Roses Have Thorns

Roses Have Thorns
By Sandra Byrd

About the Book:
In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth's circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen's downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she's not sure she can trust--a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

My Thoughts:
Sandra Byrd really knows how to set the scene and take you back in time. "Roses Have Thorns" is a drama dicier that prime time that will pull you in an tug at your heart creating empathy for the plight of the heroine.

The author used extensive research to create a story filled with loyalty, betrayal, and surprise. A definite and captivating read for any lover of historical fiction and anyone who wants to step out of their typical genre.

*i received this book free for review from Howard Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats

Top Five Friday - Disney Princesses

Top Five Friday is when we post our favorites, depending on topic

1. Belle



2. Merida



3. Rapunzel



4. Cinderella



5. Snow White




Who are you favorite Disney Princesses?

Between These Lines

Between These Lines
By Jennifer Murgia

About the book:
I never told anyone how I felt about her. Not even Evie—not in so many words. And now, I’ll never get the chance to.
When a class assignment brings quiet Chase Mitman and the stunning Evie Cunningham together, a mutual attraction ignites. There’s only one problem—Evie already has a boyfriend—one who practically OWNS Whitley Prep, and her.
Knowing their relationship comes at a price, Chase’s life collides with Evie’s, and after entrusting her with a tragic secret, the last thing he’d ever expect is to learn she keeps a few of her own.
An innocent prank turns ugly. An anonymous note changes everything. And lives at Whitley Prep will never be the same.

My thoughts:
This book is a roller coaster of emotion and takes a look at how we all have similarities no matter where we come from.

Character connection:
How to make a marhsmallow gun like the ones in the book!


http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Marshmallow-Gun

Top Five Friday- Art Blogs

Top Five Friday is when we post our favorites, depending on topic. This week art blogs!

1. Alisa Burke alisaburke.blogspot.com



2. Brooke Hagal. Fabulousdoodles.blogspot.com


3. Roben Marie. Robenmarie.com


4. Gussy Sews. Gussysews.com


5. Purl Soho purlbee.com


Do you have a favorite art blog?

It's Complicated

It's Complicated
By Laura L. Smith

About the book:
There’s a reason Facebook has the relationship status, “It’s Complicated.” Follow four college roommates, Claire, Palmer, Hannah and Kat as they maneuver crushes, confusion, and the crisis when pushy boys go too far. Complicated as it is, these four friends will pull through, guided by the strength of their friendship and the power of God’s love.

My thoughts:
I love how this book used four points of view. It brought is into each characters lives and showed us how our paths are all so different yet we need to lean on others.

Character connection:
Each girl had her own interests in the book. One of them, Palmer, always wrote in her journal to work through things.

Make your own journal

Top Five Friday- Inspirational Blogs

Top Five Friday is when we post our favorites, depending on topic. Up next, inspirational blogs!
1. Live it out! Blog by Sarah Francis Martin. Liveitoutblog.com



2. Incourage.me



3. Life as a Zebra. Lifeasazebra.com




4. Writer Gets Real by Betsy St Amant. Writergetsreal.blogspot.com




5. Chatting at the Sky by Emily Freeman chattingathesky.com
What blogs inspire you?

Glass Girl

Glass Girl
By Lauren Anderson Kurk

About the book:
The ice cold fear I’d felt, not knowing if Wyatt was alive, pressed into the wall with other girls and surrounded by guys who were unspeakably brave, hit my body again in a wave. This was trauma—the gift that keeps on giving.
When Meg Kavanagh finds herself in the unthinkable role of grieving sister, she discovers some harsh truths—parents aren’t perfect, life’s not always sweet, and the dead don’t write back. Worried she might have caused Wyatt’s death, Meg folds her heart into a box. Her famous mom grieves by slowly disappearing, and her dad copes by moving them to a small town in Wyoming.
What she finds in Wyoming blindsides her.
His name is Henry, and he’s a rancher’s son who pulls Meg into his larger-than-life world and shows her that being sensitive is not an excuse to sit this one out. Meg wants to be brave like Henry because the best things in life—like falling in love and finding mercy—require uncommon courage. And Henry has a secret that changes everything.

My thoughts:
"Glass Girl" was amazing. Laura Anderson Kurk created a world that pulled me in. It's so emotional and though sad at times shows great strength. It's a beautiful story of empathy, love, and mercy.

Character Connection:
I couldn't help but be drawn to the earrings and the bracelet on the cover. They're beautiful. Do you want to know how to make a pair?

A tutorial on dangly flower earrings HERE


Post ones
HERE

And those bracelets!
Beaded

Fabric

Friendship

Top Five Friday- Random Blogs

Top Five Friday is when we post our favorites, depending on topic. This week random blogs I love.

1. Annie Blogs by Annie Downs annieblogs.com

2. Girly Girl by Kristin Billerbeck. Girlygirl.typepad.com



3. Go! Teen Writers Goteenwriters.blogspot.com by Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson


4. Chocolate Covered Katie. Chocolatecoveredkatie.com



5. Erynn's Blog by Erynn Mangum erynnm.blogspot.com



What are your favorite blogs?

Introducing Playlist Fiction

Life’s playlist is full of love, hope, anger, and loss. It’s an emotional cadence that hurts one moment and fulfills the next.
At Playlist Young Adult Fiction, we get that. Life is crazy and complicated and confusing. But we also know it’s unique. Your playlist is yours and yours alone. It’s different. It’s exclusive. And it doesn’t sound or look like anything else.
With new novels and promos releasing every month, Playlist YA has the beat to match your life’s rhythm. Representing some of the best indie voices in contemporary teen fiction, our collection of books will have you laughing, crying, and everything in between.
Grief, love, addiction, friendship—our books tackle it all. And at their core are characters you’ll want as friends and drama you won’t mind taking with you.
http://playlistfiction.com/

The first three books release today. Head over to your favorite e-book store and download the drama!




It's Complicated
By Laura L Smith

About the book:
Follow four college roommates, Claire, Palmer, Hannah and Kat as they maneuver crushes, confusion, and the crisis when pushy boys go too far. Complicated as it is, these four friends will pull through, guided by the strength of their friendship and the power of God’s love.

Visit Laura's website:
http://www.laurasmithauthor.com/




Glass Girl
By Laura Anderson Kurk

About the book:
An empathetic sixteen-year-old blames herself for her brother’s violent death, and then watches helplessly as her mother disappears. But an unconventional rancher’s son shows her that the best things in life, like love and mercy, require uncommon courage.

Visit Laura's website:
http://laurakurk.com/




Between These Lines
By Jennifer Murgia

About the book:
A class assignment forces popular girl Evie Cunningham to befriend one of the school’s “invisible”, Chase Mitman, with deadly results.

Visit Jennifer's website
http://jennifermurgia.com/

I've read each of these books and they are all five carat reads!




Keep your eyes out for more great books from Playlist Fiction in the coming months!