Book Tuesday: Queen of Shadows

September 8, 2015 by ·

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Title: Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)
Author:Sarah J. Maas
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 656
Buy:Amazon

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

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Cruisin’ Around: THE CRUISE! – part 2

September 4, 2015 by ·

We arrived in St. Maarten to a glorious day.  We’ve been here before on previous cruises and while everybody tells you to go to the French side of the Island, we prefer the Dutch side (half is French, the other Dutch).  The beach is fantastic and the shopping area in downtown St. Maarten is small, bustling, and filled with all sorts of shops and restaurants.

We caught the jetty boat to the beach early that morning and promptly set up shop, grabbing some lawn chairs and umbrellas.  Then spent the majority of the day taking in some sun and swimming in that crystal clear, blue ocean.

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Apple – Banana Nut Bread

September 3, 2015 by ·

I just checked and the last time I posted a recipe was back in March! What?! That’s just unacceptable!  Rest assured though, I have a great one for you today.  The perfect intro to Fall flavors.  My Apple-Banana Nut Bread.

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Cruisin’ Around: THE CRUISE! – part 1

September 2, 2015 by ·

After a lovely drive down, we finally arrived to Ft. Lauderdale where our cruise was departing.  Since Miami wasn’t too far, we decided to stop there for dinner.  Miami is always an adventure consisting of partying in the streets and stripper heels.

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Book Tuesday: ARC – Dumplin’

September 1, 2015 by ·

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Title: Dumplin’
Author: Julie Murphy
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Pages: 384
Buy: Amazon

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

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Cruisin’ Around: The Drive Down – Charleston, SC

August 27, 2015 by ·

My love affair with this city will never end.  Like for realz.  If I ever get rich and wanted to buy a summer home, I would get one in Charleston.  I absolutely love the vibe of this city and it’s a must-stop whenever I head down south.

You can stroll downtown Charleston and see the most colorful and extravagant houses.  It has a small town feel while still being a major metropolis.

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Book Tuesday: ARC – Hunter

August 25, 2015 by ·

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Title: Hunter (Hunter #1)
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 384
Buy:Amazon

Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.

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Cruisin’ Around: The Drive Down – Washington, DC

August 19, 2015 by ·

Most people tend to take vacations after a hectic period in their lives; a time to unwind, relax, and recharge again.  This time around, I decided to be different.  I went on a lovely vacation with my family before the hectic-ness that will await me this fall.  What can I say? I like being different.

We drove down to Florida–gasp! That tends to be the reaction I get every time I tell them, but you know what? For every Florida vacation I’ve taken in my life, I’ve always driven down.  Frankly, I enjoy it a lot more because you get to stop along the way and see some of the beautiful cities and hidden gems that the East Coast is home to.

Our first stop was Washington, D.C.  Now when I say, I’ve practically seen everything in DC over the years, I mean it.  We ended up staying away from the Mall and went to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.  We had never been and Dad has been itching to go for awhile now.

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Book Tuesday: ARC – Firewalker

August 18, 2015 by ·

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Title: Firewalker (The Worldwalker Trilogy #2)
Author: Josephine Angelini
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 352
Buy:Amazon

****Spoilers for Book 1 in the description****

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

“You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified.”

Lily is back in her own universe, and she’s ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

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Book Friday: Trial by Fire

August 14, 2015 by ·

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Title: Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1)
Author: Josephine Angelini
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 374
Buy:Amazon

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily’s other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can’t hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

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