Author: Little Bee

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Posted in Spicy Romance

Claiming Their Royal Mate, pt. 1

Posted on by Little Bee

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Claiming Their Royal Mate pt 1 by Andie Devaux

Narrated by Carly Robins

Goodreads rating: 3

Audible rating: 3.5 stars

Does anyone here share accounts with their parents? (Amazon Prime…Netflix…Audible?) Yes? Maybe you will understand my struggle. About a year ago, I got my mom ridiculously addicted to audiobooks. My mom loved books, but she never has time to sit and read them (which is funny because she will sit and listen to an 8 hour book in one session…) So, we started listening to some audiobooks together when we would drive to work (we carpooled). She buys audiobooks all the time on my account, and then tells me, she is enhancing my library. I believe my Audible Wishlist has roughly 22 pages. Do you know how many pages the books I want take up? 3. So, during a recent sale Audible had, I went looking for some books I wouldn’t mind giving a go. Claiming Their Royal Mate happened to be one of those books. I couldn’t remember placing this book on my list, and I figured given the subject matter, my mom was the one who did it. So I purchased it.

Now, I like a good shifter book, I am not sure why, but I love the sex appeal. It is a big reason that shifter paranormal books do so well in today’s market. What I don’t like, are somewhat confusing shifter books. A little information on this book: girl was adopted, girl grows into a woman, girl lives next door to guy and becomes friends, girl likes guy, guy suddenly starts to be an asshole, girl starts hating guy, girl suddenly has sexual urges she cannot resist, girl goes to guy and guy explains it is because she is a powerful alpha female and she is going through the “transition.” Girl doesn’t believe guy. Guy shows her he is a shifter. Guy feeds girl’s sexual needs. Girl falls in love with guy. Guy falls in love with girl but explains he cannot mate her because she is promised to alpha male in pack. Alpha male shows up. Alpha male notices that girl has been mated by guy. Alpha male wants to fight to the death for girl. Girl has none of this. The three of them come up with some bargain to share her (alpha male gets her for breeding since she is a purebred like himself). It is after all, for the good of the pack. Later, guy gets kidnapped. Book ends.

Now, I know I gave some spoilers, and I know this is “part 1,” however…predictable. Sexy scenes are what gave this story a higher rating. Narrator’s voice you had to get used to but once you do, it’s alright. So, why is it confusing? The book just didn’t make sense to me. I feel this story line is played out so much that there was nothing new added to this particular genre that hasn’t been done MULTIPLE times before. Will I continue on? Maybe if there is another sale or my mom buys the rest of the series…

Posted in YA Book Reviews

The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar

Posted on by Little Bee

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The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl

Goodreads rating: 5 stars

Audio rating: 5 stars

So continuing my Dahlacation, I came across this particular story. Apparently this story is in a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl, but the audio version I listened to was just this book. This story left me shattered. My heart was absolutely broken. For all the best reasons.

Maybe it is my lack of Dahl experience, but I feel like this may be one of Dahl’s lesser known stories. We all know Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and most likely, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. But what about some of his short stories, such as that on Henry Sugar? Though I feel it is a bit lesser known, again my opinion, it is still a wonderful story.

A little bit of information: It starts when Henry Sugar stumbles upon a book written by an English doctor in India who came across a man who could see with his eyes closed. After reading the story, Henry Sugar decides he wants to learn this talent so that, being the gambling man he is, he can go and rob casinos blind without them knowing. It takes him a few years to successfully complete this task. When he gets his talent down to being able to see the face side of a card within 4 seconds, he goes to a casino. He realizes quickly, he has to let himself sometimes lose as to not gather attention. Being that Mr. Sugar is already a wealthy man, he found that he felt incomplete after winning at the casino one night. The next morning, he throws his winnings out of his window to people walking by. It causes a spectacle and a police officer comes knocking on Mr. Sugar’s door. Mr. Sugar explains the story of how he came across the money, the police officer, outraged, explained to Mr. Sugar that if had that kind of money to be throwing out the window, he should be giving it back to the community. The police officer explained that there were many orphanages that are run down and can barely feed the children residing there, and that he would know firsthand as he lived in one. This gives Mr. Sugar a wonderful idea…he will go around all the casinos of the world, winning their money right from under their noses, and building orphanages in every country he goes. In order to do this, he decides that he has to have someone for the financial aspect, someone who will maintain his money and help finance the orphanages appropriately. After a conversation with a tax guy he knows, and a few demonstrations, he acquires the perfect person. They do this for a while, him winning money and sending it to his bank account in Switzerland for the taxman to manage. After a while, some casinos in Vegas catch on to him, and in a narrow escape from the Mafia with his life, he decides he needs someone to help him create disguises. So, after a conversation and a few demonstrations, he finds the perfect man. They travel together, with new passports and new identities and they hit the same casinos over and over again. The two of them do this for decades, funding hundreds of orphanages all around the world.

The story is narrated by a man who was asked to write the story of Henry Sugar when he died. The narrator was curious as to why he was only set to write this part of the story, and not the story of what happened at each casino. The man in charge of the finances stated that Henry’s PIC Max wanted to write that adventure himself, if he could manage to complete it before his own death.

I know I do not normally write a “book report” style book review, but I feel like I had to. This story takes you on an emotional journey, watching Henry Sugar grow from his money hungry, entitled self to the man who funded many orphanages to give children better lives. He not only significantly touched and changed his life and the lives of his closest partners/friends, he changed the lives of children all over the world. What a great way to utilize his hard work for the gift of seeing without your eyes.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

City of Cruelty and Copper

Posted on by Little Bee

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City of Cruelty of Copper by Rhiannon Paille

Goodreads rating: 2 stars

A while ago, this book was free on Amazon (it still might be, I am unsure). I discovered its freeness on Facebook, when the author mentioned it in a group I follow. Said author then created a group for all of us to join should we want to. A fan type of thing. I want to say, I actually have never posted in the group since I had not yet read the books she has created. I finally got around to reading this particular story, it is not very long, but feels like it took me forever to read.

I feel like this story held promise. It is a dystopian novel. Some nuclear bombs happened, forced people underground, young girl found the Fountain of Youth; it only works on her but no one else. She lives eternally. Every year, on what has been designated as Temperance Day, the “government” of this little underground society arranges for a variety of obstacles, including zombie bears (yes, you read that correctly) to attempt to kill her in front of all of society for their enjoyment. Every day of the year, they keep her locked in a cell.

This story flips back and forth between her point of view and a great great great great young relative of hers. She’s been alive for over 1000 years, so I am sure it is hard to keep track. This young lad is apparently gay and has a crush on a boy from “across the tracks.” I couldn’t quite figure out the importance of his point of view. He rarely ever mentioned his great-whatever except for the fact that he didn’t like watching this particular yearly event. I believe the book spans over 2 Temperance Days, but it was hard to switch from one to the other.

I gave it 2 stars because, though the book held promise, it failed to deliver. It left way too many questions, but didn’t give enough assurances or reasons to continue with the story. I generally get mad at cliffhangers, but I just didn’t feel upset when this book ended the way it did. I may continue on with the series, but it will take a while and when I have spiked enough curiosity to really take the time to read the next installment. The books do have great cover photos, so that is a strength.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

The Witches

Posted on by Little Bee

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The Witches by Roald Dahl

Goodreads rating: 5 stars

Audible rating: 5 stars

Does anyone else think that Roald Dahl’s imagination was one of nightmarish proportions…or is it just me? Let’s take a look at some of his works. There are giants that steal children in their beds and eat them; there is a delicious chocolate factory that has inventions capable to turn children into blueberries or even shrink them; an ogreish couple attempting to capture birds for a bird pie dinner meant for two; 3 mean farmers attempting to kill an entire fox family; a young boy who goes on a magnificent journey inside a peach with his backyard buggy friends….so why not a story about witches who come up with a superb plan of turning all the children in England into rats so that their parents and loved ones would squash them in fear?! Sounds like a good time to me, to be honest. So, because I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Roald Dahl books, The Witches was no different. I began listening to this story while I was getting ready in my hotel during my training for work. I liked it. Started out in true, scary, Roald Dahl fashion, you know, creepy… In the first chapter a little boy and his family were in a car wreck on the way to the grandmother’s house in Norway, of which his parents died. He ends up staying for a period of time with his grandmother in Norway who tells him stories of real live witches that live in Norway and various examples of their existence. One day, a lawyer comes by and informs the grandmother that per the will they must return to England so that he can continue school there. While back in England, his grandmother got sick. As she got better, they went to south England for a nice little retreat of the health. I want to point out, that at this point in the story, I was driving home from training, when I had a sudden realization. This story sounds an awful lot like the movie The Witches that came out in 1990. You know the one right?the_witchesThe-WitchesMind= BLOWN. I had NO idea! None! Granted, I was 5 when this amazingly awesome movie came out, how was I supposed to know that it was based on none other than Roald Dahl’s exciting story, The Witches! I didn’t even know who Roald Dahl was! Do you know how long it took me to make that connection for most of his stories that became movies? I had never read a single Roald Dahl book until Charlie and the Chocolate Factory LAST year….I know, I should feel ashamed to even call myself a book lover. Trust me. I am currently making up for this lack of Dahlacation by attempting to read or listen to EVERY BOOK he has ever put into existence!

So after this realization, I think it is safe to say I did what any movie lover does if they happen to see a movie first, I compared it the whole time I listened. Bad Idea. Why did I not learn my lesson after reading Jurrasic Park when I was 16? I figured the book and movie would be pretty close…and though they are, the endings are COMPLETELY different. The movie leaves you feeling happy, the book leaves you feeling depressed. My Dahlacation shall continue with an open mind, an open heart, and an endless love for the creative mind Roald Dahl left in this world.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

Red Queen

Posted on by Little Bee

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Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Goodreads rating 5 Stars

This book is the first in a series and follows a young girl named Mare. I have wanted to read this book for a while, so when I found it on sale, I decided now was the time. This book will capture you from the very beginning. It is based in a dystopian type setting in which there is a separation between the Reds and the Silvers. The Silvers rule the world, they have silver blood and special powers. The Reds have red blood and are treated like scum. The Reds do not have powers and do not have wealth of any kind. The Reds are the first to be sent off to a war that has lasted over a hundred years. They are what keep the Silvers going. The Silvers like to exert their power and prestige over the Reds.

Like any good book, there are a couple of delicious guys involved that you don’t know who to root for. And of course, like any good book there is a female who can’t decide who she trusts and who she loves. And of course, there is a mass deception, but by who? I won’t give it away. I knew who would betray based on accidental Goodreads glimpses of a friend’s status update during her own adventure with these characters.

I found that Mare, the leading lady in this story, could sometimes be annoying. I understand that she was being forced to live in a different world due to her…interesting differences as a Red, but you could tell she secretly loved living the life of Silver, even if she was disgusted with them. She was getting to live in a life where she didn’t have to worry about stealing food to survive or items to sell at the black market.

I like that this book is different yet the same as all the other books out there. Mare is a strong, stubborn, resilient young lady who is forced to leave a world she knows because of some innate ability to create electricity out of thin air. This is a feat that should be impossible for a Red. This story follows her struggle to protect her family, save the Reds from the oppressive Silvers, bring about equality between the two groups and figure out if she loves either of the princes and if so, which one will help her bring about that which she wants most in the world…freedom. It is a wonderful read, beautifully written and will break your heart in ways you didn’t think possible. I highly suggest adding it to your book repertoire as soon as humanly possible.

Posted in Spicy Romance

Fifty Shades of Jezebel and the Beanstalk

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 4 stars

At first I felt that Jezebel was very whiny, but she grows on you during the book. The narrator has a weird nasally voice that was really hard to get used to.

This book was complete opposite of Fifty Shades of Alice in Wonderland, and I enjoyed it more. I found it entertaining that during Jezebel’s date at the beginning of the book that she assumes all of her date’s negative qualities will transfer to how he is in bed. I might be breaking some hidden girl code by saying this next tidbit, but women really do think like that when on dates. If during a date, you come off as self-absorbed, women will automatically categorize you as a selfish lover that will never be able to meet our needs. Then you will have no chance in hell.

Women enjoy sex too. Maybe they don’t all know it yet, or wont admit it, but when we look at our date, we wonder what kind of lover they will make. So be mindful of how you come across, we pay attention.

One thing I enjoy about this author is that she likes to insert a lot of pop culture into her books, as if the characters take time from the story and speak to the reader directly. One of the references made in the book was to Christian Grey and how overpriced the 50 Shades series was. They then went on to state that there were plenty of “panty dripping erotica” for less than $3.00 on the Kindle…which is the truth, this story included.

 During her date at the beginning of the story, after a few minutes, every couple began pleasuring each other in some way. When the waiter would chat with her about how often he saw her here on boring dates, he questioned her if she was happy. In their conversation, I liked how the author referenced a previous book by having Jezebel explain that she liked the erotic version of Alice in Wonderland (Fifty Shades of Alice in Wonderland).

This book has a lot of slapstick humor and puns. They come very cheesy and casual. For example:

She very much wanted to go to a party. Especially Since this was supposed to be erotica and she hadn’t gotten laid yet..

It is almost like the characters know they are a part of the story. I think Jezebel is someone you can easily connect to. I think her promise to herself that she wouldn’t have sex with someone unless there was mutual affection and feelings is admirable. I think it is safe to say, majority of us have made similar promises to ourselves at some point in life.

During Jezebel’s journey she learned different things. She learned that mutual appreciation is more than affection and feelings. Jezebel liked one of the first characters she met, Robin, but he stated he wasn’t boyfriend material, and yet she still slept with him and became upset when he did not change his mind. During Pan’s party, Jezebel realized she was selfish. She was always thinking about what men could do for her, and never thought about what she could do for them.

Jezebel had a lot of growth in this story. Aside from being a humorous erotica novella, there was a story and message hidden underneath. Jezebel becomes selfless on a quest to rid a character she had grown fond of from a curse that was placed on him many years ago. Because this novel is erotica, the quests and trials she faced were sexual in nature, but you can tell Jezebel is changing in her personal, non sexy life, to become a better woman and potential partner.

Within 70 pages of smut, you discover all this. Jezebel also discovers that happiness and arousal comes from within. Moral of the story? Only when they needed each other, would a relationship truly work.

The sex scenes were interesting. I liked that Jezebel wasn’t as naive as Alice in Fifty Shades of Alice in Wonderland. I didn’t feel like I was listening just to finish the book. Jezebel wasn’t as annoying. So that is a big plus.

If you are looking for a well thought out book with a huge story line and a lot of hidden story lines, I would pass this book over. But if you are looking for a quick read that is entertaining and different, then pick this one up at some point.

Posted in Book Reviews

Beauty and the Billionaire

Posted on by Little Bee

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Goodreads Rating: 5 stars

Audiobook rating: 5 stars

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.

When I first received a copy of this book, I knew that the name Jessica Clare was familiar to me. I came to discover that Jessica Clare is the name of an author that uses the pen name Jessica Sims in the Midnight Liaisons series (see my post on Beauty Dates the Beast). Upon discovering that this is actually book 2 in a series, my mother (Who LOVED the Midnight Liaisons series) pretty much bought the entire series on audiobook. So, after I listened to the first one (review to come), I was finally able to give this one a go! I ended up listening to it on Audiobook since I was away for work and it was easier.

I want to point out first, that I LOVE Hunter. I do find it creepy that he set up the entire job for Gretchen to come live with him to work on a book. At the same time, I find it kind of sweet in that weird, creepy, stalker way. So far, this has been my favorite book in this series, though it is only book 2. I think Gretchen was very forward. She is definitely someone I would want to be friends with! The entire time I was listening to this book I kept thinking to myself that Hunter is the Ramsay of this series. Ramsay was one of my favorite characters in Midnight Liaisons, and I have found, even in Stranded with a Billionaire (book 1), Hunter  has become one of my favorite characters in the Billionaire Boys Club series!

I enjoyed the story line. I enjoyed watching Gretchen and Hunter become close. I am glad that the blowup didn’t take chapters on chapters to get through. I did find myself constantly wondering when the shoe would drop. There was a lot of build up with an overall predicable, yet enjoyable, conclusion. I look forward to continuing on with this series.

If I hadn’t won this book on Goodreads, I may never have known that Jessica Sims was really Jessica Clare, and may never have gotten to enjoy this other series!

Posted in Book Reviews

Meeting God or Something Like It

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 3 stars

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my honest review. 

It has taken me a little while to get through this book, and now I find it hard to decide what to rate and how to rate it.

Overall, the stories were well written with beautiful imagery. Some stories really left me with a feeling of shock and awe. I like that in a story. However, I find it hard to really write a review.  The Lamb left me with a Holy. Shit. feeling when I was finished reading. I think The Conversation was entertaining. God in this story had a very humorous sense of humor. Podcasting Mercy  was probably one of my favorite stories in the book. It was a very intense conversation between a young man just out of prison and a clergyman. The young man had abducted the clergyman, blindfolded him, tied him up and over a bluetooth device, podcasted an entire history of abuse this clergyman inflicted upon numerous little boys.

Whether or not you are religious, you may or may not like this set of stories. I couldn’t really tell if if Ruvinsky is poking fun at religion, or pointing out how religion pops up randomly in people’s lives when they least expect it. Decide for yourselves if you give this book a go.

Posted in Spicy Romance

Fifty Shades of Alice

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 3 stars

Where do I begin with this book? First, yes…you are looking at the cover correctly. The cover is what most enticed me to read this book (because I do in fact judge a book by it’s cover).  The description of this book held a little bit of promise and I was ready to give it a go.

The sex scenes in this book were pretty good. I thought the safewords were funny but inappropriate (which was the point).  I had serious issue with Alice. She was young, around 18 years old. Very “new” to everything in life, which is fine…however…even when I was 18, I wasn’t this naive. Alice was very annoying. She had a constant fear in every sex scene, very uncomfortable with her body. She even admitted a number of times that she never even touched herself because she felt dirty. It made me feel the shame she was feeling, like I was an intruder on the story. It almost seemed like Alice came from an overly religious home and she was finally discovering that sex was not evil and that she wouldn’t burn in hell for giving into her carnal desires!

This is a trilogy, I just haven’t finished it yet. I am not sure if it is at the top of my list to continue on at this time. I think that the witty humor of the other characters were enjoyable, Alice just ruined it for me.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

When Lollipop Ladies Attack!

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 5 stars

Age group: 6-9

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

First, I want to say, that I did not know that a “Lollipop Lady” was a crossing guard. I am glad that the author included that tidbit of information when I received the book. I would have figured it out, but I had no clue that is what it was called in the UK and Australia 🙂

This book was short and sweet. It contained multiple messages within the text that I think would be enjoyable for it’s age range. We all have those mothers that we are often embarrassed by, but realize that they are actually pretty cool after a while.

For example, I was on a school trip with my brother in Barcelona and none of our luggage made it so we had to go do a little shopping to hold us over. One mother picked out this shirt that she thought was SUPER cute but neither of her girls liked it. One of the girls was 14 and the other was 24. I thought it was cute, so I bought it. When I wore it, the two girls couldn’t believe how cute it was and asked me where I got it. I told them it was the shirt their mother picked out earlier at the store. I can’t even begin to tell you how often I did that to my mom when I was younger! We don’t even give the object a passing glance because our mother picked it out.

This story touches on one of these moments, where kids are embarrassed about what their parents do for a living because their friends’ parents all have “important” jobs. Abby had to learn that a Lollipop Lady’s job is just as important, as say a doctor, because they keep children safe.

I like how each chapter is short and to the point and takes place on a specific day of the week. The font is big and well suited for the age group the story was written for. The language was age appropriate. I will be keeping this book for when I have kids one day 🙂