Never Apart by Romily Bernard: A Book Review

Title: Never Apart
Author: Romily Bernard
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publish Date: October 3rd 2017
Pages: 400
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

How many times would you die for love?
What if you had to relive the same five days over and over?

And what if at the end of it, your boyfriend is killed…

And you have to watch. Every time.

You don’t know why you’re stuck in this nightmare.

But you do know that these are the rules you now live by:

Wake Up.

Run.

Die.

Repeat.

Now, the only way to escape this loop is to attempt something crazy. Something dangerous. Something completely unexpected. This time…you’re not going to run.

Combining heart-pounding romance and a thrilling mystery Never Apart is a stunning story you won’t soon forget.

I love Romily's work. I really loved her series, Find Me. When I was sent this for review, I was so ecstatic and then I shelved it and forgot about it, whoops. But then I picked it up to read. I actually had to put it down because I didn't know if I was going to like it. At first, this was way confusing and irritating, going back and forth between the past and present. I mean, literally, each chapter went back and forth. One chapter was the present and the next it was the past. I actually put this down and starting working on other projects (like my crafting) for a few weeks. I read some reviews and every review I read was raving about it. So, because I absolutely loved her other work, I decided to give it a try again. I was really glad that I did. This story moved quickly and I read it in 2 days, which is not an easy feat for me since I have 2 kids and a new dog that requires my full attention haha. 

So we have 4 main characters. Grace, Jem, Ander and Finn. It starts off with Grace and Ander running through a swamp, trying to get away from Finn because they think he's trying to kill them again. Yep, you heard that right, again. Then we are thrown into a past/present type telling. We hear about the past which coincides with the present and what Grace is going through at present. Throughout the book, we learn of her different "falls" and we get to see what everyone is like. I, myself, wasn't too fond of Ander from the beginning, he just felt kind of shady and just not good for Grace. But of course, as the saying goes, you can't help who you love. I really want to go into more detail on this, but I really don't want to spoil the book for everyone.

This quickly turned into a fast paced thriller/love story/mystery. I really enjoyed it. I suggest that you go pick it up and find out for yourself.

Romily Bernard graduated from Georgia State University with a Literature degree. Since then, she’s worked as a riding instructor, cell phone salesgirl, personal assistant, groom, exercise rider, accounting assistant, and, during a very dark time, customer service rep.

So don’t let anyone tell you a BA degree will keep you unemployed.

Her YA thrillers FIND ME, REMEMBER ME, LIE FOR ME, AND TRUST ME are now available.

Find Romily: Website | Instagram |  Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. ***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads. ****Author photo obtained through author website.

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A Poison Dark & Drowning by Jessica Cluess: A Book Review

Title: A Poison Dark & Drowning (Kingdom On Fire #2)
Author: Jessica Cluess
Publisher: Random House
Publish Date: September 19th 2017
Pages: 432
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

The magicians want her to lead. The sorcerers want her to lie. The demons want her blood. Henrietta wants to save the one she loves. But will his dark magic be her undoing?

Henrietta doesn’t need a prophecy to know that she’s in danger. She came to London to be named the chosen one, the first female sorcerer in centuries, the one who would defeat the bloodthirsty Ancients. Instead, she discovered a city ruled by secrets. And the biggest secret of all: Henrietta is not the chosen one.

Still, she must play the role in order to keep herself and Rook, her best friend and childhood love, safe. But can she truly save him? The poison in Rook’s system is transforming him into something monstrous as he begins to master dark powers of his own.

So when Henrietta finds a clue to the Ancients’ past that could turn the tide of the war, she persuades Blackwood, the mysterious Earl of Sorrow-Fell, to travel up the coast to seek out strange new weapons. And Magnus, the brave, reckless flirt who wants to win back her favor, is assigned to their mission. Together, they will face monsters, meet powerful new allies, and uncover the most devastating weapon of all: the truth.

This one took me a bit longer to read due to the holidays and all the chaos, but when I was finally able to sit down and give it my full attention, it was completely worth it. 

So this one picks up where we left off in first book. We have about the same amount of romance, if not a little more as revelations come to pass about feelings and you just end up with a love square instead of a triangle. New ships are made or destroyed. And new characters are introduced. As well as discoveries being made about Henrietta’s parents. 

I will not hide my feelings toward Rook. He wasn’t in this book that much, and that was perfectly fine with me. To me he is more of a burden and should just be counted as a friend and not someone that could be a love interest. He seems to hold Henrietta back from a lot of things. I realize that they were childhood friends and probably the only friend each had, but there comes a point where you need to move on from one another. I really think he was used more as bait from the beginning and as you read this book, you will understand my feelings toward that. 

Magnus was one of my favorites in both books. He had proclaimed how he feels towards Henrietta, and I think that if he wasn’t betrothed in the first book we would have seen the relationship bloom a bit more in this one. But as he was and he swore he would not talk about his feelings with her, we see their friendship grow and possible feelings as well. 

Blackwood is my other favorite and he proclaims his feelings toward Henrietta in this book. I think it was just building up to it in the first book, and how Henrietta was so oblivious to his feelings in the first place was beyond me. I’m glad they explored this relationship possibility in this book. And while I secretly hope for them to end up together in the next, I’m afraid that it might be doomed to fail. 

As for discoveries about her parents, you’ll just have to read this to find that out as I don’t want to give too much more away. While we find out about her father in this one we are still trying to figure out her mother and her connection to Sorrow-Fell with her stave. I have some theories about her mother, but will stay tight lipped about it until I read the next book to confirm or deny my theories.

Jessica Cluess is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she’s not writing books, she’s an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.Jessica Cluess is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she’s not writing books, she’s an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.

Find Jessica: Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. ***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads. ****Author photo obtained through author website.

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A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess: A Book Review

Title: A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom On Fire #1)

Author: Jessica Cluess

Publisher: Random House

Publish Date: September 20th 2016

Pages: 416

Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?


Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?

A fast-paced, historical, fantasy book that had me pulled in from the very beginning. I was very intrigued with the synopsis of this when I first learned of this fantastic book and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it to read it. I really loved the whole aspect of this story and the characters. I don’t think there was a single character that I disliked aside from Palehook. I will admit that I’m not a fan of her beloved childhood friend, Rook. But I also think he is one of the aspects that pulled this story together quite nicely. The world building and the scenes of this are wonderfully written and you get a real sense of being there with everyone. Henrietta (Nettie) is definitely a strong female lead with stubbornness and passion throughout her veins. I can identify with her on those levels. I think we see her grow slightly throughout this book as she comes to terms with who she is and what is requested of her. Blackthorn and Magnus are very strong supporting characters and have won my affection at the beginning, even with Blackthorns pride and Magnus’s cockiness. I can’t wait to see where this story goes.

Jessica Cluess is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she’s not writing books, she’s an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.Jessica Cluess is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she’s not writing books, she’s an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.

Find Jessica: Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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Shutter by Courtney Alameda: A Book Review

Title: Shutter (Shutter #1)
Author: Courtney Alameda
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: February 3, 2015
Pages: 384
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Horror has a new name: introducing Courtney Alameda.

Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat—a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.

When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise her entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die. Now pursued as a renegade agent by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before . . . or die trying.

Lock, stock, and lens, she’s in for one hell of a week.

I loved this book from start to finish. It had everything I could hope for in a ghost hunting book. A kickass heroin, a hot brooding Aussie, best friends and action. At moments I wanted to scream at the book and others I wanted to reach through and bitch slap her dad. I got pretty early on who we were hunting as in the entity, which wasn't a big deal. I'm glad the book played out the way it did. There was plenty of the edge of your seat nail biting moments to make up for it. I'm also really glad the ending played out like it did and it left it open in case the author decides to revisit the Helsings in the future.

A veteran bookseller and librarian, Courtney Alameda now spends her days writing thriller and horror novels for young people. Her debut novel, SHUTTER, was nominated for a Bram Stoker award and hailed as a "standout in the genre" by School Library Journal. Her forthcoming novel, PITCH DARK (Spring 2017), is a genre-blending science fiction/horror novel in the vein of Ridley Scott's 1979 film ALIEN.

Courtney holds a B.A. in English literature with an emphasis in creative writing. She is represented by the talented John M. Cusick of Folio Literary. A Northern California native, she now resides in Utah with her husband, a legion of books, and a tiny five pound cat with a giant personality.

Find Courtney: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 Disclaimer: **Book info obtained through Goodreads. ***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads. ****Author photo obtained through author website.

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Queso! by Lisa Fain: A Cookbook Review

Title: Queso!
Author: Lisa Fain
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publish Date: September 26, 2017
Pages: 144
Source: Blogging For Books
Buy It: Amazon | B&N

Queso (aka chile con queso) is a spicy, cheesy, comforting cult favorite that has long been a delicious addition to any party, barbecue, or family gathering. This appealing and accessible book features a mix of down-home standards and contemporary updates, from historical, regional, and Mexican quesos to vegan and dessert quesos, including Chile Verde Con Queso, Squash Blossom Queso Fundido, Fajita Queso, Cactus and Corn Queso Poblano, Frito Salad with Queso Dressing, Pulled Pork Queso Blanco, and Sausage Queso Biscuits. Whether you’re relaxing with friends, having a few people over to watch the football game, or entertaining a hungry crowd, queso is the perfect party food for good times.

Queso? Did someone say queso? As in cheese?? Holy crap, this cookbook was full of TONS of yummy goodness. In my house, if someone says cheese, we all come running, especially my littles. And the youngest being only a year and a half now, you can hear his little feet just padding away on the hardwood floors right behind his big sister.

I have not tried all of these recipes yet, but have tried two. The Boudin Queso (since we are in Louisiana) and the Bean Dip Queso. Can I just say, WOW? These were so packed full of flavor that our taste buds were hankering for more. I mean, most people just do the tried and true Rotel queso and some have tried it with chili, but these will knock any of your old run-of-the-mill-queso right out of the ballpark. I think we are going to try the Chicken Fried Steak with Queso gravy next.

What do you think you are going to try? Oh, you haven't gotten your copy yet? Well what are you waiting for? RUN and get you one.

LISA FAIN is a seventh-generation Texan. When she’s not on the hunt for chile peppers, she writes and photographs the popular food blog Homesick Texan. Author of The Homesick Texan’s Family Table and The Homesick Texan Cookbook, Lisa is recognized as a queso authority by Food + Wine, Saveur, and The Dallas Morning News.

Find Lisa: Website | Twitter 

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. 

***Author photo obtained through author website.

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Holiday Cookies: A Cookbook Review

Title: Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season
Author: Elisabet der Nederlanden
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Baking, How-To
Release Date: September 5th 2017
Source: Blogging For Books
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

From Icebox Pinwheel Cookies to Red-and-White Meringue Kisses to Apple Cider Caramels, find new inspiration for the best of seasonal baking with Holiday Cookies.

This instant holiday classic is packed with 50 recipes, each gorgeously photographed and meticulously tested, along with dozens of decorating and packaging ideas. Filled with reimagined favorites like Giant Molasses Spice Cookies and Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies; confections like Peppermint Bark, Smoked Almond and Cacao Nib Brittle, and Dark Chocolate-Hazelnut Fudge; and detailed instructions for gorgeous gingerbread houses, cookie place cards, and edible ornaments, this is a cookie book like no other. Because the recipes are easy to scale up or down, Holiday Cookies is perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, and just enjoying throughout the season. From a veteran baker and recipe developer, each cookie in this collection is guaranteed to be a stand-out, and destined to become your new Christmas classic.

Oh. My. Goodness! Can we say YUM?!! I am a complete fanatic of all things cookies. Cookies are just the ultimate sweet treat and the easiest and quickest thing to grab on the go when you have that sugar craving. I have recently been making all things cookies and found that you can even freeze most cookie dough and save for up to 3 months in your freezer. How handy is that!?

This book definitely did not let me down. So many yummy recipes and so little time. Even though this says holiday cookies you can bake these little awesome sweet treats any time of the year. Maybe even add different flavoring to some to make it more festive for any time of the year. 

I am anxiously awaiting my paycheck so I can go buy ingredients to get started on at least 4 of these little bad boys. Will definitely be making plenty for the holidays and even give as little gift baskets. Nothing says the holidays like something baked with love!

ELISABET DER NEDERLANDEN is a passionate professional baker and a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has worked as a food stylist and professional recipe developer/tester for commercial, advertising, and packaging projects. In addition, she has managed recipe testing and food styling for more than 30 cookbooks.

Find Elisabet: Website

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Ally by Anna Banks: An ARC Book Review

Title: Ally (Nemesis #2)
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: October 3rd 2017
Source: Miss Print ARC Adoption
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use their own trusted resources to find common ground.

But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will they learn whom to trust—including each other—in time to save their kingdoms, their relationship and even their lives?

I really enjoyed Ally. It was a very good sequel to Nemesis and what seems like a good closing to these 5 kingdoms. There was action, reconciliation, romance, betrayal, death, unity. Everything that makes a great conclusion to an action packed story. 

I'm really glad for the way this story turned and how it ended. I don't want to go in to too much detail because I want you to go get the book and read t for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I will say this, you won't be disappointed.

The only thing I would change is the cover to this book. It should be Tarik in his gold paint and headdress just like we had Sepora in silver on the first one.

Anna Banks grew up in a small town called Niceville (yes, really). She now lives in Crestview, Florida, with her husband and their daughter. She is the author of the novel Of Poseidon.

Find Anna: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free from Miss Print ARC Adoption to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. 

***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads. 

****Author photo obtained through author website.

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Nemesis by Anna Banks: A Book Review

Title: Nemesis (Nemesis #1)
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Release Date: October 4th 2016
Edition: ARC
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But Mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift may be able to save Tarik’s kingdom. But should she risk exposing herself and her growing feelings for her nemesis?

This is the first Anna Banks book that I have read. I have her other books sitting on my shelf begging me to read them. After my introduction to her writing, I'm ready to dive in to the rest of her books.

Nemesis starts off with Sepora leaving her home due to her father and him using her. We are actually taken right in to the action as we hear about the present and some back story all in one. I was immediately engulfed in this amazing world that the author had created. And not only were there one amazing kingdom that she wrote about, but five! All with different backgrounds and histories. The time that it must have taken to fully form these must have taken some time because he details were amazing.

I really enjoyed Tarek and Sepora's characters and thought they were perfect for each other from the start. Neither one had to grow on me. I especially enjoyed Sethos and his logics and his take on things. 

I can understand why Sepora wanted to hide her forging ability but at the same time I never understood why she didn't find a way to the Lyceum when no one was looking and forged a pile of spectorum and left it outside for the Healers to use for their cure. That way no one would know it was her and they would still have a cure. But I guess everything worked out for the best in the end. 

I can't wait to read what happens next.

Anna Banks grew up in a small town called Niceville (yes, really). She now lives in Crestview, Florida, with her husband and their daughter. She is the author of the novel Of Poseidon.

Find Anna: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog

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The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night: A Book Review

Title: The Crowns of Croswald
Author: D.E. Night
Publisher: Stories Untold
Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: July 21st 2017
Source: Publisher for Review
Purchase: Amazon | iBooks | Kobo

In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret...

For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic—and her life—is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever.

If you're a fan of Harry Potter, magic, boarding schools and royalty, then you will love this book!

While reading this book I felt like I was magically transported back to Hogwarts at times. There are many parallels to Harry Potter throughout, but as we further progress through the story you start leaving Hogwarts behind and start venturing more and more into Croswald.

I really enjoyed every aspect of this wonderful story. It did take me a bit to get into it after the long prologue, but once it got me hooked I couldn't put this book down. The characters were quite enjoyable and quite believable as well.

There was one little problem I had with this book, however. Parts of this book seemed as if they were rushed through. The school year went by in a rush as did the final action scene. I don't know if the author was trying to get the whole story in one book or if this will be a series? The ending makes you think there will be more. I, for one, hope that there is more to this wonderful book.

 D.E. Night lives, dreams, and writes in South Florida amid her menagerie––two dogs and two cats––with  her  husband. “The  Crowns  of  Croswald”  is  her  first  book.  She  draws  inspiration from  silver-screen  storytellers,  magical  imaginings,  and  her  younger  brothers.  A  day spent  in Croswald, or another whimsical world, is her favorite kind of day.

Find D.E. Night: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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