The Girl With All The Gifts...WOW

Here I am again having finished another wild and unexpected book courtesy of my friend Nikki. This one is not only a page-turner, it is a book that will make you think and question the things you think you know about life, the world around you, and most of all how you think you will react to particular situations. Sounds familiar right? Seems like just a book or two ago I was having this same crisis.

It is difficult to explain all my feelings about this book and its characters, simply because by doing so I may give away the plot. However I will try to do it justice without giving too many spoilers. Melanie, the main character, is a child of high intellegence and a really unusual life. Spending all of her time in captivity, she relishes in the small freedoms that come from learning and her favorite teacher Miss Justineau. She does not care for the soldiers or the doctors that are always around and locking her away.

What I learned was that Melanie is not only a little genius, she holds a very dark secret and strength that she did not know she had. The characters are sharp and well written. You will love to hate some of them, while hating that you love the others. The world described in the book will make you evaluate what you see around you, and question those dooms day theories.

Melanie proves just how quickly she can adapt and earns the respect of those who previously wanted to see her harmed. It is a book that is a bit out there with the genre from what I am used to, however I found that it did not matter. The relationships that were formed and the way the plot wove between the characters made me not want to put it away.

I recommend you check this one out..

The Girl With All The Gifts
M.R. Carey

Until the next time...happy reading!!
Amy

New Contemporary Romance!

Wild Heart by Jaci J
My mama always said that falling in love for the first time would be one of the greatest feelings on Earth. She also said it would be one of the worst. She didn't lie.
A lot can happen in ten years—people grow, feelings change, life moves on—but what happens when none of those things ever change? What happens when you never grow, when your feelings stay the same, and you never move on?
Do you stay, or do you decide to change it all and move on, leaving that kind of love behind?
Standalone Romance.
US- http://amzn.to/2bi2Mzr
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KEHAKJO
AU - http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01KEHAKJO
https://books2read.com/u/bMGZwA

It's Friday!!!

I know I am happy that the weekend has come around again, not just because I am free from work for 2 days, but because I get to read! I know those of you who follow this blog can totally relate to this feeling. All week long I am caught between too short lunches and more work once I get home.
I have started a new book, we'll to be honest I am almost half way through it and it is another page turner. This one is part of the 4 books my friend loaned me to read and I have not been disappointed with any of them. I cannot wait to blog about this one..it's so unreal!
So..I will throw this question out to all of you...I need some book suggestions and would love to hear who and what you are reading? Are you into romance, suspense, or comedy? I am always looking for new authors or even books I haven't read by authors I may already love.
So let me hear what you have! Until then, happy reading.
Amy

When the story just...ends

When I am reading a good book and the pages start to dwindle, but there seems to be so much more story to tell...I start to panic.I try to slow down turning the pages but I just cannot stop myself. I feel a pit forming in my stomach and I know that something bad will inevitably happen.
Add this to the already mounting stress of the story itself and you will find me smack in the middle. My latest read left me scared, not only because it gave me a glimpse into a world that could truly exist, but also because it made me face some harsh realities. When faced with tough situations how would I react? Would I find myself going with the flow in order to stay safe, or would I be brave and stand up to an unjust situation?
If I, in fact, found myself in a similar situation as the narrator of this book I would like to believe that I would toughen up, stand my ground, hold my head up high..and all those other things we tell ourselves when we feel completely and utterly defeated. But the truth I had to face as I delved deeper into this unbelievable tale, was that I would likely cower. Fear and the animal instinct to survive that we all hold inside would kick in and I would become numb as a coping mechanism.
I thought back to all the times in my life that I had to face a hard situation, and then I thought about how I handled myself. I must admit that I am not proud of some of my decisions. I hurt people and left them in my wake. In my defense, if there is a defense for poor behavior, is that I was young and probably not as mature as I liked to believe that I was.
So, when I picked up this book and dove in head first I had no idea how fully this story would affect me and how furious I would be at myself for not being a stronger person. I like to say that I am "smart,late". By this I mean I can always think of the exact right thing to say, or argument to make once the situation has passed. I would be horrible at improv, or being a spy for that matter. So when I read about situations where individuals who try to stand up to injustice are ridiculed, relegated to sects that de-value their existence, or worse...are killed, I find myself wondering if I would stand and fight or run and hide.
I entertain the idea that I would develop an iron will like those you see in the movies, but the truth is I do not believe I would at all. I don't know what makes me more upset, thinking about the actual injustice that I feel powerless to stop, or the belief that I would stand back and let it occur. So if you would like to have a full force, eye opening look into yourself I suggest that you pick up a copy of "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. But be warned, you may never look at the world or yourself in the mirror, quite the same way again. So I guess I would like to know, if you were telling your story would it be accurate and true, or would you vary the details to hide the atrocities? Would you follow convention and give the happily ever after scenario, or be brutally honest and make us decide for ourselves how your story would end?
Feel free to comment below and give me your feedback, and if you read this book then comment how it made you feel. Until then, happy reading!
Amy

A Suspenseful Read...

I love a good suspense novel, all that cat and mouse. And New York Times Bestselling Author Kate White did not disappoint! Her novel The Wrong Man is a page turner with all the twists and turns one would expect.
Kitt Finn stepped out of her comfort zone and right into a full fledged nightmare. What started out as a harmless fling in a tropical location quickly escalates into a fight for her life.
Kitt must try to keep her decorating business from going under while simultaneously ferret out the person or persons who want her dead. Everyone in Kitts life becomes a suspect but in return those closest to her also find themselves swept up in her danger. When people connected to her start showing up dead, Kitt has to pull herself together like a well done decorating project before it's too late.
This book is a must read that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. With a suspect you never saw coming and a host of one's that will leave you swearing they are guilty, this story does not disappoint.
Thanks again to Miss Nikki Frye for sharing this book with me! And thank you to each person who reads this blog. It may never be huge but I promise it will always be honest. It makes me happy that you share my love of books. I am so happy you are on this journey with me!
Until next time, Happy reading! Amy

New Release-Check it out!!

NOW LIVE !!!

No one evades Fate. Especially when the escape route is cracked and full of holes. As a naïve young woman, Marité Muro nearly drowned in a maelstrom of confusing emotions stirred by two very different men. One whose tortured soul tugged at her heart, another whose scorching touch made her innocent body want…more. Four years in a Spanish prep school gave her time to gain perspective, and now she’s come home to Florida knowing what she wants. The one man she’s never been able to forget, and she’s ready to prove their age difference is no obstacle. Vietnam left scars on Brian MacKay, some visible, some invisible—and infinitely more dangerous. His war buddy’s sister-in-law has ripened into a tempting, irresistible woman, but she is forbidden fruit. Yet she challenges his resolve until, in a moment of weakness, his demons slip free. Marité isn’t sure why the man who held her closer than skin is suddenly holding her at arm’s length, but she isn’t afraid to fight for him. Even when someone returns from the past who could destroy everything. Her home. Her family. And Brian’s love.

EXCERPT:

December 1969 You’re late…you’re late. Where the heck are you? Out of the corner of her eye, Marité Muro scanned the hallway of the chapel. To her mounting frustration, several attendees standing next to a column blocked her view. She could stare forever and accomplish nothing. Neither the people nor the column would move out of her way. Reality does stink. She didn’t have X-ray vision or mental superpowers like the superheroes in her favorite comics and fantasy novels. Her human anatomy had its limitations, and just to reinforce that concept, a painful stab attacked her temples as a multitude of sparks filled her vision. Half-blind, she tangled the tip of her elegant new shoe with the footed base of a nearby massive candleholder, and she nearly flew forward. Mumbling a curse that would’ve shocked her mother, Marité froze in place, waiting for her vision to clear. Thanks to the futile search, she’d almost made a fool of herself in front of everyone and, worse, had missed key aspects of a ritual she didn’t know well. She should be following the ceremony. Any minute, the spotlight and all eyes would be on her, which meant ignoring the stupid voice that wouldn’t stop nagging in her mind. The incessant taunts had begun as soon as she took her place by the baptismal font: Go ahead. Turn around. Check the crowd, silly girl. How else will you know? Well, screw the voice. She had an important role and should appear focused on the celebration—same as Brian, her partner in the ceremony—or at least pretend. Still, she couldn’t stop thinking of Michael. Why aren’t you here? How about a little peek? the voice insisted. Shifting her gaze to the left hallway, she tried again, seeking a body, a shadow, some movement, anything that might indicate her cousin’s arrival. Nope. Nothing. Zip. You’re going to ruin it if you don’t show up. How could he miss the triple christening when it meant so much to everyone? The entire family had flown in from the Old Country, not to mention friends from all over. Forget the relatives, she had dreamed about this occasion for weeks, had bought this pink chiffon dress and complementary shoes, hoping to regain his attention. She wanted him to see her among adults, doing adult things like a young lady. Maybe then she’d impress the indifference out of him and the uncomfortable disaffection would end. Not so long ago, he would’ve insisted on driving her. He would’ve been full of advice on the ride over. He used to be so protective and supportive, so affectionate, but lately— The clinking sound of the swaying censer and Father O’Leary’s voice grew louder. He’d moved from infant to infant, performing the sacramental rite: dabbing bits of salt in their mouths, sprinkling the tiny foreheads with holy water, and lastly anointing them with chrism. And now it was Rebecca’s turn, the gorgeous child cradled in her arms. Marité glanced at the beaming parents standing off to her right, Raquel and Matthew Buchanan, her sister and brother-in-law. Dismissing her earlier preoccupation, Marité sent a silent prayer on their behalf for a life full of well-deserved happiness. They’d struggled enough. Father O’Leary recited the questions to the godparents, and Marité answered in unrehearsed unison with Brian. The sound of his deep voice, full of emotion and self-assured, rang in her ears as spirals of thick church incense wafted around her with its heady scent. A dreamy feeling overcame Marité. Each I do response seemed to roll out of Brian’s lips in slow motion. The words echoed throughout the room, then ricocheted inside her mind in giant swells. A sense of déjà vu transported her to a distant time in a faraway chamber, richly ornate and full of golden lights, nowhere she knew or had seen before… The experience didn’t last; it ended with the last question but left her shivering. She looked Brian’s way. “Brian?” He leaned forward. “Lil’ godmother?” “Forget it. It’s nothing,” she said quickly. Whatever she’d seen, Brian obviously had not. No point in pursuing it further. Brian MacKay, Matthew’s best friend and ex-war buddy, was the happiest person she’d ever known in all of her fifteen years. His smile could brighten the gloomiest day. In these days of the Vietnam War, men who survived the jungle came home either physically damaged or with broken spirits, sometimes both. Not Brian. His cheerful disposition had carried him through exhausting physical therapy sessions—she’d heard Raquel and Matthew talk—and conquered his wounds. She watched in awed respect as he moved or walked about, displaying his faltering step like a badge of honor and the ever-present cane like a scepter. Despite the seven-year gap between them, Brian didn’t condescend to her. He treated her as an equal, and she liked that quality best. When she learned Brian had agreed to become Rebecca’s godfather, she’d been overjoyed and honored. The sacrament would not only bind them to the child but to each other, as compadres in a very special lifelong relationship, almost like parents. Her thoughts pivoted to her absent cousin…and yep, she was back to where she’d started. “What is it?” Brian nudged her arm. “That frown’s ruining your purdy face.” Marité knew he’d tried to keep his voice down but was also certain folks in the last row heard him. “Shhh,” she whispered, and, suppressing a rising giggle, she bumped him with her shoulder. Brian jerked up to his full height, snapping two fingers in mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.” Rebecca must have found their exchange entertaining, because she decided to join the fun. Her rosebud lips puckered, releasing a loud half-raspberry, half-spit bubble. “Not very ladylike,” Marité murmured. Brian snickered, and the priest shot them both a warning glare. Her sister, Raquel, heard the sound and flicked a signal to Matthew. As a lighted taper was presented to Marité and Brian, Matthew retrieved Rebecca in exchange, rescuing everyone from the priest’s displeasure. With little Rebecca’s explorations in sound effects successfully silenced, Father O’Leary nodded, and the baptism proceeded in its ordered sequence. Boom! The sound of a kneeler dropped carelessly on the floor reverberated throughout the chapel like a discharged cannon. Marité tossed poise out the window and turned, peering above and beyond the curious guests to the source of the commotion. You know how to make an entrance, don’t you? With hands pressed against the last pew, Michael leaned forward. His shoulder-length hair, falling in the direction of his hands, concealed his features. On her next breath, Marité evaluated the situation in the room: a pale Aunt Coralina directed a wife-to-husband plea for serenity to Uncle Jonas, whose gaze emitted ice-blue fury toward his irreverent son. An unexpected censuring scoff out of Brian startled her, and Marité pivoted, beginning to feel like a spinning top. The frown of disapproval was a rare departure from Brian’s affable countenance. Confounded by it all, Marité flipped back around just as Michael looked up, tossed back his leonine mane in obvious defiance, and smirked. Ignoring everyone present, he glared at her. A chill ran down Marité’s spine…

Destiny’s Choice, the long awaited sequel to Destiny’s Plan, is available for pre-order through the following vendors.

Amazon

SmashWords

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

A native of Cuba, Victoria acquired a love for books from her mother, and the desire to see the world from her father. As a result she has been around the globe by her count, at least twice. From her journeys she has gathered a varied collection of stories and anecdotes, which now serve to inspire her muse. Central Florida is home, but if she could convince her husband, she would pack her computer and move to Scotland, a land she adores. Stay in touch with Victoria via Facebook or drop me a line on my web page, Victoria Saccenti Writes or visit her Amazon Author page: Author.to/VictoriaSaccenti

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