Vacation Tennessee

First vacation of the year is finally almost here! This Sunday, my sister and I will be going on our yearly vacation with our grandparents. We'll be going to Tennessee again for lots of fun!

I've been there many times so here are most of the shows that I have seen at least once

Dixie Stampede

Country Tonight

Smoky Mountain Opry

The Comedy Barn

Black bear Jamboree

Magic Beyond Belief

Hatfields and McCoys

Smith Family Dinner Theater

I might be missing some, but that's all I can think of right now. We're going to see a few shows, go to Dollywood, and do some swimming and shopping. I don't know how many posts I'll have for next week, but I'll try to have a few!

Have you ever been to Tennessee? Going on any vacations this year?

Mountain Solo by Jeanette Ingold

Mountain Solo by Jeanette Ingold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mountain SoloGoodreads Summary
Sixteen-year-old Tess's life has been shaped by her violin.
From the moment she picked up the instrument, it's been clear she isn't like other kids. She is a prodigy, and her life is that of a virtuoso-to-be: constant training, special schools, and a big debut before an audience of thousands. But when she blows her moment in the spotlight, she throws it all away, moves away from New York City to join her father in Montana, and tries to lead a normal life--whatever that is.
Tess has hardly arrived when she is drawn into a mystery: a hunt for the wilderness homestead of a lost pioneer who played violin himself. Maybe, through his story, Tess will find the strength to pick up her violin again.

My Review
Jeanette Ingold has a talent for weaving together very different elements to create a whole and unique story, with beautiful writing that will captivate readers. I have actually read this book twice! Both times were at band camp, because I wanted to read a book that had something to do with music, and Mountain Solo definitely fit that category. I actually really enjoyed it both times, and band camp was the perfect place to read it!

I loved how music played such a big part in the book and Tess's life. All of the musical elements were very interesting and realistic.

This book switches between Tess's present, her childhood (the events that got her where she was), and the story of a pioneer violin player. The switches between all of these were seamless, and it all came together so well. I was very impressed by the authors ability to make us feel for Tess and the pioneer.

This is kind of a coming of age story for Tess. She struggles with an overbearing and controlling mother, a father who tries so hard to understand and be there for Tess, a stepmother and stepsister, the possibility of failing, belonging, her struggle over whether or not to give up playing the violin she born playing, and how she can be in control of her own life. There were also animals, music, the wilderness, the past, friendship, and more. It is really a great read for anyone!

Will Tess give up the violin forever and live with her father and step family, or will she have the courage and strength to take charge and try again at her musical career and a better relationship with her mother?


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Resurrection by Jennifer Hartz

Resurrection by Jennifer Hartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Future Savior Book Two: Ressurection
Resurrection was the second book in the Future Savior series, and it was even better than the first! I love when authors make the reader feel like they are the main character in the book, and Jennifer Hartz does just that! She also has an amazing talent creating torturous cliff hangers - grrrr.

It was really nice to have some answers revealed in this book, not everything, but just the right amount for a second book - not enough to make you feel like you have it all figured out, but enough that you don't get frustrated from a completely cryptic story. I was also happy to know that I was right about a few things (hmhm especially Jonas)!

Christina's powers basically doubled in this book, and they are truly amazing. Her relationship with Shaw also progressed, went through tribulations and great happiness, and had me smiling! There were some very hard things that Christina had to deal with, but she proved her strength and made the best decisions that she could. I find her to be a very realistic character, not perfect, but always trying to do what is right. We discovered more about Shaw as well, and I really enjoyed the banter between him and Christina, his protectiveness, strength, and overall love.

The other characters in this book are all unique and interesting, and they seem so real. I loved meeting them and getting to know them. They all play important roles, and I like figuring out how they all react and what each of them would do.

Meric! When I'm reading this series I feel like I live in Meric - a beautiful magical world with unique and wonderful animals, people, and places, as well as some seriously scary ones! I really enjoy spending time in Meric, meeting more people, and visiting new places. It's like a whole new world of discovery out there!

Adventure! I love the adventure and action in this series! Sometimes I read a book and want more adventure more action, sometimes I read a book and think that's all there was, but so far this series seems to have the perfect balance.

What I love the most about this series are the Biblical parallels between what's in the Bible and what's happening in the books! They are very well done and I was very impressed!

Overall, this series has something for everyone - amazing action, romance, world building, character development, faith, and so much more! I can't wait to dive right into book three Evacuation!

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive one, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.


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Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things that we choose for the topic of the week.

Topic: top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

In no particular order

    

     

Season of Wonder (Remnants Series #1) by Lisa T. Bergren

Heart Song by Desiree Williams

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

Anomaly by Krista McGee

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliot

Wish You were Italian by Kristin Rae

The Movement of Crowns by Nadine C. Keels

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White
Future Savior Series by Jennifer Hartz (books 1 and 2)

Yes, I know I cheated and have 11!

I have read so many fantastic books this year, and this was kind of a tough choice! What are your top ten favorite books you've read this year?

Book Quiz of Confessions, Pet Peeves, and Shelfies

A couple weeks ago, Jamie at Books and Beverages answered this quiz, and I thought it looked fun.
So here are the questions and my answers!

What are your top three book pet hates?

1. I honestly don't mind letting people borrow my books. I really don't. It's totally fine. It's just really annoying when I don't get them back, or I get a book back but it's torn or stained all over the place!

2. Sometimes when I'm reading I find the way to loud background noise of the TV extremely annoying. Is it to much to ask that it is a moderate volume?!

3. I love supporting authors, and I love book sales, but it drives me crazy when an eBook goes on sale right after I buy it. Guess I should have waited one more week!

Describe your perfect reading spot.

Outside! I love reading in the big swing like thing in our yard, and the gazebo at my grandparents house. If it's warm and not raining those are two of the most likely spots to find me in! When it's cold I like to read in the loveseat or my bed, because they are the quietest and coziest places inside.

Tell us three book confessions.

Uh oh! Some of these can be a little embarrassing! 

1. I love Netgalley and I have a Nook! I just can't figure out how to download the free Ebooks onto my nook. I've read the directions, they don't seem to work for me! So I have to read them on the Kindle app on my iPhone, which is annoying at times (especially at first) but I'm getting used to it, and it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the book!

2. I have a very expressive face, and I'm an emotional reader. That means that when I'm reading a book I can't help that sometimes (or most of the time) I have a smile on face, I laugh, I cry, I smirk, I raise a single eyebrow and smirk. Sure this is great when your at home and no one sees you, but when your at school or anywhere in public it can be kind of embarrassing! For me it's either that or don't read, so I just deal with the looks and the fact that everyone is saying "look at them at weird girl over there, she can't stop smiling at her (book, nook, phone)," or "why does she look like she's about to cry? It's just a book." They are not bookish people and they just don't understand!

3. I like to keep my books nice and neat. I never highlight or write in them, And I'm very careful with them. I always must have a book with me (or three)!

When was the last time you cried during a book?

Like I said, I'm a very emotional reader. I tend to cry during any sad part of any book, and sometimes I even cry when something inspires me.

How many books are on your bedside table?

Make that my headboard. I have my TBR pile on my headboard. Between my Nook and my Kindle app, plus physical books, I have a lot of books on my headboard! Here are the physical books currently there

What is your favorite snack while reading?
I don't eat while I'm reading very often (don't want to leave smudges plus I get distracted from both the book and the food!), but sometimes I like to eat a little chocolate. I love drinking sweet tea, peach flavored water or watermelon flavored water, or hot chocolate while I read!

Name three books that you would recommend to everyone.
Heart Song by Desiree Williams
Any book by Lisa T. Bergren or Melanie Dickerson
Lunar Chronicles Series by Stephanie Meyer
plus tons of others!
So I cheated a little, it's not an easy question!

Show us a picture of your favorite bookshelf on your bookcase.

Write how much books mean to you in three words.
Imagination, Inspiration, Gateway

What is your biggest reading secret?
I love physical books, but within the last two years (since I got my Nook) I tend to read more ebooks only because they are cheaper (also since January, Netgalley and review books from authors). Such a sad fact:(
I hardly ever go to the library. I just borrow ebooks, mainly because I don't really have transportation to the library 30 minutes away from my house (by the time my parents get home it's to late).

I would love to know your confessions and answers to these questions, feel free to answer them in the comments and/or leave your link!

Week of Wonder

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.

Reviews 
Conception (Future Savior #1) by Jennifer Hartz
Suddenly You by Cecilia Gray
Unleashed (Heroes of the Horde #1) by Jennifer Hartz


Other Posts
Top ten Books that will be in my Beach Bag or Should be in Yours
Stacking the Shelves

Coming Up
Lots of reviews
Some Interviews and maybe Blog Tours

What did you read this week?

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews, where you show what books you got during the week.

I had a great week this week! Tuesday was my last day of school, and I'm so happy to be done with my junior year! Wednesdays and Sundays are my dads days off, so Wednesday my dad took me to Chedars and Barnes and Nobles where I got four books. I didn't even have to use my gift certificates, because my dad payed for them (he hadn't bought me any books for a while since I have gift certificates and get some free books) - thank you Daddy (and mom, sorry you had to work and didn't get Chedars)! It's so nice to have so many physical books to read instead of only unread ebooks!

From my dad

Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

The Grass is Always Greener by Jen Calonita

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Received from Author

 

Resurrection by Jennifer Hartz

The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis

What great books did you get this week?

Unleashed (Heroes of the Horde book #1) by Jennifer Hartz

Unleashed by Jennifer Hartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unleashed Goodreads Summary
Six mismatched students at Deacon Proprietary are about to discover the demonic legend of their school's origin is actually true. Not only have they obtained amazing powers, but they've also unleashed the demonic Horde. Now it's up to these six high school freshmen to stop the Horde before its evil spreads throughout the school and beyond.

My Review
I really enjoyed Unleashed the first book in Jennifer Hartz's Heroes of the Horde series. It was very unique, entertaining, and inspiring.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the shifting between all six main characters perspectives - Shelly, Maggie, Caitlyn, Mike, Cooper, and Jimmy. While multiple character perspectives can sometimes be confusing and take away from the book, they enhanced the unfolding story in Unleashed. All of the characters were unique and I loved getting to know each of them, what  they thought, and more about there lives. The mix of personalities and circumstances made it really interesting and I loved seeing their friendship grow and change throughout the book. There was something that everyone can relate to and enjoy in this book - drama, issues with feeling insecure, courage, love, action, etc., but most of all an amazing friendship between the whole group. The faith displayed by Maggie was amazing, and I appreciated that because she believed in God she was the only one who was able to quote Scripture against the demons.

Each of the six gained different powers, and I loved how they were all based on their abilities or wishes. I also enjoyed seeing how the powers grew and developed as all of the characters worked together to defeat the demons and protect each other. I can't say any more about their powers without giving something away, I can just say that they were really awesome! Also the whole history of the school and the demon inclusion was really unique and the creativity that went into it was pretty amazing. The strength they displayed and how they handled all of that pressure so well was amazing!

I was very glad that this book, even though it contained demons, was not dark at all - I'm not really a paranormal kind of reader in case you didn't know that yet.

Just a warning, I only had a slight issue with one scene, but thankfully it did not go to far.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.


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Suddenly You by Cecilia Gray

Suddenly You by Cecilia Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suddenly You Goodreads Synopsis
Fanny doesn't want to be at The Jane Austen Academy. She intends to lay low until graduation when she can try out for the Olympic track team. She doesn't need friends or love. She only needs her running.

But The Academy is in danger. In an effort to save it, Fanny joins forces with the friends she never knew she wanted. Suddenly, Fanny finds herself center stage in the middle of the Academy's biggest love triangle as the lead in the school play...only this track star can't afford to break a leg.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down...

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

My Review
I enjoyed reading Suddenly You and continuing along the journey of the students at the Jane Austen Academy. In this book we got to know Fanny better. She has dreams to be an Olympic champion, she was used to being on her own whether raising money for her Olympic dreams or making it on her own in the future, and she was very strong and independent. She was afraid to stand up to her mother and let new friends into her life.

I loved seeing her journey to trusting and allowing others into her life. She began to trust people, and they all worked together on a plan to save the Academy. Each person played an important role, and it was nice to see how they all work together,sometimes putting each other out of there comfort zones. Will it be enough?

The theme of friendship in this series is wonderful. I really like that the same girls and guys that were in the first three books were in this one, and we got to see how they were doing. I also look forward to seeing how the other girls books will turn out, and I hope they all get a happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, though I was not required to review it. All opinions and views are solely my own.


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Conception (Future Savior #1) by Jennifer Hartz

Conception by Jennifer Hartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Future Savior Book One: Conception
Conception by Jennifer Hartz was a very unique and original book that I really enjoyed!

It's Christina's thirtieth birthday, she's having dinner, and all of a sudden she's in a beautiful field of flowers in a new land called Meric. There she meets Charis who tells her all kinds of crazy things including the fact that Christina is the Savior of Meric, and Shaw who has always guarded her in some form (literally different forms) for her whole entire life who she suddenly has feelings for. But wait, there are also man eating vaipes and multiple other creatures and powers she will have to learn about in order to survive, let alone be the Savior of all of Meric. Her life was turned upside down and shaken up like a can of soda ready to explode! Can you imagine how weird that would be?

Let's start with the characters. Christina had a great sense of sarcastic humor that could make the reader laugh out loud during possibly dire situations, steely determination,  kind heart, strong mind, and hopefully everything that it will take to be the Savior. Shaw the best kind of guard - always present, protective, caring - he's also slightly mysterious, and tries his hardest to be the honorable protector that he promised to be. Charis was very wise. She had visions of what was to happen in the future, and knew just how much to say and how to say it in order to reasure the person without letting them in  in on anything! There were also many more wonderful characters within this book, who played important roles and had a place in the readers heart, but you will have to meet them to find out. I loved the loyalty, trust, and friendships that filled this book and surrounded Christina as she came to terms with everything that was new. Watching her grow in herself and in her Faith was very inspiring!

I loved the unique setting of Meric. The descriptions and all of the different types of creatures were really unique and interesting, especially since they were sometimes different from how we normally think about them - dwarves, elves, fairies, unicorns, colorful horses and other types of animals, and much more!

My only complaint was that cliff hanger. Don't leave me hanging!

This was a story of strength, finding yourself, fulfilling your destiny, friendship, faith, action, love, and more. There is something for everyone in this series, and I look forward to continuing on the journey.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and views are solely my own.

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