Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

Scorpius left few survivors. One of them is a gorgeous ex-gang member turned army man, turned post-plague leader named Jax Mercury.

Whenever I read a book that is themed with a post-apocalypse or plague setting, I find

myself wondering how well I would do at survival. If I’ve learned anything from all the books I’ve read, it’s that in a crisis like this you first scrounge for weapons and food sources, then start setting up your barricade to keep protected. These guys managed to round up boxes of condoms too.

Jax Mercury is the leader of a group of random survivors in downtown LA following the outbreak of Scorpius. Scorpius wiped out most of the population. Those who survived either evolved into sociopaths or completely mindless people who can be treated like animals to bite others, thus spreading Scorpius. However, if you’re kept up-to-date on treatments of Vitamin B through the recovery process, you can come out ok. Enhanced mentally, but ok.

Lynne Harmony travels on foot into Jax Mercury’s territory. She is at great risk there because of her known status as one of the first survivors of Scorpius. Many people believe she created it, and many more think that she contains a new strand which is even more deadly than the original. Lynne needs help and protection from Jax. Jax allows her to stay in his territory because he hopes she will find a cure, but of course their professional relationship turns into something much more personal very quickly.

Despite how Jax is depicted on the cover of Mercury Striking, I think he looks more like this guy

(Theo James). I tend to envision characters naturally on my own when I read their names rather than how an author describes them to me. When Rebecca Zanetti introduced us to an ex-gang member turned military leader of a surviving community post Scorpius, this gentleman came right to mind. Imagine that.

This book was a great introduction into the battle against Scorpius. We’ve grown attached to certain characters, several of them are harboring secrets and hidden agendas. Naturally these will be revealed in future books. I couldn’t stop “turning” the page of this book (kindle user) because of the suspense. There is more than one enemy coming at Jax and Lynne. The odds are so highly stacked against them. Can Lynne really find a cure? Where is the mysterious bunker that everyone thinks contains Government resources as well as the cure?

Rebecca Zanetti has released the prequel novella, originally only published in another anthology and unbeknownst to me. So excuse me, I need to go devour the novella right now.

Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline

Who is donor 3319?

Christine and her husband Marcus utilize the sperm donation of a man known as donor 3319 after a long struggle with fertility. Christine was already worried about her husband moving past his insecurities surrounding his inability to produce sperm. She fully believes that Marcus will be a great father and is their baby's true father. Imagine Christine's emotions when she sees a serial killer's arrest on TV who looks just like donor 3319. She becomes obsessed with identifying her anonymous donor 3319. Is he the serial killer on TV? Will her child have violent tendencies?

Naturally, this causes a rift between Christine and her husband. The baby is all they've wanted for so many years and now they disagree about what is important and how to proceed. This story brings up the nature vs. nurture debate. One side thinks that violence is learned in their environment while others believe in the "warrior gene" and that people can be predisposed to violence.

What can be done?

Is the sperm bank responsible for not screening a potential sociopath? Lisa Scottoline did some serious research regarding sperm banks for this book. I hope that the actual banks are more careful with screening their donors than the banks in this story. According to Most Wanted, egg donors are more carefully screened than the sperm donors. Imagine that.

It is tough to imagine being placed in this kind of position. I found myself angry at Marcus and thinking he was a total jerk, and then later I was mad at Christine and thought she was acting crazy. I couldn't keep to one side of their marriage. That was part of what kept this story interesting. Of course I was interested in whether or not Zachary (arrested serial killer) was actually donor 3319 but I also was worried about whether their marriage would survive all of these hurdles. Then of course I was embarrassed for Christine as she became a self-made detective/paralegal. I was curious like she was but I couldn't relate to her. I couldn't picture myself behaving the same way in this situation.

All in all, there was just enough suspense to keep you entertained.

The Beast by J.R. Ward

I’ve loved every book I’ve ever read by J.R. Ward.

The Beast was another winner. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series as a whole may very well be my favorite series of all. It “may” be my favorite because as a bookworm I hate to pick definite favorites.

What is so great about her writing is that she manages to have each book focus mainly on two people, and yet there are at least 3 or more side stories going on that you equally care about. I’ve read several books that veered off the main story line for other characters and it really made me want to skim pages. Ward manages to keep you entertained and caring about EVERY character in a story.

The Beast revisits Rhage and Mary, a love match made in “Lover Eternal“, book 2 of 14. Rhage is one of my personal favorites in this series. He and Mary face new challenges in their relationship that they didn’t anticipate when they got their forever-after together. A life with each other was supposed to be enough, but maybe they were wrong. Even the strongest relationships fall on hard times.

Moving on to the side stories. Will Assail beat his addiction to cocaine? Will he ever get a chance at a life with his human love? Layla is giving birth to twins with Qhuinn and his lover Blay. How will the parenting trio manage this feat when Layla is secretly in love with Xcor, enemy #1 of the brotherhood? Xcor is currently imprisoned by the brotherhood until he wakes from his coma. Will he be allowed to live after nearly killing the king? The odds aren’t good for Xcor, but Layla has discovered something of his lineage that just might save him.

Layla and Xcor will have their fates settled in the next book of this series, The Chosen.

Is it necessary to read this 14 book series in order, plus the 2 from the spin-off “Blood Legacy” series? YES, yes it is. If someone told you to binge-watch a series on Netflix this Saturday, would you start at the last episode? No. Be grateful that you get to binge-read one of the best Vampire series ever written (start here if you’re new to this series). Honestly, I’m jealous of you. I had to wait years for all of these books.

ASSERTION = a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.

“Poor people are lazy and abusing the system” = an assertion.  There are people in this country who are poor because they work a job that won’t pay them enough to ever be considered rich. They are kind people making an honest living. They’re working the jobs that are beneath many people but must be done by someone. We can’t ALL work the same jobs making big bucks. YES, there are people without morals who will take a free ride on a system meant to help humanity do better in this world. BUT, there are also people rich as hell who also have no morals and cheat different systems. Not everyone looks down on them though. Many people admire them because they did “whatever it took” to get to the top. Trust me, I know good poor people AND good rich people. We are all individuals with our own choices to make. We can’t keep trying to group everyone together. My advice is to avoid making such grand assertions. They are not facts. 

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Within the first three pages I was hooked into this book. It’s 1916 and Sophie Lefèvre is roused awake by her sister, German soldiers have their young brother outside. What can they do to save him? Instantly Sophie's character shines. She’s brave in the face of danger. It sets the tone for this book. I realized immediately that this book was going to be a pull on my heart strings. While the story is fiction, it too closely relates to the experiences of real people during The First World War.

That first night, the new Kommandant notices a painting of Sophie in her home. It was risky of Sophie to display the painting by her husband Édouard so prominently during a time when troops were known for stealing whatever they wanted from citizens. That decision is what set about her own fate. The Kommandant became overly interested in the painting and Sophie herself. Suddenly Sophie is forced to make decisions she doesn’t want to make to protect her family and friends in their little town. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that Sophie is acting selflessly to help them. Is she a traitor to her own people?

The painting eventually goes missing and turns up a century later in the home of Liv Halston. A wedding present from her late husband, Liv is rather attached to the painting. In her mission to prove her ownership of the painting we finally learn what truly happened to Sophie Lefèvre through old letters, witness accounts, and historical records. Her story is also completed by flashbacks into Sophie’s own perspective.


Jojo Moyes is an expert at weaving such a compelling story that you absolutely can’t believe that the characters are fiction. In each of her books I’ve felt the emotions of the people so deeply myself. The sorrow that Sophie felt was so real. I found myself crying with Sophie. The Girl You Left Behind is absolutely a must-read for any book lover. I read this book on my kindle but intend to buy it in print for my permanent collection.

The Not-So-Halloween Decoration

I frequent Target stores a few times a week. Like many, I spend plenty on each trip. That is why I kept passing the opportunity to buy this cute black-framed square Halloween art. It was only $3, but I waited, and now it's gone from my local stores. They don't sell it online. I don't even have a picture of the original decor.

It was a stand alone square with what appeared to be book page collage on the front and "trick or treat" printed in black over the book pages.

For the price of free (because I had all of these things already) I made my own. It started out as an idea of replication, then evolved into something better. I selected some of the best moments from HP The Deathly Hallows. Then after debating between trick or treat, thankful, fall, and boo, I decided on "Always". Duh right?

Now I have year-long decor but it looks nice for October too. :P
[ My actual HP book was not harmed for the project. It was a used copy from Goodwill ]

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson = one of the best heroines ever written.

If you’re new to this series, these are a few things I think you should know (I might think of more later):

1. The books are told from Mercy’s perspective. She is one tough woman with a heart of gold. It’s easy to like her character.
2. In my opinion, this series does the best at depicting the dynamic of a werewolf pack. Also, it’s refreshing to read about a tough alpha male who isn’t dominant over his partner. He’s loving and gentle with Mercy. Dominance is expressed by Adam but, it’s among the wolves and it’s not as aggressively depicted as I’ve seen by other authors. It’s a respected and appreciated power.
3. You can read each book as a stand alone but, like any series, it’s best to start at the beginning. The author Patricia Briggs does a great job of providing mini re-caps of things you need to know in each book. I can’t stand when the re-cap takes about a page or two and is so “in your face”. I love an author who sneaks in story reminders in more smooth transitional ways.
4. They have sex… but you don’t get to read how. :)  Trust me, I love some steamy romance novels. This series just happens to be a nice break away from those. They’re adults and you read the prelude to their love-making, but there’s no play by play. It’s OK, I promise. ;)

In Fire Touched, we follow Mercy on her mission to find peace with the Gray Lords. She makes a bold declaration to protect all beings of her city which causes quite a stir among pack members, humans, the fae, and definitely The Gray Lords (old fae rulers). Mercy tends to land in tough spots like this regularly. Her intentions are always good even if everyone is distracted by the trouble that her good ideas can cause them. It was an entertaining read to say the least. I anxiously wait for “Silence Fallen” this March.

BTW, I think it’s time I found Mercy’s personal trainer.

 

Originally posted on thelitbuzz.com

Do you have enough nerve?

The year 2015 was the last year of my 20's. In American culture it's symbolic (for most people) to turn 30. It was for me as well. It was fun, and not too serious. I had a surprise Harry Potter party with my family. We’re only as old as we feel after all! I am grateful for the opportunity to age. It's a luxury not given to everyone.

What's so special about me? Nothing outrageous I tell you. I'm a mother of three who finished her degree at 30 and began a healthy lifestyle at 29. It's my mission to tell everyone it's never too late to start working toward their goals.

Don't let the length of time to complete a goal feel so daunting that you don't even try. If you're fortunate, that time is going to pass you by regardless. Why not take active steps toward any goal of yours no matter how big or small? I was 20 the first time I went to college. I went back when I was 26. By then I’d acquired a stepchild and would later give birth to another child. There’s a program out there fit for everyone. Go at your own pace because eventually you’ll reach the day when you’re finished. College isn’t for everyone. No pressure from me here. It was the right choice for me despite it being time consuming. In my mind it was worth all of my effort. I hope I still think so when I’m repaying the loans. ;)

It’s never too late to be a better you. For me, that meant my health. There are hundreds of articles to read about cancer as well as many other diseases and how they’re linked to our foods, electronics, and Tupperware. At first I started small. I worked out at home and I cut soda and fast food. Then I joined a gym after I realized I wanted to keep going. Food is the hardest part of a healthy lifestyle. We will always love the bad stuff we shouldn’t love. I have those things here and there. Health is a marathon not a race. I’ve tightened in further on food and surprised myself when I came to like broccoli and spinach. I’ve been a lifetime hater of vegetables.  

What has been the result? I have improved levels of energy and overall happiness. Exercise and food can be a serious anti-depressant. While I’m thrilled that it’s also helped me drop some baby weight, the best part about your health is that it will sustain you. It makes you happier and betters the odds that you won’t develop some of the avoidable illnesses. I don’t want to leave my family any earlier than I have to and taking care of me is really the best course of action that   I can take to be preventative.

Whatever your goal is – heath, career, education – go for it. You’re never too old to make the first step on a long journey. We have one life to live and I believe that we have to keep reaching for ways to improve ourselves.

The 5th Wave

Why must you read The 5^th Wave? Because it’s amazing! Not to mention the cover is pretty bad-ass so you can judge this one on appearances. Honestly, I didn’t read it. I listened to the audio book because I’m trying to do that instead of music while at work. It was a great decision. The girl and boy who read this book are talented. They made me feel the emotions of all the characters in the story. It was similar to watching the movie (which I plan to do very soon). My only regret is that I allowed myself to get attached to this series when the final book is set to release in May. If I had been smart, I’d have waited until May and then “binge-listened” to the series. Since I am impatient I will have to buy the actual book for The Last Star because I doubt I’ll be able to wait for the audio file.

Why did I find this series to be amazing?      

•  I love dystopian novels
• The main character is a teenager and yet her youth isn’t annoying. That sounds terrible, but honestly teens in stories can be too much for my old soul to take. She is resilient in a very tragic situation. Any normal girl or guy in this story would have to dig deep to reach her level of tough.
• The story isn’t predictable. If you read a lot of fiction you start to pick up on clues within a story. Rick Yancey does a great job of spinning enough theories from the characters that the reader can’t decide which one they think is true.
• The love story isn’t overpowering. It’s important to the story but it’s a side feature. There are bigger issues in the book but love does play a good role.
• The kids are outnumbered, so how can they beat the odds against them? The human race is being wiped out in waves. With so few of them, all teens and kids, how can they possibly survive? They keep going, they keep fighting, and each turn in the story is an edge-of-seat thrill. There is more than one climax in the story. Things “get crazy” more than once.

Start reading or listening to this book now. It’s better than Divergent and Hunger Games. YES, I said that. Maybe wait until May if you’re a fast reader. J

Sleepless Nights - The Dark Side of Mothering

How do we find the will to survive a night without sleep when our children are sick? Why isn’t it sweet and magical like the mom giving her child Tylenol in the commercials? My 3yo son woke crying at 2am with a fever. Turning on the light to give him Tylenol meant a mini negotiation and a sticky stomach from spitting some of it out. “Take the medicine it will make you feel better.” “The monster got me mama. It made me hot.” (That was cute.) “Ok, this makes the monsters go away.”

Of course, at this point we couldn’t lay down and cuddle back to sleep. Suddenly he’s talking, and moving too much. We’re awake now! 3am we’re in mom’s room and 3yo says “I want to watch Joy.” Really kid? So I turn on Inside Out. Ten minutes in, we lose internet connection. WTF Comcast? We just talked to you on the phone hours ago. I decide it’s in the best interest of everyone if I contain the noise to my bedroom, which means rebooting the internet. So there I am, rebooting the internet in my 9yo daughter’s bedroom. Unfortunately her room is center to the house, so it just makes sense for the stupid wifi signal. “Mom? What are you doing?” “Go back to sleep, I’m just fixing the internet.” “What time is it?” …. “I think 3:30. Go back to bed.” Yeah, I’m winning at motherhood right now. Back in my room, my sick son is wearing a blanket like a cape and playing superman. Internet signal on the TV says strong, but no internet connection. Again, WTF Comcast?

Here enters Daddy, “Maybe you should just watch a dvd in the living room.” Mom has to go because for whatever reason my son is of the mindset that “Mama do it.” By it he means everything if mom is home. Otherwise yes daddy can do things. But where’s mama?

We cuddle on the couch with a movie. My son always sleeps with his own special pillow but of course tonight before climbing on the couch he adopted a second sleeping buddy. Suddenly he HAS to have the Mickey Mouse given to him on the day he was born. That meaning it has a rattle inside. It’s annoying as hell when you’re desperately trying to sleep on less than half of a couch. Somehow the smallest person takes the most space. As soon as I’d get into a form of restfulness, the mouse moved; if not the mouse, my son. At some point he has to pee and so I get up to help him. We start to resettle on the couch, and he rolls over right as I lay down. BOOM, tears in my eyes and my nose is on fire. “Ow, momma. You hurt me.” Takes deep breath, grinds teeth, “I’m sorry boo, let me kiss it.” And he’s all better.

It’s now a little after 5am, the movie is over and no we will not watch another one. It’s time for bed. “I sleep in daddy’s room.” (The other living room.) He knows I have no will power anymore. I follow him to the other couch. We cuddle up, I’m pinned on my left arm and somehow we manage sleep.

7:15 am… “Mom….Mom….” (My daughter) “WHAT?!” but really I whispered that. “It’s 7:15.” “Yea, ok. Tell Garrick to take you to school.” “Why?” “Do I look like I want to talk right now?!” I think she got the point. I now realize my arm is dead, and I’m covered in sweat. I’ve been pinned next to a sick kid and we are drenched. I get off the couch to head to bed for another short nap. I lift my shirt off and realize it’s pee. He had an accident. Neither of us seemed to notice nor care at the time.

I end this story by sharing that I love my son, I love being a mom, but everyone better just stay the hell away from me today.