Friday, August 23, 2019

Random Update

Hiya! I figured I should pop in and post an update really quickly.



Seeing as my last post was Dec. 2018, I think my idea of a short break has obviously turned into something a bit bigger.


As much as it pains me, I don't have much free time to read any more. What little spare time I get, I spend writing. I still love to read, but I'm definitely no longer a kid who has a bunch of free time, looking for productive ways to fill it.


I will continue to post here when I do get a chance to read a book, and I will still do my best to knock out the books I've agreed to review, although I'm no longer taking review requests, as I can not guarantee I'll be able to read regularly any time soon.


Realistically though, this blog has gone from active to random at best, and that's honestly okay. I miss being an active blogger, but my life is 1000x busier than it was when I started this and was really rocking it. Everything has it's season, and I'm not able to be what I was before. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick it back up again once the season I'm in has passed.


For those who still follow, I appreciate and love the heck outta you! I hope you enjoy the posts I'll throw up in the future, and if you can spare it, send me some good vibes and reading love, ya girl needs it.


Much love and peace my dudes.

Ciao for now.

~Rose


Thursday, December 6, 2018

"The Silk Swan" Review & Giveaway!

Hiya peeps! I've got an interesting post today, featuring the third in a trilogy I've already reviewed.

These books are fitting for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. One focuses on the lives of two people living in 20th century NYC, and how their lives unfold for a time. The second is the sequel, where this couple join a few others in dealing with the post Pearl Harbor bombing, as the U.S. enters WWII.

Be sure to check them out, and see my review for each book below! =D


Tuesday, July 17, 2018

"Control Freakz" by Michael Evans!

Hiya peeps! Today, I'm reviewing a dystopian adventure, written by a 15 year old debut author! Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments below! =D

Control Freakz

~Author: Michael Evans

~Released: October 3rd 2017

~Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group

~Length: 278

~Genres: Dystopian, Sci-Fi


Alone. Abandoned. Threatened. Natalie has lost all hope for a better future. Everything she’s known and everyone she’s ever loved is gone, and it’s up to her to get her old life back. In Michael Evans’s first novel, Control Freakz, Natalie’s journey toward a better life begins. 

When Protocol 00 is enacted, Natalie’s family is taken by the government, along with the families of her two best friends, Ethan and Hunter. With nothing to lose, and the threat of government hitmen kidnapping them at any moment, the three must battle to survive in a horrid, post-apocalyptic world run by President Ash and his invasive government. They want answers. And they’re willing to jeopardize everything in desperate pursuit. 

Risking ruthless leaders, attempted mind control, and her very existence on the planet, Natalie, along with Hunter and Ethan, will stop at nothing in their quest to regain everything they’ve ever known. Her spirits crushed and her will to live destroyed, Natalie knows everything is dead and gone, and soon she will be, too. 

Memories connect us to the past, and can often cause us to long for a better future, but they can drive our minds into a state of hell if a better future is unattainable. Nevertheless, Natalie’s hope for a better a future remains.


 My Review


PG-17

Could be a great story, if not a little cliche.

Dystopian novels are very popular at the moment, and seem to be a dime a dozen. I enjoy many of them, but if there isn't something that pops out to make it unique, it ends up leaving me somewhat unsatisfied. Unfortunately, this book falls into the latter category. It isn't a bad story by any means, and was still entertaining, which is why I'm going with 3 1/2 roses.

The plot was good, with a fair mix of action, adventure, suspense, and setup. It was laid out fairly well, and I didn't notice many plot holes or hiccups. There was an obvious sense of growth and change as the plot progressed, and while it ended in a way that I probably wouldn't have gone with, it was interesting. I think it may be a soft setup for a sequel, but it felt unclear, so it may be able to be a stand alone without solid closure.

The characters were fairly well developed, with unique personalities and individual quirks. I enjoyed the main character alright, and her side kicks were entertaining. I felt as though there needed to be either a fourth character with a lighter personality to round them all out, although that is simply personal preference - I enjoy seeing characters with dramatically different personality traits to bounce off each other. These three weren't bad though, and did a fair job of carrying the reader through the story.

The writing wasn't bad, especially for a fifteen-year-old teenager. Had I been unaware of the author's age before reading, I would have assumed a college student, at least. The style was contemporary, while still painting clear scenes of a dystopian future, without being too wordy or getting lost in arbitrary details.

Overall, I see good things coming out of this author, and will be following his future works. This book was entertaining, and while I don't see myself making this a "read multiple times" book, I'm thankful to the author for the chance to have read it for a review. I would recommend it to fans of dystopian adventures, and believe it could be entertaining for the vast majority of its readers.

*I was given a complimentary eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.

~Rose
@Desert Rose Reviews


Do you enjoy dystopian novels? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for visiting! Have a fantastic day!

Keep creating! =D


Friday, July 6, 2018

First Movie Review!
"Stick It"

Hiya peeps! I'm super excited today, because it's my first movie review on DRR! I have previously shared this review on my UnPlugged blog, and since it's in my top 3 favorite films of all time, I thought it only fitting to cross-post it here, to kick off the movie reviews on this blog.

So, without further adieu, here we go!

Stick It

 Stick It (IMDb)
~Starring

~ReleasedApril 28th, 2006

~Written & Directed byJessica Bendinger

~GenresComedy, Drama, Sport

~Plot (from IMDb):

After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

"The Coyote: A Motivational Novel" by Steven Georgiou!

Hiya peeps! Today I'm sharing a children's novel - full novel, yes - with you. It's a wonderful motivational story. Check it out, and be sure to leave a comment below!

The Coyote: A Motivational Novel

The Coyote
~Author: Steven Georgiou

~ReleasedNovember 5th 2017

~Length: 219 Pages

~Genres: Children's, Inspirational, Fantasy


Many years ago, a young coyote named Raki was a confident fearless animal, who lived in a mysterious desert. But as he grew up due to his father’s strict ways and conditioning, Raki changed into a cowardly miserable coyote!

Time passes, and now a shadow of his former courageous self, dangerous times have occurred as evil wolves take away Raki’s family!

So it is up to the now cowardly coyote along with his loyal lizard friend to venture across the treacherous desert, to save his kind, and discover his destiny along the way!

A motivational and heart-warming tale, portraying that who we really are deep down is incredibly powerful, and through great adversity you can accomplish almost anything!

“I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Thank You, I Love You”

Written by Steven Georgiou, a London born and raised entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot heritage. This is first novel.

Friday, June 29, 2018

"From Wrath to Ruin" by Justin Enos!

Hiya peeps!! I'm excited to share this amazing adventure with you! If you enjoy dystopian, fantasy, or just good old fashioned adventures, be sure to check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments below!

From Wrath to Ruin

 From Wrath to Ruin
~Author: Justin Enos

~Released: April 26th, 2017

~Length: 386 Pages

~Genres: Fantasy, Dystopian



In exile from his homeland... 

As a mercenary, Tijodrin has wandered far and wide, and now his travels have brought him to the great city of Hohvenlor, a city he knows well. He quickly finds himself caught up in a fierce rivalry that threatens to destroy two powerful merchant families and turn the streets of Hohvenlor into a battlefield. 
Within the city walls, Tijodrin will find danger in many forms. Can he survive 
the endless plots of the vengeful merchants and the swords of their bloodthirsty henchmen, as well as the lurking daggers of the shadowy assassin's guild?

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Illustrated Comic Book Style Adventure
"Four Color Bleed" by Ryan McSwain!

Hiya peeps! Any super-hero or comic book fans here? I certainly am! Check out this awesome illustrated novel all about comic books, super-heroes, and adventure, and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Four Color Bleed

 Four Color Bleed
~Author: Ryan McSwain
 
 
~Released: August 31st 2017

~Publisher: Pithos Publishing

~Length: 437 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy



Four Color Bleed is a novel about comic books, nostalgia, and the nature of reality. Featuring illustrations by Rian Gonzales, Weshoyot Alvitre, Ben Zmith, Morgan Perry (aka Geauxta), Ben Cohen, Kevin Kelly, Adam Prosser, and Chris “Chance!” Brown. 

Ralph Rogers was the darling of the comic book industry, a teenage artist who’d taken the world by storm. He had it all, until a high-profile scandal left him in disgrace. Years later, his reputation in tatters, Ralph has fallen into an obsession with the legendary lost comics of Pithos Publishing—a shadowy company that vanished into the fog of time. As he uncovers the mystery of Pithos, the curtain unravels between his own mundane life and a fantastic version of reality. Ralph suddenly has everything he’s ever wanted: He’s a celebrity, a beloved artist, and he’s been reunited with the girl of his dreams. But soon this new paradigm turns deadly, and Ralph must fight for his life in a land where the impossible is commonplace, where caped heroes rule the sky, and where the villainous Ocularist will stop at nothing to conquer the world.