Gayle Forman – Where She Went (Sequel to If I Stay)

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Please don’t shoot me, but I engaged in this series completely backwards.

First, I watched the movie of the first book, If I Stay.  By the way, I loved the movie.  I absolutely fell in love with the two main characters.  A rockstar teenage boy falls for a classical cellist girl.   Their preference for music styles may differ greatly, but their intense study of their craft unites them.  I cried – a lot.  Sometimes you just need a good cry.   (I had never even heard of the book before I saw the movie.)

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If you recall, the song Say Something was the dramatic song that goes along with If I Stay.  It was re-recorded by Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World in November 2013.

Recently, I was thrilled when I was going through some book lists and found out that If I Stay was in fact a book.   Better yet, I found out that it had a sequel, Where She Went.  This story picks up where the first story left off.  I admit that I have yet to read the first book, I just saw the movie, so this isn’t an apples for apples comparison.  I have to say, I really liked the second story better.  The story seemed to flow better.  Also, I didn’t feel quite as emotionally drained as when I saw If I Stay.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVED how the author ended this series.

I also want to mention that I listened to the audiobook for Where She Went.  As I have mentioned before, I’m not a huge fan of audiobooks in general.  But the narration done by Dan Bittner was PHENOMENAL!

If you liked the movie, as much as me, YOU HAVE TO READ WHERE SHE WENT!!

Indonesian Covers for the Series – LOVE THIS!

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Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Gayle Forman!

 

Katy Evans – Manwhore +1

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Manwhore +1 is the fun sequel to Manwhore.

I like how the author uses social media to set the stage for communication about Saint.

My favorite line:

“He’s ruined sex with anyone else – something I don’t even want to try – and he’s even ruined sex with myself.”

A billionaire should have some over-the-top toys.  This series is filled with some fabulous forms of transportation.  In the midst of his hiatus with Rachel, Saint purchases a $2 million Pagani Huayra Gullwing.  Much more exciting way to deal with heart break than digging into a container of ice cream.  And, nice addition to his 4 Bugattis and Rolls Royce!

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While I enjoyed the book, I would only award this book 4 stars because the story line is very predictable.

Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series: Ladies Man that will be released on April 26, 2016.

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Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.55.28 AM to Katy Evans!

 

 

Jello Eggs for Easter

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Happy Easter to all that celebrate.  And, to those that don’t but like jello, here’s a fun dessert idea.

This is my daughter’s absolute favorite dessert.  I only make it on Easter; not only because of the shape but because it takes 6 hours to make.  It’s easy, but timely.  Setting aside 6 consecutive hours at home isn’t easy.

Besides finding the time, you need to have the appropriate molds.  I bought mine years ago.   Here’s what one looks like (I have 4):

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If you can’t find a place to purchase these molds, you can make your own.  All you need is an a left over egg carton and basic plastic egg containers.  The full directions for making the molds can be found at this website

http://robbygurlscreations.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-easter-egg-jello-molds.html

When I make these I like to go for the full rainbow effect.  I start buy purchasing small boxes of instant jello: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.  Depending on store availability, I vary the actual flavors.

Step 1 – prepare molds by coating with cooking spray or vegetable oil

Step 2 – close molds completely

Step 3 – Prepare Jello Flavor: boil 2/3 cup of water and mix with one flavor of jello, whisk for 2 full minutes.  Carefully pour liquid jello into the molds.  One small box is sufficient for 24 egg molds.  (If doing the full rainbow)

Step 4 – Chill for exactly 1 hour

Step 5 – Remove molds from fridge and repeat Step 3 and Step 4 again for each flavor of jello

Step 6 – Chill the full molds for 3 hours.  Remove from refrigerator, and carefully separate the mold halves.  ENJOY

*Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator

It’s just about time to add my next layer of jello.  Gotta Run.

HAPPY BAKING!

 

 

 

 

 

J.E. Warren – Lines We Forget

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This is a nice simple love story set in England.  There isn’t anything sensationally dramatic.  Boy sees girl and is intrigued.  Girl likes boy.  They date. They break apart because of challenging life event and a bit of immaturity.  They reunite.

What makes this book special is its authenticity.  The characters are young and struggling to make money.  Unlike too many romance novels that are centered around billionaires.  The characters are flawed with uncertainty.  Many romance novels assume that once the couple falls for one another that it is a 100% done deal.  Finally, the dialog is categorically English, which not only amuses me as an American but sets the tone well.

Most of all, being serenaded in the street is the epitome of romantic.

Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 10.18.58 AM to J.E. Warren!

 

Rachel Dunning – Debt

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First, I gotta say – I lOVE THIS COVER!!  Why?  Finally, the cover model actually represents how the character is depicted in the book … his build, his tattoos, his eyes (both color and attitude), and even his approximate weight.

Logan is the perfect underdog that makes a reader want great things to happen in his favor.  He grew up in the worst of areas and works hard to help pay for his sister’s school.  Despite his physically tough exterior, Logan actually is sensitive on the inside.  Logan’s personality is what makes this book uniquely enjoyable and not just another run of the mill, grunge fighter romance.

Kyla is also fantastic.  She’s a walking contradiction by dressing one way but behaving in an opposite manner.  Unlike Logan, she may have come from money.  But she also had a lot of messed of family drama.  The best part of Kyla is her insightfulness

One of my favorite lines:

“You know you’re hot, you know you have it all.  You probably f*** like something out of True Blood … But you’re lost.  You hate it.  You screw and you feel empty inside.  The only pleasure you get is the one coming from your c*ck, and that’s short-lived.  You’re looking for a longer org*sm, but that isn’t it.  You’re sick of women, you’re sick of the sex, you need something deeper, more meaningful, but you’re sh*t-scared to commit to it for reasons I haven’t quite figured out yet.”

Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 10.18.58 AM to Rachel Dunning! 

 

John A. Heldt – The Mine

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This is a time traveler romance story that takes the reader back to spring 1941 in Portland, Oreagon.

The setting was wonderfully described.  I felt like I was back in time with the characters.  The attitudes and concerns painted a graphic picture in my head of the people during the 40’s.  Even more so, the historical, sports, and technological references were fantastic.

A little lost and weary, Joel Smith helps a man in need, which starts the beginning of an amazing friendship and leads him to find the love of his life.

The romance in this book is remarkably passionate, despite the fact that it isn’t sexualized like contemporary romance books.  There is something very real about a relationship where any feelings of lust are expected to go unrequited.  The tension between Grace and Joel is extraordinary and I enjoyed how the views of the side characters impacted the relationship.  Both Grace and Joel struggle with accepting and how to address their relationship.

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Sophie Quinn – Mr. Prime Minister

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This was an absolutely refreshing twist on a story where a wealthy, powerful man falls for a plain simple woman.  If you are tired of those types of stories, you should consider reading this book.  The story line in this book is truly fabulous!

The dialogue in the book is great, too.  Each character has a unique voice and personality.  The supporting cast adds a lot of humor and sincerity to the book.  Perhaps, it is just because I’m an American, but I love reading the English jargon.

The book captures the essence of romance:

“You should pick someone not pretty, not funny, not rich or talented, not someone who loves you when you’re successful and beautiful, funny and upbeat.  You should pick someone that respects you now, at your worst, at your lowest, because if he does, then you know you’ll have a partner for life, no matter what happens.”

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Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 10.18.58 AM to Sophie Quinn!