The Thing About NaNo is...

It's a blast, but it's also time consuming. If you have other stuff to do, or are busy, finding time can be a challenge, at best.

Hiya peeps. I'm going to vent for a minute. 

Most of you know, I'm an author as well as a reviewer. I've done NaNo two years previously, and this is my third. I love doing it! The rush from doing month-long writing sprints is fantastic, and a great way to end the year.

Thing is, November is also spectacularly busy. All the best books from the year get promoted, and review requests come out of every crack and corner. Of course, being a book lover, I do enjoy the reading and reviewing aspect of my book life. There are too many good books offered, I just can't say no!

It's difficult. And frustrating.

This month, I'm struggling with a schedule where I have two hours free to get both writing and reading/reviewing done, as well as making blog posts. Two. Hours. A day.

It takes time to get into the book I'm writing, mentally. I have to get my head into it, and can't write when other people are around. I have an office, yes, but my family is loud, to say the least. It's not fair to ask them to leave or stop having their own lives because of my writing - I'm not a selfish person, I just can't do that.

So, what's a girl to do? At the moment, I am somehow cramming everything my schedule demands me to get done, into that two hours a day. Ten hours a week, to get everything done.

If I hit the 50K word count and keep up with reviews, I will be amazed.

Okay, rant over. NaNo rocks, but oh my gosh, why does everything that happens, all happen at once? It's like crickets through October, then *bam* shit-storm in November. *sigh*

Anyone else doing NaNo this year? How do you find writing time? Let me know, because I could use some ideas!

Blog Update

Hiya peeps! I wanted to share a quick post, just to update ya'll.

In case you don't follow my PluggedIn blog, I've made some changes over there. Instead of being a book-focused blog, which it was never intended to be, I've decided to stick to just reviews there. Hence why I named it "Desert Rose Reviews" to begin with.

I want to share far more reviews than just my book reviews though. I actually critique things in several areas, and want to be able to share them somewhere, and am excited to finally get DRR back to it's roots! I do love books though, and always have. So, I did create a new book-focused blog - Desert Rose Word Candy, and I'm so glad to have that space available as well!

So, what does that mean for the UnPlugged blog? Well, basically the same thing. It's still going to be unplugged reviews, of whatever I want. I've always had this blog set up that way, and I'm going to be expanding beyond book reviews here, as well.

I will be posting more reviews once October comes around, and I'm able to focus on them. The next few weeks are majorly booked for me - family reunion of sorts, and all that fun.

Be sure to check out my book blog though, if you want a book-focused blog, and check back here for new reviews soon!

"The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse" by Daphne Lamb!

Wazup guys? Happy July! Can you believe July is already here? I can't. Good grief, this year is flying by!

Today on UnPlugged, I've got a Book Review. I read this book for a Book Tour last year, and luckily I liked it enough to give it 3 Roses, and post the review for the tour. It always sucks when I sign up to review a book for a tour, and end up not liking it. Oh well, what can ya do?

This book is called The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse - sounds like it could be cool, right? Kind of a modern, possibly satirical comedy, common with any "guide" that is fictional and not actually a guide for anything.

Well, that's where my amusement with this book ended. If you're unfamiliar with this blog, it is an UnPlugged space, more like a book group than a professional review arena. This post will have spoilers, and will be a more honest, laid back look at my opinion of this book. If you'd like to see my "official, professional" PluggedIn review, see my original blog post here.

You've been warned.

Ok, so here we go.

~Released: August 11th, 2015

~Length: 218 Pages

~Publisher: Booktrope Publishing

~Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Welcome to the Apocalypse. Your forecast includes acid rain, roving gangs and misplaced priorities, in this comedic take on the end of the world as we know it, from debut author Daphne Lamb. As a self-entitled, self-involved, and ill equipped millennial, Verdell probably wouldn’t have ranked very high on the list of those most likely to survive the end of the world, but here she is anyway. Add in travelling with her work addicted boss, her boyfriend who she has “meh” feelings for, and a handful of others who had no businesses surviving as long as they have, and things aren’t exactly going as planned. But despite threats of cannibalism, infected water supplies, and possibly even mutants, Verdell is willing to put in as little effort as she can get away with to survive.

Review for "The Lucky One" by Sylvie Stewart!

Hiya peeps! I'm sharing a review today, for an adult romantic comedy. I signed up for the promo tour for this book, and selected to review - my post for that tour is up today on my PluggedIn blog, so the "official, professional" review is over there, sans spoilers.

If you want to check out the UnPlugged review, keep reading!

The Lucky One

Carolina Connections

~Published: May 11th 2017

~Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

~Parent's Guide: PG-17/R

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

Kobo ~ iTunes

When your luck runs out, do you run away—or do you stay and fight?

Bailey:

Let’s get one thing straight. I am not your typical girl. Sure I’ve got all the parts, but I’ve been a stubborn, irreverent tomboy since the womb, as my Irish father would proudly attest. Despite my Irish blood, I’ve had a bit of bad luck here and there—I recently trusted the wrong guy and got derailed in my professional pursuits. But I’ve bounced back. With my shields firmly in place, I thought nothing, or no one, could touch me again. Until he did. And he just might make this tomboy do the girliest thing in the world—fall head over heels in love. Of all the damn luck…

Jake:

I’m a pretty lucky guy. I have a phenomenal family, a career I love, and I’m building a brand-new life back in my hometown. And, not to be a jerk about it, but I do more than all right with the ladies. Everything’s been going according to plan—like I said, I’m a lucky guy.

That was, until my luck ran out.

Until I met the girl I call “Irish.”

Irony can go kiss my a$$.

Extras:

-The first two chapters of The Lucky One are available for free download on Instafreebie!

-Sylvie just won the National Indie Excellence Award for Romantic Comedy!

*Book Review* "Cossacks In Paris" by Jeffrey Perren!

Hiya guys! I'm excited to share a review with you today. It's for an awesome historical fiction novel, set around the time of Napoleon's rise to power. I actually read and reviewed this book several years back, but wanted to add an UnPlugged review for this one, so here it is!

Enjoy!

Cossacks In Paris

~Author: Jeffrey Perren

~Published: November 25th, 2012

~Publisher: ClioStory Publishing

~Length: 389 Pages

~Genres: Historical Fiction, Adult, Cultural

~Parent's Rating: PG-17

Goodreads

Kindle

Amazon Paperback

How far can one man go for his freedom?

Rebellious Breutier Armande, a rising young civil engineer in Paris, is drafted into the Grande Armeé on the eve of Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign.

On a scouting mission in St. Petersburg he meets Kaarina, a Finnish mathematician and daughter of the counselor to Tsar Alexander I. The pair soon fall in love. But Kaarina is betrothed to Agripin, a vicious Cossack and a favorite of the Tsar.

When she refuses him, Agripin kidnaps her, aided by Kaarina's envious twin sister, Kaisa. At a time of Europe's brief, uneasy truce Breutier deserts Napoleon's army and the Tsar's employ to reclaim Kaarina. Dodging the vengeance of the world's most powerful rulers sends Breutier on a perilous quest to hunt down the era's most ruthless Cossack.

Interweaving the characters' personal dramas with the epochal events of the following two years forms the core of the story. Historically accurate, the novel climaxes at the moment when, for the first time in 400 years, foreign armies invaded France, leaving behind Cossacks in Paris.

"The Bad Boy's Girl" - Rant Review

Hiya guys. I've got a review today, and be warned - it's a doozy. I do rant a bit, but I'm so torn up about this book, I just can't help it! Writing the professional version was damn near impossible, because holding my tongue on this one takes physical effort.

I don't intend to hurt the author or the book, but I do talk openly on this site about my reactions to books, good and bad. I respect the author's efforts to write and publish her book, and as an author myself, know the bummer of having someone not like it. Still, not everyone will like a book, and for me, I am torn up about this one.

Check it out, and lemme know what you think in the comments below.

The Bad Boy's Girl

~Author: Blair Holden

~Released: February 21st 2017

~Length: 395 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo ~ iTunes

Website

Tessa O’Connell is a girl as ordinary as they come-or so she thinks. Her aim for senior year is to keep her head down yet somehow manage to convince her childhood love Jay Stone to love her back. What she isn’t prepared for is for Jay’s brother, Cole to return to town and change the life she’s always been seemingly content to live. Tall, gorgeous as all hell and a bad boy with ocean blue eyes and the perfect edge of adorability, he was her greatest tormentor, her number one enemy.But the guy that’s come back is like no one Tessa’s ever come across. He challenges her, he tests her limits, he forces her to bring out the girl she’s long ago buried under a veil of mediocrity and most of all he compels her to consider that perhaps the boy that infuriates her to the point of no return might just her guardian angel. This new edition contains never before seen, exclusive content!

"Chasing the Dollar" UnPlugged Review!

Hiya guys! Hope you've all been doing amazing!

I've got a pretty awesome series to review this week, and it's an audiobook series! I'm actually really loving the whole audiobook thing, because I can multi-task and keep working. Perfect!! I'm sooooo glad Jess at Audiobookworm Promotions reached out to Desert Rose Reviews for event invites, because it's been such a blessing. I honestly wouldn't have ever looked into audiobooks otherwise, I don't think.

Anyway, I signed up for a tour for them, for a whole trilogy! It's a cozy mystery, comedy series, and I had so much fun with it! Check out my UnPlugged review for the first book in the series below, and be sure to keep an eye out for my review of the other two books coming soon!

Chasing the Dollar

(Miranda Vaughn Mysteries #1)

~Narrator: Teri Schnaubelt

~Released: July 15, 2015

~Length: 7 hours 23 minutes

~Publisher: Ellie Ashe

~Genres: Mystery, Thriller

Goodreads

Amazon ~ Audible

iTunes

Miranda Vaughn has spent the last year and a half fighting for her freedom. Arrested for a fraud scheme involving her supervisors, she's lost her job at a prestigious investment firm, her fiancé, and her reputation. She walks out of the courtroom a free woman, only to find that life has a few more curve balls to throw her way. The jury may have found her not guilty, but Miranda is broke, in debt to her beloved aunt, and can't find a job because of the cloud of suspicion still swirling around her. She's not going to be able to move forward with her life until she finds out who set her up.

Buried in the evidence against her, Miranda finds a larger scheme, one involving far more money than the $37 million her boss fleeced from unsuspecting investors. Determined to uncover the truth, Miranda begins her own investigation - leading her to Macau and Belize, and into the arms of one sexy FBI agent, who may or may not prove to be trustworthy. When the danger heats up, Miranda finds herself in a race against time to find the person behind it all. Before he finds her....

"Wickedly They Come" Audiobook Review!

Hiya peeps! I've got another audiobook review to share with you today!

I've been looking forward to posting about this book on my UnPlugged blog, because this one was just...ugh...*facepalm*

Just, check it out below...

Wickedly They Come

~Released: January 22nd, 2017

(Audiobook Edition)

~Length: 7 hours and 46 minutes

~Parent's Guide: PG-13

~Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dark Fantasy

Goodreads

Amazon ~ Audible

A gripping, dark fantasy!

A Destined Prophecy: “The White Warrior will be one with Lucifer and God will weep.”

Haunting visions and supernatural talents are the norm for the sixteen-year-old warrior, Jordan and her mother Seeley. Together with their formidable angels they find themselves in peril when a wicked sorcerer is determined to fulfill the prophecy to his lord, Lucifer.

After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil.

The battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground.

The Secret Life of Anna Blanc

Hiya guys! I've got a fun one for you today!

I recently participated in an audiobook tour, and now that it's ended and some time has passed, I wanted to share a more candid review of this story! My official review is up and posted, and is super long! This story is just so deep, I couldn't help myself - I've gotta go deeper!

As a reminder, this blog is set up as more of a candid, unofficial place for me to share reviews that I don't want to use as promotional or official material. It's a place for my thoughts, free from the restraints of my otherwise "professional" reviewer badge. I'm not getting anything for the content on this blog, simply sharing my thoughts as I would in a book club or discussion forum.

If you want to avoid spoilers, or want a more "traditional" review, you can check that out on my official review blog here. Otherwise, check out the book, author & narrator, and see what I thought of this story!

Enjoy!

~Released: Nov. 14, 2016

~Author: Jennifer Kincheloe

~Narrator: Moira Quirk

~Length: 12h 44m

~Publisher: Jennifer R. Kincheloe, Ltd 2016

~Genres: Historical, Mystery, Thriller

Goodreads

Audible ~ Amazon

It's 1907 Los Angeles. Mischievous socialite Anna Blanc could match wits with Sherlock Holmes, but in her world women are not allowed to hunt criminals. Determined to break free of the era's rigid social roles, she buys off the chaperone assigned by her domineering father and, using an alias, takes a job as a police matron with the Los Angeles Police Department. There she discovers a string of brothel murders, which the cops are covering up. Seizing her one chance to solve a crime, she takes on the investigation herself. 

If the police find out, she'll get fired; if her father finds out, he'll disown her; and if her fiancé finds out, he'll cancel the wedding.

Anna must choose--either hunt the villain and risk losing her father, fiancé, and wealth, or abandon her dream and leave the killer on the loose.

"Mindspeak" Review ~ Friday Fun!

Hiya guys! TGIF! Anyone else loving today? Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Are you wearing green? I know I am!

I've got a new review to share with you today! It's one I actually read for fun, instead of for a tour or R4R request.

That's probably part of what disappointed me so much. =/

Check it out, and see what I thought! This review is an UnPlugged review, which does have spoilers, and a bit deeper look into my thoughts and reactions for the book. It's not meant for professional use or opinions, simply coffee-shop discussing. The one I'm posting on Goodreads & Amazon, is my "plugged in" (professional) review, sans spoilers. You can find that one here.

It is a slightly bummed review, just a heads up. If you'd rather skip this post, please feel free! =)

Why All the High School Drama?? *Review of "The Mind Readers"*

Hiya guys! Been a while since I've posted anything, but I'm starting this blog back up!

As you may or may not know, one of my goals this year is to read a book a week, and get myself back into the habit of reading. Part of that means I am hoping to have a review a week to post here!

Anyway, the book I read last week was one I've been wanting to read for a couple of years, and I love the cover! I just wish I would have enjoyed it as much as I enjoy the cover. =/

The Mind Readers

~Released: December 7th, 2010

~Length: 238 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth …that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers.

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life.

Check out my review below! 

"Desi Pere" Tour Spotlight!!

I'm so excited, this tour is so much fun! Check out the awesome start to an exciting trilogy, and be sure to comment before you leave! Thank you!! =D

"Home Alone 4" *Movie Review*

Hiya guys! Hope your December is going well so far =)

I have some spare time today, so I thought I'd write a review! I won't be doing a book review though, because I really haven't had a ton of time to read, especially holiday books. I'm going to be doing a movie review instead, cuz that's what we're watching in our house.

We spent last week watching the Home Alone series, and while I haven't reviewed the first three films yet, this one is just too goofy to not review!

As always, this review will have spoilers, including spoilers of the first three films, cuz yeah, gonna have to mention those as well :P

So, here we go!

Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House

~Released: November 3rd, 2002

~Length: 89 Minutes

~Director: Rod Daniel

~Lead Actors: French Stewart, Erick Avari, Missi Pyle, Jason Beghe, Clare Carey, Joanna Going, Barbara Babcock

~Genres: Crime, Comedy, Family

Kevin McCallister's parents have split up. Now living with his mom, he decides to spend Christmas with his dad at the mansion of his father's rich girlfriend, Natalie. Meanwhile robber Marv Merchants, one of the villains from the first two movies, partners up with a new criminal named Vera to hit Natalie's mansion.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hiya everybody!  Happy Thanksgiving!

I know this blog has been slightly boring for a while, which I hate, and makes me cringe.  I have definite plans to get back to blogging, on all my blogs, asap.

I wanted to take time out today though, to say thank you.

I don't know what you're doing today, or what your outlook on this holiday is, or if you even celebrate it.  What I do know, is that you're awesome, and I'm thankful for YOU.  When I say my prayers today, I'll be including you in there.

Thank you all for following us, for reading our goofy posts, and for always inspiring us to do better.

Have a wonderful day, no matter what you're doing, and we'll talk to you all soon! :D

~Rose & Ken
@Desert Rose

Good Grief, This Blog Is So Neglected!

I feel terrible!  This poor blog has been sitting here patiently waiting for some attention.

In my busy schedule this year, I haven't been reading much, at all.  Which is a depressing admission in and of itself.  What that means though, is that I'm not reviewing much either.  I've got a bunch of drafts of really fun post ideas, and no time to actually write them.

See, hubster and I are currently building a few (yes, few, as in, more than one) home businesses.  Not to mention the fact I've been spending just about every spare moment writing a book, and dealing with some medical issues that are stubbornly determined to overstay their welcome.  Our time seems stretched even thinner than normal, and fun blogs have been suffering because of it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not making excuses.  Just explaining what's up, so you all (and this poor, lonely blog) know that I'm not done with my blogging fun.  No way!  We have so much to do, and, obviously, so little time to do it all.  I doubt the load will diminish much, we just have to get better at juggling...

I do plan to get back to my fun blogging as soon as I can.  This Winter should, fingers crossed, free up some of our time.  I hope.  I pray.

Thanks to everyone still holding a flickering ember of interest, and I promise, it won't be for naught.  I'll be back with awesome posts, as soon as I possibly can.  Big plans ahead guys and dolls, and I can't wait!!

Thank you for your continued support - you guys rock! =D

Ciao for now,

~Rose
@Desert Rose & Fluttering Rose Petals.

It's Ken's Birthday!!

Ken.

K. E. N.

Kind.  Eccentric.  Noble.

So many words fit to describe Ken, but those three seem to jump out at me today.

For those who don't know it, Ken is my hubby, best friend, and one of the most epically amazing people I've ever known.  He is a blessing to me and the world, and I just love him to pieces!!

Today is his birthday, and I'm so glad - I love celebrating Ken!! :D

Across my blogs and our Lifestyle blogs, I'm going to have a myriad of posts all dedicated to, focused on, or gushing about the awesomeness that is Ken.  I can't get enough of him, and I want the whole world to know it, and to know how amazing he is!

If nothing else, I'll get to gush about him.

I hope you have an amazing birthday hun, and enjoy all the surprises Ethan and I have for you over the next few weeks :)

Lots of love,

~Rose

Pet Peeves: Blog Tours Edition

Ok, so I've been participating in book tour hosting for several years now, and I've just about had it with some of the things I've seen.  I need an outlet, so today I'm going to have a bit of a ranting post.

I'm not going to name specific people, services, or tours, because I don't want to get into it with people.  Maybe though, those people will know who they are, and realize they're pissing people off (because I can't be the only one, can I?).

If you know who I'm talking about with a specific peeve, hurrah for you- please don't name names.  Again, I don't want fights, I just want to vent and have a rant.  Thanks :)

The iPersonic Personality Test

So, I was browsing around Facebook recently, getting my daily updates on friends and people I follow.  My friend shared a post about her results of The iPersonic Personality Test.  I love taking personality test and quizzes- anyone else do that?  Well, I do, and I kind of loved the results I got back!  Over the past few years, I've had a bit of a traumatizing identity crisis, and personality tests seem to help guide me in my quest to find myself.  I know...deep ;)

I was stuck in what to post today, so I figured I'd share my results!  I always like reading other people's results for these kinds of things, so in case you're bored today, or simply enjoy reading this sort of thing, here ya go!

We Won a Liebster Award!

*This is an old post - we are re-publishing it as our domain has changed.  The blog is the same, and the award still applies to our blog, it's simply an updated post.  Our nominees have already accepted or rejected their nominations, and aren't being re-nominated.  Originally posted on April 16th, 2014.

Wow, so this week, our blog was nominated for a Liebster award, by the adorable Elle on Elle's 411 on YA Books!  Lots of thanks to her for the nomination - yay! :D

We've won a few of these on our "Plugged In" blog, so this is exciting for our UnPlugged blog! :D

The Liebster Award's purpose is to get recognition to blogs with less than 200 followers, and promote mutual notice and blog love between new blogs.

There are some rules:

1) Thank and link back the person who nominated you
2) List eleven facts about yourself
3) Answer the eleven questions asked by the blogger who nominated you
4) Nominate 9 bloggers, who have less than 200 followers (you can't nominate the blog that nominated you)
5) Ask them eleven questions
6) Let them know of their nomination!

Since Ken hates answering questions, and I (Rose) love this sort of thing, I will be accepting and fulfilling the Award :)

Eleven Facts About Me:

1.  I've been reading since I was 2.

2. I adore reading, as well as writing.

3. I have a ton of different hobbies besides reading.

4. I love music more than anything else, and will listen to anything.

5. I play the piano, am teaching myself guitar and base, and hope to start learning drums soon.

6.  I'm incredibly eccentric and goofy, and a total bohemian.  

7.  I spent most of my life acting and performing, and hope to resume theatre work soon.

8.  I've moved more times than the number of years I've been alive.

9.  I love animals.

10.  I'm writing several books at the moment.

11.  I have violet eyes.

Elle's Questions

1) If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Probably to be a successful enough author to actually earn a living (working on that one).  Otherwise, anything with traveling, art, acting or music would suit me just fine.

2) If you could choose any age to be forever, what would it be?

No idea.  I'm way to young to be able to answer that - the best years of my life could be ahead of me, and if I choose any specific time, I'd loose out on a ton of fun :)

3) What is your favorite musical? Why?

Probably The Phantom of the Opera.  I saw it on Broadway in NYC in High School, and haven't seen a musical that's given me chills the same way.  It's a fantastic story, and I would adore being cast for that production! :D

4) What is your favorite book? How did you come across it?

Ugh, this question always makes me cringe.  I don't have a favorite book - I love books way too much to have just one favorite, and I think most book lovers are the same way.  We don't have one favorite book, we have one list of favorite books ;)  

5) What is your favorite color? Why?

Purple - at the moment.  It changes frequently lol  

At the moment, purple, because I'm adoring the purple in my eyes lately, and it just seems to be speaking to me at this stage in my life.

6) Who is your favorite youtuber?

I don't have one.  I don't spend a whole lot of time on YouTube, so I'm not really up on that sort of thing.  

7) Who is your idol? Why do you look up to them?

I don't really believe in idols.  If I have an idol at all, it would be God/Jesus.  I don't necessarily look up to Him, as much as I simply follow Him and trust him with my life.  

8) What are favorite and least favorite book to movie adaptations?

-Favorite: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , probably.  

-Least Favorite: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

9) If you could travel back in time to any historical period, which would it be?

Probably the Victorian Era.  I've always wanted to see how people lived in that time period, and how they truly acted with each other.  

10) Sunrise or Sunset?

Both.  Probably sunrise though, if I have to choose one :P

11) What color socks are you wearing right now?

I'm not wearing socks at the moment.  Later tonight, I'll be wearing fuzzy pink ones with multi-colored polka-dots. 

My Questions for My Nominees

1) What do you do when you're not blogging?

2)  What is your favorite food?

3)  What is your dream job?

4)  What is your favorite genre of books?

5)  What is your favorite genre of movies?

6)  What is your favorite genre of music?

7)  What historical figure would you enjoy meeting?

8)  What is your favorite animal?

9)  Day or night?

10)  Paperback, or eBook?

11) What book would you like to see turned into a movie?

My Nominees

1)  Angel @ -Spare Reads-

2)  Eva @ All Books Considered

3)  Paige @ Electively Paige

4)  Miss Perfection @ A Perfection Called Books

5)  Tanya @ A Book Paradise

6)  Lauren @ Pink Avenger Prime

7)  Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

8)  Keeley @ Lost In The Pages Of A Book...

9)  Georgia May @ TeenBookHoots

Congrats to the nominees - I hope you have fun answering my questions!! :D  

Good luck to everyone with their awesome blogs!  Thanks for reading, and as always: 

Keep Creating!

*Book Review* "The Best Kind of Trouble" by Courtney B. Jones

A few months ago, I participated in a book tour hosted by Itching For Books, for the first book in the "Trouble" series, by author Courtney B. Jones.  From the synopsis and cover, I figured it would be a book I'd really enjoy.  Since it ended up being a not-so-good rating and review, I waited to post my review until the tour ended.  As the tour ended several months ago, I'm posting my UnPlugged review today, and my official review will be up on our other book blog later this week. 

*As always, I'd like to remind my readers that the reviews here all have spoilers, however I have a spoiler-free, official (plugged in) review you can read here.

Welp, here we go!

I grew up in Texas where I still live with my husband, our two kids, and two dogs. I'm a recent college grad and an elementary school teacher.

I love to read and write love stories. I have an obsession with books. I own far far too many!

~ Connect with Courtney Online ~

Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

The Best Kind of Trouble

(Trouble, #1)

~By: Courtney B. Jones

~Published: January 17th, 2014

~Length: 191 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Ashley Parker knows trouble. And Nathan Williams--star quarterback and charming ladies man—is trouble. She knows he'll only break her heart. But that doesn't stop her from jumping in feet first. When her whole world is flipped upside down, her guitar and her lyrics become her only solace. Along with sexy guitar player Caleb Mathews. 

Fueled by heartache, love, and lust, Ashley finds herself in the best kind of trouble. Boy trouble.

~ 2/5 Roses ~

*I was given an eCopy of the book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.

I'm honestly quite conflicted about my opinion of this book.  Being a musician myself, I was really looking forward to reading a book featuring a girl who writes and makes music.  I adore the fact that music is a main aspect of this story, and enjoyed the lyrics that were included in the story.  That's the good - now for the not-so-good...

The main character is, unfortunately, infuriating.  The entire story is kind of odd, and throughout the whole thing, I kept thinking: “Ok, I guess technically that could happen, given the exact right circumstances and an insane amount of luck...or in a fantasy...but things don't really happen like that.”

It was very much a contemporary urban fantasy, with a classic “Two guys and a girl” kinda twist.

Secondary characters: Ashley's best friend got on my nerves quite a bit.  She wasn't much of a friend, and just kept making things worse.  Her and her boyfriend were really random, and the drama that centered on the two of them toward the end was odd, and seemed out of place.

The guys: Nathan is your typical jock guy.  Masculine, possessive to a point, competitive and very testosterone-driven.  Caleb is an artist – a musician, to be exact – complete with the mysterious bad guy image, exuding a cool and confident vibe.  Exact opposites, except for one thing: Ashley turns into a hot mess when either of them look at her.

The girl: oy.  Ashley is, well, very slap-able.  Meaning, I really want to slap her, basically every time she does something new.  She is simply a ball of irrational emotions she can't seem to control, and while there probably are people out there like that, I don't think it's entirely realistic.  I mean, do most women really become balls of burning lust because a guy smiles at them?  Even after they break the girl's heart?  I don't think so, and while I could be wrong, it was a bit pathetic.  Having that type of character in the lead, made it an annoying read.

Most of the time, it was a redundant “I know he could hurt me...I need to be careful...he's dangerous...but I just want him so bad!”  It was simply exasperating, and I wanted to tell her: either give in, or move on already, no grown woman is that irritating!

Mainly, I just didn't like all the drama.  I knew going in that it would be an emotionally driven story, but there was so much unnecessary melodrama, it made me want to stop reading.  

Young college girls can be dramatic, but she wasn't a teenager, and the things she went through seemed very high school.  I couldn't help thinking “Where the hell was she during high school, because she's acting like she's 15 and just discovered wild hormones for the first time.”  

I simply couldn't picture her as a 20 something college student in her 3rd year - I saw her as a high school student with a bunch of college friends.  This probably would have been a bit more believable had it been in a high school setting instead of a college.

Then we get to the music career.  I'm all for life experiences and past pain being turned into music and art – that's fantastic!  However, a full touring music career simply doesn't happen like it happened to her.  She sings in a local bar for a couple of weeks, and all the sudden gets signed with a record label?  Then goes on a country-wide tour two weeks after signing with them??  

Yeeeah, no.  It doesn't happen like that.  In order to headline a sold-out tour, you have to have fans, and in order to acquire fans, you have to have your music out there for longer than a month.  

Again, it's one of those things that you could argue may happen to someone with incredible luck and connections, but given that this is supposed to be a realistic, contemporary story, it's simply not believable.  I couldn't help thinking "Yeah, in your dreams!  Is that what this is?  Is she dreaming?  This is ridiculous..."

Basically, that's my biggest gripe with this book: it's not believable!  On top of that, the copy I had was filled with far too many mistakes to be acceptable.  Misused words, incorrect forms of words, missing words, and mistakes that simple Google searches would have fixed, made reading this even more infuriating.  

If these issues were corrected, I suppose this book would earn 3 Roses from me.

Bottom line: this book needs to be re-edited (if it was ever edited at all); since some people like drama, and would enjoy this book, I wouldn't say “stay away” from it, but also would not be surprised if people don't like it.  While I don't think I'll ever read it again, I would be willing to read the sequel, because it did end on a cliffhanger, and one that made me go “wait, what??”

It is an interesting story overall, and for people who like a ton of drama and who aren't looking for realistic characters or situations, this book may appeal to them.

What do you guys think about books like this one?  Stories that are driven purely on intense, irrational emotions and drama?  Does there need to be more realistic details for you to enjoy the story?  Also, what do you guys think about spelling/grammar mistakes?  Do they bug you (if you even notice them at all lol)?  Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, and as always:

Keep Creating!!