Riches to Rags: One Broke Girl by Rhonda Helms

@Bunnitaz @FreestyleFriday
Rating 4 stars (3.8)

Blurb:
Anna Parker’s life disintegrates with one phone call. Her dad’s selling their ritzy New York City condo because her Wall Street banker mom emptied their bank account and ran off with another man. Which means Anna has to drop out of her elite college and move with Dad back to their small Ohio hometown. Anna’s determined to reclaim her life ASAP, so she’ll use the next few months to save money, help Dad get back on his feet, and find and confront her mom.

But Anna doesn’t anticipate things going so wrong. The only job she can get is working as a lunch lady in an elementary school. Their money-pit duplex is falling apart around their feet. And her dad is depressed without her mom, who's proving hard to find.

My Review:
We don't know Anna Parker before her bail out mom. We are told what type of person she was from her own self-reflection. She was the stereotypical rich kid. She spent money with little appreciation of how good she had it. Shopping sprees and $400 dollars dinners was just a thing her and friends just did.

Now she has gone from riches to rags. Forced to move from a condo in ritzy Manhattan to a rundown duplex in small town Ohio, Anna is determined to get back to her old life sooner rather than other. There's only one problem with the plan. How is she going to come up with enough money to set her dad up and pay for her way back to NYC when the only job she could get is as a part time lunch lady.

To make matters worse, she is the only person working. Anna father has fallen in to a depression that keeps him in his room most of the time. Then walks in Gavin, her old  elementary school boyfriend. The attraction is instant. Unfortunately, she still has a boyfriend back in New York.

Through Anna we see how a person can find themselves in a bad spot in life but in a good spot in development. Anna has become a better person. She discovered an inner strength, work ethic, and money appreciation that she wouldn't have if her mom has stayed. She learned what real friendship is.

I think that many people need to go through something similar. Many people take things for granted. When you have never seen anyone around you struggle it easy to make assumptions. Life just some times knocks you down and some people just don't know how to get up. It's the reverse. When you have struggled and everyone around you have struggled it makes it easy to feel like you can't get out of the struggle.

At any rate, I really liked this story. I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel. I am going to reach out to the author and see if I can find that out. If there is a second book, I'm reading it. Please don't break up my happy Anna and Gavin home. What I would want for book 2? I want them to be planning a wedding and a confrontation with Anna's mother.

So there you have it. A feel good new adult romance with a message. Happy Reading!

Purchase

Amazon * Goodreads * Barnes & Noble

*this is an ARC
**most links are an affiliate links
-I receive a small percentage of any purchase made through affiliate links

Update: Book 2 is TWO LITTLE LIES, and it comes out in June (it's Natalie's book). Book 3 is THREE PERFECT NIGHTS, out in August (Bianca's book).

The Tweet Files by Mike O: A Deadly Encounter Is Just One Tweet Away

The Tweet Files
By Mike O
Publisher DC Bookdiva Publications
Published on Oct 24, 2013 vol 1
Published on Dec 14, 2013 vol 2
Published on Jan 7, 2014 vol 3

Daniel Jones is the mastermind ghost writer behind his best friend, Aliyah Moon’s books. The duo has landed on several bestseller lists. The success has gotten Aliyah in the middle of an urban fiction, who reign supreme, competition. Fiercely loyal to his friend (as well as being the actual writing talent) he takes offense at the criticism. Jones uses the tweets of those who are most negatively outspoken as a deadly list of payback.

 

The Tweet Files is definitely a very disturbing book. One would think that it is because of the explicit violence and language. However, it is because of the way in which Jones chooses his victims. His method is the internet or more specifically, as the title of the book indicates, Twitter.

 

Social media has become part of daily living. Businesses use social media websites for promotion. Individuals use them to keep in touch with friends, family, and the world in general. The Tweet Files highlights just how vulnerable social media users make themselves. Kids and teens are often told not to give out their addresses and real names. Great advice that most of us follow however, The Tweet Files shows that there more than one way to get to a person.

 

How many times have you tweeted where you were going, at, or was? What if you had a stalker who had the patience to track your movements who your statuses and tweets? That realization is what makes this story such a twisted read.

 

Split into 3 very short volumes (each approximately 35 pages) it is a fast paced read filled with the twisted mind of a serial killer. Even as I write this, it chills me to think that my words could so easily set off the mind of a murder. So…see ya twitter?

Freestyle Friday 8 - Vampires

I don't even know why I am doing a post on Vampires. The fasnication with vampires have been going on for centuries. People are drawn to them for varies reasons mostly because they leave forever, that is if they are not staked in the heart (the most common way to kill a vampire). They have been depicted in several ways from the gruesomely scary to the glamorous and beautiful. Vampire who feed and kill their victims to those who can feed and keep them alive, to variations of different type like Christine Feehan's Carpathians.

What are your favorite vampire novels other than Twilight? And if you have given Christine Feehan a try start with Dark Possession which is by far my fav Carpathian novel by her. As I write this I just realize that I haven't written a review for this book.

Freestyle Friday 7 - Zombies

#FF #freestylefriday

Who haven't watch a zombie movie? The walking dead with rotting flesh and limbs falling off. Slow moving zombies who you can easily run away from. Moaning zombies with arms outstretched. Zombies with dragging bad legs. Zombies who run. Zombies in mass numbers. The new thing now-a-days are biological warfare zombies. What do all theses zombies have in common? We just can't get of enough of them.

There is something so terrifyingly compelling about them. Especially the biological/viral ones. Perhaps because anyone can become one. Maybe its the fact that when the outbreak happens lawlessness occurs and people are free to unleash their inner hero (or for some freely kill). Whatever it is, I prefer to watch them than read about them. I haven't written reading about them off yet as I haven't read enough to make up my mind. Do you have any suggestions of some great zombie reads?

Freestyle Friday 6 - Dystopian

#FF #freestylefriday

It seems that Dystopian novels are the most popular genre in Young Adult fiction. I must admit that I love them. It's a chance to explore a world that is similar to our own but one decision shaped it into something completely different. Some authors seem to rant or preach but all seem to have a message. If you do this then this "reality" may happen. So far I haven't gotten tired of dystopian novels and have many on my tbr list. They raise questions, can change your views, change your habits, or at the very least be a very entertaining read.

So what are your favs?

Freestyle Friday 5 - Historical Fiction

#freestylefriday #FF

Why you won't really see Historical Fiction on this blog?

As a kid I hated history. Maybe hate is too strong; I disliked (strongly disliked) history. I found it boring and certain gender role expectations infuriating  Also the formal way people spoke to each other bothers me. Historical romance is perhaps the reason why I shy away from this genre. Throbbing loins and such just doesn't work for me.

Unless a book is recommend to me or grabs me in some way there will be very little historical fiction reviews. I know many of you are HF fans. I like reading the blogs of those you read these types of books I just don't get the same type of enjoyment out of them.Then again I never use to like romance novels of any kind so maybe HF will grow on me.

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2013

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 

Now I know what you all must be saying at this point, "she is always joining read-a-thons and then never finish a single book". You know what? You are right but as they say, keep trying to you get it right. 
My log
Against Nature  (ebook)
Mockingjay (audiobook)
The Litigators (audiobook)
reviews for these books coming but Yay I actually finished a book for a readathon

Romance Reading Challenge 2013

Romance Reading Challenge 2013

Don't go far off, not even for a day, because --
because -- I don't know how to say it: a day is long
and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station
when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep.

Don't leave me, even for an hour, because
then the little drops of anguish will all run together,
the smoke that roams looking for a home will drift
into me, choking my lost heart.
-Pablo Neruda

I started the Romance Reading Challenge in 2008 and I always enjoy hosting it.
I want to say a big "thank you!" to all who join, it's a nice thing to see this challenge generate interest and inspire people to read a little romance.

Without further ado, here are the rules:

1. The challenge runs from January 1st, 2013 through December 31st, 2013.

2. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

3. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.
All kinds of books count, ebooks and audiobooks too.
If you are looking for suggested reading see Best Romance Novels Today or Romance Novels on Wiki or check out Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts, to name a few.
Here are some of my personal favorites:

4. Read your book selections at your own pace in 2012 then post the link to your review(s). You don't need to have a blog, posting your reviews on Goodreads and LibraryThing counts as well. If you do have a blog and are joining us, please consider linking back to this post either with text or with one of the buttons provided below to help spread the word.

I hope you will join us! Happy reading :)

These buttons are made using photos I took myself, if you use any please link back to this post:

---------------------------------------------

This year, I am hosting two giveaways for those who participate. One winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentines Day. The other winner will be announced on June 1st.

The giveaway prize is:
A $15.00 U.S. Amazon Gift E-Card or a $15.00 U.S. Barnes & Noble Gift E-Card.

To enter to win:
1. Sign up for the Romance Reading Challenge 2013.
2. You have to have a minimum of one book read and reviewed for the challenge. Everyone who joins the RRC this year and has at least one book read and reviewed for the challenge will be eligible to win a gift card. Each book read and reviewed for the RRC gives you one entry. So the more books you read and review, the more times your name will go in the draw. I'll use Mr. Linky to keep track of books reviewed so make sure to link your reviews there.
3. Leave me a comment on this post with your valid email addy. Let me know which gift e-card you prefer.
4. I will announce the winning name at my blog on the two dates I mentioned. I will also notify the winner via email. If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours, the first runner up will be chosen.

Good luck and happy reading! Contest is open worldwide.

2013 Ireland Reading Challenge

2013 Ireland Reading Challenge
1Jan13 - 31Dec13

Welcome to the fourth annual Ireland Reading Challenge! This has become one of my favorite blogging experiences – and I hope you will consider joining me.

Here are the guidelines:

~ The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

~ Any books read for this challenge can also apply to other challenges you are working on.

~ Re-reads are allowed.

~ Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply. For specific suggestions, check out the Ireland Challenge Review Database.

~ Choose your commitment level:

Shamrock level: 4 books
Luck o’ the Irish level: 6 books
Kiss the Blarney Stone level: 8 books
Ceilidh level: 10+ books

~ Write up a post indicating that you are participating (feel free to copy the lovely graphic at the top of this post), and then add your challenge post’s link to the Mr. Linky here on the main challenge page.

~ You don’t have to list your books ahead of time – just have fun reading throughout the year.

~ If you write any reviews of your Ireland Challenge reading, please leave a link here on the challenge page.

~ In the past, I have offered a giveaway to participants in this challenge, but since our financial situation is still uncertain, I won’t be able to do that this year.

My Level:
Shamrock level: 4 books

Freestyle Friday 4 - The Challenged Reader

#ff #freestylefriday photo from Here


The Challenged Reader (a Shelfari group)
Announcing: Read with Friends


How to Play:
1. Game Period: 1 January – 30 April 2013

2. A selection of 7 random letters and some words made up from those letters for the month will be announced the last day of the previous month (ie. January words will be announced on 31 December 2012 etc).

3. Pick one or more words from the selection OR find your own word/s out of the letters of the month and read books with first word in title starting with letters of your selected word/s (ignoring “the”, “a”, and “an”).

4. An Exception to (3) above will be made for the letters Q, X, and Z - where you may read book/s with word in title containing one of these letters.

5. If you found your own word, the word must be found in the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (http://www.hasbro.com/scrabble/en_US/). Word must be made up of a minimum of 3 letters. We trust that you will avoid the temptation of 'word builder' ;)

6. Books for the month may only be read starting on 1st of the month and to be finished by midnight of last day of the month.

7. Points will be rewarded as per values of letters (/books) read and if the word/s is /are completed, there will be bonus points (bonus points to be announced along with the words). This does mean that you can still get points even if you didn't complete your word

8. Bonus points will not apply if you find your own word BUT you will receive a ‘Finder’s Fee’ which will be 2 times of your word value. You may only claim ‘Finder’s Fee’ if you complete your word.

9. On the first of the month, there will be a thread requesting that you post your last month’s read/s within the first 7 days of the month to claim points.

10. Values of letters:
1 - A, E, I, O, U, L, N, R, S, T
2 – D, G
3 – B, C, M, P
4 – F, H, V, W, Y
5 – K
8 – J
10 – Q, X, Z

10. All formats of books are allowed however no picture / childrens books and must have 100+ pages (or equivalent if you are using audio books / ereaders).
Example:
Letters: N A E G P A Z
Words:
Zen +7
Pan +4
Page +5
Pang +5
Agape +10

If I choose 'Zen' - I'd have to read:
z - I escaped from Auschwitz by Rudolf Vrba
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
n - Nevermore (Maximum Ride 8) by James Patterson
Word Value: 10 + 1 + 1 = 12 points
Bonus Points: 7 points
Grand Total: 19 points

If I choose 'Agape' - I'd have to read:
a - Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
g - Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
a - Absolution Creek by Nicole Alexander
p - Pantomime by Laura Lam
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
Word Value: 1 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 8 points
Bonus Points: 10 points
Grand Total: 18 points

If I found ‘Gaze’ – I’d have to read:
g - Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
a - Absolution Creek by Nicole Alexander
z - I escaped from Auschwitz by Rudolf Vrba
e - Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman
Word Value: 2 + 1 + 10 + 1 = 14 points
Finder’s Fee: 14 x 2 = 28 points
Grand Total = 14 + 28 = 42 points


Read with Friends: January
The Letters:
A V R S E I N

The Words:

3 letters
Air +4
Ran +4
Sin +4
Van +7

4 letters
Nave +8
N
A
V
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich


Word Value: 1
Bonus Points: 0
Grand Total: 1


Rave +8
Rise +5
Vain +8
Vans +8
Vase +8
Vein +8
Vine +8

5 letters
Arise +8
Naive +10
Naves +10
Raise +8
Raves +10
Risen +8
Vines +10

6 letters
Arisen +10
Varies +12



Read with Friends: February
The Letters:
F T Y N H D A

The Words:

3 letters
Day +5
Fad +5
Fan +5
Fat +5
Hay +5
Tan +3

4 letters
Daft +7
Hand +5

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Awakening by L.A. Banks
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
Delirium by Lauren Oliver


Word Value: 8
Bonus Points:5
Grand Total:13


5 letters
Handy +10

Freestyle Friday 3 - Paging All Bookworms' Feb 2013 Mini Challenge

#FF #freestylefriday


February 2013 Mini-Challenge: Seeing Red (from a Shelfari group)
I hate Valentine's Day challenges. So every February I sidestep the obvious and go with something different. However it occurs to me that not everyone may feel the same way I do, so this year I am going with something that may still allow you to intercept Cupid's arrow, if you are so inclined. For February's challenge read a book that has the color red (or some variant of that color) in the title or author's name. If that coincides with something that is oriented in the Valentine's Day direction then that is great-I guess. Ain't love grand?

What am I going to read?

The only thing I have planned to read that is red is the Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce.

Freestyle Friday 2 - Play Book Tag's 5th Anniversary Relay

#ff #freestylefriday  picture is from Dolphin Talk photo taken by Bill Tigrett
PBT's 5th Anniversary Relay

Official Rules may change a bit but this is the jest of the game:


It's our Fifth anniversary in February - - so this game is all about the number 5.

This activity is essentially a relay race. The administrators will form teams of 5 people, making the teams as even as possible based on your prior year's reading.

Each team will be assigned a starting tag, selected at random. The first person on the team reads any book that has that tag. They must finish the book and write a review before the next person may start reading. When the first person has completed their book, the next person counts off five tags in the list of top 200 and reads a book that fits the new tag.

For example, the first tag could be "high school". So the first person would read a book tagged "high school" and writes their review. Then the next person would read the tag "holocaust".

The races will be run in "heats". So let's say we have 6 teams at the start. The first four teams to finish the relay (all five people have read their books and written reviews) will move on to the next heat. The final heat will feature only two teams. Heats will begin on Fridays at 8 pm EST - - that way everyone knows when they may start, and hopefully there will be some planning time between heats. A new starting tag will be provided for each heat for those teams that remain.

The minimum page count requirement is 250 pages. However, if you read a book that ALSO fits the monthly tag, then the book may be shorter by as much as 75 pages.

Graphic novels are permissible, but you must read 2 graphic novels instead of one book.

Each team may have 1 skip per heat. This would allow you to skip over one person on the team, for whatever reason, but then that person will need to read the final book for their team. Otherwise you must submit an order to us and stick with it before the start of each heat.

The administrators will do their best to post daily standings.

Reviews must consist of three paragraphs minimum and include a plot summary and your opinion of the book.

If you are interested, please sign up below and include how many books you completed last year along with your expression of interest.

There will definitely be prizes! All members of the winning team will receive a prize. Heat winners will be awarded participation points of varying levels depending upon the heat.

Readers of Romance Book Challenges

I count this in my fun and games category. Bold are the ones that I am going to do. You can choose to do all 15, 10, or 5 of the list.

Winter Challenge 2013

December (2012) January and February (2013)

1) Read a Winter holiday themed book (Christmas, New Years or Valentine's Day)

Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber

2) Read a book by either Susan Mallery or Lorraine Heath

3) Read a book with a 2 word title

4) Read a book set someplace warm

5) Read a book by a new to you author

6) Read a book with a cheesy cover

7) Read a book featuring Twins or Triplets

8) Read a book that you've had on the TBR forever

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

9) Read a book with a headless person on the cover

10) Read a book where the hero or heroine's name starts with a D

11) Read a book where the hero or heroine's name starts with a J

12) Read a book with an F word in the title

13) Readers Choice #1

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

14) Readers Choice #2

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

15) Readers Choice #3

One Woman Short by Nelson George

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

#freestylefriday #booktour

Today Worth Reading It? is excited to join the WinterHaven Sleigh Tour hosted by WinterHaven Books. This week, we are posting our choice of a Winter Book Review. To see who else is on the sleigh, go to WinterHaven Sleigh Tour for a list of participating blogs.

As part of the festivities, WinterHaven Books is hosting a give-away that will include a copy of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and Let it Snow. Good luck and happy holidays!

Please note that the Rafflecopter is from WinterHaven blog not mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hardcover, 278 pages
Published March 19th 2009 by Viking Juvenile
ISBN 067001110X (ISBN13: 9780670011100)
Rating 3stars (2.6)

This was chosen for its title. It is not a Christmas book. You will not get that warm and fuzzy feeling inside after reading it. Wintergirls is actually at very dark book about eating disorders. Even though the subject matter is dark, I found the book to be an interesting read. In the beginning of the book Cassie is found dead in a motel room and Lia is left wondering what really happened to her friend.
I didn't too much care for the writing style. I like straightforward writing. If something is to lyrical it seems forced to me. Anyway, it is an interesting look into the head of a young woman who is battle anorexia. Though this is not a book you would typically read for Christmas it still kind of fits. Think about it. During the holidays many of us over indulge in food. For a person with any type of eating disorder, this got to be one of the most frustrating time of the year. Wintergirls is a good read place it in the middle of you TBR list

Challenges:
2012 Support Your Local Library
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Project Fairytale

I am doing The Ugly Duckling. I will probably make a month of it and link different retellings. If you are participating in Project Fairytale and wasn't able to review the fairytale you really wanted leave a comment for a Guest Post.

From The Cheap Reader
Here’s the basic idea of Project: Fairy Tale:
 •Have a month devoted to Fairy Tales. Maybe February or March 2013. That will give us adequate time to read and schedule our posts. Let her know if you have a preferenceby taking the poll in her sidebar.
 •Each blogger chooses a fairy tale. They must read the original fairy tale and at least 3 retellings/spin offs of the story. They write a review of each book and post them during the month of Project: Fairy Tale.  It’d be awesome if you could compile a list of other retellings  of your fairy tale as well. (Preferably the retellings will be Young Adult books or younger.) That’s it!
 •Other optional fun things to do: You can make a whole month of it on your blog if you’d like. More reviews,  read the fairy tale from another culture, movie reviews, integrate your fairy tale with any features/memes you do, discussion posts, list posts (favorite retelling, most creative retelling, etc), comparing and contrasting the retellings with the original story, anything you can imagine involving your fairy tale! Do as much or as little as you’d like.
 •You don’t have to devote the entire month to the event. Just the reviews are required.
•It’s not required but after your fairy tale is ‘clear’  she would love for you to do a sign up post on your blog. Nothing too fancy.  Just tell your readers about this project, the fairy tale you chose, and maybe brainstorm your ideas. Plus it’s a great, central place for us to suggest or recommend books about your fairy tale.
 •She’ll keep a master post for the month and add people’s posts to it as they’re posted
The idea is we all will learn a bit more about each fairy tale without having to read everything. We might even find some retellings we need to read! Of course making new blog friends is awesome too.

Does that sound like something you’d like to participate in? Please comment below with which fairy tale you’d like to take. One blogger per fairy tale. First come, first serve. There’s no limit to how many bloggers can participate. She’ll add your name and fairy tale choice to the list. (Comments are moderated.) Sign up ends November 30, 2012.

Fairytale Retelling list

Freestyle Friday 1 - Harry Potter Questions

#freestylefriday


Harry Potter Questions from Alison Can Read

1. Dumbledore did, in a way, raise Harry up like a pig for slaughter. But in the end, how much do you think Dumbledore cared about Harry?
   
   I think that Dumbledore cared for Harry from the beginning. He were fond of Harry’s parents. First has students and then as members of the Order of the Phoenix. He did not use Harry. He heard the prophecy that Professor Trelawney made and knew that Harry would have to face off with Voldemort. Therefore, he had no choice but to prepare Harry for the battle.

2. How do you think Snape truly felt about Dumbledore - and vice versa?

 

I think that Snape revered Dumbledore afterall he was the one wizard that Voldemort feared. He was comfortable with Dumbledore to speak frankly with him because of the secret they had together.


3. What parts of the series make you cry?

None. This wasn’t that type of book for me. I have to say that there aren’t many books or movies, for that matter, that can make a tear fall from my eyes.

4. Whose death do you think was the saddest?

I wasn’t expecting Fred to die though it was leaked that a couple of main characters would die during the series. The saddest death for me was Dobby. He was so kind, loyal and optimistic. And to be honest, he’s one of the bravest characters because it went against all the traits and expectations of he species to warn Harry in his first appearance in the series.

5. If Voldemort hadn't killed Snape when he did, how do you think that Snape could have gotten Harry to learn his story?

There was any other way to convey that message to Harry. He would not have reveal that information otherwise. Unless Dumbledore to his memory with by force or unbeknownst to Snape.

We could say occlumency but Snape shut that down.

6. Do you think Snape would have been happy that Harry named a son after him?

I think he would have though he wouldn’t have shown it. Assuming that he revealed his memories to Harry, I think he would have known that Harry did not name his son after Snape because of how Harry felt about he but because of how Snape felt about Harry’s mother.

 

I will be re-reading this series again and again. I just can’t get enough. Thanks to Alison Can Read for these great questions. Click the link to check out this post and her answers.

The Initiate by Megg Jensen

#freestylefriday

From Kobobooks:

Before Anathema...

Before Sleepers...

There was The Initiate

Over a thousand years ago, the gods left Eloh's people and took their magic with them. To win back their favor, her people sacrifice ten female initiates every ten years. No has ever survived. There has never been a Chosen One.

Forced into becoming an initiate, Eloh will try to find a way to beat the odds, stay with her boyfriend, and survive the fires that threaten to consume her. But will her lack of faith in the gods and her disbelief in their magic doom her to a painful death?

The Initiate is a novelette that bridges the bestselling Cloud Prophet Trilogy (Anathema, Oubliette, and Severed) and The Swarm Trilogy (Sleepers, and two more novels coming in 2012).

The Song of Eloh Saga:

The Initiate, Book 1 - a novelette bridging the Cloud Prophet Trilogy and The Swarm Trilogy

Cloud Prophet Trilogy:
Anathema, Book 2
Oubliette, Book 3
Severed, Book 4

The Swarm Trilogy:
Sleepers, Book 5
Afterlife, Book 6
The Sundering, Book 7 (coming fall 2012)

My Review:
This book does what it is supposed to do. It got me interested in reading the two series or at least the first one in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy. Not having read any of the books I had to ask myself a couple of questions while reading this. Was Eloh beaten by her parents and why? Are the people of this world only desire two children? Is the only reason her parents did not want her is simply because she is another mouth to feed?

In this short story Eloh is being prepared to go to a sacrifice ceremony. Each town choose to girls in hopes that the gods will chose one thus they (the Gods) will return and bring back magic. Eloh has never believed in the gods so she knows that she is getting all dolled up to die by fire. But she is wrong. The gods do exist but has never chosen a girl because the ceremony is not right and the time is not right. Eloh is the chosen one. There is a catch however, she did not believe in the gods. So she will have all that she ever wanted but a a punishment she will not have the time to enjoy it.

If you are in a reading funk and need a quick read to jump start this definitely consider this. It will keep your attention until the end and short enough to read with a couple of hours or one day at the most.