Friday, October 31, 2014

Stacking The Shelves (11)

Stacking The Shelves 



"We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in the physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! 

If you're anything like me, you are probably hoarding books and even though you are excited about your latest book arrival, it might be a while before you get to review it and Stacking The Shelves is a good way to express your undying enthusiasm for those titles."

Here are some that I've been sent to review: 





Until next time, 
Ginger 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

ARC Review "The One And Only"

The One And Only By Emily Giffin 

Stars: 4 
Source: Friend 

Shea Rigsby lives, breathes and eats Walker Football. In her small town she is not alone in the feeling that football is and always will be more than a game. Her best friends father is the legendary Coach Carr, he has led his team to countless wins, his players as well as his fans respect him and Shea especially has placed him on a pedestal in her mind. 

When tragedy befalls the Carr family Shea's world and the world of those closest to her is turned upside down and Shea is suddenly faced with decisions she never thought she would be forced to make. 

"The One And Only" is the perfect book for football fans, whether you're a Steelers fan (like me) or a Cowboys fan (I won't hold it against you).  

I loved the way that Emily described the game, the tight knit community that, win or lose, bleeds their teams colors. 

To some football is just a game, a game that consists of 1st downs and field goals. Touchdowns and touchbacks. Punts, interceptions and safety's. To some it's a way to pass your weekend, your Monday or your Thursday night. 


But to Shea- and to me, it's so much more than that. It's a passion, a lifelong commitment to a team, win or lose. 

Emily Giffin is the first author I've come across that can perfectly describe what it's like to love football wholeheartedly. She understands that the word 'fan' just isn't enough. It's so much more than that. It's a religion, a family and a life. It's being a part of the team, whether you're cheering on the sidelines or from your couch. 

I truly loved this book. 

*Spoilers Ahead!*

With that being said I will admit I was NOT a fan of Shea and Coach Carr's relationship. I think its because from the second he was introduced in the book I had him filed under 'father figure' not 'romantic prospect' and once my mind is made up there's no changing it. 

I hate saying this but I saw their relationship somewhat creepy... I don't mind the age gap its the fact that she grew up with his daughter and then suddenly once his wife is dead they both start having these feelings? 

I tried very hard to get onboard that ship but it just wasn't happening. 

I loved the football aspect of the story and boy how I wish that the QB hadn't turned out to be such a horrible person because I feel like her ending up with him and realizing that her feelings for Coach were inappropriate and misplaced would have been a much better ending... 

Still 4 stars in my book. 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week: 


Taken from Goodreads:
Avaline Hall is no ordinary girl. 
She’s a student at Blythewood Academy, an elite boarding school that trains young women to defend human society from the shadowy forces that live among us.  After the devastating events of her first year at Blythewood, Ava is eager to reunite with her friends—and with Raven, the compelling but elusive winged boy who makes her pulse race. She soon discovers, though, that the sinister Judicus van Drood hasn’t finished wreaking havoc on Blythewood—and wants to use Ava and her classmates to attack a much bigger target.
Ava’s the only one with any hope of stopping van Drood. But to scuttle his plans, she must reveal her deepest secret to everyone at Blythewood. What’s she willing to sacrifice to do what’s right—her school?  Her love?  Or her life?
Release date is December 2nd. 
Until next time, 
Ginger 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where each week there is a new topic for a top ten list. 

This week is "Top Ten Books/Movies To Get In The Halloween Spirit" 

I'm doing 5 books and 5 movies. 

1. Tower Of Terror


2. Hocus Pocus


3. Halloweentown 


4. It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

5. The Shining


6. Full Tilt


7. Night World 


8. The Forbidden Game 


9. Casper


10. Alice In Zombieland


Obviously I'm a 90's kid with a low tolerance for anything truly scary ;) 
Whats on your list?

Until next time, 
Ginger


Monday, October 27, 2014

ARC Review "Unmarked"

"Unmarked" By Kami Garcia 

Stars: 5
Source: Netgalley 

In "Unbreakable" we were introduced to Kennedy Waters, her life had just been turned upside down, her mother killed and she was thrown into a world made up of her worst nightmares. 

In "Unmarked" Kennedy is alone, separated from the group that taught her how to protect herself. She has no clue where Jared, Lukas, Priest and Alara could be. She doesn't even know if they are still alive. 

For all she knows they were killed by the demon, Andras, she accidentally set free in the end of the last novel.

When she is finally reunited with the Legion members they barley have time for 'hello's' before they once again find themselves fighting for their lives and the lives of those they love. 

Andras could be anyone and he will stop at nothing to wreak havoc in Kennedy's world. 

I cannot get over how much I love this series. From the first chapter of book one I was hooked. I read the first book in one sitting and I did the same with the second. Once I have it in my hands I find it impossible to part with my copy. 

I loved that "Unmarked" had all the same ingredients that "Unbreakable" had, all the little reasons that I first fell in love with the series, paranormal activity, romance, things that go bump in the night, and I loved that Kami went deeper with the story line, digging into Kennedy's past and the past of her family members. 

I will be counting down the days until I can get the third installment in my hands and stay up way past my bedtime reading, only stopping to check the locks and turn on the lights. 

Until next time, 
Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 
My review is my honest opinion.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

ARC Review of "Love And Other Unknown Variables"

"Love And Other Unknown Variables" By Shannon Lee Alexander 

Stars: 5 
Source: Netgalley 
Release Date: October 7th 

Charlie Hanson is smart, he can tell you the square root of pi (1.77245385091), he can recite the Periodic Table Of Elements on command (or just while brushing his teeth) and he can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, that hope is not apart of any infinite set and that you shouldn't count on something you can't measure. 

However Charlotte Finch has a different thought on that subject. 



When the two of them meet and start spending time together Charlie can't help but become enchanted by Charlotte. From the way she sings along to classic musicals to the way she encourages him to prank his English teacher, who, just happens to be her older sister. 

When Charlie learns the truth about Charlotte he's fallen too hard and too fast to prevent the inevitable heartache that will soon wash over him. 


I loved this book! I loved the mathematical and scientific references (shocking), I loved the To Kill A Mocking Bird undertones (not at all shocking) and I loved that fact that it was (for once) told from a male point of view. 

I couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading this, whether I was alone or in a crowded room. 

It was the perfect combination of lightheartedness and somber reflection. 

It was never unbearably sad nor was it too over the top with jokes and comedy. 

I know some people will disagree with that last sentence. I know a lot of people who cried like babies when they read it, but for me it was the only ending that could have possibly been written. 

I didn't go into this book with hope. Charlie stopped that dead in its tracks. 

I wasn't hoping it would end the way I wanted it to, I wasn't hoping for a miracle or a 'Hail Mary' pass and though that may sound slightly depressing it actually gave me a new found perspective while reading this book that I didn't have before. 

Sometimes hope is all you have and you hold onto it until your last dying breath. But sometimes, just sometimes you spend all your time hoping and you forget to live. You miss out on those last precious moments you have and that, in it's own way, is the definition of hopeless. 

Go pick up this book, I guarantee you, you wont be disappointed. 

Until next time,
Ginger

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 
My review is my honest opinion.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

"Tin Lily" Review

Tin Lily By Joann Swanson 

Stars:5
Source: Netgalley

Anything can change in the blink of an eye. In the time it takes you to take in a breath or exhale the one you've been holding, your whole life, your whole world can be knocked off kilter. 

That's what happens to Lily, one minute everything is fine, good even and the next she's seeing blood splatter on the walls, hearing screaming and running from the man who just murdered her mother, the man who, just minutes ago she called 'Dad'. 


Lily survived that day but she still lives in fear. Fear that she's the reason her mother died, fear that her father will hurt everyone she loves and then come for her, fear that she's crazy for seeing him everywhere and hearing his voice inside her head. 

Now living with her aunt, Lily finds it hard to open up, to let anyone get close. She sees visions on a daily basis, her father threatening her, blaming her, haunting her. If Lily can't trust herself how is she suppose to trust others? 

"Tin Lily" was such a beautiful, heartbreaking story. I was unsure when I first started it, thinking it was meant for a younger audience but I feel like this book is so captivating and mesmerizing that it doesn't matter your age. Whether you're in middle school, highschool or your second year of retirement I promise you that you will fall in love with this book. 

I know I did and I cannot wait to get my hands on anything else that Joann writes.

Until next time, 
Ginger

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 
My review is my honest opinion.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Stacking The Shelves (10)

Stacking The Shelves 



"We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in the physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! 

If you're anything like me, you are probably hoarding books and even though you are excited about your latest book arrival, it might be a while before you get to review it and Stacking The Shelves is a good way to express your undying enthusiasm for those titles."

Here are some titles I was recently sent for review: 





Until next time, 
Ginger

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where each week there is a new topic for a top ten list. 

This week is "Top Ten New (ish) Series I Want To Start" 

It's going up a little late this week but I still wanted to post it. Here we go: 

1. Percy Jackson (No I still haven't read this...) 


2. Unearthly 


3. Hero's of Olympus (Obviously haven't read these either :()


4. I Hunt Killers


5. Shadow Falls


6. The Darkest Minds


7. Lux 


8. Teardrop


9. Anna Dressed In Blood


10. Splintered 


Obviously I have so many series' to catch up on, I tend to wait for all the books to come out before starting them, that is depending on how long my self control holds out. Hopefully one day I'll find time to read all these lovelies. 

Until next time, 
Ginger

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week: 



Taken from Goodreads: 

In a first-time collaboration, “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark partners with bestselling author Alafair Burke to deliver a brand new suspense series about a television program featuring cold case murders.
Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under Suspicion, is a success. Even more, the program—a cold case series that revisits unsolved crimes by recreating them with those affected—is off to a fantastic start when it helps solve an infamous murder in the very first episode.
Now Laurie has the ideal case to feature in the next episode of Under Suspicion: the Cinderella Murder. When Susan Dempsey, a beautiful and multi-talented UCLA student, was found dead, her murder raised numerous questions. Why was her car parked miles from her body? Had she ever shown up for the acting audition she was due to attend at the home of an up-and-coming director? Why does Susan’s boyfriend want to avoid questions about their relationship? Why was Susan so concerned about her roommate’s infatuation with a new-age religious sect? Was she close to her computer science professor because of her technological brilliance, or something more? And why was Susan missing one of her shoes when her body was discovered?
With the help of lawyer and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley, Laurie knows the case will attract great ratings, especially when the former suspects include Hollywood’s elite and tech billionaires. The suspense and drama are perfect for the silver screen—but is Cinderella’s murderer ready for a close-up?
Together Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke deliver an exciting publishing event: the start of a thrilling new series guaranteed to keep you guessing until the last suspenseful page.
Release date is: November 18th 
Until next time, 
Ginger 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Damsel In Distress Blog Tour With Author Guest Post

About The Book
A chance meeting that could scandalise the ton!
19th century England. Harriet is running for her life, chased by three men on horseback through Hyde Park. Knocked unconscious, everything goes black…
Philip, Baron Eaglestone, has never seen such a beautiful damsel in distress. And he’s even more intrigued when she opens her eyes, and begins to speak. Because this irresistible woman can only remember her first name, and has no knowledge as to who was trying to kill her… or where she is!

As Philip cares for Harriet, their attraction burns… and neither can shake the feeling that their chance meeting was truly a moment out of time. But if her memory returns, Harriet will be faced with a question. Will she return home or could it be that family is where her heart is – with a Regency rake!

About The Author
Kristina O'Grady has always loved telling a good story. She took up writing at a young age and spent many hours (when she should have been doing her math homework) writing romance stories in a book she hid in her sock drawer. She still remembers the first romance book she ever read. She was without anything to read (oh no) while on vacation with her family and bought a book in the small shop in the hotel lobby. It involved an Earl, a horse and very bad fever and of course, a Lady. Since then she has been hooked on the Regency era.


Kristina grew up on a cattle ranch in Western Canada and although has been told many times she should be writing about cowboys, she can't seem to leave the fantasy of Dukes and Earls alone. She worked in the Oil and Gas Industry for several years first as a laborer, machine operator, crew foreman, technician and eventually as an environmental consultant. She loves getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the peace of nature. In mid 2000 Kristina met her own knight in shining armor/cowboy who swept her off her feet and across the world to New Zealand, where she now lives on a sheep and beef farm with her amazingly supportive husband, three gorgeous young kids, seven working dogs and one very needy cat.

No More Excuses!

Do you ever wonder what a writer gets up to when they are not writing?
For me I mostly think of excuses not to sit down and write! It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing, in fact, I love it! It actually is my favourite thing to do. And I think that is why I have such a hard time doing it. I feel guilty. I really shouldn’t be doing something I love so much. For some reason, it feels wrong. Work isn’t supposed to be so much fun!
I have a knack for finding things that must be done first; such as dishes or the laundry. And you would be forgiven to think that if that was the case, my house should be spotless. But it isn’t. Actually it was so not spotless that I’ve just hired a lady to come over and clean for me once a week. Yes, see this talent I have for finding something else to do, transfers to other things too, especially anything housework related. There was never any threat of me winning housewife of the year award.
The consequences of this ‘talent’ I have is that nothing ever gets done…well at least not completely completed. I can do the laundry, hang it to dry, get it off the line and fold it even, but I can’t seem to get it put away. I can sweep and then vacuum the floor, but rarely wash it, even though it would only take a few more minutes to do. I can pick things up off my bedroom floor, make my bed and vacuum the carpet but the pile of junk remains on the dresser. The one thing I do finish cleaning is the toilet. I don’t know about you, but I have to have the place I sit, hygienic.
If you have a look at my website, and read my blog posts you’ll see I’m not great at posting something consistently. And this is not because I have nothing to say! If you knew me, you’d soon come to the realisation that I rarely stop talking; it’s because life gets in the way, as it often does for everyone.
I do sometimes wish I could be more like the moms I see on Facebook and Pinterest. You know the ones I mean; the ones who make their kids cute little sandwiches for school lunch, do arts and crafts with them on the weekend, sit down and help them with their homework every night (all with a smile never leaving their face), have a spotless house, immaculate garden and happy, engaged, well-behaved kids. But, ‘do these people actually exist?’
I have met moms who have some of these qualities, but I have yet had the pleasure of meeting a “perfect” mom. And for this, I’m grateful. I feel bad enough for everything I don’t achieve or accomplish in a day and that my to-do list is never done, for thinking that I don’t spend enough time with my kids or my husband or whoever. I don’t need to compete with some unattainable goal of the ‘perfect’ mom as well. Some impossible reality. Because, let’s face it, none of us are perfect, and thank God for that! Where would be the challenge in life if we already achieved all our aspirations? I don’t however, think there’s anything wrong with striving for perfection as long as you cut yourself some slack for when you don’t achieve it. Someone once said, and I’m sorry I can’t remember who, ‘perfection is to be aspired but never obtained.’ I love that saying. It allows me to not feel too guilty for having dishes piling up on the counter a little too long, or for having clean laundry piled in baskets on the living room floor.
But for today at least, no more excuses.
As I’m sitting here writing this, I’m enjoying the pleasure for the very first time of having someone come and clean my house. Oh happy day!
If you would like to learn more about me or my books please come and visit me on my website www.kristinaogrady.com. I would love to hear from you! 

You can contact me on Facebook




Monday, October 20, 2014

I Am Ella, Buy Me Blog Tour

I Am Ella, Buy Me By Joan Ellis 


Stars:4 
Source: Author

Ella is a woman stuck in a mans world. 

It's the 80's and Ella is currently working as a copywriter under the watchful (read: leering) eye of Peter Richards. It's a cut throat world she's in and when she faces the reality that she might lose her job Peter proposes (threatens) an 'arrangement'. All Ella wants is to keep her job and stay out of Peters (STD filled) bed. 

With the help of her dear friend Adam, who knows the industry and Wally the caretaker who always knows what to say, Ella does everything she can to climb her way to the top while keep her self respect. 

In a time before human resources and sexual harassment lawsuits Ella learns how to handle herself and the men in the workplace, taking their snide comments and inappropriate remarks with a grain of sand. 



I really enjoyed Ella's story, I'm sure it's not a shock that Wally was my favorite character, I loved how he was a complete 180 from the rest of the men in her office and how he was always there when she needed someone. 

It was a quick read but one that rang true in every aspect and for that reason I'm sure it will stick with you long after the last page. 

About The Author
Advertising copywriter, comedy writer, performer, lecturer - Joan Ellis has been them all. With a full-time job in a top London advertising agency and a new baby, she did what any right-minded woman would've done and set up a comedy club. She even appeared on the same bill as Jo Brand. Once.

A career highlight was casting a black and white moggie as Humphrey Bogart for her award-winning cat food commercial. Other great performers who brought her words to life include Penelope Keith and Harry Enfield.

As a lecturer, Joan taught comedian Noel Fielding all he knows about advertising before encouraging him to showcase his creative talents on a wider stage.

Working for The Press Association, she tutored Wordsworth's
great-grandson in the art of copywriting: Buy a host of golden daffodils and get a blue one, free!

Suffering from swine flu and sweating like a pig, she moved from London to the Isle of Wight where she lives on cream teas with her beloved husband, daughter and two cats.


Buy Links:


Until next time, 
Ginger 

   

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Review of "Lola And The Boy Next Door"

Lola And The Boy Next Door By Stephanie Perkins 

Stars: 5! 
Source: Purchased 

Lola Nolan is far from ordinary. She doesn't wear clothes, she wears costumes, bright yellow raincoats, lavender wigs, cheetah print dresses. 

If Lola were given three wishes they would be simple, straight forward and to the point. 

1. To attend her winter formal dressed as Marie Antoinette.
2. To have her parents approve of her boyfriend. 
And 3. To never see the Bell twins again. 

Too bad in the words of Augustus Waters "The world is not a wish granting factory." 

When Cricket and his family move back into the house next door to Lola her life slowly starts spinning out of control. Throw in her unstable mother, slightly overprotective dads and her jealous older boyfriend and you've got trouble. 

Suddenly it seems like the only thing Lola can control is her wardrobe. 

I. Loved. This. Book. 

Not only is Lola now one of my all time favorite characters but it also had Anna and Etienne from The French Kiss in it. 

I loved the dynamic between Lola and her parents as well as the one between her and Cricket. Obviously I wasn't too keen on Calliope but really who was? And yes in the end she did grow on me the tiniest bit.

I devoured this book. 

Stephanie Perkins has this magical way of writing a story this grabs you and refuses to let go. She breathes life into characters and places and even once you finish the book you can still picture it clearly in your mind as if you were a first hand witness to the event that took place. 

Even now, two weeks after reading Lola I can still see her outfits and her room in its organized chaos. I see the view from her window, illuminated by the moon and I can smell the hypnotic scent of Apple Pie wafting from the kitchen. 

I dare you to pick up this book and not fall in love with the characters inside it and the author who created them. 

Until next time, 
Ginger