Team Warner

*Spoilers Ahead. If you have not read these books, be aware. Spoilers*

So I am just going to say it. Team Warner. Yep, I mean I like Adam well enough but there is just something about Warner that makes me say hey, you have some issues but I think your love for Juliette can really redeem you. 

"But right now everything tastes like romance and regret"

In Shatter Me, Warner is displayed as the man that takes Juliette away from her cell to use her as  a weapon in the war that is raging in this dystopian world. He is cruel and hard. He has a fascination with Juliette and the reader sees that this man has little to no mercy. 

But then. We get more into the mind of Warner and realize that he is doing what he has to. He has moments of mercy and thoughtfulness. And in a way, Warner knows who he is and doesn't have to apologize for it. 

"But I see layers, shades of gold and green and a person who's never been given a chance to be human and I wonder if I'm just as cruel as my own oppressors if I decide that society is right, that some people are too far gone, that sometimes you can't turn back, that there are people in this world who don't deserve a second chance and I can't I can't I can't

I can't help but disagree" 

He loves fiercely and this love coupled with the hate he has for his father fuels his need for change. But then there are moments when he reverts back to being Warner, the cruel man. Juliette is really the only one to make Warner realize that he can do good in the world and he doesn't have to accept his fate and the labels that have been given to him. Warner has spent a life without meaningful connections or love. He is cold because he had to be, showing emotion considered him weak. Mafi makes you understand why Warner is the way he is and you can't help to think that with love shown to him, he has the potential for great things.

"And I realize I don't want to be his enemy anymore"

Neither do I Juliette, Neither do I. 

Oh For the Love of Brennus

*Spoilers Ahead. If you have not read these books, beware. Spoilers*

It was this book that made me fall madly in love with the man that is Brennus, a evil undead man who uses his power to get what he wants but uses his love to woo the only women he wants as his queen.

 I love Bartol's Premonition series and Brennus is one of my favorite characters out there. He is on the mission of being Evie's one and only love (good luck Brennus, there a few in that race;) and Brennus will stop at nothing to have Evie by his side, as his queen. The best part, is that you can see at times how torn Evie is with Brennus. 

" I know that I have been a hostage here, his prisoner, but I'm also so confused about everything. He is seduction in the flesh. He keeps finding all the things that I crave and giving them to me. That is a powerful drug. It was easy to resist him when he didn't know me, but now that he does, it's making things much, much harder" Indebted 

So you see, Brennus has a lot of power and I think his love for Evie is real. Brennus wasn't always evil, he actually did the things he did for his brother. For Brennus, Evie represents the one thing he did right, the one way for him to correct the many evil things he has done. His interest in Evie is authentic and true. He, for the most part, keeps Evie in the know. He includes her in a way which Reed doesn't, at least from how I see it. And maybe that is why I like Brennus so much. For all of his shady ways Brennus does include Evie, together they make a team. A twisted team, none less. A team that brings out a different side to Evie. I might dare say a stronger side of Evie. Reed is so protective of Evie and I don't think he  gives her enough credit for what she is capable of.

Plus I tend to believe that Evie is a bit of redemption for Brennus, though he thinks that he can never be saved. And then of course there are many situations that Brennus takes a selfless approach and helps Evie out, even if it doesn't benefit him. His love for Evie is worth more than him than the power he holds. I don't think Brennus would ever admit that, of course. It's ok Brennus, you secret is safe with me ;) It seems that he is only doing what he can to survive, what is expected of him when it comes to some of his more shady tactics.

"However, when yer wee isle incinerated and I believed dat me fellas had annihilated ye, something happened ta me...I learned dat dere is a raging depth of pain dat I had yet to experience...'Twas na remorse...'Twas a loss on a scale I had never imagined. 'Twas an agony dat even da death of me own heart, or da heart of me brudder, could na equal" Incendairy 

In the end, I applaud you Amy Bartol and your genius work in creating the complexity and amaziness of Brennus. Plus the rest of the gang are all pretty epic as well. Let me know if you love Brennus too!!

Monday Inspiration: All about books

"I don't believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book" -J.K. Rowling 

(From my personal library) 

March is National Reading Month so this week I am talking about books!! Next week I will writing some posts about topics that I have encountered or discussed in school including a fun project I am working on. This week I am focusing on our favorite characters that we love to hate! I find that if an author can take the "evil" character and make him totally lovable, than it adds an interesting dimension to a book as well as shows some great talent. And here is the line up for this week:

Tuesday: Brennus from the Premonition Series by Amy Bartol

Wednesday: Warner from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Thursday: Sebastian from the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Friday: Jonathan from the Barely Breathing series by Rebecca Donovan 

The facebook page for Amazon Kindle has asked a question each day for March and I thought I would answer them here, because books have always been an inspiration for me. Feel free to answer these questions with me in the comments!!

1. What is the first line of the book you are currently reading?

"I've started dreaming of Portland again" Requiem by Lauren Oliver

2. What book had the largest impact on you as a child?

When I was a kid around the second grade, I actually couldn't read. I was really far behind and had to take one-on-one reading classes for a whole year. Angelina the Ballerina was the first book I read all the way through by myself. After that year and the help I got, it was like a switch was turned on. I jumped from a below K reading level to a 6th grade reading level the next year and I haven't stopped reading since! 

3. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? If so, which one?

All the time! I read really fast, it takes me about 4 hours to read a book that is roughly 300-350 pages long. 

4. Who is your favorite author?

There is no way I can pick just one so I will give you my top five: John Green, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer L. Armentrout 

5. What is your all time favorite book series?

Again, I can only pick one?? Nope I am going to pick three: Harry Potter series, I grew up with HP it is something that was engrained in my age group. The Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I can read those books over and over again. And The Sea Swept trilogy by Nora Roberts, which have some of my all time favorite characters. 

6. What was the best book you read last year?

Slammed by Colleen Hoover. Hands Down. 

7. What is one book you wished more people read?

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay 

8. What was the first book that made you cry?

I don't cry in books but I can list the three books I know I balled in. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (the only book of hers I like) Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson 

9. What book always makes you laugh out loud?

Bahh so many: Anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. The Stephanie Plum series,  Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Cruise, How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

Book Review: Fractured

Fractured by Amber Lynn Natusch 

Blurb from Goodreads:

I thought about watching from afar, hidden by the nearby trees or headstones, so I could avoid the onslaught of grief I was sure to be bombarded with. It was cowardly, but I was certain that when faced with the totality of my own grief, I would crumble under the weight of any extra. He was always so strong both physically and emotionally – I selfishly wished for his strength in that moment. If I couldn’t be strong, then I would at least be honorable and bear my pain publicly, for all who loved him to see. It was by my actions that he was about to be put six feet under, and I owed it to him to be there

Fractured is an a great example of a smaller indie published book that is a bit unknown but it is quickly gaining speed. A litte over a year ago, D didn't realize what he was getting into when he gave me a kindle for a graduation present. I have always been an avid reader but my kindle spurred my reading interest and I quickly entered the world of indie/self published books. It is quite the phenomenon. Many books that were being bypassed by traditional publishing houses had huge reader responses. And of course, on the other side, not every self pub/indie book was amazing. But the Caged series by Amber Lynn Natusch is a rare gem in a sea of books. I find myself totally attached to these characters and find them popping up in my mind at random times, like I am trying to remember how an old friend is doing.

"Light eventually falls on even the darkest of corners"

Fractured is the 5th book in the Caged series and Natusch weaves a complex story which asks more questions than answers, but also deals with some of the other issues in this book. Now I have always had a soft spot for Cooper and in the last book I was wanting for him to find his Happily Ever After. I felt in this book some of those things start to fall into place, we get to see more of the overall purpose of Cooper and I loved the direction it was taken. 

Then of course there is the combo of Sean and Cooper. In general, I really do not like overprotective male characters. But Sean and Cooper are perfect in their protective nature, and it makes sense why they each have their own reasons for their actions. Plus it is pretty funny, the pissing matches they get into. I mean Ruby has the uncanny ability to find trouble, or well trouble finds her. 

"...Ruby I was gone for half and hour. How much shit did you manage to stir up in thirty minutes? I gave him a sheepish look that told him everything he needed to know. Knowing my gifts, he scowled in return. "Worst case scenario?" he asked, leading the way down to the car" 

Ruby and Sean, it seems, to be somewhat on the same page and even looks like things might work out. Well of course with some advice from a character I have no trust in, it is really hard to say but I have a feeling that the next book some pretty big secrets are going to unveiled and things are going to get messy. It makes sense with the setting up of trust and strength between Ruby and Sean and that this newly appointed trust will be greatly tested. 

"Every pass drew the lightest hint of sorrow from him, his foreign words coming more frequently- a confession, a purging of remorse for a loss he couldn't quite understand" 

I could go on and on with this book, which I hope to do in the comments, but the final say is that if you havent heard or read the Caged series, take a chance on this gem of a series. You want the characters to be your best friends, you feel for Ruby and the heartache that follows her. You find yourself in awe of the complex story that is woven, the situations that arise, and what is hiding around the corner.....

And while writing this review this song came on random which I think is a perfect song for Ruby. 

Im an Animal by Neko Case
you could say it's my instinct yes, i still have one there's no time to second guess it yes, there are things that i'm still so afraid of but my courage is roaring like the sound of the sun cause it's vain about its mane and will reveal them to no one now i'm an animal you're an animal, too pick up that rock (drink from that lake) i do my best but i'm made of mistakes yes, there are things i'm still quite sure of i love you this hour this hour today and heaven will smell like the airport (airport) but i may never get there to prove it so let's not waste our time thinking how that ain't fair i'm an animal you're an animal, too you're an animal, too 

Book Review: Experiment In Terror Series

Experiment In Terror Series by Karina Halle

Blurb From Goodreads for DarkHouse:

With all the vampire, werewolf and faerie books out there, it's easy to become numb to all things supernatural. The antidote? Darkhouse introduces two real and unforgettable characters, Perry Palomino & Dex Foray, amateur ghost hunters who are "attractive, relatable and oddly heroic," "flawed but loveable," "slightly crazy" and just the most endearing pair to ever tackle the paranormal...just don't call them normal. Darkhouse is a thrilling and sexy new take on concepts like Supernatural and The X-Files, bringing a breath of fresh air to a genre that has been inundated with the dead. ***Darkhouse and the Experiment in Terror series is a horror/romance for mature audiences only. Readers who are easily offended by harsh language should think twice about reading it.***

The Experiment In Terror series is a 9 part series with the first 6 books out as well as 4 short novellas. I should preface that there is no way you will find me watching any horror films, and you wont find me in haunted houses during Halloween. Nope. Not my cup of tea. But, of course that doesn't mean I can't read about it and I pretty much devoured these books! I had read Halle's Sins and Needles (which is in equally awesome book) and DarkHouse, the first book in this series, had been sitting on my kindle for over a month, just begging for me to read it.

I finally sat down last Monday and soon found that my productivity levels were down because I couldn't stop reading these books. Seriously. It was bad. I think I talked to my husband last week??

Any who, Halle creates Dex and Perry and I must say that I have never encountered a team that deals with so many obstacles, are so screwed up, and generally luck is not on their side. But, I have also never seen a couple who are so right for each other. The reason why I liked these books so much was because Halle writes these characters in all my favorite ways. It is best to say that this couple is on a really long first date. I love their snarky banter and I found that when they are together I am constantly laughing. IHalle doesn't follow a lot of the rules other there when dealing with these two and I enjoyed how there isn't that desperate need for each other, I mean it's there dont get me wrong, but its not done in pathetic way. Dex and Perry are so real, crazy notions aside, and together they have such a natural way to them. Many times authors try to point out that their characters are soul mates, but I see this term exemplified in Dex and Perry. A bit broken of course and not in any way perfect, but real.

And of course there is the horror aspect of these books. It is legit. There were times I was totally scared out of my wits. The trip on D'Arcy island was the most terrifying for me. Not only the fear from the island itself but the fear of Dex and Perry dealing with each other. I really wanted them to stay on that boat! :)

I loved these books so much that it is hard to describe how amazing they are. So I guess the best is to give you a few glimpses into these two's cracked out relationship.

"You are short. And I know you can be sweet when you want to be. But there are different kinds of dangerous kiddo. I'm just going to leave it at that" (Darkhouse)

"'Really brings out your eyes," Dex said, standing behind me, meeting my gaze in the mirror's reflection. It was almost romantic. Then he said, 'They aren't as angry as usual" (Dead Sky Morning)

"But it was true. We were no good on your own. Only together did things make any sense" (The Lying Season) 

So in the end, if you like books that are forever about the tension between two people are are so right for each other but are face many many obstacles, then grab this series. You wont regret it.

Monday Inspiration: Chaos and Simplicity

"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star"

(President's Day. Southeast Idaho)

Today's Monday Inspiration is simple, mostly because the last few weeks, for me, have been hectic. D and I are dealing with some decisions that need to be made and not all of them are easy. So I am embracing the chaos and going along with the ride...hoping to just enjoy the journey. A mantra I keep having to tell myself :)

A quick update for friends and family:

I am half way through my second semester of grad school. After this semester, I will only have 12 credits left and hopefully I will be able to finish all 12 next Fall. I am loving school, no surprise and I have the great opportunity to work on some sweet projects. I will be sharing one of my major projects on the blog here in the next few weeks but a sneak peak is that this project is taking me to Grand Teton National Park for a few days during our spring break :) 

D is in the midst of figuring out what we are doing this summer and when we have concrete plans I will be sure to let you all know. 

March is National Reading Month!!!!! In celebration I plan on next week dedicating a whole week to some of my favorite characters in books I love. These characters all share a certain "treacherous" quality ;) If you are like me, a fan girl that falls in love with fictionous characters rather than celebrities then come join me next week to discuss these characters and the fabulous authors that bring them to life. 

And for your Monday: 

Monday Inspiration: Expectations

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things"

-Robert Brault

(A poor quality phone picture but for some reason I love this picture. Honeymoon 08/11 Disneyworld)

This Monday I am talking about expectations. If, 7 years ago, when I graduated from high school you would have told me where I would be now, I would have probably laughed in your face. Now, I guess I should say I don't regret where I am today, but it is not where I thought I would be at 18. I figured I would traipsing in foreign countries, doing good in the world. 

That is the thing of expectations, they are never what you want them to be, but they can be sneaky and be better then what you thought you wanted. I have always had a urge to travel. But when I look back I  realize I have gotten many opportunities to travel. I have been to New Orleans, Dallas, Florida, Vegas, plus I have explored the beautiful lands around my home. And while I thought I would be this independent women traveling the globe, now I have a traveling partner. I might be biased, but D is the best to travel with. While in public I am more shy and reserved, D is outgoing and can easily strike up a conversation with anyone. He is up to trying most anything and it is always an adventure with him. 

I read this article about 21 secrets in your 20s and it really highlighted many of the thoughts that go through me head. Like the one below:

" Life will never feel like it’s “supposed to”. Being twentysomething can feel like death by unmet expectations. However, let me be so brash to say that you are right now, at this moment, exactly where you need to be. But you’ll only be able to see that five years and thirty-eight days from today."

 So while I thought I would be widely more successful at this point, I have come to the following realizations: 

1. Nothing is ever what I expected it to be, usually its better and sometimes its not. 

2. I can ONLY control what I can control. If I have no control over it, its no use to feel sorry or to dwell on how unfair things are. It is what it is. I deal. 

3. D is my home. Cheesy as it sounds, no matter where we are as long as we are together we are home.

 4. Patience is essential, and a skill I am constantly working on. 

5. Cherish relationships, make sure you tell people how important they are. You never know what is around the corner. 

 So todays inspiration is to focus on the current, celebrate accomplishments, small or big, and remember that dreams and goals are great things to have, but life has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need.