Stealing Harper

This is going to be a hard one to read. Not sure if my heart can deal with it!

SLIGHTLY SPOILY REVIEW OF STEALING HARPER BY MOLLY MCADAMS

This is a companion novella to the full-length novel Taking Chances.

Oh, my twisted up, aching heart. Chase…

Yet again, Molly, you have crushed my heart in your hand, wrung it out, and stuffed it back into my chest with this continuation of chase's story.  

I knew this would be a tough read; I was fully prepared for that. What I was not prepared for, however, was how this made me love Chase even more, even over Brandon. Oh, Chase... The tattoo. You slay me.

Chase broke my heart over and over throughout this novella. He was so desperate for Harper to love him the way he loved her. 

""Why not Brandon?"

I snorted. Because I'm right freaking here wanting nothing more than to love you forever."

"I'd change everything from here on out. I needed her."

"I knew Brian was right. I was in love with her. I wanted her in my arms forever, I wanted to take care of her when she was sick, hold her when she was upset, and kiss her senseless during the happy times."

Sigh. Swoon. Above are three of the many quotes that had me melting into a puddle while I was reading. 

Chase's possessiveness was not even a turn off to me ("Why can't you just leave him alone?" "Because he's with my entire world."). In fact, it was more endearing to me than anything. It was hard for me to find fault with him at all, really. He was simply a boy in love who would do anything to get his girl. 

By the end, I was literally boohoo-ing on my couch. Knowing what would happen did not make it any easier for me to read the second time around. 

I do have to ask: What if Chase had his phone on him? Would everything have happened the way it happened? Would he have called Harper? Would he have avoided the inevitable, or would Harper just have been there to hear it? I almost want to see an alternate reality of this whole story, right from halfway through the last chapter. I would pay good money to read that story as well. 

I am grateful to Molly McAdams for writing Chase's POV. I think it was needed to tie up the loose ends of  Taking Chances. 

BROADER TOPIC:

The underlying disconnect I have with many of the stories I have recently been reading, including this one, is lack of communication between characters. By no means is this a flaw of any author, though. It's simply a frustration that I get after reading a character's inner dialogue, and the one thing I would ask them about if I were a character in the story. Over and over, I have asked, out loud, why don't they just tell the person what they're feeling?  So many problems and misunderstandings would be remedied with a three minute conversation. For example, Chase would have gotten the girl right from the start, or at least had a better chance at her. 

Of course, I realize that from an author's standpoint, the above is not conducive to anything more than a short story, so please take that soapbox with a grain of salt. 

Five stars, Molly. Five stars and you've wounded me yet again. Thank you for sharing Chase's story.

This review was posted to <a href="http://phantompiccolo.blogspot.com/">Soulless Gingers Do Read!</a>.

Callum and Harper: Fisher Amelie

Are you kidding me, Fisher Amelie? You get me hooked on a girl, a guy, a book AND a band? In one sitting, folks.

Cried. My. Eyes. Out.

Then did it again. This one is a keeper for sure. Woman, you had me staring at my dang wedding band intermittently throughout the read! What are you doing to me?

Spoilers on this one. Just can't help myself. Read the spoiler-free reviews goodreads.com if you wish. Starting... now.

Callus and Harper both just broke my heart in so many ways. Their story was exhilarating, cute, frustrating, heartbreaking, triumphant, determined, stubborn, funny and sad, all in one. Oh, I could go on.

And my, how the angst flows. Harper and Callum both frustrate me to no end for two solid years worth of miscommunication. Two years! Why? Geez, I had my share of being a wallflower in my dating days, but even I could have squeaked out a love confession in that amount of time!

But boy, did Callum come through for my heart every step of the way. :swoon, sigh: Never let Harper down for a second. And no, I don't consider John Bell getting to her a letdown on Callum's part. You can control what irrational people decide to do. That's why it is irrational.

And the main character you write about in book two? Oh, you devil. If I'd been asked who I wanted in a second book, that would have been spot on. Tye-Dye Tom? Thank you for that. I can't wait to read it. He's a closet romantic and softie; I just know it.

Five stars. Obviously. Wish I could have given a hundred times that. Probably staying as a permanent resident on my kindle, which is a first.

Oh, the band, you say? Yes... Barcelona. Go get the song. Good grief, just go get the album.

Get the books. Album, playlist, freaking poster for your wall if one exists. I briefly considered even renaming my cat Callum. Ok, maybe not seriously. But it did cross my mind.

Unlovable (Jane Doe by choice)

Unlovable is a heartbreaking story about a young girl named Jessica. In middle school, Jessica knows she's too young for many things. When she meets Eric, they immediately hit off and become boyfriend and girlfriend rather rapidly.

Over a relatively short amount of time, Eric shows his inherent possessiveness and jealousy of just about anything Jessica does. Even attending her grandmother's birthday party becomes a Defcon 5 blowup on his part. She "doesn't love him" if she doesn't drop it all and pay sole attention to him.

Things digress to the point where Jessica has to abandon everything she has ever done, everyone she has been close to, in her life before Eric. If she doesn't answer her phone, she's cheating on him; if she touches another boy, she's a slut; and his defining characteristic: if she doesn't sleep with him, she doesn't love him.

Eventually, all of these aspects collide violently, leaving Jessica feeling abandoned, completely alone and unable to ask for help.

And a side note on my part: where in the **** is her mother during all of this?! If she had taken even half the amount of interest a normal parent takes, she would have seen even the smallest sign of trouble her daughter was in. It makes me feel awful that this child, now an adult, was never able to tell anyone about her ordeal and has suffered her entire life. The one person she did tell was too young to be able to advise her properly and gave her bad information.

People, pay attention to your children! Yes, you do see clearer in hindsight, but you're not blind before then! Ask the questions, and pry if you have to. Would you rather have a child mad at you for interfering or a child who is subject to abuse?

I have been going back and forth as to who I would recommend this book to: parents, children or both? I still don't know, but the point is that the conversation needs to take place in the family. Whether the parent makes their child read a book like this or attend a class or just plain talk it out, get the point across and protect and empower your kids!

Five Goodreads stars for making me really think it out.

Unlovable can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Unlovable-ebook/dp/B006BIRN32/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357687095&sr=1-2&keywords=unlovable

If You Find Me (Emily Murdoch)

First of all, thank you to St. Marten's Press For sending me my very first advanced readers copy of a book to review! I feel honored to get the chance to do so especially for such a wonderful book. That said...

Carey and Jenessa's story mostly broke my heart. At times, especially in the beginning, I would mentally refer back to the story Flowers in the Attic. Their mother had essentially locked them up in their situation. Whether the setting was an attic or a camper deep in the forest, they essentially had no way out.
The sisters' mentally ill mother has, for reasons not fully revealed, taken the girls away from everything they had ever known. They now live in a tiny camper deep inside a national forest.

Until the day a social worker and Carey's father show up to get them, the girls' lives consisted of living off of the land, dealing with their mothers increasing absences, fending off strangers in the night and worrying about where their next meal will come from.

Carey has had to grow up much earlier than the average girl: learning to shoot a gun, protecting her little sister, and singing her Winnie the Pooh nursery rhymes when her own mother was not there to do it for her, (and honestly never cared to do it when she was). On the "white star night", however, Carey learns things that no one should ever have to.

When they have been rescued, the girls must learn what it is like to be in society again. Can they ever truly be reintegrated? Or will they find themselves craving the solitude that the forest provided them? Will Carey take Jenessa and run? And what is the real truth about why their mother took them away? Was her father what her mother proclaimed him to be? Was he better? Or even worse? All of these questions make Carey doubt herself: her ability to adapt to and accept her new life. Her biggest secret, one that she feels will ostracize her from her newfound family and her little sister, is her Achille's Heel and threatens to break her down if she doesn't tell someone.

Abuse is abuse. Whether it happens in the forest, an attic, your neighbor's house or your own, it cannot be ignored.

Five stars well deserved. If I didn't now own a copy, I would have bought one!

Significance (Signifiance #1): Shelly Crane

 Purchase Signifiance

Significance was the first Shelly Crane book I read. I loved it, and have re-read the series time after time! I generally do not fall for the "love at first sight" books because they are usually not that believable. Not the case with Significance! Getting a look inside the characters' heads and understanding why they are feeling the way they are and what they're going through together made me love the story so much more.

Soulmates Maggie and Caleb meet by chance and are drawn to each other immediately. Neither knows what it is about the other that draws them closer, but soon they are permanently linked. They are both endearing people with nicely fleshed out character development. I always appreciate the effort that Shelly puts out when creating her stars and supporting roles, so much so that I would absolutely read any spinoff she would ever do for this series (even one for Kyle, and that's saying a lot, considering my extreme dislike of him for most of the series. He really needs additional redeeming qualities, in my opinion. Do not get me started on him! Though he saddens me, because he had potential to be a great guy, but he chose to be bitter instead. His later self-flagellation didn't being me back to him like I wanted to. I thought more "too little, too late." Not on Ms. Crane's part, just the character himself. There will never be any author-bashing here).

I have enjoyed the series so far and cannot wait for the final book, Independence. Shelly, keep up the good work! Your stories are heartwarming and your boys swoonworthy! Such a great combo!

Purchase Signifiance 

Blog Re-vamp

It's official - I have a purpose in the blogosphere. I am now a book blogger.

It's the easiest thing I consistently keep up with and thoroughly enjoy, and it gives me an opportunity to review independent authors who probably have not been advertised as much as the average Stephen King-esque author.

You'll still hear about my music escapades and the occasional drama, but mostly... books!

Look for some reviews very soon!

The Sounds of Music: Dueling Flutes

Two ensembles I play for have concerts this week; Thursday and Friday. Both conductors decided to play The Sound of Music. Thank goodness they're in the same key, which usually cannot be said for symphonic versus orchestral pieces, but they are just different enough to trip me up on places.

To add to it, my conductor from orchestra is playing with us this week and she seems to have it down pat, so I have mucho nerves.

I shouldn't be this frazzled about an easy piece! Dangit. Summer band is my fun time, so blah. No more worries.

Slack TV Watcher

How do I happen to have 11 episodes of Grimm and seven episodes of Fringe on my DVR? Am I purposely avoiding these shows? What is it about these two that make me delay watching them until the bitter end? I think I secretly crave something to watch in the summertime. I think that's why save them.

Sadly, I have done this before. As I write this, I still have three episodes of Game of Thrones to catch up on, even though that is currently my favorite show (when The Walking Dead is not on, mind you).

Yes, I have issues. Apparently it's video issues this time.

Oddly, I cannot seem to watch any shows live. 'Tis the life of a musician. Always practicing.

Lesson learned vicariously:

Lesson learned vicariously:

Don't spend money before you have in in your hands/bank account. I am saying this mainly because of this stimulus payment we got awhile back.

Why in the world would you already schedule spending that money when it's coming from the federal government? Federal Government typically pays bills 90 days from the date of service. What are you going to say about it, anyway? You really aren't going to "repo" product back from them. Do you want an audit?

How long does it take you to get your tax return back? Ok then, add another month to that, and that's when you might get your stimulus money. Maybe then, you can schedule spending it. Do not already obligate those funds to something/someone. You can't guarantee it will happen. It's not like a predictable paycheck.

That was a mild example, but you get the picture. Well, I do, at least, and that's what matters, because this is MY list of what I have learned. Go make your own. =)

Tattoos for the beta personality

I want a tattoo, but I am a pansy and don't like to be purposely poked with needles for over an hour. I might endure the pain; however, if there were a tattoo just perfect for me. Until that tattoo comes along, here is a list of potentials. No particular preference order; they're just listed as I think of them.

Treble Clef or some other musical notation
Piglet
Jack Skellington
something flute-ish, but I don't know if I trust anyone to get this just right.

To Come...

I have this HUGE post I'm drafting for you... yes, you. It's all about you here.

Hub and I went through an ordeal getting our house. I decided to put it all down so someone else might benefit from our nerve-shattering lack of knowledge about the housing and mortgage industries.

We now know enough, but we could have used that knowledge at the time. Now I give it to you. However, I want to make sure it's all cleaned up of expletives before I give it to you. You'll get this eventually.

Until then, you'll probably just get the normal asinine stuff.

But hey, at least I can spell asinine.

Loveliness in the front yard

More fun with the iPhone. This is our dogwood just days before a freak hailstorm destroyed every single one of these blooms.

Zooey was right

Too funny; it works! I had no idea anyone around here would deliver tomato soup.

Carolina at Furman

Ahh, two of my favorite things in one setting: baseball and the Carolina Gamecocks.

We had a great time with my dad and his best friend. See lovely pics below, plus enjoy my experience of playing with my iPhone on its second day in my possession.

Something better to do

In line at Walmart. Let me tell you, I do not recommend this on the night before Mother's Day.

Kill me now, please.

So far...

10:00am:
I'm up! Take out the dog, check the Internet, hear stomach grumble. Life is content! Well, except I missed breakfast time.

11:08am: Go to make bed. Decide bed looks good. Get in bed. Read kindle instead.

Guess I'll be back later.

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Test for blogger mobile.

Annoyances

Ugh. Just when I decide to start blogging again, I have to merge with my PUBLIC google+ profile. Yay. Such much for semi-anonymity. I also am not thrilled with the layout. Thanks, google.

Woo!

Lost 15 lbs and 22 inches total!

Much better

Wow. What a difference a week makes in my health. I still don't have half the appetite I had. This doesn't bother me though. Maybe I'll lose some weight out of it. :)