The Homecoming by Stacie Ramey

They say you can never go home again-and John's about to find out just how true that is.
    John's mother kicked him out of the house when she couldn't handle his anger, and John's spent the last few years bouncing between relatives. But after his last scrape with the law, there's nowhere for him to go but home.
    Starting senior year at a new high school and fitting into the family that shut him out is a challenge. And it's all that John can do to keep from turning back to bad habits. Lacrosse helps him focus. As does Emily, the girl next door. She's sweet and smart- and makes him think his heart may finally be healing. Maybe he's ready to trust again. But tragedy has a way of finding John...and this time, it's more than just his future on the line.
    
  10 out of 10
 I have to be honest, realistic stuff isn't my favorite. I prefer fantasy, it gets me out of my own head, out of worldly problems. BUT I love this book.  This book caught my attention on NetGalley because the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I clicked on the book I loved the description.
   This book is filled with so many different things. Romance, suspense, family, hurt/comfort. This book hits on a lot of real subjects. Car accidents, mental illness, family issues, suicide, depression, drug and alcohol. It's definitely not a book for the faint of heart.
   One of my favorite things about this book is that even though it's a very deep emotional book, there's still happy moments. The author does a wonderful job of incorporating humor into this book. The characters are well developed, they all have backstories and a past that eat away at them. No one in the story is burden free.
   The entire story line is amazing. The author only gives you bits and pieces of information at a time until the end when all is revealed. It makes you crave more because you want to know what happened. I like to call that Using the Past to Pull You Into the Future. You want to know what happened in the past but the narator isn't going to tell you right away. It's one of my favorite tactics used by authors, but it also frusterates me because you have to keep waiting to know what happens/happened.
   This is definatly one of the best realistic novels I have ever read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.

Lion King Tour

I know it's not a book but I got to see the Lion King Gazelle Tour Sunday night and I'm so happy!

 

 

This show was amazing! The costumes were spectacular, the music was great and I have to say I love the plot of the Lion King.

 

I loved the young Nala and Simba and here is a picture of both the actors that play them. I got to see Meilani  Cisneros (far left) as young Nala and Julian Rivera-Summerville (middle left) as the young Simba. At least I'm pretty sure... I could be wrong I was sitting in the very back but I'm light 89.9% sure. The other young Nala is played by Savanna Fleisher and young Simba by B.J Covington.

 

 

 

They also had amazing actors play Pumbaa and Timon. Ben Lupitz, who plays Pumbaa, has been doing Lion King for a very long time. Over 5,000 shows! And Nick Cordileone, Timon, is so great at what he does.

They also have Rafiki, the monkey. Believe it or not Buyi Zama, Rafiki, is actually a woman whereas Rafiki is a boy in the movie. But she does an amazing job. She definitely has the voice for the part.

There is also Scar, played by Mark Campbell one of the few white men in this mainly African cast (because it's Lion King and takes place in Africa).

Mufasa, played by Gerald Ramsey.

 

The three hyenas Banzie, Shenzi, and Ed. Played by Keith Bennet, Tiffany Hobbs, and Robbie Swift.

 

Zazu, played by Drew Hirshfield, who is so funny!

And last but certainly not least older Simba and Nala, played by Aaron Nelson and Nia Holloway.

 

 

 

 

 

The also have a lot of songs, my favorite include They Live in You (top)/ He Lives in You (bottom).

 

 

 

And some of the classics like I Just Can't Wait to be King, sung by Young Nala and Simba and Zazu.

And Hakuna Matata, sung by Pumbaa, Timon and the young Simba but shows the time change in entering Older Simba.

And what musical would be complete without a little romance. Can You Feel the Love Tonight is an amazing song sung by Timon, Pumbaa, Older Nala and Simba and the ensemble.

And the villain song? Defiantly Scars Be Prepared.

 

 

This show was amazing and well worth the money. I would go see it again in a heartbeat. The cast was absolutely amazing!

 

As one last fun fact... Young Simba has more stage time then any other character!

 

Next review will be on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!

 

Review, Comments and Follows are all appreciated!