Showing posts with label reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reads. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Books read in 2016

Books read in 2016:


Nancy Drew Books:

The secret of the Old clock         🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Hidden staircase                   ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
The bungalow Mystery                ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
The mystery at the Lilac Inn        ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
The Secret of shadow Ranch       ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
The Secret of Red gate Farm       ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
The clue in the Diary                   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nancy’s Mysterious Letter           🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Sign of the Twisted candles  ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Password to Larkspur Lane          ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Sherrilyn Kenyon:

Silent Truth (B.A.D. Agency, #4)                                      ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Bad Attitude (B.A.D. Agency, #1)                                    ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Unleash the Night (Dark-Hunter, #8; were-hunter, #2)    ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #13; Dream-Hunter, #3)    ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Sins of the Night (Dark-Hunter, #7)                                 ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Christine Feehan:

Oceans of Fire (Drake Sister, #3)                                           ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Cat’s Lair (Leopard People, #7)                                             ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
A Christine Feehan Holiday Treasury (Drake Sisters, #2)     ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Fire Bound (Sea Haven, #5)                                                   ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Dark Fire (Dark, #6)                                                                ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Lynsay Sands:

A Quick Bite (Argeneau, #1)                                                  ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ
Tall, Dark, & Hungry (Argeneau, #4)                                     ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

T.S. Joyce:

Lumberjack Werebear (Saw Bears, #1)                                   ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

V. Vaughn:

Brindle (Winter Valley Wolves, #1)                                        ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Disney:

Descendants: Junior Novel                                                      ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany                ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Anna Snow:

Bubblegum Blonde                                                                  ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Kylie Scott:

Dirty (Dive Bar, #1)                                                                 ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Lick (Stage Dive, #1)                                                               ðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸðŸŒŸ

Monday, September 5, 2016

My August Reads!

29069989

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

(My rating 5 Stars)

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.


23507758

Descendants (Disney version) Junior Novel

(My Rating 4 Stars)

Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos are the offspring of some of the most terrible villains of all time. They're offered a chance to leave the Isle of the Lost, where they have been imprisoned all their lives, and go to prep school in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon with all of the "good" kids. There, they must choose whether or not to follow in their parents' evil footsteps. Watch out Auradon--here come the Descendants!

A fast pace, fun read for young readers.



Nancy Drew Books!

Nancy Drew Book 6 Mystery at Red Gate Farm (My rating 5 stars)

When Bess Marvin purchased an expensive bottle of Oriental perfume, she never expected to stumble into a mystery. Now Bess, Nancy, George, and their new friend Jo are out to unravel the secrets of a mysterious conspiracy, a secretive cult, and a ring of counterfeiters in The Secret of Red Gate Farm.

Nancy Drew Book 7  Clue in a Diary (My rating 5 stars)

Nancy uses a lost diary to exonerate an innocent prisoner.

Nancy Drew Book 8 Nancy's Mysterious Letter (My Rating 4 Stars)

Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.

If there was ever a book where I think Nancy would have been killed in the ones I have read I think this one is at the top of the list. She is nearly run over and knocked out. If the man scheming against her was a little more cruel he would have done away with Nancy long ago. Girl, you are dso lucky you are a fictional character. :D

I'm impressed that I got to read this much with how busy things have been. I will write about that later, but for now, this has been my list of reads for the month of August. What did you read in August?


-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Top Ten 2015 Reads

My 2015 top ten list!! It was a hard one figure out, but after enough thought this is how they fall. And I'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite reads were in 2015! Here we go . . .

10th place
Set Me Free by Diana Nixon

It was supposed to be just another day at work for a local newspaper reporter, Stella Holt. She had always loved her job, and believed she was good at it. Until one day when she was sent to interview the author of a worldwide bestseller who had made so many women fall in love with him.

James Collins is not just a word-painter. His every work is a masterpiece, a perfect blend of mystery and mind-blowing romance. Only in his own life, there is no place for romance. He knows everything about women, starting from what they like most, and to the ways to seduce them with only a glance. But there’s a secret that has been aggrieving him for years, a secret that has locked his heart forever…

“I thought I would never fall in love with you, Stella. And I didn’t… I drowned in you…”


9th Place
One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .

When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.

. . . and every night

Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

8th Place
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan







To escape an assassin, Rachael finds sanctuary in the rainforest, where the most exotic of all creatures walks: Rio. But when he unleashes his secret animal instincts, Rachael fears that her isolated haven could become an inescapable hell...









7th Place
Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin

This is a mission unlike anything my vampire boss, Vayl, and I have ever been on. It's not our usual take them out and run; it's an undercover mission that needs the whole gang: a psychic, an interpreter, and a weapons specialist. We're joining a Special Ops team to nail the Wizard, a major terrorist thorn in the military's side. We've never gone in with such heavy artillery before, but the more the merrier, right? Um . . . nope. At least not since Vayl and I learned part of our job is to ferret out a mole concealed in our unit.

To add to our problems, we're being harried by a pack of reavers bent on revenge, and targeted by a Seer who wants to share Vayl's power - at any cost. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the army of demonic, soul-sucking parasites either. This is going to be a blast.




6th Place
Viper Game by Christine Feehan

GhostWalker Wyatt Fontenot knows the price he paid for the secret military experiments that gave him his special catlike abilities. After all, he left his bayou home a healer and came back a killer. While Wyatt and his GhostWalker brother Gator may have known exactly the sort of game they were getting into, Wyatt never anticipated where it would lead—or to whom.

The swamps hold many mysteries, but few are as sinuously seductive as Le Poivre de Cayenne. The woman the locals call Pepper is every bit as enigmatic as the three little girls she’s desperately trying to protect. From what, Wyatt is soon to discover. Right now Pepper needs a man like Wyatt. Passionately. But her secrets are about to take them both deeper into the bayou than either imagined—where desire is the deadliest poison of all.



5th Place
Another One Bites the Dust by Jennifer Rardin



Jaz Parks has enough trouble in her personal life. What she doesn't need is more trouble with her vampire boss and another mission. This time she has to retrieve a vital piece of biotechnology by killing the maniac who stole it: an ancient Chinese vamp. Their cover in this mission: professional entertainers at the Corpus Christi's Winter Festival. 

The crew's all here: a psychic, a techno-wizard, a singing vampire, a juggling PI, and Jaz. Holy crap in a bottomless well, Jaz is going to bellydance. It's definitely, probably, quite possibly going to be the end of the world as we know it.




4th Place
The Tales of Beedle the Bard



The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.



3rd Place
Earth Bound by Christine Feehan

After escaping from a cult, Lexi found refuge with her sisters on the farm that more than sustained her body—it nurtured her soul as well. But she never forgot the terror she left behind or the always present fear that the cult would find her again, and claim her. Then her nightmare came true.

Lexi was discovered and threatened—only to be suddenly saved by a stranger. He is Gavriil Prakenskii, and he’s awestruck by the woman he’s rescued. She is destined for him. He can feel it in his soul. But how can Lexi find happiness with a man steeped in secrets and shadows, one intimately acquainted with violence, and whose very love could be the death of them?



2nd Place
Murder at Longbourn by Tracy Kiely

Planning New Year’s resolutions to rid her life of all things unhealthy, Elizabeth Parker has dumped fatty foods, processed sugar, and her two-timing boyfriend. Indeed, the invitation to join her Aunt Winnie for a How to Host a Murder Party on New Year’s Eve at Winnie’s new Cape Cod B and B comes just in time. But when the local wealthy miser ends up the unscripted victim, Elizabeth must unearth old secrets and new motives in order to clear her beloved aunt of suspicion. The suspects include the town gossip, a haughty rich woman, and an antiques business owner much enamored of his benefactress, a Mrs. Kristell Dubois. If that isn’t bad enough, Elizabeth must also contend with her childhood nemesis, Peter McGowan—-a man she suspects has only matured in chronological years—-and her suspicions about his family’s interest in Winnie’s inn.

Yesterday, her only worry was of ever finding her Mr. Darcy. Now she has a murder to solve. Is it any wonder her resolution to achieve inner poise is in tatters?

By reimagining characters and themes lifted from the treasured classic Pride and Prejudice, and crafting an expert, intricate mystery, Tracy Kiely has brought to life something very special: a new cozy series that is clever, vibrant, and utterly disarming.



1st Place
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.




Saturday, January 18, 2014

Books I have to read in 2014

My goal, again, is to read 52 books at least and review them. I'm going to accomplish this and then some!! I can feel it in my bones!

Here are some on my list:


1.) All of the House of Night novels 2-11. I even have them sitting beautifully on my shelf waiting for my to start. After finishing the first I knew I was stuck.

Basic set up:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.


187517042.) Anything and everything Diana Nixon. That woman never stops writing and producing some very great work and I'm hoping it will be another Love Lines book, but until then she has The Souls of Rain coming out.

Blurb:

The secrets of the heavens had always been carefully guarded. Until one day when the angels realized that what they used to believe in was nothing but a cruel game between heaven and hell.
And Claire’s life is a part of that game too….
She is a guardian angel. She always thought that her existence was perfect. But perfection is a very relative term, and no one is protected from making mistakes.
Everything changes the moment Claire gets a new assignment. Guarding humans has never been easy, and this time won’t be an exception.
Alan Rosenford is a spoilt party-boy, whose life is a hurricane of risk and adrenaline rush. His soul is damaged, his heart is bleeding, and there are so many things he prefers to keep private….
The words they have never said before ….
The sins they have never committed….
How much does forgiveness of the heavens cost?
Or maybe even the heavens make mistakes?...



64873083.) Fallen by Lauren Kate. Yes, I am one of the few people who hasn't read it, sue me.

Synopsis:

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

63396644.) Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE


Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life




15829965.) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. Did you know that Cassandra Clare is a pen name? Just wondering. Another random bit of information is that Anne Rice's real name is Howard.

Synopsis:


Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.



1221336.) The Pit Dragon Trilogy by Jane Yolen.

Synopsis:
The adventures of young dragon master Jakkin Stewart are brilliantly chronicled in this epic fantasy--from his apprenticeship in Dragon's Blood, to his breathtaking escape with his beloved Akki in Heart's Blood, and straight through to their harrowing discovery in the third volume, A Sending of Dragons. Revered by devoted fans for more than twenty years, these first three volumes of Jane Yolen's fierce and fiery dragon tales are published together for the first time--in a handsome boxed set that's sure to win over legions of new admirers.


Here are some I have to wait for (I hate waiting):



135082201.) Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Release Date: January 21, 2014

Synopsis:
For years, eager fans have been clamoring for an all-in-one collection of #1 bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s novellas. At their enthusiastic behest, we have delivered this brand-new short story collection, including stories previously exclusive to Sherrilyn’s website, as well as an all-new, never-before seen story!

Sherrilyn Kenyon takes readers from the Dark-Hunters to the demigods, from Dream-Hunters to demons, and everything in between. Dangerous and exciting, each story is one thrill ride after the next, proving time and again how Sherrilyn has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Now, readers are invited to go deep into Kenyon’s rich and imaginative world and experience the heart-racing moments that never stop coming!


2.) Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Synopsis:
The war is on...

Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella- an organization that has declared war on the League that rules the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrifies it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk's enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren.

Sumi Antaxas is one of the best assassins the League has ever trained. In her world, failure is not an option and she has never met a target she couldn't execute. So when she's assigned Hauk, she believes it'll be a quick and easy mission.

But nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Hauk is far better trained and skilled than his dossier shows. More than that, as she pursues him, she stumbles upon the key that will bring down not only Hauk, but the entire Sentella organization.

In the race to report her information, she is overtaken by enemies out to end her as effectively as she intends to end Hauk. Now her only key to survival is the one man she's been sent to kill. And Hauk doesn't trust her at all.

The only question is, will he help her to live... or send her to her grave.


180528713.) Vampire Most Wanted by Lynsay Sands
Release Date: February 18, 2014

Synopsis:
For Basha Argeneau, anything is better than facing her estranged family. Even hiding out in sweltering southern California. But when a sexy immortal in black shows up determined to bring her back to the clan, she'll do anything to keep far, far away from the past she can't outrun.

Marcus Notte isn't here to play games—especially not with someone as crazy as the infamous blonde. Asked by Lucian Argeneau to bring her back for questioning, Marcus is determined to carry out Lucian's request—no matter how the seductive little mind-reading vamp feels about it.

Basha doesn't mind fighting fire with fire, especially with a hot immortal involved. But if he wants to take her away, he'll have to catch her first . . .

4.) Redeemed (HoN 12) by P.C. Cast
Not much known yet, but I'll keep you posted. :)

These are just a few of the books I am looking forward to reading and I'm always up for suggestions.
Have a great day.

-Brenda Franklin, author of The Pulse Trilogy and Guardian, A Fated Pairing