The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

The Jelly Bean Crisis - by Jolene Stockman

Official Blurb:

A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.

When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.


Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.

My Review:

This book isn't something I would probably choose to read. I was introduced to the author via a post looking for authors wanting R4R's, and of course I couldn't resist having a go myself, and I'm glad I did!!

The writing isn't perfect - but then again it never is. There were a couple tense things (switching between) but I didn't really notice because I was so focused on the story. On Poppy Johnson, not on me.

This is a book of self-discovery; of testing the boundaries and discovering where life can take you. Poppy's journey was especially inspiring to me as a high-school student currently trying to rough her way through and work out where she wants to be. Ill give you a taste of the plot, because I don't think I can do it justice otherwise.

Poppy Johnson knows where she wants to be; what she wants to do - Finance at Columbia funded by the Denton Scholarship. And she's on that track, through and through, so what happens when The Splinter comes along in the form of sugar coated words? How can you differentiate between what YOU really want and what others want for you?

This book is good and gives a great view of the world, one I value alot and will treasure and take with me through life. The other thing I liked was The Jelly Bean Theory - which is basically delayed gratification. I eat through delayed gratification, but I never thought of applying it to life like Poppy did, which interested me!

A 4 star book, which could easily become 5 stars with a little bit of work on the writing and a little bit of extension of ideas, but worth the devouring read!!

Good job, Jolene, and I look forward to Jawbreaker!

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) by Cege Smith

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) - by Cege Smith

Official Review:

Blood never lies, but people do...

With the King of Altera on his deathbed, all eyes are on his only child, eighteen-year-old Angeline Robart. Called from her studies to return to her father's side, the Crown Princess is kidnapped en route by Connor, a mysterious rogue who has been waiting a long time for the chance to change his destiny. Facing the consequences of a freak accident that even Connor could not prevent, Angeline is forced to travel a dangerous path to regain control of her fate and her kingdom. Her impossible choice requires her to rely on Connor, who epitomizes everything generations of her family tried to destroy.

As the last of the Robart bloodline, Angeline discovers that enemies she thought long conquered have been lying in wait for just such an opportunity as her father's death to turn events to their advantage. Worse yet, by uncovering those secrets, Angeline must confront the possibility that no one ever expected her to take the throne in anything but title alone.

As her bond with Connor grows stronger, she realizes they have far more in common than she ever expected, and that could make him the just ally she needs.

My Review:

Holy fudge cakes was this a roller coaster and a half!!


Okay, so first off I have to say this. After the whole twilight shebang, I swore to never read a book about vampires, and I've only broken that vow once to my knowledge. This book I didn't know was a vampire book, but after reading this I'm thinking of taking back that promise, because this book is frigging amazing! I mean, W.O.W. seriously.


This book had everything - wink wink, nudge nudge romance; adventure; kick-ass fighting; prophecies and all that stuff; one evil nemesis; and one not-so-useless protagonist, which we like ;)

It was well written with sophisticated language that didn't leave me feeling like I was reading a boom written for a three year old and with proper grammar which didn't have me yelling 'COMMA!' every second sentence (this is the main issue with books nowadays, I find!). The POV (third person) didn't annoy me as it sometimes does, and still gave me a close connection to the characters which I don't normally get from a third-person perspective. 5/5 for the writing!!


The plot was amazing! With a great contour which didn't leave me feeling like the story was directionless and with a web of lies and secrets which were just simple enough to be understood and applied to the story while still being sophisticated enough that I couldn't guess what was coming next!
I'm sitting here (on a plane) and trying to think of something bad to say about this book and can honestly come up with nothing. That's how amazing it is!! Like, I'm going - characters; could they use more development? Nope. They're all developed and sophisticated and three-dimensional. Did this book grip be? Definitely. I had many moments where I just looked up and went 'oh my god!', if yanno what I mean ;) uhmm...grammar and spelling etc.? Best I've read in a long time. I can't even think of anything else.

Ok, well i guess that's me.

Oh yeah! What's it about? Hehehe


Angelina is heir to the throne of Altera - she's been primed for the last 18 years - so how does one incident send her life into the balance along with everything she thought she knew? Who can she trust, and which myths are true? All she knew was that the vampires were extinct thanks to her great-great-great-grandpa, but if that's so then how come she's meeting them everywhere? And are the vampires really what she should be worrying about?

NOW...go get this book and read it! I promise you, it won't disappoint!! :)