Blogger's Days - What Makes Me Busy Lately

Nope. This is not a Directioner's Lair blog. This is what makes me busy lately.

I have shared with you guys that One Direction will finally go to the Philippines next year. And I'm freakin' excited. I've been keeping myself updated EVERYDAY on the ticket prices, sellings, tweets, newsletter. And I just can't get enough.

Last May 23, which was yesterday for me, the ticket launching event was held. I was sent a newsletter like this (but this is from One Direction Philippines okay? I can't screenshot mine. Haha. Weakling.):

I kinda wish I wasn't sent one. Because I didn't have the chance to go to the launching event. :( Like some says, not all DIRECTIONERS are RICH. I may have the luxury of laptop, phones etc. but I am telling you, I'm not rich. I can't even afford doing a giveaway for you guys just yet (But, I'm saving up for it. I'll talk about it later. Okay? Okay.). Well, I was so sad to find out that the VIP, Diamond, TItanium and Gold were sold out. SOLD OUT IN JUST A DAY. Whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy?!!!!

I feel so sad, angry, depressed etc. Sad because I can buy the ticket, only if given enough time to save up. Angry because the selling of ticket's too early, as if they're not a popular band that sells humungous amounts of tickets. And depressed because I was hoping to buy either a Diamond ticket or TItanium but they were all sold out, and the chances of a second day concert is low.

Well, at least, a second day concert was given a consideration by the management. But, I feel so freaking sad since yesterday, I didn't even eat properly, my eyes are glued to my laptop, and the lack of sleep did not help me at all. It was so fast. I even felt like the concert must be today. Why all the early sellings? :(

I have these friends that bought the tickets. They did not help in lessening my depression either. They posted how fun it was to get Diamond tickets, TItanium tickets. And I was like: Okay, you got your tickets, I didn't. >.< No matter how hard I try not to feel envious, I still do. Heeeeelp!

That's basically how yesterday went. And:

Imagine Niall saying 'Sorry' because you can't go to their concert:

Yeah. So uhmm, do you have some tickets there? Mind sharing it to me? Hahaha. :) That's totally impossible but uhhmm, that will be so freaking awesome!

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TBRR Books #1

Today I've got few titles to show you. All of them are in eBook format and are received from the authors themselves or from book tours, in exchange for honest reviews. I am reading it this May and I'm going to review all of them this coming June. Watch out for it. x

Oh, and TBRR stands for: TO-BE-READ-AND-REVIEWED

1.) The Polaris Uprising by Jennifer Ibarra

No citizen shall be left behind.

Life in Neress is simple. For nearly four decades, people have known exactly what’s expected of them. Obey the rules, follow the path that’s been laid out, and everything will be provided for: food, shelter, education, safety. No need goes unmet.

But the cost is steep: you lose all rights to make your own choices in life.

In seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will come of age and take over for her father as president of this idyllic nation. Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are finally opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.

Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.

2.) Dead Girl Walking by Mary Beth Lee

Sharlene Gallagher, teen scream movie queen, was the biggest thing to happen to Primrose, Texas. Until she died. 

Now Sharlene's back as a guardian angel life coach. Only her real objective is a bit more intense. Her charge: figure out the identity of her murderer before high school junior Addison Karchusky falls prey to the killer. Enlisting Addison's help without letting her know her life's in danger? No problem…she hopes.

High school used to be easy. Now it just might be murder.

3.) In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation by Jennifer Ellis

In a world torn apart by economic collapse, Natalie and her husband Richard have established an island of relative safety on a communal farm. Death—by starvation, raiders, or sickness—stalks them daily, and their survival hinges on working together for the common good. But in a lawless land with no shortage of suffering, good is a malleable concept.

As the constant grind of survival and the frictions of farm politics expose the rifts in Natalie and Richard’s marriage, Natalie finds herself seeking refuge in the company of Richard’s twin, Daniel, a solitary man with little interest in politics. Daniel can’t offer Natalie the same privilege and stature in the farm community as his brother, and leaving Richard could upset the delicate social balance on the farm—but Daniel may just give Natalie a chance at love.

When people dying from a potentially new and virulent form of influenza arrive seeking help, Natalie, Richard, and Daniel must each map the boundaries of their own loyalties and morality. In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation is a story of adventure, politics, and love in a brave new world where the rules have both changed, and stayed the same.

ALERT! ALERT! TOO MUCH EBOOKS!

Yes. All of them are eBooks and yes, I don't really like eBooks. But what can I do? The synopsis are to die for! Watch out for my reviews this coming June. And oh, there are still review copies that I'm waiting for so, I'll probably do a second TBRR. ^__^


XOXO, Risse.

P.S. Check out my other blogs okay? And I love you all. <3

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Spotlights On You - The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver

The Bodies Left Behind

by Jeffery Deaver

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Published by: Hodder & Stoughton on January 1, 2008

Genres:  Thriller, Mystery, Crime

Pages:  498

Source:  Warehouse Sale Event @ National Bookstore

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

When a night-time call to 911 from a secluded Wisconsin vacation house is cut short, offduty deputy Brynn McKenzie leaves her husband and son at the dinner table and drives up to Lake Mondac to investigate. Was it a misdial or an aborted crime report?Brynn stumbles onto a scene of true horror and narrowly escapes from two professional criminals. She and a terrified visitor to the weekend house, Michelle, flee into the woods in a race for their lives. As different as night and day, and stripped of modern-day resources, Brynn, a tough deputy with a difficult past, and Michelle, a pampered city girl, must overcome their natural reluctance to trust each other and learn to use their wits and courage to survive the relentless pursuit. The deputy's disappearance spurs both her troubled son and her new husband into action, while the incident sets in motion Brynn's loyal fellow deputies and elements from Milwaukee's underside. These various forces race along inexorably toward the novel's gritty and stunning conclusion.

"The Bodies Left Behind" is an epic cat-and-mouse chase, told nearly in real-time, and is filled with Deaver's patented twists and turns, where nothing is what it seems, and death lingers just around the next curve on a deserted path deep in the midnight forest.

(c) Goodreads

Over-all Comment:

This book is very fascinating, fast-paced, and heart pounding. I highly recommend this for all thriller lovers out there!

Appearance:

The cover was very plain if you would consider the typography/font. Even the cover photograph is actually simple. But what makes it scary-looking are the dark shades of color. The whole front cover looks very persuading and thrilling which I really liked.

Characters:

I love the fact that the protagonist in this book is a woman. Especially because the author is a guy. For him to use a female character is awesome. He showcased the abilities of women, not only as police officers, but in other jobs as well.

Deputy Brynn McKenzie was assigned to go to a vacation house where a 911 call was cut short. Next thing she knew, she was standing in the middle of a crime scene and was already the next victim by Hart and his partner- who were the killers of the Feldmans.

Even just reading the synopsis gave me goosebumps. And more when I read the book. Every chapter was action packed and full of twists. As you go on with it, a lot of questions will build up in your mind. Deaver constantly drops off clues that is useful for a certain chapter. I'm giving you a tip here: Pay attention to every single detail, even the small ones! Because in the end those details will help you decipher something. And it was so freaking surprising!

This book is almost pefect! If you're a Marvel fan, I think you will enjoy this. Why? Simple. Like all Marvel movies, The Bodies Left Behind is full of unexpected twists and turns. You will never know what happens unless you turn that page.

READ IT NOW! OKAY? OKAY.

Jeffery Deaver is the author of twenty-seven suspense novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Vanished Man, The Stone Monkey, The Blue Nowhere, The Empty Chair, The Devil's Teardrop, and The Coffin Dancer, as well as Edge, Roadside Crosses, The Bone Collector, Speaking in Tongues and Garden of Beasts . As William Jefferies, he is the author of Shallow Graves, Bloody River Blues, and Hell's Kitchen. He is a five-time Edgar Award nominee, an Anthony Award nominee, and a three-time recipient of the Ellery Queen Reader's Award for Best Short Story of the Year. His books are sold in more than 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. Deaver was born in Chicago, attended the University of Missouri, and received a law degree                                    from Fordham University in New York.

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The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

I made this book review a long time ago.... so the format is entirely different from how I write my reviews. 

The Longest Ride
by Nicholas Sparks

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Published by: Grand Central Publishing on September 17, 2013
Genres:  Adult Fiction, Contemporary-Romance
Pages:  398
Source:  National Book Store

My Rating: 4/5


Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.
(c) Goodreads









As you guys can tell from my to be read shelf, I am a sucker for any Nicholas Sparks books. To be honest, I only read three of his works including this book. I don't know why exactly, but he has been my favorite author for a while now. I actually started liking him because of the books that has been turned into a movie. The first film that I watched was The Last Song which stars my favorite popstar when I was younger, Miley Cyrus. And hell did I love it! I mean, of course the fact that Miley was there was already a big reason to love it, but the movie wouldn't have been that good if it weren't for Nicholas Sparks who wrote the book.


Now before I ramble more about The Last Song rather than this book, I should start.


TBH, the first time I read it, it took me quite a while to get into it. You would've seen my reading process if you have been following my account. I always updated my status with 'Took me quite a while to get into it," and "this gets better." It wasn't because I was not interested, but because I cannot really concentrate into reading the book. Why? Because I read his more realistic-romance novels, rather than this romance-drama-fiction type. Sooo... it took me a week to actually start liking it. I was stuck in the half of its 2nd chapter. What I did? I stopped reading it for days. Just to freshen up a bit. And it worked! As soon as I went back to reading it, I couldn't put the book down. (that's a little tip for you readers out there! haha!)

Chapter-wise

Sometimes, a chapter is full of a character's thoughts, which I really did not mind. But for some readers, this would probably be one of the boring chapters. There were also a lot of flashbacks in this novel. So if you hate them, I'm not going to say don't read it (because this book might acually give you second thoughts on that), this is not a book that you would be obsessed with.


Per chapter, the point-of-view skips from one character to another. And take note that there are actually two stories in this book. One is about Ira Levinson (the old man that gets into a car crash), and the other is about Sophia and Luke (two young misfits from North Carolina). So you might get a little, just a little, confused as it skips, given the fact that they came from far states and stuff. The chapters are long, so be reminded of what happens at the end of each character's perspective.

Character-wise

All of the characters in this novel is realistic, one of the many reasons why you should love Nicholas Sparks. I hate characters that acts so good neither the ones that acts so bad (though bad characters are more realistic cause they do exist. haha! just my opinion!). Well of course, except for Ruth. Because not all people believes in ghosts. Soo...it's up to you to judge her character.

Ira Levinson
Ira is a man of good character. He can be a bit vulnerable sometimes, but he loves so much! You can mostly see it on the flashbacks (so you better read'em. NO SKIPPING!). He embodies those men that are a real gentleman towards women.

Sophia Danko
Now this is a character that I love. She's the representation of all girls. Had been hurt once, but learned to get up on her feet. If you haven't experienced what she did, you're not a normal girl.

Luke Collins
The embodiment of one true man! Haha! Since he grew up in this state where horses and trucks are used instead of fancy cars, he had learned to value everything around him. He's your perfect cowboy! Innocent, gentleman and protective. I don't think you can ask more from him.

Content-wise

Marvelously made! Nicholas Sparks weaved the chapters into one good book. He drops off little clues that will form questions in your mind and prepare you for revelations. He also made most of the chapters believable except for the whole auction part that you will encounter on the last few pages. It didn't bother me though. You still have to put a little magical moment in your book for readers to love the ending. :)

XOXO, Risse

P.S.

Here are my links so we can talk all day err day!

Twitter - twitter.com/thesimplestme19

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9484630-ziara-zee-ya-ra

Follow me on bloglovin' - https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12219065

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Spotlights on You - Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

Tempest Rising ( Jane True #1)
by Nicole Peeler

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Published by: Orbit Books on November 1, 2009
Genres:  Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Pages:  357
Source:  Warehouse Sale Event @ NBS
My Rating: 4/5

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human. 

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire. 

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp. 

If you love Sookie Stackhouse, then you'll want to dive into Nicole Peeler's enchanting debut novel.

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

This week's SPOTLIGHT ON YOU is dedicated to the Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. This is an awesome book, but I haven't heard a lot of people reading this soooo.... here you go.

Book Review

Over-all Comment:

The world in this book is unique. It's like Twilight, but more supernatural creatures are involved.

Appearance:

Okay, this book was actually a cover buy. I was kinda searching for a middle-grade novel, hen I found this book. The cover was very childish-adventurous looking, and I thought that this would pull me out from reading complex novels. It actually reminded me of Adventure Time for some reason. Which sorta disappointed me. (i'll explain why later ....)

Characters:

What I look for in some books is a character who will discover something about herself that will change her life forever, then suddenly bad things will happen etc The story line may be on the cliche side, but I read those books growing up.

When Jane discovered that she was half-human, she was pretty terrified. But the feeling of curiosity conquered her fear. She wanted to know more. She feels like there's nothing to lose, since she was pretty ruined already. And then she met Ryu, a vampire-investigator who becomes her lover, eventually.

Like I said earlier, the story line is very common: Main character discovers something, bad things will happen, main character meets lover, worse things will be thrown at them because main character is different form lover etc. But I didn't mind all of that, the mix of mystery and supernatural powers in this book contented me. Peeler has also made a very wonderful job in the world building. It was like there was a smaller world inside the real world. You get it? Haha. I hope you do. I also loved the shapeshifting powers! Imagine yourself turning into a seal. Or maybe swimming in the ocean for power and energy?

There's just one little thing that I was concerned with. The cover was very appealing to children's eyes yet the book is a New Adult. The cover designers should've pick a more appropriate cover. The design was animated! Like I said, it reminded me of Adventure Time. And I'm afraid that kids might pick this up thinking this is a cartoon novel of some sorts. Take note: This book contains sexy scenes so they are not allowed to read it!

XOXO, Risse

P.S.

Here are my links so we can talk all day err day!

Twitter - twitter.com/thesimplestme19

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9484630-ziara-zee-ya-ra

Follow me on bloglovin' - https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12219065

And my latest blog post: Book Review - Torment by Lauren Kate

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Book Review - Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment
by Lauren Kate

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Published by: Delacorte Press on September 28, 2010

Genres:  Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Pages:  452

Source:  Online Store

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Hell on earth.

That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.
It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.
What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?
 
The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies.

Book Review

Over-all Comment:

Another compelling work by the marvelous Lauren Kate!

I

Appearance:

Remember when I said that it's better when I don't see the faces of the girls on the cover? This gave me that! An answer to my prayers! Nah . . . just kidding. I knew way before I purchased Torment that the cover will be this one. And that is why I was eager to get my hands on this book. This had the best cover out of all the books in the series. And that gown, especially its top? I'm actually hoping I can see what it looks like on its front.

Characters:

I love the transformation of Luce in this book (but not everything)! She not only changed her hair color, even her approach towards life changed. She's still adjusting from the things she discovered and for being transferred in a different school, but if you knew Luce as this not-so-sociable, always-staying-on-the-good-side girl? Surprise, surprise! She's now a tough chick, and hard-headed too. She even had the guts to confront Shelby - her room mate that acts so mean towards her when they first met. Being tough and brave is cool, but sometimes she gets too hard-headed, and I don't like it. She also made some friends in her new school - Dawn, Jasmine and an adorable guy named Miles.

A guy named Miles, eh?

Miles was the first student at Shoreline that joined her for breakfast. Luce felt happy when she's with him, normal even. And that, aside from an angel and demon for humanities class, was her problem. As soon as Daniel sent her to Shoreline to 'keep her safe', she always felt like there's something that Daniel is trying to hide from her. They always had arguments about it, and she hates it. Now, whenever she sees Miles, she always try to compare him and Daniel. I personally did not like the idea that she compared the two. I mean, c'mon, Miles is adorable, sweet and all, but he's nothing like the angel who gave up his position in heaven to be with the girl he loves!

Overall, I love the character development in this book. It definitely gets better and better. The idea of setting aside Daniel and Cam's fight to save Luce is sweet and brilliant. At first, you would wonder why? Why is Luce so important for everyone? Even Molly helped in saving her. *laughs* But eventually, you will get answers in the end of the book. Another element that I liked. I love a series that have resolutions in the end of each book, and then another problem will be thrown at them on the continuation. 

There you have it, my Torment review. Hope you like it. Feel free to comment your own thoughts, it would mean a lot. :)

XOXO, Risse.

P.S.

Here are my links so we can talk all day err day!

Twitter - twitter.com/thesimplestme19

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9484630-ziara-zee-ya-ra

Follow me on bloglovin' - https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12219065

And my latest book-related blog post: Book Review - Fallen by Lauren Kate

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Book Review - Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen ( Fallen #1)
by Lauren Kate

Add to Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon 

Published by: Delacorte Press on December 8, 2009

Genres:  Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy

Pages:  452

Source:  National Book Store

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

(c) Goodreads

Book Review

Over-all Comment:

"Love this book to pieces!"

Appearance:

The title and the cover was appealing. You can see through the cover that the content is dark and fascinating. I was especially glad because the girl on the cover covered her face. It's not that I despise covers with faces in them, but it ruins the way I imagine the characters.


Characters:

The characters were described intricately, from the way hey stare at someone, to the way they move. There were characters that will surprise you, and there were also some that you will really love. And I guess, that is one great element that Lauren Kate added in the book. In order to consider that you love a specific book, you must have characters that you love and characters that you despise so much. It means that the author's way of writing is effective to her readers.


Lucinda Price, throughout the book, was this girl who thinks she's very different. Since she was a kid, she had been seeing this shadows. Little did she know that the people around her might be way more different than what she thought she was. Enter Daniel Grigori, the guy who flipped her off on her very first day at Sword & Cross and the guy whom she thinks she had known before. He acts very weird, strange and cold towards Luce but beyond these actions are feelings that he's trying so hard to keep. Cameron Briel, better known as Cam, is quite the exact opposite of him. He never hid his feelings. Especially towards Luce. (you might hate me for saying this, but I actually like his character.) He's always full of happiness and charisma when he's with Luce. That's why she was torn between two angels. Luce felt happy whenever she's with Cam, but she feels like she'd be the happiest if she was with Daniel.


There are a lot of scenes and chapters that I absolutely loved in this book. I'd like to tell you, but you might kill me for spoiling you. So might as well keep it this way:

I loved the whole love triangle between Daniel, Luce and Cam. Reading this, I actually felt like I was Luce. Torn between these two angels. It was obvious that Cam is the bad guy here, but he's so freaking adorable, you wouldn't even think he's bad. So it was pretty hard to choose. And can we just take a minute to talk about Pennyweather Van Syckle-Lockwood? She's such an amazing character! She's the best friend of Luce in this book. I hope she was forever. Whoops, did I spoil anything? HAHAHA! Sorry, can't help myself. But yeah, I loved her character so much. She cheers everything up. Thumbs up for that!


Lastly, the whole story is just amazing. Lauren Kate made a wonderful research on this probably. With the angels and all. I love love love this book! And I'm pretty sure I will love the whole series even more!


I am currently reading Torment, the second book in the Fallen Series and I'm almost done. Soo..watch out for another book review.

'Til next time!

XOXO, Risse.

P.S. 

Here are my links so we can talk all day err day!

Twitter - twitter.com/thesimplestme19
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9484630-ziara-zee-ya-ra

Follow me on bloglovin' - https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12219065


And my latest blog post: RayKayBooks' Giveaway

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