Maggie's Song by Karey White

Maggie's Song
by Karey White

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter @kareylwhite

Just released: February 2016
Publisher: Orange Door Press
Genre: Novella, Romance
ebook
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
Maggie checked the battery life on the satellite phone, tucked it into a pocket of her backpack, and zipped it closed.

Maggie Jensen is part of a trio of best friends with Lucas and Dan. Together, they own and run Wild Country Hiking Tours. When Lucas returns to the company after getting his college degree, Maggie realizes that the crush she had on him as a teenager has now blossomed into so much more. But Lucas still treats her as one of the guys, and Maggie worries that if she tells him her real feelings, their relationship will be damaged forever.

My two-bits:

Sweet romance that lasts to the end. As the characters have been friends since childhood there are no conflicts or bicker and banter dialogue. Instead, there are thoughtful and struggling times that the protagonist undergoes. I liked that there was a matchmaker kind of character to help guide the way.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of author

* This story first appeared in the Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

Stacking the Shelves - 3.5.16

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~
Bought:

Transcendence
by Shay Savage
-New Adult, Romance, Time Travel
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> After seeing this on fellow blogger's shelves, I was influenced to get this caveman kind of story.

Freebies: for kindle

First Kisses and Other Misfortunes
by Kimberly Karalius
-Novella, Romance, YA
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> The covers of this series are just too cute. Now I have to go and READ Love Fortunes and Other Disasters (book 1) and GET Love Charms and Other Catastrophes (book 2) on May 17.

For Review:

Destined To Hate You
by Valerie Burkhard
-Fantasy
courtesy of Swoon Reads -Thanks!
Swoon Reads | Goodreads
=====> Totally attracted to this cover as I have been in a Kpop mode and the Asian couple is different than the norm (to American eyes). However, story is unrelated.

Spare Me The Drama
by Karen Tomsovic
-Romance
courtesy of tour hosted by I Heart All The Books -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Looking forward to the drama despite the title ;-)

Maggie's Song
by Karey White
-Novella, Romance
courtesy of author -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Slow burn kind of romance but in a quick short story.

Library:

The Tsar of Love and Techno
by Anthony Marra
Powells | Goodreads
=====> Continuing to work on the nominees for the Rooster Award.

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related

The Hunger Games Exhibition (details)
Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
=====> It is in town! HAD to see it with all its costumes and props from the movies. Lots of interactive digital stuff (optional). Loved the experience!

=====> The infamous MockingJay dress.

=====> Fun find in the gift shop. Check out Effie's shoes - so cute and detailed!


UNBOXING:

Leuchtturm 1917
Dot Journal
=====> SO excited to get this journal for trying my hand at bullet journaling. I learned about the world of bullet journaling after reading a post from the Modern Mrs. Darcy (here). Boho Berry (here) and Miss VickyBee (here) have good tips.

AND watched: in theatre

The Witch (2015)
Director/Writer: Robert Eggers
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie
-Horror, Mystery | imdb | my rating: 4
A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.

=====> Has all the elements of the folksy witch stories of the time period. I liked the twist on perspective in the end.

Eye in the Sky (2015)
Director/Writer: Gavin Hood
Starring: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman
-Drama, Thriller, War | imdb | my rating: 4
Col. Katherine Powell is a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. As the mission escalates, a young girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.

=====> Slow thriller, yes really, that is what it felt like. The film captures the tedious back and forth workings as well as frustrations in a warroom. Drones, beware.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Screenplay: Robert Carlock
Based on book by: The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker
Starring: Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman
-Comedy, War | imdb | my rating: 4
A journalist recounts her wartime coverage in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

=====> Always interesting to see what is going on in a country that is hot in the news.

AND watched: on DVD

Ninja Assassin (2009)
Director: James McTeigue
Screenplay: Matthew Sand, J. Michael Straczynski
Starring: Rain, Rick Yune, Naomie Harris
-Action, Crime, Thriller | imdb | my rating: 4
A young ninja turns his back on the orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with a fellow ninja from the clan.

=====> Had to watch this after I found out that Kpop stars, Rain and Joon Lee (from Mblaq), were in this. Ahhh, me, fangirling.

AND watched: on Netflix

9 Muses of Star Empire (2012)
Director: Hark Joon Lee
-Documentary, Music, South Korea | imdb | my rating: 4
'9 Muses of Star Empire', a year-long chronicle that follows a journey of an all girl pop group '9 Muses', portrays the every-day life of nine girls, relentlessly pursuing their dreams in a world of jealousy, betrayal, and scandal. '9 Muses' is an emerging girl group, aspiring to perform on a national stage and gain world-wide fame just like millions of others. For that, the girls have decided to set everything aside and live as one of the Muses for 'Star Empire'; the entertainment company which created and coordinated every move. What's the price they must pay for their dreams?

=====> Got a peek into the behind-the-scene doings of a Kpop girl band. Would love to see more honest moments.

~*~
* image source: Joon Lee

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Broken Things to Mend by Karey White

Broken Things to Mend
by Karey White

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter @kareylwhite

Just released: January 1, 2016
Publisher: Orange Door Press
Genre: Romance (clean), Christian
ebook
Rating: 3

First sentence(s):
Celia is in desperate need of change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships.

Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters?

What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.

My two-bits:

Nice clean romance which I found mellow.

I always like the small town setting which usually involves local personalities that create drama. In this case, Pearl, is that person who has a bit part as the matchmaker mostly in the beginning of this story.

However, the rest of the story was just okay. My problem with this story is that I did not grow to feel anything for the couple. They were an average couple and did not have that extra sparkle to fall in love with either.

Although, the couple had some misunderstandings, they were able to clear them without too much fuss. So not much push-pull tension. And, the conflict that was there did not hold my attention enough to care.

The rest of the story focused on the main character, Celia, adjusting to small town living as well as trying to figure out how to deal with her special issue.

About the author:

A little about me.

I am the oldest of eleven children, born to parents who were either saints or crazy, maybe both. They thought we were all capable of being professional athletes or broadway stars. They weren't right, of course, but they did help us have self-confidence.

I have the greatest family. A patient husband who makes me laugh and four clever, good-looking children--two boys and two girls. I adore them all.

Through the years I've been a student, a teacher, a secretary, a clothing designer and seamstress, a wedding cake maker, a crafter, a scrapbooker, a cook, a homework helper (until they pass me in math, somewhere around the third grade), and a fan at my children's sporting events. Before I die, I'd either like to be a great housekeeper or have the money to hire a maid. (more here)

~*~
* courtesy of eBooks for Review -get free ebooks to review (here) -Thanks!

* part of POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER SERIES (here)

Stacking the Shelves - 1.2.16

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~
Review:

Broken Things to Mend
by Karey White
part of the Power of the Matchmaker series
courtesy of eBooks for Review -get free ebooks to review (here) -Thanks!
-Romance
Amazon | Goodreads
Library:

Ms. Marvel
Vol. 2: Generation Why
by G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona (Artist), Jacob Wyatt (Artist)
-Graphic Novel, Action, YA
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Got hooked with this unique twist in superheroine character in Volume one. So, just HAD to continue with the series. Kamala rocks!

Swords and Scoundrels
(The Duellists Trilogy #1)
by Julia Knight
-Action, Fantasy
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> I admit, I was taken with the covers for this series.

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related

SEE who I picked for my Literary Hunk of the Month (here)

ARE YOU GOING?

BEA
Book Expo America
May 11-13, 2016,
Chicago (details)
=====> I registered! It will be my first one to attend. Soooo excited! Would love to hear any tips or comments if you have gone to this book event in the past.

BookCon
May 14, 2016
registration (details)
=====> Also registered to attend this fabulous event where I will get to meet some fellow book bloggers.

Upcoming book-ish stuff:

Secret Sister Project
February - July 2016
hosted by Brittany (@bookaddictguide), Amy (@trippingbooks), and Alyssa (@withthebanned)
(details)
- signups start January 16 (here)
The Secret Sister project is essentially a cheer club. Think Secret Santa but all year round (in 6 month intervals) with less emphasis on big presents, and more thoughtful notes, cards, small somethings sent just to let your secret sister know that you are thinking about her!

AND watched: in theatre

Star Wars (2015)
The Force Awakens
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writer: Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt
Based on characters by: George Lucas
Starring: Daisy Ridley as
John Boyega as Finn
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren

-Action, Adventure, Fantasy | imdb | my rating: 5
Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

=====> Some of the old, some new and twists. Loved it. Inkeeping with the Star Wars world we love.

Joy (2015)
Director: David O. Russell
Writer: David O. Russell and Annie Mumolo
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence as Joy
Robert De Niro as Rudy
Bradley Cooper as Neil Walker
-Drama | imdb | my rating: 4
Joy is the story of the title character, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

=====> Interesting background history about the success story of Joy Mangano. The story and person was totally new to me as I do not watch QVC or HSN tv shows. side note: I wanted to see more Bradley Cooper.

AND watched: on DVD

Timer (2009)
Director: Jac Schaeffer
Writer: Jac Schaeffer
Starring: Emma Caulfield as Oona O'Leary
John Patrick Amedori as Mikey Evers
-Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4.5
If a clock could count down to the moment you meet your soul mate, would you want to know?

=====> Definitely one that sparks thought provoking conversations (especially with gal friends).

AND binge watching: via Netflix

K-Pop the Ultimate Audition (2012)
tv series, season one
Director: Jung-pyo Lee
Writer: Sun-Hee Moon
Starring: Go Eun Ah, Park Yoo Hwan
-Korean comedy, drama | imdb | my rating: 5
A romantic drama about tomboy Ji Seung Yeon who decides to dress up as a boy in order to enter the boy band, M2 Junior.

=====> This story has an awesome blend of behind the scenes into the making of K-Pop bands and romance.

After watching Secret Garden, I have have fallen for Korean dramas and plan on watching more in the coming year. It will be the year of sentimental syrupy cute love stuff.

~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers