Review: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Stir Me Up
By: Sabrina Elkins
Release Date: October 1, 2013

Description:
A Harlequin TEEN E-Original Title:  Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She'll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father's French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami's family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian's all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami's starting to feel. And Cami can't stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He's got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….

Contains mature content and some sexual situations. Suited for readers 16 and up.

"Fun, steamy, and leaves you hungry for more. Sabrina Elkins nails the vulnerability of becoming an adult and the choices that come with growing up."
—Katie McGarry, author of Dare You To

"Cami's slow burn for a wounded hero will rivet readers. I seriously loved this book."
—Jennifer Echols, author of Dirty Little Secret

Links

• Harlequin's Website

Review:
Can I just start off by saying how much I wish this book was a series, and you'll see why later.  Debut author Sabrina Elkins had me addicted from the very beginning.  Everything about this book was fascinating, from the characters, the scenarios to the scenery and I really didn't want it to end.  I want to go on an adventure with these two characters.

We meet Cami who is seventeen and aside from going to school she works with her father in the restaurant he owns, She is constantly in the lookout for his approval on the dishes she creates but they are few and far between, and Cami is also dating one of the line cooks, Luke.  Who doesn't seem like a very great guy to begin with but you will have to read to find out more about him.  Seems to me he just wanted one thing. Men!

In comes Julian who was just hurt in the way and is now an amputee vet, he's the 20 year old nephew of Cami's stepmother.  It's not really that complicated but when he comes back he's very grumpy and angry and doesn't know how to deal with things in a nice way. After all he just lost his leg. I enjoyed seeing his struggle with the after effects of the experience he had in Afghanistan. People don't seem to realize how hard it is over there and the soldiers that return are never quite the same.  It was good to read about this and I enjoyed it as everyone is different I think after he finally accepted what happened to him things seemed to go more his way.  But it's still hard.

While living in the same house as Cami, yes in her bedroom because he needed the first floor access they started their relationship quite heated but not in a good way more like yelling constantly, but we all know that's just a form of really good foreplay sometimes.  But eventually they get over this and find that connection, that need they have for one another.  This book explored a lot about young adults, them finding their way in the world, figuring out what they were going to do with their lives.  But this book also explored the fear that teens feel before they engage in sexual relations, some people might not care and just get it over with but there is a lot of thought that girls go through before they commit and sometimes it's harder for others.

I rather enjoyed their debates with one another and the cooking in this book sounded delicious, even when it was a disaster it still sounded delicious.  Bonus was there are recipe's in the back of the book and I might have to try one myself.  This was one of the major pluses that I enjoyed in the book, sometimes I feel like cooking for or with someone is just another great way to connect with one another. 

Overall this book was amazing,  I couldn't put it down and had to read it as fast as possible, but I will say I'm sad it's done and wish there was more.  There needs to be another book, if not the continuation of Cami and Julian then at least to find out what happens with Cami's best friend who goes off to Hollywood to star in a movie, as she is desperately trying to find love as well.  I think that would make a great second story.  Alright I can't praise this book enough, did I mention how I couldn't put it down (I mean on my phone walking down the sidewalk reading the book hoping I don't run into something or someone good).  

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Harlequin TEEN, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Cover Reveal: Ungifted by Kelly Oram - Supernaturals Book Two

Ungifted by Kelly Oram

Book 2 in the Supernaturals series

YA paranormal/fantasy

Even though her father is running for President of the United States, Grace St. Claire is as normal a girl as they come. She’s clumsy, shy, and an outcast among her peers. She even manages to nearly die in a freak accident in front of the entire school. But when Grace survives a vampire attack she quickly learns that she is anything but ordinary.

There’s something about human Grace that has all the supernaturals around her going crazy. Her best friend’s brother suddenly wants to date her. Her worst enemy has sworn to protect her even against her wishes. Someone with very powerful magic wants her dead, and the vampire that attacked her has developed an obsession with making her his eternal mate.

In order to survive—and not as Count Dracula’s undead bride—Grace dives head first into the terrifying world of the supernatural. She teams up with a charming but mysterious warlock who strolled into town causing trouble and spouting stories of a Prophesy and Chosen One that looks exactly like Grace. Together they must figure out why Grace is different, who wants her dead, how she’s connected to the Chosen One, and who they can really trust.

Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

Review: One Tiny Lie by K. A. Tucker

One Tiny Lie
By: K.A. Tucker
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #2

Description:
Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents' tragic death and Kacey's self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would...and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

Review:
I'm addicted to this series, the characters, the situations, the locations, all of it is just the perfect combination for a really amazing new adult series and each book has gotten better than the last.  I can only imagine how great the next book will be.  K. A. Tucker has a way of bringing the feisty with the broken and the shy with the strong both combinations that contradict one another but make that person or situation just that more interesting.  I found myself smiling and laughing quite a bit while reading this book and that bought joy to my heart.

We are now in Princeton with Livie, Kacey's younger sister.  After Kacey cracked in the first book Livie knew she had to stay strong and was on her way of making her dad proud, just like she promised him before he passed away in the accident.  She doesn't have any lingering issues with what happened with her family and them passing the way they did, no she had to be the strong one and has been holding on for her and Kacey for a long time.  But Dr. Stayner, the infamous psychiatrist that I think needs to exist in all worlds knows that Livie is not living the way she wants to and it's up to her to learn.

Throughout her learning process though she meets Ashton who let's face it their first meeting is memorable to say the least and adorably funny and sweet as well.  It's just too good to be true, jello shot thief, he can steal my jello shot anytime, that's all I'm saying.  But he's as broken as Kacey is, but no one really knows because he's completely closed off from everyone especially about anything as personal as that.  But being the man whore he is, he just can't help but be attracted to Livie and even though he knows nothing can come of it for reasons unknown to her at the time he just can't help himself.

Their moments together are very sweet and so amazingly hot that you can't help but want them to be together and it's so obvious that they want to be together, but then there's Conner, and then of course there's Dana.  So many issues with them and other people and things that happened in their families that it keeps breaking them apart or should I say keeping them apart.  But one moment everything changes and truths come out, and my heart breaks for them at some points, overall just read this it's worth it, I promise.

This book made me laugh, my heart palpitate, my heart break, swoon and just all sorts of emotions and definitely tears, did I say about the tears.  So sad but yet so happy.  And I have to say it but I swear Dr. Stayner is like a fairy godmother, with him everything will work out and all you have to do is open up just enough because he already knows what you need. This book was just an addicting, perfect read.

Review: The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan
By: Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: May 6, 2013
Series: The Secret #3

Description:
On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory.

Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak.

When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her?

Review:
Jessica Sorensen has a way of detailing and experiencing the lives of people who are broken in a different and real way.  We now focus on Lila and Ethan while Micha and Ella take a back seat in the net installment of this series.  It's a breath of fresh air to finally find out what is really going on between these two and to experience something different within their lives.

Lila seems to be put together all the time, but there is something there under the surface that she tries harder and harder to hide, but one day she just hits rock bottom and this is when her life truly starts to change. Yes this doesn't happen in the beginning of the book but it's her turning point.  I've always enjoyed Lila because she seems so happy and care free but again this was nothing more than a facade that was induced by pills and denial of her past.  The past is a tricky thing to deal with because after all everything that has happened int he past is what makes you the person you are today.  But Lila often wonders who she really is, is she the girl who tries to be perfect for her family or is there more to her than just the materialistic things in life.

Ethan on the other hand has a past and he hides it better than anyone else because not even his best friend knows about it.  His first possible love was taken over by drugs and he couldn't help her, but he sees what Lila is going through and all he wants to do is help her.  But he has his rules where they are only friends and each day it gets harder and harder to follow his own rules.  He struggles with the things he's decided in the past and keeping it hidden only makes things worse but he works through it in hopes of finally being able to help someone the way he should have before, to help Lila.

They couldn't be more opposite of each other but for some reason they compliment each other so well.  Lila and Ethan are not the typical girl going to the bad side of the tracks looking for some revenge on her parents.  Lila is in need of a friend and Ethan is that friend, he helps her to try and kick her addiction while realizing what she is really worth.  While Lila helps Ethan realize that he isn't a bad person and perhaps he didn't really find love in the past, not until he met Lila.

Things always have a way of working out but the fun part is the adventure getting there and Jessica Sorensen has a great way of giving us that experience.

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths
By: K.A. Tucker
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1

Description:
Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

Review:

I really and truly do not know why I waited this long to read this book.  It was riveting and addicting and just something that would stay on my mind throughout the night and day when I was not reading the book.  It was constantly in my thoughts and the author did an amazing job writing this book and bringing out the true emotion of people who have gone through a tragedy and how they have dealt with this.

It’s very true when people say that one little thing sets everything else in motion, very much the domino theory.  One tiny decision can affect the lives of so many people forever.  It’s amazing and terrifying at the same time, this is what Ten Tiny Breaths is about.  I never read what the blurb was on this book but had always loved the cover and I finally decided to pick it up and read it and I’m thankful that I did because I’m about to go run and read the second book in the series and desperately await the third book I’m sure.

We meet Kacey and Livie as they are travelling to Miami to run away from their aunt and uncle who are definitely not great role models but they were the ones who took them in after the tragic accident that cost the lives of both their parents, and really too many people.  Drunk driving is not something anyone can do and driving drunk can change everyone’s lives forever, always make sure there is someone sober to drive, that’s all I’m saying.  Kacey is a very broken person although she will constantly say that she isn’t, with her rage and kick boxing and not being able to touch anyone’s hands or should I say anyone touch her hands.  I think that’s one of the saddest things, the reason behind it and you definitely have to read the book to find out what that is because it too will break your heart.

They move to this new place and start fresh, things start looking up for them and they have even made some friends, and of course Kacey has met Trent, the new neighbor.  The relationship between them is an extremely intense one.  There is so much heat and passion there with so many brakes stopping them that it kept making me gasp with need for them to finally do the deed.  I’m talking intense teasing, so bad lol but in a good way.  Nothing over the top sexually but still intense. 

Things happen between Kacey and Trent and he just keeps pushing her to get help for the tragedies that happened in her past, but it just makes her push him away until she finally breaks and then there’s a great bout of happiness for a while.  Until the inevitable happens, because I knew it would happen but even still it hurt to find out I was true cause I could only imagine how Kacey was feeling.

There is a long healing process when tragedies happen and some people deal with things differently, it’s all about finding what works for you in a healthy way.  I’d like to think that everyone finds a little peace by the end of the book but there are still some unresolved issues and I can’t wait to start the next book.  Amazing read that will keep you thinking about things in your life and just in life in general.

Blog Tour: Stories About Melissa series by Bethany Lopez - Review

 Ta Ta for Now! (Stories About Melissa, #1)      
By Bethany Lopez
Release Date: June 17, 2011
Description:
Melissa begins her freshman year with one goal in mind, getting Brian Jackson to be her boyfriend. She will soon learn that things don't necessarily turn out the way you plan them, the value of true friendship, and the importance of family.

Review:
Freshman year of high school, it's really the make it or break it year for the rest of the time you are in high school.  Melissa is very confident in the beginning and has her eyes set on snagging Brian as her own.  But then things begin to turn awry.  First her best friend has turned Goth and completely ignores her and her supposed new friend is out to destroy Melissa's attempt at a relationship.  Again the first year of high school, complete drama and I love it.  Brings back memories of what high school life was all about.

There is a lot of teenage problems in this book for sure, and I really felt like there was a high schooler in front of me complaining about their problems.  The book is written in journal form and I bet if I bought out my old journal it would sound very similar to Melissa.  Perhaps not the things that happened to her but the tone of voice.  This book we get introduced to all the main characters, Melissa, Jess, Brian, Jimmy and Melissa's family.  Each one has their own story within her journal so you get a glimpse of all of them and their day to day issues.  I have to say that I was a little disappointed with Melissa in some parts, and she really is very materialistic but that's who she is so we can't fault her for it.

Overall interesting start to a series.  Let's see what happens next ...

xoxoxo (Stories About Melissa, #2)      
By Bethany Lopez
Release Date: March 2, 2012
Description:
Melissa has learned a lot since her freshman year began, but it isn't over yet! Her world is about to change again with the birth of her new sibling, and she has to figure out how she will adjust to being the eldest of five kids. She, Jess, and Jimmy are inseparable, and she is having a fantastic time although she can't help but miss Brian as she tries to learn how to deal with his relationship with Layla. Everything seems to be happening at once and that is when she is introduced to Ben Campbell, a senior at Dearborn High, who becomes an interesting distraction as he helps her deal with the new developments in her life.

Review: 

I've really started to get invested in these characters that seem to grow through each book from all their hardships.  Sure some things might be trivial to some people but others are quite grand.  Like the birth of Melissa’s baby brother Max who has come out to be quite a special boy.  His birth leads on to new friendships, new emotions and new experiences with each character.  I love how one little thing can change everyone in different ways.  It really brings out that sliding door mentality because of this one thing didn't happen their lives would be completely different.  It’s events like the birth of a child that brings family together and your morals and personality come out in full force.

There were some tough times throughout the book but that’s life.  Melissa is now a sophomore and high school doesn’t get any easier, but with the help of family and good friends anything can be possible.

Ciao (Stories About Melissa #3)      
By Bethany Lopez
Release Date: August 2012
Description:
Melissa has had a fantastic summer hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the challenges she will face in the upcoming months?


Review:

This one definitely started out with a shock, for shocks value stake I believe.  It’s like you’re watching a soap opera and out of the blue one of the semi-main characters just offs themselves or some tragedy happens that you were not expecting and just can’t help but think what the hell just happened.  This book definitely bought that element out and I loved it more for it because it just took that plain sense of moving along and shook it up a little. 

In this book we learn how the different characters learn to deal with the hard situation, and even if they want to get in bed and just lie there forever they know they have to move on.  This book helps explore that situation along.  There is a lot of growing up that is done in this book and I have to say between all the characters I can’t choose a favorite but I am totally for team Jimmy because he seems like the most intriguing.  You just want to give him a hug and Melissa although quite materialistic in manor she really does have a big heart. 

Again another lesson in bringing family and friends together through the hard times and the good times as long as they are together they can conquer anything.

Overall

This series has great morals, great story telling and very soap opera esque for younger adults starting off high school.  I mean I’ve never seen Degrassi but this is how I picture it.  (No offense to those who have seen the show and it doesn’t compare this is just my perception) The characters are good and quite different from one another that helps bring in different elements into any story.  They are believable and realistic in the way they are and the different ways they overact. I would definitely check out the next book in the series that comes out next month and they are short and sweet.  Very quick reads that will make you wonder what this bunch of friends will come up with next. 

Below is a view into what will be happening in the next book.


TTYL (Stories About Melissa #4)      
By Bethany Lopez
Release Date: November 12, 2013
Description:
The last few months have been a rough road for Melissa. Her grades have slipped, her parents treat her like a prisoner, and her closest friends are too involved in their own lives to spend time with her. Desperate to escape her depressing funk, she starts spending more time with Layla, who introduces her to a new crowd...the wrong crowd. When Melissa starts to go down a dangerous path, can anyone get through to her before she does something she'll regret

PROMO Addison Moore's SOMEONE TO LOVE release day!

Someone To Love

By: Addison Moore

Release Date: October 29, 2013
Series: Someone to Love
 

Description:

“If you don’t give your heart away, you can’t get it broken.” When twenty-year-old Kendall Jordan transfers across the country to Garrison University, the last thing she’s looking for is a one-night stand. Unfortunately that’s exactly what gorgeous Cruise Elton offers. Kendall has long since come to realize that love is an illusion, and Cruise couldn’t agree more—but something deep inside her wants him all for herself. So Kendall devises a plan to “play the player” and proposes that Cruise tutor her in becoming a female version of himself—Garrison University’s own playboy. But as real feelings emerge, the game gets complicated, and Kendall and Cruise will find themselves questioning everything they thought they knew about love.

This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.

Author Biography:

Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

Blog: http://addisonmoorewrites.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Moore/140192649382294 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AddisonMoore

 

Links:

Amazon | Goodreads | Barnes&Noble

 

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