Book Review: The Last Academy

 

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

Expected publication: April 30th 2013

Point

e-arc Net Gallery

(Goodreads synopsis) What is this prep school preparing them for?

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam—and readers—stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

(Sigh). This book had so much potential! I'm so frustrated because I really didn't like it. In the beginning my only complaint was how immature Camden was at times and her best friend was a jerk but that ending was just a big WTF. Camden is sent to boarding school for high school. She doesn't really understand why because she remember having a loving home. On her first day she needs Jessie and Nora. They become close friends quickly. Cam's roommate is a complete witch who find joy in torturing her. On the plane she meets creeper Barnaby Charon. He creates fear and curiosity to the girls.

Anyone who knows me knows I don't like anything that has to do with witches or anything that goes along with that, so that added to me not liking this book. Some of the girls use a Ouija board and have a seance. Jessie tries to connect to her brother and ends up completely loosing her marbles. This leads to disappearances.

Throughout all the mayhem the girls still find love. The school has a rule when it comes to dating students, its practically forbidden so everyone does it in secret. On the first day there is an assembly at which Camden sees Mark Elliot. She falls for him instantly and seeks him out everywhere she goes. She has a habit of blurting things out but it comes to her advantage when it comes to him. Nora has a thing with Thatch. Unlike Camden and Mark, they hide their relationship-not really relationship.

To sum it up, I gave this book a 2 star because it wasn't horrible but I personally did not like it.

 

Let me know if you think differently.

Teaser Tuesdays #5

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"I stepped closer. His breath tickled the side of my neck, and I knew all those little secrets you know about another person when they are very close, like the smell of his toothpaste and deodorant, even the detergent in his clothes. I tried to put every small detail of him into my head, so I could keep them forever." (86% Kindle Location 2108 of 2434)

"There was no Kleenex so I wiped my nose with the front of my shirt.
"Attractive, huh?" I said.
"Yeah," she agreed. You'd be a real catch for a guy with a mucus fetish.'" (77% Kindle Location 1881 of 2434)

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

(Goodreads synopsis) What is this prep school preparing them for?

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam—and readers—stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

 

Share some of your teasers or link to your TT in the comments.

In My Mailbox #5

IMM started @ The Story Siren and its to show you guys what we have gotten throughout the week from publishers or contests or even just books we bought.

Won

Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings #3) by Jackson Pearce from The Bookish Babe

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee from The Bookish Babe

Defy The Dark from Good Choice Reading

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider from  Good Choice Reading

The End Games by T. Michael Martin from  Good Choice Reading

Belladonna (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #2) by Fiona Paul from  Good Choice Reading

Matchplay by Dakota Madison from The Cozy Reading Corner

Bought 

What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

My Only Exception by Erika Trevathan

A Time to Heal (Quilts of Lancaster County #2) by Barbara Cameron

Meant to Be (The Saving Angels #1) by Tiffany King

Branded (Book 1) by K.L. Hawker

Netgallery

Scrap by Emory Sharplin

What's in your mailbox?

House of Mercy: What Would God's Church Look Like

One of the people from my church posted a audio video of the service so I thought I'd share it with ya'll.

House of Mercy

Book Review: The Boys of Summer

 

The Boys of Summer (Summer #1) by C.J. Duggan

Kindle Edition, 321 pages

Published December 17th 2012

 

(Goodreads synopsis) It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references, and occasional coarse language.

 

This book was pretty fun to read. It takes place in a tiny town. Tess wants to spend her summer with her best friends so she gives in and takes a job with Adam and Ellie at the Onslow Hotel. Adam doesn't stick around long but his part in the book is still really awesome (LOVE HIM!) The Onslow Boys are the guys that all the girls (especially Tessa and Ellie) are crazy about. They are really funny and of course they are all hot. The guys are always playing pool at the hotel so the girls make their way into becoming "good" friends with them. Toby has a girlfriend which drives Tessa nuts. Ellie is just plain boy crazy. She comes off as a hoe bag but she has some serious secrets.The girls spend their summer hanging and falling for the Onslow boys. There were a few times that I thought Tess was going to fall for Chris or Adam which would have made things interesting. 

Next to Adam, Seth was my favorite character. He was so funny and constantly up to trouble. Even though he was a huge flirt, he really cared about his friends and defended them (a little overboard at times).

The one thing I really didn't like was how immature Tess was. For all the things that she did, she did way too many things that she was mentally too young for. Toby should have been able to see how young she was. I know age is just a number but there's a difference from a 16 year old acting older or even her own age compared to a 16 year old acting/thinking like a 12 year old. Other than that I don't have any complaints.

Team Adam!

Shuffle Saturdays #1

Shuffle Saturdays is hosted by the girls at Pretty In Fiction, where you post a random song each week. This is awesome for me because I'm known as the human ipod.

This is my first post YAY! I chose What If I Was Nothing by All That Remains. This is definitely one of my favorite songs and I just love All That Remains.
 

Leave a comment and let me know what you're listening to.

Waiting On Wednesday #4

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine to show upcoming releases that we can't wait to read (aka going crazy waiting for). This weeks book is:

The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorensen

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 28th 2013

Forever

(Goodreads synopsis) Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they're together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test.

Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she's having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.

Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won't ask her to leave college, just to be with him.

The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?

The reason I'm "waiting on" this book because I loved the first book. Micha and Ella definitely have their issues but I loved both of them and them together was explosive.

The Craziness I Call My Life

I haven't done a random post in a while so I'm sure you guys are dying for one.

My life is pretty boring. Not much happens in my life. I go to church and pretty much stay home besides going to the pool, beach or for a run. My friends suck lol. On a good note my dad is walking with a cane and you dont really have to help him as much anymore.He still isn't at the point that can be left alone but hey its huge compared to 6 months ago when we had to move him in bed because he couldn't do even that much. Unfortunately the Neurosurgeon wants to put bone back in his head. I know its good (scares the crap out of me having that soft spot) but the surgery where they took that piece out had him in like a coma for 3 days and the surgery before that he had ended up having a stroke and seizure. A new surgery is like "great now whats going to happen?" I feel bad but its exhausting. I'm 23 and my whole life is about taking care of my dad. At least I have my books lol.

So I got a new piercing WOOOHOO!! I love this piercing place (Master Pierce) and they have eye candy lol.

Rook

Yes those are gauges. I've heard all the comments on it but hey I like it so BAM there it is! I plan on getting more piercing but with time. I keep hearing the "why?!" It's like I said. I like it lol 

YA'LL JUST HAVE TO GET USED TO MY BAD-ASSARY! =]

Last week I went to the beach and got the horrible sun burn (looking pretty black right now). We were there from 11am to 4pm so you can just imagine. Anyways so the point to telling you this story is what happen when I got home. So I went with my friends Sophie (the most dramatic Puerto Rican ever) and Jean. Well I'm getting ready to take a shower (sand in butt is not lovely!) Well Sophie starts freaking out and I'm like "???" She tells me that 20 minutes ago someone posted this picture on instragram from the beach we were just at. 

So I'm like "umm excuse me?" Then she does a little more instragram research (I know what your thinking) and someone else had posted a picture of the shark on Palm Beach 4 hours ago. She starts yelling that it washed up while we were there and she's loosing her marbles over this. Me on the other hand, my inner monologue was saying "I knew there was a shark" "nobody ever believes me when I say a shark is going to eat me" "thats why all those lil fishes were around us". Mind you the shark washed up dead haha. The point is THERE WAS A HUGE SHARK AT THE BEACH WE WERE JUST AT! This is why Florida sucks people. REMEMBER THAT! 

 

 

I'm going to wrap this up with some scriptures that really impacted me this week.

Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Teaser Tuesdays #4

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:

When she left, Aaron interlaced his fingers with mine and help my hand. "I knew our hands would hit together perfectly."

Then he squeezed my hand and very softly said "My sunshine." (29% Kindle Locations 986-3244)

"True. And I still need to collect that information on your Cassatt. But your kisses are addictive, so I really didn't mind."
He raised an eyebrow. "Addictive, huh? I like the sound of that. Does that mean you can't get enough of them?"
"Something like that," I teased.
"Well, I wouldn't want to deprive you of them then," he said as he leaned in and kissed me again. (34% Kindle Locations 1134 of 3244)

Matchplay by Dakota Madison

Kindle Edition

Published March 17th 2013

Short on Time Books

(Goodreads synopsis) A Girl, a Guy, a Tournament and a Challenge

The Girl: At a time when most girls obsess about homecoming and high school prom, Rainy Dey spent her senior year caring for her dying mother. So when her father drops her off at college to start her freshman year, his words of advice to his bookish daughter are to start acting like a young person and finally have some fun.

The Guy: College senior, Aaron Donavan, aka Mr. Hot-and-Knows-It, is President of the Clubhouse, a social club for the college’s most wealthy and popular guys. Aaron can have any girl on campus except the one who challenges and excites him the most—Rainy Dey.

The Tournament: Every year, the senior members of The Clubhouse engage in a golf-inspired tournament to see who can sleep with the most freshman girls. When Rainy finds out about the tournament, she believes Aaron’s only interest in her is to score points by taking her V-Card.

The Challenge: Can Aaron convince Rainy that his feelings for her are true and that she won’t be just another notch on his tournament scorecard?

Share some of your teasers or link to your TT in the comments.

In My Mailbox # 4

IMM started @ The Story Siren and its to show you guys what we have gotten throughout the week from publishers or contests or even just books we bought.

Gift 

 

 My best friend got us these awesome books

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

Bought

What did you get this week? Leave a comment below.

Book Review: The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

e-arc

Expected publication: May 2013

Bluefields 

(Goodreads synopsis) When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

~My Review~

I love this book! When I first heard of it I was definitely intrigued which can always be a good thing or a bad thing. In this case, it was definitely good. I am becoming a huge fan of Kelly's books. This is one of those books where anyone around you will think your crazy because you will be making some crazy faces and talking to the book (just ask my family and friends).

See what I'm saying.

Avery grew up with Aiden and Grayson Kennedy. Avery has been madly in love with Aiden. They were inseparable until one day it dumps her like a bad habit. Imagine not only was she in love but he was her best friend too (I know horrible right!). Grayson comes to the rescue and decides to make it his personal mission to mend her heart.

Even though I want to tell you guys the funniest thing that happens I'm not going to but just know that it is ... "steamy". Well Grayson starts to look at Avery like a girl and not just his little sister but Avery being the innocent, sweet nerd is a tad clueless. Now I have to mention that Grayson is beyond yumm-a-licious. He's got piercing blue eyes, tall, broad, and an amazing body.

Well when Aiden dumps Avery, he also leaves her hanging in the science club and fair. She decided to do her project on how to heal a broken heart. She believes the way to healing a broken heart is through the seven stages of grief (genius if you ask me). Avery recruits Grayson to help by taking her out on dates and guiding her through each stage. In return, she has to tutor him which becomes the science club mission.

I could go on all day about this book. It was just so fun and adorable. I need to find me a Grayson! So if that in itself doesn't make you go get this book then listen closely ...GO READ THIS BOOK NOW!!

Book Review: Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett

Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett

Published February 21st 2013

Big Dog Publishing

Kindle Edition, 137 pages

 

(Goodreads synopsis) “I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

~My Review~

Ryan is a rich, NCAA hockey player who is just plain gorgeous. Even though he is surrounded by stuck up, entitled rich people, he doesn't allow his own wealth and popularity to blind him. After his psycho ex attacks a waitress, he finds himself very intrigued. Danny has been handed a bad hand. She has had more than her fair share of tragedy and heartache by loosing her parents and her music. The last thing she wants is to get caught up in some rich hottie. Knowing the destruction that Ryan's family and friends can cause, they get together and quickly fall in love. No story can end without some drama which comes wrapped in evil women.
This was a short, fast read that was really enjoyable. Each character was developed quickly and strongly so you were able to get right into the story. I love how enraptured Ryan and Danny were with each other. Everyone around them couldn't doubt the love they had. I love that. It was a little shocking how fast they fell for each other but it was still sweet and went perfectly. I was so angry and wanted to knock out Angeline every single time and don't get me started on Ryan's mother.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone. I warn you though, be ready for your heart to swell and for it to break.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Waiting On Wednesday #3

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine to show upcoming releases that we can't wait to read (aka going crazy waiting for). This weeks book is:

Twisted Perfection (Too Far #3) by Abbi Glines

Expected publication: April 22nd 2013

(Goodreads synopsis) Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. Besides there was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.

The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

The reason I'm "waiting on" this book because I loved the first 2 books in the series. Woods was always there to come to the rescue so I'm excited to hear more about him.

Teaser Tuesday #3

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:

I hate those freakin’ green pigs mocking me. I hit the restart button and slide my finger over the screen, pulling back the little blue bird. I let him fly, giving the screen a quick tap and my fuzzy blue missile splits into three, peppering my taunters with their rage.   Ice shatters and I slaughter the green sows.   Victory is mine. (Kindle Locations 44-2179)

Tucking her pencil behind her ear, Danny puts her hand on her hip. "I tell you what... when you're ready to order, how about..." she pauses to look around the table and points right at Carter, "... you... just raise your hand when you’re ready to order and I'll come back over and help ya out. Okay?" 
Without waiting for a reply, she shoots Carter a wink and turns her back on us. I can't help it but I start laughing out loud and Angeline swings her eyes at me in fury.   I ignore her, still chuckling. (7% Kindle Locations 131-2179)

Off Sides (Off Series #1) by Sawyer Bennet

Kindle Edition, 137 pages

Published February 21st 2013

Big Dog Publishing

(Goodreads synopsis) “I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

Share some of your teasers or link to your TT in the comments.