No More Dirty Looks by Siobhan O'Connor & Alexandra Spunt
Release Date: July 13th, 2010
Pages: 304

Synopsis:

Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don't realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It's not pretty. In this must-read, Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics industry doesn't want you to know and now they're going to share it with you.

- The most dangerous ingredients in widely-used brands and how they're still not regulated
- Insider secrets from top scientists, dermatologists, and experts
- The 100 best clean makeup, hair care, and skin care products
- Cheap and simple do-it-yourself beauty recipes

It's easy to make the switch to clean cosmetics. From mascara to moisturizers, shampoos to sunscreens, No More Dirty Looks will help you detox your regimen. Now you can be beautiful inside and out - because coming clean is the best look yet.

My Thoughts: The reason I picked this book up was because two of my co-workers were switching to natural beauty products & after asking them why they said because they'd read this book. I know from experience that books can be life changing, so I ordered this one from my library. 

I loved how both of the authors warned you from the beginning that you were going to want to run into your beauty supplies and throw everything out. They were right! After just a few chapters I was so disgusted I wanted to do just that. However, they suggested changing your items slowly & change the small items first. I decided to change my products as I ran out of them. I'm 30 and a librarian with student loans, needless to say I'm frugal. So that was the wisest choice for me. 

The book didn't get too overly technical but technical enough so that you thoroughly understood what was in each product and how they effect you. Now onto chronicling my green beauty product adventures :)

5/5 Stars
 

Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi
Release Date: March 18, 2012
Pages: I had the e-Book version, around 300 pages

Synopsis: Can true love survive the end of the world?

Imagine finding your first love, only to be ripped apart by the apocalypse. Peyton Anderson will never forget the day she was forced to make a choice--between her family--and Chris Parker, the boy she'd given her heart. Now, four years later, as she steps from the fallout shelter and into a dead and broken world, he's the only thing on her mind.

All Chris "Chase" Parker wanted was to take Peyton away and keep her safe from harm. But he waited for hours in the rain on judgment day and she never showed--breaking his heart without ever telling him why.

Now the two of them have been thrown together once again, reluctant chaperones to a group of orphan children in a post-apocalyptic world where the dead still walk...and feed. As they begin their pilgrimage to the last human outpost on Earth, can they find a way to let go of old hurts and find the love they lost--all while attempting to save what's left of the human race?

My Thoughts:  I have to say this book was just ok for me, I didn't love it nor did I hate it. At first I had a hard time catching on to the fact that each chapter is a sort of flashback to before the zombies came into existence. Once I figured that out it was a definitely better.

Peyton's and Chase's character were very similar. Both had their weaknesses and strengths and the author played off of them well.

I truly believe boys will enjoy this book more just on the pure zombie factor. Sure there's some relationships in the book but that's real life.

It's definitely worth reading to see if you like it or not.

3/5 Stars
  

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Pages: 324

Synopsis: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Thoughts: This was my first mermaid/men book and I truly enjoyed it

Emma is sweet and innocent she has no idea what's going on and why Galen has such an affect on her. The wit and humor in this book is well placed and will keep you turning the pages.

Galen's character is very sweet and charming. He's uncomfortable in his human form but truly tries to understand and relate to Emma's struggles.

The one complaint I have is the ending. It was very abrupt and felt rushed to me. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.

4/5 Stars

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Release Date: January 3, 2012  
Pages: 387  

Synopsis: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.  

My Thoughts: What a spin on the Cinderella Fairy Tale. A cyborg Cinderella? Holy moly did this work fantastically. You have to give credit to Marissa Meyer for thinking this up.

The plot kept me engaged and the pages turning quickly. I loved it. Cinder is a true heroine that anyone can root for. A under dog who is different and doesn't quite fit in. Of course with any retelling of Cinderella there's a shoe (or rather a foot), a charming prince & of course a ball. Toss is a step mother and step sisters and voila.

This book also dealt with relevant issues going on in our daily lives. Discrimination, the loss of loved ones, and child abuse. They're subtle background plots but are easy enough to see and contribute to the overall feeling of the story.

This is a quick and easy read due to the plot keeping you interested, so dive in and discover Cinder's world.  

5/5 stars

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful by Claudia Gray
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Pages: 328

Synopsis: In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets....

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.

My Thoughts: I love how in the authors note section Claudia Gray says she made up some of the characters in order to be respectful to those who truly were on the Titanic and died when the ship sank. With that said, I loved this book and it's one of my favorites.

Tess and Alec's story is timeless and perfect. Tess is the kind of heroine you root for and hope for the best throughout the book. Even though a lot of reviews didn't like Tess for not standing up to the family she served, you need to realize that in the time this book was set you couldn't do that. Tess knew she had to keep a job or starve. She didn't like it anymore than we did however that was the life of most servants then. Tess is a strong female heroine and was courageous and brave when she needed to be in order to survive.

The villain was perfect in this book and made you want to kick him in the shins just like Tess did.

I loved Alec's character as much as I did Tess. You saw the toll that being a werewolf took on him and how no matter what he had to do he would do what was right. He's a stand up character and that's a plus in my book. I don't want the characters to be wishy washy or flakey.

The Brotherhood in this book is seriously scary. I love the twists with Tess's sister thrown in there and how it affected her even tho they were hundred of miles away. It made the Brotherhood seem real to the reader and to Tess.

5/5 stars

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott  
Release Date: September 15, 2011
Pages: 269  

Synopsis: Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.  

My thoughts: As I Wake was very emotional for me. I easily get attached to characters and Ava's amnesia was hard for her to handle and I could only imagine how I'd handle it.

However this book did get confusing in a few spots for me. I've read several books where the author uses italics to switch between point of views, etc. Elizabeth Scott uses italics in this book to show the reader when Ava is remembering an event. At first I had to re-read several times to try to figure out what was happening. In the end though I enjoyed the memories in the plot of the book. At first it won't make sense but then it will in the end :)

4/5 stars

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater.

AMAZING! What is there more to say about this book. I could cuddle up with it all night and be blissfully happy for eternity. Sam & Grace's relationship never seems to amaze me. How Maggie can write exactly how they're feeling and make you feel the EXACT same way is being phenomenal. Authors seem to have a difficult time topping their first book in a series, but not Maggie. Linger was ten times better than Shiver and I definitely cannot wait til Forever comes out.

Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #8)

** spoiler alert ** This was absolutely my favorite BDB book. John & Xhex's story was phenomenal! These books always look extremely long but once you start them you can't put them down. I loved that we got to see part of Tohr's background along with John's dad, Darius which was also Xhex's story. It tied together well & I loved it.

I like how sneaky JR is with adding new characters all while tying them into the book's story line. You don't feel like they were thrown in there just because she needed someone else. Plus it gets you to thinking about how they're going to figure into the story in the end. I really want to read Murhder's story now!

My next book is either Spirit Bound or Dear John, decisions decisions.

Ketchup!

Remember in school when you'd have "ketchup" or catch up days? Here's the Tracy version of a ketchup blog! Work has been all consuming for me so very little has been getting read here at my house. The latest book I'm reading is:

So far this book is extremely riveting. I can't put my finger on exactly what's going on & that's a good thing. Luce has had an incident involving shadows she's seen all her life & a boy she was crushing on. They were hanging out and the next thing Luce knew that he was on fire and she couldn't stop it. Afterwards she's sent to a reform school where she meets Daniel, a guy she knows she's met before. The shadows begin showing up more & more and Luce is determined to face them this time.

I decided since I like the Vampire Diaries TV series so much I'd try reading the series by L.J. Smith.

A word to the wise, they're extremely slow! I got through the first two books before I put them down. I'll come back to them later I'm sure but for now I'm content on just watching the TV show :)

Book Review: Vampire Diaries.

After falling in love with the CW series I decided to check out the books. I have to say they're decent. Nothing that I "love" but they're a good read. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about them but they're interesting and sometimes aren't. They're a quick read and aren't all that predictable which is nice. However sometimes the writing seems too simple and a little dull. I'm now reading the 2nd book & we'll see how that goes.

In other news they've hired a screen writer for Shiver. Hopefully this comes full circle and becomes a movie! I know Maggie Stiefvater, the author, is psyched as am I.

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

I finally finished this book yesterday. I've had this cold for almost 2 weeks and it's made reading difficult. Plus I'm in a reading slump you could say where I just didn't want to read for about 2 weeks before I got the cold. Anyways onto the book!

This is book #4 in the Vampire Academy series, here's the synopsis.
"Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?"

Rose is bound to Lissa, her best friend and in this book they're separated which made this book difficult. It was slow at the beginning because of them being separated and it took about 50-60 pages before I was really into the book. I saw the ending coming with Dimitri and that wasn't a surprise to me. However, the Avery/Simon/Reed trio was a huge surprise, but a good one. The plot progressed well & overall I enjoyed the book but this was not a favorite of mine in the series. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. Next I'll be reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Book Review: 13 Reasons Why

Books discussed in this Video:
13 Reasons Why-Jay Asher
Time Traveler's Wife-Audrey Niffenegger
To Beguile a Beast-Elizabeth Hoyt
Shiver-Maggie Stiefvater
Lover Avenged-J.R. Ward
Smoke Jumper-Nicholas Evans

The Girl Who Could Fly

This book is really quite amazing. It's a mix of x-men meets farm life. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I cried in a couple of parts & still kept reading. Victoria Forester does any amazing job of writing the story. You feel connected with Piper she's just an average girl with an extraordinary ability trying to fit in just like everyone else. She tries and tries to make friends and make her parents understand but she just can't quite make it.

Once she goes to a "special school" just for others like herself she soon realizes it's not all that it seems to be. Piper learns numerous valuable lessons that make her realize where she belongs. Piper fights for what's right and doesn't take the easy way out. You come to love Piper and she's like your little sister.

The definitely leave this book where they could make another one. I really hope they do because I for one would love to see where all of the children end up.

If you haven't read this book, I suggest you go get it today because I promise you'll have it read by tomorrow.

Ciao!

01/08/09 Randomosity.

Wow I've really been neglecting you guys! I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure I have an inner ear infection that is whooping my booty 7 ways to Sunday. I've never had one before & believe me they'll make you want pain meds pronto. I resisted though & so far so good.

I've went into craft making insanity to say the least. I got some more stuff to make jewelry along with some felt for iPod/Zune cozies. I still need to perfect the zune cozy it's a little small. I'll make another one, no biggie.

I've not read as many books as I'd planned on so far because I can't seem to focus with my ear hurting like it does. I finally finished Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. I really liked it. Norah's sarcasm had me laughing throughout the book. The movie comes out February 3rd and I want to see it asap.

Speaking of movies Coraline the next book I plan on reading has been made into a movie & it looks too cute. The horrible cute like A Nightmare Before Christmas kinda cute. I can't wait!

Ciao!

Puppies & decisions.

First, the cuteness of Amanda's new puppy. Everyone meet Scrappy.

Scrappy's a Jack Russel Terrier/Red Heeler mix.

Look at his little paws! What a sweetie. He's also a cuddlier. Plus he loves the right side of his nosed scratched. He'll lean into you until he falls over when you scratch just the right spot.

In other news, I've decided to go to school and get my Master's in Library Science degree this fall. While I'm getting that one I'm also going to get my Master's in School Library Science since I already have my Bachelor's in Elementary Education. School's no big deal for me, so it'll be a breeze (: I hope.

Now for a book review:

Synopsis: In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level—a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper—and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.

This one was a very quick & easy read. Each story is about 50 pages long. I didn't know if I'd enjoy reading short stories but they were definitely well written & left me wanting more. A few ended with a "to be continued" ending. I normally don't like those but they were incredible cliffhangers. I wouldn't buy this book to keep but it's worth borrowing from a friend or getting from your library.

I'm now reading Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Ciao!

The Pagan Stone.

Synopsis: Nearly 21 years ago, on the seventh day of the seventh month, three young boys swore a blood oath on top of the Pagan Stone in the woods near Hawkins Hollow and unwittingly unleashed an imprisoned demon that returns to wreak increasingly deadly havoc on the town every seven years. With the evil assault beginning once more, the time has come to end the carnage. Now, the three who started it all, linked by fate to a trio of exceptional women, are determined to defeat the demon once and for all. Each couple, sharing similar mental gifts, has had a part to play in the "Sign of Seven" trilogy (see also Blood Brothers; The Hollow), but in this final installment, it's up to gambler Gage Turner and free-spirited Cybil Kinski, who have the gift of precognition, to administer the death blow, even though it means someone else must die. Blood, fire, brutal violation, and possession are tempered by strength, self-sacrifice, and love in this chilling, passionate romance.

This is the third book in the Sign of Seven trilogy & it was good. The ending wasn't near as dramatic and I had assumed it would be but that's probably because there's some action going on throughout the book. I really wish she'd write one another seven years later just to see how the town is doing! Go forth and read it. Love it! Share it!

Ciao.

P.S. I hope everyone has a fun & safe New Year's Eve. Good bye 2008, Hello 2009!

The Letters.

Synopsis: Sam and Hadley West are both trying in their own ways to survive after the unthinkable loss of their only son in Alaska. For Sam, a sports journalist, acceptance means an arduous trek by dogsled across the bleak and beautiful arctic wilderness to find the place where Paul died. For Hadley, it means renting a benignly haunted, salt-soaked cottage off the Maine coast where she begins to paint again.

Now, at opposite ends of the country, waiting for their divorce to be finalized, they begin to exchange letters by post, missives filled with longing and truths they’ve never before voiced, as they recall their marriage—its magic moments and its challenges—and begin to rediscover the reasons they fell in love in the first place.

As Sam risks his life to reach the remote crash site, Hadley begins an equally hazardous inner journey to a rendezvous with the mad grief of a mother’s heart. At the place where all else is lost, they will meet again….

I wasn't sure I'd like this book. I've read one other book in a letter format & I just wasn't sure if enough of the plot would come through via the letters. I was wrong. Luanne Rice has been a favorite author of mine for a long time and she didn't fail to deliver this time either.

Sam & Hadley's journey from across the globe is not only inspiring but will bring you to tears. They've lost their son & in dealing with his death have lost themselves. Sam needs to visit the site of Paul's death & Hadley runs as far from it as she can get. Both of their journey's eventually bring them together in a way you never see coming. I loved the letter format of the book. It just seemed more personal. It almost seemed like you were taking a peek into someone's mail illegally. I loved this book!

Ciao!

Christmas Jars.

Synopsis: Journalist Hope Jensen is devastated when her adoptive mother dies from ovarian cancer shortly after Christmas. Adding to her woes, her apartment is broken into and all of her emergency cash stolen. Hope then discovers that someone has left her a gift-a glass mason jar labeled "Christmas Jar," filled with money. Using her investigative skills, she learns that in recent years, several people have reported receiving these mysterious jars in times of need. Hope's search leads her to the Maxwell family and their generous Christmas tradition-and to some truths about her birth mother. In the tradition of Catherine Ryan Hyde's Pay It Forward, Wright's holiday novel could inspire others to Christmas generosity.

This book is only about 125 pages long & amazing. It will inspire you to create your own Christmas Jar. The story is a quick read & in the end you will cry. I never saw the end coming. I figured out part of it but the second part was a huge surprise.

Hope feels guilt for lying to the Maxwell's and you empathize with her because she's found a second family that she doesn't want to hurt. Jason Wright also wrote Wednesday Letters which I enjoyed. If you get a chance check him out his books are phenomenal.


Synopsis: Texas Ranger Stephanie “Steve” Reynolds is on the hunt for a serial killer who is stalking innocent women in the Lone Star State. The beautiful Ranger comes to suspect the unbelievable – that the killer is a vampire.

Steve knows all about vampiros, since she has a demon lover of her own. For the past several years, Ethan Templeton has been helping her on cases when he wasn’t sharing her bed. But Steve, craving mortal motherhood, refused to get serious about the handsome vampire. Especially after she saw him kill a man she’d just arrested…

Ethan loves Steve, but he thinks nothing can come of their passion. Even if he could convince her to share his immortal life, his vampire patron, Don Rafael Perez, would execute him for transforming her.

But when the killer menaces Steve, Ethan realizes he has no choice except to risk everything. Will Steve agree to join a man she’s called murderer—or will she refuse her one chance at eternal life, lust, and love?

This is the third book in the Texas Vampire trilogy & it was ok. I liked the first book better than the last. It slowed down in places and the plot wasn't as active as the first one. Overall it was on okay read but I wouldn't read it again.

Ciao!!

The Lucky One.

Synopsis:

When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm.

Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet.

Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives.


Nicholas Sparks hasn't failed me yet. His stories have a way of pulling you in and not letting go until the last page of the book. This is the first book of his that I've read that had a "bad" character. Deputy Keith Clayton is the anti-hero and throughout most of the book you'll despise him. The two main characters Logan & Beth have a lot of chemistry from the word go. They both have their flaws but you'll enjoy them throughout the book. The ending wasn't a tear jerker like I've come to expect from his books however it was a great ending to a wonderful book. It's a fast read because once you start you cannot stop!


Ciao!!