Review ~ Sacred Sex by Tony Evans

Title: Sacred Sex

Author: Tony Evans

Format: E-book

Review for: Netgalley

Publication Date: 1/4/2014

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was okay. I appreciate the Biblical background of it and understood where Mr. Evans was coming from. While I found myself agreeing with him on many points I also found myself feeling shame. Mr. Evans pushes purity and staying a virgin, but really lacks the importance of what about if you’re not. Throughout the book I found that I was almost ashamed of my past, which as a Christian I am. That being said if my past is forgiven and forgotten then why does Mr. Evans make me feel so bad. Is it because I made a mistake and am no longer pure? When Mr. Evans finally got around to discussing those of us that are not pure it was a quick couple of paragraphs about truly repenting and asking for forgiveness without any help about moving on. I am one of those that believe it’s easier to stay pure when you’ve never experienced sex, but what about if you have. Does Mr. Evans realize how hard (no pun intended) it is for those of us that have already sinned and know it? How much more the stress is own for us to be pure and remain that way? I would love to see Mr. Evans help those of us with experience to remain pure with practical advice and less guilt. This is a book that I would give my niece or young people like youth kids, but it is not something I would give someone who is divorced or made a mistake when it came to sex.



Review ~ Goul Goblin by Jim Butcher

Ghoul Goblin by Jim Butcher
Published: 12/3/2013
Pages:152 page
Purchased: ARC given by Netgalley
Ebook

Goodreads Summary:
Harry Dresden, a Chicago private investigator and wizard, heads to a small, isolated Missouri town terrorized by Nevernever monsters. The singularly unfortunate Talbot family has suffered a curse that has decimated their number for generations, and only our hero can save them... that is, if he can survive hostile lawmen, the dark secrets of townsfolk, an ancient guardian spirit, and two deadly carnivores! Can Dresden cleanse the Talbot bloodline of its curse without a blood sacrifice of his own?

My Thoughts:

First let me start off by telling you I am a HUGE Harry Dresden fan. I have read every book that Mr. Butcher has put out on this character, including but not limited to his graphic novels. This is an excellent story. The graphics were great, I felt like I really got a feel for the characters. Harry was true to Harry and it took a minute to realize this story takes place sometime after the second book not the current 13th book we are on. So in that sense Harry did run true to his character at that time. And while I personally don't think that Harry has changed all that much he has by the time we get the latest release 11 books later. So having the book take place so far back was a slight adjustment, but still nice to see the old Harry out to play. The plot was quick and to the point. I saw one of the twist coming, but I admit no the other. I enjoyed this story and would have loved to see more of it. Alas it wasn't long enough to be a full novel. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the series or would like to start the series.

Review ~ External Forces by Deborah Rix

External Forces by Deborah Rix
Published: 09/13/2013
Pages:268 paperback
Purchased: ARC given by Netgalley
Ebook

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s 100 years since the Genetic Integrity Act was passed and America closed its borders to prevent genetic contamination. Now only the enemy, dysgenic Deviants, remain beyond the heavily guarded border. The Department of Evolution carefully guides the creation of each generation and deviations from the divine plan are not permitted.

When 16-year-old Jess begins to show signs of deviance she enlists in the Special Forces, with her best friend Jay, in a desperate bid to evade detection by the Devotees. Jess is good with data, not so good with a knife. So when the handsome and secretive Sergeant Matt Anderson selects her for his Black Ops squad, Jess is determined to figure out why.

As her deviance continues to change her, Jess is forced to decide who to trust with her deadly secret. Jess needs to know what’s really out there, in the Deviant wasteland over the border, if she has any hope of making it to her 17th birthday. Because if the enemy doesn’t kill her first, the Department of Evolution probably will.
My Thoughts:
Actually I had mixed thoughts on this book. It was set up nicely I enjoyed the main character. The action didn't occur until midway through when Jess and Jay hack the system and enroll early to the "army" program with the hopes of being a flyboy and intelligence. Only things don't work out that way when Matt see Jess and decides he wants her on her special teams. It was easy to follow the world was bleak and grey and honesty I bought it. After all Jess is only 16 at this point. The part I didn't care for was how childish Jess was for all the training she has. The scenes with her and Matt that should've been sweet were in fact almost too kid like. I get it, she doesn't have experience this is first love and etc... but after how she was raised (her mother hated her) and what she dealt with I thought she would be different when it came to Matt. She was highly insecure unless she was proving something which kind of rang false how are you insecure unless proving something. How and why do you want to prove anything when you're insecure.
It was a very weird time frame for me.
Then the end came with all the mythology and set up for another book. I have to say that it was a good thing and the twist with another member of the team who could be it too was nice, but then again not. The whole "miscommunication" between Matt and Jess got old quick so I was happy when the author quickly wrapped that up. Due to Jess being 16 there is no sex, but a quick hint at everything else but that. Jess even goes so far as to call herself a tease.
Needless to say this is obviously the set up for a series in this world and while I am curious as to the whole ~ ark, angel, seed, navigator, and Eden thing I'm not that interested.

Overall ranking:
I enjoyed it and would probably pick up the next just to see where she is heading. Definitely think if you like YA and dystopian theme novels you could probably get into this one.

PROS
Jess can take care of herself, she is kick ass without being over the top HATE YOU and THE WORLD kick ass nor I am the baddest thing EVER.

Review ~ Born by Tara Brown

Born by Tara Brown
Published: 09/19/2012
Pages:1300 Ebook
Purchased: Through Amazon in 2013
Ebook

Summary from Goodreads:
"It's us and them, Em. There are no regular people anymore."
Ten years ago when the world ended she ran for her life.
Five weeks ago the world she'd hidden from came knocking on the door of her secluded cabin.
Ten days ago she found salvation hiding amongst the dead.
Yesterday she went back for the living.
Today she wonders if she will live to see tomorrow.
What do you do when the world you were born to is gone?
Where do you hide when even your own body isn't safe?
Emma ran when her daddy told her to. She hid like he said she should. He was the first person she turned her back on. The first one she let die.
Ten years has gone by and she still lives by the simple rules he taught her when she was nine years old.
"Don't help anyone. Don't go where other people are unless you have to. Trust no one. Always pull the trigger."
Until one night she hears the worst sound in the world, a knock. A simple, timid knock, on the door to her cabin.
Only the voice of the brave little girl, ready to die for her brother, persuades Emma to open the door.
As her fingers turn the lock, she has a terrible feeling she will regret her decision.
But even as regret fills her world, so do love and companionship. Things she never imagined she would ever have again.
Everything comes at a cost, you decide what you'll pay.

My Thoughts:
So at first I loved this book. I mean I really did. I like the world she created, I even liked Em rough spots and all. I enjoyed Em and her struggle with should she stay safe or should she help another person survive? I really enjoyed watching Em move and transformed. I liked the fact that she was a kick ass survivor. I liked that her dad trained her to survive if anything should go wrong. I even loved the fact she had a pet wolf.
But then it all went to crap in a hand basket. Between a love triangle with 2 brothers, a preaching speech about how HORRIBLE the big brother is and let me tell you everything you need to know in order to understand what is going on by the big older sexy brother. Who will then tell you your stupid and physically hurt you yet you know you love him and you can't explain why. Then big tough Em gets all jealous about a girl one of the bros is sleeping with and boom acts like a 5 year old throwing a tantrum that results in her life being in danger. I wanted to give her more credit b/c she hadn't been around people for a long time, she is only 19 and well this is her first crush. However, I just can't.
I am not sure how this book went from good to bad in less then a chapter. Stupid Will. Needless to say while I hated it I still want to know what will happen cause we were left with a cliff hanging ending. So I bought book two. If the love triangle doesn't resolve itself or if Em stays stupid then I will not finish the series.

Review ~ Stargate Atlantis: Dead End by Chris Wraight

Stargate Atlantis: Dead End by Chris Wraight
Ebook
Published: 7/16/10
275 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Dr. Rodney McKay must try and rescue his friends who are stranded on an icy world on the edge of the Pegasus Galaxy

My Thoughts:
For starters that summary really blows cause it doesn't even begin to describe this book. McKay is not only rescuing Teyla, Ronan, Shep but also his arse who doesn't like the cold any more than the rest of them. Basically McKay convinces the Elizabeth with the help of Shepperd to go through the gate to the furthest they have ever gone. It is so far the ancients were attempting to build a special ship for it. Now does the team use the special ship or even try to build the ship? NO of course not why would they ;)

Needless to say the ship is damaged, there is no way to dial home cause their is no power, the local people are friendly but are threatened by an enemy no one understands, it is cold and the weather is getting worse and worse with each passing day. So its up to Ronan to hunt, Teyla to learn more about the people and the threat, John to try and save everyone and McKay to fix the whole gate sinking into the ice and jumper not working. Needless to say its an hour packed show thrown into a 275 page book. Very well written and one I would've liked to see on air.

For sure a must read for those SGA fans out there.

Review ~ Craving Perfect by Liz Fichera

Craving Perfect by Liz Fichera
E-book
Published: 7/25/11
241 Pages
Free book Amazon 2013

Summary according to Goodreads:
A Life Less...Hers
Grace Mills craves being perfect almost as much as she craves raspberry scones. In fact, her life would be perfect if only she could lose ten more pounds, if only the pastry café she co-owns with her sister would turn a profit, if only the hottest guy at the gym would look her way...
And then "if only" comes true. Grace is suddenly straddling two lives: an alternate reality where she's a size two, weathergirl celebrity and being chased by the hot guy. Only Mr. Gorgeous isn't very nice.
In her other life, she's starting to realize her sister is less than happy running the family café, and hunky Carlos, the gym's janitor, seems to have a secret crush on her. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye...
Grace is living two lives and it's beginning to cost her. Is there a way to pick one...that's perfect?

My Thoughts:
Okay I get it, I truly understand craving a life more perfect then your own. I mean isn't that what we do every night when we sleep? Or is that just me? Any way this is a great story of a woman coming into her own. Learning to appreciate those she has around her that don't fit her idea of "perfect" and realizing that sometimes what seems "perfect" isn't always true. I did like this quick read. It had the typical do I stay thin, pretty, important, with the perfect boyfriend who FYI isn't good to me OR do I stay chunky, poor, and with the cute guy tattooed up who adores me?! Again can I stress that if I had even one of those choices it would be a step up as of now I have Fred the lizard to keep me company... but I digress.

Grace is a good cookie she does some stupid things in life, she is obsessed with her weight, she always thinks 10 more pounds and I will be pretty enough. She's a little slow when it comes to her family life and those around her b/c she is so focused on her and her "dream man". Until one day she finally gets the dream life and realizes that her regular old life is just as good if not better. But the question is can she get it back.

Its a cute, fun read with a good moral. I highly recommend it for anyone who has ever been there. For sure a book I would tell a friend about.

Sea of Trees by Robert James Russell

So here's my short review about this book. The offical review will be posted at http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com eventually...

I was surprised at my reaction to this book. I am not sure what my expectations were going in, but coming out I was shocked at how much it haunted me. I had a few minor issues with this book and I have to admit I still don’t quite understand ending (no spoilers I promise). That being said this book does stick with you. The writing alone is beautifully haunting in its description that is until Bill the American speaks. Then he just sounds downright immature whose only focus is himself and his needs.  

During the book we learn of different people that have come to Aokigahara Forest to end their lives and why.  We also learn that Junko’s sister Izumi was one of those people. From my experience and background I figured out pretty early on why Izumi killed herself, but I can see where it was a mystery to others.   The forest is beautifully described and each suicide was written in such a way I connect to most of the people. It drove me to understand why they would go forth with ending their lives.

The best part was learning about a different culture. Too many times when I read books like this I tend to see it in an American setting with only Americans. This time not only did I feel as if I was in Japan, but I understood a little more about their culture. I wish Bill would have helped with that as an American visiting, but most of the imagery came from the writing itself and the suicide notes.  Again it is a good book a little heavy, but one that will make you sit back and think. I enjoyed it and would like to see more from this author.