Friday, March 29, 2013

Title: Skeleton Key Guild by M.J. Fletcher Cover reveal & Giveaway!

I should have posted this yesterday and I apologize for it being late.  But I can't wait to be able to read this book!
 

Release: May 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Paranormal

Her parents dead, her sister missing, and those she loves branded traitors to the Old Kind... Chloe Masters is on the run.

To fulfill a parent’s dying wish she will do anything to save the sister she has never met. Can she learn the secrets of the Artifacts before it’s too late? Surrounded by her friends; Slade, Edgar, Jess, Val and the man she loves James Nightshade, Chloe has never had so much to live for... but will her enemies let her?

Reviews about The Doorknob Society


I am SO GLAD that I said I’d review the 
book!! It had me interested from the first 
chapter, and HOOKED shortly after that!” 
Puretextuality.com 

Let me start by saying that I'm a pretty picky 
reader. I have to be captured by a story almost 
immediately in order to continue reading. Well, I 
was captured by The Doorknob Society...and I 
am hooked!” Amazon 

I couldn't put it down and read straight 
through and was so mad at myself for finishing 
it. I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. FOR. THE. NEXT. 
BOOK!” Goodreads 



Other books in the series...



About M.J. Fletcher
MJ Fletcher is the creator of the comic book series Adam Zero: The Last Man of Earth published by Ronin Studios. He’s also been published in Hope: The Hero Initiative and Digital Webbing Presents. The Doorknob Society series is his first book series and he’s thrilled about it. He lives near the beach with his wife, daughter, and dog.


The Doorknob Society Book Trailer






Win an ebook copy of the first in the series, The Doorknob Society! Open International! 


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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cover Reveal: The Do Over

The do Over by A.L.Zaun photo THEDOOVERecoverLarge_zpsd67596c7.jpg

Title: The Do Over
Author: A. L. Zaun
Genre: Contemporary Adult
Cover Designer: Wicked by Design
Expected release date: May 20, 2013
Goodreads Button photo goodreads-badge-add-plus_zps5d68ec23.png

Life doesn't look like it's supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn't want to deal with the hassles of relationship. After almost two years, Dani's friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating. Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him? And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?  

About the Author
A.L. Zaun photo ALZaun_zps02443741.jpg

A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Review: House Rules

House Rules
By Chloe Neil
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #7

Description:
In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.


At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Review:
So first let me thank my friend Marta for completely getting me hooked on this series. What’s not to like, they have great characters, great scenery and interesting plots that keep you wanting to read more every single time. It’s like ok what are you going to throw at us next, and it’s so not what you expected. It’s like watching a really good crime show, what’s going to happen next? I think this series could totally be a really great television series. There are so many ways this can go!


On to the book now, we are back with Merit and Ethan, they are about to separate the house from the GP because they have opposing views on the way life should be. Mallory is still with the shifters learning her lesson from using black magic. The GP is closing in and the time is getting near when their ceremony will be taking place. But true to their nature, the Cadogan house is again plagued with mystery and trying to do well. Seems there is someone out there killing vampires for no good reason. They have their suspects, but can the find the killer in time before more die.

That is the basis of the book but there is so much more going on here. The relationship between Merit and Ethan is sometimes like a rollercoaster, and throw in Lacey who is in love with Ethan and will do anything to break them up. Drama. There is also the relationship between Merit and Jonah, I know some of you might be Team Jonah, and I think I was for a minute or two but I just don’t see it happening. But love the jealousy that plays out between the three of them, it’s funny.

This series is not over yet though, there are still so many unfinished things, like what happens next? Are they going to be accepted by the rouges, any more shifter business? So many endless possibilities and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book, which yes comes out this year. So BONUS!!!! Biting Bad comes out in August of this year; I’ll be all over it. So if you haven’t read this series yet I don’t know what you are waiting for, this is really goooooood!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Cover Reveal: Nissa by Bethany Lopez

Nissa
By Bethany Lopez
Release Date: April 23, 2013

Description:
At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother's path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak.

To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she's met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren't meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

About the Author

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Bethany Lopez | Facebook | Twitter



Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Cover Reveal: The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram & Giveaway



Title: The Avery Shaw Experiment
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Format: ebook
Genre: YA contemporary romance
Release Date: May 2013

Summary:

When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Teaser One - Avery

Grayson finally noticed Aiden and I on the couch. “What are you two dorks doing?”

“Learning about steroids,” I said cheerfully. “You should probably know that using them can cause acne, testicular atrophy, decreased sperm count, prostate enlargement and gynecomastia.”

Grayson looked rightfully appalled. “Gyneco-what-ia?”

“Enlarged breasts in men,” Aiden translated. “So you should lay off the juice before you have to start borrowing Avery’s bras.”

I gasped at the mention of my underwear and whacked Aiden’s shoulder hard.

Behind me, Grayson laughed. I knew he was about to deliver a comeback, but I refused to look at him. Seconds later his breath was warm on my neck. He whispered just low enough that his mother couldn’t hear what he said. “I like my bras colorful and lacey, Aves. Not sure your collection would do it for me.”

Total mortification. Grayson may be as close as family to me, but he was still one of the hottest, most popular guys in our whole school. Him discussing my bras in that low sexy voice that could stop a girl’s heart on the spot made my lungs constrict. Plus, he was right of course. My bras were all of the plain white cotton variety.

Teaser Two - Grayson

I started to leave the room but she stopped me at the door. “Grayson?” Her tone tugged at something inside me. “You really want to take me with you tonight?”

She sounded so small and unsure of herself. It was how she always sounded at school and around strangers, but never when she was at home with us. I think my brother had really broken her. I was seriously going to have to beat him sometime.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I know I really freaked out on you earlier, but I promise I’ll be fine. Aiden’s right.” She swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I’ll manage without him somehow.”

“Aiden’s a tool. You can learn how to manage tomorrow. Tonight’s New Years Eve and for once in your life you’re going to spend it without Aiden or The Discovery Channel.

I knew I was making progress when she cracked a smile and asked, “What about Whootylicious in 7 B?”

I thought of the luscious booty I’d originally planned on seeing tonight and sighed. “That will be an unfortunate loss, but, like you, I will just have to deal.”

I winked and then decided I’d give her ten minutes before I came back and physically dragged her out of bed.

Other books by Kelly Oram




About Kelly Oram...


Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodReads 




Win all four books by Kelly Oram in ebook format. This giveaway is open international, as long as you have a way to open the file.

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: •Grab your current read •Open to a random page •Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page •BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) •Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser for the week:

I opened my eyes, staring back at him, countering his distrust with irritation of my own.

And meanwhile, the phone still rang, the new sound track to our battle. “It’s Jonah.”



House Rules
by Chloe Neill (Kindle Locations 2973-2974) Penguin Group, USA. Kindle Edition.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Review: Just Remember to Breathe

Just Remember to Breathe
By:
Release Date: November 12, 2012
Series: Thompson Sisters

Description:
Alex Thompson’s life is following the script. A pre-law student at Columbia University, she’s focused on her grades, her life and her future. The last thing she needs is to reconnect with the boy who broke her heart.

Dylan Paris comes home from Afghanistan severely injured and knows that the one thing he cannot do is drag Alex into the mess he’s made of his life.
When Dylan and Alex are assigned to the same work study program and are forced to work side by side, they have to make new ground rules to keep from killing each other.
Only problem is, they keep breaking the rules.

The first rule is to never, ever talk about how they fell in love.

**************************************
Review:
An amazing book about what could have been, what should have been, and what finally was.


I don't think I've ever read a new adult book written by a male, and then one that is so beautifully written and got my emotions all up in a roar. I can completely relate to all the characters, maybe not in the situations they have been in but they are all likeable characters. We meet Alex who is one of five sisters (I see this is going to be a good series because I can't wait to read about the other sisters as well, they were introduced later in the book), she is studying at Columbia in NY and still trying hard to get over her ex Dylan, who just completely lost contact with her. Which of course now leads me to Dylan, who is a now injured vet from the army where he was injured in Afghanistan, he's got a lot of issues because of this incident and it always leads up to his guilt. This plays a major role in his life decisions.

Somehow they get stuck working with each other in their work study program. Little things between them start popping up, as much as they keep not wanting to bring up the past and make things awkward, they can't help it. There is still love there and what could have been in the past should be right now. But things get complicated as more emotions are thrown around. The complications start having complications and it's just a hot mess at one point. But it goes to show you that sometimes you have to work through things in life, you have to learn to let go of things and it's true what they say if it belongs to you it will find its way back to you.

The writing was great, easy going and not to out there. It really made you think about different situations in life and gives me a new appreciation for those that serve for us. With Dylan's shrapnel filled leg, PTSD anger and overall guilt about losing friends while in Afghanistan it just made this book so much more real to me. I have friends that have gone there and are back and will never be the same. It's another world out there and the author bought this out perfectly in his character.

The overall book had me going on an emotional rollercoaster and I was enjoying the ride the entire way even if there were times I didn’t agree with all of them. Can’t we all just get along? They both seem to be so perfect for each other, because since the moment they met it was so much stronger than either one could have handle, that’s why it could have been then or it should be now but it definitely will be in the future. I can’t wait to see what happens next between the sisters and their stories should be very interesting.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Review: The Prince

Prince
By Kiera Cass
Release Date:
Series: (The Selection 0.5)

Description:
Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...
Before Aspen broke America's heart...
There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Review:

It’s always a wonderful thing to read a story in one person’s view and then get a peek into the other person’s point of view.  This POV did not disappoint at all, there is something special about the Prince.  He’s insecure, unsure but has the air of confidence and really I think he’s just like anyone else in this life, he just wants to be loved and accepted. 

 I rather enjoyed watching his interaction with the princess he has been friends with forever.  I think the moment they shared together will help him in the selection.  At least in knowing what he does and does not want, which I’m hoping will be America because really they have too much chemistry together.  Their moments together, seeing them from his perspective was a dear thing.  We all know how much America hates the word dear lol.

Can’t wait to read the next book in the series which comes out in April.  The sneak peek was really good and it just made me want more.  Is it April yet …. Almost!!!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Blog Tour: I Choose You - Review

I Choose You
By: Bethany Lopez
Release Date: December 27, 2012
Series: Friends & Lovers #2

Description:
Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.

Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?

*************************************
Review:
This was yet another great book by Bethany Lopez.  It wasn't as intense as the first book but still good in it's own right.  After all not all characters are the same and have their own issues to deal with. 

Here we continue on with Nicole's story and Kent.  If you remember from the first book Kent was semi dating Briana who is now living in Austin with Colin.  Either way Kent is a great guy and deserves someone who is equally great even though he doesn't believe it himself.  His twin sister is now roommates with Nicole and that just brings the two closer together.

Neither one of them had the ideal upbringing they thought they both should have had, but no one is perfect and it's those challenges in life that make you the person you are today.  That's what I believe at least.  So throughout the book they both believe they don't deserve each other or that they don't seem to fit.  But through all the miscommunication and wrong signals read it's so obvious how much they want each other and it's that journey that I love to read about.

Let me just remind you that this is not intended for younger adults but more for mature adults, and Ms. Lopez wow to that one intimate scene between the two characters, not what I was expecting at all but great job.  It really was very intimate and just a really great point for Nicole saying that there are other things they could do, that was definitely an other.  Sorry it was my favorite part in the book because it was a complete surprise and really bought out the character and how much she has truly changed from when she was younger before she moved into town.  It was a turning point for both characters I feel.

Overall this was a really good book and I wish there was a little more back story on Kent and his family but I have a feeling we are going to get a good back story on the next book since it is about his twin and all.  Can't wait to read the final book in the series, have been loving them all so far!

*************************************
Author Bio:
Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Memorable Monday


Memorable Monday is a meme hosted by Escape in a Book which you will share a quote that has captured your interest lately in a Memorable Monday post on your blog.

Provoked by a quote, delighted by a quote or perhaps you fell in love with a beautiful quote? Share the quote(s) with us in your own Memorable Monday post.


In honor of me reading the second book, in the near future.  I thought I would get a quote from Tahereh Mafi's Destroy Me (Shatter me 1.5 novella)

Sometimes I wish I could step outside of myself for a while. I want to leave this worn body behind, but my chains are too many, my weights too heavy. This life is all that’s left of me. And I know I won’t be able to meet myself in the mirror for the rest of the day.


Destroy Me
Tahereh Mafi
(Kindle Locations 120-122)

Musing Monday

MUSING MONDAYS… is a weekly event where MizB at Should be Reading will ask a book/reading-related question, and you answer with your own thoughts on the topic.

This week’s musing asks…anser any of these questions:
• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

My bookish rant is not having enough time to read as many books as I want.  I'm by no means a speed reader so I take my time and if I'm reading at night let's just say most of the time I'm so tired that I just fall asleep even if I find the book good, I still fall asleep.  Not enough hours in the day to do everything I want obviously.  Or.... maybe I just do too much.  Nah probably just not enough hours.  I'm already exhausted.  it doesn't help that it's Monday and Daylights Savings just passed so I lost an hour.  (see what I mean by not enough time in the day lol). 

Book Blast: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe











Astarte's Wrath is the companion novel to... 



Check out Trisha Wolfe's other books...



A peek inside Astarte's Wrath...
“I’ve found you.”

I turn to see Xarion leaning against the frame of my terrace door. A slight smile curves his beautiful lips, and his arms are crossed over his bronze muscled cuirass.

Feeling brave, I slip close and wrap my arms around his waist, the brass studs of his belt pressing against my stomach. “I wasn’t hiding,” I say, looking up into his face. I can see his exhaustion there, in the dark crescents under his eyes, though he’s putting on a good front. “I’d never tempt a great hunter.”

He chuckles as he steps away long enough to slip off his breastplate, then he embraces me. Leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “You’re always tempting.” Running his thumb over my cheek, he lowers his face before mine, his breaths shallow. “In fact, your power of seduction is having its desired effect on me right now.” His lips softly brush mine, sweet and inviting at first, then he deepens the kiss.

I realize that anyone could walk in, and I begin to pull away. “Xarion, my room is not secure,” I say between his kisses.

He groans against my lips, and the deep rumble sends my hands into his hair, pulling him to me. I feel him smile. He scoops me into his arms, his lips never leaving mine, and walks us inside.

My sense breaks through, and I whisper, “Lunia or Phoenix could come looking for me and—”

“That’s what locks were designed for,” he interrupts.

I laugh. “Oh, that will not stop either of them.”

He turns the bolt on my door, keeping his arm sturdy beneath my legs. Then he takes me to the bed where he lays me down. I let my head fall back against the coverlet as he hovers above me, his fisted hands pressing into the mattress on either side of my head, his knees parting my legs.

Suddenly he bounds up, and I think he’s come to his senses. My stomach tumbles as I realize how much I don’t want him to be responsible—but we can’t chance it here. Only he grabs the chair from my desk and kicks the back. My eyes widen in surprise. He places one of the panels against the door, securing its ends in the torch brackets.

“That should give them some difficulty,” he says as he unbuckles his belt, the action making my heart beat wildly. “And give me enough time to hide in your dressing room like a clandestine lover.”

A smile twitches at my lips. “You mean, like exactly what you are?”

Shaking his head, his dark hair falling against his eyes, he counters, “I’m offended.” He strips off his leather armor. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as my eyes slip over him, and a crooked smile hikes his face. “Ah, but that does it for you, huh? You like stealing kisses in the shadows, the constant fear of being caught.” Climbing onto the bed, he positions himself above me. “I bet your heart is pounding hard right now, the adrenaline claiming your body”—he presses his palm over my heart—“with a need only your clandestine lover can satisfy.”



About the author...

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD (Spencer Hill Press, Oct. 2013), and a new YA Dark Fantasy series releasing June 2013, OF SILVER AND BEASTS.

I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional blog for the Young Adult genre. A proud member of the SCWW and The Apocalypsies. And I’m also a business owner, partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

Check out my website TrishaWolfe.com for more on my books and bonus material. You can also follow me on Twitter @TrishWolfe or like my Facebook page for updates. 



 GIVEAWAY IS OPEN INTERNATIONAL! 
Must be 13 or older to enter. 

Contest ends March 18th! 

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Friday, March 8, 2013

Blog Tour: Exhale - Review/Giveaway


Exhale
By Jennifer Snyder
Release Date: December 2012

Description:
Inhaling in life is easy. It’s the exhaling—the letting go— that’s the hard part.

Katie Elliot has always known the Conner twins. For years she secretly pined after one, while playfully averting the advances of the other. Once upon a time, she was fine with that. Then came the moment when her twin of preference kissed her and changed everything.

As if realizing love can be complex—even when it’s reciprocated—isn’t hard enough, tragedy strikes, tearing Katie and the boy she’s always desired apart. Finding herself torn between love and guilt, Katie must learn when it’s acceptable to let go—when it’s finally okay to exhale.

Amazon | Smashwords | B&N

****************
Review:
This book was really quite interesting take on relationships, tragedy, love and overall guilt. It had me intrigued from the very beginning and it was a quick and easy read that just made you think about how life is just too short not to move on from things that happen to you. It’s really true when they say sometimes you just need to exhale. Which leads me to a quote from this book that I thought described this perfectly:


"With every inhale, we have to exhale, that can apply to life sometimes too, we have to take in just as much as we have to let go.”
It’s the summer time and everyone is out to have fun, we meet Katie who’s best friend with twin brothers Kyle and Derek. Of course there is a sort of love triangle here where Katie likes Derek but Kyle likes Katie. Everyone knows how Kyle feels about her as he proclaims it loudly all the time, but Katie never took him seriously. After all, she was secretly pining away for his twin brother Derek. Yes identical twins, but sometimes it really is all about the personality as they were complete opposites.

Turns out that the unrequited love that Katie felt wasn’t so unrequited after all as Derek himself had feelings for her too. But then you have to wonder how Kyle is going to react with this information. They secretly have stolen kisses where no one can see but eventually circumstances shows that Kyle will find out, and when he does there is quite a commotion. Then unfortunately something tragic happens and no one is the same again.

Through heartache and guilt both Katie and Derek try to move past this, first by being separate from one another then they try and rekindle things but the guilt is overbearing. I don’t think people realize how strong a feeling like guilt truly is, it can make you do things you don’t’ necessarily want to do. Throughout the book I won’t like the tears fell as much as the character’s tears fell. It was a heart breaking story of first loves, tragic love and of course guilt.

I really like this cover and is what initially made me want to read the book, because it seemed like a quick easy summer read, but it was much more than that and I hope you all get a chance to experience it.

****************
About the Author:

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook



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Giveaway

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Fantastic Friday! or is it ....

It’s Friday, finally! All I can think about is finally sleeping past 5 in the morning tomorrow, even if it is only until six or seven thanks to the kiddies. At least it’s an hour more than I would have normally slept. But of course its Spring Forward this weekend so alas I will be losing an hour, until my body gets used to it, it will be like waking up at 4 in the morning to get ready for work. Joy!

So today started out to be a good day because I was downloading some freebies from Amazon – check them out:

Putting Boys on the Ledge (A Girlfriend's Guide to Boys) by Stephanie Row
Impossible (With Me, #1) by Komal Kant


But now I have an amazingly horrible migraine, not the way I want to start my weekend. I’m hoping it will go away before I get out of work. I wish I could just tell people I want to be left along but working in Sales and Customer Service it just doesn’t work that way. Honestly the only thing I can think of right now is curling up in bed with a good book and most likely just falling asleep right then and there because after all it’s still snowing.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Cover Reveal: The Wicked Within by Kelly Keaton



Blurb coming soon!

Release: September 17th 2013!
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Simon Pulse

Other books in the series...




To celebrate the reveal Kelly is giving away a copy of Darkness Becomes Her and A Beautiful Evil, book one and two in the series. Best part? It's open international!



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Cover Reveal hosted by...

Blog Tour: When I'm With You by Cecilia Gray


When I'm With You
By: Cecilia Gray
Release Date:
Series:The Jane Austen Academy #3

Description:
Kat is destined to be a star and her big break has arrived at last! As the assistant to a celebrity classmate on the set of a feature film, she's going to show everyone she has what it takes. That is, until she discovers pursuing her dreams may mean forfeiting her heart. Unless she can find a way to have both…
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Review:
First off let me start by saying how much I love all of Jane Austen's books and when there is a remake of any of them I'm always down for reading them.  This was a great book and it definitely makes me want to read the other books in the series.  It was sweet adorable and a very quick read which sometimes we all need a little bit of quick happiness which is what this book bought to me.

We meet Kat who has her heart set on being an actress and nothing more.  She gets a lucky break when one of the other students in the school, who happens to be a famous actor asks her to come along on a  movie shoot and be his personal assistant.  At first it's not really what she expected it to be but then she realizes she actually likes working back stage and starts enjoying herself.  Actually also making friends at the same time.  This is something she's always had a hard time doing because she's such a focused person. 

Throughout the experience she meets the stars of the movie and immediately hits it off, even though Izzy seems to want to be friends it feels like more of a sabotage the whole time.  Henry on the other hand seems so perfect for her but there is always someone or something in the way of them getting together.  There are misunderstandings and miscommunication between everyone and it's always a fun thing to see and experience. 

Overall this was a great book, I loved reading it and it just made me happy in general.  I can't wait to read the rest of the book in the series.  The writing was great and the covers are cute because you can completely picture the characters in the book looking like that.  Sweet read.

Click here to follow the tour


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About the Author:
Cecilia Gray lives in Oakland where she reads, writes and breaks for food. She also pens her biographies in the third person. Like this. As if to trick you into thinking someone else wrote it because she is important. Alas, this is not the case.

Cecilia has been praised for “instilling a warmth and weight into her characters” (Romancing The Book Reviews) and her books have been praised for being “well-written, original, realistic and witty” (Quills & Zebras Reviews).

Her latest series of young-adult contemporary Jane Austen retellings was named a What’s Hot pick (RT Book Reviews magazine) and is a Best of 2012 pick (Kirkus Reviews) where it was praised for being a “unique twist on a classic” and offering “a compelling mix of action, drama and love.”She’s rather enamored of being contacted by readers and hopes you’ll oblige.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

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Make sure to check out the other books in the series as well:

Fall For You: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice
Release Date:
Book 1

Description
To say Lizzie and Dante are polar opposites is the understatement of the century. He’s a snooty Exeter transfer with more money than Google. She’s a driven study-a-holic barely keeping up with tuition. It’s obvious that Dante thinks he’s way too good for Lizzie. And Lizzie knows Dante is a snob with a gift for pushing her buttons.

But things are changing fast this year at the Academy. And when Lizzie’s quest to stop those changes blows up in her face, taking her oldest friendship with it, she has nowhere else to turn but to Dante, with his killer blue eyes, his crazy-sexy smile, and his secrets… Secrets Lizzie can’t seem to leave alone, no matter how hard she tries…

Amazon | B&N | Apple | Google | Kobo  

So Into You: A Modern Retelling of Sense & Sensibility
Release Date:
Book 2  

Description

Sweet and sensible Ellie hasn't met a problem her mom's yoga mantras can't fix. But when Ellie's parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?
Amazon | B&N | Apple | Google | Kobo

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Giveaway:

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Random Reads (2)


Random Reads is a meme where we pick a random book from our shelf to read within the month hosted by imlovingbooks.com.
It’s easy to play along…
  • If you’re on Goodreads enable sorting to your to-read shelf (you should see numbers next to each book now).
  • Go to Random.org and type in the Min as 1 and the Max as how many ever books are on your to-read shelf.
  • Scroll down to the book matching the number Random.org picks.
  • Link up to your Random Reads post (below).
  • Read and be merry.
So last month I picked a book pretty late in the month but it worked out well because I read it and I have to say it was one I actually enjoyed so GO Randomness!  This is definitely a great idea because otherwise I would never have read that book anytime in the near future at least, possibly ever not because I don't want to you understand but because it's just too hard with all these great books and more coming out right on top of it, it's hard to pick what to read next.

Without further adieu here is my book for this month:
Drum roll please .......


The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell: A Novel by

Can't wait to read this one ... until next month keep randomly reading all!

Review: Chasing the Skip

Chasing the Skip
By: Janci Patterson
Release Date: October 2, 2012

Description:
Ricki’s dad has never been there for her. He’s a bounty hunter who spends his time chasing parole evaders—also known as “skips”—all over the country. But now since Ricki’s mom ran off, Ricki finds herself an unwilling passenger in a front-row seat to her father’s dangerous lifestyle.


Ricki’s feelings get even more confused when her dad starts chasing seventeen-year-old Ian Burnham. She finds herself unavoidably attracted to the dark-eyed felon who seems eager to get acquainted. But Ricki thinks she’s ever in control—the perfect manipulator. Little does she know that Ian isn’t playing their game by her rules.

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Review:
First let me start off by saying that this cover is really great and it intrigued me completely.  It's the reason I wanted to read the book.  I almost thought this would be a budding romance between the hunted and the hunter, but really I think this book focused more on family. 

We meet Ricki who is now spending time with her father because her mom left and hadn't come back yet.  He's a bounty hunter and decides to take her along after all he has to do his job.  During this trip they try and kindle a relationship that they never really had.  While on this job her father is out to get Ian, someone who is dangerous and not one of his usual skips, but he went with it anyway.  Ricki starts to feel a pull toward him but I don't think it has to do with anything physically just that he is not wanted by his family as much as she feels she isn't wanted by her family.

It takes a couple tries but eventually Ricki realizes that sometimes having something is better than having nothing.  Her relationship with her father is up and down in this book, especially when she decides to never follow his rules, but he's no better for putting her in this type of danger either.  It's all very much trying to fit two puzzle pieces together and they just don't go. 

The overall book was okay, not what I was expecting at all, was hoping it went a different way but still glad that I finally got a chance to read it.  Hope you will enjoy it if you give it a try. 

Review: Reasons I Fell For the Funny Fat Friend

Reasons I Fell For the Funny Fat Friend
By:
Release Date: January 8, 2013

Description:
It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.

She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.

But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.

Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.

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Review:

This book was absolutely adorable and had me smiling the whole way through.  Even during the bad times, they still knew how to have a good time.  The story itself isn't necessarily a new story but the fun is the getting to the story part, the feelings shared between the characters.  The special moments that make your heart go pitter pat a little more each time it gets better and better.  That's how this book was, so if you're looking for a good quick easy funny and generally good book then this is the one for you.

We meet Brody, did I mention this book is told by the male perspective, another plus and something I wish would happen more often.  So he is seriously crushing on his brothers ex girlfriend, that's when his ASL partner notices and she decides to help him out.  There's something different about Haley though because she always makes Brody laugh and she's not like the other girls.

The more time they spend together the more attracted he becomes to her.  He feels completely at ease with her but everytime he tries to push things forward she pulls back thinking he being a very hot guy could not possibly like her a not so skinny average girl.  I hate when people feel this way but I blame society on this.  I think everyone is beautiful in their own way.  Anywho without giving away too much of the story their relationship and the secrets they keep from each other make a really great story and I'm happy I picked this book up.

I really like the cover, it's relaxed, simple and just like two friends hanging out that have an attraction to one another.  Check this book out if you want some good light reading. 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Cover Reveal: An Endless Summer By C.J. Duggan

An Endless Summer
By: C.J. Duggan
Date Published: July 17, 2013

Description:
Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.

"Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again."

I met his stare unflinchingly. "I don’t need saving."

A wicked grin formed slowly. "Don’t you?"
After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment: Boarding School.

Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.

How had her dad let it come to this?

With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago.

With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.
In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

Goodreads 

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About the Author:

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.


The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.

For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

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The Boys of Summer by CJ Duggan
(Book 1 Summer Series)

Description:
It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group oflocals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references, and occasional course language.

Goodreads | Amazon