Archive for September 2014

Ultimate Book Tag

Monday, September 29, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

I was tagged by Ashley over at Books By Migs to fill out the Ultimate Book Tag questionnaire.

I tag Maf over at Maf's Crazy Book Life and any one else who'd like to do this
And so it begins!

1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?
Nope! I thank the Lord I don't. Before I started driving that was when I'd get a lot of my reading done.

2. Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?
I'd have to say Tahereh Mafi writing is different. I wouldn't say that it is unique because I've seen it done before but it worked best with her characters and the story line with her Shatter Me trilogy.  

3. Harry Potter series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.
Uh... I have to say Twilight though I'm pretty sure if I read Harry Potter I would've chosen that one. (Yea haven't read Harry Potter, don't plan to either). Though if you were to ask between the Percy Jackson Series or Twilight I would screamed a war cry for PJO.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books…)?
It's not a book bag per se. It's big enough to hold my books, wallet, and my yarn and crochet hooks.

5. Do you smell your books?
Right before I go to sleep.

6. Books with or without little illustrations?
 I don't mind. A book is awesome with or without.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing? (Ex. I read Twilight before I read HP and thought the writing was amazing but read HP and now think Twilight is a little bit of a joke.)
I don't really compare books since each book is different. But I will say that I greatly enjoyed Twilight. Is it worthy of a reread? Nah.

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
 I know If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by heart.

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?
 It's a tie between Heir of Fire and City of Heavenly Fire.

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?
Heck no. I suck at creativity.

12. When did you get into reading?
In middle school when it was mandatory that we had to read a book every two weeks.

13. What is your favorite classic book?
 Not that into classic, though I will say that I'm really enjoying Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

14. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?
Heck to the no. It was one of my worse subjects. I will say I'm pretty good in math and sciences though.

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated…what would you do?
 People don't often give me books so I would gladly take it.

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?
 Similar as in as awesome? Hmmm. That would probably the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer.

17. What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?
 I switch from talking about the book to talking to the characters a lot. But I wouldn't necessarily call it a bad habit.

18. What is your favorite word?
Shucks and Fudge. 

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?
 I'm a dork and a nerd and proud of it.

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?
 Fairies because magic is pretty awesome.

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?
 Angels. Because badass-ness and heavenliness.

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?
Werewolves. Team Jacob. 

23. Zombies or Vampires?
 Zombies. Walking Dead has taken over my life.

24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love
 Forbidden love all the way.

25. AND FINALLY: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?
 Action-packed with a few love scenes or maybe a lot of love scenes.

AND DONE! Your turn guys!
-Vangie

Promise Me This

Thursday, September 25, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Promise Me This

 Author: Christina Lee

 Published Date: October 7th 2014

 Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

 Synopsis: Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.


Review: 
You know that part where the title makes sense? Sometimes the title is literally said or it's the gist of what's happened in a certain scene. But over all, when the title is mentioned you know you're in a very important scene in this book and you're hyper aware of what's going on or what's being said. Know take that feeling and spread it around each and every page of Promise Me This, slather each page like the most peanut butter-ed slice of toast.

 Promise Me This bleeds emotion, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from its words.

 If you've read Christina Lee's other works you have some kind of insight of Nate. And so, going into this particular read I thought, "this should be fluff." In hindsight, I don't know why I thought that. All of Christina's past work have had deeper meaning to them and somehow (I must have been brain dead after all my studying if I thought this) I thought Nate and Jessie's story would be different. I mistakenly thought that I wouldn't love this two as much as the previous characters. Boy, was I gladly proven wrong.

 Their story IS different. I mean, it's THEIR story, and their own set of obstacles to overcome. You can't tell me that every relationship is the same and goes through the same problems, because I know they're not and Christina shows that concept to her readers through her amazing words in Promise Me This. She really leaves nothing out in her books. Christina is will to go into the deepest parts of ourselves and doesn't sugarcoat it when she brings it to light.

The words in this book will tear you apart and open you up at the same time and it's the best feeling ever. <-- If you couldn't tell that's me telling you to grab this book with all you got (You won't regret it).
In a Nate & Jessie book hangover
-Vangie
1 Corinthians 7:23

The Testing

Friday, September 19, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: The Testing

 Author: Joelle Charbonneau

 Published Date: June 4th 2014

 Rating: 4/5 Stars

 Synopsis: It's graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she’ll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings (”Cia, trust no one”), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance—and sheer terror—await.

 Review:
"Everything changes the minute we go over that hill."
I've heard very little of this series, let alone the first book. About a year back, my friend said "Hey Vangie, you should read this book." Given, he hadn't read the book, he usually gives me the idea to read a certain book to tell him how it was. I guess you can call me the book judger or something of that sort. I looked into the book, read the synopsis and thought "Eh, maybe when I get some time."
So 'bout a year later, I find myself at a Half Price Bookstore when they are having a 20% off of everything sale. The first thing: the third book of this series and right next to it book 1 and 2. Me, taking everything as signs, took it as one and bought the whole series. And so being in the longest book slump due to school I decide to pick this one up from my shelves.
I finish the first chapter and I felt emotionally connected to Cia. All the emotions she was going through with her graduation and her future is so much like my own emotions. I immediately connected with this book. And I couldn't let go of the book. Now, I can tell you this, not everyone will feel that connection, if I was reading this a year before I probably wouldn't have clicked with this book. Due to the situation I am now, I felt deeper insight into this book than I would've read it earlier. What I'm trying to say is that you have to be in the mood for this read.
It's a relatively a short book, though the beginning is where I see people deciding whether they want to finish this book or go find another. I stuck with this book and the rest of the book is a breeze. The events Joelle Charbonneau makes us go through are thought provoking. She made me depressed, jovial, squeamish, tearful; she had me feeling all the emotions. I'd find myself clutching my chest as I turned the page to find out what would happen. Get past the first stage of this book and you're in for a good ride. 

 AND HOLY SHUCKS Can someone please talk to be about that ending?!?!?! It makes me unbelievably happy that I bought the rest of the series. *Whispers* Take that as a hint to buy the whole series when you decide to read The Testing.
Currently reading Independent Study
-Vangie
Jeremiah 29:11

Damaged Goods

Friday, September 12, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Damaged Goods

 Author: Nicole Williams

 Published Date: September 9th 2014

 Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis:
When Liv Bennett said goodbye to the sinkhole of a town she grew up in, she hoped she’d left that chapter of her life behind forever. But forever turned out to only be three years.

Returning home to her two younger sisters after their addict of a mother up and disappeared, Liv promptly reinstitutes her golden rule that got her through her first nineteen years of life without getting knocked up, roughed up, or messed up: Don’t date the local boys and god forbid, don’t fall in love with one of them.

It isn’t long before that golden rule is put to the test.

Will Goods isn’t the same boy she remembers growing up by in the next trailer over. The wild, careless boy who used to tear up the town with his three brothers has morphed into someone else so completely, he’s almost unrecognizable. The quiet, contemplative man who works on cars by night and takes care of his mentally ill mother during the day is nothing like any of the local boys Liv grew up avoiding.

But just when Liv considers suspending her golden rule this one time, she finds out something about Will that will change everything.

Will Goods isn’t who he used to be; he’s not even the man Liv thinks she’s gotten to know over the summer. He’s someone else entirely.

He’s become . . .

Damaged Goods.

Add to Goodreads!

Review:
Holy mother of pearl... What did I just read. I went into this book thinking that Liv would fall in love with the bad guy, Will. I know, cliché, but that's what I thought the premise would be.
In the beginning it started out that way. "Good girl" avoiding "bad guy" lest she falls in love. I was on Liv's side when we met her. I loved how she grew out of the statistic that everyone, who knew of her and her family, put her in. She was determined to let those statistics define her. But there's something about Will that you can't help but wonder about.

When we do meet Will, I had to admit it's awkward. We know nothing about him other than the fact that he has been Liv's neighbor since she's lived there until he wasn't and that's mainly due to the fact that Liv was very adamant about sticking to her rules that she didn't observe her surrounding.
Now, Will gets a little bit more confusing as we continue on and I have to say he was the enigma that I so desperately wanted to solve. And when we get the full picture HOLY DANG. How could I miss it; all the signs were there. I was so immersed into Liv's head that I was seeing what she saw and not looking at the whole picture. I was in the moment with her. and then when all was revealed my eyes were opened but Liv's weren't. So towards the end it became this big mess that ultimately brought to light Will's reasoning. And I got it. I understood where he was coming from and honestly he was no where in the wrong.
You see people hide things that they think will obscure people's view of the real them. And that's what I believe Nicole Williams is trying to tell us.
You see, Damaged Goods is not what you expect in terms of good girl and bad guy. It shows that there is more than just "this and that".

With more books to be read
-Vangie
Hebrews12:14

The future

Wednesday, September 10, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

If y'all didn't know this, I am now a senior as of August 25th 2014. Not an elderly senior but a high school senior. And for me that means I need to get LOTS of things done.

I'm currently my schools valedictorian, so I really can't slack off as much as I want. This school year, I somehow got involved in a lot of activities. I don't even think I'm going to have the time for reading, let alone myself (yea, reading comes first).

But I'm not going to let that discourage me. I will try to read a book once a week or at the very least twice a week. I just can't let go of reading. God and books are my stress relievers, so I'm definitely going to make it a point to read. I need to, even if it means I have to forgo sleep.

But what does that mean for me and Painful Reads?
Well, you'll be seeing less of me here. With the limited amount of time I'll have for myself, I'll try to read or catch up on my sleep. I will try to post reviews of said books at least once a week or twice; really it depends if I can even read. I'm going to need to stop requesting ARCs or at least calm down on the request button, that's for sure. I'll be promoting very little books, if any. I have obligations for some of the groups I'm in, but I always keep my word so don't worry, I'll get those duties done (LOL at "duties". Nacho Libre came to mind). I'm going to miss being on Painful Reads everyday but THIS ISN'T A GOODBYE. Y'all will see me a lot, I hope, but y'all wont see me everyday like y'all have this past summer.

 HOWEVER! Next summer I won't be partaking in an internship or another course like this summer. I will FINALLY have one summer to myself after 6 years. And you can bet that I'm going to pour all my heart and soul into books I missed out on during the school year. Summer 2015 will be filled with books and blogs and moving into college, I can guarantee that.

What y'all can do for me... please pray that my last year goes without a hitch and keep me in your prayers or what ever you do.

I'm going where God leads me.
Till I see y'all next time!
-Vangie
Romans 8:37

GUYS GUESS WHAT'S FINALLY HERE

Tuesday, September 09, 2014 0 Comments A + a -







Title: Make it Right (Bowler University #2) 

Author: Megan Erickson 

Synopsis:
Max Payton lives by two rules: Size and strength win any fight, and never show weakness. When a rash of assaults sends Bowler University for a tail spin, Max volunteers to help teach a self-defense class. One of the other instructors is the beautiful pixie-faced girl he keeps butting heads with…and who challenges everything he thought he knew. 

Lea Travers avoids guys like Max - cocky jocks who assume she's fragile because of a disability caused by a childhood accident. She likes to be in control, and something about being with Max makes her feel anything but. But during the moments he lets his guard down, Lea sees a soul as broken inside as she is outside. Trusting him is a whole other problem... When the assaults ramp up and hit close to home, Lea and Max must learn, before it’s too late, that true strength can come from vulnerability…and giving in to trust is sometimes the only way to make things right.

***EXCERPT***

She stripped while he was gone, down to her white lace underwear, which she always loved in contrast to her tattoos.
He was back in under a minute with a condom and stepped out of his sweatpants in the doorway so he stood in front of her naked. Naked and hard and bold and so gorgeous, it took her breath away. And his gaze on her was hot, so hot she was surprised her skin wasn’t on fire.
“Fuck me, doll.”
She reached forward and gripped his hip. “I think it’s the other way around.”
He grinned and pressed his lips to hers and she wondered how she even went two days without a kiss from Max. Without feeling those full lips on hers and his tongue in her mouth and those sexy noises he made in the back of his throat.
She pulled back and flipped open the lid to the shoofly pie.
“What is that?” Max asked as she reached down, slid a drawer open, and retrieved a knife.
“Shoofly pie.” She cut a small slice and pulled it out with her fingers. “Open.”
Max jerked his head back and eyed the treat. “I need some more details other than a weird name.”
She giggled. And she wasn’t a giggler. But everything about Max brought out an inner confidence.
“Trust me. It’s sticky and sweet.”
Max pressed his lips together in a closed-mouth smirk. She giggled harder and pressed the pie slice against his lips. She kissed the corner of his mouth. “Come on,” she whispered, lowering her voice to a purr. “Open.”
Max’s lips softened, and he slowly opened his mouth, baring his teeth for a bite. While he chewed, she took a bite of her own, moaning as the taste hit her tongue.
“Good, right?”
He swallowed and licked his lips. “Delicious.”

BUY LINKS
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |   iTunes



Don't

miss the first book in the series!



BUY LINKS

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iTunes


**Giveaway**
a Rafflecopter giveaway


About Megan Erickson
Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she's not tapping away on her laptop, she's probably listening to the characters in her head who won't stop talking. 
For more, visit meganerickson.org | Twitter | Facebook

MAKE IT RIGHT

Monday, September 08, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Make it Right 

Author: Megan Erickson 

Publish Date: September 9th, 2014 

Synopsis:
Max Payton lives by two rules:
Size and strength win any fight, and never show weakness.
When a rash of assaults sends Bowler University for a tail spin, Max volunteers to help teach a self-defense class. One of the other instructors is the beautiful pixie-faced girl he keeps butting heads with…and who challenges everything he thought he knew.
Lea Travers avoids guys like Max - cocky jocks who assume she's fragile because of a disability caused by a childhood accident. She likes to be in control, and something about being with Max makes her feel anything but. But during the moments he lets his guard down, Lea sees a soul as broken inside as she is outside. Trusting him is a whole other problem...
When the assaults ramp up and hit close to home, Lea and Max must learn, before it’s too late, that true strength can come from vulnerability…and giving in to trust is sometimes the only way to make things right.

Add to GOODREADS!

Click HERE to see review!


BUY LINKS


Author Bio & Links

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.
She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.
She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.
Website | Twitter | Facebook

***Giveaway***

Let me tell you...

Monday, September 08, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

All the things I love about my girl Lea here and of Make It Right.

Now... where to start *shifty eyes* Umm... Honestly,  I don't know where to start, mainly because I loved everything, every chapter, every paragraph, every WORD that came off these pages. While I was reading Make It Right, I saw a Broadway play (in case you didn't know, I see plays instead of movies when I read a really good book) and I was immersed into this story from the very first word (which was MAX by the way. I love me some Max.)

I had an idea of how this story was going to end, I mean it's obvious when it comes to stand alone-ish romance novels, so that was a given, but I wasn't expecting the journey that Megan put these lovely characters and me through (Megan is the author if you didn't know). And that's probably what I love most about this story, Megan caught me off guard with my expectations and gave me an idea of  what I want in a relationship.

The supporting characters were just as amazing as they were in Make It Count (<-- which I highly suggest you read because it's also lovely). Even though Make It Right isn't about them, you still are given this inkling of what's going on in their own lives; it's not just the "Lea and Max" show. And because we're given these small bits of their supporting characters lives, we're left wanting MOAR (I at least was). It's evident that Lea and Max are caring for their friends and family, or it would've solely been about them. And I can say with full confidence that not every reader loves to stay focused on the main couple through out the entire novel.

There are countless moments between Lea and Max that are filled with the fluffiest fluff ever. And I lived for those moments. They brought a huge grin to my face (the hugest of huge grins). Here's proof of how much I loved it via text I sent to one of my best book friends, "It was just GAH so much fluff. IDK but I was expecting more hot and heavy [scenes] BUT I LOVED IT SO MUCH MORE THIS WAY... I couldn't have asked for more!" 
Now hear me out, there are some sex scenes, but when I read those scenes, it wasn't just sex that was being expressed between Lea and Max. So I was fine, absolutely fine with their relationship because it WASN'T FILLED WITH LUST. I mean it was but out of 100%, lust took about 10% of their motivation.

Max. Oh lord. I loved him since finishing Make It Count, but my love for him increased a million times reading his words and seeing his actions. I mean COME ON. BON JOVI. COOKIES. CATS. CREATIVITY. VULNERABLILITY. BEAUTIFUL FACE. (I can go on and on). How can you not love him!?!? Okay. Okay. If you read Make It Count then there's a good chance that you think I'm crazy for loving him so much, because, well, he's a jackass. But if you think about it, everyone has a little donkey in them, it's just more prominent in people who have problems they can't seem to handle. It's a defense mechanism and a good one at that, because no one wants to associate with a donkey. So only the people who are willing to try can break that barrier, and for Max that was Lea. 

And now this is where I profess my love about Lea. I connected to this book in all ways possible for a person to connect to a book and that had a lot to do with how Megan developed Lea. I can say with full honesty that she is the character that I have connected to the most. Ever. It's hard to believe, given all the books I've read, but it's true. Lea is your everyday person. She struggled and struggles with trust, self image, self security,  and being vulnerable and strong. But besides all that, she's freaking badass. She's more than the perfect match for Max; she's a very independent woman, she could do without a guy and be absolutely fine, which leads me to believe that HE (Max) is the perfect match for Lea rather than the other way around. This is her story as well as it is Max's. She's everything I am and want to be, and she's a fictional character. I want to kidnap her from Max and take her to Vegas to marry her. (If Max wants to come along I'd marry him too).

Make It Right is fresh. It got out of a shower, put on coconut oil as lotion and walked out that door naked so everyone could see it and admire. It shows another side of life and I have to admit that it's probably my favorite read of the year so far. If every NA novel where like this, fun, adventurous, insightful, deep, they would be something to fear and praise.
Make It Right went above and beyond my expectations. And I couldn't have asked for anything better for Lea and Max.

If you couldn't tell, this was a FIVE GOLDEN STARS read and the author is Megan Erickson (she pretty darn awesome)
-Vangie 
1 Corinthians 1:4-5

P.S. Mix Lea and her dad together, and you have me. I swear, they are my spirit characters. I love them with all my heart.
And I'm pretty sure Megan stalked me. She had to have; there were to many similarities between this book and I. Also my love for this book had nothing to do with a bacon reference, but I will say it did increase my love for it. Bacon is heavenly and so is this book which is why I HIGHLY encourage you to read it.

 P.P.S. There's a giveaway for Make It Count on another post! Click HERE to go to it.

Forever Kinda Love

Monday, September 01, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Forever Kinda Love

 Author: Clara Stone

 Publish Date: August 15th 2014

 Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

 Synopsis: Life’s. Little. Surprises. 
The last thing seven-year-old Carrigan "Ace" Casper foresaw was an eight-year-old Heath Lovelly walking into her life the day her mother died. From that moment on, Heath sticks by her side, slowly becoming her strength, her confidant, and her entire world. What she doesn’t know is, she's his saving grace, too. 
Ten years later, Ace is handed another crippling challenge that threatens everything in her almost perfect life. Only, this time, she doesn't turn to Heath, hiding the truth instead. But Heath knows Ace too well and won't back down easily. He's ready to do whatever it takes and will stay by her side until she accepts that their love is the kinda love worth fighting for. 
Will he be her forever triumph or her unexpected downfall? 
Two lives. 
One story. 
And an unexpected journey to falling in love.
Add to Goodreads!

 Review: Adorable. That's pretty much all I have to say about FKL. While I was starting FKL, I thought that would all be what it was, adorable. But it wasn't just that.
Forever Kinda Love is honest. I can say with full confidence that the scenarios that Heath and Ace are a part of happen to us. Probably not everyone of us but the instances still occur. We're not put in a scenario that is too off point that it's unbelievable. There were a few chapter where I said, aloud, "This is my day EVERYDAY." They're high school students that act LIKE high school student, I'd know because I am one and I do a good chuck of the stuff Alec would do. I'm telling you, this book resonated with me and now doubt a little part will stick with you.
Before I get into Ace and Heath... Vincent. I want story about Vincent because I fell in love with him... that is all.
Alec and Heath are not your average best friends. Since they're girl/boy friends rumors are inevitable. And so this friendship is not as open as it could be. But when you sneak a peek into Ace and Heath's private lives together, there's no doubt that they're the best friends that could ever be.
It's lovely seeing a relationship grow into something more and you don't miss out with Forever Kinda Love. If you like fluffy yet emotional, adorable books, grab this one.
With more books to be read
-Vangie
Romans 1:17

Author Bio & Links
Clara Stone lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID. Unlike what most believe about Idaho, it’s more than a sack full of potatoes. When she’s not writing, you’ll catch Clara reading YA and NA books, mostly romance, and enjoying time with her family. She is a proud CW TV addict.
She also writes YA paranormal romance under the name Priya Kanaparti. She is published through Reuts Publications.
Email: pkanaparti2004@gmail.com
Snail Mail: P.O Box 2652 Eagle, ID 83616
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