Top Ten Tuesday

Hi everyone, It's time for another Top Ten Tuesday! It was created by The Broke and the Bookish and this weeks topic is the Top ten books I meant to read but didn't get to last year. *This is in no particular order* 

1. The 5th wave by Rick Yancey. I bought the book and it is sitting on my tablet just waiting but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I will read it this year though!

2. World After by Susan Ee. Another book that I already purchased and I'm just waiting to read it.

3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I really really want to read this! 

4. Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Yet another book that I bought but haven't read. I'll get to it though.

5. Pyxis series by K.C. Neal. I enjoyed Helia's Shadow Part One so much I wanted to read all of K.C. Neal's books but sadly that did not happen last year.

6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

7. The Jurassic Park books, I am obsessed with all the movies and I even played the video game. I even got tot walk through the park in Universal Studios - a highlight of my life - but sadly I did not get to read the books yet.

8. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake 

9. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick. I read the first book of this series years ago but never got around to the sequel. 

10. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I am a huge Mortal Instruments fan but I never started the Internal Devices series. I hope I get to this year especially since the Dark Artifices comes out this year!

Did you read any of the books on my list? 

What books are on your list? 

Intent by Krista Wagner

~Synopsis~ 

Trying to deal with small town life and feeling that she has no real purpose, Raylee Johnson finds a new source of confidence when her former high school crush returns to town. When she begins to feel better about the direction her life is going, Raylee is thrust into a maze of doubt, uncertainty, murder, and deceit where the only thing she does know for sure is that her life is engulfed in lies.

~My Review~ 

First of all who wouldn't be a little bitter after losing both parents at the same time. It would be bad enough to lose one at such a young age but both, that's horrible. And even though she a good christian girl I think it would be normal to be cynical and question the afterlife. I think everyone questions God's plan when something doesn't go as planned, not saying they should but everyone does. 

I'm not going to lie, the beginning of this book was kind of slow. It took a little while to get passed her whining about her life. I grew up in a small town, a lot like her and I got out. I know a lot of people that didn't and they are happy. No need to be a Debby downer just because your life isn't the way you wanted it to be. No ones is. Things change, goals change, life changes...you might as well get used to it. 

Once I got passed the whining, I stepped back and really looked at Raylee (love that name) and realized how relatable of a character she is. There are so many people in the world that are in her shoes. I think Krista Wagner did a great job at making her so "life like."

I got a weird vibe from Billy. His crazy mood swings and profound lines creeped me out. He kept saying these crazy sweet lines to Raylee that made her heart melt but not me, there was just something no right there. 

Paul was too sweet to have gotten friend-zoned. Why do girls alway friend-zone the good guys and go after the psychopaths? That being said I wish I had a friend like Paul!

I was very proud of myself for solving this mystery! I never get it right and I actually got this one right. I really enjoyed this book, it kept me on my toes. Once the action started it was really fast. The ending had me on the edge of my seat and the epilogue was sweet.  

Bloodletting by William D. Prystauk

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Alienated by Melissa Landers

Alienated is the first book in the Alienated series by Melissa Landers. 

~Synopsis~

Two years ago, the aliens first made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to sharing a bathroom with one of them.

 Handpicked to host the first ever L'eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she'll have inside information about the mysterious L'eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara's blog following is about to skyrocket 

Still, Cara isn't sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L'eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn't seem more alien. She's certain about one thing, though: no human boy is that good-looking. 

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes start to appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyz to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn't just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and it's potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight  of her life- not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

~My Review~

I don't know why I waited so long to read this book because it was absolutely amazing! My fascination with alien books is still going strong, thanks to this book. I was immediately interested in this book. It really drew me in with attractive aliens and witty lines. I'm a sucker for people whose first language is in sarcasm.

Cara is a great lead female. She didn't let losing every friend she had affect her future goals. She was incredibly brave throughout the entire book, even at times most people- me included- would have just given up. Only a crazy person would have said no to an opportunity to go to any college of their choice. Eventually the money aspect left and was replaced with the love she had for Aelyx. And really who could blame her for falling for him, no one that's who. 

Their relationship was so adorable! It was interesting to actually see him changing from the ice cold robot to the loving human. He may not have been human but by the end he was enough of a human to know how love felt, and fear from almost losing his love.

I also liked Tori for the first half of the book. Her sassiness was hilarious until she changed and switched teams. She was kind of one of those characters that flipped flopped teams and I didn't know whether to love or hate her. I'll have to see where my feelings for end when the series is complete. Eric was the same way- except maybe the opposite. I didn't like him at first but then liked him a little more at the end. I wonder if he'll make an appearance in Invaded. 

There is so much to love about this book and very few to dislike. It's rare that I find a book with nothing that bothered or annoyed me and this is one of those books. There is nothing I would change. Cara and Aelyx's story is too good to want anything different. Everything in this book had a reason behind it, this was a well written, well thought out book. Melissa Landers really knows what she's doing when it comes to writing. 

After reading Alienated I can't wait for book two (Invaded) to come out. The only comfort I have found is the knowledge that Invaded will come out in a few short months. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Hi Everyone it's Ashley!
This is my first ever Top Ten Tuesday! It was created by The Broke and the Bookish and my good friend Christine from Bibliophilic Madness told me about it. This weeks list is: Top Ten Most Anticipated Debut Novels for 2015.

1. Helia's Shadow Part Two by K.C. Neal
2. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare 
3. The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
4. Invaded by Melissa Landers 
5. Oblivion by Kelly Creagh 
6. Hunted by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
7. Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
8. The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon 
9. September Sky by John A. Heldt
10. Savor by Alyssa Rose Ivy 

I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on all of these books! 

What books are you excited for this year? 

The Blue Journal by L.T. Graham

The Blue Journal...wow what a story. It is a murder mystery, a whodunit, a great whodunit. I spent the entire time saying "oh he did it," or "it was her, she did it." I guessed wrong the entire time I had a person in mind that did it but I was so wrong. I was shocked at who really did it. 

Elizabeth Knoebel was a horrible human being, scum of the earth really. She made a game out of seducing everyone, men, women she wasn't picky. She especially liked people that were married. The woman made a game out of ruining marriages, including her own. Not only did she sleep with anything that moved but she wrote it down. She actually kept a diary of all her sexual partners and everything they did together in graphic detail. It was a very X-rated diary. 

The book not only follows Anthony Walker, the lead detective in the Knoebel murder case but it also follows her therapist Randi Conway, and her lovers and their families as well. It makes pretty much everyone look guilty of murder because of the things this woman did to them. 

I thought Anthony and Randi's relationship was adorable and I'm glad they finally got together. The meshed together really well, I spent the majority of the time waiting for them to take that plunge. I'm pretty sure I squealed like a banshie when they finally kissed.

I really enjoyed this book, it was the first murder mystery I've ever read. I read the entire thing in just two days because I couldn't put it down. If you like a good mystery then you will definitely enjoy this. 

Elizabeth Knoebel was murdered in her home by someone that she knew. Anthony Walker gets assigned the lead of the case and has to turn the whole town upside down to solve the murder. He needs Dr. Randi Conway to help him, when she refuses he has to solve it alone. Their relationship grows and everyone elses in town falls apart when Elizabeths sex diary is found. Everyone in town is a suspect and it's up to Anthony to figure out who did it before someone else becomes a victim.  

Underground Murmurs by Tim Jopling

This is the first book of a new series. I was contacted by Tim Jopling to give a honest review.

Synopsis:

AKIRA 
Hell bent on changing the world forever. 

OLSEN AND DEANE 
The most effective partnership MI6 and the West have. 

THE S.U.C.O. AGENTS 
MI6 protectors, destined to stop the darkness from sweeping across the globe. 

UNDERGROUND MURMURS 

Nothing is ever what it seems. Don’t turn your back on anyone, or anything. The world is at ease and its politicians are simply unaware, and unprepared. Not for one moment does anyone consider that the most deadly war humanity has ever faced is looming around the corner. All of it orchestrated by Akira, a man with a past no one would expect, and primed with the knowledge that his vision will become the future and the West be condemned to the past. 

Only MI6 can stop him with its elite group of S.U.C.O. agents and the experienced Thomas Deane and Sam Olsen at the forefront. These loyal protectors will risk their lives around the globe to preserve peace and justice, no matter what the cost…

Let me start by saying I am not a fan of war; I don't like war movies, war games or war books. I can never get into them and often find myself beyond bored out of my mind. This book, though a war book, was very interesting. It is a great read for anyone that likes a mysterious, suspenseful book full of plot twists. It having war in it means loads of violence and blood, so perfect for any guy. In fact I'm thinking of getting a copy for my husband. 

I really liked Olsen and Deane's partnership, it reminded me of a brotherly bond. They had each others back in only agents of war do. Though I'm not a fan of war, it was interesting to see it from the point of views from the protecters and the villain's. I always like when books let me see how the villains think too. So few do that for me and it's always a treat.  

A Face Not Seen by Michael Ross

*If you don't ask the right question, the answers are meaningless.* 

Martin Russell was living in his rock bottom. His wife divorced him and took him for everything he had and hoped to have, including his son. One day his old crush and friend Hannah shows up out of the blue and begins to bring him out of his funk. After a series of good fortune things begin looking up for Martin, until Hannah disappears. Martin will do anything to get her back including putting his trust into people he doesn't know. 

I really enjoyed this book. It was different, which made me get through it so much faster. This was a really easy book to read because it flowed so well. 

I loved how each character flowed into the other. It was cool to see how each character was getting to know the others.  

Hannah and Martin were great together and I was really rooting for them. She helped him get back on his feet after being knocked down for so long. It was sweet the way all of Martin's friends swooped in to help him when he needed it. Even after years of not speaking they very easily did things that proved their friendship. I can only hope that some of my friends would be so warm and helpful if I needed it. 

Bobby and Zack were a cute duo too. It was almost father and son like, the way Bobby was trying to keep Zack out of trouble. There were plenty of times he could have thrown Zack under a bus and ruin his life but he never did. He pulled him out of a rough life and made him grow up. The way Zack treated his mom by the end of the book was so sweet. I'm glad Zoe and Bobby got together too I was hoping they would. 

This was a great story and I am so glad I got to read it.  

My Favorites of 2014

This is a list of 15 of  the books or book series that I read and loved in 2014. The ones that I would push on everyone if I could.

1. The Crescent Chronicles by Alyssa Rose Ivy
2. Helia's Shadow Part One by K.C. Neal 
3. Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
4. The Krinar Chronicles by Anna Zaires
5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 
6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
7. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 
8. The Dark Elements by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
9. Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
10. If I Stay by Gayle Forman 
11. The Mine by John A. Heldt 
12. The Unearthed Series by Evan Ronan 
13. The Whispers of the Fallen by J.D. Netto 
14. Verboten by Amelia Louise Carter 
15. Assassin's Creed Unity by Oliver Bowden 

I'm excited about all the books I get to read in 2015. 

Happy Reading everyone!