Review: The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale

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The Bully Book
Author: Eric Kahn Gale
ISBN: 9780062125118
Publisher: HarperCollins

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

The rules governing middle school are often a mystery, but for Eric Haskins, they’re a mystery he needs to solve, and fast. He’s a normal, average kid, until sixth grade starts. For some inexplicable reason, the class bully and his pack make Eric the Grunt. Even his best friend since first grade turns on him. Eric can’t figure out why he’s the Grunt until he hears about the Bully Book, a cryptic guide that teaches you how to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man” and how to select the Grunt-the kid who will become the lowest of the low. 

Eric Haskins may be this year’s Grunt for now, but he’s determined not to stay at the bottom of the social ladder forever. Hilarious and compelling, The Bully Book is a must-read for every tween, tween parent, librarian and educator!

MY THOUGHTS

Have you ever wondered why someone gets chosen to be picked on in school?  What is going on through the minds of the bully and the one being picked on?  While this may not be what actually goes on and it may not be the way one is chosen to be picked on, it does give you a greater understanding on why it can happen.

I used to be picked on all through school.  Now that I am older and have children of my own, I constantly worry about them being bullied.  As a parent you want to protect your child.  As a child you just want to be accepted and have friends.  What do you do when those so called friends turn on you and decide to target you as their next scapegoat?  The Bully Book gives you an inside perspective of both the child being chosen as the target and the child that is doing the actual bullying.

While the over all tone of this book focuses on the horrible act of bullying within the schools, it does have some lighthearted moments as well.  As a tween book, it still kept this adult reader interested and compelled to finish the story.  I needed to know what would happen and the outcome.

This is a great read for younger readers no matter if you are boy or girl.  It can be shocking, enduring and eye opening.  While the adult might be as interested in it, I could see the younger generation reading it.

MY RATING
Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

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The Raven Prince
Series: Princes Trilogy #1
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781455513581

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

There comes a time in a lady’s life…

Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

When she must do the unthinkable…

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

And find employment.

When Anna becomes the earl’s secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his “manly” needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her “womanly” desires…with the earl as her unknowing lover.

MY THOUGHTS

Even though Historical Romance is not a favorite of mine to read,  author Elizabeth Hoyt never fails to amaze me.  This author is one of my favorites in this genre and I have no idea why I have put off reading this series.

Edward is suppose to be some mean Earl that hardly anyone can tolerate.  I on the other hand, enjoyed his characters.  I don’t think he was unruly and temperamental as he was suppose to be.  I actually found him shy and at times a sweet man.  This is not to say he didn’t have his moments, but I liked him from the first time he entered the scene.

Anna I felt was the perfect counterpart for Edward.  She didn’t take his crap and she could dish out just as much as she was given.  I like how she didn’t care what others really thought about her and just went with what she felt was right for herself.

I think the only problem I had with this story was the over abundance of characters.  I felt like the reader was introduced to too many even though this is the first in series.  At times it felt like I would need a flow sheet to remember who everyone was.

A great romance to sweep you away and one that I enjoyed enough to recommend to fans of Historical Romance.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Dec 150+ Reading Challenge Link Up

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DECEMBER 2012 LINK UP PAGE

Hi all!  This is the post that you can link up your reviews for the 150+ Challenge for DEC 2012.  Each month there will be a new link up page and I will be listing each months main link below the challenge button on my bottom right sidebar.  I look forward to reading everyone’s reviews and the books you choose!

* This is for your REVIEWS posted in DEC 2012 only! *

Review: Rev It Up by Julie Ann Walker

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Rev It Up
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Series:  Black Knights Inc. #3
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

He Never Misses a Target

Jake “the Snake” Sommers earned his SEAL codename by striking quickly and quietly – and with lethal force. That’s how he broke Michelle Carter’s heart. It was the only way to keep her safe – from himself. Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance. But to steal back into Michelle’s loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow. Real slow…

She Aims to Make Him Beg

Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to “love her and leave her.” But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake’s hands. No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded. And once he’s wrapped around her heart, he’ll never let her go…

MY THOUGHTS

Oh Ms. Walker, how you love to tease me and pull me back into this world.  Suspense and romance in one book is always a good thing, but when Julie Ann Walker writes it, I want to jump for joy.  I loved the first one in this series and they just keep getting better.

Even though the main character of Jake “the Snake” Sommers reminds me of watching wrestling with my father in the early years, I found myself falling for him very quickly.  He was strong, determined and sexy as all get out.  Michelle is a heroine that can hold her own as well.  In the modeling world there is one word that can describe this girl — fierce.  She gives as good as she gets with Jake and they really heated up the pages together.

With danger and suspense in most of the book, the author did a great job of including the romance on a balanced scale.  Secondary characters are back from previous books and give us a glimpse of some of our favorites.  Again, while I loved the previous books in the series, this one I think is one of my favorites.  The authors writing just keeps getting better and I can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Review: Savage Hunger by Terry Spear

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Savage Hunger
Author: Terry Spear
Series: Heart of the Jaguar #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Kathleen McKnight is on a dangerous mission to help her army team take down a drug lord. She’s a tough as nails recruit, but when she’s caught in the crossfire, she has to rely on a mysterious man to save her. She has no idea that he has big plans for her…

Connor Anderson is a jaguar shifter who is looking for his mate. When he rescues Kathleen in the jungle-twice–he can’t help but be intrigued. Will a bite or a scratch turn Kathleen into the perfect jaguar mate?

MY THOUGHTS

Author Terry Spears usually writes about wolves in the paranormal romance genre. This time in Savage Hunger, the author decided to write about jaguars and I am one reader who is glad she decided to branch out.  There is just something about this authors writing that sucks me into the story no matter what is being told on the pages.

The plot and suspense of this story was written pretty well.  I liked each of the characters in the book as well.  Kathleen held her own as the main heroine and Conner was sexy and swoon worthy many times throughout the story.  I think the only problem I have is the way the author took the story of Kathleen and her transformation.  It was kind of a let down, but one that didn’t completely stall me from reading the remainder of the book.

Suspenseful, romantic, danger, and even some quirky bring a beautiful new series from a great author I follow.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!