Review: How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes

How to Draw Cool Stuff is a fun, simple book that makes it easy to learn how to draw cool stuff. Throughout the book, you will learn the basics that evolve into more complex items making it easier to draw. There are hands on exercises that will help train your mind to visualize the object through an artistic perspective. Out of a need to cater to all levels of art students, this book came into fruition as a functional, cost effective book that can be used by art teachers, students and anyone who wants to draw.

The book is easy to follow along and makes learning how to draw interesting and informative. The best part is that like many classes that make you buy all those expensive equipment, this comes down to just a pencil and paper.

So if you are an aspiring artist, teacher or student, this would be a great resource for you to practice to perfect your skills.

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Review: Free: Two Years, Six Lives, and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler

Thought provoking and insightful, Free by Lauren Kessler questions the perception that a large segment of the population has about people that are in prison and the impact of the narrative surrounding their release. The tagline of the book captures the story to be told.

I personally have my own beliefs and thoughts involving this subject but was honestly stopped in my tracks reading these point of views that we don't get to see. The author from various methods and interpretations brought together the voices of people who had committed various crimes, including at young ages, and shared their arduous journey to the other side and the ups and downs of acclimating back into society.

I found the book very interesting because the natural reaction to someone who commits a crime is send them to jail for life or death penalty depending on the crime and that's it. If you are related to a victim or something was done to you personally, there is no absolution or belief in rehabilitation. In many circumstances that is correct but when you come across some of the cases such as in the book, it opens up the conversation of the possibility of that part of the population that either committed crimes at young ages and the ones who have completely transformed their lives, is this possible they can change? Are they entitled or deserve a second chance at life?

The book presented something that we rarely seen in many cases that we hear about. There isn't much conversation about their background and circumstances that influenced their behavior that contributed to their poor decision but many of the mainstream narratives are based on their socioeconomic background or race. Along with this, for those who get out, how do we expect them to be productive, redemptive citizens when they aren't getting opportunities to continue reformation or to productively contribute to society. This along with reading their journey really challenges your thoughts on the system and just generally presents a narrative hopefully you are opened to reading about.

Overall, the book was a good read. Hopefully this will open conversation and inspire dialogue about the judicial system, rehabilitation and ways communities can support to improve the recidivism rate by helping those who want a second chance to give back in life.

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Review: Ruthless Rival (Pierce Family #3) by Crystal Kaswell

Simon Pierce is the most powerful man in Manhattan. My rival since the ninth grade.
And now, my enemy with benefits.

Since the first day of high school, Simon and I have competed.
Top grades?
Simon wins.
Better manners?
Simon wins.
Irresistible stare?
Simon definitely wins.
So when the bossy billionaire suggests an enemies with benefits arrangement--
I dive in headfirst.
No feelings. No strings. No falling in love.
It's perfect. In theory.
Only the Simon who shares my bed isn't cutthroat and arrogant.
He's passionate and tender.
And pretty soon, I'm losing the one thing that matters:
My heart.

Review

I had been craving a good rivals to lover book, and when I say that Ruthless Rivals did what it needed to do and then some, I mean it. From the first page, I was sucked in, and I couldn’t put the book down. Kaswell is a new author to me. I saw a graphic on Instagram about one of her books (not from this series) and I read that one. Thoroughly enjoyed it. And despite not reading the other books in this series after reading the summary of this one, I could not wait. However, I will be going back to read them because I really like the family dynamics and the characters.

I think my favorite family relationship was the one between Opal and Simon. She was the Pierce family secret child, and after her mother passed away, Simon took Opal in. Simon was serious, stoic,  and demanding, but he had a sweet spot for his teenage sister. Their interactions were great, and one of the many highlights in this book.

Another favorite relationship in this book was obviously romance. Vanessa and Simon have known each other for years. Competed against each other. Outwardly disliked each other. However, inside there was always a part of them that found the other to be attractive and wanted them. Right off the bat in the book, they entered an arrangement. And that led to more. And as they became something more, they realized there are some other issues within themselves that they had to address. Both Simon and Vanessa are incredibly human and had great character arcs.

Vanessa was very independent and has an organization that helps domestic abuse victims. It’s something very close to her heart since her mother was abused by her father. Witnessing those events in her childhood had a significant impact on her adult life. She didn’t trust men and thought that they all had potential to become violent.

Simon was the oldest sibling in his family and had to take on a lot of responsibility after his father died. And after one of his brothers was tragically killed, he still felt like a failure because of that. and his past dreams of becoming married and having children slipped away. He hid his emotions and didn’t date.

Final Thoughts

Ruthless Rivals tackled so many heavy issues including family, abuse and grief. It’s a heartbreaking story of two people trying to heal and trying to not let the choices of others and their past continue to haunt them.

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Review: The Alphahole’s Guide to Marrying Your Enemy by Piper Marlowe

The Brooklyn warehouse is filled with graffiti and pigeon poo. It’s practically begging to be converted into luxury loft apartments.
But will my mother sell it to me, her only son, the investment wunderkind?

“Darling, buildings have souls,” she says, between sips of green juice.
“Show me that you’re on the path to spiritual wellness, and I’ll give it to you.”

Enter Sydney Taylor, my best friend’s little sister, spiritually well enough for even my mother’s past selves to approve of, and my least favorite person on earth…in this life or any of the others I’ve supposedly lived. I wouldn’t date her if she was the last woman on earth. I’ve repeatedly fantasized about shipping her to Mars.

Instead, I marry her.

I know, I know, my crew has quite the history with phony relationships, but this one’s different.
No matter what my mother sees in our auras.
Or how much I want to hate-boink her maddeningly sweet little...

Yep, once my mother signs over that building, I’m definitely going to walk away from this hot-fakery totally unscathed.
And if you buy that, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Review

The Alphahole’s Guide to Marrying Your Enemy was the average marriage of convenience book. It had all the tropes. The best friend’s sister. The rich alpha male who must marry to obtain something that he thinks he can’t live without. All and all, it was a fine book.

In summary, the book is about Max and Sydney who don’t like each other. They both come from wealthy parents, and they choose to live their life differently which causes some tension between them. Max needs his mother to sell him an abandoned warehouse, and she refuses to sell it to him unless he shows some spiritual awareness. He comes up with a deal to help Sydney and her friend’s startup company, and all she must do is marry him.

It was easy to read with a simple plot. There were some funny moments and both main characters were likable. However, after I finished I couldn't help but feel like it was lackluster. The relationship development between Max and Sydney happened too fast and there really wasn't a clear path to how they got to that stage.

Final Thoughts

The Alphahole’s Guide to Marrying Your Enemy is a decent marriage of convenience book, that does fail a little in creating a solid romance. 

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Review: The Treehouse on Dog River Road by Catherine Drake

In her debut, The Treehouse on Dog River Bend, Catherine Drake brings us a book that you have to add to your reading list for the summer. It has charm, fun and the type of romance that will have you anticipating what’s to come.

Hannah Spencer is simply awesome. She is the type of character that many women out there may see in themselves or know someone that is alike. She knows who she is and what she wants, and is learning life as she goes along. With wanting a change on her horizon, after getting laid off from an unfulfilling job, she sees the start of that change with an opportunity in Vermont. Little did she know life has a way of taking you out of your comfort zone to point you in the direction you are meant to be.

On her path to a better her, she jumps on the chance to help her sister by watching her children for the summer. While she’s there, inspiration strikes her with a chance to give back to them and fulfill a dream that she and her sister once had, to build a treehouse. The treehouse isn’t the only thing she builds.

On a chance encounter that turns out to be her neighbor, Nathan Wild puts a wrench in her plans. He is everything that will make your heart swoon. The problem is, he just came back there and is trying to get his life settled. With her plans temporary in Vermont and her head on a fresh restart elsewhere, is what she is looking for right in front of her?

Overall, I loved this read. Hannah is such a likable character. The development of her relationship with Nathan is on her own terms and is so sweet to read. The hidden gem in this book is the kids, Nora and Owen. They are hilarious and bring some fun moments to the book. Her interactions with them are full of laugh out loud moments. Her family and friends bring some noteworthy moments as well.

When you take a chance on an author, it’s always the best feeling in the world when they leave a great impression on you that makes you want to invest in what’s to come. I’m really excited to see what’s next for her. I recommend adding this one to your reading list.

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Review: Wedding Season by Michelle Major

The Wedding Season by Michelle Major is the third book in her A Carolina Girls series. Despite this being a part of the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Let’s start with that gorgeous cover. Right from the start, that beautiful, inviting cover sets such a wonderful mood going into the book. Even though this can be read as a standalone, if you haven’t read the series, it’s worth diving in. I’m not just saying that because I love her books but there is something special about the characters she writes, especially in this book, the strength of the women characters who she brings into our lives.

If Mariella Jacobs could go back in time, I’m sure she’d redo the moment that changed her professional career forever. Considered one of the world’s elite wedding designers, one high profile moment sabotaged her reputation and character. In an attempt to revitalize her career, she found the road to redemption in Magnolia, North Carolina. 

Taking her talents and putting them into a new venture with her friends, Angi and Ann, they turned the Wildflower Inn into a new business. Everything is looking good and life is going great until her past collides with her present in the form of Alex Ralsten,

Out of all the places to relocate, the biggest reminder of her biggest mistake moves to the same place. Coincidence? 

Taking a leap to start things over himself, he finds an opportunity where the two of them work together on a project. As their disdain starts to fade, an unexpected lesson in fate comes around and gives a life lesson for second chances. Without even knowing it, what they were meant to find is right in front of them. 

Overall, this was such a nice read. The small town setting was charming and inviting. Her writing style is so lovely and you really get into the characters and their lives. There is a secondary storyline to Mariella that really brings out the heart of her character. I love the support of her friends in the book. All these women bring something different but all represent strength and stand on their own. The development of Mariella and Alex’s storyline really makes you root for their HEA. Every character played a role in making this book worth the read.

There is a bonus novella in the back of the book as an extra treat. Springtime in Carolina is considered 2.5 of the series. I haven't heard anything yet about a fourth book but I will patiently wait. If you have not read the series yet, make sure you back read so you don’t miss out on a great series.

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