MOVIE REVIEW: Divergent 2014

Divergent

Theater Release Date: 21st March 2014
Available on DVD/Blu-Ray: Yes
Overall:
Watched on: DVD from Redbox

   Starring:
Shailene Woodley - Tris
Theo James - Four
Ashley Judd - Natalie
Jai Courtney - Eric


Review: This is yet another book-to-movie adaptation in which I have not read the original. But unlike Vampire Academy, I've tried to read this one, but couldn't get into it.
This genre I enjoy more through film rather than reading. Even though I hadn't read the book, I knew I wanted to watch the movie. That was mainly because of Theo James and Shailene Woodley.
But despite my decision--albeit shallow--to watch, I ended up greatly enjoying the movie. The progression of the film felt nicely pced. I could keep up and knew what was going on. Especially with the distractions going on around me during the beginning of the film.
I loved the world that was created within the film--te vividness--making it feel real. The acting from Shailene was amazing. She became Tris. There is a specific scene where she absolutely blew me away!! I need to watch every other movie she's been in since Secret Life!
After watching her in (the horrible show_ Secret Life of the American Teenager, I didn't know what to expect. But it's obvious that the role she is given is the role she will play.
Theo James, aka Four. . . eye candy!! I loved him in this role. I felt like his strong face and personality fit who Four is supposed to be.
The chemistry between Theo and Shailene was palpable and believable.
I cannot wait for the next installment. I still don't have any desire to read the boo but maybe in the future that will change.
All I know is that this movie was a visually stimulating great time!



Have you seen this movie!? What did you think? How did it compare to the books!?


Movie Trailer:



More on: Official Website | IMDb | Wikipedia | Goodreads

Edge of Falling Blog Tour + Excerpt!

Title: Edge of Falling
Author: Valia Lind
Series: Falling, #2
Genre: Contemporary YA
Publication: August 1, 2014

For Chance, there's always only been Dakota.
He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck.
Until Kyle comes along.
Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?
When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.
Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?
As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.

Purchase

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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chance

"Chance, you're doing the weird staring thing again. Is there something on my face?"
"No, sorry. Your hair is all over the place." Her hands reach for her locks automatically, a tiny blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. She tries to tame the mess, smoothing it out a little bit frantically. I surprise myself when I grab her hand, stilling the movement.
"It looks great. Don't worry." I run my hand over her hair, distracted by the softness under my fingertips. When my eyes meet hers, there's not much room between us.

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Giveaway

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Summer's Temptation Blog Tour -- Playlist!

Title: Summer's Temptation
Author: Ashley Lynn Willis
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Series: Vandeveer University #1

If there are only three truths in life, they are these. Women will always try to change a man. Men will always say anything to get a girl in bed. Tyler Mason will always have a long line of girls trying to domesticate him, and none will succeed. If one of these ceases to be true, the world will cease to exist.
These are the rules as college student Cassie Faye knows them, so when she gives up on dating in favor of a man who can satisfy her without tempting her heart, her next-door neighbor Tyler tops the list. Tyler isn’t the type of boy Cassie would fall for, but he’s the perfect guy to teach her how to claim her sexual independence without losing her heart in the process. Too late, Cassie finds out that under his womanizing exterior is an attentive, considerate lover who brings out passions in her that she'd barely glimpsed before.
What if she’s wrong about the third truth? What if the world as she knows it is about to cease to exist?

Amazon | B&N | Apple

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

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Ashley lives in the Midwest with her husband of twelve years. For eight years, she worked as an engineer in general aviation but quit her job to be a stay at home mom to three precious children. She began writing in September of 2009 and has been penning her imagination ever since.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

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Read my review of this book here!

Teaser Tuesday -- Octavian's Undoing

Octavian's Undoing by Morgana Phoenix
Released: 23rd June 2013
Add to Goodreads

But he was reaching for her even as her fingers closed around his shoulders. His arms banded around her, dragging her into his chest where she seemed to snap into place like a puzzle piece. She could almost feel the static electricity fusing them together everywhere they touched binding them to that moment. Riley waited for the inferno of pain to consume her as it had the last time they'd touched. Instead there was nothing but the sensation of coming home after a long, tiring day. It was the first waft of summer after a long, hard winter. It was amazing. She didn't want to pull away.
[45%]

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Yay, it's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Currently Reading:
» Octavian's Undoing by Morgana Phoenix [about 45% through]

Recently Finished:
» Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt [review to come]
» Tortured by Kate Givans [review here]
» Upside Down by Lia Riley [review here]

Possibly, Up Next:
» Miracle by Danielle Steel
» Into the Darkness by K.F. Breene



A co-worker gave me a bag full of books to read.... I may be putting my Kindle aside soon and just reading those!!
I am loving Octavian's Undoing it's different than anything I've read recently (reminiscent of past reads, however). It's in third person, which usually throws me off.
What are you reading!?!?

Seven Book Cliches That I Am Over!

These are all opinion and are things that personally I have seen/read a few too many times in books. (As of late, mostly in the New Adult genre.)I'm sure you'll agree with a few or all of them. If you have any others you'd like to include, please do!!

1. "I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding."
                         • I just imagine a bunch of blue-faced girls with more stress than someone their age should  have.
                         • How do so many people hold their breath subconsciously!?!?
2. Bad Boys
                         • I don't think I have to go into too much detail.
                         • Why are girls so into that? A jerk who has slept with half of America and treats you like trash... Winner.
                         • He'll change just for you? Don't hold your breath. (See #1.)
3. Blue or silver/grey eyes on the guys and brown or green eyes on the girl.
                         • Do people in book-land have to follow some sort of rules about what color eyes they have to have?!
4. Blonde girls; brunette guys.
                         • I feel like the blonde girls are changing but the guys--for the most part--are still dark haird [blue eyed bad boys that we hold our breath over].
                         • See #3
5. Bottom lip is bigger than their top lip and it's apparently the worse kind of flaw.
                         •  Why. . . . . . ?
                         • I just don't get who decided that that was a flaw..... and one that needed attention so frequently!
6. Big secret that could hinder a relationship.
                          • What is with all the big secrets?
                          • And why does it have to decide a relationship status?
                          • Death, past loves, horrible parents, blah blah blah!
7. Sex solves everything.
                          • Yeah... well... no. Just..... no.

What else are you tired of? I'm sure there are plenty more I'll eventually think of but these are what I could think of now.

Waiting on Wednesday - Lailah by Nikki Kelly

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a feature for bloggers to swoon over upcoming releases they can't wait to get their hands on.

This Week's Pick:

Lailah by Nikki Kelly

Release Date: 7th October 2014

ADD TO GOODREADS

The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
I'm quite over New Adult lately and most of the contemporary genre as a whole. It's cliche after cliche!
So, I'm turning back to paranormal. And vampires. Where my love for reading all started. And let's throw in some angels while we're at it. I am all for it!!

MUSIC REVIEW: "Me?" by HA:TFELT

HA:TFELT - Me? [mini album]
Rating: ½
Genre: K-Pop/Indie
Language: Korean

Track List:

1. Iron Girl (feat. Lim of Wonder Girls) -xx
2. Truth -xx
3. Ain't Nobody -xx
4. Bond (feat. Beenzino)-xx
5. Wherever Together -xx
6. Peter Pan -xx
7. Nothing Lasts Forever -xx

I haven't been a fan of Wonder Girls for very long. In fact, I only have their 2012 album "Wonder Party". I never bothered getting into their previous work (they haven't released anything sense). So I wasn't as excited about this solo debut from Wonder Girls member, Ye Eun... But because she was a member of said group and JYP records, I was still curious and had my listening ears on.
I watched the video for "Ain't Nobody" and was a little confused as to whether I liked it or not; especially her voice. When you're in a group, and have a distinct voice, it doesn't really stand out that much, but as a solo artist, she definitely carries her own. After listening a few more times, I fell in love with the song and ended up loving her voice.
I listened through the full album a few times until I had my favorites chosen and even knew some of the lyrics to a few songs.
"Iron Girl" was yet another song that I was unsure of upon first listen. It has a weird beginning, interesting--albeit empowering--lyrics and just no definite genre. I immediately recognized Lim's voice in the song. She is one of the only members of Wonder Girls who I could recognize by face and voice. After really listening through, this became my second favorite song right after "Ain't Nobody".
I believe the only song that I wouldn't go to to play would be "Peter Pan". It's a pretty song, but a bit too. . . soundtrack-y sounding.
"Nothing Lasts Forever" has to be the most unique song on this album. It sounds as if it wasn't mixed properly, but yet.... on purpose. If that makes sense. I read that it was actually written for a Wonder Girls fan who passed away. And I choose not to look too hard into that, because I'd rather not tie something like that or what exactly happened every time I listen to this song. But it's kind of hard not to when the lyrics read: "But I'm here to remember/You'll always be remembered".

Overall, I sincerely enjoyed this album and was very much pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. I just hope that if Ye Eun [aka HA:TFELT] does more solo work, it's just as good, and just as surprising. I didn't expect her to have such a beautiful voice.
This album has the same kind of vibe of the Wonder Girls song "Girlfriend", which was my favorite on the "Wonder Party" album. And Ye Eun just happened to right it.

Bonus Video:
   The beautiful music video for "Ain't Nobody".

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Yay, it's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Currently Reading:
» Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

Recently Finished:
» Tortured by Kate Givans [review here]
» Upside Down by Lia Riley [review here]
» Summer's Temptation by Ashley Lynn Willis [review here]

Possibly, Up Next:
» Miracle by Danielle Steele
» Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steele
» Notorious by Janet Dailey
» Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown
» Octavian's Undoing by Morgana Phoenix, Airicka Phoenix

I know I have a lot of books listed as "Up Next"... I'm just trying to give myself some variety!!! If you've read any of these books, please let me know how you liked them!

I've actually never read anything from any of these authors. A co-worker let me borrow the Danielle Steele and Janet Dailey books, so I'm sure I'll be reading those soon.

Blog Tour: Echoes of Memories by Samantha LaFantasie, Excerpt & Giveaway

Title: Echoes of Memories
Author: Samantha LaFantasie
Series: Nepherium Series #2
Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Traitor. Liar. That’s what they call me. No one believes me. Not even my team. I know it’s up to me to get the answers. To stop the corruption and unlock my memories. I’ll do anything to get them back. Even if my hands will be covered in blood.

Elsa's every move is scrutinized. She’s labeled a traitor by those she sought for protection, and kept from her family and team. Regaining memories has been a slow process. Too slow for the Council's liking, taking matters into their own hands.

The new captain has history with Elsa and operates with a hidden agenda. Even Elsa’s team reacts differently toward her. If only she could unlock her memories. Everything is playing right into Alexander's hand, even amassing an army with unconventional methods, designed to annihilate the Nepherium—starting with Noah. Elsa will do anything to stop Alexander ... even kill.

Purchase

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Join the Release Party on Facebook!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

About Samantha

A Kansas native, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time with her husband and three kids. Writing has always been a passion of hers, forgoing all other desires to devote to this one obsession, even though she often finds herself arguing with her characters through much of the process. She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others.

Among her writing credentials, a member of the Kansas Writer’s Association and has authored works such as Heart Song (her debut novel) and Made to Forget.

Samantha loves to take time to enjoy other activities such as photography and playing her favorite game of all time, Guild Wars 2.

Want more from Samantha? Keep up with her at any of her digital hangouts.

Goodreads | Facebook Fan Page | Author Central | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Excerpt

I turned my attention to the city below. The sky brightened as it stretched toward the horizon, kissing the ground in the first rays of the breaking dawn. The last of the twinkling city lights struggled to keep their shine against the oncoming day. Transporters shifted over the air between the buildings, keeping watch over the city.

Moments like these always seemed more peaceful and profound than others. Sticking out like a lifeline—a symbol of hope with a message that no matter what happens, things will be as they need to be, working out in some unforeseen way that makes the world continue to turn and life continue to prosper. And it was then that something within my revelation pointed me in the direction I needed to go. One that I knew I had to take from the beginning but didn’t want to believe it until then.

I sighed.

“Deep subject,” Justin said. A soft chuckle entered the space between us.

You have no idea. “Do me a favor . . .”

“Of course.”

“Let me do this on my own.”

“No can do.”

“Look, I can’t guarantee this is going to go down the way it needs to. If something happens to me, I can’t have you jumping in and risking your life to save me.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Giveaway

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Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

SPOTLIGHT: The Man of a Thousand Faces by Jay Stritch

The Man of a Thousand Faces by Jay Stritch
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Release Date: 20th August 2014
Series: #1 in Eight Worlds Chronicles

Nineteen year old Achill has never left his training camp on Mars. With the revelation that his mother was exiled from the strict system after he was born he feels even more pressure to prove his loyalty and status as a fearless warrior who doesn't think before he kills. That is until he, who has never been taught of love or freedom, is sent on a secret mission for which he must travel through the other seven planets and fight for survival. As his journey unfolds he will discover unknown truths, potential love and face the strangeness of the lives and culture of those raised so differently to him. He may even uncover the timeless mystery of the man of a thousand faces. As tensions rise and the stakes are higher than ever Achill must decide who he is actually fighting for as he tries to understand both conflicts between the planets and also within himself.
A story that will take you to another world...many in fact, it has anti hero’s, romance, strong adventure and unforgettable characters. Overall it is a rip roaring ride in a world where each of the eight planets has a different idea of civilization, a ruling god and where travelling between these contained worlds can spell extreme danger, conflict and in some cases unexpected insight.

{Links: Eight World Chronicles Website | Author Facebook}

About the Author:
Jay Stritch is a published author, Cambridge student and lover of all modes of storytelling. She has always been a fan of gritty YA fiction that can cover real issues while taking you on an adventure. She is a self confessed adrenaline junkie and has recently released the first installment in the new YA trilogy, 'The Man of a Thousand Faces.'

Blog Tour Excerpt & Giveaway: Echoes of Memories by Samantha LaFantasie!

Title: Echoes of Memories
Author: Samantha LaFantasie
Series: Nepherium Series #2
Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Traitor. Liar. That’s what they call me. No one believes me. Not even my team. I know it’s up to me to get the answers. To stop the corruption and unlock my memories. I’ll do anything to get them back. Even if my hands will be covered in blood.

Elsa's every move is scrutinized. She’s labeled a traitor by those she sought for protection, and kept from her family and team. Regaining memories has been a slow process. Too slow for the Council's liking, taking matters into their own hands.

The new captain has history with Elsa and operates with a hidden agenda. Even Elsa’s team reacts differently toward her. If only she could unlock her memories. Everything is playing right into Alexander's hand, even amassing an army with unconventional methods, designed to annihilate the Nepherium—starting with Noah. Elsa will do anything to stop Alexander ... even kill.

Purchase

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

About Samantha

A Kansas native, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time with her husband and three kids. Writing has always been a passion of hers, forgoing all other desires to devote to this one obsession, even though she often finds herself arguing with her characters through much of the process. She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others.

Among her writing credentials, a member of the Kansas Writer’s Association and has authored works such as Heart Song (her debut novel) and Made to Forget.

Samantha loves to take time to enjoy other activities such as photography and playing her favorite game of all time, Guild Wars 2.

Want more from Samantha? Keep up with her at any of her digital hangouts.

Goodreads | Facebook Fan Page | Author Central | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Excerpt

I turned my attention to the city below. The sky brightened as it stretched toward the horizon, kissing the ground in the first rays of the breaking dawn. The last of the twinkling city lights struggled to keep their shine against the oncoming day. Transporters shifted over the air between the buildings, keeping watch over the city.

Moments like these always seemed more peaceful and profound than others. Sticking out like a lifeline—a symbol of hope with a message that no matter what happens, things will be as they need to be, working out in some unforeseen way that makes the world continue to turn and life continue to prosper. And it was then that something within my revelation pointed me in the direction I needed to go. One that I knew I had to take from the beginning but didn’t want to believe it until then.

I sighed.

“Deep subject,” Justin said. A soft chuckle entered the space between us.

You have no idea. “Do me a favor . . .”

“Of course.”

“Let me do this on my own.”

“No can do.”

“Look, I can’t guarantee this is going to go down the way it needs to. If something happens to me, I can’t have you jumping in and risking your life to save me.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

TV Show of the Week - Murder in the First

» Murder in the First «

Genre: Crime, court, drama | Length: 1 hour | Channel: TNT | Air date: Monday @ 10/9c

A friend of mine told me about this show, and though I had seen a few previews for it, I didn't care to watch. Another crime drama/court show? *yawn* At the time of it's release, I had nothing else on at 9c on Mondays, and no job to wake up early for the following day, so I decided to just watch.
Well, well, well... I did not know that Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) would be in this show; color me intrigued.

After the murder wasn't solved in the first episode... or the second.... or the third... I began to realize that the murder would unfold throughout the entire series, which gave me an Asian Drama feel. How they take a whole season for something to happen and you just have to watch every episode to see what happens.

Because Tom Felton's character --Erich Blunt-- is the center of attention in this murder, I wonder if he'll be a part of the following seasons. I kind of want him to, but at the same time I don't. He's an entitled ass, but I sort of like that about him, too.

This is probably the first show where I care more about the sub-characters and their story than I do about the lead characters. Don't get me wrong, I like the leads: Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson, but their stories just do not have a lot of prevalence in the show in my opinion.

I haven't seen the movie by the same name, so I have no idea how similar it would be to the show.

Bonus, for your eyes:

Summary about the show:

San Francisco homicide detectives Terry English and Hildy Mulligan investigate what originally appear to be two unrelated murders. Ultimately, they learn both victims have ties to Silicon Valley prodigy Erich Blunt.

Episodes 1 through 8 have aired, and there will be 2 more before the season is over. After episode 8's craziness I don't know what they'll do for the last two, but I'm watching!!

More about Murder in the First on: Official Website | Wikipedia | IMDb | Facebook

Have you been watching this show? If so, what do you think? Let me know below!