My Fair Mermaid

 

My Grandma Paulsen loved the movie 'My Fair Lady', and shared that love with me. A singing Audrey Hepburn? What's not to like?! I also have a deep love for all things beach/mermaid/ocean related. So, when I found a book that was the plot line of 'My Fair Lady', but with mermaids, I jumped on that ship instantly. 'My Fair Mermaid', by Sarah Beran, is the story of a young orphaned mermaid named Maribel. After her parents died, Maribel was taken in by her uncle, who had five daughters of his own. Eager to please her cousins, Maribel will do anything that they ask, even if it may be dangerous or uncomfortable. However, Maribel finds herself in an overwhelming, and impossible, situation when her youngest cousin rescues, and then falls in love with, a human prince of the nearby kingdom. Her cousin manipulates her into becoming human alongside of her to win the prince's heart, even though the effects of becoming human are extremely painful. What's worse, is that there are dire consequences if her cousin fails to marry the prince within ten weeks when the seasons change. It's do or die for Maribel, and failing is not an option! This heartwarming story of sacrifice will take you on the journey of a little mermaid, who not only finds her voice, but her destiny as well. 

The Summer of Broken Rules

Meredith doesn't know if she is more nervous or excited to be back at her family's annual reunion at Martha's Vineyard. It has been two years since she came with her mom, dad, and sister, but after her sister, Claire, died, her family couldn't muster up the desire to return. This year however, is not just a family reunion, but her cousin's wedding as well. While she is dying to see everyone again, she also dreads having to return to a place that holds so many memories for her and Claire. Not to mention facing all of the people closest to her that she shut out of her life as she battled her grief. Will they be angry with her for pushing them away? Will it be awkward interacting with them without her bubbly extrovert sister by her side? And can she forgive her cousin for her sister's death?

As Meredith struggles to reconnect with family, honor her sister's memory, and find forgiveness in her heart, she also is in one of the most intense games of her life. The game is called 'Assassin' and her family has been playing it for as long as she can remember. The players in the game are crazy competitive, but Meredith feels a strong desire to take home the trophy this year.... for Claire. As alliances are formed and battle lines are drawn, a certain groomsmen with a charming smile may very well threaten Meredith's chance at a victory.

'The Summer of Broken Rules', by K.L. Walther, is what summer dreams are made of. This book fills you with a nostalgia for someone else's childhood. It makes you want to spend lazy days at the lake, wander through small towns, and of course, enter the high stakes game of Assassin and obliterate your family members. It is heartwarming, adventurous, freaking hilarious, heartbreaking, romantic .... basically, it has allllllll the feels. In short, it is the perfect summer read!

A Thousand Heartbeats

 

Some people get excited about a new song that their favorite artist releases. I get excited about new books that my favorite authors publish. One of that authors is Kiera Cass, author of The Selection series. Thanks to an Amazon email, I was instantly informed that she had a new book coming out. Did I pre-order it? Why, yes. Yes I did.

A Thousand Heartbeats is the love story between two people who were definitely not supposed to fall in love. A real Romeo and Juliet kind of thing. Annika is a princess who isn't in control of her own life. Her father has become cold and unfeeling. He is determined to marry Annika off for political gain. Lennox is a soldier in the Dahrainian army, determined to reclaim what has been taken from him- Annika's castle and country. Only one of them can win. There is no happy ending meant for these two. With everything and everyone around them fighting against them, how can these two young lovers find a way to overcome?

Once again, Kierra Cass is the reason for late nights and very little sleep. This may be one of her longest novels, but it sure didn't take long to read. I couldn't put it down! I absolutely had to find out how it ended, and then was sad when it did. Dear Kierra Cass, please write another book ASAP. Sincerely, an overcaffeinated, tired, diehard fan. 

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

 I was meandering around my local bookstore when I saw 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen', by Shea Ernshaw, sitting on a shelf. Loving all things associated with Halloween, there was no way I was going to just pass it by, especially since it was the last copy. My kids and I are die-hard fans of the movie (who isn't?!), but sometimes spinoff stories don't hold up to childhood nostalgia, so I went into this read with somewhat low expectations. Boy was I surprised when the author had me hooked from page one. Ernshaw did her homework on Halloween Land and I loved delving deeper into Jack and Sally's world. Exploring all of the other lands besides just Christmas Land was such a treat! The author does such a wonderful job at staying true to the mythical worlds that Tim Burton has created, and by the end of the book I was crossing my fingers hoping that this would be turned into a movie as well. 

The story begins with Jack and Sally's wedding. They decide to go to Valentines Land on their honeymoon and have a wonderful day exploring this new land together, for this is the only land that Jack has yet to visit, saving it just for this momentous occasion. They unfortunately can only stay away from home for 24 hours however since it very close to Halloween day and there is just so so much to do still. As soon as Jack and Sally re-enter Halloween Land they are both bombarded by holiday preparations. As the new pumpkin queen, Sally is overwhelmed by all of the new expectations that sit on her shoulders. She begins to have high levels of anxiety about being a ruler, and she desperately wishes she could just be "Sally and Jack", and not "Queen and King". When the witch sisters begin fitting her for a new royal gown, the pressure becomes too much for Sally, and she finds herself fleeing her home in desperate need for some time alone. As she is wandering around the forest, Sally discovers a hidden door that has a moon on it. Leaving the door open unleashes the beginning of a wild adventure for Sally that leads her to a shocking discovery about her past. 

This book will become a Halloween treasure that both you and your kids will enjoy reading together time and time again. 

The Fires of Treason

 

Princess Elizabeth idealizes her big brother, Greg, who is destined to be the king someday. Elizabeth would do anything for him, but when she tries telling him something he doesn't want to hear, he treats her cruelly and unjustly. His words are unforgivable. After Greg is banished from the kingdom, Elizabeth overhears something that she is not supposed to however, and she must warn her older brother. Even if she can't forgive him, she still loves him and doesn't want to see him get hurt. Leaving the lap of luxury to traipse after Greg in the wilderness is a lot harder than she thought it would be, and the adventure she finds herself on is never one that she could have predicted. 

Meanwhile, Greg almost feels relief that the pressures of being king are now off of his shoulders. He has no intention whatsoever to raise an army and fight for his birthright, but is that what is best for his kingdom? Greg has many followers who are both angry and scared that Greg will not be their ruler any longer, and some of them are willing to go to extreme lengths to get him back on the throne. 

In Michele Quirke's debut novel, 'Fires of Treason', two sibling's worlds are turned upside down and they must leave behind everything they have ever known. Their loyalty to each other, as well as to their country, will be tested in ways they never could have imagined. Choosing the right path has never been so difficult. 

I came across this novel through the means of social media, and thought that the storyline was intriguing so I decided to give it a chance. To be honest, I didn't have the highest of expectations for this book, sometimes authors first novels fall flat, but I love fantasy, especially ones that are about royalty, so I gave it a try. Boy am I glad I did! This book exceeded all of my expectations! The plot line hooked me immediately, the character development was well written, and the descriptions were clear and precise. The storyline definitely left me wanting more and I can not wait for the next one. This novel was fantastic and I highly recommend giving it a chance. 

The Impossible Quest

 

Wolfhaven Castle has been invaded unexpectedly. Every single resident has been captured and thrown into the dungeons. The takeover was done so stealthily there must have been someone helping them from the inside, but who is the traitor? And what were those monstrous beings that helped in the attack? Only four people managed to escape, but all of them are just children. How can they possibly manage to rescue an entire castle by themselves?  The witch of the castle has given them a secret spell that is said to awaken four sleeping warriors, but in order to cast the spell they need for impossible key ingredients first - the horn of an unicorn, the tooth of a dragon, the feathers from a griffin, and the scale from a giant serpent. The children don't fully believe that such creatures even exist, but one thing is for certain, if they are ever to see their loved ones again, they are going to need help. The future depends upon a pot boy from the kitchens, a witches apprentice, a knight in training, and the lady of the castle.

'The Impossible Quest', by Kate Forsyth, is a thrilling adventure that will capture the hearts of fantasy readers everywhere. These quick paced books are fast reads with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. With so many cliffhangers, you will literally not be able to put these books down, so do yourself a favor and buy them all at once! 

** If you are interested in purchasing these books from me, you can buy them here: 

https://d4538.myubam.com/p/6054/impossible-quest-the-complete-collection-5

The Betrothed

I love Kiera Cass! She is funny, intelligent, and she never disappoints me. I was beyond ecstatic to learn that she was working on an all new series and pre-ordered it on Amazon. When it arrived I devoured it! I couldn't read it fast enough and was completely, 100% satisfied! It lives up to the clean, adventurous, fairy-tale romances that we have come to expect from Kiera Cass.

Hollis Brite is a noble young lady living in the palace. She has watched King Jameson flit from one girl to the next, always getting bored with them in the end. When the king turns his attention on Hollis she knows that the courtship won't last long, but is determined to make the most of his attention while it lasts. That is why she is so surprised when the king keeps dropping marriage hints around her, and her relationship quickly changes from casual to serious practically overnight. This is everything she has ever dreamed of obtaining, especially since she hopes that this future will finally appease her parents, who have always been rather disappointed that she was not a boy. The closer she gets to the crown however, the more she wonders if her dreams at royalty were actually misplaced? Being queen, it turns out, comes with some side effects that she never imagined.

This is a wonderfully written novel that takes you on some very unexpected twists and turns right to the very end! You are just as caught between choices as Hollis is, and find it hard to decide what you want for her. I can not wait to continue Hollis's story in the next book, I hope Kiera is a fast writer!

Little Women

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are four sisters growing up in America after the Civil War. The novel, 'Little Women', by Louisa May Alcott, is the story of the sisters growing from adolescence into adulthood. Meg is the oldest. She is proper, somewhat vain, a wonderful actress, and dreams of marrying for love and becoming a mother. Jo, the second oldest, is the outspoken tomboy. Jo is unconventional, wild, a dreamer and a writer. Her ambitions are ahead of her time, especially for women. Beth is the third daughter. She is quiet, shy, pensive, and the mediator of the sisters. Everyone she meets feel drawn to her quiet temperament and can't help but love her. She is an animal lover and an exceptional musician. Amy is the youngest. Her dream is to become a famous artist and to travel the world. She has set her sights on marrying for money and leaving her poverty-stricken world behind. Each sister carries with them very different views of the world they live in, but their love for one another is a bond that cannot be broken. 

'Little Women' is a charming, lovely novel. It makes you a part of the story from the beginning and you can't help but feel invested in the lives of these remarkable women. It is beautiful in its simplicity, its morals, and its heart warming tales and adventures of four very different sisters. I started this novel a few years back but never finished it. I am so glad I picked it up again when I had more time to really devout to it. It is an intriguing book and a classic for a reason. 

Two Girls of Gettysburg

Lizzie and Rosanna are cousins, and even though they are polar opposite in personality, they are best friends as well. However their friendship is challenged when the Civil War breaks out. Rosanna is from a southern state and thinks she is madly in love with a rebel soldier. Lizzie is much more of a conservative mind and is sometimes shocked by Rosanna's wild spirit. When her own father and brother head off to war, Lizzie becomes very agitated that Rosanna won't choose a side to be on, and secretly fears that Rosanna believes in the south's cause. Not only has the Civil War ripped these cousin's country apart, it is tearing their family apart as well.

'Two Girls of Gettysburg' is the first book I have ever read that takes place during the Civil War. It was fascinating to me to get to peak into the lives of the people of this time period. I can't imagine what it would be like to literally have a war going on in your front yard. This must have been such a terrible time for our country, because every death, every drop of blood shed, was an American. The "enemy" of today may have been the friend of yesterday. You simply can't learn the emotion of history from a history book that's full of dates and facts. That's why I love historical fiction. It's the only way for me to really connect with the people. If you love American history then you will love this book!

A Night Divided

Okay, so I must admit, I hardly knew anything about The Berlin Wall. I remember learning about the fall of it in school, but I honestly had no idea how affected the German people were by the wall. I kind of felt like an idiot reading this book. How did I not know more about this? I studied WWII extensively in school, I've read a ton of WWII historical fiction books, but somehow, in all of that, I never knew the devastating facts about how this wall tore a country apart. This novel was so eye opening for me. This is exactly why I love historical fiction so much. It gives me a chance to really FEEL history, to be a part of it, even for just a moment. This book was not only just educational, it was thrilling! I was on the edge of my seat reading it. I got so nervous for the characters. I cheered them on. I cried with them. I fell in love with them. This was a beautifully written story of endurance, healing, hope, and the powerful bond of family.

.   .   .   .   .   .   .

One morning Greta woke up to find that her world had completely changed overnight. While her father and brother went to the West side of Germany trying to find work, the Berlin Wall was erected, splitting up Gerta's family. Her mother and brother were imprisoned with her in East Berlin, ruled by the Soviets. Her father and brother were helpless on the other side of a wall that Greta got in trouble for by just looking at it for too long. Walking to school one day, Gerta spots her father pantomiming something to her from across the no mans land. After she receives a drawing from her father she puts the clues together and realizes that her father wants her and her brother to dig a tunnel under the wall to freedom. Getting caught would mean her instant death and cause horrible problems for her loved ones left behind, but if she doesn't try then her family might never be together again. She knows she must at least attempt it, but does she have enough courage to constantly lie to those who are close to her? This book will keep you up late into the night to find out.

The Six of Crows Series

The 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo is a thrilling adventure that takes you on a ride of emotions. Kaz Brekker is a criminal, leader of his gang. When he is offered the deal of a lifetime it can either lead to the world's riches or his imminent death. He can't do it alone, he needs to build a team with a special set of skills, but who can you really trust within your own gang? After all, they are all criminals and all have their own agendas. Kaz builds the perfect crew for the greatest heist of all time, but it is still going to take a miracle to actually pull it off.

This series was devoured very quickly, I could not put it down! It's very intriguing to have your protagonists be criminals. You can't decide whether to love or hate them, so you kind of do both throughout the book. This book was an amazing page turner and I would highly recommend it!

The Traitor's Game

I am a little behind (maybe a lot behind) on updating my book blog. I will try and catch up on what I have been reading as soon as I can. Let's start by talking about 'The Traitor's Game' by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with this book, but I have read 'The Ascendance Trilogy', which is by the same author, and I loved that series so thought I would give this a try. Let me tell you what, it did not disappoint! I was completely caught up with the action, characters, and trickery. It kept me up late at night and has me craving more. There are so many details and twists that I am sure I'll have to read it again before the second in the series is released in February 2019. Here is a gist of what the book is about:

Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's second-in-command to the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.

The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. One of the rebels, Simon, has his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.

A Wrinkle in Time

'A Wrinkle in Time', by Madeleine L'Engle is the story of how Meg Murry travels through time and space to find her father who has gone missing. She has the help of her younger brother, a boy from school, and three strangers- Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which. Meg goes on some remarkable adventures and meets some unbelievable characters along the way.

I once had a roommate in college tell me that 'A Wrinkle in Time' was her very favorite book. It has been on my "to read list" for many years, and now that it is being turned into a movie, I figured it was time to check this one off. I went into it with high expectations, which may have been the problem, because I was somewhat underwhelmed with the plot. It felt anti-climatic to me. There was so much build up, and then it just kind of ended jaggedly. The author did a wonderful job of giving voice to her characters and detail to her settings, but it's the flow of the story that left me a little disappointed. This just may be one of those rare occasions when the movie actually turns out better then the book- I will have to wait and see on that conjecture however.  It is worth reading, but I definitely would not put this book on a list of favorites by any means.

The Princess Academy Series

Whenever the heir to the throne comes of age, the priests divine what providence the next princess will come from. A Princess Academy is then set up to teach and prepare the noble girls to meet the prince at the Academy Princess Ball. After the ball, the prince will then decide what Princess Academy graduate will be the next princess. When the priests divine that Mount Eskel is where the next princess is from, many in the kingdom are outraged. Mount Eskel is not even a providence,  just a territory. It is a small town full of uneducated, and very poor people, without any nobles. When the people of Mount Eskel learn that their daughters will be taken away from them for one year, fear grips their hearts. They barely have enough to eat, how will they survive through the winter without so many workers in the quarry, their only source of income. Miri is scared to go to the academy too, she has never been away from her family before. However, once at that academy, Miri is taught to read and she discovers a love of books she never knew she had. She loves learning, and learning opens up secrets that she never knew, and may actually save her village in the end. 

I first fell in love with The Princess Academy over a decade ago. I am thrilled that the third and last book has finally been published, it has been a long time coming! If you know me at all you know I have an obsession with Shannon Hale and all of her novels, and these three books definitely did not disappoint. I devoured them and lost many, many hours of sleep over them. They are brilliantly written and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

EEEEEEEEK! Dreams DO come true! I was so excited to get my hands on this book and of course, I devoured it. Heading into it I was a little apprehensive... Do I even like reading plays? Will it be worthy to carry the Harry Potter name? My answer is YES! It is amazing and wonderful and so much more then I expected it to be! I was literally giddy with excitement reading this book because it surpassed all of my expectations!

So what is it about? Well, this is a script for a play. It takes place right where the last movie ends, on Platform 9 3/4 on Albus Sirius Potter's first day of school. When Albus sits by Scorpius Malfoy on the Hogwarts Express, an instant friendship strikes up. Rose, Albus's cousin, is apprehensive of Scorpius, fretting that the mysterious rumors of his origin might be true. To Albus's dismay, and Scorpius's delight, both boys are sorted into Slytherin. Albus fears what people will think of Harry Potter's Slytherin son, but worse, he is worried about what his father thinks of him. Harry and Albus always seem to butt heads and this may just drive the father and son apart for good. When Albus convinces Scorpius to right a wrong made by his father a long time ago, the results are astronomical and lead the two boys on quite the adventure!

I couldn't put this book down. It kept me up way too late at night, but was oh so worth the caffeinated coma I was in the next day. To quote Ron, it was "bloody brilliant!" Now if only I was rich and could jump on a plane to London to see the play... what are the chances it will come to Utah do you think?? Better yet, how about turning THIS into a movie eh?

The Ascendance Trilogy

I LOVED the Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielson! The series takes place in a kingdom called Carthya. The king and queen have two sons, but one of them is killed by pirates. When rumors start going around the kingdom that the royal family has been murdered, a regent from the kingdom collects four boys from different orphanages who resemble the younger prince in hopes to pass him off as the royal and have him crowned king. The regent, Connor, is convinced that by so doing this, it will prevent war throughout the kingdom in order to obtain the throne. Sage is one of the boys collected from Connor, but he has no interest in learning table manners, how to waltz, and the history of Carthya. However, running away may be even more dangerous than lying to get the crown.

This series is full of mystery and intrigue. It is adventurous, as well as a coming of age novel. I could not put the book down, it had me nervous with anticipation until the very end. I would HIGHLY recommend this series!

The Storyteller's Daughter

When a king is deceived by those who are closest to him he hardens his heart and swears to never be deceived again. In a twisted plot to keep his heart safe, he announces to his kingdom that he will marry a woman every night, and kill her every morning, unless a woman volunteers, then he will only kill her and no one else. Everyone throughout the kingdom are horrified at the king's proclamation and fear terribly for their daughters safety. If no one sacrifices themselves than there will be one execution a day, but who would be so selfless to give up their own life in order that others might live? So when the storyteller's daughter volunteers, everyone, including the king himself, are completely shocked, for they have never treated her as one of their own, have never been very kind to her. Why would she do something like this for them? Is there sorcery involved? Something isn't right.

This story is a romantic tale with twists and turns along the way. I found the stories within the story very captivating and loved reading this book. The only thing I did not really care for was that the character's names were too much alike and I ended up having to give them nicknames so that I could keep everyone straight. Does anyone else do that or am I just stupid haha? But it was a good read and I really did enjoy it. Cameron Dokey is a great author and I will for sure be reading more of her books in the future.

Climbing the Stairs

'Climbing the Stairs' by Padma Venkarraman is the story of Vidya, a young Indian girl who is a teenager during WWII. When a tragic accident befalls on her father, Vidya's family has no choice but to live with her father's extended family. All of a sudden Vidya's dreams of finishing school and going on to college are hanging in the balance. Her aunts torment her and don't give her enough food, she hardly ever gets to see her brother anymore because the home is split between the males and the females, and she is ripped from the life that she has always known. She desperately fears that her extended family will marry her off the first chance they get and she is losing the ability to control her own life. The only peace she finds is when she sneaks up the stairs to the second floor in the men's quarters every day. She has found the library there and she can escape her life into different worlds through the written word. She fears being caught, but the risk is worth it to her.

This book is beautifully written. I was completely intrigued with the story and I learned a lot about the history of India during the time of this terrible war. I must admit that I do not know a lot of India's history but I found it completely fascinating. It is a complex culture that is very intriguing to me. I also love historical fiction books about WWII and would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves history and Indian culture.

This book contains history, culture, family, portrays the importance of books and gaining knowledge, and even has a little romance thrown into the mix.

Tiger's Curse

I have found a new series that I am absolutely in LOVE with! I loved these books so much in fact, that I am most definitely going to buy them and add them to my personal collection. The series is 'Tiger's Curse' by Colleen Houck.

Kelsey Hayes is an orphan living with a foster family. The summer after she graduates she finds a temp job at a circus to help pay for her college. Part of her job is to feed the white tiger there. Something about the tiger draws Kelsey in and she forms a quick attachment to it. When a very wealthy man comes to buy the tiger and take him back to India, he asks Kelsey if she would accompany the tiger on the journey and care for him. Kelsey agrees but has no idea what she is getting herself into. She finds herself on the greatest adventure of her life trying to break a three hundred year old curse to save her tiger.

This series is full of Indian culture, adventures, romance, fantasy, and so much more. It literally kept me up every single night because I just couldn't put these books down. Waiting for them at the library was agony because I wanted to devour them. I loved these books and I promise you will too!

Also, there is an ebook called Tiger's Promise that is really good as well!

Divergent series

This is another series that I have recently fallen in love with. There are three books in the series with a fourth book that is from a different character's viewpoint. The plot takes place in a Dystopian Chicago where the city is divided into five factions. These factions believe that the world was destroyed by man's inner desires- so each faction focuses on one virtue:
Euridite: Knowledge
Amity: Peace
Candor: Honesty
Abnegation: Selflessness
Dauntless: Bravery
When a person reaches the age of 16 they go to a choosing ceremony where they then choose which faction they will live the rest of their lives in. Some people choose to stay with the faction that raised them, but some people choose a faction transfer and leave their families and homes behind forever. The motto of the society is "faction before blood". If a person does not fit into any faction, they become factionless- which mean they are at the very bottom- homeless, hungry, and without family or friends. Then there are the Divergent, the group of people who threaten the way their society works because they have aptitudes for more than one faction. Being Divergent is dangerous. The leaders of the communities want to kill anyone who is different from them.

This series is full of action, adventure, romance, the power of choice and individuality, and oh so much more goodness. I would highly, highly recommend it. (The movie as well!)