I Fail.

Don’t we all??

I have REALLY good intentions for this blog. For a lot of things. But I fail. I make plans and I don’t follow through. At least not the way I’d like sometimes. There are 100 excuses and things I can blame, but at the end of the day I need to own up and make a better plan for next time, right? I’m like the chronic dieter that falls off the wagon over and over again but one day, I’ll finally realize this is what I want and what I need to do, and I’ll get it done. Right? That’s how I see it anyways. Anyhow, one of my main goals in starting this blog was to have a place to practice writing, to get my thoughts out, and to start blogging my book reviews. I’ve done a little rambling and I think maybe 1 or 2 book reviews?? I have also promised more book reviews for each Thursday and I haven’t delivered. SO- I plan to review the two books I discussed reviewing a few weeks ago TOMORROW. On TUESDAY. Then Thursday I want to review The Breathing Series by Rebecca Donovan that I just finally jumped on the bandwagon and read, because they’re on sale through June!! SO Get them. $1.99 a piece. Then let me know what you think, or if you were able to sleep. Because I couldn’t. I had to know what was going to happen! Which sort of made me glad that I waited until they were all out. Anyhow, I apologize for my inconsistencies, and I’m not going to promise that I’ll get better right away, but I’m definitely working on it! I have a lot to learn. So tomorrow- Shine Not Burn and Mackenzie Fire by Elle Casey! Super hilarious reads. I’ll tell you my thoughts then!

 

xoxo

 

Ashley

Book Review- That Boy by Jillian Dodd

This book begins in the present day where Jadyn is on a romantic first date with one of her best friends and he proposes. Actually, it’s a full blown engagement party that he’s thrown. As she walks up to the stage to tell everyone that there is no way she’s going to marry that boy. She begins remembering what led them here to begin with.

Jadyn & Phillip have been friends since birth. They had a beautiful and easy friendship until Danny showed up in 5th grade.

I run outside and walk right up to those stupid boys. I ignore Danny and say to Phillip, “I want to play football with you guys, okay?”

Phillip shrugs his shoulders. Danny steps between us and says to Phillip, “No way .She’ll just end up getting hurt and go bawling home.” “Girls aren’t tough enough to play football.”

I look that Devil Boy in the eye.

Dad told me to teach him a lesson by playing football, but I can see now what I have to do. I cock my arm back and punch that boy right in the stomach. Then I move closer and give him a jab in the face. He falls onto his butt in the grass.

The corner of his lip is bleeding and he’s looking at me with a shocked expression.

“You know what? You just might be tough enough to play football.”

Thus begins the beautiful friendship between the three of them. One boy will give her her first kiss, one will teach her to make out. One boy will be flirty and sexy, the other will talk her to sleep at night. Both boys will love her. Both boys will help her through the toughest times of her life. Only one boy will be the love of her life. Which will it be??

This story was so wonderful! it’s written like a journal…I felt like I was in Jadyn’s head throughout the story. I remembered my feelings falling in love and getting mad at stupid boys and just the feelings I felt throughout high school and what not. This book will bring out the ugly tears, the giggles, the feels.

5 beautiful stars!

Let’s talk about underdogs.

An underdog is someone, usually in a competition, who isn’t expected to win. Right? Underdogs are all around us. I consider myself an underdog often. I feel like I work extra hard to accomplish the things I want because there isn’t anything just extraordinary about me at this time, I’m not the most beautiful or the smartest. People don’t just love me from the start and give me what I want. We’re probably all underdogs at some point in our lives. I say all of this because I had a pretty disturbing conversation about an underdog with someone who I honestly have always admired for the way that he seems unbiased and fair in decisions. He is choosing not to give the underdog a chance and I just feel like it has to do with the fact that she’s not the prettiest or best in social situations and I think this isn’t fair. This makes me want to pull for her that much more and honestly makes me appreciate him less for being oblivious to her big heart and hard work.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

So if you’re an underdog, know that I’m pulling for you! and everyone who isn’t will eventually see that you shine brighter than the rest because you have known struggles!

That’s my rant for the day.

Look for my book review of That Boy by Jillian Dodd on Thursday!

xoxo

Ashley

Eagle Elite Series by Rachel Van Dyken, books 1-3

Starting off my Thursday book reviews, I was trying to figure out where to start. I recently finished book 3 in this series, Entice. & Let me tell you, it was enticing! 😉 However, I feel the need to post the reviews to the first two first, as it is a series. Here we go.

Elite by Rachel Van Dyken (Book 1 Eagle Elite Series)
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5 Stars!

I had the most trouble putting this book down. Actually, I don’t think I did. Yes, I read it from start to finish in one sitting. I carried it to the bathroom with me and I’m not sure I ate dinner…I never thought I would be interested in a mafia book, but this was amazing and so well written.

Tracey Rooks grew up in Wyoming on her grandparents farm. It was the only life she ever knew. After her grandfather’s death, Tracey is all he has. When the Eagle Elite scholarship comes up, Tracey jumps at the chance to secure their future. When she unexpectedly wins the lottery, her life completely changes.

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike anyone she has ever met. When she first stumbles in the gates she meets Nixon, leader of the Elect. They have 3 rules- Don’t touch the elect. Don’t look at the Elect. & Don’t Speak to the Elect. No matter how hard she tries she can’t keep them from her. It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why. At first I really was irritated. Nixon was a complete jerk. But when Trace’s life as she knows it begins to unravel, Nixon & Chase are there for her in ways I didn’t expect. It was a wild ride this book but I loved every second of it. Nixon was a passionate, strong man. & Chase was a sweet, funny man. I couldn’t wait to see what was to come in the next book.

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken (Book 2 Eagle Elite)
5 stars!

Nixon. Chase. Trace. Nixon. Chase. Nixon?

Although this story didn’t hold me as completely as Elite did, I was so happy for it. It was an emotional book. When someone loves you so much that they would die for you, it’s a strong, all-consuming love. It’s hard to understand that kind of love. It’s hard to comprehend why someone would leave you after they promised to be there for you forever. Nixon would do anything for Trace. Even if it meant giving her to his cousin who he knew was in love with her. Chase is such a good guy. No amount of beating himself up can make me think less of him. He falls so hard for Trace and who can blame him? He spends almost every waking moment with her but even he knows that she and Nixon are meant to be together. But what happens if that isn’t possible? There were so many possibilities with this book and it just turned out so well. Go ahead- take the ride that is this series- you won’t be sorry!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST 2 BOOKS!

Entice by Rachel Van Dyken (Book 3 Eagle Elite)
You guessed it, 5 stars!

This book was nothing short of amazing. Rachel Van Dyken has an extreme talent for putting a creative spin on a topic that otherwise, I would not have been interested in. Now I’m waiting very impatiently for the 4th installment in the series!

This is Chase’s story. Chase has agreed to do Mil a favor and marry her. Mil has just become the first female mob boss for the DeLange family and she has a huge target on her back. She needs Chase’s protection and his money.

Money & protection are two things Chase can give, no problem. His heart? How can he give her that if he’s no longer in possession of it. He’s still nursing a broken heart over losing Trace and doesn’t want to entertain the possibility that he could love again. Let alone to give his heart to the girl who embarrassed him so many years ago.

Oh but how the tables turn! As the blurb says, “loyalties will be tested, lovers reunited, and friendships obliterated.”

Hold on to your seat and dive on in! Then check out all of Rachel Van Dyken’s other titles. Especially The Bet series (The Bet and The Wager) You won’t be sorry!

xoxo

Ashley

Nothing Will Work Unless You Do – Maya Angelou

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – MA

A little fun fact about me, I’m a quotaholic. I LOVE quotes. Inspiring quotes help me through the toughest of times. I know I’m not alone in this. When I’m feeling defeated, lonely, sad, mad, etc. There’s a quote that can make me feel better about it. Maya Angelou was a celebrated poet/writer and in her death today, the world lost an extraordinary woman. Or, in her words, a Phenomenal woman. She has inspired me many a day and I know her words will live on for years and years to come.

Here’s a few of my favorite quotes:

“People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

“I can be changed by what happens to me but I refuse to be reduced by it.”

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.”

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”

 

That’s all I’ll embark on you today. I just feel so sad that such a legend has left us but so glad to have learned about her and that she was so successful in life after overcoming such a rough childhood. ❤

 

Good night all! Share your smiles with someone you love. 🙂