Book Talk: An Interview with Steven Manchester

A few years back I used to be an avid book reviewer for Indie Authors. I've met a few authors who are so kind and would write their books with so much energy, passion, and love. So much would be poured into their books that I would immediately feel captured.

Steven Manchester is one of my favorite Indie Authors, his books are so thoughtful, heart-warming, and real. He writes general fiction that dives deep into your soul with health struggles, family's love, and emotions. I got a chance to interview Steven for his new upcoming book, Ashes. I've always wanted to be able to ask these particular questions to an author, and I'm honored for it to be Steven.

Read on for the thoughtful musings from the mind of an author, and I encourage you to read every word. It's worth it. Trust me.

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Book Review: The Changing Season by Steven Mancheter

The Changing Season by Steven Manchester
Genre: General Fiction, Young Adult, Coming of Age
Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis
This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy; one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left.

But that was before the accident that shook the entire town.

It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck.

And it was before Vicki.

This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

An enormously touching, richly textured, deeply moving novel of new adulthood, THE CHANGING SEASON is an experience to savor.

Review

When Steven approached me to review The Changing Season, I happily agreed. General Fiction isn't really my usual genre, but I was drawn to Steven's books, they sort of became my guilty pleasure. They're always so heartwarming and enthralling that they manage to get me hooked. I simply love where Steven's books take me. They take each reader from a disaster to a smooth, happy ending that always manages to leave us with a lesson to take with us when we close the book.

The Changing Season is a fascinating tale that revolves around Billy Baker and his dog; Jimmy. The book follows the two on what was supposed to be their best summer yet before Billy goes off to college. It started off with Billy and his friends; Mark and Charlie, on their last week of high school. In just a few days time, they'll be high school graduates and they'll be going off into the real world. But, before that, they've got parties to go to and they've got to make memories that would last a lifetime.

The Changing Season talks about struggles of a freshly graduate young adult, their existential crisis's, first loves, regrets, broken hearts, and most of all, gratitude. In the book, we see how Billy evolves from that naive young adult who struggles with finding his purpose in life to a man going off to the beginning of his fruitful journey. I found myself enjoying the book immensely. Despite the time I took to finish it, the book still managed to capture me.

At first glance at the book and it's summary, I never thought that The Changing Seasons would be much more than what it is. I thought it would be a typical YA novel with a typical happy ending, but The Changing Seasons is much much more. I highly recommend this books to all those who enjoy reading Coming of Age novels with true life lessons.

  

  

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Book Review: The Randomist by Ali Al Saeed

The Randomist by Ali Al Saeed
Genre: Non-Fiction
Goodreads
Synopsis
The Randomist is a collection of columns, essays and personal writings by Bahrain national best-selling and award-winning author Ali Al Saeed. From everyday life in the tiny Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain as a struggling writer, to the intimate recollections of childhood memories, The Randomist paints a rare portrayal of young modern Arabs trying to find themselves in the world.

Review

When I first picked up this book, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I have a knack of judging books by their cover – I know that it's ethically wrong to do so, but I somehow find myself doing it anyway. I started this book back in October 2014 and six months later I finally finished it. I am not proud of the time I took to finish this 200-page book, but it happened...

The Randomist is filled with many thought-provoking articles, stories, and Bahrain's history. When I read the first article, and then the next, and the next, I was a little confused. What exactly is the book about? When I read the summary at the back of the book it read:

"The Randomist is Ali Al Saeed....his thoughts scattered, dense and often seemingly incoherent, the author of three critically-acclaimed books believed for many years that no one could possibly know what he is talking about! But surprisingly his non-fiction, essays and columns have not only been praised for their originality but also embraced by many. He often scares himself making sense with his ramblings. Take a look into the mind of a mentally hyperactive dream junkie and see if you can make any sense of it yourself" 

Since the actual summary on Goodreads was nowhere to be found in and on the book, hence my confusion a little bit. I had to read this a couple of times and a few more articles to actually understand what the Randomist was about and when I did my mind was blown.

I stopped treating the Randomist like a regular book that I could finish in a week and began treating it like a book I could turn to for inspiration and motivation. The way Ali puts his thoughts into words is captivating. Some articles are filled with touching and emotional stories of his past, while others were informative and humorous.

The Randomist is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that provides an insight of a writer's mind and tidbits of information about the life he has in Bahrain and all around the world. It was intriguing, captivating, fascinating, and silly.

To those who enjoy reading either inspiring or just random blogs and/or articles, this is the perfect book for you.

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Book Review: Water so Deep by Nichole Giles

I know it's been a while since the blog has had a book related post. Fashion and outfit posts have taken over the blog section of my mind. All I want these days is to take outfit photos. Lots of it.

Today, I have a little book review from my recent read – I literally just finished this 10 minutes ago – Water So Deep by Nichole Giles. This mermaid book was sent over to me Kathy for free in exchange for an honest review.

Water so Deep by Nichole Giles
Genre: Young Adult Romance, Mermaids
Read More Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris is drowning on dry land.

No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.

Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can't have.

When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it's only a matter of time before she's forced to surrender forever.

Review

Why are mermaid books always so sad, depressing, and dark?

Water so Deep started off with a scene that instantly got me engrossed into the next couple of chapters of the book. Among all the YA books I've read, there aren't many out there that starts off the way Waters so Deep started out. It felt more like a prologue rather than chapter one, as the book put it.

The flow of the novel constantly went up to its peak and down again to it trough. It had its sad bits, happy bits, sweet bits, and emotional breakdown bits that caused me to glue by eyes to my kindle app screen on my phone/ipad/laptop. The flow was perfect! This made it easier and much more enjoyable to read through rather than have the book constantly at the same pace with no exciting bits involved until the very end.

I loved the characters. Emma is strong as any other heroine in a Young Adult book. James is sexy as hell. The love between the two is and forever will be strong. *insert emoji heart eyes here* But Keith, to me, feels like he's been through the worst possible scenarios that Giles could put a fictional kid through. The poor thing.

As I got towards the ending and reached the epilogue, I had deja vu that brought me back to when I was reading the Beautiful Creatures series (Castor Chronicles). There is something about the epilogue that reminded me of a scene from the Castor Chronicles. But let's not dwell on that to avoid spoilers.

I hate the ending but what can we do. It can't be helped. It's a mermaid book, and as much as I enjoy reading them, I can't help but despise the way authors end it that way. So depressing.

To conclude my pretty short review, Water so Deep is an entertaining, engrossing, intense, and romantic novel that is filled with minor hormone induced comments that lightens up the novel and many secrets that won't be revealed until the very end...

I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy reading paranormal young adult romance and of course, reading about merfolk.

I am pining for Nichole to release book two. Will there be book two? I feel like this novel needs a sequel.

  

Have a great day everyone! 

Hope you all are enjoying the spring/summer weather! 

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6 Must Reads this Love Month

There was a time in my early book addicted life when I was obsessed with Chick Literature (aka Chick Lit). My bookshelf or side table at that time was practically filled with a whole lot pastel blues, hot pinks, and white books. It was a refreshing sight compared to my bookshelf now. Those were the good old days of simplicity, no drama, no tension, just light simple romance.

To get into the L.O.V.E mood this February, especially if you're single, I have compiled about six romance novels to keep us company this love month.

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hard working, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

My Thoughts: 
Another fanfiction turned novel/series. This book and the rest of the books in this series is HOT!

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

My Thoughts: 
I read this book aaaages ago. This was back when I was still in my first couple of years of university, and I was obsessed with the Fuentes brothers. This book got me so into Latinos.

Losing it by Cora Carmack
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
Love. Romance. Sex. There's a first time for everything...

As far as Bliss Edwards can tell, she's the last virgin standing, certainly amongst her friends. And she's determined to deal with the 'problem' as quickly and simply as possible.

But her plan for a no-strings one night stand turns out to be anything but simple. Especially when she arrives for her first class and recognises her hot new British professor.

She'd left him naked in her bed just 8 hours earlier...

My Thoughts: 
Ah, Losing it. I saw the title and read the synopsis and literally went "Ooooooo this one sounds good". And it was. 

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
Four minutes changes everything. Hadley Sullivan 17 misses her flight at JFK airport, is late to her father's second wedding in London with never-met stepmother. Hadley meets the perfect boy. Oliver is British, sits in her row. A long night on the plane passes in a blink, but the two lose track in arrival chaos. Can fate bring them together again?

My Thoughts: 
I loved this book. It's a short sweet romance of love at first sight. Highly recommended!

Anna and French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

My Thoughts
This was sweet and romantic. If you want every detail of how a love forms in Paris, then this is the book for you!
And can someone teach me how pronounce Étienne? My french pronunciations isn't as good as I thought it was.


I would've kept this book at five Must Reads, but I couldn't help put at least one historical romance novel into the list. A love month book reading list is never complete without a historical romance novella.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?
— Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her... but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke... for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love...

My Thoughts:
Once you read the first book, you'll want to read the next nine books.

What would you recommend we read this February?

Spread the Love!

 

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Book Review: The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

I just realized that I didn't post up my reviews for this series on this blog or my old blog...I wonder why. That was so long ago. Anyways, the Heroes of Olympus is an epic and quick Young Adult series that falls in line with the Percy Jackson books. If you don't know anything about that then I highly suggest you check out the books, they're awesome. They're the kind of books that will get you back into reading Young Adult novels.

On to the review.

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
Series: Heroes of Olympus (#5)
Genre: Young Adult, Mythology, Romance
Read other Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of theArgo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

Review

It's done. It's all over.

The fifth and last book of the Heroes of Olympus series. The Blood of Olympus. This is the book where shit goes down, and shit literally does go down.

The book continues with where we left off in the House of Hades . The seven heroes going forth to try and fulfill their quest to defeat Gaia, etc, etc. It started off slow and captivating, then suddenly BOOM! the excitement started to flow in. Fights, promises, and random jokes started to fly in here and there. Then it went back down to slow conversations and travels. It made me itch for the end and I was desperate to know how the battle with Gaia would play out.

Besides all that usual excitement that comes with these books, there were some "squee" and "omg" moments though.  All I can say without revealing any spoilers is to look out for Nico. He is by far my favorite Character in the series and mentions a quote by Plato that I really stuck:

“According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.” ― Plato, The Symposium

It makes some of us think that maybe, just maybe there is someone out there who has your other face, two arms, and two legs looking for their other half, literally.

The end was epic, but I felt a bit lacking. I wanted to see more of the heroes together. I wanted to know more of what happened next. Alas, Riordan has kept us want more once again.

In conclusion to this quite short review for quite a long book, this series is epic and I am sad to see it end. The Heroes of Olympus is a highly recommended series for those who enjoy a little bit of adventure in their lives. You will enjoy this epic tale of young heroes fighting the wars of the Gods. Dam dam daaaaam.

 

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Happy Reading!

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Book Review: Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester

It's 2015 and my reading drive has gone down. I miss those days when I would read until my eye burned. Those were the good days. mmmm.

Today, to mark my first two reads of the year, I'm sharing the reviews for the two books I've been slightly obsessed with. Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester and If There Be Thorns by V.C. Andrews. (If there be thorns review is here)

Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester 
Genre: Romance, War
Buy it Now: Amazon
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis

They met at the worst possible moment...or maybe it was just in time. David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?
Gooseberry Island is the most nuanced, dramatic, and romantic novel yet from a writer whose ability to plumb the depths of human emotion knows few peers.

Review

Gooseberry Island is a romance novel that tells a story of soul mates that finally find each other.David and Lindsey meet at the worst time since David flies out to Afghanistan the next day, but that doesn’t stop them from having one of the best first dates.

The perspectives would jump from David’s time in Afghanistan to Lindsey’s time back at Gooseberry Island. The love that these two have was real, sincere, and romantic – really romantic. David and Lindsey kept in contact while he was overseas serving his country, with letters, emails, and video chats. Their love grew despite David being a two thousand miles away.

The dialogue between the two protagonists was so corny. Their words to each other felt somewhat forced and sudden. It felt like they were moving a little bit too fast for my pace – but if that’s what soul mates are like, then by all means, go on being corny. Although, I have to say, the amount of times my eyes rolled, when the two met and began falling for each other was too much to count.

This novel started from something sweet, exciting, and corny to something much more serious than the usual romance novels. I was curious to see how it would all end out.

When David returned from Afghanistan, he became a victim of PTSD. The words Steven put together to describe David’s depression was something I took to heart. PTSD is a hard battle to fight, with all the nightmares, flashbacks, and thinking that no one would understand. It’s hard to deal with, but Steven showed that there is always a way out of all that darkness.

This novel shows multiple others who suffer from PTSD and the consequences of not being strong enough to fully pull through. It makes me sad to think of all those soldiers who had passed due to this.

Gooseberry Island is a novel I recommend to those who enjoy reading corny romance and general fiction. With so much going on in the novel, it makes it an easy read that is unputdownable.

Steven Manchester has done it again, with his heart aching tales and thought-provoking words. He’s novels speak messages of goodness in the world that should be appreciated.

What are the books you've all been reading lately?
Have you been reading at all? 

 

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Book Review: If There Be Thorns (Dollanganger #3) by V.C. Andrews

If There Be Thorns by V.C. Andrews
Series: Dollanganger (#3)
Genre: Gothic, Drama, Thriller
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Synopsis
Out of the ashes of evil Chris and Cathy made such a loving home for their splendid children...
Fourteen-year-old Jory was so handsome, so gentle. And Bart had such a dazzling imagination for a nine year old.
Then the lights came on in the abandoned house next door. Soon the Old Lady in Black was there, watching their home with prying eyes, guarded by her strange old butler. Soon the shrouded woman had Bart over for cookies and ice cream and asked him to call her "Grandmother."
And soon Bart's transformation began...
A transformation that sprang from "the book of secrets" the gaunt old butler had given him... a transformation fed by the hint of terrible things about his mother and father... a transformation that led him into shocking acts of violence, self-destruction and perversity.
And now while this little boy trembles on the edge of madness, his anguished parents, his helpless brother, an obsessed old woman and the vengeful, powerful butler await the climax to a horror that flowered in an attic long ago, a horror whose thorns are still wet with blood, still tipped with fire....

Review

I never thought I would enjoy these kind of novels. I thought I would stick with chick-lit and historical romance, but as it may seem, apparently I cannot control my urges to find something screwed up to read.

There is something about this series that has a way of luring the reader in. This is definitely the strongest book that lured me into the gardens. I was so engrossed into the novel that I would do nothing else but just sit and listen to the audiobook that was narrated by Donada Peters. She did an amazing job portraying the characters. She kept everything in place and organized. By the looks of the chapters, the book seemed like a difficult book to narrate since there were many confusing dialogues, but Donada did a tremendous job in the whole narration. 

If there be thorns is an engrossing novel – if you're into the little screwed up family kind of drama with a little morbidity – that is a great addition the the first two Dollanganger series. Andrews writes with so many emotions that got me wanting more but feeling lost at times when things got rough. I was so into the book that when the characters began to feel remorse, I would feel remorse. When they would feel depressed, I would fall towards the dark shadow of depression and then snap out of it after I realize it was the book, and not really me. 

I love this book, screwed up family drama and all. I still am not a huge fan of the incest – because that's just gross – but it made the book twice as interesting. 

A highly recommended series for those who enjoy indulging in their inner craving for something much more screwed up than their own lives. It is a book that will make you go "WAW" "WHAT?" "OMG PLOOOT TWIST!" and "GASP!"

 
Would ya'll read a book that's much more screwed up that your life?

 

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Book Review: A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers #5) by Lisa Kleypas

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Wallflowers #5
Genre: Historical Romance; Season Romance
Read Reviews: Goodreads
Buy Now: Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, KoboBooks
Synopsis:
The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe.…

It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there’s no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Review

Sweet, romantic, passionate, and angst-y. Those are a few of many words that I use to describe this book. 

A Wallflower Christmas is the last novel of the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas. Since all the wallflowers have, how to we say, graduated from Wallflower academy and are now happily married. The four ladies come together again to try their hand in match making. 

Rafe Bowman; the brother of both Lilian and Daisy, had arrived from America and is required, by his father, to marry Lady Natalie, or else he'll get cut off. The worst fear of a rake from a wealthy family, to get cut off and disinherited by their father. 

The book started off really well and it got me wanting more with every page I turned. It was engrossing, enthralling, and I was deep deep deep in the world of the Wallflowers − plus, reading it during winter time makes it twice as better. 

I loved every bit of this book, from the unrequited love to the sexual tension, and of course the detail of the Christmas decor. It's the perfect type of book to literally read during or before Christmas day. It really puts one in the mood to redecorate the entire tree and surround the entire household with Christmas cheer. 

A Wallflower Christmas, you will blush, you will smile, you may burst out laughing, and you will feel that passionate love between the two protagonists. It's the last wallflower book, and I am sad to see it end. BUT, I will be purchasing multiple other Lisa Kleypas books in the very very veeery near future. 

  

Other Wallflowers:

Secrets of A Summer Night 

It Happened One Autumn 

Devil in Winter

Scandal in Spring

 

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