Betrayals in Spring Review

Betrayals in Spring by Trisha Leigh is the latest installment in a new book series, The Last Year, our family discovered. The first book Whispers in Autumn started the whole deal. I found it for free on a website and it sounded intriguing. It took about three chapters and I was hooked.

Winter Omens is the second book and I bought it as soon as I read the last words of Whispers in Autumn. I started reading it right away and couldn't put it down.

So when I had the chance to preview Betrayals in Spring before it came out I jumped at the chance. Literally.  I HAD to read this book. I had invested in these characters and wanted to know how their stories evolved.

Thankfully, I was able to do just that. I finished Betrayals in Spring but I'm not satisfied. The story didn't end with this book, I will of course be waiting with baited breath for the next one, and I am completely shocked at what happened in this one.

Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this review. I don't like it when people do that so I try not to. But I will say that this was another page turner that had me forsaking every day life to sit down and read! Betrayals in Spring had me so involved that it was all I thought about. Yes, I am a little OCD and once I start I have to finish but this story just needed to be read.

Okay, so if you don't know anything about The Last Year series let me give you a little synopsis of each book:

Whispers in Autumn:
In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn't content at all, and she doesn't need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she's Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

The autumn she meets Lucas, everything changes.

Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.

It's not who they are that makes them special, but what.

And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.


 

Winter Omens:
Althea and Lucas barely escaped the Others' clutches int he autumn, and were separated in the process. Alone and on the run from the cruel alien race determined to exterminate her, Althea struggles to adapt and survive in a world she never imagined.

When a boy named Pax appears out of nowhere, he quickly recognizes Althea for what she is-a human/Other hybrid just like him. Althea begs him to help her find Lucas, but Pax refuses, intent on following his own mysterious agenda.

The Others' presence continues to devour the planet's resources, and if history is an indication, they won't leave until Earth is destroyed beyond repair. Althea and Pax sense the only way to save themselves-and maybe their home-is to understand the powers simmering inside them.

Together they push the limits of their capabilities in the quiet Wilds, but are soon confronted with a terrifying fact: no place is safe from the relentless pursuit of the Others.

Least of all their own minds.


I know, right? This story of Althea, Lucas, Pax, and many others is wonderfully written. It is engaging and enthralling. I love the depth of the characters and the fact that we get to know them so well. We invest in their lives and care about what happens to them.

The Last Year is a great combination of Sci-Fi, romance (just a little and not a main focus), adventure, dystopian society, courage, hope, desperate acts of kids put in a grown up situation, and so much more. I have read all of them, my 14 yo daughter has read them and loved them, and my husband has read them. He loved them too! In fact, he was surprised how good they were. ;-) He did say that the romance between some of the characters was a little too much for him but he's a man and wants action, action, action! Let me just say that it wasn't enough to keep him away from the books. lol

Betrayals in Spring is another fabulous installment in this series that runs through the lives of the characters a mile a minute. At several points I was breathless with anticipation and then crying the next minute. There were twists and turns I wasn't expecting; which is saying a lot because I am pretty good at figuring out the plot of most books. I have to honestly say I thought I had this one figured out but in the final pages a twist occurred I wasn't expecting. At all. That's all I'm going to say about that. Don't ask, I won't tell.

Just read it for yourself.

I recommend this series if you liked the Hunger Games. In fact, that is why I started with the first one-it sounded similar. And it is. But it isn't. The Last Year is a bit better in that the violence factor is dialed down considerably compared to the Hunger Games but the character development, plot, and level of personal involvement the reader has is every bit as strong as in the Hunger Games. The Last Year is a story you could read many times and discover new things each time. I love the Sidhe characters and even the Others. They are given life and reasons for doing what they do, not just characters going through the motions because the author decided that's what they were going to do. I have to admit that I am concerned with and for the character Kendaja; I know I shouldn't be but I can't help it. Trisha Leigh has given this awful Other three dimensions and made me care about why she is the way she is.

There are so many other characters that we get to explore and care about that it is a wonderfully crafted and rounded out story. There is enough insight, information, and personal inspection from the characters, without overloading us with the minutia of it all. The details are vivid and alive-you can almost feel the crisp, winter air or the fragrance of the flowers Trisha describes.

Did I mention that I love this series?

The Last Year is a post-apocalyptic YA series that has appeal for all ages. Now, I wouldn't recommend younger than 12 or so, probably. I am fairly strict with what my kids read until they can read with discernment and have serious discussions about what they've read. But, I would have no problem with my 12 yo reading this series with me. 

You should really check this series out for yourself.  Betrayals in Spring is out TODAY!!  Buy them all and let me know what you think. 

The next one can not come out soon enough for me.
 

Family Night Revolution

Well, since you already know I am a bad blogger I am just going to go ahead and post this. In August we had another installment to our Family Night Revolution. It was awesome!

This time it was Olympic themed since the Summer Olympics were going. And...we decided to invite another family.

But, before the other family arrived we had our movie night. We opened the Concession Stand and sold out of a few items! I know they were storing them up for later but I let them anyway. As long as they had the money.

The movie we chose wasn't the best one for Family Night but we watched it anyway. War Horse just about did us in. lol We didn't get through the whole thing before they got here so we finished it afterward.

When the L family got here we got started. We drew names of countries and paired up. As it happened we had the biggest kids paired with the littlest! It was pretty cute.

We moved outside for the games. Yup, games. We had Track and Field events all lined up in the front yard. The first event was a Three-Legged Race. Three teams had to start at one end of the yard, circle around the first tree, run to the second tree and circle around it, then run back to the first tree to make one final circle around it. The two fastest teams from each heat ran in the final race.

I'm not going to say who but someone from the L family cheated to win. He might have squished a younger member of our family into a tree to win, but ya know...whatever! heehee

The next race was a relay race. In this race the countries combined into two teams to compete. The first leg of the relay had to be run while spinning in circles, the second leg had to be run while showing off your best dance moves, and the final leg had to be run while singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

There was a 'tiny' bit of cheating going on during this event as well but I'm not going to name names or anything.

When it was too dark to have outside games we moved in to the Wii. We played Dodge Ball, Tennis, Soccer, Synchronized Swimming, and threw in Figure Skating just for fun. It was pretty fun watching the guys try and master the swimming and skating! heehee

We played well into the night with a winner who is a big cheater pants but then again another country thinks that they won! Unfortunately we can't declare the Gold Medalists because the countries can't agree on who cheated and who didn't!

It was a great Family Night and we hope to repeat it sometime soon. The next Family Night Revolution we are back to our Double Feature...I just have to choose the movies!

Renita

The Sparkle Box Review and GIVE AWAY!

**Disclaimer: My laptop is being wiped clean and fixed so the pictures are not the quality I would normally include in a review but the ipad wouldn't cooperate with me! **

For years I have been dismayed at the shift in thinking about Christmas. It has become increasingly about giving and getting presents. I know I have heard several conversations with our kids and their aquantances and the talk is always how many gifts they got and how much they cost.

That is so sad to me. Christmas should not be about gifts. Don't get me wrong, getting gifts is great; but, it shouldn't be our soul focus. We should focus on the reason we give and get gifts-because God gave us the ultimate gift in sending his Son to us when He wrapped mortal flesh around an infinite God. That is best present of all.

So, when I was offered this book to review I jumped on it.

I was not disapointed. This book is exactly what I was looking for. This book is beautiful in its message and the pictures are scrumptious. I love this book. The Sparkle Box is one I would recommend for every family wanting to get back to the simpleness of Christmas.

What's it about you ask? Let me tell you:

"Here is the touching story of a young boy who unknowingly participates in a powerful new Christmas tradition: honoring Jesus on His birthday by giving to others.

Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him."


Look at these pictures...

Didn't I tell you it was beautiful? While I was sitting on my bed reading The Sparkle Box, I started crying. Crying for the simplicity of the message that resonated in my heart and for the reminder of what we should be focusing on at Christmas. I can not wait to get our Sparkle Box set up and filled!

Want your own copy? Head over to Ideals Books and pick up your copy for $19.99.

Don't forget to visit them on Facebookor follow these other great links to find out more about the book and the author and illustrator.

Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com/The-Sparkle-Box-Jill-Hardie/dp/0824956478

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/49762666

Author Video: https://vimeo.com/49763494

Want to win a copy for your own family? I have one copy of this wonderful book to give away, just leave a comment telling me one tradition you have in your family. I will draw a winner on November 19th. Oh and don't forget to leave your email in your comment so I can contact you!

Renita

What a week

Well, last Thursday our 7yo, Bean, collided with someone while she was riding her bike. Instead of falling on her knees she put her hands down to catch herself. Yeah, that's what I said.

She came over to me and I checked her out and she appeared fine. She continued to play the rest of the afternoon but was favoring one arm. She continued holding her arm up and complaining the entire evening. Later that night we went for ice cream and I grabbed her for a hug and accidentally squeezed her arm. Her knees buckled and she started crying. I felt super bad. :(

We decided we would watch her and see how she was in the morning.

It wasn't any better the next morning. She would use it but it was pretty painful. So, I decided to take her that afternoon to our doctor and family friend. You know the one that we pay huge amounts of money to constantly. Yeah, that one.

He examined her and thought it was broken. Now, on one hand I was wanting it to be because who wants to go to the doctor and have it turn out to be nothing. But then again, you don't want it to be anything because then something is wrong. Right? Oh the joys of being a mom!

Anyway, the x-rays showed an unusual amount of swelling. And a hairline fracture. ugh

He didn't believe it was bad enough for a cast and the swelling was too great so he put it in a hard splint. The plan was to keep it in the splint for a few weeks.

That was the plan anyway.

Until she just couldn't walk like a normal human being. On Tuesday of this week she was "walking" up the stairs like a dog, don't ask it's just what she does, when she lost her balance and fell on her arm. She heard a pop. You read that right. I didn't say too much bc what am I gonna do. That and I was pretty upset so I kept quiet.

Then she went to gymnastics the following night. She was jsut supposed to do some cartwheels, splits, and things that didn't invlove her arm. That didn't turn out so well. She ended up doing the bars and using both hands to hang with. Oh yes she did.

We went to the doc the next day. He talked to her about obeying and doing the right thing then he told her that because she hadn't listened when we told her not to do those things she would have to have a full cast. We marched to the casting room and got a cast.

Two weeks in a full cast. It's going to be a long two weeks for everyone in this house!

 

Renita

New Blog App...

Maybe one of the reasons for not blogging as much is my laptop is quickly dying and my ipad isn't cooperating with me and blogger. I had one app that was supposed to work but I couldn't figure out pictures and links and ...

So, now I have found another app that claims to make blogging with the ipad a breeze. We shall see. I don't actually believe it but decided to give it a try. Blogsy here I come...

Going to try and upload some pics...

 

It actually worked pretty well. I will have to experiment some more but I think I might like it! Woohoo!

Renita

Why can't I...

Why can't I seem to keep up anymore? I feel like one of those nasty little hamsters that is stuck in a wheel and all I can do is run. There are certain things on that wheel with me and they get done but if it isn't on the wheel then it is forgotten.

Am I too busy? maybe. I'm not sure. I don't think I am. I am just feeling apathetic about a lot of things. I can't seem to want to put down my thoughts or share what is going on.

I am also lazy. It's true. I am by nature a lazy person and if I'm given a choice between doing anything and sitting down with a book, movie, or tv show...I will choose sitting down doing nothing everytime. Sad isn't it?

But that's where I am. I know present circumstances are compounding the problem but I can't seem to get around it. Life carries on even when you don't participate.

Maybe if I put blogging in my planner it will help...