Cicely Loves Books

Happy Halloween! We did some trick or treating last night because it is suppose to rain tonight. It was fun although my little girl was a bit confused. Free candy, who knew? But my son knows what's up and showed her the ropes. My husband carved pumpkins yesterday and each one matches a kid's costume. He did an excellent job! I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! Ninja and Cinderella pumpkins

Now that the message is out that the Divergent are meant to go out and save the rest of the world, Tris' city is in turmoil. Evelyn has effectively replaced the factions with her own dictatorship and it does not sit well with many of the citizens. So when a revolutionary group called the Allegiant want to explore the world outside of the fence, Tris and Four agreed to go as well. What they discover changes how they view their city, the world, and even their own selves. I haven't read any other reviews of this book but I do know from some Twitter comments that it was not well received by some readers. And I can see why. It's just like Mockingjay . Some people will like it and some won't. I fall into the liking category. I think it ended in the right place. Is it the place that I wanted to see? No. Was it appropriate? Yes. We can talk more about that in the spoiler section. Mild Spoilers It seems so appropriate the world they find outside is just as damaged but willing to...

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library. This week I'm reading Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen and listening to Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, read by Angela Goethals. With my son I'm reading Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Ramage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. I finished Allegiant by Veronica Roth over the weekend so look for that review coming soon. Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Divergent #3) One choice will define you. What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected? The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal...

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library. This week I'm reading Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen and listening to Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, read by Angela Goethals. With my son I'm reading Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Ramage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith.

Real (Real #1)  by Katy Evans ★★★★★ Release Date: September 3, 2013 Publisher: Gallery Books Age: Adult, Mature 17+ Genre: Contemporary Romance, Illness, Lust, Boxing Format: ebook Source: Publisher for Review Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble Remington Tate has a bad-boy rep in and out of the ring, a granite-hard body, and a raw, animal power that sends his female fans into a frenzy. But from the moment their eyes lock, the only woman he wants is Brooke Dumas. His desire is pure, all-consuming, and REAL. Hired to keep his perfect body working like a machine, Brooke finally has the lucrative sports therapy job she's been dreaming of. But as she tours the dangerous underground fighting circuit with Remy and his team, Brooke’s own body becomes alive with the most primal of hungers. If what happens between Brooke and Remy is ever as light as a flirtation, it quickly becomes an erotic obsession for them both, and promises so much more. But their white-hot lust has a dark side;and...

Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher Release Date: December 2013 Age: Adult Source: Shh Moms Reading When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat…and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free. ABOUT TARRYN facebook | twitter | website | goodreads I am a real life villain, truly. I drink sick amounts of Starbucks. Most of the time my hair smells like coffee. I was born in South Africa, and lived there for most of my childhood. I moved to Seattle just for the rain. Rome is my favorite place in the world so far, Paris comes in at a close second. I read and write more than I sleep....

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library. This week I'm reading Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen and listening to Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, read by Angela Goethals. With my son I'm reading Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Ramage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. Last week I reviewed Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell and Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.  Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, read by Angela Goethals Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfor...

Ok. So, you may have noticed a lack of posts. If you follow me on Facebook there has been a lack of updates there as well. I have a good reason, I promise. I'm having a baby! It is my first and so far has not been an easy pregnancy. I am sick constantly and if I'm not sick I'm asleep (or chasing my 3 year old class around). This has obviously been affecting my reading, blogging, and updating. This is my post to let you all know, I'm still here! I'm just taking it easy right now, not reviewing many books and not scheduling many blog tours or anything. I actually haven't wanted to read! It's crazy, I KNOW! Freaking crazy! My husband is not a reader and I'm afraid this child will not enjoy it either lol  Some upcoming things: I think next Wednesday I will be helping the fabulous Tarryn Fisher reveal the cover and synopsis for her upcoming title, Mud Vein. Next month I'm also kind of scheduled (nothing's final yet) to review Mine (Real Series #2) ...

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? I didn't realize this was a historical novel set in 15th century Brittany, a place I didn't know a lot about so I learned something new. Isamae is an interesting character. Very much abusive by he...

Eleanor is the new girl. Unfortunately she looks different with her big red hair and her eclectic clothes.  So naturally the bus is a minefield for her. Fortunately Park offers her a seat but in the most begrudgingly way possible. The two strike up a friendship through the comics that Park loves, a friendship that quickly becomes something more. But Eleanor's home life is far from ideal and she finds that falling for Park is both the best and worst thing she's ever done. If Eleanor tried to kiss Park, it would be like a real-life version of some little girl making her Barbie kiss Ken. Just smashing their faces together.   p.164 A co-worker lent me this book and I am so happy she did. This is one of those books where you finish it and you are not sure how you lived without it. I'm not sure how to describe it really. It was just beautiful. John Green said in his review of the book that "'Eleanor & Park' reminded me not just what it’s like to be young and in ...

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library. This week I'm reading Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen and listening to Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon. With my son I'm reading Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Ramage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. I read Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell last week so look for that review soon. Short version: AMAZING! Last week I reviewed Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan and Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Ramage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith In this second novel of the Nick and Tesla series, the precocious brother-and-sister duo find themselves solving another baffling mystery.  As the story o...

Nick and Tesla are 11 year old twins who are sent to live with their mad scientist uncle while their parents are off to Uzbekistan for their own research. The twins love science and are excited to share their uncle's lab. But when Tesla's pendant that their parents gave to her is lost, she and her brother stumble onto a mysterious house with some shady characters living in it. Not to mention the girl in the window. Can some quick thinking and science solve this mystery? Quirk Books sent this one for review and I thought it would be a fun book to read with my 6 year old son. We have just got into chapter books and I was looking for one to engage him with. This turned out to be a good choice. He really liked it and asked to read the science book at night. Some of the chapters are longer so I would break them into two parts but mostly we read a chapter a night. This might be one of the longer books we've read together. He is really excited to read the second book which Quirk B...

  Out of Line by Jen McLaughlin ★★★★☆ Release Date: September 2013 Age: New Adult, 17+ Genre: Contemporary Romance Format: ebook Source: Inkslinger PR Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble Desperate to break free… I've spent my entire life under my father’s thumb, but now I'm finally free to make my own choices. When my roommate dragged me to my first college party, I met Finn Coram and my life turned inside out. He knows how to break the rules and is everything I never knew I wanted. A Marine by day and surfer by night, he pushes me away even as our attraction brings us closer. Now I am finally free to do whatever I want. I know what I want. I choose Finn. Trying to play by the rules... I always follow orders. My job, my life, depends on it. I thought this job would be easy, all the rules were made crystal clear, but when I met Carrie Wallington, everything got muddy. She's a rule I know I shouldn't break, but damn if I don’t inch closer to the breaking point each time I...

Rachel Chu is absolutely in love with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young. So when he invites her along to his best friend's wedding and then to spend the summer in Singapore, she agrees. But he does not to prepare her for the society she is going to  meet. Because Nicholas' family is not only rich, they are crazy rich. And they are also just plain crazy. I really only picked up this book because one of my favorite gossip sites,  Lainey Gossip, was so enthusiastic about it. It seemed like a fun read and she was pretty adamant that it was a great summer read. Obviously I didn't get to it in time for that, but it was fun autumn read as well. It's hard to imagine that people actually live like the characters in this book but according to her and other reviews, it's pretty accurate on that front. The sheer amount of money they have is overwhelming. But it's also proof that money cannot buy class, taste, or sympathy. I felt bad for Rachel. I realize that Nicholas has been ...

Ashes to Ashes (Experiment in Terror #8) by Karina Halle Release Date: December 11, 2013 Age: Adult Genre: Horror, Romance, Terror, Thriller, Ghosts, Supernatural, Paranormal Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Designs It’s been two months since Perry Palomino and Dex Foray’s relationship reached a new turning point, two months since Perry started a new life in Seattle, and two months since their Experiment in Terror show took on a new partner, ex-Wine Babe Rebecca Sims, and a newfound level of success. But whenever there is light in their lives, the madness still has a way of coming back in. When the team is sent back to the stormy Oregon coast to investigate a haunted school, Perry wants to use the opportunity to reconnect with her family and reintroduce Dex into their lives. Only Perry’s not the only one who’s reaching out – her grandmother Pippa has started appearing to her with disturbing warnings and Perry’s presence at the school has ignited a chilling new wave of supernatural phenome...