Offsides

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Ariesgrl

By: Stacy Juba

(Hockey Rivals #2)

Twins, T. J. and Brad, have settled their differences and are thriving on their high school hockey team. Discussing their futures with scouts and supporting their younger brothers, it is clear the McKendricks eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. However, when family tensions arise and the pressures of school get to them, will they keep their head’s on straight? Or will bad choices ruin their dreams?

Stacy Juba wrote the first book as a teenager and she takes readers on a trip down memory lane, with this latest installment. Readers should read the first book, in order to better understand the family dynamics. Hockey fans will love the fact that this book starts in the middle of a game, while those serious about a potential career in hockey will appreciate the insights. This is a very short read that covers tough topics about what teens face and the effects of parents splitting up. The brotherly relationships are the shining aspects of this tale.

I read the first book in the series, several years ago and I loved it. (Here’s my review.) I love hockey and I was thrilled to discover a middle grade book. With this sequel, I learned a lot about Junior league and the steps required to catch the eyes of colleges and the NHL. I hope the author continues to develop the series, as I am sure fans are going to crave more McKendrick hockey.

Notes:

The author provided a copy in exchange for my honest review.

To learn more about this series, please visit the author’s website.

Posted in Young Adult Books | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s Discuss Series…

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love series! They draw you into their setting, you get updates on characters you fell in love with, and you can normally keep hope for another installment. There are series that can be read quickly… like my old Nancy Drew and Harry Potter books, as well as The Summer Girls series by Mary Alice Monroe and the Peachtree Bluff series by Kristy Woodson Harvey. Then there are series that you take your time with… when the books are over 800 pages or there are over a dozen or so.

Last month, I finished the Brad Taylor series, including all novellas, that I started the year before. (Well, finished all but the most latest one.) I enjoyed this series because I could binge read four, then wait a few months and pick them up again. I am looking for a 2019 series to read. Something lengthy, that will last me throughout the whole year. Books that I can pick up in between all the other stories that I will be reading.

Some that have been suggested through the years: Game of Thrones, Outlander, Penn Cage, and the entire Rick Riordan sets of Demigods books. Please vote in the comments for which series you think I should completely conquer this year. It can be one of these listed above, or please feel free to suggest another. And if you think this is a fun idea, please feel free to read along with me and we’ll add updates as the year continues.

So which lengthy series should accompany me in 2019?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

Posted in Fiction Books, Read with Ariesgrl | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Quotes to Begin 2019…

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Ariesgrl
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“New year — a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” ~Alex Morritt

What book are you most excited to read in 2019?

Enjoy,

~Ariesgrl

Posted in Quotes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Book Mail!!!

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Good Morning Everyone,

As you may have guessed, when we moved, I got teased quite a bit by the number of boxes (and bags) of books. My goal this week is to unpack every single one of them and get them all organized. (Not knowing the exact location of my books has been, well… interesting to say the least.) However, I still do enjoy adding to my stacks and lists.

On Friday, I received these in the mail, but I held off opening them until today. (Under the blanket are my boys.) We are all snuggled up and ready to dive into a day of reading.

Yesterday, while at the event at My Sister’s Books, I talked to authors and readers, and definitely added a few more titles to my future reading lists.

What about you? Do you have stacks upon stacks of unread books and still add more? Or do you buy and read only one at a time? How long is your wish list?

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

Posted in Current Reads, Romance Books, Suspense Books | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Audiobooks incorporated into my routine?

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year my family did something new and it was quite nice. I am grateful each and everyday for my family and my love of books. Today, as I work, I am listening to my first audiobook from an app called Libro. If you have followed my website, you know that I prefer physical books when reading. Ebooks provide a nice convenience, especially when reading late, late, late at night. However, I have never gotten the hang of audiobooks. I have tried a few over the years, but it is not my cup of tea. However, I feel like hours on the computer and hours in the car are times that could be spent on reading. So in the spirit of the new home and new vibes, I am going to work hard to add audiobooks into my daily routine. Libro is wonderful, because it allows me to support my favorite independent bookstore, whereas that more popular app, Audible, only increases Amazon’s giant profits. So if you like to support your community, I do recommend using Libro.fm Their website is very, user-friendly.

So what am listening to?

Continue reading →

Posted in Current Reads | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

And the Winner Is…

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

I want to thank Kensington Publishing and everyone who took part in the Winner Takes All giveaway! The winner is… Maria Mercedes! Maria, an email has been sent with instructions to claim your prize.

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

Posted in Giveaways | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Winner Takes All!!!

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Over the course of the next two months, there will be several giveaways. Today, we are going to kick off the giveaway season, with a winner takes all type of giveaway. Thanks to Kensington Publishing, below is a list of ARCs (advanced reading copies.) One lucky commenter will win all of these books!

  • It takes a Coven by Carol J. Perry
  • Stowed Away by Barbara Ross
  • Staged 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton
  • Death Over Easy by Maddie Day
  • Death by Espresso by Alex Erickson
  • Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis
  • Last Call by Allyson K. Abbott
  • Murder on Memory Lake by J. D. Griffo
  • Final Roasting Place by Devon Delaney

How to enter: Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite mystery author. Contest is open until Tuesday, November 13th at 7pm EST. Winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced Wednesday morning. Good luck to all!

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Posted in Giveaways, Mystery Books | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

November Update

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Today, I am thrilled to announce that I am writing this first November post, from my new home. Not quite my office, yet, as that is still currently filled with boxes. However the view of the porch and Ozzy resting peacefully in my lap, is an ideal workspace. The last few weeks have been completely chaotic, but it has been completely worth it!

So here’s a quick recap of the reading end of my world:

  • The Great American Read: What an incredible finale! I think all awards show should be like this… books, readers, and authors. I was thrilled To Kill a Mockingbird won, however, I was surprised to hear it debuted at number one and never wavered. I have read that book so many times, I have lost count. Mom and I were thrilled to see several modern, teen books make it to the top 50. It means the next generation is excited to read!!! The top 5 books covered a range of genres and thankfully I had read 3 out of 5. (Yes, I still need to read the Outlander and Lord of the Rings series.)
  • As for my current reads, well sadly, I haven’t read too much lately, due to exhaustion from the move. I have been slowly working my way through the ebook version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, because it has been a long time since I have read the entire series and this year did mark the 20th anniversary of the first book’s publication in the United States. Tonight, the boys and I will be curling up with a Christmas mystery, Murder in her Stocking.

How is your November going? What are you currently reading?

Posted in About Me, Current Reads | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

GAR #5

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

In last night’s Great American Read lineup, they discussed traveling to other worlds. They discussed two that I have thoroughly enjoyed, one of which I just read last month. The sad news is that next week is the final episode, however the good news is that they will be announcing the winning story on my Mom’s birthday. (Which book will win?)

Here’s what titles stood out to me last night:

Books I love:

Chronicles of Narnia series

The Martian (fantastic story of survival that I only just read last month!)

Books I want to read:

Lonesome Dove

Lord of the Rings series (I know, I know. Yes, it is true that I have never read these books.)

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (I see this on a lot of school reading lists now, so I am intrigued.)

How many did you read?

Posted in Fiction Books | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

GAR #4

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Ariesgrl

Hi Everyone,

Last night, the Great American Read discussed love. The types of love and what would you do to protect or gain love. Below are my reading stats on the featured titles.

Books that I have loved:

Little Women (I have read this numerous times!)

Call of the Wild (Of course I am going to love a book about a man saving a wolf)

Books I did not enjoy:

The Great Gatsby (I find the narrator horribly whiny.)

Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen’s books have everything I should like, but I am not a fan.)

Authors that I have read:

John Green (Fault in Our Stars)

Nicholas Sparks (several titles and I saw the movie of The Notebook)

Books I want to read:

Americanah

The Joy Luck Club

What do your reading stats look like, when it comes to love?

Posted in Fiction Books | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment