Shut Up by: Anne Tibbets

Publication Date: April 2012

Overview: Mary’s older sister, Gwen, has royally screwed up her life. Not only is Gwen pregnant at seventeen, but she’s also decided to marry The Creep who knocked her up. Now Mary is powerless to stop her family from imploding. Her parents are freaking out, and to top it off, The Creep has a gross fascination with Mary while Gwen enjoys teasing her to tears for sport. Despite her brother’s advice to shut up, Mary can’t keep her trap closed and manages to piss off Mom so much it comes to blows. Mary doesn't know what to do, and all her attempts to get help are rejected. When she finally plans her escape, she fails to consider how it could destroy them all.

My thoughts: This book is an emotional rollarcoaster. The whole family is dysfunctional and out of control. in the best of times things are really great. Life is amazing and everyone is succeeding, but when it gets bad it gets deadly. Gwen has been the source of all the families worst nightmares. A teenager with anger issues is normal, but someone who has been through hell and had no one to turn to is worse then anything else. Her parents don't believe her about her past, but she doesn't make it easy to believe. 
Mary is screwed up. I know this feeling having been there myself. You want to do great but at some point you give up, give in, and forget your dreams. You live in a world full of hate and abuse and there is no way out. This girl has been slapped around, verbally abused and let's face it Creep would have molested her if he could and in some ways he went to far already. Gwen is blinded by her love for him. 
These parents are in need of help themselves they have been poisoned and need to be set free. The only way they can is counseling, which happens, but is it too late? 
I cried reading this. My life was like this, not the same story but the feelings Mary had the thoughts and emotions of the family I had around me for 19 years. I left it and then walked into a different situation. Life is hard and this story shows us a side that most people never get to see. Help those who need help and punish those whose hurt others.

My rating: 5 stars

Envy by: Elizabeth Miles

Publication Date: August 2013

Overview: Spring is coming, and the ice is slowly melting in Ascension…revealing the secrets buried beneath.
Emily Winters knows the Furies have roots in Ascension, Maine—but she’s about to discover that they’re deeper than she ever imagined. With the help of her new friend Drea, she vows to dig them out. But it’s hard to focus when she’s desperate to make up with JD, and to figure out why Crow, a mysterious Ascension High dropout, seems to be shadowing her.
Meanwhile, new girl Skylar McVoy is determined to leave her own dark past behind. So she’s thrilled when popular Gabby takes her under her wing, and the stunning and sophisticated Meg offers to give her a major makeover. But everyone knows what happens to the vainest girl of all…
It’s tempting to be naughty. But beware: the Furies are always watching, and their power grows stronger by the day.

My thoughts: The bloody Furies are still here and poor Emily is wasting away. Her best friend thinks she's a flake and J.D. wants nothing to do with her.The only reason J.D. believes that is because the furies made it so. I really feel bad for Emily. 

Drea her companion in crime is the only one who gets it and I believe this poor girl has gone loopy. Halfway through the book you get the sense that she has lost all direction. Crow, the new guy in Emily's life is acting shading and popping up in strange places. Is he stalking her because he wants to know her secrets are is he out to save her. 

Skyler the new girl, in under fury command. She is wrecking havoc is Gabby's life. She steal, cheats and lies to climb up the social ladder. And honey, don't  you know the higher you climb the harder you fall. And trust me this girl gets what is coming to her.

How to ride the world of Furies, I would like to know. I can't wait for the next installment!

My rating: 4 stars

Up Next: Eternity

Fury by: Elizabeth Miles

Publication Date: August 2012

Overview: Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better—the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

My thoughts: The tale of Furies. I am quite obsessed with Greek mythology so this one got me. I was drawn in immediately and wanted things to work out for Emily. I love her character strong with a touch of weakness, which happens to be J.D. And one you think it would be Zach.

Zach the all-star footballer and boyfriend to Gabby, Em's best friend. Emily thinks it's OK to be with him, because he draws her in and make her think he will dump her best friend and that they can continue their relationship. Poor girl, boys lie...friends hate, and great plans are dumb.

I didn't feel this way at first, but after the things that occur in this book it makes one change their way of thinking. I really wanted Emily to be happy with J.D. Considering her best friend is one of those girls who you love to hate and can really do without I wanted Emily to steal her man away. But by the end I wanted her to be happy with J.D. and forget about her friendship with Gabby.

Fate come in many ways, screw me and get screwed kinda thing, seems to be the outcome of this book. Chase forgets about his old friend and he gets what is coming to him. Now Emily is going to get what is coming to her. 

My rating: 5 stars

Up Next: Envy

The Grimm Chronicles Vol. 1 by: Isabelle Fontaine and Ken Brosky

Publication Date: August 2012

Overview: 200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world. Literally.  
Now the characters of the Grimm's stories walk among us. With every day that passes, they grow more evil. They are the Corrupted, and only a hero can stop them. 
For 18-year-old Alice Goodenough, that means taking precious time off from her summer vacation. In addition to volunteering at the local library, Alice must stop the Corrupted who are now actively hunting her down. With the help of her magic pen and her trusty rabbit friend, the world has suddenly gotten a lot more complex. The Corrupted are everywhere, and only Alice can see them for what they truly are. 
Episode 1: Prince Charming Must Die!  
Alice Goodenough has been chosen to be the new hero, but not before undergoing a test to see if she's worthy. Shaken, confused, Alice discovers that her weapon is a magic fountain pen and her ammunition is her mind: whatever she can draw, she can create. With the help of a rabbit friend, Alice must learn the ways of the hero and discover the truth about her frightening dreams: who is the terrible creature feeding on its victims at night? 
Episode 2: Happily Never After  
Alice's nightmares have begun to grow more real. Terrifying man-eating rats are plaguing the city of Chicago, and it's up to Alice to figure out a way to stop them. But before she can do that, she'll have to face off with an even more dangerous enemy sent to kill her. 
An enemy that has killed heroes before ...
Episode 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats 
After being rushed to the hospital, Alice Goodenough finds herself trapped in the worst dream imaginable: a horrible monster is hunting in the darkness, searching for its next victim: Alice. It will stop at nothing to kill her.
And that's not the worst of it. All across the city, people are growing more addicted to Castle Cats, a smartphone game created by Grayle Incorporated. And it's not just a game. The more you play, the more it controls you. Soon, Alice learns that the dwarfs who run Grayle Incorporated are watching her everywhere she goes, using human beings to spy on her.
There must be a confrontation. Sam Grayle and his brothers have to be stopped. And Alice is going to need help.

My thoughts: Honestly, I liked this book. I believe it fit along side all the others who have begun to emerge trying to bring these fairy tales to a new audience.The character is very relate-able something has yet to be found, in my opinion. She's not your typical: already fit, trained from birth type. She could be anyone, you or me! She has to learn everything thing from the start which is something that needs to be shown, she's the underdog.
This is a different spin on things. Most of the stories keep the good people good and the bad one bad, but they change it up. They make everyone part of The Corrupted/evil. I love the uncertainty whether or not Briar will stay on her side. This seems so real.

There are a few things I would change:
-First, the layout of the book. You are going between three characters thoughts and ways of telling their part, it's a bit much and gets a little confusing. The old journal entries give a good background/back story of information and Briar's part explains when the two are split up, but that's why it took me a while to get through it. I think there has to be a better way to lay that out. To make it easier to get through. 
-Secondly, I dislike that the First Corrupted she has to kill is her boyfriend. To me it felt as though she was tossed in the deep end of the pool with out learning to swim and expected to survive. Maybe adding that smaller character to get her feet wet, so we could see her fight the truth of things.
-Third, Her name was a bit odd to me, it seemed a bit last minute.

My rating: 4 stars
Up Next: Grimm Chronicles Vol. 2

^New Page^

   Hey everyone I have created a new page^ I wanted to give the authors who have been e-mailing me a chance to see where their books are located on my review list. I have to read and review for them and wanted them to see how close to done I am. I take more and more request daily so this list will change. 

If you as a fan would like to see a review for something let me know. I will get to it. Today I have finished 3 books and am planning to post soon. 

Everyone hang in there, you will see your review soon.

Wish List Updated!!

 I wanted to let you know that I have updated my Wish List. It's never final and always changing. I try to change it every month. I buy new ones and am given some all the time, or I pick them up at the library. If you don't see a book and want to give it away think of me. Shoot me an e-mail and I will let you know if I am interested. Or you can check me out on good reads.

Thanks,
Laura

Fans!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to Thank all the fans for following, e-mailing and other techniques of getting in touch with me. I have such a great fan base and appreciate your time and thoughtfulness. 
This month alone I have gotten more and more input and contact with your guys and I love it.

Tis the Season to give thanks: I want to thanks the fans, God, and my family. 
My family encourages me to continue even when I feel no one likes it or wants to read anymore. They push me to continue to write my thoughts and read more. I have relieved many books from fans and from authors and I enjoy most of them. I do donate the duplicates to the local library which thanks you as well. 

I hope that this season you will think of those who have nothing and give to them. I am going to help hand out books to the unprivileged. Most people think that is a weird thing to pass out but with out they can not learn. I want kids to learn to love reading as much as I do.