Unbeautiful Series by Jessica Sorensen

The Unbeautiful series is another spin-off of The Coincidence series, telling the story of Emery and Ryler (Luke's (best friend of Kayden) cousin). On the outside, Emery is perfect. It was what she was raised to be. But on the inside, Emery hides many secrets. Desperate to escape her controlling parents, Emery leaves everything behind to move to Wyoming for school, or so she thinks.

On the outside, Ryler looks like nothing but trouble. His piercings, tattoos, and the fact that he doesn't talk mark him as different, dangerous. But Ryler only has one desire, to escape the hell that is his life and start over anew. Convinced by the FBI to work undercover and help bring down a powerful criminal in exchange for a new start, Ryler finds himself living a double life, his only focus his elusive future, until he meets Emery.

Both Ryler and Emery have secrets, dark secrets. The more time they spend together, the more they discover how intertwined their secrets are. When secrets and shadows abound, trust is a precarious thing, and Emery and Ryler face the decision about whether they will remain in the dark, or together reveal the truth.

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Another fantastic read from Jessica. The story was exciting, suspenseful, and dramatic. I read both books in a day. I'm glad I waited to read them together, as Unbeautiful ends just as the story really gets going. There are plenty of plot twists and the relationship between Ryler and Emery is angsty perfection. Their story wraps up very nicely in Untamed, and overall I was extremely pleased with the story. 

These books can be read as stand-alones, but there is some crossover with characters from previous books in the series. 

The Princess of Prophecy: Heroes of the Trojan War, Volume II by Aria Cunningham

In Volume II of this saga, we follow the lovers as they make their escape from Mycenae to Troy. Desperate to make it there before Menelaus and Agamemnon can catch up with them, Paris and Helen find themselves in a precarious position when they are delayed in Egypt after attempting to stop for supplies. With the death of Pharaoh eminent, Paris and Helen find themselves caught up in battle for succession, local politics and traditions. Throw in a dash of sibling rivalry, a hired assassin, a power hungry king, and an empire on the brink of war, and you get the exciting tale that is The Princess of Prophecy.

After finishing The Princess of Sparta, I was excited for the next installment of this series, and Cunningham doesn't disappoint. This book was just as good as the first, if not better. Cunningham does an amazing job of weaving together historical events and giving them a human touch. While the narrative is based on historical facts, it does not possess a dry, scholarly feel. Her story lines have many moving parts that she artfully weaves together to keep it moving forward and keep the reader interested. Her characters are well developed and dynamic, and she has a talent for reinventing some of the most iconic historical figures, and humanizing them, turning them into relatable human beings.

I enjoyed the couple's foray into Ancient Egypt, one of the most fascinating civilizations in the history of our world. I think when we study these ancient cultures that it is easy to compartmentalize them and forget that they were real civilizations that existed at the same time and interacted with each other. I loved seeing iconic figures, such as Nefertiti, come to life within the pages of this novel. This is definitely a "middle" book, meaning that while Cunningham does a good job moving the story forward, readers should not expect any real resolution. According to end notes, we should expect the third installment, The Princess of Troy, sometime in Spring, 2016. I for one, will be looking forward to it.

One more final note, I have to say that the cover art for this installment is much better than the previous one, which looked a bit like a cheesy Harlequin romance novel you would find in the discount bin. I like this cover much more, and I think it is a much better representation of the quality story that is The Princess of Prophecy. Get your hands on this series. It is well worth the read.

*Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

My pastor always says, "You are what you read." This always gives me a moment of pause, since if you read my book blog, I read a lot of books that aren't exactly rated "G." So, one of my New Year's resolutions was to read a least one book a month that would be good for my soul. A book that would make me think, push me to explore my life, and inspire me to make some positive changes.

A while back, I had the privilege of seeing Steven Furtick preach. He came to help my church, LifePoint, launch our first permanent site in Fredericksburg, VA. I liked his style enough to go home and order some of his books. This is the first book by Pastor Furtick that I have read, and it is very similar to his live preaching style.

Pastor Furtick defines a chatterbox as "the lies we believe that keep us from accurately and actively hearing God's voice." Furtick also likens a chatterbox as -

logorrhea (n) 1. pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech. 2. incessant or compulsive talkativeness; wearisome volubility.

In other words, it is the voice in our heads that creeps up on us and replays every negative thought or feeling we have ever had, often stopping us from taking a chance or moving forward. We all have it, and I can think of several occasions where that voice has beaten me down and probably caused me to miss some opportunities.

What I appreciated the most about this book is Pastor Furtick's real approach to this issue. He is upfront from the beginning in saying that there is no magical cure that will make the chatterbox disappear for good. In fact, he says that fighting the chatterbox will be a lifelong battle. Not exactly the message that one expects when you pick up a book like this, but then again, the truth isn't always what we expect or want either. So, instead of giving us a "sure fire way" to make the chatterbox disappear for good, Pastor Furtick lays out four simple truths that can be used to "crash," or shutdown, our chatterbox:

1. God says I am
2. God says He will
3. God says He has
4. God says I can

These four statements are the whole of Furtick's message. I found some of the chapters to be incredibly empowering and the discussion questions at the end of each section helpful reflection tools. In almost seems too good to be true that four simple statements are the key to winning a never ending battle. However, when you take these four statements to heart, it makes it impossible for the chatterbox to get a hold on you. It will always be there, but when you throw these four truths at it, it quickly crashes and you are free from its destruction.

Easier said than done, but Furtick does give some practical advise on how to apply these truths. They all require diligence and persistence, but they are not complicated or overbearing. In the end, I found the message of this book to be simple and well written, thought provoking, and applicable.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates—just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive—but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better . . . or worse.

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Since February is all about Valentine's Day, my book club decided to throw our favorite love stories in a hat instead of choosing just one to read for the month. This was my pick, and I was initially excited. I have read one other book by Sophie Kinsella and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I am also familiar with her Confessions of a Shopaholic series from seeing the movie. I remembered her stories to be light romances with a splash of humor, but this one fell short for me. I didn't find the main characters all that endearing, but rather shallow and idiotic. I felt no connection to Lottie, and thought that Ben was a douche from the beginning. I actually preferred Lottie's sister's secondary story line more than hers. The humor in the book often fell flat, and it was way too long. It was a chore at times to keep going. This one was just okay for me.

2015 Reading Challenge: A book set in a different country

Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher

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.

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"Voices have been, and always will be, too afraid to speak with as much volume as a book. That's why writers write-to say things loudly with ink. To give feet to thoughts; to make quiet, still feelings loudly heard."

This book! I don't even know where to start explain this book. It is one of the most well written books I think I have ever read. I literally had no idea what was going on the entire time. Usually when you read a mystery/thriller, you can begin to piece things together and guess what's going to happen next. Not the case with Mud Vein. You don't know anything until you are told. You can guess, but I guarantee that you will be wrong. This story has so many twists and turns that it is impossible to figure out. It's like being trapped in a whirlwind that keeps you constantly spinning, off balance, and unable to find your barrings.  

At the same time, the story is compelling, gripping, and poignant. Senna is an incredibly complex character, whose difficult life has left her damaged. The key to her freedom rests in her past, and a beautifully tragic love story.

"Love doesn't leave. It bears all things"

The ending of this book left me with a book hangover that lasted for days. I kept reliving the story in my mind over and over again trying to find the clues that I had missed. I cannot recommend this book enough. It really is amazing. 

2015 Reading Challenge: A mystery or thriller

Better When He's Bold (Welcome to the Point #2) by Jay Crownover

Some men are just better when they're bold.

Welcome to the Point...

In a dark and broken kingdom, a ruler has to be fearless to control the streets and the ruthless people who run them.

Race Hartman is just bold enough, just smart enough, and just lost enough to wear the crown. Places like the Point will always have bad things and bad people, but the man in control of all that badness can minimize the devastation. Race has a plan, but can he prevent total annihilation without destroying himself?

Brysen Carter has always seen her best friend's brother for what he is--too pretty, too smooth, and way too dangerous to touch. Basking in Race's golden glow is very tempting, but Brysen knows she'd eventually get burned.

When she starts receiving threatening texts and someone tries to take her out in parking lot, the only person interested in keeping her safe is the one man she can't allow herself to have.

Sometimes being bold is the only way to stay alive. But can she let Race save her life . . . if it means losing herself to him?

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Jay Crownover is one of my favorite authors. The quality of her stories and characters is unparalleled, and this book is no exception. Race is an very intriguing character. He comes from money and until he meets Bax, lives a life of privilege, yet he chooses to turn his back on that life after discovering his half sister. At his heart, Race is a good man, but he chooses to do bad things, not because he's bad, but because he hopes to minimize the collateral damage. It's so contradictory and it's fascinating to watch him walk this line, knowing that at any moment he could fall off the edge. Race's story is slightly less dramatic than Bax's, but it's still a page turner and proves that you have to be a special breed to make it in The Point. Definitely worth the read. 

Coming up next in the series if Better When He's Brave, Titus' story, due out in August. I'm super excited for this one!    

2015 Reading Challenge: A book by a female author

Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2) by Jamie McGuire

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first?

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case.

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI.

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all.

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

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Jamie left us with quite a bombshell at the end of Beautiful Oblivion, and my heart squeezed for the oldest Maddox brother. In this new installment, we experience the fallout of the previous book, and the result is a fantastic read. I loved Liis. She is a strong, no nonsense character, with just enough spitfire to be able to stand up to a man like Thomas Maddox. Thomas turned out to be a much more dynamic character than I was expecting, projecting one image, while secretly carrying a softer side. There is plenty of family drama in this one, and the only criticism I have is that the whole "getting over the ex" was a little too drawn out. I would recommend reading the whole series in order. While this book probably could be read as a standalone, it contains too much crossover between books that would result in major spoilers. No worries, though. The whole Maddox clan is worth getting to know ;)

2015 Reading Challenge: A book published this year