This is me about this week's Monday Suggestions!
Confession: I read a lot and I'm kind of a snob about it.
But, man, I just love books. I used to throw down with two books a week but lately I've been writing so I've reduced that to finishing one book a week. (I'm actually working on a post about how to find your future favorite books!)
Why am I telling you this?
Because only my favorites make the Monday Suggestion posts! I pick books that (in my opinon) are baller and that stand a good chance of you thinking so too!
So, without anymore babbling, here's this week's Monday Suggestions!
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (who just happen to be an awesome writing duo/married couple) has me all pumped! After falling through Amazon trying to find the next book to hook me, I saw Clean Sweep and said "meh." I'm not the biggest fan of book covers with women obviously being supernatural in some way on them. I don't know why. However, I try to embrace the old adage of not judging a book by its cover so I read the sample.
Bought.
Hooked.
Loved.
Now, what makes Clean Sweep so darn amazing? Let me briefly break it down for you.
1. The world, the supernatural "rules," the explanation of things in this book are so different from anything I've ever read (a HUGE feat, I'll tell you) and it's all in a good way. I will NOT ruin anything for you, but just take it from me that this will take your vision of modern day werewolves, vampires, and OTHER THINGS to a whole different, wonderful direction.
2. Dina. This book is first person so you
get to listen to her thoughts and they are just entertaining. She's also
strong but, really, what does that mean? It means she's not a damsel in
distress. Sure, she ends up teaming up with a few other people, but
she's by no means weak. What I paralytically love is that, unlike a lot
of books I read, Dina knows it too.
3. The book is written beautifully. The plot, the meat (what I mentioned in #1), and everything in between is explained in such a fantastic way that I didn't for once reject any of it. The pacing of explanations just work.
4. THE IMAGERY IS AMAZING! There are two scenes in particular that were painted so damn brilliantly that I felt like I was watching a movie! My goodness, I can't even.
There are actually a few more reasons that I love Clean Sweep and you should too, but then I'd border on spoilers so I'll save it for a book review post! Just trust me and get this book!
Synopsis from Amazon:
On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint
Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu
named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be
what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her
broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant
to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a
retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s
responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on
sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun
to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides
to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the
annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an
alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier,
Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy
she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s
smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature
and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
Links you need to check out:
Amazon //
Barnes & Noble //
Goodreads //
Ilona Andrews website
Occasionally, I like to browse Charlaine Harris'
website. Why? Well because I'm a huge Harris fan, and not just a True Blood groupie. I'm talking every book she's written groupie. After watching season one of True Blood, I read the first book and realized it was so different and SO MUCH BETTER than the show (book snob, remember?). Then, within the span of 11 days I read the 11 Sookie Stackhouse books that were out. I loved them (and her writing style) so much that I went to the bookstore and bought
Shakespeare's Landlord, A Lily Bard book. Loved it. Read the entire series. THEN I picked up
Real Murders and, well, you get the picture. That book and its series became an all time favorite and Aurora Teagarden (the main character) even made
my Top 5 favorite protagonists' list! I also picked up the Harper Connelly books because, man, I was on a roll!
SO, when I saw that Ms. Harris was coming out with a NEW SERIES, I about died in excitement.
Midnight Crossroad (A Novel of Midnight, Texas) will be released on May 6, 2014 and it set to be the first in a trilogy. I mean, I can't even control myself with this one! Just the synopsis has me beyond pumped! YOU BET I PRE-ORDERED IT!
Here it is:
Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few
full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and
Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.
There’s
a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night).
There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to
linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s
found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his
own).
Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...
Links you should check out:
Amazon //
Barnes & Noble //
Goodreads //
Charlaine Harris Website
What are YOU reading?
-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)
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Can I just take a moment to say, "THOSE HATS!" #adorable
Week 5
Not only do you like to entertain, you like to “Wow!” This patio scene has a Wayfair 11-piece round sectional that is stylish and sleek with a glass-topped coffee table able to withstand the elements. When your visitors step out and see this combo they’ll know you appreciate good design and know the right ways to inspire awe. You won’t mind their assumptions because you like the praise after spending a good amount of time searching for the right “wow” factor to complete your patio design. 
Inspiring pin: Floral Inspiration photography by Ali Harper, flowers by Amy Osaba
Je T'aime bebe | Hatched Egg Shell | From the Nursery | Welcome with Love | Browse more...
I'm a writer so, of course, I'm going check out the journal section of Minted! Oh boy are they adorable! Each design has a customization option (again, a wonderful Minted feature) so making your journal uniquely you while keeping the design integrity intact opens up so many cute possibilities. No matter your tastes, the journal section has pages and pages of different styles whether you're more drawn to photography, illustration, or a combination of the two!
Week 1
