Sabrina's Window

Title: Sabrina's Window

Publisher: Lumis Books

Pub Date:5/01/2012

Author: Al Riske

Received From: Netgalley

On a chilly morning in Taos, New Mexico, a 17-year-old paperboy breaks the window of a 31-year-old hair stylist - an accident that marks the beginning of an instant, inexplicable bond between them. In the course of one high-desert summer, Joshua and Sabrina share confidences, intercede in each other's love lives, go on a date that scandalizes the town, and confront questions of fidelity, desire, and the nature of love.

The story here is a classic one, boy meets girl, boy falls for girl but for some reason they cannot be together. In this case the reason in age. Sabrina is an adult while Joshua is barely a young man. I liked the idea of this story and enjoyed the build up of characters, especially Joshua. Learning about the life of a teenage boy was intriguing, interesting, funny and surprising, who knew boys had so many facets at that age. I only wish this book had been around to read when I was 16. 


What really discouraged me in reading this book was the jumping from character to character, at times it would take me a bit to figure out who's story we were in. There was also a bit of development of character that just kind of dropped off the face of the book. I kept waiting for the return of Tara or some finalization to her story, and relationship with Sabrina.  All in all I would recommend this book to those young adult female readers looking for a bit more insight into the minds of the young men in their lives!

Hex Hall

Title: Hex Hall

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Pub Date: Paperback- February 1, 2011

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Received From: Purchased

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.



On a recommendation from Kate I picked up Hex Hall at the book store a few weeks ago, I read the description, thought it sounded like a cute book and set it aside to finish up some other books. I have no idea what I was waiting for. Once I started this book I was loving it, but not in the I must read it all in 2 days way. I read this book over a week, I took my time and really digested it. I truly enjoyed thinking over all the Prodigium that Sophie was introduced to and imagining life for them. I was probably most taken with the other witches in the book. Although it was pretty amazing to see the interactions between different Prodigium for me the story was really told in the witches and warlocks that Sophie interacted with! 


The mystery in this story kept my mind racing and when one was solved another appeared. I never had any of them right in my mind which really proves to me how amazing this book is. I'll take the shock over the "I knew it all along" anyday! I was also really drawn to the idea of Sophie's father and who he is, the relationship they have with one another and where that is going to go! I cannot wait to pick up the second book in this series Demon Glass, and then the third just came out as well! Nothing is quite as great as a series that already has a few of the books out so I can get hooked in an easy fashion!

The Good Father

Title: The Good Father

Publisher: Harlequin

Pub Date: April 24th, 2012

Author: Diane Chamberlain

Received From: NetGalley

A beloved daughter. A devastating choice. And now there’s no going back.

Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, changing diapers and worrying about keeping food on the table. But he’s never regretted his decision. Bella is the light of his life. The reason behind every move he makes. And so far, she is fed. Cared for. Safe.

But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble....

Then a miracle. A job in Raleigh has the power to turn their fortunes around. It has to. But when Travis arrives in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.

With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter’s sake.

Even if it means he might lose her.

HOLY SMOKES! This was a very interesting book, Written from the point of view of three characters, Travis, Robin, and Erin. Each character has a tie in to life as a parent that is different and unique. All three characters have a special place in this story. I was so intrigued with the relationship of Travis and Robin, and the way the each were living their lives after being driven apart. The integration of Erin into this story and the healing she gained from the relationship with Travis and Bella was endearing and heart warming.

 As we traveled through their changes in life, we paralleled into the life of Robin, living separately from Travis and Bella and not even knowing where or how they were. At times I wanted to cry for Travis and his daughter Bella, at times I wanted to scream out in the pain I knew he was feeling over the changes in his life circumstances. But in the end good won out over evil and that is always a happy ending! I consider this book top notch and hope you will enjoy it too!

Feature and Follow Friday (5)

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Happy Friday everyone! Time to play along with the Awesome Feature and Follow from Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This week is a great question that really made me think!

Q: What is the longest book you’ve read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?

A: I was totally ready to say I've never read anything that long. I have ADD how could I cope with a book that long if I can't sit still through a whole movie, but Parajunkee mentioned the last 4 of the Harry Potter books. So score one for me!  I would say my favorite 600+ read is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!

The Wishing Pearl

Title: The Wishing Pearl

Publisher: Barbour

Pub Date: October 1, 2011

Author: Nicole O'Dell

Received From: Publisher



Join conflicted sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield on her journey to hope and healing as she leaves her messed-up life behind and moves into Diamond Estates, a home for troubled teens. This brand-new novel for teen girls will not only entertain, but also promises to capture your heart and challenge your faith.


Last month I reviewed The Embittered Ruby, which is book 2 in the Diamond Estates series, if you recall I was really taken with it so I had to go back and read book 1. Quite honestly I am glad I hadn't found this before because it would have made the wait for book 2 so much harder! This is one honest, and raw book. I love the main character Olivia and I so understand what she is going through at home. Details about her fathers death and her home life lead her on a path of destruction. Reading this book now as a parent I really understand how important the lines of communication with our kids are!


Olivia lives with her mother and her for lack of a better term monster of a step father. She makes some choices in her life that lead up to a tragedy, and thankfully she turns that tragedy into so many great things by taking that all important first step in bettering her life and turning it over to God. We are introduced to some of the teens at Diamond Estates and pay close attention because you may see them again! I just found myself so wrapped up in Olivia and pulling for her that I couldn't put this book down. Now if only I can keep myself busy until Dec 1st when the third and final book, Shadowed Onyx comes out! I know something you can do while you wait, check out my interview with author Nicole O'Dell

Meet Holly Durst- Author of Chocolate Socks

Cassie and I had the opportunity today to chat with Holly Durst, she is just one of the sweetest ladies ever and Cassie was so excited. Before our interview she came up with her questions. I was explaining to her father who we were interviewing, and Cassie overheard the Bachelor run down so I had to limit her to just one wedding related question. My girl may just love weddings more than books!








Without further ado, here is our interview with Holly!

Why did you call it Chocolate Socks? 

I call it Chocolate Socks because my two favorite things are Chocolate and Socks and I combined them in a book that encourages kids to take their two favorite things and make something of them.

What are your favorite socks?

 I wish you could see my sock draw, I have socks in every color and pattern  in there, but my favorite pair are a  really soft fuzzy pair that are pink!

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

 Ice cream. Chocolate ice cream. I love Ice Cream and I have to have chocolate every day

Are you going to have chocolate at your wedding?

 Of course! One of my cakes is chocolate.

What made you want to write Children’s Books? 

I went to college to be a school teacher, worked at daycare for 5 years. All my life I've been told that I am good with children. After a year and a half of college I decided I didn't want to be a teacher, but I still wanted to do something with kids, so I started writing children s books!

What were your favorite books as a young girl?

 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom was my favorite book. I read it in first grade and memorized it then read it aloud to my whole class.  Blake read it to me this week and was amazed that I could recite it all back.

You have another book, can you give us some idea what it is about?

 It's called I Miss You, When I moved from Ohio to California I had to leave behind my Nephew and the kids I worked with, so this book was written for them. 

Do you have any other books in the works?  

I have written some other books but at this time no production has started on them  One I’d really like to publish is called Dear Tooth Fairy, pretty perfect in my opinion since I am marrying a Dentist. 

You can find out more about Chocolate Socks and Holly here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Choc.Socks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HollyDurst

Websitehttp://hollydurst.com/

You can also purchase your own copy here!

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Socks-Holly-Durst/dp/1620200007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331654923&sr=8-1 

Chocolate Socks

Title: Chocolate Socks

Publisher: Ambassador International

Pub Date: March 2012

Author: Holly Durst

Received From: Publisher

What two things do you like best in the whole world? Close your eyes. Dream of putting those two things together. Dream of inventing something new! What will it be? Maybe it will be something as crazy as Chocolate Socks!



C's Review Chocolate Socks is a awesome book, I want chocolate socks for real and I bet they would be so good. In the book a little girl invented chocolate socks, this book is about doing two different things and combine together to make them real. If I could combine any two things I would combine two of my favorite things which is Lollipops and my Ipod Touch. I could lick it while I listen to it. 




Mom's Review- This has got to be one of the cutest children's books I have ever read, and trust me I read a ton of them! This book really has it all, a fun story line that keeps the kids entertained. A great message, one that really resonated with my girls, and the cutest little illustrations. I am not always a fan of rhyming books but in this story it is really the icing on the cake! I've now read this book at least 20 times and it is still just as cute as it was the first round!