Forgotten? Or Lost Forever?!?!?! The Forgotten Girls by Alexa Steele

The Forgotten Girls by Alexa Steele

Alexa Steele is the newest up and coming author! I'm so excited to rave about this book. If you're looking for a real feeling murder mystery/thriller/full of suspense... this is a must read! I was a little hesitant that our main character is a woman but honestly the story has other characters that actually add to what Bella does... it isn't just about her. She isn't juuust the person to solve the mystery which makes it feel even more real. EEEEK!

Alexa had me excited and guessing the whole time. I felt like it was definitely something I'd see on t.v. Which if someone out there is smart enough they'll make it into a movie ;)

The Forgotten Girls is a great novel and she plans on having a sequel so that we can follow Bella to the next mystery! Cannot wait!!!!! 
kiss approved -D :***** 5/5

The Cure? Or the Epidemic Continues?!?! The Death Cure by James Dashner

The Death Cure by James Dashner

The third and final of this series.... are you ready????? I was... or at least I thought I was. Whenever I get into a book this much I almost rush through and then instantly regret it all as soon as it's over :( all I want is to live in the world that James Dashner created for just a little longer.... Can you please make a fourth? Thanks ;)
What can I say, I wasn't let down in the least by this book. You're still wondering up until the last page and the epilogue what curve might be thrown. I wasn't let down in the least. Definitely a must read if you're into dystopian/post apocalyptic with a bit of sci-fi and lots of drama thrown in.
kiss approved :**** 4/5
-D

A Maze? Or Just The Run Around?!?!?! The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner By James Dashner

There's no question as to how great a book this was! The dialect.... the emotion... the thrill...
If you like dystopian mixed with mystery and a bit of sci-fi zombie-ism this will do it!
I started this book after watching the movie, and I will stand behind that I thoroughly enjoyed both, but the book was by far better. A riveting run through a messed up maze of scientific experiments and trials on mere children. But to follow these kids as they create their own mini society and law within was simply intriguing. I cannot wait to read the second book that I just downloaded.

What a break to read two great books back to back. I thought for sure I was in a dry boring reading spell, BOY has that turned around!!!!!! 

kiss approved :***** 5/5
-D

The End? Or Just Another Beginning!?!?

Cassandra Clare weaves an intricate tale from beginning to end....or maybe there's more to come? That's what I think anyway! ;) through the fourth

you are gripping the arm of your chair even more so than the first three...waiting..wondering...what will happen to the beloved characters.
When their stories started into separate sections and switched back and forth I wasn't a fan at all. All I cared to know was about Jace and Clary. Their story was first and foremost buuuut by book five

I wanted to know what was happening in each and every one of their complicated life stories. LOVE. TREACHERY. TRUTH. LIES. Painted dot by dot until we see the complete picture come together. I absolutely loved these books. As always she leaves room for discussion and opportunity to guess as to what's to come.
 I am excited to read the prequels but for the moment I'll move into something else for those of you who are ready for something new!!!
Kiss approved :***** 5/5
-D

Is it Hope? Or Complete Despair!?!?!? Silver Linings by Matthew Quick

I'm not sure how I want to approach a piece on this book. It's a good read, wonderfully written, loved the dialogue and flow. I can completely relate to it but I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea. If you are open or want to be open into a deeper understanding into the mind of someone who has a mental illness/struggle, if you aren't turned off as a reader by topics like depression, mental hospitals, counseling than maybe this book is just right for you. 

This story is one of an inward struggle, someone coming closer to the road of acceptance and closure. If you're looking for the typical, happy go lucky love story.... DON'T read this. 

You are sewn into Matt Quick's intricate cross-stitch of Pat People's life. You feel for Pat who sincerely believes that if he jumps through hoops to become the man he thinks his wife and God want him to be he will be reunited with her...... as we all know sometimes life likes to throw us curves and life doesn't go how we want. That's just how it is... however we are right behind Pat as he struggles with many issues on his road to recovery.  

This is a look deep into the heart of an issue that sent Pat spiraling to the brink/edge of sanity. We want to know what happened? Why is he like this? We want him to get better, to be sincerely happy! I think it gives a good insight into how some with depression or other mental struggles think and feel (BUT not everyone (you can NEVER group anyone into a certain circle... no one was made the same as any other....  there are always people who break what we think is "this" or "that" type of person group etc etc :note:I hate stereotypes))

As we see in this book, mental illness can affect every aspect of one's life and not to mention other's lives around them. It's a sobering book that I will say ends uniquely and thankfully with a smile. I can't say the book was ecstatic because although it's one that keeps you asking questions it isn't an overly happy, feel good, kind of read. I must say once again it is very, very, well written. And for those of us who have dealt with a mental illness it's a good story of what silver linings really are if you look deep enough and look outside the box. A story of someone on their way to living a happy, healthy life, where they are able to accept exactly what is, to separate fiction from reality, learning to be happy, find the silver lining, and begin moving forward. 

-D- :*** 3 1/2 out of 5 

*kiss approved*

Beautiful Darkness? Or An Unappealing Light?!?!? Beautiful Darkness-

Beautiful Darkness... the second book to Beautiful Creatures. By Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl..........
I had previously stated. QUOTE-UNQUOTE "The only thing I'm worried about is that the story may lose its essence of magic. How long can they draw out Ethan and Lena's story? I don't want it to fall into just a love story between the two seeing as how all the mystery and thrills and chills were in the first."   ehem* clearing my throat.... I take it back.... 
Even though Ethan and Lena's story continues. It is so much more than just their love story. It's all of the characters. I'm swept up into their world and quite honestly... I don't want to leave. I'm not sure if any of you out there are like this but I have fallen in love with the characters from a story... And as fast as I'm reading this series I will soon be done. It's almost like losing a friend, or in this case friends. How could you come to care about all of these menacing dark personas and yet in them you find light... as it says in the book. "In darkness there is light. In light there is darkness." 
But let's get down to it now that we can all see how completely mesmerized and infatuated I've become over these books: It's even MORE thrilling and enticing that the first with all of its twists and turns. We are drawn deeper into the tunnels that lay beneath what we thought Gatlin was.... We follow Ethan on a hard and trying journey against time and darkness to save the one he loves. 
I'm scared to read the third but so far they have shot over and beyond my expectations. And although I'm not to sure about how I feel about what happened to Link and Ridley... The ending left me on the edge of my seat.. popcorn still en route to my mouth... and as I turned the last page and saw that there was no more to read of this book..... My popcorn went flying. I jumped up in anger thinking 'I cannot believe this...'. And yet my heart was screaming with joy There's More!!! There's More!!!!!! ;) interested???? Read On!
-D- 
kiss approved :****  4/5

A Beautiful Mess? Or Evil Thoughts?!?!?!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. Sit back and relax... but be ready to hold on to your seats!!!! As I was reading this in the beginning it felt a little jet laggedy... Like a slow start to a movie, however by a few chapters in the wind was whipping through my hair, I didn't want to sleep, or eat (let me say I love food.. so that's big ;) ).  You're flying in the action up into the night reading. And when your body can't take the lack of sleep anymore your brain doesn't want to rest because it's going crazy wondering what's going to happen, it's left begging for more. 
Now if you're not one for paranormal, mystery, romance, death, ghosts, magic etc... I would probably dissuade you from reading this and say to check out some other book. HOWEVER, that being said if you are it's a must read! 
Halfway through I was dying to read the next one. I wanted to figure out what was going to happen. It's one of those stories you get lost into that you want to reach in and become part of these women's words, the world that they creates. You want to meet each of their characters because you love them just as much as you were meant to. 
I was introduced to this book through a coincidental conversation. I was talking to a friend about this new movie that was coming out in theaters and how I desperately wanted to see it. Said friend informed me that this movie (Beautiful Creatures) was based off of a book. Now anyone that knows me knows that I must read the book before seeing the movie! But it's almost a catch 22..... Now I'm scared to watch the movie because I'm not sure the characters in my head will be anything close to the actors/actresses. haha. 
Buuuut now that I have finished the book I am in a flurry of oh my gosh's and what's going to happen next's. I don't know if I'm surprised at the ending it only made sense to give a hint as to what was going to happen with Lena..... but they just reiterated the question I was dying to know and that there was more drama to come. The only thing I'm worried about is that the story may lose its essence of magic. How long can they draw out Ethan and Lena's story? I don't want it to fall into just a love story between the two seeing as how all the mystery and thrills and chills were in the first. They have their bar set high so I guess I will just have to read on and see!!!! 
kiss approved :**** 4/5
-D- 

Worth Remembering? Or To Forget?!?!?!? (Water For Elephants)

Sara Gruen spins a sensuous, gripping, pulse of life, story behind the Big Tent in the 1930's. Through an old man's reminiscing heart and mind, her story plays out like a piece of orchestra music. So many sounds coming together to form a beautiful trifling piece. From the nursing home to the younger years where Jacob was working for the circus you're taken for a magical ride. 
You're caught up in the whirlwind itself reaching out your arms to hug your feelings tighter hoping they won't up and fly away. If you want to read a story of compelling love, hopeless lust, and in the end getting exactly what you deserve I undoubtedly recommend it! Sara has a way of pulling at your heart strings like a mere puppet. 
Jacob looks back into his life where prohibition reigned and a dollar was worth it's weight in gold. The characters in this book are absolutely ones you will miss when you're done and you don't want to leave your imagination. It simply sucks you in like a torrential whirlwind of emotion.
I will say it's not exactly appropriate for the younger crowd. There is adult language and adult situations. I myself could barely stand the animal abuse that takes place but it made the story that much more vivid, touching, and storming with bubbling emotion. I hate August with a passion and love Marlena and Rosie dearly as if they were my best friends. But all in all the characters throughout the entirety of the book were put together very well and stayed true, I feel, to what Sara created them to be from the very beginning. 
And in the back of my book there's an extra, an interview with Sara. Although I skimmed through it (I wasn't too big on reading it at the moment) one question caught my eye where she explained why she likes writing characters that are flawed.... 
I think it's what brings them to life and really draws you in... aren't we all looking for people we can level with, that in some sense or another there is a small glitter of an event(s) within your lives that connect you. Stories are just that, they connect you with characters, fictional or real. Now I just want to go back and live in my imagination for awhile longer with Rosie, Marlena, and Jacob! I hope you guys will give it a go. 
xoxo kiss approved! :**** 4/5
-D-