BookReviews

Hey guys, as the first post of this blog was about 2018 Resolutions I decided to take a look back and see how much of it I managed to achieve. All in all I had 6 goals for the year. The first one was staying alive. I'm glad to say I did manage to achieve this despite my numerous health problems. The second was to find a flat.This is also checked from my to do list. However, whether I would actually live in it or we would rent it is debatable since the moving (see the post about the Life Update ). The third one was saving as much as possible. For the first 10 months of the year this was quite easy to do as I don't like shopping and I can keep myself under check not to spend money on things I don't really need. But then we had to spend a lot of the savings because of the move and my health problems. So, I'm not sure if this resolutions was achieved or not. The fourth point was finishing one of the books I'm writing - I failed miserably, and it's going to re...

 Hey guys, despite the obvious failure of my reading challenge, I finished another book. I usually don't read self-help books or non-fiction for that matter but The Happiness Project seemed an appropriate title for me, as I've been told I'm someone who is constantly sulking. Of course, I don't agree with this. GoodReads Summary Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can he...

Hey guys, I've been missing for quite a while for one simple reason - I hadn't read a book since the summer I didn't have anything to write about. So, the prospects of completed the reading challenge are getting slimmer and slimmer, well they are non-existent, really. Only this year I'm not going to adjust my goal on the GoodReads tracker to make it seem like I didn't actually failed. The number of read books until this moment  is 22 out of 50 (I'm currently reading one which I think I'll finish by the end of the week). Now, regarding the reasons for my lack of time and what's been going on. I.  I got my driving licence  Yep, at the ripe age of 25 I finally decided it was time to join the throngs of drivers. Let me start with saying that I've never wanted to drive, never had an interest, and quite frankly I was afraid. I mean I can't ride a bike: why would I rush out to operate a car? I started my driving lessons in the summer, whi...

Hi guys, if you've read my last review then you already know that this one is about the second book in the series of the Maclean curse. I don't know why I decided to read this one since I didn't really like How to Abduct a Highland Lord. Well, in all honesty it was because it was short and really easy to read, and although I'm very much behind with my reading challenge I still haven't given up. GoodReads Summary: In this saucy battle of the sexes, bestseller Karen Hawkins pits a hard-headed Scottish lord with an unusual family curse against a headstrong heiress who has a solution for every problem...except her own wayward heart. When Lord Gregor MacLean learns his childhood friend, Venetia Oglivie, has been abducted by a fortune hunter, he rides off to Scotland in hot -- and very annoyed -- pursuit. Venetia's soft heart has gotten her in major trouble this time: if he doesn't rescue her swiftly, the scandal will ostracize the provocative wench! T...

Hey guys, I've been on vacation and the WiFi in the room is terrible so I started reading a quick easy book: How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins. It's in the genre of romantic novels and it's a part of a series consisting of six books in total. GoodReads Summary: It’s hardly the type of wedding Fiona MacLean dreamed of. No family, no guests, just a groom who’s been dragged—literally—to the altar. But if marriage to Black Jack Kincaid, the handsome wastrel she’d sworn never to see again, will avert a bloody war between their clans, so be it. Surely she can share his bed without losing her heart… Known throughout Scotland and London as a wild rogue, Jack is accustomed to waking in dire situations, but…married? Long ago, he and Fiona reveled in a youthful passion. Now, the fiery, sensual lass is his once more. And though their marriage is in name only, Jack is determined to win her forever—body and soul…   My opinion: The book started as a very promising o...

Hey guys, I haven't been active here because I had so much stuff to do this summer, that I didn't really have time to read as a result this year's reading challenge is doomed to fail. Depending on how you found this blog, you may or may not know that I'm into working out. However, my diet is abysmal, I don't drink enough water - I must admit I don't think that I even drink 500 ml a day sometimes. And even though I stopped doing Blogilates workouts a long time ago, I still check out Cassey's Facebook page. I saw that she was doing a 30 day water challenge in the month of September so I decided to join in. You have to calculate how much water you need per day based on your weight, which for me is 3.5 litres. She gives two options in calculating it but I decided to go with the bigger number. She also urges us to take a selfie at the beginning and the end of the challenge so you can see any changes in your skin. To make it more fun she has a printable chec...

Hey guys, I read another book for my reading challenge( which by the looks of it would be a fail). This time it's another classic - Howards End by EM Forster. I became aware of the existence of this book by watching the HBO TV series. GoodReads Summary Only connect… A chance acquaintance brings together the preposterous bourgeois Wilcox family and the clever, cultured and idealistic Schlegel sisters. As clear-eyed Margaret develops a friendship with Mrs Wilcox, the impetuous Helen brings into their midst a young bank clerk named Leonard Bast, who lives at the edge of poverty and ruin. When Mrs Wilcox dies, her family discovers that she wants to leave her country home, Howards End, to Margaret. Thus as Forster sets in motion a chain of events that will entangle three different families, he brilliantly portrays their aspirations to personal and social harmony.  My opinion The story of the Shlegel sisters is a compelling one. The portrayed characters are lively, the writ...

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've read and consequently reviewed a book. And I honestly I thought I would never read this one. Mainly because I thought it didn't exist. Marriage Vacation was featured in the TV series Younger as the novel of the estranged wife of Charles - one of the characters on the show (let me just add that I can't wait for Liza and Charles to finally be together). And until two days ago I had no idea that the show went through these lengths to actually publish their fictional book. GoodReads Summary: By all appearances, Kate Carmichael had the perfect life: two adorable daughters, a pre-war town house on the Upper East Side, and a husband who ran one of the most successful publishing companies in New York. But when Kate attends the wedding of two of her oldest friends and reconnects with successful classmates from graduate school, she suddenly sees her life in a different light: the career she didn’t pursue, the dreams she’s locked aw...

Hey guys, it's been awhile, and since I haven't read anything recently (although I did start reading a new book) and haven't posted I thought it would be fun to share my experience with Fashion Nova. I ordered 5 items. However, one of them was out of stock so I got my money back for it and received four, which will make this post quite short. As you may or may not know, I live in Bulgaria and the delivery took about two weeks and a half since the day I ordered it. Although it took them about 3 to 4 days to process and ship it. I also didn't pay any additional taxes on it. all I had to do was go to the mail and take the parcel, which I was impressed with, as I had feared I would have to pay duty, and so on. Now to the items: I got one sports bra, a pair of jeans, sunglasses and a dress. The Sports Bra I ordered it in size S, and the color is Blue. I feel like I could have sized up, as it's quite tight, however, in this way it's holding everything better ...

Hey guys, I thought a lot whether or not to make this post as the main focus was going to be book reviews, even though you can't really tell by the url. But seeing as I don't really know what this blog is about I'll give it a go as a reference for future me. Jojoba Oil I've been using jojoba oil on and off for about a year now. This was probably my 5th bottle actually. The way I use it is after I've washed my face as a sort of a mask before bed. I put quite a lot now that I think about it but every time I'm too lazy to use it the next day my skin looks dull. Also it helps with pimples - they are reduced much faster and it looks as if it helps with prevention. Loreal Pure Clay Illuminating Cleansing Gel (3 Pure Clays + Charcoal) The next product is again about skin care. And I love this product. I have pretty oily skin and it helps keeping it in check, even though I plaster the aforementioned jojoba oil quite generously. After I wash my face I feel l...

Hey guys, the book I'm reviewing today is on the risky side as you've gathered by the title its about a prostitute. So, if you don't like books dealing with this type of themes than I suggest you stop reading. GoodReads Summary: Belle couldn't find a job after University. Her impressive degree was not paying her rent or buying her food. But after a fantastic threesome with a very rich couple that gave her a ton of money, Belle realized that she could earn more than anyone she knew--by becoming a call girl. The rest is history. Belle became a twenty-something London working girl--and had the audacity to write about it--anonymously. The shockingly candid and explicit diary she put on the Internet became a London sensation. Now, in BELLE DE JOUR, she shares her entire journey inside the world of high-priced escorts, including fascinating and explicit insights about her job and her clients, her various boyfriends, and a taboo lifestyle that has to be read to be believed...

Hey guys, as lately I seem to be always behind the current craze in the book world I finally managed to get my hands on Red Queen. I know probably no one is really interested in yet another review on this particular book but 1. I don't think anyone's going to complain and 2. my reading list is both outdated and perhaps a bit boring for most. So, sorry guys... Goodreads Summary: This is a world divided by blood - red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a l...

Hey guys, it's been awhile since I've posted anything on the blog, let alone a book review. The truth is I didn't really feel like writing it particularly for this book. It's the sixth one in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and it was supposed to be about Phury and Cormia. The reason I was postponing the writing of this post was mainly because I feel like I'm repeating myself. That's why the review is going to be a brief one. GoodReads summary: In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance saga there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...   Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obli...

Hey guys, I think it's time for an update on the Pan That Palette Challenge. It's not going great actually, because most days I don't feel like putting on makeup before work. At first I was motivated and wanted to make progress as fast as possible but when I wake up in the mornings it's not on my priority list. I've hit a pan only on one color as you can see from the photo. And I've made my peace with the fact I'm not going to really use about 5 colors, which are Skylight, Transformer, Midnight Rainbow, Smoothie and Blacqua. I've tried to incorporate them in some looks but they're just too dark. And I suck at makeup so it's extra hard for me to not look like clown and a mess while wearing these colors. However, I did use all of the colors at some point even if just to take it off again in a few minutes, which in a way is a milestone for me, because I would never even think to put on black eye shadow. Now as to what I think about he palett...

"I'm here to help" he extended his hands upwards to reassure her. But he was confident it was in vain, as she seemed to not register anything that was happening around her. He slowly reached for her, and her eyes were following him. "Can you stand?" it was a silly question. She was practically covered in blood from head to toe. His hand squeezed hers, and it was so bony and small. As he was checking to see where her wounds were he noticed how fragile she was. It was like she has been starving for days. On first glance he couldn't see the blood source. "Do you mind moving, so I can see your wounds?" At first she didn't understand him, but then ever so slightly she rolled on her back and pointed at her stomach.  "I'm going to have to lift your dress, is that ok?" she nodded. Although the term dress was an overestimation. It looked like her nightgown and on top of that most of it was ripped. With trembling fingers he ...

Hey guys, last week I read the fifth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but I didn't really have the time to write the review. And if I'm to be honest I didn't feel like it either. Because honestly it was a disappointment. From the previous books Vishous was the character that I liked the most and the one I thought would have the best story but no - it was butchered. GoodReads Summary: The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that does not include her... My opinion: I'm going to be brief. It sucked. The main problems of the previous books were e...

Hey guys, this is the first chapter of a book I'm writing. I still don't have a title for it. Chapter One "Fuck" the man murmured under his breath, but in the dead silence that was surrounding him the word sounded like a gunfire. An owl hooted somewhere near him and he continued cursing in his mind.  If he wasn't such a soft hearty he wouldn't be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by god-know-whats and risking to break his neck with every step. But no, he had to get attached to that stupid dog of his sister. And of course it had to run away in the most inconvenient of time.  The moon was barely visible at this point from the density of the three branches that were looming over him. Something brushed quickly against his leg, but whatever it was by the way it ran away so fast he judged it was probably a cat. It wasn't that he was afraid to be alone in the woods during night time. It wasn't even the fright of loosing his track and ge...

Hey guys, It's time for the review of next book in the next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This is the fourth one and it tells the story about Marissa and Butch, which started in the previous ones. Summary Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world—to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers... Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love ma...

Hey guys, I've had this blog for about 4 months now and I realized all I've post are book reviews and haven't officially introduced myself. So, let's begin with the basics: my name is Iva (the "i" is pronounced the same way as the word "in") and currently I'm 25 years old. I live in Bulgaria - it's a small country in Europe and almost no one knows anything about it. Since I don't really like to talk about myself I've googled some questions which will help: 1. Zodiac sign Sagittarius - born on the last day of the zodiac sign 2. 3 fears Death, serous illness and losing a limb 3. 3 things I love My boyfriend, family and reading 4. My best friend I don’t really think I have a best friend 5. Last song I listened to Halsey - Castle (I think) 6. How many tattoos/piercings do I have I don't have any. I had my ears pierced as a child but I haven't worn earrings for about 8 years now 7. The reason I star...