From the Library of Mrs. Gardner

It's time!! I am honored to be a part of TLC's book tour for Steal Away Home by Billy Coffey. Published by Thomas Nelson, Steal Away Home is a newly released work of Christian fiction that is told through the eyes of minor league baseball player Owen Cross. As Owen is offered his first big time shot, he reflects back on the journey that led him there. I can truly say several things about this book: The language used and writing style overall is breathtaking. It's poetic. The characters are well-developed and dynamic. The story unfolds in a way that creates tension and mystery. By the end of Steal Away Home , I was dying to see how the flashbacks of Owen's life leading up to the big game would connect to his present state and how far the story would go beyond the game.  Did I mention the cover? 😍 Take a look again, and click the image below to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! Don't forget to add it to your to-read shelf. Steal Away ...

This re-read was so satisfying. The first few times I read this, years ago, I didn't have a blog. It was likely even before I began utilizing Goodreads. Thus, I've never written a review for it before! I'll try to be non-spoilery, but that may prove difficult. Here goes... The Maze Runner is one of the few YA book purchases I've made in my life that was not  a cover buy. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the original cover. In fact, though that was the original format in which I read the series, last year (or maybe the year before) I actually bought the UK versions on Amazon. The main reason I bought the first MR book was due to the blurb on the back and the first chapter. I remember when I first came across it at Walmart. I stood in the aisle and looked it over, read the first chapter, and thought "I've gotta get this.." Keep in mind, this was before there was even talk about a movie. This series was flying way under the radar.         R...

*Sigh* You know when I begin a review with a sigh, it's either really good... or really bad. This one is exceptional. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I've read this book in the last 10 years and never has it ever disappointed me. In fact, after a few rough days recently, I was looking for a reread that would be quick and reliable for giving me the feels and making me melt. This book (and entire trilogy) always  does that for me. It's a great beach read, but even now, in the middle of January, while I am nowhere near a beach, it still was the perfect dosage of sunshine, romance, and escapism. Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! Now, I know what you might be thinking. "The Summer I Turned Pretty?" Kind of a silly-sounding name. But that's really what this book is about! Isabel (Belly) spends every summer the same way-in a beach house with her mom and brother, Steven, shared by her mom's best friend and her two sons, Jeremi...

Hello, friends! This going to be fairly short. I've decided not to do "full" reviews for books that I do not finish; however, I still want to share my overall thoughts. When I polled my followers on bookstagram, many of them (you?) said that sometimes DNF reviews are helpful in deciding whether you want to pick up a book or not, or even whether to prioritize it as your next read. So, here goes! Click to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! After DNF-ing Dorothy Must Die a couple of years ago, I decided to give Danielle Paige another shot. At first, I was hesitant. Honestly, this was really a cover-buy and I found it for $4 in the bargain section of Books-A-Million, so I thought, "Why not?" It started off very promising, to my surprise, but by about page 50 it was plunging downhill at a rapid pace. I stuck it out until about page 120 or so, then decided it wasn't worth my time to finish. For me, the characters did not have chemistry at all. The wri...

Honestly, I have to start out by saying I'm surprised this book (and its movie adaptation) weren't a bigger hit. I went in with fairly low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it and how quickly I was able to fly through it. I picked this up after finishing a contemporary, a fantasy, a sci-fi, and a historical fiction already this month and being unsure of what genre I was in the mood for next. I flipped through this book (which I had purchased on a whim at a thrift store for 50 cents a few months back) and noticed that it had some unique inserts including lists, asides, and what appeared to be scripts (you know, like for a movie or play). Once I saw that diversity in writing, I knew this was my next read. I love when novels have enhancements like that. It varies the story-telling and keeps me from getting bored. But enough of that, I guess I should save it for the review.  So, here we go! Click the cover to read the full synopsis on G...

This will be brief. I did not finish this novel; however, I did read the first 100 pages. Thus, I have enough of an opinion to share my thoughts. Let me preface this all by saying, if you enjoyed this book/series, please know that I completely respect your opinion. Just because it was not to my taste does not mean that I think it was trash or that no one else should read it. However, if you haven't read the book, I hope my ramblings here will help you as you decide whether to read this or put it off. Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads. 1. Characters: I did not connect with any of the characters, and I did not feel there was a good variety of personalities/characteristics with which I might later develop an interest in. 2. Story: I was intrigued by one aspect of the story- it involved faeries. Beyond that, nothing about what was happening in the first 100 pages interested me. 3. Author's Writing Style: I felt that the style was less YA and more mi...

Oh, happy day! This weekend I read two entire books, and today on my lunch break (still currently on, btw) I completed my homework for the week! What a wonderful feeling!! If you took a glance at my first review over the weekend, for Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller, thank-you so much! If you missed it, you can click here  to read it. It's spoiler free! Now, on to the main event- Dragon Teeth!! Can I gush about this cover, first? Look at it! At first glance you might see the dragon skull but miss the man on the horse. Or, you might see the man on the horse but see him as standing on a cliff. But together-oh man! Together, these images make for an awesome cover! Don't you think? Anyway, this story is an epic adventure taking place across the West and Mid-West territories of the US in 1876. You'll fall in love with the characters, and the pacing of the story-telling is perfection. I am still heartbroken that Mr. Crichton has passed on and there will be no more...

Book number 4 of 2018 was a success. This probably won't be a super lengthy review because I don't feel very strongly about it, but I will say it was worth the read! And I really appreciate this cover. Also, who knew Jason Segel wrote books?? I had no idea. Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! 1. Characters: This is where I don't have very strong feelings. I simply couldn't relate to the protagonist. His attitude, his personality, his lifestyle, his family.. We had very little in common. However, once I got used to the writing, I didn't mind reading the story from his POV. He was an interesting character. As for the rest of the cast, I liked everyone but didn't love/hate anyone/ 2. Story: Great unique plot. It's only been a couple of months since I read Ready Player One and I was afraid this was going to feel too similar to that due to the overall theme of virtual reality/gaming as a lifestyle and the idea of artificial intelligenc...

You guys. I'm dying. Book 2 (Rage) does not come out til June and Roar was FANTASTIC!!! My non-spoilery review is below, but if you don't have time to give it a full read, let me just sum it up by saying this: ALL THE STARS!! 5/5 Stars +infinitely more. I'm overtaken by this novel. And by the cover. I mean.... 😍😍😍😍😍 Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! 1. Characters: I love them all. Even the side characters! The main character was not whiny or annoying, but on the other hand she wasn't unrealistically mature or settled either. She is a dynamic character who grows at a natural-feeling pace according to the circumstances she goes through. As for the side characters-Even the ones you aren't supposed to like, I'm so fascinated by. And the great thing is that since the POV changes, you get a better understanding of various characters' motivations, desires, and thoughts. 2. Story: Gaaaahhhhh, I love this story so much! It definitel...

*Sighs* Well, this is gonna be short... This was a "did not finish" aka, a DNF for me. I did give it until about 130 (maybe a few more?) pages in, but it fell short in a hurry for me. Read below (non-spoilery, as much as possible) to find out why. P.S. I know, I know.. Some people are very anti-DNF, and they think you should give a book until all the way at the end to make your conclusions. If you are this such person, that's cool. But, that's just not me. Click the cover to visit Red Rising's Goodreads page. 1. Characters: I felt nothing. I was not attached in any way, shape, form, or fashion to a single character in this novel (at least, not in those first pages). 2. Story: This is where I will be generous and bump my rating up a star just because I thought the premise of the story was super-interesting (You can read the full synopsis on Goodreads); however, I did not like the pacing and felt there was too little explanation of the classes/colors/blood...

First read of the new year, complete!! I just returned from California, and although I didn't get as much reading done as I'd hoped, I had a great trip (minus a bit of illness toward the end). I'm not sure what made me start the year off with a contemporary; it's been a while since I've read one. I think all this cold Oklahoma weather just had me dreaming of summery reads. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with my first pick! The second one.. not so much, but we'll get to that later. Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! 1. Characters: I can always connect with Sarah Dessen's characters, even when I seem to have nothing in common with them. Isn't that the strangest? Lock and Key was no different. It had a myriad of characters that felt like real, everyday people. I almost wish there was a sequel! 2. Story: Lock and Key is a story about a girl whose mother abandons her, and she is sent to live with her older sister (whom ...

Goodbye, 2017! Farewell! You were a tough year, but full of blessings, too. I'm happy to say I squeaked my final read of 2017 in just before midnight last night (literally with seconds  to spare)! And what a read it was! I started it only the day before, which means this was the fastest I've finished a book in, well, a while. So... let's review! To be honest, this book was mainly a cover buy, but it also came recommended by a worker at Barnes and Noble who seemed to have mostly similar taste in YA books as me, so I gave it a shot. And bought it brand new. At full price!!  But let me say, it was totally worth it!! Click the cover to read the full synopsis on Goodreads! 1. Characters: There is a nice mix of characters in this story, and one in particular goes through some serious development. I probably wouldn't say this story is very character driven, but I connected with the characters and cared what happened to them and what choices they made more than usual ...