Sassafrass

*2.5 STARS*

So, I was trying very hard to like this one but there were a lot of things that turned me off. First, I listened to this one on audio, LOL.
The way the narrator did Maxmillian's voice was hilarious. For some reason, I just kept thinking of the movie Austin Powers and I'm not even sure why. Needless to say there was a lot of giggling that ensued.

Secondly, I'm not sure I liked this Max guy as a "master". He seemed really irresponsible to me. Ethan was a title newbie to the lifestyle and he didn't seem to help enlighten him too much prior to him uprooting his whole life to be with Max.

Next, it just seemed so weird that Ethan was a PI and a model. Did that strike anyone else as odd? I don't know, I guess it just seems to be that someone that is supposed to be blending into the shadows shouldn't be model hot. 

Anyway, there were just too many things about this one for me to really get into it. And with the fact that it was extremely short, the story itself fell (wait for it) short for me too. 

I thought this was really cute.  I thoroughly adored it.  I was happy to be back in the world of the Kincaid family.  They have really made something out of he crap hat their father left them, but what really made this one for me was the heroine, Bailey Moore.

I loved the way that (even if sometimes it was misguided) she was making the most out of life. After everything that she went through, I don't blame her.  I was also really happy that she wasn't just going to be a pushover for Hudson.

Hudson, I thought had his head up his butt for most of he story but he pulled it together at then end when it counted.   

I really look forward to spending more time with this family.  I'll be getting the next book in the series ASAP.

Behind Closed Doors - B. A. Paris 

So, I just knew I had this all figured out.  We all know that Jack's a bad guy right.  It's pretty obvious that  that is going to be the big twist.  But, You just have no idea how bad of a guy this guy is.  Seriously. A special place in hell for that one.

My thoughts are just so jumbled, I'm not sure I can really do a review justice for this one.

Jack was a creepy bastard.

Millie was my hero! Such a smart girl and so incredibly strong

I started to get a little upset with the back and forth but I get why it was done (to keep the reader confused for the course of the book, LOL).

But ultimately, I was a bit disappointed by how tidily everything was wrapped up in the end even though I loved how Esther proved herself. 

I will definitely read more of this author's work. This is her debut effort and if this book is anything to go by, she's got a great career ahead of her.

The audio was decent as well, so overall I think it was a great read.  One I will definitely talk about long after reading.

Now That I've Found You (New York Sullivans #1) (The Sullivans Book 15) - Bella Andre 

I really love the Sullivans.  This family has become a mainstay in my reading over the last couple of years.  I've been through the San Francisco Sullivans and the Seattle Sullivans, and now we've come to the New York ones.  And  the first story was just as enjoyable as the the ones I've read previously.

Drake Sullivan is a famous artist but he's in a slump.  He can't find the inspiration that he needs to keep painting.  That is until he saw a woman standing on the cliff outside his isolated lake house.  She's crying but she's the most beautiful woman he's ever since.  And suddenly he can paint.

Rosa on the other hand is running for the mess that is her life.  She's a reality TV star and someone took nude photos of her without her permission so she just wants to escape for a while so she can figure out what to do next.  The last thing that she needs is a man in her life, but Drake Sullivan approaches her on the cliff and her life will never be the same.

I enjoyed Drake and Rosa's story.  As usual, we have the insta-love that all the Sullivans are known for.  But, it's just become par for the course with this family so I just go with it.  I got the warm and fuzzies with these two and I loved the way that Drake protected Rosa from the fall out of those pictures.  I was happy to see their HEA and can't wait for Suzanne's story next.

You - Caroline Kepnes 

This book was creepy!  So creepy!!!  I couldn't put it down though. It was fascinating to be in the mind of someone so screwed up (I really want to say another word but I'll keep things PG).

Joe Goldberg's mind was so screwed up it was amazing the way he was able to twist things to satisfy his psyche.  Such interesting stuff.  I found this enthralling the way I did Dexter when he graced my TV (I haven't read the books...yet).

Anyway, I don't know what happened but while I never liked Joe, I did kinda want to root for him at some points because I really wasn't a fan of Beck.  She was spoiled and self-centered and really just wanted everyone to be gaga over her.

I thought the writing was brilliant, but what really REALLY made this book for me was the narrator, Santino Fantana.  I've never listened to him before but seriously, he was amazing.  The way he interpreted this character was so spot on, I would never have been able to do it justice in my head.  It was an amazing performance. I will definitely try to find more of his narrations in the future.

Silence Fallen - Patricia Briggs 

*4.5 STARS*

SILENCE FALLEN is the latest installment of the Mercy Thompson series and it's amazing. It's got an interesting perspective this time with shifting POV between Mercy and Adam and there's a whole lot of deception that's got to be uncovered. And while it was exciting, suspenseful, and intriguing, I felt like there was something missing in the Mercy that I'm used to.


SILENCE FALLEN starts off with a bang when Mercy is abducted by unknown vampires. The entire book consists of she and Adam trying to find their way back to each other, but this whole sinister vampire plot is uncovered along the way.


I really thought that the shifting perspectives from Mercy to Adam was neat but they were all done in the third person so it wasn't like we were we in his head or anything. It was just that since Mercy and Adam were apart for the majority of the book we had to go from one character to another in order to see everything that was going on.

It was certainly interesting to get a more in depth view of some of our recurring characters like Elizaveta and Marsilia as they have been a bit of mystery. I'm sure that there is lots more to uncover there.

My only issue with SILENCE FALLEN was that I felt like Mercy was so helpless for most of the story. That may have been the point, but I didn't like seeing her that way. She was either unconscious, chained up, or caged almost the whole story. I mean it's still pretty badass the way she was still able to best her foes even at the sever disadvantage, but she was very unsure of herself and came off weak. I know that it's possible for her to be strong all the time, but for some reason this just didn't sit well with me.

On the other hand though, I loved Adam and his hot alpha vengeance trying to find his injured mate. I loved the faith he had in Mercy even though he was scared out of his mind.

SILENCE FALLEN is the tenth book in the Mercy Thompson series. And I suppose it could be read as a standalone but why on earth would anyone do that at this point? Go back and read the whole series, it's wonderful and there is so much backstory that you'd miss if you started with this one. 

Ultimately, I thought this book was excellent--almost perfect really. Patricia Briggs has really done an amazing job with this one. And I can't wait to see what's going to happen next in this series.

*Advanced Reader's Copy provided by NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Etched in Bone - Anne Bishop 

What do I saw about this book? It was mesmerizing, brilliantly written, eerily prophetic, but ultimately hopeful? Yes, it was all those things, but it was also much more. More than I can put into exact words, but I couldn't put it down.

ETCHED IN BONE is the fifth book in the Others series by Anne Bishop and it picks right up where the last one left off. We are considering how much human to keep at this point. Humans have reared their ugly heads once again and a few bigoted jerks are really messing things up for everyone else. Now there's fall out. People are having to start over and the Elders, the really scary Others, are trying to figure out if the humans that remain are worth keeping or not.

So their solution to the problem is to observe the Lakeside Courtyard where Meg, her human pack, Simon, and his Other pack live. They all seem to get along so the Elders want to know what traits they should be looking out for in other humans. Well, a monkey wrench gets thrown into the plan when a new human family comes to town.

This one was so good. There were so many moving parts. I loved the way the author is just able to bring all those moving parts together seamlessly. Even when I don't see how it could possibly be connected, the plot just weaves together in a way that I want to smack myself for ever doubting in the first place.

Meg is trying to adjust to not cutting herself and it has caused her some problems, but she's really coming into her own. But she and Simon's relationship was strained through this one. There's a shift there. They both know it but know exactly what to do about it.

This story wasn't pretty, in fact there were times it was down right brutal. But it was true to the story arc and to the characters. It couldn't have been any other way. And the ending. WOW, all I can say is that I'm going to die waiting another year to get the next book.

ETCHED IN BONE is a just altogether perfect. I love this series and this book was no exception. Anne Bishop does such an amazing job with this story and these characters. I'm hooked and there's no way I'm going to stop with this series now. I think we're just skimming the surface now. There's lot more we've got to uncover with Lakeside and the Others.

*Advanced Reader's Copy provided by NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race - Margot Lee Shetterly 

Well, I actually do have words, but I am in such awe of this story.  This story that was completely unknown to me...a woman of science.  I am so inspired by this story, I want everyone young girl to know it.  Heck, I want every young BOY to know it too. 

These women were so amazing.  I just can't even put my feelings into a coherent thought right now.  But, seriously.  The brilliance that shone through despite all the obstacles, just gives me all kinds of joy.

Ms. Johnson, Jackson, and Vaughan and so many others are really pioneered the way for women like me to have success in their fields and I didn't even freakin' know it.   And the strength of conviction that these women had.  To do the kind of work that they did, make the contributions that they did and still not even be able to use the bathrooms at their work...man, how frustrating that must have been.

But, it's stories like these that keep me trying to inspire my children to work hard and not just accept average.  Because these women fought hard to break down the barriers that we have taken for granted and it would be a great disservice to them to waste the opportunities that they made possible for us. 

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman - Nora Ephron   

Nora Ephron is a woman I have a lot of respect for.  She wrote my favorite movie of all time, When Harry Met Sally.  I adore that movie and watch at least one per month much to my husband's chagrin (but I digress).

I had no idea that she wrote books, so I surprised when I found this book while trying to find something yellow for a reading challenge that I'm in.

This book was funny, witty, and sometimes absurd but it was all true.  It was so spot on in the about aging as a woman.  I've been trying to do it with grace but sometimes I wish that I could have appreciated the way everything on body stayed where it was supposed to in my twenties.  I was so worried about being perfect then that I didn't really appreciate that I was perfectly me.

Ms. Ephron eloquently described a lot of the things we go through as we age (although I couldn't relate to all of them yet), and I really appreciated her humorous and witty commentary.  But, I will say that now I will probably be spending a lot of time looking at my neck...

After the Kiss: The Stiletto Series - Lauren Layne 

I really enjoyed this one.  It was so fun and sweet.  Loved the banter between these two who didn't seem suited at all.  Not at first anyway.  I loved to see them come around to understanding just how right they were together.  And even though I could see the big blowup coming from a mile away, my gut still ached at the loss of these two not together.

But you know it all had to work out in the end, right?  I just wish they had had a little more time to build up the relationship before the HEA came, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I will definitely have to continue on with this series.   I want to see what the other ladies get up to.

Obama's BlackBerry - Kasper Hauser 

Be ready to chuckle if you read this one.  It so silly but really just had me chuckling out loud.  It's very timely as there was a whole presidential election centered around one of the candidates use of her personal blackberry and her emails.  *sigh*

But this was very light-hearted and made me wish for a time not long ago.  I'd like to see what other shenanigans this group gets up to.

Filthy English - Ilsa Madden-Mills 

More like *3.5 STARS* rounded up.

I didn't like this one quite as much as I liked the first one.  There was so much angst and misunderstanding in this one, I didn't really feel like I got to fall in love with these two as a couple.

And for so much of the book, Dax was acting like a couple tool, and Remi was being TSTL.  So, I just didn't even know if I wanted them together.

Then, the end redeemed the whole thing for me.  The last 25% of the book made up for the struggle I had with the first 75. 

I had this one on kindle unlimited and did whispersync.  I didn't like the way the male narrator did the female voices.  I thought that the female narrator did all the voices very well and wished that she had just narrated the whole book without it switching back and forth.  The male narrator in the first book did a much better job.

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell 

Just a quick review to say that I really enjoyed this one.  I was sad to know what kind of life Eleanor put up with, but I'm hopeful enough to think that the end was just a new beginning...sappy I know. But, I think I have to believe that.

Just To Be With You (The Sullivans, #12) - Bella Andre 

I thought this was cute. I've always liked the books in this series. I was a little skeptical with this one. Tatiana was so incredibly young, I wasn't sure she was going to be a good match with Ian. 

But I was wrong. I loved these two together. And Tatiana was so much stronger than I gave her credit for. Her sister, Valentina sheltered her a lot so I didn't think she really had a back bone but, she definitely had the strength to deal with the force that is Ian Sullivan.

I just love this series and will definitely be continuing on with it. 

Spicy Lasagna Murder: Book 13 in The Darling Deli Series - Patti Benning 

I wasn't a fan of this one. I typically like cozy mysteries but this one I thought was hampered by the author's writing style.  It seemed too simplistic and the entire time I was reading, I kept thinking of different (better) ways the author could have said something.

Calling our main character "the deli owner" seemed too impersonal and it was done numerous times throughout the 150 page book.  Also the dialogue was off to me for some reason.

Needless to say, I couldn't rate this one that high.  But, it was free (Kindle Unlimited) and it was short, so I can't complain (too much).

My Heart and Other Black Holes - Jasmine Warga 

Fair warning, I'm putting on my "Mom Hat" here for this "young adult" book.  

I thought that this book was very good, VERY good for the first 95% of the book then it shifted on it's head.  I was so impressed by the author's ability to really describe the depth of depression that some people feel.  That all consuming blackness that they can't see their way out of.  

It was hard seeing two teens experience something like that.  Especially when they had family and they just seemed either oblivious or impotent to help them.  But they found each other and that was great.  I felt like was something positive even though their relationship wasn't healthy at all.

But then, at the end of the book, I felt like where the author could do some tremendous good with her message, she just really punked out!  She went into such detail about the depression and the willingness to want to end it all, but didn't go into what could be on the other side with work and commitment to recovery.  That was more like a "fade to black" sex scene.  You figure it out.

I thought that was irresponsible.  I thought that she could have really done something good here.  Really helped someone going through something like this.  But, you can't fall in love and just think everything will be fixed.  Like everything else, recovery is work.  You are just fixed overnight or maybe not even in six weeks like in this book.

I wish that had been handled better.  I would want someone to explain that to my teen.  I was glad that Aysel found something to live for, but we take that and build on it.  That's not everything.  What if it doesn't work out?  Will she go right back to wanting to kill herself?

So, that's why I could only give this *3 STARS*.  I think the beginning was *5 STARS* material but the end just totally screwed it up for me.

***In all fairness, I have to say that the author does say exactly what I'm saying about the long road to recovery in her author's note, but I felt like it would have done more good in the actual story.***