A Real Page Turner




Young Adult

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

by Leave a Comment

Jodi Picoult is one of those authors that, when you read her books, they stick with you. That is definitely true of The Pact, Jodi Picoult’s fifth novel. The book opens up with a bang, literally, and the pace just keeps on rolling from start to finish. Once I started, I literally could not stop. In fact, there were many times I opted to stay in the car while my husband ran into a store, just so I could continue reading! This is a love story, however, teen suicide is a theme in the book. If that is a trigger for you, do not continue reading.

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

the pact

 

Perfect MatchPerfect MatchPerfect MatchThe Pact: A Love StoryThe Pact: A Love StoryThe Pact: A Love StoryNineteen MinutesNineteen MinutesNineteen Minutes

About The Pact

From Amazon –

From Jodi Picoult, one of the most powerful writers in contemporary fiction, comes a riveting, timely, heartbreaking, and terrifying novel of families in anguish — and friendships ripped apart by inconceivable violence. Until the phone calls came at 3:00 A.M. on a November morning, the Golds and their neighbors, the Hartes, had been inseparable. It was no surprise to anyone when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was moving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now seventeen-year-old Emily has been shot to death by her beloved and devoted Chris as part of an apparent suicide pact — leaving two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense predawn, desperate for answers about an unthinkable act and the children they never really knew.

My Thoughts

Having two teenagers myself, the subject of teen suicide is always something that hits me to my core. While we have never (thankfully) experienced something like the characters in this book, it still hits close to home. All I wanted to do, after reading this book, was talk to my kids about seeking help if they or someone they knew was thinking about suicide. Jodi Picoult does an amazing job keeping the story going; bouncing between the past and present, the courtroom and the two families home life. The one thing that struck me as odd, yet also set that fire in me to talk to my own kids, was that Chris Harte didn’t seek out help. It just goes to show, no matter how smart and well-adjusted our kids seem, we don’t know what they are thinking. Ever.


Other Books You Must Read

I’ve read a lot of good books over the years. A few of my favorites are the Alex Cross series and the Women’s Murder Club series. Other books you may like, that I loved, are:

Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

Jessica Simpson, Open Book

Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman

What books would you recommend I read?

Hunger Games Prequel

by Leave a Comment

When I found out that there was going to be a prequel to the Hunger Games books, I got very excited! I added the date that it was set to release to my calendar and anxiously awaited for that day to arrive. The day before, I checked my library’s online database to see if I could place a hold on the book. It didn’t show up. The next day, the day it was releasing, I checked again, and guess what?!? For the first time EVER, I got a book on the day that it released! That never happens! I then spent the next two weeks reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

hunger games

 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)Hunger Games 4-book Hardcover Box Set (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)Hunger Games 4-book Hardcover Box Set (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)Hunger Games 4-book Hardcover Box Set (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)The Hunger Games [DVD]The Hunger Games [DVD]The Hunger Games [DVD]

About The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

From Amazon –

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute…and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes. 

My Thoughts about the Prequel to Hunger Games

First of all, I loved the Hunger Games books. I really did. When I was reading them, I remember thinking, “this is so messed up. These are kids killing each other.” However, the more I got into it, the more I really liked the books (and later the movies). As an aspiring writer myself, I was really impressed by the quality of writing, as well as the thought that went into planning all the details. Especially the small details.

When I heard that there was going to be a prequel to the Hunger Games and it was going to be written from Coriolanus Snow’s point of view, I literally couldn’t wait for it to come out. I love a good book written from the villain’s point of view! Not to mention, I was very intrigued by this character in the Hunger Games series, so to find out more about him, especially from before he became President Snow!

Did I Like It?

I really did! In the beginning I was a little bored. It wasn’t that the story was boring, but there was a TON of details. I had a feeling that if I could just get to the part where the Hunger Games began, I would like it more. And I was right. From the moment they entered the area, until the very last page, I couldn’t put the book down. In fact, I actually want to go back and reread the Hunger Games books all over again. Anyone that knows me, knows that I do not reread books. I have my list of favorite books that I love, but I don’t care to reread things. Until now!


Two Can Keep a Secret – YA Novel

by Leave a Comment

I’ve not been quiet about the fact that my passion (after reading) is writing. Recently I signed up for a writing workshop. It was supposed to be an in person conference, but ended up needing to be online because of Covid-19. Not only was that workshop great, but it reaffirmed the genre I wanted to write. Young Adult. I just finished Two Can Keep a Secret, a YA novel by Karen M. McManus. Fun fact for you…while YA novels are typically targeted to young adults, 55% of the people reading YA are adults!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

two can keep a secret

 

One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is LyingTwo Can Keep a SecretTwo Can Keep a SecretTwo Can Keep a SecretOne of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is Lying

About Two Can Keep a Secret

From Amazon –

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery’s never been there, but she’s heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it’s hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous–and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

My Thoughts

I’ve read other books by Karen M. McManus and enjoyed them. Two Can Keep a Secret is no different. I enjoy books that are written by multiple points of view. It allows us to have more insight into the characters and plot. From a plot standpoint, I think this book was spot on. It moved along nicely and held my attention. I did have a little trouble with a few of the characters. They got a little jumbled up and I wasn’t sure who a few of them were at one point. I eventually figured it out, but that was really my only “complaint” with the book. And lets face it, we have been stuck in our house for the last couple months, so it is quite possible that my focus wasn’t what it normally is when I am reading! I can admit that!

Other Books by Karen M. McManus

I mentioned that I have read other books by this author. The book that stands out to me, and one I would definitely recommend, is One of Us is Lying. There is a sequel to that book, that I have not had a chance to read yet, and I am itching to do so. One of Us is Lying reminded me of the Breakfast Club combined with the game/movie Clue! Pick up a copy of the book and let me know what you think! While you’re reading, try this delicious Andes Mint brownies I recently made!


A Shade of a Vampire Series

by Leave a Comment

When it comes to vampire stories, I was all about Twilight. I read the books and saw the movies, and I actually liked them. People would suggest other vampire stories to me and they just never really caught my interest. However, a friend of mine suggested I give this vampire series she’s been reading a try, I figured, “what the heck”. I really do like series books (especially the Alex Cross series by James Patterson) and the Shade of a Vampire series did have a lot of books out, which is another thing I really like about series books, so I did what I do anytime I about to read a new book. I went to Amazon to check out the description.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

vampire series

About A Shade of a Vampire Series

On the evening of Sofia Claremont’s seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake. A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.

She is kidnapped to The Shade, an enchanted island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine – an island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is selected out of hundreds of girls to take up residence in the tree-top harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? Or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

*This post may contain affiliate links*

My Thoughts

When I started reading A Shade of a Vampire, I was very skeptical. Like I said, I had already done the whole “sparkly vampire” thing. And, besides the Twilight series, I was not really into reading about vampires. Bella Forrest changed my mind on that very quickly! Almost instantly I was drawn into the character of Sophia and her relationship with Derek Novak. I found myself rooting for them! When the first book ended, I quickly downloaded the second one. And the rest, they say, is history…I’m currently reading book number 48!

A Shade Of VampireA Shade Of VampireA Shade of Vampire 2: A Shade of BloodA Shade of Vampire 2: A Shade of BloodA Shade of Vampire 3: A Castle of SandA Shade of Vampire 3: A Castle of Sand

 Sometimes I find myself drifting off in a book and not paying as close attention as I should be. Not because I’m not interested in the book (though, that is the reason sometimes), but mainly because I have a lot on my mind. When that happens, I often have to go back and reread a passage to see who’s point of view that particular chapter is in. That bugs me. Bella Forrest does it a little differently, and I love what she does. Each chapter starts with a characters  name. That entire chapter is in that characters point of view. I really enjoy that style. Especially if a particular scene is told in multiple characters point of view. It allows for you to really delve deeper into the book.

Books in the Series

Like I said above, right now there are currently 48 books out. These 48 books are broken into their own mini series within the bigger series.

  • Derek and Sophia’s story (series 1, books 1-7)
  • Rose and Caleb’s story (series 2, books 8-16)
  • The Shade Continues with a New Hero (series 3, books 17-24)
  • A Clan of Novaks (series 4, books 25-32)
  • A Dawn of Guardians (series 5, books 33-41)
  • A Gift of Three (series 6, books 42+)

If you were to ask me which series out of the six is my favorite, I would say series six. While I like them all, series six has been my favorite. Each series gets better and better.

Kindle Paperwhite E-reader - Black, 6Kindle Paperwhite E-reader – Black, 6Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Case, Onyx Black - fits all Paperwhite generationsAmazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Case, Onyx Black – fits all Paperwhite generationsIf your

Another great thing about this vampire series is that it’s not just about vampires! You have werewolf’s, witches, goblins, and other paranormal creatures! I would recommend this series for adults that love a quick easy read, but also for teens that are looking for a good young adult novel series to start reading.

Definitely check the series out. If you have Kindle Unlimited, the books are free! Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial. So what are you waiting for? Get the free trial of Kindle Unlimited and read a couple A Shade of a Vampire books to see if you like the series!

What is your favorite genre of books to read?