Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Day three: otherwise known as that time I got sucked into the world of American Girl and Legos.

Day three was an expensive day, let's just say that. But oh do I have fun stuff for you.

We started Sunday off with walking one last time down the Magnificent Mile in search of this candy store where our bus passes got us a free bag of candy. But it was such an awesome day and almost nobody on the streets, so I got a couple of pictures over the river.

 Even Matt looked like he was trying to participate.
We never did get to the candy store because we got sucked into the American Girl store. On Friday I joked with Jen and Jon that they couldn't get their daughter Haylie the ghetto $24 mini doll because she would roll up to a play date where everyone else would have a real one and here she is clutching the ghetto cheap ass version with tears in her eyes.

It's hard out here for a pimp and all.

So here's Olivia and she has wanted an American Girl for YEARS and in Kindergarten she came home to tell me several times that all of her friends had one and she'd like one. Well Santa didn't bring it, Easter Bunny didn't, not even Grandma's, so the poor girl had all but given up. So I ended up getting her the mid-rate ghetto bitty baby, and an outfit. For a whopping $87.
 But look at her face. Completely worth it. And she carries the damn thing around all of the time and I have to hear about all of the accessories she can get because you know she grabbed a catalog before we left.
 So after that, we parted ways with our friends and got into the van to head off to Legoland, which was supposed to be the Matt/Jackson stop of awesome.

On the way there we encounter stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic on the Kennedy Expressway. Out of nowhere, I totally get rear ended by a Lexus and I hit this piece of shit Blazer in front of me. Have I mentioned that it was pouring rain? Because it was. So the Blazer and I make our way to the side of the road, not easy in 5 lanes of traffic, and I see the Lexus fly past us. Super. Thankfully, everyone was OK, no damage to my back bumper and my front only has a scrape. The guy in the Blazer didn't seem concerned because his vehicle was a piece of shit as it was and he says this happens all of the time. But what made the situation completely awkward was I had my Ludacris song "Everyone is Drunk as Fuck" playing. Something you shouldn't have playing when you know, you get into an accident on the freeway.

Finally we get back on the road and Maggie the GPS gets us completely fucking lost and apparently has no idea where she is. We end up finding LegoLand on our own and Jackson literally squealed when we went in. Let me tell you- it was fun, but not for the price we paid.
We saw a very cool, miniature version of downtown Chicago made of Legos. Jackson told me, loudly, that he could so totally make that.
 Then he jumped up and down and squealed when we saw R2D2 and hugged it. Seriously. How god damn cute is this kid.
 Then Matt took a ton of pictures of Darth Vader because he is a dork and totally embarrassing. So I made the kids stand next to dad so he didn't look like a loser getting his picture taken next to a make believe character.
 The highlight was when Jackson found Batman and wanted to show me his superhero moves, properly documented here.

Overall it was fun- they went on a laser beam ride, saw how Lego's are made and walked out of there with a cool one that says LegoLand for their sets. Then we obviously let Jackson get his own big set of Legos. He chose the Bat Cave from Batman (obviously) and held the bag/box the entire eight hour drive home.
 On the way home we stopped off in the Wisconsin Dells to get gas, pee, and have dinner. I decided that we would go to Buffalo Phil's because apparently, your food comes to you on a train. The kids love trains and this would be fun so off we went.

And your food legit comes on a train. It was pretty decent food but holy fucking expensive. We're talking just under $100 for 4 people. Sure, we had dessert, but I have never paid that much at a restaurant for 4 people EVER.
 As we were leaving, I noticed the really terrifying Buffalo Mobile and then made the kids stand there so I could get their picture.
Overall? Awesome weekend. It was a perfect trip to end a kind of lame-o summer and the kids finally got to see Chicago. They've been asking me for years to go and now they got to go. Plus I really enjoy Jen and Jon  and their kids are really awesome and I'd probably steal them if they would go willingly. Jackson already thinks Haylie is coming to 4K with him and to Disney with us next June so we obviously need to start planning a wedding.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The bus, the lamest aquatic show, the bean, and how to start a riot.

It almost sounds like a fantastical book or at least the beginning of a really great joke to tell when you're drunk but in fact, it sums up our Saturday in Chicago.

The first thing we did was buy our tickets for the double decker bus that Olivia REALLY wanted to ride. Ever since she saw them tooling around London during the Olympics she has been set on riding on one and yay me for being an awesome mom and making it happen.
 How hilarious is this picture of her? First off, I love her old lady sunglasses. Then she just looks so big girl and all loving the big city and seriously. To effing cute for her own good.
 Jackson wasn't loving the bus as much and decided that after banging his head on the railing he was better off on Matt's lap.
 Totally unrelated, but someday I'll see a show here. It's pretty much a must.
 Anyways. So the big thing on our itinerary was going to the Shedd Aquarium. I'm a Pisces so I like fish and shit, and we always like aquarium things wherever we go, and I figured this one would probably be bad ass. Because you'd think a place in Chicago could afford some really cool stuff.
 You'd be wrong, but more on that in a bit. We ended up having to wait outside in the sun for quite a bit. I wish I had the picture of Jen and I when she chased down Ironman and Hulk so we could get our pictures. Only after we had to tip them. Which, I maybe could have gotten away with not, but these people made solid looking costumes out of cardboard and duct tape- they were resourceful and could probably beat my ass. So I gave them $3 and called it good. But the kids got to take their picture next to cardboard things too.
 So once we got in we bought the "Total Experience" pass which let you into the aquarium, the 4D Ice Age movie, the Aquatic Show and then the special Jellies exhibit. Which all sounds amazing. First up we decided to get food and it was decent food, outrageously priced. Then we all go over to the 4D movie which only lasts about 15 minutes but holy man. My kids have never been in a 4D, which basically means you'll get water sprayed at you and something will poke you hard in the back. Neither of them were loving the whole 4D experience but at least they weren't like the kids in the way front screaming to get them out of there. Poor Jackson was more upset that he thought a dinosaur really blew boogers at him and I had to explain it was just water. I seriously don't think he believes me even still.

After the movie we went over to the aquatic show and sat for 50 minutes before it started. Which, actually went faster than I thought it would. And I got all excited because I love me some dolphins and I have decided I would like one of those weird white beluga whales. Jackson agrees.
 Matt not so much. Dream killer.
 But the show was hands down, the worst aquatic show I have ever seen. First off, the woman doing all the talking sounds like a god damn dolphin herself. Her voice goes high enough that only dogs can hear it, I'm sure. Then the dolphins didn't really do any tricks. They jumped once or twice, swam fast, and we heard about how they like a good tongue tickle which Matt thinks is hilarious. He now asks me if I want a tongue tickle and thinks he's a fucking riot.
 The whales were cute and weird looking, but kind of lame. The one clearly wanted no part in it's training and the woman announced that she's feisty and resistant. Which, obviously. Then they start talking about this sea otter that was rescued by Washington state or something and how the Shedd Aquarium really loves the otter and it's doing super great. It's a two minute clip on the Today show about how they care for it, etc. Do you think we get to see the otter?

No.

No fucking otter to be had. Not in it's exhibit, not in the show, nothing. Basically, they wasted two minutes of my life hyping the prodigal otter and give us nothing.

Oh wait- I'm wrong. They bring us something.

A blind hawk.

I know. I KNOW. First off, the hawk flies from one end of the pool to the other and everyone claps. I'm sorry- but it's a god damn bird. It's supposed to fly- this is nothing out of the ordinary or outrageous. Then they tell us this hawk is blind in one eye and I'm confused. Like, who cares? It still has one good eye to see- what's the big deal? I can't see shit in the dark but nobody claps for me when I make it to the bathroom without taking everything out in my path.

Whatever. It was disappointing to say the least. Then we wandered around the rest of the aquarium which was lame. I would show you pictures but I have none. Why? Because people are rude as hell, that's why. I had one Asian woman practically following Olivia and I around and literally stepping in front of me to take pictures of every single fish. We couldn't even see the fish and she's trying to be all photographer with everything. I wanted to punch her in a family facility. That's how serious this was.

So we left and I basically feel like the Shedd Aquarium stole my money. Seriously. The aquarium in Duluth was better and that tells you how craptastic this was.

After the aquarium everyone went to their hotels, medicated for headaches, took naps, whatever. We ended up walking down to Millennium Park so the kids could see the Bean and we did the obligatory family photo.
 Olivia wanted her own.
 Then Jackson wanted his. Right after this he turned around and slammed his face right into the bean. Then that was the end of our adventures there. Poor kid.
 So we decided to wait for the bus to catch up with Jen and her crew so while waiting I made them take their picture in front of a fountain.
 Oh, and no trip to Chicago is complete without getting a picture of the Crazy of the Week.
 So we all meet up and head to Navy Pier. On the weekends in the summer Navy Pier has fireworks and it's just a good time. We planned to eat dinner down there and honestly- when I went to Navy Pier for the first time I saw this restaurant called the Billy Goat Tavern. I have a love of goats even though the only real ones I've ever seen have been the cute baby ones at the zoo that all loved me. Anyways. So we ended up eating here on Saturday and what a god damn experience.
 First up, they have this goat head on the wall that is smiling at you. I kind of want this. I mean, who wouldn't want this in their home? How does this not scream "Home Sweet Home"? Anyways. So Jen points out that this basically looks like an old VFW inside and I take her word for it since I've never seen that. So we get food and I ended up ordering a cheezeborger. I have to be honest, I can't say with 100% certainty that what I ate was beef. I hope it wasn't goat because that would make me kind of sad. But it left a weird aftertaste in my mouth so who fucking knows. It could have been the no-name brand of chips they gave you as well. I mean, we just won't ever know.

After dinner we head down the Pier with the intentions of going to the Ferris Wheel.
 Oh, and Matt was a mermaid too.
 So, we're waiting in line and in front of us there is this group of 8 or so. We already have our tickets, they do not. They kind of debate about the tickets and one guy wanders off. The lines moves ahead a lot, and they kind of just stand there. So I ask the one woman if they have tickets, and she gets this "caught me" look on her face and says no. So I say, "Well then we're going ahead of you" because hello- we have tickets. All I hear is someone say, "How do they know we don't have tickets?!" and someone from our group let them know that we heard their entire we-don't-have-tickets conversation. Idiots.
 But the wheel was pretty.
Completely love this picture of these three.

And nobody puked on the wheel! I was afraid because my kids don't like rides in general but they did super well.
So afterwards they had this really great fireworks show and they had a radio station blasting music and there were so many people down there, it was just really great. I would definitely do that again.

The buses weren't running anymore at that time, but these free trolleys were. So we all walk down to where the trolleys pick you up and seriously, we're like the second and third families in line. We wait there for almost 20 minutes by the time the trolley comes and as we stand up to get in line, like EVERYONE cuts in front of us. So I do what any over exhausted, hungry, dehydrated mom does: make a complete scene. Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with people? If it were just Matt and I and I see a group of people with small kids I would absolutely let them go ahead of me because hello- those kids probably need to get to bed.  They've probably had a long day. But no. These assholes don't do that, they just cut in line.

We ended up walking for what seemed like forever through questionable neighborhoods to the hotel. We had to split from Jen and her crew when we got to Michigan Avenue because our hotels were in opposite directions and yikes. Poor Jackson had to pee but won't pee outside, Olivia had stomach cramps (probably from not pooping for two days..yay), I have to pee and we're dodging homeless and drunk people. THEN we get to our hotel and end up having to go around the block to the other side because a bunch of people were getting arrested and we couldn't get through.

Needless to say, I was pretty god damn tired when we got back. I gave the kids showers and got outfits ready for the morning and most of our stuff packed since we were leaving the next day. I don't think I got to bed until around 1 am. *yawn*

But on Sunday... we had even MORE adventures.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Gloom

So, another book review tonight! A few months ago I was approached by this author to review her trilogy and so here is the review for the first book. Books two and three and following in the next couple of weeks. I'm going to tell you that if you love to read trilogies but don't like how long it sometimes takes, you are going  to love these because the first one is only 165 pages. I got through the first book in one sitting so you can too.

The Gloom by Piper Kelley
The Gloom (The Gloom Trilogy)
As a lazy summer evening comes to a close, Poppy finds herself out by the hollowed out tree in her backyard, avoiding the ire of her stepmother for an incident that occurred while Poppy was babysitting her little sister.    All her life Poppy has had questions about her real mother, who disappeared when she was an infant. She gets an unexpected answer when an ill-tempered pixie captures her and takes her through the tree and into Winsome, a magical kingdom that is suffering from a powerful and evil force known as the Gloom.

So clearly from the description you can tell this is a young adult novel and it's perfectly appropriate for young adult. Some YA novels (in my opinion) are kind of borderline with their appropriateness but this one is totally fine. 

I got sucked into this book almost immediately because I really liked Poppy. The poor girl is essentially motherless, has a dad who tries but is pretty much at a loss, and feels set to the side by her step mom when her new sister comes along. I mean, that would be a lot for a teenager. And just when she feels the most on the outside, she gets essentially kidnapped by a Pixie and forced into a world she never knew existed. From there the story moves fast as she makes a friend after entering the Gloom and is on the search for her real mother so she can supposedly rid Winsome of the Gloom. 

I love that it sucks you in, I love that you meet interesting characters along the way, and it's a fast read. I will say that so far, it really reminds me of Amanda Hockings Trylle Trilogy and that isn't such a bad thing. It does have significant differences but I was immediately reminded of that other trilogy. Which I haven't yet finished, so this should be interesting. 

I'm going to read book two called The Doldrums while I'm in Chicago this weekend so come back next week to see that review! 

Sharp.

Do you suffer from depression? Mental health issues? Know someone who currently is struggling with either? Then you should pick this book up for them.

Sharp by David Fitzpatrick


Sharp is the story of a young man who began his life with a loving family and great promise for the future. But in his early twenties, David Fitzpatrick became so consumed by mental illness it sent him into a frenzy of cutting himself with razor blades. In this shocking and often moving book, he vividly describes the rush this act gave him, the fleeting euphoric high that seemed to fill the spaces in the rest of his life. It started a difficult battle from which he would later emerge triumphant and spiritually renewed. Fitzpatrick’s youth seemed ideal. He was athletic, handsome, and intelligent. However, he lived in fear of an older brother who taunted and belittled him; and in college, his roommates teased and humiliated him, further damaging what sense of self-esteem he still carried with him. As he shares these experiences, Fitzpatrick also recounts the lessons learned from the broken people he encountered during his journey—knowledge that led to his own emotional resurrection. Sharp also demonstrates the awakening of a writer’s instinctive voice. With prose that is tough and gritty, profound and insightful, Fitzpatrick takes us inside his head while he manically cuts himself, but these episodes are presented with a dignity and insight that has never been seen before. His writing also possesses a lightness of touch that brings humor to a subject that doesn’t naturally provide it. Above all else, Sharp is a tale of hope, a soul-baring quest of a lost man who returns to himself, overcomes his demons, and reclaims his life. It is destined to become a classic memoir.
First off I'm going to tell you that I suffer from depression. I have for years and it's an ongoing struggle. I choose to medicate myself in ways other than using an anti-depressant and so does Matt. Except I'm much better at it than he is. 
I've read quite a few memoirs and I really like memoirs- I love getting a glimpse into someone else's life and seeing how I can relate to them. David is a really terrific writer and this story flows from his young adult self to his fully adult self and you get to see the complete wave of mental illness play out. To be honest, I felt absolutely terrible for him. From obvious bullying in college to his struggle with mental illness and all that includes is enough to make a normal person feel down on life. And even in the lowest moments of his life, he still kept plugging along. Ultimately he slowly climbs out of it and it's an incredibly story of how a person can fall so low and still come back. It's obviously not easy, not at all, but he did it. And it's really a great story of hope. It really is one of the best memoirs I have ever read because it really pulls it all together. 
I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who struggles with mental illness because it really is a great piece of writing that they can use to get themselves through it. 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

City of Vengeance

I was kind of flattered when I was asked by the author to review this book because you know I'm kind of a book whore and who wouldn't love a book right around 100 pages? That's one night of reading for me and it's nice to break up my reading schedule with something quick. 

City of Vengeance

Marcus Leoni is in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he witnesses an execution-style mob hit, and is discovered hiding behind a dumpster, he is shot and left for dead. Not even Marcus’ family knows the truth. Miraculously, he survived. Marcus was secretly treated, and put into a federal witness protection program. While the police continue to develop a plan to take down the crime families, Marcus begins a new life in the Canadian Rockies. In Alberta, Marcus ends up finding something totally unexpected—the love of his life, Paige. But at the very moment Marcus comes to terms with his new life, news from back home in New York City sets him on a path to exact revenge.

To be honest, the description pretty well covers what this book is about. Things I really appreciated about this book is that it is an extremely fast read, the story progresses quickly, it has things that are unexpected, and it has a big bang (literally) for an ending. I will also say that one of my pet peeves for books is that their is unbalanced character development. You know those books where half of it is just trying to explain every nuance about a character- it drives me crazy. I really could have hugged Lisa for not being overwhelming with character development. You learn just enough about the main players in the story without getting too much. Which helps the story move quickly. 

I actually think Lisa could have made this book even longer and added some interesting elements into the story, but it works just as well as a short novel. I think over time Lisa is going to get better and better with her writing and I am going to be interested to see what her future works are. I will say that this does feel like it's a first novel and I don't feel like that's a bad thing- I have a lot of respect for people who put their work out there like this and good for her. It was a good story, simple story line that doesn't make you think too hard, reads fast, and written well enough that you want to see how it ends. 

This is another book out of Beachfront Press and you know I love to support authors who aren't under the wing of big name publishers and I encourage you all to support them as well! 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Miss Me When I'm Gone

Relax! I'm not going anywhere! I have a book review for you right now, but check back later tonight for my fattie progress report.

Miss Me When I'm Gone- Emily Arsenault


Author Gretchen Waters made a name for herself with her bestseller Tammyland—a memoir about her divorce and her admiration for country music icons Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton that was praised as a “honky-tonk Eat, Pray, Love.” But her writing career is cut abruptly short when she dies from a fall down a set of stone library steps. It is a tragic accident and no one suspects foul play, certainly not Gretchen’s best friend from college, Jamie, who’s been named the late author’s literary executor.
But there’s an unfinished manuscript Gretchen left behind that is much darker thanTammyland: a book ostensibly about male country musicians yet centered on a murder in Gretchen’s family that haunted her childhood. In its pages, Gretchen seems to be speaking to Jamie from beyond the grave—suggesting her death was no accident . . . and that Jamie must piece together the story someone would kill to keep untold.
I absolutely thought I would love this book because the premise behind it is intriguing and sounds like you couldn't put it down. Sadly... not the case. 
Here's the deal- I really thought I would like Jamie because I feel like she'd be easy to relate to? She's just lost her best friend, she's pregnant, she has what seems like a marriage that maybe isn't bad but more in a rough spot, and that maybe I would see a little of myself in her. As it turns out, I couldn't and I didn't like her. And I really tried. And honestly? Maybe the reason I didn't like this book was because of Jamie. 
I really liked Gretchen's story line and how her life story is essentially tied into her own writing. I enjoyed reading what Gretchen wrote, or thinking about what she wrote in her notebooks to try to figure out her death... what was the hidden puzzle piece? What it turns out to be is not anything that I was expecting, which I totally love in a story, but the way Jamie goes about it.. oy.  I have to side with Jamie's husband, who essentially is upset at how consumed she gets with it and all of the traveling. 
I don't know. I feel like it ended up not being what I expected, but I can absolutely see why others would like this book. If the description calls to you- I would like you to read it and tell me I'm an idiot who shouldn't read while I'm in my crabby PMS week. And I will probably try to re-read this in a few months to see if I come at it with a different perspective because I feel like there is something I'm missing? I finished the book not feeling fully satisfied, and feeling like the book could have gone one route but didn't and I don't really understand why? Does that make sense? Probably not to you if you haven't read it, but I feel like I was expecting more from Jamie and really... a little more from Gretchen, too? 
BUT, I never ask you to rely on just me, so please visit the other blogs on this tour to see what they are saying HERE, visit Emily's website HERE, or her Facebook page

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Murder Takes Time.

Relax! Matt is alive and well- you won't be seeing me featured on a new episode of "Snapped" just yet. Instead, I've got a book review for you for a book you'll probably like just as much as I did.

Murder Takes Time by Giacomo Giammatteo

A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn't good. Frankie has taken two oaths in his life--the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years--and risks losing his life. In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.

Confession: I kind of love all things mob related because it's absolutely insane to think that people kill people and do other illegal and generally bad things because of a lack of respect. I think it's crazy. Generally, I try to stay away from books like this because I feel like they all kind of end up the same and I don't get anything new or fresh out of them.

Thankfully I took a chance on this book because I had this baby done in one weekend. It's 400some pages so it's not a book you just breeze through, but it definitely has enough action throughout it to keep you turning the pages.

Here's what I really liked about the book: I loved how it flipped between characters. I wasn't sure if I would like Frankie's character because throughout the book he struggles between being a cop, and being a gangster. Him and his group of friends basically grew up around the mob and were pretty much being groomed as the next generation of the mob, so the fact he later became a cop is fairly shocking to his friends. And while Frankie sees the value of his job, he struggles with it. I loved how he figures it out in the end. Kind of. I can't tell you any more because that kind of gives it away.

The other thing about this book I really liked is that it combines so many genres. It's got the murder/mystery, a little bit thriller, a little bit romance but all mixed together so no one genre takes over. I also loved how you literally had no idea what was going to happen next. The murders themselves were creatively written and if you've ever seen a Law & Order episode, you can imagine how those detectives would react with the evidence left behind.

The only thing that I didn't understand though is why none of Nicky's friends acknowledged that he literally went to prison because of them and for them. Especially Tony. I didn't like Tony's character at all and it turns out I had good reason not to, but I would have like to have a Nicky & Tony confrontation about the gun fight that led to Nicky going to prison. I'm just saying- it could have been dynamic.

Such a great book and I think you will really like it. If you visit Giacomo Giammateo's website HERE you can find all of the links to purchase this book. It's available in e-format or trade paperback. It turned out to be so much better than I had hoped. I really hope that this does turn into a series because I'd like to see what happens to the remaining characters and their story lines. Especially Frankie's- I bet he'd have a good story to tell.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

The Color of Snow

So.. I'm going to be honest. This book took me by complete surprise in a really good way. It's also a really quick read, so if you aren't into huge books, this is definitely for you.

The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley

















Can a troubled young girl reenter society after living in isolation?

When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed. Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.



To be honest, this book started out kind of slow for me. It flips back and forth from present day events and then the past events surrounding Sophie's disappearance. Here's the weird thing- after I finished the book I literally slapped myself in the head because all of the signs were there pointing to the ending. Had I thought a little longer about everything you're reading in the book- I would have figured it out. I went from sympathizing with Sophie's father because he never got a fair chance and he was doing what he felt was right by kidnapping Sophie. I mean, it's a little messed up but I can absolutely see how this could be logical. Then once you learn more about Sophie's paternal grandmother and what she did to Sophie, then you start thinking perhaps this entire situation is completely screwed up. And then.... THEN Sophie goes to the home she shared with her father  and when she finds what she finds... oh boy. It's not that I didn't like Papa in the end, I just felt sorry for him. 


Let me just say that in the end you'll probably feel incredibly sorry for Sophie and at the same time relieved that her story ends up as it does because to think of what could have happened? Kind of terrifying. 


So when you read the book, don't get discouraged about the slowness of it in the beginning. Try to think through everything you're reading otherwise you'll find yourself re-reading some pages at the end because you'll be totally caught off guard with the ending. This was a really great book that I finished in just a few hours because I had to know what the hell Sophie's father was doing and why. It just didn't make sense until the end. Trust me. 

Brenda has a web page, Facebook and Twitter you can check out as well. This book review is part of the Tribute Books Blog tour, and you can visit them on their webpage, Facebook and Twitter. Now... for the links you REALLY want to know about, buy links! 


Happy reading!