Book Blogger Hop: Books to Movies

This Week's Question:

What is the one book or series you are dying to see turned into a movie or tv series?

My Answer:

This is always a tough one for me, because while I'd love to see movies of a lot of books often times the movies are pretty bad and are never as good as the book. That being said if there could be a perfect movie version of a book/series I'd probably pick The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren. But I kinda don't want anyone to try since they might butcher such epic-ness!

All About Us Series Books 5&6 by Shelley Adina

Books 1&2 Review  Books 3&4 Review

About the Series
Spencer Academy is a fancy boarding school in San Francisco who's attendees are almost all relations of famous and rich people. This series is about the lives of 5 female students during their junior and senior years at Spencer Academy. They share triumphs and failures, sorrows and joys, while learning more about God,  friendship, romance, family, and themselves.

Book 5: Tidings of Great Boys
About the Book
Not wanting to spend Christmas break in Scotland alone with her dad, Mac invites all of her friends to join her. When they arrive they discover that the castle is starting to fall apart and Mac's parents are having financial woes that may result in having to sell the castle that has been in the family for generations. Mac decides to make this the best Christmas in spite of this and even organizes the family's traditional New Year's Eve party. All the while hoping to convince her mother to join them so she can try to get her parents back together. Add to that some more crazy Rashid problems for Shani and you've got and you've got just about all the drama these girls can take!

What I Liked
I really enjoyed the fact that this book was set primarily during a break so we got to have most of the book take place at a different location than the normal Spencer Academy. I also liked how you could really see how much Mac has grown, when you put her next to her "friends" that she used to be like the transformation is really obvious. Another thing that was cool was that (despite the title) there actually wasn't too much boy drama!

What I Didn't Like
The only thing I remember not liking was Mac's former friends. They were just rude mean people!

Book 6: The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth
About the Book
It's almost time for the girls to graduate and head off to their college lives! Lissa Mansfield has come a long way from the girl she was when she arrived at Spencer Academy, but now she has a whole new set of challenges to face. First off her "archenemy" Vanessa, has a huge secret that could destroy her reputation, and Lissa feels that God is calling her to reach out and be a friend when no one else is. Secondly she is suddenly thrust into the planning of the school's Benefactor's Day Ball. And lastly, with college around the corner will she and Kaz finally admit their feelings for each other?

What I Liked
It was awesome to see how much Lissa had matured. She was almost a completely different person. I also liked the fact that Kaz was in it more. Honestly I liked almost the whole thing, this book and the third one, tie for my favorite!

What I Didn't Like
There wasn't much. I didn't like the fact that Gillian got upset at Lissa for helping Vanessa, but that was sorted out pretty quick. I also wanted to smack Lissa in the head and tell her to wake up and see that Kaz was perfect for her!

About the Author
Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

Waiting on Wednesday #25: Guardian

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Guardian (Halflings #2) by Heather Burch
Zondervan-October 9, 2012

About the Book

Vigilance. The mission to safeguard Nikki Youngblood depends on the fragile alliance of two half-angel, half-human guardians, both struggling with intense feelings for the girl who has been assigned to their care. Mace, steadfast and deeply in love, wants to protect Nikki at all costs, while Raven's loyalty to Nikki finds him advocating for her independence and battling his own darker inclinations. At the same time, Nikki finds it harder and harder to choose between the two heavenly beings she may never have. Dangers intensify, and tensions between Mace and Raven flare as the purpose of their mission becomes clear. Can their defenses hold up to master manipulator Damon Vessler and the powerful secret he holds regarding Nikki's heritage? Can anyone protect Nikki from her true purpose and destiny?

Why I Want It

I just finished Halflings about two nights ago and I really liked it! And the way they ended it just made me really want to read this book. I can't wait to see what's going to happen!!!

Belle Meade Plantation: Video Vignette #1 of 6

Last November I read and reviewed Tamera Alexander's novel A Lasting Impression. I loved it! I thought it was especially cool how the story took place in mansion that still exists today. So when I found out that she was writing another book (the first in a series that will connect some with the Belmont Mansion series) that is also set in a location that is still around today, I was pretty excited! (Check out my WoW about it!) To Whisper Her Name takes place at the beautiful Belle Meade Plantation and for the next six weeks Tamera Alexander will be posting a new video every Monday. These videos were filmed at the plantation so it will be giving us a stunning visual to put with the story! Check out the first video, Welcome to Belle Meade Plantation!

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish


I refuse to deface a book, whether it be dog-earring, cracking the spine, writing, bending the cover, or any other horrible thing.

I am pretty much always reading more than one book at a time-usually at least 3

I hate being read aloud to which includes audio books.

Head-hopping is the quickest way to way to make me put a book down.

Humor is one of the most important parts of a book for me-make me laugh and I will probably love your book!

I love when books reference things that I'm familiar with, especially tv shows and movies that I love.

I love, love, love, when book covers have girls in gorgeous dresses on them. Honestly if I see a book with a pretty dress on it I have to know what it's about.

I'm a major romance girl-I like to have at least a bit of romance in all of the books I read.

I used to hate books written in first person but now I love them!

I talk about book characters like they are real people and I sometimes even talk to them.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #34

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

Yeah this was a pretty sad reading week especially after the last two, but it was kind of a nice break and I got a bunch of crocheting done!

What I am currently reading:

I'm really enjoying Halflings and I'm a little over halfway through! I read a small bit of Bonhoeffer this week but none of The Three Musketeers.

What I hope to read this week:

Hopefully I'll actually get both of these done but I'm not making any promises!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #33/Bout of Books 5.0: Wrap-Up
Top Ten Books I've Read Since I've Been Blogging
Waiting on Wednesday #24: The Fairest Beauty
Book Blogger Hop: Fav Thing About Blogging
All About Us Series Books 1&2 by Shelley Adina
All About Us Series Books 3&4 by Shelley Adina

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

All About Us Series Books 3&4 by Shelley Adina

Books 1&2 Review

About the Series
Spencer Academy is a fancy boarding school in San Francisco who's attendees are almost all relations of famous and rich people. This series is about the lives of 5 female students during their junior and senior years at Spencer Academy. They share triumphs and failures, sorrows and joys, while learning more about God,  friendship, romance, family, and themselves.

Book 3: Be Strong and Curvaceous 
About the Book
Carly Aragon is not exactly happy when she comes back from spring break to discover that she has a new roommate. She's even less excited when this roommate is Lady Lindsey MacPhail (Mac) who is the daughter of an earl and isn't afraid to act like it. The real kicker however comes when Mac starts showing interest in Carly's crush Brett. But when Mac starts getting threatening emails the two girls have to work together to discover who is behind them.

What I Liked
I was really excited to get to this one since Carly is my favorite of the girls. I liked how she kept her cool even when Mac was being a pain. Though Mac putting Vanessa in her place was pretty entertaining! I also loved the whole mysteryish part,and the fact that Carly was willing to help Mac despite the fact that Mac wasn't exactly being nice. It was also cool to see Brett being normal.

What I Didn't Like
The only thing that I didn't really like was how obsessed Carly was about keeping her job a secret-I didn't see the need to hide it.

Book 4: Who Made You A Princess
About the Book
Shani Hanna spent the summer with her three best friends and even some of their friends. Which meant that she got to meet Danyel Johnstone a friend of Liz's but what she didn't get was him to show any interest in her even though she really liked him, but now summer is over and senior year has begun. When the girls get back to school they discover that there is a new student, Prince Rashid al Amir of Yasir. And it turns out that he's not there just to study he plans to romance the woman he's going to marry: Shani. Their two families have been joined through arranged marriage every fourth generation and now it's Rashid and Shani's turn. The problem however is that Shani still likes Danyel. Will she give him up, to make her family and royalty happy? Or will she follow her heart?

What I Liked
Danyel was awesome! I loved seeing how focused on God he was! I also liked how Shani stood for what she believed in. It might have taken her a bit to figure out exactly what that was but once she did she didn't back down!

What I Didn't Like
I really didn't like how Shani was dating/not dating two guys and wasn't honest with them about that. And Rashid's inconsistency was slightly annoying. One minute he was wanting to be normal and the next he was acting like he was God.

About the Author
Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

All About Us Series Books 1&2 by Shelley Adina

I recently finished the All About Us series by Shelley Adina and decided to review them on here! But since there are six books I'm going to do three posts each with short reviews of two of the books. It'll pretty much just be a what I liked, what I didn't like kinda thing!

About the Series
Spencer Academy is a fancy boarding school in San Francisco who's attendees are almost all relations of famous and rich people. This series is about the lives of 5 female students during their junior and senior years at Spencer Academy. They share triumphs and failures, sorrows and joys, while learning more about God,  friendship, romance, family, and themselves.

Book 1: It's All About Us
About the Book
Lissa Mansfield is used to being popular but as she arrives at Spencer, it seems it's going to be harder to get in with the "in" crowd than she thought. If she can just get the most popular guy in school, Callum McCloud, to like her than she'll be set. But when Callum starts pushing for more, Lissa has to decided how far is too far.

What I Liked
The writing was great and I loved the characters. I also absolutely loved all of the Firefly references, that was epic!

What I Didn't Like
All of the sex talk. There was nothing that was inappropriate it was just talked about too much for my liking. I do however see the purpose of it since that is something a lot of girls wonder about-how far IS too far? So I saw the need but didn't personally like reading about it. I actually almost stopped reading the series but I liked the characters and writing enough to go on (and it got better!).

Book 2: The Fruit of My Lipstick
About the Book
Gillian Chang is practically a genius when it comes to music and science but love is one thing she's unfamiliar with. She is falling for Lucas Hayes who is even smarter than her, but she can never seem to measure up to his standards. And on top of that stress, someone has been selling exam answers and the smartest kids in school are under suspicion-including Gillian.

What I Liked
I really liked watching the relationship between the girls grow and reading their interactions. I also found the message of the book-don't change yourself to please a guy-to be extremely relevant for girls today. I think Shelley Adina did a great job of portraying that.

What I Didn't Like
Lucas Hayes. That guy was the worst kind of jerk, the sneaky subtle type, but I wasn't supposed to like him anyway! I also didn't like how Gillian went from being so sensible in book one to being taken in so easily, but it does happen and is something to watch out for!

About the Author
Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

Book Blogger Hop: Fav Thing About Blogging

This Week's Question:

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

My Answer:

My all time favorite thing about blogging is the chance to interact with people. I found so many new friends through the blogging world and it's awesome. My second fav is comments! I absolutely love reading comments from all of you great readers! 

Waiting on Wednesday #24: The Fairest Beauty

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson
Zondervan-December 25, 2012

About the Book

A daring rescue. A difficult choice.

Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what.

When the pair flee to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help—but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Now both must not only protect each other from the dangers around them—they must also protect their hearts

Why I Want It

Well I have absolutely loved Melanie's first two novels (both also fairy-tale re-tellings), so it's no surprise that I'm anxious to read this new book of hers. I will admit that I used to hate Snow White, thanks to Disney, but after watching ABC's Once Upon A Time she is really growing on me. I can't wait to see what Melanie Dickerson does with story! 

P.S. Isn't that cover awesome?!

Top Ten Books I've Read Since I've Been Blogging

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's top ten was actually books you've read in the life-span of your blog. But I've only been blogging for less than a year and this blog has been around since 2004 so I changed it to my favorite since I started blogging. And even though it's been less than a year this was still really hard for me. I made it a little easier on myself and only allowed one book per author but even then it was tough. But here are the books I'm pretty sure are my top ten [ :) ] in order of when they were read!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #33/Bout of Books 5.0: Wrap-up

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Well the crazy reading week is done! Despite being rather busy this week I managed to get a chunk of reading in! I fell slightly short of the last Bout of Books I participated in (my wrap-up), but I did complete and go beyond my goals! Which were: 1) Read at least 8 books-2,416 pages(hopefully more!) I read 12 books 3266 pages 2) Write 1 Review (I only have one review book) Done! 3) Participate in most if not all of the mini-challenges-I did this one too, links at bottom! 4)Have Fun! YEP!

Here is what I finished last week:

The Gallagher Girls were probably my favs but I really liked the rest of them too!

What I am currently reading:

Didn't make any progress on these but hopefully I can get some in this week!

What I hope to read this week:

With the fact that I have read 23 books in the last 2 weeks I'm not sure how much reading I will want to do but I'm still hoping to get some in!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #32
Top Ten Most Dislikable Characters 
Waiting on Wednesday #23: Love in the Balance
Bourne and Tributary in Print!!!!
Book Blogger Hop: Genre I'll Never Read
Stacking the Shelves #12
A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

Bout of Books Updates and Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 1: Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 1: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 2: Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 2: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 3: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 4: Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 4: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 5: Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 5: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 6: Challenges
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 6: Update
Bout of Books 5.0 Day 7: Update

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Bout of Books 5.0: Day 7: Update

Well I actually did a lot better today than I was expecting, even with church, company, and a nap!

I finished:
Be Strong and Curvaceous-161 pages

I started and finished:
Who Made You A Princcess-215 pages

Tidings of Great Boys-229 pages

So that gave me a total of 605 pages for today! I'll be posting my wrap-up post in a bit with my total of books and pages!

A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

About the Book
Katherine came home to forget her past. The last thing she expected was to find her future.
Young widow Katherine Osborne returns to her family’s rustic camp on Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. She’s determined to live a quiet life, but her socialite mother is equally determined to push her into a new marriage while she’s still young.
Andrew Townsend has known Katherine since they were children. An attorney who is successful, but not wealthy, he knows she is socially out of his reach. But he’s curious about what changed the free-spirited girl he once knew into this private, somber young woman.
Katherine has kept hidden the details of her unsuccessful marriage. When past sins come to light, she must turn to God for the courage to be honest. But how can she trust the God she feels has let her down? When she confides in Andrew, their relationship takes a dramatic turn into uncharted territory.
Amid impossible obstacles, two young people must learn to trust enough to walk the path that God has cleared for them. A path that leads to healing and restoration. A path toward love.

My Thoughts
I didn't really have any preconceived notions about this book. I have yet to read any of Cara Lynn James's other books (but I've wanted to!) so I had no previous opinion of the author. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this story! In some ways it reminded my of Hidden Places by Lynn Austin, but it was completely it's own story. I really liked the characters and Aunt Letty with all of her quirkiness was my favorite! Now that I've read this one it makes me want to read Cara's first series all the more!


About the Author 
Cara Lynn James lives in northwest Florida with her husband, grown daughter, four year old grandson and a Papillon named Sparky. Originally from Connecticut, she's lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, California, Virginia, Vermont and now Florida. Her hobbies include reading everything in sight, traveling and camping, but not in a tent. Fascinated by the excess of the Gilded Age, she writes inspirational historical romance.

Bout of Books 5.0: Day 6: Update

Well today was better than the last two and I would have got more done than I did but my mom decided we needed "family time" so that took away a chunk of my evening.

I finished:
It's All About Us-169 pages

I started and finished:

The Fruit of My Lipstick-224 pages

I started:
Be Strong and Curvaceous-62 pages

So that adds up to 455 pages today! I really doubt I'll get much done tomorrow since I have church in the morning then people coming for lunch and the afternoon, but I'm hoping to at least get a little bit in!

Total pages: 2661
Total Books: 9

Stacking the Shelves #12

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Books to Review

A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

Books I Bought
Spotlight on the Runway by Melody Carlson
The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus
The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler
Cowgirl at Heart by Christine Lynxwiler
Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington

Books I Borrowed 
Rendezvous by Melody Carlson
Catwalk by Melody Carlson
Perfectly Invisible by Kristin Billerbeck
Perfectly Ridiculous by Kristin Billerbeck
The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina
Be Strong an Curvaceous by Shelley Adina
Who Made You A Princess by Shelley Adina
Tidings of Great Boys by Shelley Adina
The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelley Adina
Living With Fred by Brad Whittington
Escape from Fred by Brad Whittington
The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell
The Embittered Ruby by Nicole O'Dell
Halflings (ARC) by Heather Burch
Solitary by Travis Thrasher
Gravestone by Travis Thrasher
Temptation (Galley) by Travis Thrasher

Kindle Books/iBooks
The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins
Love in Disguise by Carol Cox
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
Out of Sight Out of Time by Ally Carter
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
Matched by Ally Condie
Crossed by Ally Condie
Partials by Dan Wells
Northanger Alibi by Jenni James
Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Graceling by Krisin Cashore
Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Bout of Books 5.0: Day 6: Challenges

There were three challenges for today and once again I'm gonna do all of them!

Music hosted by My Not So Real Life
The rules are simple. All you have to do is choose one book that you’ve read this year, or one of your favorites, or even a book that you’ve read for the readathon. Then, choose a song that matches your book. Post a picture/link to your book, and a embed/link your song.

My pair is:
My Unfair Godmother by Janette Ralison

 and...
Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood

The lyrics fit so well, it's really cool!

Page 99 Test hosted by My Seryniti

Choose a book that you have on your to read list.
Read page 99
Comment below and let us know how you feel! Did page 99 draw you in or push you away? Are you more curious or less?

I really didn't want to do this one but I did it anyway! I read page 99 of The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina. Thankfully it didn't give stuff away and it was actually a funny page!

Virtual Travels hosted by Ex Libris
Choose a book and find a picture to match the setting you envision for the novel.

I just went with what I'm currently reading which is the All About Us Series by Shelley Adina. The story takes place at a fancy boarding school in California so this is the pic I chose

Bout of Books 5.0: Day 5: Update

Well today wasn't as bad as yesterday but it still was a kinda stinky reading day! For some reason I couldn't get motivated then when I was finally starting to my fam decided it was time for our big grocery shopping trip.

I finished:
My Unfair Godmother-259

I started:
It's All About Us-50 pages

So that left me with 309 pages read today. I'm really really hoping tomorrow is better because the next day is Sunday and I will have very little reading time!

Total Pages: 2206
Total Books: 7

Book Blogger Hop: Genre I'll Never Read

This Week's Question:

What is one genre you will NEVER read?

My Answer:

Well I actually have two answers and they are on absolute opposite ends of the spectrum.The first is erotica-for the obvious reasons! And the second is Amish. I honestly don't get the whole Amish book hype.. There used to be a couple authors that wrote it but now it seems to be taking over! I will admit that there is one kinda Amish book that I want to read and that is Double Take by Melody Carlson. It's kinda the whole Prince and the Pauper thing only with a rich girl and an Amish girl. But that is probably the only Amish I will read!