Liebster Blog Award

So this is actually my first blog award....like....ever. I am super happy that someone thought of this little review blog. But seeing as I've never done this before please bare with me...while I try to figure it out=)

Here are the Award Rules:

1. Accept the award, post the picture of the Liebster Award on the top of your post and say who nominated you for the award and list their blog site.
2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and list their blog sites.
4. Notify the bloggers of their award.
5.Ask the award winners 11 questions to answer when they accept their Liebster Award.
6. Answer the questions left for you by the blogger who gave you the award.

I was nominated by Brenna Wildung from Two Tall Tales

11 random facts:

1. I used to be a night owl and now sleep is my very best friend..

2. I am OCD about punctuality in fact... I start having panic attacks if I'm running late to something.

3. I wasn't aloud to read horror stories...that being said I read most of the Fear Street Series by the time I was in the 6th grade.

4. I am a pretty laid back Mom. I was very sheltered growing up... So I don't censor music or tv... My fourth graders favorite show is The Big Bang Theory... and she loved the "like a G6" song when it was popular...yes I know it might bite me in the butt one day=)

5. I'm not sure I know 11 random facts about myself.

6. I have a sick sense of humor... Trust me I'm totally offensive at times.

7. I have a temper... I have learned to keep it in check most of the time... but I'm still working on it.

8. I made a lot of mistakes in my life and the only thing good that came out of it was my daughter.

9. When I am reading... and its a good book... it would take an act of congress to get me away from it. (Or the house burning down)

10. I love my daughter... more than anything else in this world.

11. I more blonde than the hair dye that is on my head=)

Now to answer Brenna's Questions:

1. What brought you to the wonderful world of blogging?

Actually I was offered the chance to read a book that a fellow blogger that I follow on Facebook wrote with other bloggers as long as I reviewed it on Amazon. I totally jumped at the chance... and thought... It would be so much fun to do this more often and ta da "Bythebookful" was born.

2. What do you enjoy the most about blogging?

Honestly, I love seeing comments. I like the idea of someone else reading what I wrote and liking it. When one of the authors of a book I did a review for stopped by and left a comment I was beyond words excited.
3. What do you remember about the first movie you ever saw?

The first movie  remember wanting to see was "The Little Mermaid", sadly I don't remember the movie per say I remember going to Mcdonald's at a local mall and getting a toy. I got Ursula and I remember trying to figure out how to get my Mom to let me keep it, because Ursela was a sea witch. 

4. If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

Probably X Ray vision... I'm a total Perv=)

5. What is your favorite animated character?

Easiest question I have ever answered. Belle from Beauty in the beast... that chick is the reason I pick guys I think I can fix=)

6. What is your favorite all-time classic movie?

Umm this might not be classic But I love Dirty Dancing and Grease... It's so funny because my mom loves those movies as well, she would always fast forward through any "questionable" scenes... you should have seen my eyes the first time I watched Dirty Dancing without my Mom=)

7. If you had a time machine, where/when would you go and why?

I would love to go to the 1920's ... girls clothes were awesome back then. Feathers and things that shimmy=)

8. What are your interests/hobbies other than reading and/or writing?

I love hanging out with friends, bowling, movies, music, swimming...things of that nature=)

9. What is your dream vacation?

Disneyworld Baby!!!

10.How would you change the world if you could in one way?

less talking more doing

11.What is a favorite quote from your own work ( or another person) and why? 

Right now I think my favorite quote is:

Words are so delicious, and I'll be forever happy they exist ~ Kiera Cass

My Questions For the nominees are as follows

1. What Started your blogging adventure?

2. Describe yourself in one word.

3. Favorite Fictional Character?

4. What do you do to relax besides Read and Blog?

5. Favorite Genre and Why?

6. Favorite Quote from a book?

7. Dream Vacation?

8. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

9. Favorite thing about Blogging?

10. Your Ideal Place to read a book?

11. Favorite Food Dish?

Now on to my nominees:

Adventures in Bookland

An Accidental Blog

Bella's Book Shelf

Beyond the Lone Islands

Boarding With Books

The Book Club Librarian

Book Whirlwind 

Cece's Steaming Mug Of Books

Danielle Hearts Books

Georgie Lee

Home Of A Book Lover

Teaser Tuesday: The Hallowed Ones

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From Good Reads:

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

My Teaser:

The end of Chapter 4 on my kindle:

"Plain Folk are taught that evil is spiritual. The absence  of God." Mrs. Parsall bit back a sob. "Well it seems as if God's left the building, and were left to our own devices."

Find other teasers at Should Be Reading, and then post your own teaser and join in on the fun=)

The Selection: A Review

From Good Reads

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

When your a 5...everything you do, determines if your family gets to eat well. When your a 5... your not supposed to love a 6. When your a 5 and you get a letter from the royal family...you answer them back...when your a 5... sometimes you have to take a chance to be more.

I was so excited when I finally got my hands on this book. I have so many other books on my kindle right now...but I wanted to read this book. And it took me Sunday to read it. That's how good it is. Ms. Cass wrote a different Cinderella story. One with peasants and princes. With love and intrigue. Danger and heart ache. But this isn't your ordinary Cinderella. There is no step mother..no ugly step sisters. Just a girl trying so hard to be strong and keep it together for her family. 

I have to say out of all the heroins of this new dystopian era of fiction that we live in. America is in the top 5. She isn't afraid to yell or tell her opinion. She isn't afraid to love. She is the most interesting person I have ever read. But each of the characters in this story are more than just characters after you read them. They are real. 

This plot is interesting... and it had me confused at times. I would have like more of a background on how the world ended up this way, not just  the snippets we read through out the book. But besides that, I think Ms. Cass did a wonderful job, creating this world of castes and a society so different, yet so mirroring the one we live now. I found myself torn between the two love stories that were happening. Wishing for her to be the princess, because I'm a girl and its what we do. And wishing for her to run away with her six and live happily if not richly ever after. I was sad to see this book come to an end...but glad that America's story isn't over yet. 

Monday Time for Musing=)

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

Find more Musings at Should Be Reading...go ahead....you know you want to.

Well after reading The Immortal Rules and The Selection this weekend... I started The Hallowed Ones Last Night. I know what your thinking why do keep starting books on Sunday night, when you know you have to be at work the next day. Well I'm Sorry!!! I couldn't help it... I tell you these books call to me. So anyways on to my current read...

From Good Reads:

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

So Like I was saying I started this last night and then went to bed reading. And do you know it freaked me out so much I had to put that sucker down, one part scared the crap outta me. That's how well written it is... I could picture it that well in my head. I knew when I started this book it wasn't going to be my regular Amish Fiction Read but damn  dang it if I didn't almost freak out like a big scaredy cat and sleep with my daughter.

The Immortal Rules: A Review

Yes I know, I am behind on the times...but their are a lot of books to read on my kindle...so I finally got to this one.

From Good Reads:

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred ofthem—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

The Vampires are the rulers... we are just cows grazing in their pastures. Unless you aren't in their cities...then their are rabids. Evil abounds in this paranormal thriller.

The past couple weeks I have heard so much about this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And it didn't disappoint. I like that she takes several myths and legends and combines them in this thrilling book.  Allison was no saint, and I like that Julie didn't write her as such. Watching her struggle with the monster within pulled on my heart strings. But by far my favorite character was Kanin. He was so resigned to the facts of what he was. Yet he was searching that hospital for answers. He was hated on all sides yet still yearned to set it right. The World that this book is based is one I have never read before... And I can tell you I am glad to read about it and not live in it.

The only problem I found in this book, is the slow parts. There were several places I really wanted to just skim until I happened upon something interesting...but I am glad I didn't...because it really showed Allison struggle that I would have missed had I skimmed. So while slow it did add to the story. This was a very enjoyable read. 

Friday!!! Time To Follow Those Blogs

Q: Is there a song that reminds you of a book? Or vice versa? What is the song & the book?

There is one song that reminds me of the baseball scene in twilight...and I thought it fit perfectly with that scene...and when I got bored and read it again I told sang that song it my head...its by muse...I know what your thinking of all songs that one...but a fun ex actually introduced me to Muse and I have loved them ever since.

To follow some more blogs head over to Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Lost by Nadia Simonenko: A Review

From Good Reads:

Sometimes you need someone else to help you find your way.

Maria's life was torn apart when she was fifteen, and for seven years she's kept her terrible secret hidden from the world. Now, in her final semester of college, she still struggles against paralyzing fear just trying to speak up in class, and the terror and helplessness linger on in her nightmares.

Across campus, Owen sees his scars in the mirror every morning while he gets ready for class. They remind him of the broken home he left behind, the father he hates and fears, and the little sister he couldn't protect. Now, in his final semester of college, he's scared that he may have to return to the hell he called home after staying away for almost five years.

When Owen becomes a teaching assistant for one of Maria's classes, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. As the two learn each other's secrets and grow closer, they realize that although they may be lost, they're not alone anymore.

This new adult contemporary romance is recommended for ages 17+ due to heavy subject matter

Fear is an ugly thing... especially when it holds on to your very soul. You cower in hopes the panic won't grip you again...and you find solice in a locked bedroom. But when you find someone that understands that is living in fear of something entirely different...yet the same..that's when you find true solice....

My first thought a few minutes ago when I finished this book as that I have no words. But that isn't true...because I'm a girl and there are so many words to describe but nothing seems right...

Let me start with this... I have said many times before that if you can't write emotion...if the reader doesn't feel it...than you haven't done your job... Whether it's a movie, a tv show, music, or a beautiful book. If we can't feel it... you need a new day job.

This book had me gasping for breath, glaring in fury, sobbing in desperation, and laughing hysterically from one page to the next.. I don't believe I've been this emotional since I was pregnant almost 11 years ago. 

The characters were broken, wounded, and yet so beautiful. The plot was like a swollen river..it took me places I didn't know a book could take me. 

This is not a light book...Not by any means...but I devoured it page after page... If their is one word to describe this book it is brokeness. Nadia took this brokeness and wove it until a story that changed me profoundly. I don't believe that five stars is really enough...but that is all Good Reads gives so it will have to be enough...but know this..this is love...what she wrote...true love...because you true love really does cast out all fear....

Demonic Dora: A Review

Demonic Dora

By Claire Chilton

Release Date: June 30, 2013

SHE'S FINALLY MANAGED TO SUMMON HER FIRST DEMON...

Dora Carridine is trying to summon a demon, but she's not very good at Latin and nothing ever works out the way she plans.

Her life is fraught with weekly exorcisms and having to watch her father’s fire and brimstone TV show every Sunday. So, when Dora finally succeeds in summoning an incompetent demon lord, she’s absolutely delighted when all hell breaks loose.

She thought summoning a sexy demon lord would be the answer to all of her problems, but her problems are only just beginning when her zealot parents try to burn her at the stake, and Dora is left with only one option—to escape and follow her demon straight into Hell.

When your dad is a religious freak...and your mom pretends to be happier than thou...what else can you do but summon a demon, and then follow him to hell when your family tries to burn you alive....

This book could be really funny.... The first couple chapters had me laughing so hard. And they went to hell...and the funny stopped. I felt like half the time I was in a horny teenage boys head, and the other half in a clueless little girls. It got boring, tedious, and a little offensive to read after awhile... Like I read another reviewer say...it felt like a never ending poop joke after awhile. There wasn't really a plot as much as a disaster... and I almost just quit reading several times...but I'm not a quitter so I kept reading... I expected more after a beautiful cover and an amazing start. This isn't a long review...because there isn't a whole lot to say without being down right mean...

I really Hate that I have talked this book up Monday and Tuesday...because it really was good in the beginning...just needed a better middle and ending.

This was given to me as an ARC to read and give my honest opinion...

Waiting On Wednesday: Down London Road

Ah, its that time again...that time to once again tell you what my heart and mind can't wait to read. This is one I just found yesterday and knew it had to be on my list=) 

Be sure to check out what everyone else is waiting on at Breaking the Spine, and now for my book:

Title: Down London Road

Author: Samantha Young

Release Date: May, 7, 2013

From Good Reads: 

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets …even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Teaser Tuesday: Demonic Dora

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"Cheerful Music filled the elevator as it dropped through several levels of Hell at breakneck speed."

~First page of Chapter 20 "Demonic Dora" Claire Chilton

I know its only one sentence...but I think that sentence is worth two sentences. =)

Be sure to check out more teasers at Should Be Reading.