he loves her from the moment he sees her but so much happens that in the end he believes she truly can’t stand him. Doing anything he can in the hopes to make her like him he doesn’t see that Chloe thinks he’s just being the typical jock popular guy. The two end up with some crazy antics and moments of clarity that leave you excited about the ending and eagerly looking for the next book in this series from the author.
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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:13:06 GMT -5
Book Title: Love Transylvania Style Author: Stephanie Williams Published By: Decadent Publishing Company Genre: Paranormal Romance Recommended Age: 18+ Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens Lately paranormal romance has all been the same for me. The stories start out strong then slip into nothing but page after page of sex causing the book to lean more towards erotica than the normal paranormal romance. Things just seem to change like watching everything in the world loose more and more of the intense emotion I feel some of the writers thing there is nothing but the rush to get to the climax. However, with this book I was please to find that even though it was short and one of the first in it’s series the author took the time to develop the characters and give a story worth turning the page. The romance scenes were nice and slow not feeling like I read something that was being rushed to get to what it was. We all know as ladies it’s nice to have that one rushed get together with the one we make love to but sometimes it’s the little things that make it that much more special. I feel that Stephanie captures that feeling and makes it worthy of the book she has written. The story is of a Vampire Thaddeus Dumas who has went through his life unable to find one that will spend eternity with him. So many Mrs Wrongs that he had given up thinking there ever might be a Mrs Right thinking it better to just have a plethora of one night stands at least that would keep him from feeling alone at night or when he rested he joined the dating service of One night stand and soon find out that Madame Eve had found someone for him that he never expected. Donna Kent, Vivacious, fiesty, Smart and strong willed woman had been through her life to busy to worry about anything but her work and school. Leaving her with no happiness in the dating world as all the men she dated just were not as extraordinary as she felt they should be. Each date was the same each night and any moment of lovemaking was almost a bore to her now. So joining one night stand to find a night with that one man never had her know she would be showing up to find that not only had Madame Eve found her that extraordinary man but a vampire and Thaddeus Dumas was never going to want to let her go. The pages practically turn themselves in this book and leave you hungry for more!
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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:11:54 GMT -5
Book Title: Glazed Author: Ranae Rose Published By: Amazon Digital Services Genre: Romance Recommended Age: 18+ Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens My only complaint on this was it was short and fast BUT my compliment was it was short and fast. Yes it’s rare I’m a little torn part of me wanted the book to be longer a little more detail further drama and some drawn out yearnings for the two involved but the other half of me also feels that it couldn’t have been better written and published just as it is. So with that having been said I have to agree with most other reviews it’s a spicy and rather sweet read giving tantalizing tidbits that keep you turning the pages for more and even may give most other men or women depending on whom is reading it a few ideas for the bed room themselves. Kelly is a very modern woman striving to be more than what she’s stuck in a dead end waitress job that has her aspiring and dreaming of owning her own coffee shop one day. A late night stop at a store on her way home from work one night delivers her a rather mysterious yet tantalizing view of a hunky man darting naked down the street. Catching a picture that is worth later more than a thousand words. What happens with that said mystery man and does Kelly get all her dreams , hopes and desires you have to read it to find out for if I tell anymore I will give to much of the book away. Try it devour it today and let the sweet temptation take you away.
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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:10:59 GMT -5
Book Title: Ghost of a Chance Author: Deena Remiel Published By: Decadent Publishing Company Genre: Paranormal Romance Recommended Age: +18 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 5 Ravens When it comes to Romance novels or novellas of any kind I am not usually one of the first to volunteer and pick up the choice to read them for the much needed reviews. I tend to lean more towards the full horror or paranormal and yes I’m know to be an avid read of Zombie books. Love them. But I digress. I find myself the more I read of the 1 night stand romance series the more I love them a little they hold a very nice mix of not only back story an filling in for the characters, but as well the tantalizing temptations of romance, sexual tension and even a fairytale ending at times. Giving everyone the just what they need in that short bit of time. I have often found myself even wishing that some of the stories with the couples would progress more and see more that happens in saying Ghost of a chance was in no way any less than the others that I have read. Susannah is a young widow, lost in her career and living life as if she herself was the one that had died or so it seemed by her family and friends for the past six years since her husbands death from cancer. She still finds herself waking from the nightmares that seem to consume her each night and the more they torture her the more she realizes she needs to get away. After finishing her final proposal and closing the deal with her company she books herself on a getaway thinking nothing would be better than if she had someone to spend it with . Calling her friend who hooks her up with the information to Madam Evangeline’s 1 Night stand Dating service Susannah is whisked off on her trip with the promise of one very magical night. Remy was the aspiring Millionaire man married to a woman that felt he was nothing more than a Ghost of a Husband she divorced him but divorcing him and taking a substantial amount of money from him was not enough no. She wanted more revenge so she and her best friend as well as voodoo priestess put a curse upon poor Remy turning him quite literally into what she felt he was a Ghost. Now after ten years of his curse Remy , going back to his ex wife showing he has learned his lesson and hoping she would change him back he has given up hope of ever returning. Her friend taking pity upon him is not able to undo the curse but secretly has divulged the way that Remy can become human again. Susannah may be his one and only last chance at redemption and a life of love. Can the two save each other from their endless lonely fate? Well if your curious I suggest you pick up this novella and read allow yourself to fall in love with them and enjoy each page as you turn it just as I have.
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Post by Emily on Apr 23, 2012 3:09:39 GMT -5
Book Title: Epic Fail Author: Claire LaZebnik Published By: Harper Teen Genre: Young Adult Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 3 Ravens Once again this was a book I found on my little journey to step outside my norm and get a little break from the requests I have been filling for reviews with the literary community. I like to venture out and see what I find and a lot of times I’m pleased to say that I am not disappointed. This book, had only one flaw in my eyes It wasn’t long enough! Hah! Thought it might actually be something bad huh? No, Adorable, cute, funny, witty and pick me up comedy that I think any young adult will love once they pick it up and read it. I know already several young girls I have suggested it to already asking me where they can find more from Claire and if there might be a return visit to Derek and Elise. It’s adorable. I loved the touch on pride and prejudice in the story, it’s hard to take a modern spin on things like that since Jane Austin herself is crafty and her stories are epic in themselves but the setting and the execution of this was perfect. So much so like I said I wish it had been longer but, it definitely goes on my shelf as a great story and book to read for a day you need something to pick you up and make you smile. I almost wish my daughter was old enough now to read it herself but, soon I will share this like many of my other finds so that she can add it to her collection as well.
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Post by Emily on Apr 9, 2012 18:33:10 GMT -5
Book Title: New Girl Author: Paige Harbison Published By: Harlequin teen Genre: Young Adult Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 3 Ravens A very interesting coming of age story that allows the reader to see the perspective of both girls through their eyes, The one where it seems the old girl is not being let go and the new girls is not being accepted the odd similarities of them both and the fact that no matter how hard you try sometimes you just have to accept yourself and say forget everyone else. Though the story seems oddly familiar and I’m sure that it’s been done in several books there were unique twists and turns, One thing I do like is how the girl was taken from the typical perfect life beach setting and placed among the cold environments of a private school. Where she was forced to grow up and make the right choices and mistakes on her own without the help of parents. I liked that no matter how hard others wished or tried to make her be someone she wasn’t she chose to be herself and stuck through it no matter what. Though the ending was a little sad in some ways especially since well you will find out . Just check it out and see if it’s something you like but be warned it is a little drama filled and tense at times. A serious book for a serious young adult.
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Post by Emily on Apr 9, 2012 18:25:41 GMT -5
Book Title: Savannah’s Ghost Tale Author: Kalli Willows Published By: Decadent Publishing Company Genre: Paranormal Romance Recommended Age: 18+ Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 3 Ravens This is one of several books in the one night stand series. Though it was good I still felt it wasn’t as good as some of the others. This one I felt was a story that could have went on longer than it was given and a little rushed, However it was no waste of time I feel it was till more or less cut to short and just rushed. The story is a good one however and gives a nice closure to something horrible happening in a woman’s life allowing her the moment to feel all the love she has and the pressure of knowing it wasn’t her fault. The story is of Vannah, on a trip with her sister in the beautiful city of Savannah. They are on a relaxing vacation and retreat trying to shake Vannah from the emotional ride she has been on since the death of her husband. Together the two woman take a crazy trip through the ghost tour of Savannah the night before Vannah’s one night stand where she finds out her sister is pregnant and the tour guide is more than meets the eye. It’s a whorl wind tale and one that maybe one day get a follow up or a little more to it as it’s a story I would love to have seen as a full length novel it’s self. Like I said though it was short it was in no way a loss of time that you couldn’t regret ever having read it.
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Post by Emily on Apr 9, 2012 1:57:34 GMT -5
Book Title: The Forever Girl Author: Rebecca Hamilton Published By: Immortal Ink Publishing Genre: Paranormal Romance Recommended Age: +16 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens I kind of puttered around this book for a while torn between my thoughts to read it and the chance to actually settle down to do so. Sometimes life just gets a little hectic and we all have to take a moment and relax. Once I got the chance to I was pleased with the selection I chose to enjoy my time and it didn’t make me regret settling down. It was definitely a different turn of events but a book I feel that most will enjoy when they get the chance to read it. The author took something of the normal and make it into an all new section with a chance to see it from her own angle. Typically average wiccan, at least that’s what Sophie thinks of herself. Nothing special nothing dangerous and certainly nothing evil. She works at a diner struggling to keep her grandfathers house that’s been left to her since his death. With a very Christian woman hell bent on making her life hell as well as getting her hands on Sophia’s house. It’s bad enough that she’s already got her hands on Sophia’s mom and made her practically turn against her own daughter. Sophia just wants to find a way to shed off her worries and the distress that’s around her and rid herself of the whole town and it’s past on her and her ancestor’s. To top it all off she feels her self cursed as the constant buzzing in her mind has done nothing but grow louder over the last few days. Her number one thing most of all she just wants to find a way to cure what she’s come to call her curse. This leads her on an adventure and life changing events where she finds that sometimes friends, Enemies and family can surprise you no matter which way you turn, some let you down some support you and others have no ones best interest in mind but their own. Pick it up and check it out for yourself.
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Post by Emily on Mar 27, 2012 10:14:38 GMT -5
Book Title: Jenni Author: Shanda Sharlow Sold By: Amazon Digital Services Genre: Supernatural Recommended Age: Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 2 Ravens I really hate giving low review ratings but, for the integrity of the service I perform I have no choice but to give the most honest rating I can give and unfortunately for Jenni it was just not a book I could relate to or get into. I struggled to finish the book due to it’s lack of any connection to the character. Though the concept was strong and the general idea of the book was intriguing the execution of the book fell short and I’m disappointed to say this. I actually looked forward to reading this book when I first found it. To much of the story it’s self was drawn out making it hard to push through and keep reading. It’s great to have detail but to much or to many details and the story becomes lost in it’s self. It’s like listening to a person trying to get to a point and never reaching it. Perhaps someone else might enjoy this but it just was not for me. I hope the Author has better luck next time just feel that this fell short of the mark.
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Post by Emily on Mar 27, 2012 10:11:21 GMT -5
Book Title: Grandpa hates the bird Author: Eve Yohalem Published By: Amazon digital services Genre: Young Adult / Supernatural Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 5 Ravens Often times we look for a book that will just give you a good tickle to that funny bone and make you laugh. Something that will break into what may be a boring typical day or just when you need a good laugh. This book definitely did that for me. The author took the time to not only get the perfect little imperfections down with the pet but, also with Grandpa. It’s a collection of short stories told from the family pet’s point of view. The pet being known and called only the Bird which he explains how he got that name as well. It’s funny and down right hilarious at times to hear the antics of the bird and grandpa’s escapades. You get glimpses of every special moment in life that he’s shared with his kids and their grandparents. To the present day moment. It left me wanting more and to read more about this adorable seeming co existence between the grandparent and the grand kids pet. You even get to see what grandpa really prefers as a pet. I couldn’t seem to shake my giggles and maybe you will enjoy them as much as I did too. It certainly brightened my day.
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Post by Emily on Mar 14, 2012 1:52:58 GMT -5
Book Title: The Geek Girls Guide to Cheerleading Author: Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance Published By: Simon and Schuster Genre: Young Adult Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens I think we all grew up with the stereotypes and clicks in school , there was always something that separated a group of people from another and no matter how many could have had the same thing in common there was always something or someone that kept them all separated singled out and with their own “herd” as one of my teachers use to call it. When they would rant rave and wander down the hallway trying to get around all of us as we stood about talking or just walking and taking up most of the hall. It comes a time when we all question and wonder what it would be like to be in a separate group. Would our friends be different or the same would there be more trust in one and not in the other. And then we questioned ourselves. Where did we fit? Who were we most like or not like? What was it like to be so and so? This book was a perfect fit for that we go through seeing two best friends facing family turmoil and things that most would say were not them and trying to step outside that box. Two “geek “ girls join the cheerleading squad together they actually try and end up going separate ways for a little while before they realize that they were the perfect set up and match of best friends there should be both have their flaws and both have to work for their friend ship they are tried and tested but it’s surprising to see where they come out in the end but then again maybe it’s not so surprising. It’s a very good book that shows that just cause you think your one way doesn’t mean you can’t step outside your box and try something new who knows you might even like it and make some really good friends at the same time too.
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Post by Emily on Mar 11, 2012 12:17:54 GMT -5
Book Title: Passion (Fallen #3) Author: Lauren Kate Published By: Delacorte Books for Young Readers Genre: Supernatural Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens Like the other books in this series, Passion really did finally open the doors and allow you to see into the world of Luce and Daniel to travel through their pasts and see just what the two of them have had to go through and endure. You pick up from the end of book two and it flows along letting you fall right into the story whether you picked it up from the first novel or the second this book really has and does tie everything together slowly allowing you to go right into their world and start to love the characters even more if you have known them from the beginning. In this book Luce has stepped through time on a journey to find where she and Daniel has gone wrong she wants to know what keeps them tied together as soul mates and in the beginning maybe stop them from loving each other so that they can go their separate ways and take all the pain the loss and torment not only from themselves but their friends. In the end she finds out just why they are linked to each other why she loves him and why they are two halves of a whole that could never be apart even if she forced herself too. She is being led astray as well by a special little time traveling friend who he is I will not reveal you have to read to find out. Throughout all of her journey her friends and Daniel are jumping through times in their past in order to try and stop Luce knowing what she needs to find out already but, in the end only making her move fast enough to find out their fates. It’s a capturing book one that ties up all loose ends lovely and brings in like the setting for the fourth book something I have to say I’m really looking forward to seeing and reading myself.
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Post by Emily on Mar 11, 2012 12:09:34 GMT -5
Book Title: Torment (Fallen #2) Author: Lauren Kate Published By: Ember; Reprint edition Genre: Supernatural Recommended Age: +13 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 4 Ravens I picked this book up before I knew it was part of a trilogy, Something I know that most of you all know I absolutely HATE doing. Most books in series are hard to follow if you don’t read them from the beginning I am glad to say that Lauren Kate has made it possible that no matter where you pick up the books you can fall right into the story and keep reading without feeling like you need to read the first one in order to enjoy the second book. Does this mean I didn’t read the first one? Absolutely not I was so captured when I read this book I went back and picked up not only the first book but the second just so I could have them all and read them adding them to my collection of series on that special series shelf in my home. The story of Luce and Daniel is not only intriguing but inspiring it’s definitely different not based simply on nothing but the attraction of each character but to know that their past is what pulls them together and no matter what Daniel will always do what it takes when he finds Luce again to make her fall in love with him. Not using her past to corrupt her but working his butt off to make her realize that she’s his soul mate. I adore the frustration that goes into it not only for Luce not knowing everything about their past as does Daniel for not being able to fully divulge everything he knows without ruining Luce’s free will. Throughout this book we find Luce being put at a boarding school away from her old one in the attempt to protect her from the other darker forces of the world that work all their might and power against the two in the attempt to keep them both apart. Heaven and Hell had agreed and cursed the two for holding their love for each other over the choice of heaven or hell. Now it’s up to Luce and Daniel to find out where they went wrong and how they can correct their pasts to keep and have a different future. Already Daniel knows something has changed but he’s not sure what in order to find out he needs Luce stored where she is safe and goes on about a hunt to find out. Luce however being stubborn like she always is refuses to give in and just simply sit still she knows something is wrong and enlists the help of her new friends in order to find out. Long story short sets them all up for the third book and a gripping story that had me running straight out to get the books and know more. Check them out you will love them like I’m sure.
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Post by Emily on Mar 4, 2012 13:34:15 GMT -5
Book Title: Witches of Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun Novel #2) Author: Deanna Chase Published By: Bayou Moon Publishing Genre: Supernatural Recommended Age: +18 Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community Rating: 5 Ravens Deanna Chase really pleased me with her first book on this series so much so that when I heard of this second book and that there was a chance to read it out there I went on the hunt to find it. When I did I was so pleased to find that I was not going to be disappointed. Though it has it’s spots of romance the scenes are always tastefully done and leave one waiting for the next, but the book does not just revolve around that. Something that to many supernatural romance books have a tendency to do they often just loose sight of the concept that they first start with and leave you wondering what the point of it all was. This is why I rave about this author she has yet to do this to me and makes me keep turning the pages. I stay up at night when I start her novels just to finish them. For that I have to thank her. We pick up in this book a time later after the first book of Jade , she’s still going strong with Kane and she’s happy, Bea has started trying to train her in the white magic after finding out that Jade is a very strong white witch. It would be a lot easier if Jade would just give in and learn instead of being so adamant of hating magic and wanting nothing to do with it. She has a good reason for her hatred but it’s something she’s faced with getting over especially if she wants to save her family, friends and life once again as Jade has a run in with Meri a demon that’s hell bent on revenge and doesn’t care who she uses or who gets in her way. Once again Deanna Chase has out done herself and I can not wait for the next book in this series and just how it will play out.
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