Wednesday 26 March 2014

Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley (Chaos, #1)



Title; Own the Wind
Author; Kristen Ashley
Series; Chaos, book 1
Source; NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
Format; Kindle
Publisher; Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date; April 2nd 2013
Description; Too hot to handle...

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos--the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship...

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more--much more--he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn...

My Rating; 4.5 to 5*s
Goodreads Rating; 4.26*s

My Review; There's not a lot I can say about this book that hasn't already been said. Kristen Ashley is a well known, and mostly well loved author online. I can see where this love comes from, because I feel it too.

Own the Wind is the second novel that I have read by Kristen Ashley, the first being Rock Chick. Sometimes I find I get a little frustrated with the writing, and sometimes with the characters, but I just can't seem to stop reading and stop loving the books anyway.

I can't wait to read the second book in the series.

I find that I love the characters and the storylines and just...everything. Besides, who doesn't love a badass biker man?

I would definitely recommend this book. I would recommend Kristen Ashley.

Sunday 23 March 2014

The Messenger by Stephanie Pippin



Title; The Messenger
Author; Stephanie Pippin
Source; Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Format; Kindle edition
Publisher; University of Iowa Press
Publication Date; April 1st 2013
Description; In thrilling poems of metamorphosis and birth, death and dissolution, Stephanie Pippin’s debut collection returns us to a world unshorn of wildness. Delivering accident and hunger, love and grief, nature in these poems is beautiful and brutal, “a hellish magnificence” that both invites and denies the meanings we project onto it. Refusing the domesticated comfort of our usual myths, Pippin reminds us of our place as creatures among others in a world where “what isn’t dead / is dying,” and where the thrill of predatory flight commingles with the desperation of the prey.


This mesmerizing and astonishingly assured collection offers a message as harrowing as it is essential. Faced with the hard master of necessity—“angel stinking of his own / excitement”—and bare before what Mallarmé called “the horror of the forest,” we are helpless, finally, to do anything to save what we love. Our sole task, these poems insist, is to look on while we can, and to love harder.

My Rating; 2*s
Goodreads Rating; 4.29*s

My Review; No matter how much I tried to get into these poems, to understand them for what they truly meant...I couldn't. I did not finish. I stopped reading at 33%.

It was all just a little too...morbid for me. It was as if every poem was about pain and death and I just...I don't really want to read on about that.

The poems are good, but...the subject matter and things...it's just not for me. Though I am sure someone will love it, I won't.

It was also quite difficult to read on the kindle as the words were a little all over the place.

Gold Rush by Jordan Lynde



Title; Gold Rush
Author; Jordan Lynde
Source; NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
Format; Kindle edition
Publisher; RHCP Digital
Publication Date; April 3rd 2014
Description; When hot, talented, uber-famous boy band Gold enroll at the prestigious Oakwood Academy, Iris is determined not to get distracted. She's class president and a scholarship student, and she can't let her grades drop. Besides, there are plenty of other girls who are desperate to get close to Gold - including Iris's best friend, Chloe.

But on their first day at Oakwood, Iris is asked to show Gold around - and finds out gorgeous lead singer Rian will be sharing her locker . . .

Surrounded by fans and paparazzi at every turn, Noah, Luke and Rian love that Iris treats them just like normal guys. But being friends with three of the most famous people in the world comes with its problems. And when Iris begins to realize she has feelings for one of them, things get even more complicated . . .

My Rating; 4*s
Goodreads Rating; 4.15*s

My Review: I was a big fan of Jordan Lynde when she was still writing stories on Wattpad. I'm still a fan now.

Gold Rush is not my favourite Jordan Lynde book, but I still found myself liking it and liking all of the characters. It was a fun, quite quick read. Even though there are a lot more pages than the word quick implies.

I found myself smiling and laughing with the characters and I found myself wanting to go to bed a little earlier to find out what would happen next.

I loved each character in their own way.

My only problem was that I was expecting something more. Something else to happen.

It is a book a would recommend, especially to those who know Jordan as XxSkater2Girl16xX on Wattpad.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Custom Confections by Jen Besel



Title; Custom Confections
Author; Jen Besel
Source; Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Format; eBook
Publisher; Savvy
Publication Date; September 1st 2014
Description; Bake up surprises in cupcakes and cookies. Create custom desserts with ease. Or decorate all kinds of creative confections like a pro. Forty fun, simple recipes will have kids (and kids at heart) creating delicious desserts to decorate and devour! Step-by-step instructions and photos make red velvet cookies, black and white angel food cake, cheesecake stuffed strawberries, and more easy to achieve and tasty to eat. Sweetly simple, appetizingly fun!

My Rating; 5*s
Goodreads Rating; 4.75*s


My Review: Some of these recipes look really delicious and I will definitely be trying several of them out. Just looking at those pictures and reading the instructions has made me hungry.

From Stuffed Strawberries to PB&J Cheesecake Brownies this book has it all. And the thing that makes it all the better? Most of the recipes are super easy and it is easy to get a hold of most of the ingredients. It'd be easier for Americans, but it is still easy for us Brits to find substitutes. Plus there is a converter in the first pages of the book, making it easier for everyone.

This book has given me some ideas of my own too, some things I'd like to try out.

Whether baking for yourself or making gifts this book has perfect simple recipes for everyone. You could even get the kids involved.

Beautiful pictures, easy instructions for everyone, delicious recipes. A wonderfully sweet book for everyone.