Sage Nestler's Blog, page 76
March 28, 2016
Forgotten by Neven Carr Review – 5/5 Stars
Title: Forgotten
Author: Neven Carr
Rating: 5/5
Forgotten is an indie suspense novel by author Neven Carr. The cover of this novel perfectly captures the story as a whole and the synopsis of the book is as follows:
“A young boy is shot and one of the members of an elite gun clan takes his own life. The truth behind what happened lies only in those present, and in the forgotten memories of a seven-year-old child, Claudia Cabriati.
Fear and the bitter stench of death have haunted Claudia for much of her life, even now as a grown woman, along with odd dreams, puzzling cards and the bone-chilling sensation of being watched.
When a vaguely familiar woman possessing secret knowledge about Claudia’s family is murdered, it sets off a string of horrifying events including the brutal murder of a mysterious man and the shocking revelations of family skeletons better left buried.
As Claudia battles her adversaries and her own personal demons in search of answers, she begins questioning her relationship with the man helping her, a man she barely knows. As she starts to learn just who she might be, this mysterious man’s own personal demons must be revealed.”
Carr’s writing captured me from the beginning. Many novels tend to use hooks that can often be seen as inexperienced, but Carr’s beginning was not reminiscent of this. Instead, she treated us with this opening:
“Death has a flavor of its own. I know; I had smelt it before. I smelt it now.”
In these three sentences she tells us the history of her main character, Claudia, without revealing too much and providing further exploration for the reader. I wanted to know more about her immediately and I was not let down. The first chapter took my breath away and with each chapter that followed I was further surprised. The mystery and suspense was not lacking and it was clear that Carr knew who’s story she was telling and that she wasn’t making up anything as she went along. I felt like I was reading the novel of an experienced author who has had many books published before and has not lost her knack or passion for writing. When finishing this book I felt myself craving more. I felt that Carr admired and cared for characters and I wanted to do the same.
The novel is written in first person with each chapter title pertaining to a different character or event (i.e. Claudia, Araneya Estate, etc.) and the writing consists mainly of memories and present experiences in order to connect the two. Since the character of Claudia has a lot of repressed memories we are gifted with being able to relive her memories with her and subsequently live through the pain that she has been through. She is a character whose life has been defined by pain and terrible events that don’t seem to want to let her go. I felt for her on a personal level with every page and the way that Carr forced you to create empathy for her characters was the gift of a truly talented author. She seemed to make Claudia a helpless character but she also gave her hidden strength which allowed her to get past everything that she had been through. Her life was not one that I would like to live on my own but one that I am glad that I had the experience of living along with her.
But aside from her well-developed characters, what made Carr’s novel most beautiful were her descriptions. They were not tacky, as imagery can often times be when used in excess, but instead her imagery was beautiful and painted the novel as though it were a piece of fine art. One of my favorite examples of the imagery that Carr presented to the reader is as follows:
“A roguish sea breeze played with a wisp of my hair. I lazily fingered it behind my ear.”
Her vocabulary presents just how seasoned of a writer she is and shows us how able she is to rearrange and play with words to create the best effect. She was also able to add in bits of humor that detracted from the drama that could have otherwise weighed down the novel too heavily and turned off the reader. Being able to add humor to a novel of such high drama as Carr’s was memorable and made me create a wider appreciation for her work.
I am honored to have experienced her work and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a suspenseful novel with a dash of humor. I will gladly read any future work of Neven Carr and I hope that you also check out her work, because her novel is not one to be missed.
Upcoming Book Reviews Round 2
Hello Everyone!
I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list. These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order. I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves. Let’s support our fellow indie authors!
Title: Immortal Peace
Author: Tyler S. Harris
Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon
It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.
*.*.*
Title: Second Chances
Author: Lincoln Cole
Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon
Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.
Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.
Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?
*.*.*
Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance
Author: Michelle Connell
Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon
Where does the power to forgive someone come from?
A tender story of love and forgiveness.
Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.
Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?
* . * . *
Title: Bounty
Author: J. D. Cunegan
Purchase: Bounty on Amazon
Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore’s best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret — a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts’ connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.
Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she’s so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all…
Who is Bounty?
* . * . *
Title: Blood Ties
Author: J. D. Cunegan
Purchase: Blood Ties on Amazon
For as long as Jill Andersen could remember, her father was a hero.
But heroes don’t commit murder, do they? The state of Maryland said Paul Andersen did just that, three times over, and was set to execute him for it. But Jill and the rest of her colleagues at the Baltimore Police Department come across the murder of a law student that leaves her hopeful that she can clear her father’s name.
While Jill and her colleagues work against the clock to clear her father’s name, new players emerge, hinting to a deeper, darker conspiracy than what was previously known. An enigmatic faction known as The Order reveals itself, and the mystery surrounding Paul’s alleged duplicity leaves more questions than answers.
Along the way, Jill must not only face the possibility that her father was not who she thought he was, but she must also face the prospect of her secret being revealed. The stakes are higher than ever in Blood Ties, the intense follow-up to J.D. Cunegan’s debut mystery Bounty.
Can Jill save her father before it’s too late? Will she even want to?
* . * . *
Title: Give It Back
Author: Danielle Esplin
Purchase: Give It Back on Amazon (Pre-Order)
This novel follows three characters: Lorraine, Lexy, and Ella.
Lorraine:
Not long ago, Lorraine lost her husband to another woman. She thought that was the worst thing that could happen to her, but soon she realizes it’s just the beginning of an everlasting nightmare.
Lexy:
Lexy, an au pair from London, moves to Seattle to help Lorraine with her infant son. But she didn’t come for the child…she came for something else.
Ella:
When Ella receives a call from her sister, Lorraine, who begs her to leave San Diego to spend time with her, she decides to take a few days off from work to visit her. Frightened to see how much Lorraine has weakened since her diagnosis eight months ago, she packs a bag and heads to Seattle with a foreboding feeling that this might be the last time she sees Lorraine.
But on her way to the airport, she learns that something shocking has happened since she last spoke with Lorraine and now. To make matters worse, once Ella arrives in Seattle, Lorraine’s story keeps changing, making Ella question how reliable her sister really is.
Soon Ella is entangled in a mysterious investigation, and more so, in the lives of everyone involved. She realizes not only that she won’t go home anytime soon but also that she’ll never look at others the same way she did before.
* . * . *
Title: The Inter-Terrestrial
Author: Chad Descoteaux
Purchase: The Inter-Terrestrial on Amazon
An alien scientist has a half-human “inter-terrestrial” son on the primitive planet of Earth. Aliens from neighboring planets (Mars and Venus) think they own the Earth and are adamant that it not be used by higher species without their consent. For twenty years, this alien father has been trying to figure out a way to get back to this forbidden planet to see his son, desperately looking for an opportunity to present itself.
But how did this “inter-terrestrial” come to be? How has his human mother protected him on a planet where many people hate and fear what is different? And what role would this hybrid play in proving that humans are not inferior to our alien brethren?
* . * . *
Title: Tangled Web
Author: L. W. Tichy
Purchase: Tangled Web on Amazon
When fifteen year old foster kid and diagnosed schizophrenic, Ryne, bumps into a strange man only she can see, the carefully constructed pretenses of her life start to crumble, forcing Ryne to choose between the safe, mundane, mortal world that’s labeled her crazy, or the magickal world of nightmares she has spent her life pretending doesn’t exist. The truth will set you free. Not. At least, not for Arrynna Doe. The only thing the truth will bring Ryne is a straight jacket and a room at the local, state funded institution, again. So she lies- to her doctors, to her foster parents, to her best friend. Because, really, who’s going to believe there is a whole world filled with terrifying magickal creatures only she can see- faeries, witches, vampires, and werewolves, even dragons? That’s right, nobody! Ryne has her routine mastered- pretend you’re normal, lie to everyone you know, ignore supernatural beings. And the routine works, until the day she acquires stalkers. Faerie stalkers. As Ryne struggles to keep her days normal, she finds herself questioning the tenets’ of her life. Why can she see things that no one else can and why are these creatures suddenly interested in her? The answers might just be more than she can handle. Will she discover the truth? Or is she just as crazy as the doctors have always said? Either way, Ryne is facing a crossroads, and pretty soon she’s going to have to make a choice.
Upcoming Book Reviews – 03/28/2016
Hello Everyone!
I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list. These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order. I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves. Let’s support our fellow indie authors!
Title: Immortal Peace
Author: Tyler S. Harris
Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon
It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.
*.*.*
Title: Second Chances
Author: Lincoln Cole
Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon
Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.
Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.
Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?
*.*.*
Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance
Author: Michelle Connell
Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon
Where does the power to forgive someone come from?
A tender story of love and forgiveness.
Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.
Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?
* . * . *
Title: Bounty
Author: J. D. Cunegan
Purchase: Bounty on Amazon
Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore’s best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret — a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts’ connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.
Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she’s so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all…
Who is Bounty?
* . * . *
Title: Blood Ties
Author: J. D. Cunegan
Purchase: Blood Ties on Amazon
For as long as Jill Andersen could remember, her father was a hero.
But heroes don’t commit murder, do they? The state of Maryland said Paul Andersen did just that, three times over, and was set to execute him for it. But Jill and the rest of her colleagues at the Baltimore Police Department come across the murder of a law student that leaves her hopeful that she can clear her father’s name.
While Jill and her colleagues work against the clock to clear her father’s name, new players emerge, hinting to a deeper, darker conspiracy than what was previously known. An enigmatic faction known as The Order reveals itself, and the mystery surrounding Paul’s alleged duplicity leaves more questions than answers.
Along the way, Jill must not only face the possibility that her father was not who she thought he was, but she must also face the prospect of her secret being revealed. The stakes are higher than ever in Blood Ties, the intense follow-up to J.D. Cunegan’s debut mystery Bounty.
Can Jill save her father before it’s too late? Will she even want to?
Upcoming Book Review – 03/28/2016
Hello Everyone!
I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list. These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order. I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves. Let’s support our fellow indie authors!
Title: Immortal Peace
Author: Tyler S. Harris
Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon
It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.
*.*.*
Title: Second Chances
Author: Lincoln Cole
Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon
Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.
Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.
Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?
*.*.*
Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance
Author: Michelle Connell
Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon
Where does the power to forgive someone come from?
A tender story of love and forgiveness.
Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.
Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?
March 27, 2016
My Novels – FOR FREE!
Hello everyone!
I wanted everyone to know that in celebration of the free book day going on on April 1 I am releasing both of my novels, “Beautiful Nightmare” and “Into The Fog”, for free on Amazon! These editions were released a few years ago but I am working on fine tuning them. Therefore, I would love constructive feedback for the old editions. I am offering the free copies in hopes that readers will leave reviews on Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Your reviews would be much appreciated!
The e-book versions of these books will be free from March 28 through April 1. Below are the details for both books and the links for where to get your free copies.
Title: Into The Fog
Purchase: e-book free for five days
A murder, a choice, and an eternal destiny.
Welcome to sixteenth century England and enter the world of glamour, mystery and heartache. Darielle has lived at the Tower of London her entire life among the royals. Engaged to Prince Tarum, she couldn’t be happier until the eve of their wedding announcement when Tarum is murdered in front of the entirety of the Tower. Darielle is suddenly thrown into a life that she never expected and hardly had the chance to prepare for as Tarum’s death leads to occurrences that she is suddenly the center of and when strangers enter to Tower to live alongside her she finds herself drawn to Harlisisle, the new guard of Queen Estelle, for a reason that she cannot place. This attraction to him changes the entire course of her life and the Tower forever. But who is Harlisisle and the family that he brought with him?
Will Darielle be able to find her place in the Tower without Tarum amongst these strange new beings or will she be thrown into a world foreign to everything she ever knew? Follow Darielle as she faces the biggest choice of her life – the choice between true love and her own safety, as well as the safety for those around her. Full of romance, action, thrills, and sorrow “Into The Fog” will keep you attached until the very end.
Title: Beautiful Nightmare
Purchase: e-book free for five days
Long ago the world suffered a terrible war, leaving behind only a select few hundred people. Believing that strong emotions fueled the war, those who survived created a town named Lunamoon, where each new human would be altered to be unable to feel emotion. They decide to choose only one man in each generation to be named the dream maker and he would create dreams for everyone to tell them what their jobs and life outcomes would be. The dream maker is able to live in solitude for the duration of his life, but the moment that the current dream maker is born, everything changes. Shawneleigh, a premature child who was born with narcolepsy on the same day as the dream maker, lives on her own in the hospital. Through her sporadic sleeping spells and the connection they made at birth, she and the dream maker are able to connect through her dreams. They become friends and then fall in love. Beautiful Nightmare is a tale of love and faith, showing how we can stand up for ourselves, while standing against those who want others to fail. For through it all, in the end, there is love. First-time author Ashley Marie Nestler grew up in Westminster, Colorado. “I have lived right by the mountains all of my life and the beauty really inspired me with this novel.”
Publisher’s website:Official Author Site
Thank you to everyone who has supported my writing and to those who have shared their stories with me! I will have new reviews up soon and I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter :)
~Ashley
Support Indie Authors – Book Event
Hello Everyone!
I wanted to alert you about an online indie author event that is coming up. On Friday, April 1st, when you visitevents.SupportIndieAuthors.com you will be able to pick up free and discounted books by indie authors! This is a great way to support our fellow authors and honestly, what is better than free books?
Please check out the site and sign up for the newsletter which will alert you of upcoming book events. You can also sign up as an author if that is something you would like. This would allow you to offer your book for free or at a discount in future book events.
March 26, 2016
Hell School: Fresh Meat by Heidi Angell – 5/5 Stars
Title: Hell School – Fresh Meat by Heidi Angell
Released: March 18, 2016
Star Rating: 5/5
Angell’s book is a young adult novel based on true events about a young girl in high school who ends up being stalked by a fellow student. The novel is written in chapters and diary entries and I absolutely loved the use of both of these aspects. Using the diary entries gave us a better sense of who Sam is as a young girl and how she evolves. They also proved her naivety drew empathy from the reader. Sam is a young, unsuspecting girl who gets involved in circumstances that aren’t fair to her and she seems to be in a bad position from the beginning of the book. Having moved to a different town and state just before high school is hectic enough and seemed to make her character a target for the other students. They didn’t just target her because she was new, but because she was a beautiful person and the others were envious of her. Reading this book made me remember the horrors of high school and I was surprised about how much I had forgotten about the high school experience. This just proves how gifted a writer Angell is. She not only transports you back to that time and place but is also able to relate to young people who will be reading her book now and in the future
Sam, the protagonist of the novel, is a beautiful character. In the beginning of the novel she was seen as childish and just beginning to understand the world, but as the novel went on she began to embrace her body and how boys were beginning to see her. This seemed to awaken her sexuality and changed how she saw herself as well. She was not comfortable with this sexual awakening and it only brought her problems. All of the boys seemed to want to be with her even though she wasn’t able to date until she was sixteen and rumors began to circulate that she was sleeping with one of the older boys, Wes, who was only her friend. I loved how Angell seemed to sum up how Sam felt and how the other boys and girls seemed to see her in the sexual sense:
“’You know, guys like you for a reason. Lots of girls don’t get it, so those who think that you have some cool secret that they don’t, resent you for it.’”
“’You are hot, you are stacked, and you are completely oblivious. But that comes off to them as so confident in your good looks that you don’t bother with the clothes. That kind of confidence and acceptance of yourself is intoxicating.’”
Angell perfectly captured these aspects of young women who aren’t focused on their looks but are seen only for their looks by others and how this causes problems for them. Angell clearly knows people, and herself, and I loved reading her perspective on young people because they were so accurate and inventive.
“Hell School: Fresh Meat” is based on Angell’s own past and it is clear to the reader how strongly she feels about bringing awareness to society over the danger and importance of stalking. I could feel her passion radiating throughout the pages and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in only two days and with my busy life, that was a feat! I highly recommend it to anyone who has gone through something similar or anyone who just wants a thrilling, high school based novel. I would gladly read it again and again. 5/5 stars doesn’t seem to be enough for this beautiful novel.
Hell School: Fresh Meat by Heidi Angell
Title: Hell School – Fresh Meat by Heidi Angell
Released: March 18, 2016
Star Rating: 5/5
Angell’s book is a young adult novel based on true events about a young girl in high school who ends up being stalked by a fellow student. The novel is written in chapters and diary entries and I absolutely loved the use of both of these aspects. Using the diary entries gave us a better sense of who Sam is as a young girl and how she evolves. They also proved her naivety drew empathy from the reader. Sam is a young, unsuspecting girl who gets involved in circumstances that aren’t fair to her and she seems to be in a bad position from the beginning of the book. Having moved to a different town and state just before high school is hectic enough and seemed to make her character a target for the other students. They didn’t just target her because she was new, but because she was a beautiful person and the others were envious of her. Reading this book made me remember the horrors of high school and I was surprised about how much I had forgotten about the high school experience. This just proves how gifted a writer Angell is. She not only transports you back to that time and place but is also able to relate to young people who will be reading her book now and in the future
Sam, the protagonist of the novel, is a beautiful character. In the beginning of the novel she was seen as childish and just beginning to understand the world, but as the novel went on she began to embrace her body and how boys were beginning to see her. This seemed to awaken her sexuality and changed how she saw herself as well. She was not comfortable with this sexual awakening and it only brought her problems. All of the boys seemed to want to be with her even though she wasn’t able to date until she was sixteen and rumors began to circulate that she was sleeping with one of the older boys, Wes, who was only her friend. I loved how Angell seemed to sum up how Sam felt and how the other boys and girls seemed to see her in the sexual sense:
“’You know, guys like you for a reason. Lots of girls don’t get it, so those who think that you have some cool secret that they don’t, resent you for it.’”
“’You are hot, you are stacked, and you are completely oblivious. But that comes off to them as so confident in your good looks that you don’t bother with the clothes. That kind of confidence and acceptance of yourself is intoxicating.’”
Angell perfectly captured these aspects of young women who aren’t focused on their looks but are seen only for their looks by others and how this causes problems for them. Angell clearly knows people, and herself, and I loved reading her perspective on young people because they were so accurate and inventive.
“Hell School: Fresh Meat” is based on Angell’s own past and it is clear to the reader how strongly she feels about bringing awareness to society over the danger and importance of stalking. I could feel her passion radiating throughout the pages and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in only two days and with my busy life, that was a feat! I highly recommend it to anyone who has gone through something similar or anyone who just wants a thrilling, high school based novel. I would gladly read it again and again. 5/5 stars doesn’t seem to be enough for this beautiful novel.
March 25, 2016
First & Then by Emma Mills
Title: First & Then
Author: Emma Mills
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Purchase: First & Then
Rating: 3/5
I received this book back in October in my Uppercase book box. It is a debut novel by Emma Mills and the synopsis is as follows:
“Devon Tennyson wouldn’t change a thing. She’s happy silently crushing on best friend Cas, and blissfully ignoring the future after high school. But the universe has other plans. It delivers Devon’s cousin Foster, an unrepentant social outlier with a surprising talent, and the obnoxiously superior and maddeningly attractive jock, Ezra, right where she doesn’t want them–first into her P.E. class and then into every other aspect of her life.
With wit, heart, and humor to spare, First & Then is a contemporary novel about falling in love–with the unexpected boy, with a new brother, and with yourself.”
I found this book to be a short and sweet high school novel about finding yourself and embracing who you are while also coping with the ridiculous drama that sums up the high school experience.
Mills obviously tried to base this novel off of the works of Jane Austen. There are many Austen references throughout the book and Devon is painfully trying to be a character from her novels. The funny thing is that she does end up being a character reminiscent to the heroines that Austen created, and her journey is lovable but also extremely naive.
I did not feel that this novel was groundbreaking in any way, instead it is much like reading a Sarah Dessen or John Green novel and revolves mostly around high school football. Watching Devon’s cousin develop from a quiet, disturbed teen to a star football player was probably the most beautiful part of the novel, but I mostly found this book to be dull. This could be because I am no longer in high school and I do think that current high schoolers would relate to this novel and the story it provides. I gave it 3/5 stars because of the slow pace and unremarkable story line, but I do think that younger readers will benefit from the characters and will relate to them on a personal level.
Overall, I do not recommend this book for older readers because of the juvenile story line, but I do recommend this book for young adults because of the relateable factor they may be able to get out of it.
Into The Fog – My Second Novel
Hello All,
Besides being a book blogger I am also an author. My second novel, “Into The Fog”, was released back in 2013, but I am currently working on redoing it. However, I am offering it for free on Smashwords in hopes of gaining some feedback from you, the readers! This edition would be unedited and only meant for review, but I would greatly appreciate it if any of you would read it and give me your thoughts. If this is of interest to you, please email me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com and I will give you a coupon code for Smashwords so that you can get the book for free. This would require you having an account on Smashwords, which is free! Below is the information on my book.
Thanks everyone,
Ashley
Title: Into The Fog
Author: Ashley Nestler
Link: Into The Fog on Smashwords
A murder, a choice, and an eternal destiny. Welcome to sixteenth century England and enter the world of glamour, mystery and heartache. Darielle has lived at the Tower of London for her entire life among the royals. Engaged to Prince Tarum, she couldn’t be happier until the eve of their wedding announcement when Tarum is murdered in front of the entirety of the Tower. Darielle is suddenly thrown into a life that she never expected and hardly had the chance to prepare for as Tarum’s death leads to occurrences that she is suddenly the center of. When strangers begin to enter the Tower to live alongside her she finds herself drawn to Harlisisle, the new guard of Queen Estelle, for a reason that she cannot place. This attraction to him changes the entire course of her life and the Tower forever. But who is Harlisisle and the family that he brought with him? Will Darielle be able to find her place in the Tower without Tarum amongst these strange new beings or will she be thrown into a world foreign to everything she ever knew? Follow Darielle as she faces the biggest choice of her life – the choice between true love and her own safety, as well as the safety for those around her. Full of romance, action, thrills, and sorrow “Into The Fog” will keep you attached until the very end.
