Review: The Mannamong - Volume 1 (ARC)

Feb 21, 2019

The Mannamong - Volume 1 The Mannamong - Volume 1 by Michael Adam Lengyel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I read this in one sitting. It was very fun and fast past. The story and art was easy to follow. It is a graphic novel and a great middle grade read.

We have a young girl that is possessed by a Mannamong named Tontorus and other Mannamong's are looking for him but Tontorus has chosen to hide away in a human girl named Kali. Tontorus has made her very sick because their souls are not sticking together but once he has released and found his way back into her again, things begin to happen to her body, that only she can see.

She tries to tell her mommy but she can not see what is going on. Kali, is brought to the world of Mannamong and begins to believe the stories are real that her mother as been telling her but her mother says they are stories.

What is true? Is it a story or what Kali going through a dream? You are left on a cliff hanger so you will want to go to book 2. I am not sure if it is even released yet but I will have to check it out. I want to see where this story goes.


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Review: Spine Chillers: Hair-Raising Tales Book One (ARC)

Feb 20, 2019

Spine Chillers: Hair-Raising Tales Book One Spine Chillers: Hair-Raising Tales Book One by Q.L. Pearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story is a collection of short stories and as normal I did have a few that I really enjoyed but I had some that were okay. If you like Goosebumps this I think this is a collection of stories you will like.

I did enjoy the first story, "The house of Beech Street" - Becareful where you visit because you never know what you are going to bring home with you.

I also enjoyed "Hale Hallow Woods" - You never know the secrets of your families past. Sometimes things are not laid to rest until the game in finished.

Blackout - You never know what is hiding in the dark.

But my favorite by far is "Prom Date" I have always been sucker when it comes to urban legends and prom dates. This one Is my favorite so I wanted to go into more detail with it.

It was a trip to prom night went wrong. When a young girl see's her boyfriend is acting strange, she begins talking to his brother and trying to find out what is wrong and then one day while they are out to eat at Roller Grille, when Tyler seen his brother, Lane, holding a door open for another girl, Anilla, Shay's arch-enemy, Shay became very upset. She ask Lane's brother Tyler for help to get Lane back. Tyler did not want to help out until he found out that his brother had gave the car show tickets away to Anilla, that Tyler decided to make a plan with Shay to get Lane back.

There has been a what we would consider and urban legend about Johnny Tonnarro and his girlfriend Samantha running off a cliff at Yetter Point on the way to the prom. They say at night you can see the Ghost of Samantha in the fog and so Shay and Tyler decided to get back at Lane by performing a joke at Yetter Point by making Shay look like Samantha but what they did not know is that the story was on them when Samantha is drove off into the night screaming.

I really enjoyed this. If you enjoy small spine chillers as the book is called, this this one is one for you.

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Review: Vampire Cheerleaders vol. 1

Feb 18, 2019

Vampire Cheerleaders vol. 1 Vampire Cheerleaders vol. 1 by Adam Arnold
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted something light to read so I picked up this Manga.

I thought the concept was very cute. I did enjoy the first part of the manga, Vampire Cheerleaders, but the second part, Paranormal Mystery Squad, was not my favorite.

My Reviews:

Vampire Cheerleaders:

The art work was very clean and simple to read. I thought the story was very cute.

We are met with your typical cheerleading high school group of girls that are very popular. One of their squad goes missing so they have to conduct tryouts to find a replacement but the thing that is different about this squad are the secret they carry. They are Vampires. Heather is from the B squad and her best friend has his an idea that the A squad are vampires but of course Heather thinks he is being silly. Will Heather make the squad if if so what happens to her is the question that should be ask.

Paranormal Mystery Squad:

Okay, this is why i gave this manga a 3 star. If it had been just the first start it would possibly been a 4.5 star but I did not enjoy this part.

First, the art work was everywhere. It was very hard to make out what was going on at times. The story could have been better if the art work was better. There was a lot of jumping from o e scene to another scene that left me wondering was was going on and what were they trying to do.

This story is about a paranormal mystery squad that kills paranormal creatures. When the main characters sister is turned and becomes one of the creatures, they try to find a cure. There was alot that went on but the story was blotchy making it hard to give great information on this.

I will move on to Manga 2 of this but I am not sure I will read the Paranormal Mystery Squad section. They only reason why I might read it is because you get a glimpse of Lori the head cheerleader from Vampire Cheerleaders at the end of the first manga for Paranormal Mystery Squad. I am not sure if the stories are combined later but I am moving on to book 2.

Book one left us moving on to Vegas for the Vampire Cheerleaders leaders as they are going to audition for a cheerleading competition.

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Friendly Friday #13 - UPDATE

Feb 15, 2019

Hello Rustic Beauties.


I haven't really posted a lot due to I am in the process of giving my website a new look. I am trying to find out what I like the best. If things start looking different and off, that is me making some changes.


I have never been pleased with the look of this blog but I wanted to get I up and going. Now I want to spend some time creating a new banner and look for the page. Even a new set up. So I will be back with more content as soon as it get the page up. I haven't wanted to add a lot knowing I may have to edit some of it when the new page goes up.


I will continue to post my reviews and try to keep the Friendly Friday's up in the process.


In the mean time, I am currently reading book 3 of the Mortal Instruments Series.


 3777732
City of Glass

(The Mortal Instruments #3)

by
  
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************

Have you guys read this series? What are your thoughts? Who is your favorite character?

Until Next Time
Love Ya
Tonya
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Review: Grist Mill Road (ARC)

Feb 11, 2019

Grist Mill Road Grist Mill Road by Christopher J. Yates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did received this from the publishing company in exchange for an honest review.

TW: abuse

I DNF'd this half way through. I loved the story set in 1982 but the current day, It just drug on. I finally just set it aside but never picked it up again. It never intriqued me enough to finish. The current day bored me and I could not get into it.

But we in 1982 we start with a young girl being hung from a tree and being stoned to death by 2 young boys. It was very detailed on the explicit scenes where you can imagine what the girl looked like and that story kept me wanting to know more but like I said, current day where the children where all older, was just boring and I am sure toward the end of the book the story may have come together but I did not want to put myself in a reading slump trying to get there.

Some may find they really enjoyed this but I just could not push through. I did give It 3 stars because I truly enjoyed the 1982 story.

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Review: Broken Things

Broken Things Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have had my eye on this book since it released and I knew I had to get it to soon. And I am so glad I did. This was my first book by Lauren Oliver and I have already placed her others in my saved section on scribd.

I can see this not being for everyone. It does someone fit the younger genre but I really enjoyed it.

When you first start reading this book, you really get Pretty Little Liar vibes. So, if you are a fan of that show, you will probably love this book. Basically that is what drew me in immediately.

You have 3 friend, Summer, Mia, and Brynn. They are writing the sequel to "Return to Lovelorn" a book that was never finished. While writing the book, Lovelorn becomes real and then someone ends up dead. The remaining friends end up in different places only all to return to the same town after 5 years of the death.

Curious to find out what really happened in the woods the day the murder took place, the group of friends, go on a search for answers.

I think the author did a great job with this novel. I love how after just about every story you get a story from original book that was being written by Georgia C. Wells. You can see how that book is corresponds to what is going on in the current day. Then you get a glimpse of the sequel from the friends points of view and they are telling a story but is the truth hid with in the pages of the sequel to really what happened the day the murder took effect??

I recommend this book. I highly enjoyed it.

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Review: City of Ashes

Feb 4, 2019

City of Ashes City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Ratings

Book 1 - City Of Bones - 4 Stars
Book 2 - City Of Ashes - 4 Stars

This book really continues off where book where left at. I did enjoy learning more of the "Downworlders" in this book. I feel like book one was getting to know the main characters and the world but book 2 really build a world around the Downworlders.

This book busy to me. It kept me going all over New York. I feel like you can see the visions of NY from the story. I also love that the front of the book has a map that you can see the spots that are mentioned in the book.

I don't really want to give a lot of information since this left off where book where book one ended but we are still following Clary, Jace, Alec, and Isabel all over New York. This story did bring in more of Simons story and I really enjoy Simon but come on, If we are all truthful, we all love Magnus Bane. He makes the story fun and unique.

You got to hear a lot more of the plot and story went faster than book one but that is because book one built the world for us and now we are just moving with this story. It very much a character and plot book.

I recommend this read. I does have some issues just like book one but I think it was better than book one.

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Review: Birthday Curse: The Evil Clock A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller Novella (The Evil Clock Series Book #1) 2019

Feb 1, 2019

Birthday Curse: The Evil Clock A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller Novella (The Evil Clock Series Book #1) 2019 Birthday Curse: The Evil Clock A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller Novella (The Evil Clock Series Book #1) 2019 by Arthur Eli Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I came across this on my KU search and thought why not, it only has 28 pages.

This small 28 pages told a story. I do feel like it jumped forward pretty fast a one point so you missed when Alex felt the need to change but the story was still good.

The book synopsis is:

Suspense, betrayal, murder...

When Alex and four of his friends set off on a trip of a lifetime to Europe during spring break to celebrate Alex’s 21st birthday, they have little idea of the curse and terror that awaits them.

They plan on taking full advantage of Berlin’s nightlife in order to properly celebrate Alex’s landmark birthday with a lot of booze and fun. And their trip comes with a free place to stay right in the best spot in Berlin at Micky’s aunt’s gorgeous place. What more could they ask for?

They plan on making this trip one to remember but the cursed old grandfather clock at Micky’s aunts place has other plans. Do this group of friends find more than they bargained for? Is it a place that they will never forget? Or is it one that they would wish never to have visited? How many is going to make it back home?

Time will tell. Tick tock, tick tock…

I don't really want to give anymore than what this says because the book is only 28 pages and you can really spoil the book buy saying what happened. I think it is a good small read.

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Friendly Friday #12 - What Overdrive Libraries do I use? - Save Money






Hello Rustic Beauties!


Okay, so if you are like me and live in a small town, you have a very small library and the selection is very small. Often times you will never have an entire series or any new releases available to you.


Yes, I still support my local library but they have very few audiobooks on Overdrive. I don't really use Overdrive for e-book reads but I use the butt out of it for Audiobooks.
I do use Scribd as well, but sometimes they tend to get rid of a book before I am able to listen to it so I still you use Overdrive daily.




So, after much research and desperate for someone that had all the sources I needed and wanted, I have found 2 libraries that I use out of state that will allow usage of their Library on Overdrive. Now, with that being said, I did find so many that will allow you to use their accounts but these are the 2 I have chosen and I have used for a year and I have loved them.






1. Scribd: Of course like I said, I use Scribd but this is a monthly plan that you pay $9.99 a month for and have unlimited audio book use. They also offer ebooks, sheet music, and magazines, but I only use them for the audiobook use. Click here to sign up now. www.scribd.com






2. Brooklyn Public Library out of New York. See the information below. It cost $50 a year. All I had to do was complete the online application and then they emailed me and ask for you to send the front and back of copy of your State ID. Once you send that, they will process your information and you are in. They will send you your card number and then you set up a pin. They will then send you your card in the mail and you normally should have that in a couple of weeks. But the great this is, you don't have to wait, because they have already emailed you the information and you can start accessing the site that day. The overdrive account will allow you 15 audiobooks at one time.
Out-of-State Residents (non-NYS residents)
Non-NYS residents may apply for a Brooklyn Public Library membership and enjoy access to our extensive selection of Articles & Databases and eBooks. There is an annual, non-refundable $50 fee for out-of-state cardholders.


Get a Library Card (Non-NYS residents


Once your application is submitted, a representative will contact you within five (5) business days with the next steps.
If you choose to pick up your library card, you may do so by visiting any one of our 59 locations and speak with a staff member. The $50.00 annual, non-refundable fee may be paid at the time of pick-up.
We currently do not accept applications from international residents at this time.






3. Houston Library is my second source. $40 yearly. I use to live in Texas so when I seen they offered a way, I signed up. You will sign up online and they will bill you. But the minute I signed up they emailed me all my information in the email provided and I was able to start from that day using the account.  The overdrive account will allow you to have 14 audiobooks at once.


See information below.


Non-resident Cards

If you live outside of Texas, you can obtain a card by paying a non-resident fee of $20/6 months or $40/year (personal check or money order made out to City of Houston). You can apply in person, by mail (see section above) or online.






Now. you ask why do I use so many sources, I love audiobooks, and sometimes if scribd does not have the book available, on or both of these other sources will and if one is taken or has a longer hold, the other one may be available or has a lesser wait time. I found this very helpful not to have to spend $14.95 on audible to only get one book a month. I am able to get them when I want them.


If you break the cost down, I pay the following:


Scribd - $9.99 monthly/120 Yearly
Brklyn - $50 Yearly
Houston - $40 Yearly


Total Yearly - $210
Total Monthly - $17.5


That is $17.5 a month which is less than paying full price for one audio book and I get to listen to unlimited verses one book from audible a month.






I have loved this and it has worked so well for me. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me or comment and I will try to help you out. If you are looking for other sources, I can try to help you out there also.


Until Next time!
Love you guys!
Tonya
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