Back for another ARC review. Yay!!!

Got this ARC copy  from Novel Reviewers. Another awesome site for ARC books.

The author Jamie McLachlan is pretty new to me and I think Mind of the Phoenix is her debut novel (leave a comment and let me know if I'm wrong). And she does not disappoints. The official release of the book is on September 28, 2015. And I highly recommend this book, it's definitely a good read.

SPOILER ALERT.

Okay, I was truly fascinated the moment I first read the first few paragraphs of this book. It was truly captivating. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars is the fact that I really want a little more background story of Moira. I want to understand her more.  And also when this division between empaths and elites started. There's a lot of loop holes that I wish the author have explained further . But I guess it might be explained more in the sequel of the book or hopefully the author will write a prequel about Moira's beginnings.

Here's a little summary of the book

The story took place around early 1900s. Moira is an empath, physic, and a concubine. She killed her previous master which was also an empath so she can escape. But after 6 months of evading the authorities she was captured and placed at the underground dark cell in the Police Station. She was about to be persecuted. When the government or the Elite decided they need her help in finding out who is behind the mysterious killer known as Phoenix. Phoenix have this some sort of persuasion that triggers a person to kill themselves or triggers someone to kill a person when they hear the words in the letter. And he already killed 3 prominent Elites and the killings occur every 7th of the month.

Anyway, Moira was place in the hands of the Detective Keenan Edwards to solve the case. They hated each other at first and well...started to develop feelings for each other in the later part. There's a little side story of another murderer killing  two women which was proven by Moira (using her empath abilities) not to be connected with the Phoenix. The murderer turned out to be one of the policeman or Constable Bradford.

The end of the story is of course a cliff hanger. They found out one of the Elites blockers/empath was working for the  Phoenix with Moira's help. But they still can't find the Phoenix himself. In the epilogue, Mr Anderson (one of the Elite - which Moira also hates) is about to be killed by his son after the son read the persuasion letter from the Phoenix. And ahhh...it ends!!!

I can't wait to read the sequel. This might be another of my favorite series.

Enjoying Our Town

Sometimes we don't need to go far to enjoy our family time. Our town have tons of things to do and see. After all our town is one of the well visited place in the world and often we take it for granted. When we visited other places we wonder why people never appreciate the beautiful place around them. And yet we do the same in our town. 

Yes, sometimes it's nice to see Vegas in the eyes of the tourist. How they get excited to see the glitter of the lights and even seeing them smile when they see fake Elvis on the strip. 

Here are few of our favorite places that my family and I go to when we want to visit the LV strip:

The beautiful Bellagio Conservatory. They change this garden 4 to 6 times a year.

The Coke Factory. We love this place and we always to try the different Coke flavors of the world. If you have not been to Vegas this is one place you should not miss.

Of course the Las Vegas Strip itself and shopping!!! 

Vegas of course have an awesome night life and really good buffets.                     

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Yay, back for another "ARC" book review. This book will be officially out tomorrow, September 1. And this is a debut book of Nicola Yoon. Looking forward to read more of her books. 

And here's my review. SPOILER ALERT...please don't read the preceding paragraph if you want to read this book. 

I gave this book 4.5 stars. Why not 5 stars? I'm just so stingy with my ratings lately. But I really highly recommend this book if you're into YA Romance. It's a very unique love story.

Madeline was diagnosed with a rare disease called SCID. This is a pretty interesting disease so I Googled it and research more about it. It's a disease that cause abnormalities in your immune system so basically your immune system is so weak that you end up getting sick all the time. So in other words, Madeline is allergic to the world!!! And so Madeline was never allowed to go out. She's home-schooled, read a lot of books. Her only friend is her mother, which is also her doctor, and her private nurse Carla. 

But things change when Olly and his family moved next door. Madeline started spying on him and his family through her bedroom window.  Olly caught her watching through her window on that first move in day and tried to wave at her. But she decided not to wave back.  And what a coincidence, Olly's bedroom window is directly across Madeline.

One day, Olly and his sister visited Madeline's house. They have this bundt cake  made by their mother, as a "good to meet you- we're your new neighbor" gift. But due to Madeline's rare disease her mom refuse to take the gift. Madeline's mom refuse to give an explanation and when they asked for Madeline her mom told them she's not at home. Anyway, through that bundt cake (which was apparently as hard as a rock). The communication between Madeline and Olly started. Olly wrote his email ad through his bedroom window glass pane. And they started exchanging emails every night. Then one day, Madeline beg her nurse Carla if she can have Olly visit her for just few minutes. After a lot of persuasion and Olly agreeing to go through the process of being decontaminated, Carla finally agreed. So they started meeting every week and continue to chat every night. Everything went well until Madeline's mom found and so she terminated Carla and limit Madeline's time in the computer. 

This is the part of the story that it was getting predictable. And I was thinking/predicting Madeline would either die trying to see Olly again or Olly will do something. But the preceding chapter became more interesting.

Madeline decided to run away to Hawaii with Olly. She used the credit card she applied for and got approved quickly, to book for their flight and hotel at Maui. Madeline told Olly that she's drinking these pills that she bought online and  it helps her with her SCID. But that was a lie and there were no pills. She fabricated this lie so she can convince Olly to go with her to Hawaii. Olly believe her and so they went to Hawaii together. They had an awesome time at Maui and Madeline even met Olly's friend. But then on the second day she got sick.

I was thinking...aha...there it is...she's going to die and that's it. But nope, that's not it.

Madeline's mom flew over to Hawaii and immediately took hold of the matter. She took Madeline back to LA,  hired Carla back and everyone tried to go back to their old routine. It was Madeline who stop her communication with Olly, thinking there is no future for them. Olly, his sister and mom eventually left their home and left the abusive Dad/Husband.

And here comes the twist...an email from the Dr. Melissa  Francis in Hawaii, who took care of Madeline for few hours before her mother took over, told Madeline that she was not sick with SCID. And she got sick in Hawaii due to myocarditis. Madeline asked her mom about this but she denied it. When Madeline woke up early in the morning next day. She decided to search her mom's office and check her files. She can't find any paper work regarding her being sick with SCID. She asked Carla for help and set an appointment to see another doctor for a second opinion. And yes indeed, she's not sick.

Wait...what?!? Yep, this is the part that I really felt bad for Madeline. She wasted 18 years of her life locked up in her house thinking she's sick. When all along she's not sick at all. Apparently, the mother is the one who is sick. Who never got over her husband and son's death. So the only way she can prevent losing Madeline is to pretend that she's sick with SCID. Gah!!! How cruel is that?!? It's so not fare, sure they said that the mother need psychological help. But...

Anyway, Madeline end up leaving her mom and  she move to New York and met up with Olly. Madeline, of course, need to be careful with her health because being locked up for 18 years means that her immune system is weak to common colds. So basically she have an immune system of a newborn baby. She did not mind and decided that she's finally free and now look forward to build her normal life with Olly.

The book reminds me a little of John Travolta's movie "Boy in the Plastic Bubble". But unlike the kid in the movie Madeline is not in a incubator and did not went out wearing a suit.  What happen to Madeline was definitely not fare and it's hard to imagine what she had gone through.   

That's it for now. I'll be back to review another ARC book in my list. Please be sure to follow me at anacskie.tumblr.com 

DEAL BREAKERS by Laura Lee

Whew! I have not updated this blog for over a year now. But I'm back and hopefully I'll be posting a lot more for the rest of the year.

Anyway, I recently signed up at Net Galley and Novel Reviewers for a chance to read ARC books (Advance Readers Copy). And promise to post my reviews in Goodreads, Amazon and here in my blog, Anyway, here is my very first review for my very first ARC book:

Release date of this book is Sept. 1, 2015. Here is a direct link to Amazon if you want to pre-order it.

Okay...here is my review. SPOILER ALERT!! If you want to read the book please do not read the preceding paragraph.

Riley and Devyn  are best buddies in college and towards the end of their Senior year Devyn decided to lose her virginity. She decided that Riley is the best candidate to help her with her dilemma (how convenient).

Anyway, after they have sealed the deal. Devyn enjoyed it so much she end up telling Riley "I love you," Riley got scared and decided to cut all ties off with Devyn. But Riley did not know that Devyn end up pregnant and Devyn did not tell him.

Fast forward to 5 years, Riley can't seem to forget Devyn and so he decided to moved to Seattle and find Devyn, Riley's friend introduced him to Drew which happens to be Devyn's brother. So of course Riley and Devyn get reconnected again and he found out he got a 5 year old son named Nathan. Who looks exactly like him. But there's a little problem, Devyn have a serious relationship with a guy Jackson. But she broke it off with him when she realize she still loves Riley. Drew accepted Riley after giving him a warning not to hurt Devyn again. Devyn met Riley's parents. Riley bought a house and invited Devyn and Nathan to live with him. Riley proposed to Devyn and they all live happily ever after. hahahahaha!!!

Okay,  that sums up the whole story.

It's a nice story and cute but I gave it 3 stars because it's just too predictable.

Well, that's it for now. I'll be back to review and post more ARC books and maybe even the projects I'm making lately. Have a blessed day.

Winner of the Giveaway

Time to announced the Winner!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year! Looking forward for another awesome year.

Anyway, as promise. Here is the winner of the Earwarmers giveaway!

Congratulations Iris! Please email me what color you like so I can send it to you. And please don't forget to send me a photo of you wearing it! ♥

Ear Warmers Giveaway

Sorry this GIVEAWAY is closed.

I had been so busy with my school that I did not have time to update my blog. I still have to review and study for my CPC exam. But taking these few weeks off to relax, read some books,  catch up with my projects, and enjoy the holiday.

Anyway, here's my latest crochet projects. EAR WARMERS!!! I have seen a lot of these being sold at my favorite boutique. So I decided to make my own. 

My favorite is the multi-colored one and I'm especially fond with the buttons. I bought the buttons at Ebay  two years ago.

And here is my friend Allyson modelling the red ear warmers. She looks so gorgeous on it! ♥

And so... since it had been awhile since I have a giveaway here in my blog. So I've decided to have another giveaway before the year ends. All you have to do is...leave a comment below as to what color you want, follow my blog and follow me at Pinterest. I'll pick one winner and announce it here on January 2, since I might be tired on January 1st. Hahahaha! Anyway, looking forward to read all your comments.

Crochet Tunic and Books I Read

I promise myself to update this blog at least once every month. But I was just too busy last month that I simply forgot. LOL!

Anyway, my recent project is Drop Stitch Tunic, I got the pattern from Red Heart. I'm still working on it and since I'm busy finishing my last 2 units of school and studying for my CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Exam which will be on the first week of December. So, I'm really not sure when would I exactly finish this. LOL! But here's a glimpse of my crochet project:

But besides studying and maybe finishing my projects. I found time to start reading again. I have always been a book worm. I used to love borrowing books from the Library when I was a kid. And my first favorite author was Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon, writers of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Series. I also read Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and a lot more.

Anyway, recently I'm back to reading books and I love my Ipad mini because it's easy to upload my books and carry it everywhere. LOL!

So I decided why not start reviewing some of the books I've read here in my blog. And so...here it is...

The Caged Series by Amber Lynn Natusch. And I super love this series, I guess I'm a little bias because I love paranormal books/stories. LOL! The story is about Ruby the rouge werewolf and the PC (Petronus Ceteri) Sean. It's a twisted love story mixed with thriller, suspense and drama. I love how Amber (the author) keeps you on edge and wanting (or even begging) for more after she ended each book. I'm still waiting for book 6 (Strayed), book 6.5 (Concealed), and book 7 (Betrayed) to come out. So if you have not read this book yet, I highly recommend it. Go ahead and  pick up a copy, or upload  it in your ipad, Kindle, Nook, etc. You'll definitely love it. By the way, I don't post "spoilers" here but if you want "spoilers"...head over to Goodreads. A lot of people who reviewed this book posted some "spoilers".

And last Sunday I just finished reading the first installment of Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.The movie is out right now so if you don't want to read it just head over to your nearest local movie theater. Anyway,  I decided to read this before I watch the movie ( I hope I won't be disappointed with the movie- cross my fingers). It's a paranormal story of a Shadowhunter  Jace and 17 year old mundane(human)/daughter of shadowhunter Clary Fray. The story got lots of twist and turns that will keep you guessing. I just finished book 1 - City of Bones, so I still have a lot of questions I want answered. This is a total paranormal/fantasy book with a little dash of teenage romance. I can't wait to see the movie version tomorrow, I'll post another review for the movie. But definitely, a good book/series and I definitely give the first book a 5 thumbs up.

I decided to go back to reading romance so I won't get burn out with paranormal books. LOL! And right now I'm reading The Light In the Wound by Christine Brae. I upload this book out of curiosity, it got good ratings at Goodreads. And the plot of the story takes place in Cebu, Philippines (my home country). I have not finish the book yet but it's kind of boring and dragging. Anyway, I'm going to try to finish it since I read a lot of good reviews about it. So I'm not going to review this book yet until I'm done reading it.^_^

So, that's it for now.  I'll be back this week to review the City of Bones the movie and after that next month for more book reviews and maybe craft updates.