Friday, August 31, 2012

Review: Prince of Wolves

Prince of Wolves
By: Quinn Loftis
Release Date: June 29, 2011
Series: The Grey Wolves

Description:
Jaque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don't realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis lupis, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane's mate and complete the bond between them.

Review:
So my friend had been raving about this book and thought I should really delve into the series, I had recently done a cover reveal of the 5th book, yes 5th book so I have a lot of catching up to do. I started reading this book and for the first time in a very long time I could not stop laughing out loud. This story was so interesting and so addicting that I’ve decided to go ahead and read all of them quickly. So you will see a lot of reviews from books in this series.


We meet Jacque and her two best friends Jen and Sally. They are patiently awaiting the arrival of the mysterious exchange student that is moving in next door. Jacque promised her two friends that she will get the dish once he comes out. Sure enough he gets there and she is mesmerized and a little freaked out because she starts hearing voices in her head. When her friends come over she tells them this but they think it’s ok.

Turns out that the new voice in her head is none other than the hottie exchange student himself, Fane, she’s just happy she isn’t crazy. There is an instant connection between the two but he has to tell her things about himself before they can continue on. Seems as if they can’t be apart and she feels it too, he tells her how he is the Prince of Wolves in the largest pack in the world from Romania. He is next in line and with that comes a lot of pressure that’s for sure.

Well their connection is so deep they find out that they are each other’s mate, when grey wolves find their true mate it is for life and a bonding ceremony needs to take place for this to be completed. Until that has taken place any other grey wolf can come and challenge Fane for his mate, which is exactly what happens. Some random wolf from a local pack that no one knew even existed decided to challenge Fane to a death match and the winner gets to be Jacque’s mate, even if they were not meant to be. This is all very barbaric but so unbelievably exciting.

The whole book was very magical (with no magic other than wolves) and just literally laugh out loud loved it. I had people looking at me strangely at some point when I just bust out laughing, I couldn’t help it, the book was that good. It was a very quick and easy read and you were so entertained you could barely notice that the book was almost done, which is always a sad thing. But exciting because I’m on to the next one! If you love wolves and laughing then I strongly suggest you read this series.

(#LDRAT) Labor Day Read-A-Thon:The Goals



I've never joined a read-a-thon and in reality I don't know how well I will fare as my life at home is hectic at best.  But I will attempt to complete this the best I can.  Below are my goals for this Read-A-Thon.  Will give an update when it's over. Most likely on Monday when I have more time and hopefully a couple books finished and reviewed of course.

My Goals are to read the following books this long holiday weekend and really I think I will be able to do it:


 And if I have time I will try to start on one of these books, I just haven't decided which one yet.



Wish me luck and if you want to join me in my endeavours click on the picture below!


Letters Inside Out button



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Review: Unraveling Isobel

Unraveling Isobel
By: Eileen Cook
Release Date: January 3, 2012

Description:
Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the Internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, Gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.


But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Review:
I was captivated from the first the very beginning of this book, I didn’t want to put it down and was surprised at each corner. Sure there are times where I would guess something would happen and sometimes it did, but sometimes it didn’t. This book was just an overall must read. Especially if you like ghost stories, which to be honest I did not know this was a ghost story at all, yes I know it’s in the description and everything but I never read it, I just really liked the cover. It drew me in and I was happy I finally picked it up.


We meet Isobel who is on her way to moving into the middle of no where with her newly married mother and stepfather and the cute boy which she can’t touch because now he’s her stepbrother. There is obvious animosity all around from everyone and hence starts the roller coaster which is Isobel’s mind. The way she describes her stepfather is hilarious. I had to reread some things a couple times because I didn’t believe she would say that. Isobel and her mom don’t really get along but they are not at each other’s throats. She definitely does not like her knew step dad and still has reservations about Nathaniel, her new stepbrother, who is also very hot.

Her first night there she chooses the room of her stepdad’s dead daughter, of course thinking it’s just another room in her mind the best room. But then strange things start to happen. She starts to question her sanity but things just don’t seem to add up. When she starts her new school she befriends a girl or should I say Nicole bombarded Isobel with her friendship, all the while trying to get at Nathaniel. Isobel starts to do things she normally wouldn’t be interested in doing, such as cheer leading. By her step dads undeniable suggestion that perhaps Isobel is not right in the head and maybe needs to go to a facility. This edges her mom in the same direction, but of course Isobel doesn’t believe that she needs to go anywhere.

Things start to transpire and the only thing Isobel wants to do is take control. She goes on a hunt to find out what’s been really happening in this house since the beginning, she’s going on a ghost hunt to find out the truth. There were a lot of great things going on in this book and I really couldn’t put it down. I would stay up thinking about it, it even freaked me out a little. Let’s just say I happened to leave lights on that I wouldn’t before lol. But that’s good that I was so into the book that it left me thinking, I think that’s what all books should aspire to. To be remembered. I don’t believe I’ve read anything by this author before but I’m definitely intrigued to see what else she has out there.

I will say this I kind of like the other cover better, although I don't think either really represent what the book is about the most.  But this one I like just slightly better because if I saw this cover it would be one I would definitely pick up faster.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm "Waiting on":

What Happens Next
By: Colleen Clayton
Release Date: October 9, 2012

Description:
How can you talk about something you can’t remember?


Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.
Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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:

He stood apart from us with his hands jammed into his pockets, and his expression looked like he smelled something nasty. It wasn’t me. I’d had a long shower that morning, and knowing this day wasn’t going to be an easy one, I’d applied enough deodorant to keep an Olympic swimmer dry.

Unraveling Isobel
By Eileen Cook
Chapter 1

Monday, August 27, 2012

Ramblings #3

Is it too early in the week for this?  Maybe, but I don't really care.

Sometimes I feel as if people are just not taking the time to listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth.  Am I too soft spoken as some people say that they can't hear me, or do they just choose not to hear me.  Because I hear myself in my ears and yeah I'm not a blow horn, but crap I know what I'm saying and I don't mumble or stutter or anything, you should be able to freaking understand me.  Period.
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Every Monday - no joke.  I do this every single day actually, I wake up and as I go do my daily routine in the morning, the first thing I think is I'm so tired.  Tomorrow I will go to sleep early, I will get the rest that i really need.  I will do what I have to do early and go to sleep early.  Do I ever do this, NOPE! I go to sleep around 1 or later and I wake up around 5.  Yeah I know you can do the math, on the weekend I get at least 2 more hours of sleep but that's it per day.  I'm tired you know, but there just aren't enough days in the week and hours in the days, and seconds in a minute to get everything I want accomplished. 
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Peace and Quite - I'm not sure I know what this means anymore!  Do you? Please can you describe it so I can live vicariously through you?  Thank you in advance! Ha.

Review: Northanger Alibi

Northanger Alibi
By Jenni James
Release Date: January 15, 2012
Series: The Jane Austen Diaries #2

Description:
The Russo family and Seattle, WA are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series, if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it's Claire. And she's positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire--she just has to prove it. In this modern retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, follow Claire's hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where she learns everything isn't what it seems, and that in some instances, reality is way better than anything she'd ever find in a book.



Review:
Absolutely another amazingly sweet and adorable book written by Jenni James, I’m really enjoying the Jane Austen Diaries series, each one brings me a little bit more of joy. Who doesn’t know or love Jane Austen’s books or concepts and Jenni James has definitely done them justice. Putting her little twists on them and making them young and sweet. Makes me all giddy inside, yes I’m not kidding I said giddy.


Here we meet Claire on her way to Seattle with her much obsessed Twilight fascination. Claire is in hopes that on her summer vacation she will meet a vampire like Edward. Little did she know her wishful imagination seemed to be coming true for her. Especially when she meets Tony, he doesn’t eat, he seems to be reading her mind and she is convinced he is absolutely a vampire. Tony and his twin sister, along with Claire slowly start to become friends spending more and more time together. One day Claire goes out with Nora to the mall and is randomly kissed by the guy at Old Navy, Jayden. They hit it off but she’s still confused wanting to see what happens with Tony, but he's very convincing and they make a date for later.

She realizes that she doesn’t really like Jayden, then he tells her his last name and after their little argument in the car and she walked off, she faints. Yup, he said his name is Jayden Black and he is Native American (yeah I know you’ve guessed the tribe Twilight fans). She completely believes him to be a werewolf now. After this little incident she doesn’t’ really want to speak to Jayden but he’s persistent. All the while Tony starts to try and spend more time with her. Watching their love bloom is so sweet and innocent and makes me truly miss those days.

But Tony has a secret he can’t tell Claire which leads to a little bit of a dilemma. Eventually the truth comes out and somehow it all really works out the best way it can. Again this was super sweet and fun read that I was glad I picked up. The cover is cute, the girl really seems bubbly and adorable just like Claire, although I will say I wish I could see more of Tony.

Overall really great, quick, fun and easy read and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. Thank you Jenni James for bringing a smile to my face with these wonderful books!

Review: Onyx

Onyx
By:
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Series: Lux #2

Description:
Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…


Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

Review:
We are back in the mountains with Kat and Daemon and even though it’s snowing outside it’s scorching hot inside! These two are some of the best characters I’ve read in a very long time. Daemon is seriously cocky but so sweet he just tries to hide it while Kat is a strong female who knows how to dish it as much as take it. They have the strongest connection between each other and I don’t believe it’s because he healed her. They just literally belong together.


In the next chapter of this amazing series, Katy is now experiencing a much stronger connection to Daemon, and even showing signs of having powers just like him. That’s when this new boy comes to town. Let me just say I didn’t trust him from the get go and neither did Daemon. But of course Kat trying to make Daemon jealous trusts this new guy – Blake, but maybe she should have listened to Daemon in the first place. (How cute is Daemon saying a million different names except Blake when talking about him to Kat, I always looked forward to seeing what name he would come up with next)

Turns out the DOD is worse than the Arum, even to the point that they are working together, and there are even people outside of the whole Alien/DOD network that just want something out of this whole thing. Somehow it always comes down to money, people and aliens alike are just all very greedy and hungry for power and money. It’s so ridiculous that this theme will never die down. But that’s besides the point, back to the book because I just really hate talking about money.

There is so much that happens in this book that I don’t want to spoil anything if you are going to be reading it soon. And for those of you who haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for? It’s worth it, I promise. I will say this though there is a lot of emotions thrown around in this book, definitely new characters and old ones being bought back. You should really read Shadows before reading this book as it will give you more insight into what is happening and the endless possibilities of what could be happening.

Overall this is turning out to be a very, very addicting series, so much so that I’m hoping they will make it into a TV series or something. Cross fingers. The cover as always is amazing! The characters are amazing! The author is amazing! I know, I know total gush fest over here but really it was that good. I can’t wait for the next one to come out. And can I just give Jennifer mad props for shouting out the blogger world with mentions of Teaser Tuesday and what not. Who doesn’t love meme’s right? Anyway so yes it was a great book and you should read it because so much is happening right now that it’s going to be hard to keep up.

Another note – last one for real this time – the tender moments between Kat and Daemon were absolutely sweet and there was even one point that tears came to my eyes. They completely belong together and I’m glad that eventually they figure that out. Even though the arguing back and forth is the best form of …! Go read this, like yesterday! You will have love, tension, sadness, heartbreak, happiness and so many feelings throughout this whole book. It’s like a roller coaster I never want to get off!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Cover Reveal: Blood Doll by Georgia Cates


Blood Doll
By: Georgia Cates
Release Date: January 2013
Series: The Vampire Agápe Series #3

Description:
Solomon Alexander has faced huge obstacles during his existence, but they’re nothing in comparison to the one he’s about to hit head on. As leader of The Savannah Compound, part of Sol’s new position in the Coven of Landra is to guide the transition of fledgelings, newly turned vampires. It’s his job to save the unsavable. Being a Landra is what he’s done for over a century and he’s damn good at it, but everything he knows, practices and teaches is threatened when he is forced to drink from Avery Ferrand, a Blood Jewel.

The Blood Jewel is enshrouded with mystery, but one fact is known. There’s never been blood more desirable or addicting than Avery’s and there are consequences for any vampire that drinks it...including Solomon Alexander. Although he adamantly denies his need to feed from her, Avery suspects he’s lying but she has secrets of her own about the night he drank from her. She wanted him to and now she finds herself being drawn to Solomon in a way she shouldn't. As Avery’s desire to be closer to Solomon grows, she finds herself considering something more dangerous than being found by the dangerous covens hunting her...asking Solomon if she can become his Blood Doll.

About the Author:
Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author.

Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was her first novel and it was released in September 2011. She decided to briefly step away from the paranormal genre to try her hand at a young adult contemporary romance when she wrote Going Under, but returned to the paranormal romance platform to complete the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series, Blood Jewel.

Her current works in progress are Shallow (A Going Under Novel) which will release on September 27th and Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3), to be released in January 2013.

Georgia Cates Links:
Georgia Cates Blog
Georgia Cates on Facebook
Georgia Cates on Twitter
Shallow on Goodreads

Friday, August 24, 2012

Review: Shadows (Lux 0.5)

Shadows
By
Release Date: February 21, 2012
Series: Lux 0.5

Description:
The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Review:
Can I just say … Bethany +Dawson = Swoon/heartbreak. Really beautiful story, I know when I read Obsidian I had wondered what really happened between Bethany and Dawson I had high hopes that secretly they were still alive somewhere (and I still do!! Come on there could be a twist somewhere! After all no one saw the bodies except the DOD.)


Regardless of my high hopes this book was really good, I enjoyed reading about Dawson and Bethany’s relationship, with them meeting in school and all the trial and tribulations of trying to be together while everyone did not want it to happen. It was also something about having Daemon in there constantly being so against it that made me smile thinking about where he was today (with Kat or at least in denial).

No one wanted them to be together, there was trouble brewing and everyone could see it but them. They were blinded by love, after all there was still an Arum running around on the loose and Bethany was lit up like a Christmas tree. Daemon constantly warned Dawson that it was dangerous even saying that one day he will get her killed.

Once the book started getting completely exciting with all the action sequences and I was so into it, it ended abruptly. I was disappointed; again no bodies were viewed by anyone other than the DOD (please bring them back Jennifer, please! he he). I am still left wondering exactly what happened. I need more information, maybe a little from the Arum side of things. I don’t know I just need more.

With that said I’m off to read Onyx!

Blog Tour - Last Wish of Summer by Phillip Overton Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

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Last Wish of Summer
By Phillip Overton
Release Date January 18, 2012
Description
As the sun prepares to rise on the last day of summer, three friends find themselves totally unprepared for the events that are about to take place around them. For Tanya it is a chance to find peace three years after losing her parents in an auto accident. Deciding she simply can’t continue blaming God for her loss, she places a heartfelt poem in a bottle and throws it into the sea on the eve of her birthday, granting her birthday wish to whoever finds it.


Early the next morning, her best friend Anton and his buddy Johnno find the bottle washed up on the shore and set about putting it to the test. When Johnno falls for the new waitress at the café where Tanya works, it stirs up feelings of jealousy in Tanya. Surely Johnno couldn’t be the man that God had in mind for her? Suddenly, strange wishes are beginning to come true, but is it all a coincidence? Or is God about to change people’s lives for the better?

Welcome to Kings Beach, where the forecast for the last day of summer promises to be hot, hot, hot, with a definite change in the air.

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Review:
I didn’t know what to think of this book at first as it is not my usual genre, but I still wanted to give it a shot. I will have to admit though it was the cover that got to me. I knew I was going to read about a beach location and some surfers and from there only the story would lead me towards its adventure.


You know the saying be careful what you wish for. This is definitely the moral to this book. There are four main characters in this book. First there are the two best friends Johnno and Anton who are the surfers, and then there’s Tanya the waitress. Last but not least Sebastian has been writer who is dreaming of moving to Alaska. Yup, he wants to go from the beach to Alaska, to each their own I would say.

Anton and Johnno are surfing one morning and when Anton crashes, his foot hits something on the bottom of the ocean. In comes the magical bottle with a note inside. Of course they are hoping it’s a genie and not some silly note from a young girl. Little did they know that this special note will grant them wishes (yeah like a genie but there is no genie and it’s only for one day). At the end of the day they have to throw it back in the ocean and let it pass on.

Could you imagine? What would you wish for? Would you be greedy like some characters, cautious like others, or would you just wish for the good things in life to come to you? The possibilities are beyond endless and that’s why I thought this book was great. It takes you through each of the characters lives and their accidental wishes. With every wish there is a consequence as you don’t know what chain reaction will happen for that particular wish to come true. Its fun watching how you could wish for one little thing but five different things have to happen just for your one thing to come true. We really are all connected in some way.

Overall the book was interesting and fun to read. Again this is not a young adult book but more of a Christian contemporary book. Which is not something I usually read but again the cover really got me good. I hope you all take the time to sign up for the giveaway to get a copy of this book because it has really great morals and it’s definitely an adventure and a half lol.  There's also a bit of a love story, or triangle, maybe even square.  Again this was a good read.
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Excerpt:

Johnno grabbed the bottle and turned it upside down. The letter caught in its neck. Then with a bit of prying using his car key, he was able to gently pull the letter from the bottle and let it fall onto the table. It lay there wrapped only with a small hair ribbon tied in the centre. Anton reached across to untie it as Johnno stood the now empty bottle back in the centre of the table.

“Well here goes.” Anton said as he uncurled the two pages and held them up for his friend to see.

The pages were cream in color, decorated with a border of flowers entwined along the edge of each page in black ink. At the top of the first page before the letter began, was a small turquoise colored love heart someone had painted, again in what appeared to be nail polish. It left a slightly oily stain around the edges which only added to the letter’s charm. Around them, the air filled with the scent of women’s perfume that wafted up from the page. With their curiosity now firmly aroused, Anton and Johnno huddled in closely and began to read.

To whoever finds this,
If I’ve washed up on your distant shore,
From a land far over the sea.
Please tread carefully on the morning sand,
And know you’ve set me free.
Wrapped in my mother’s ribbon,
This letter is but a token.
A plead to let her see the world,
From a young heart torn and broken.
A turquoise heart that was my Aunt,
Left footprints in the sand.
Her magic just a memory,
You now hold in your hand.
So I light a candle for my Dad,
But this gift I give to you.
He always told me to make a wish,
So today may all yours come true.
It’s time to live, to find true love.
Before the winter’s scorn.
Somewhere it’s always summer,
May my true love’s arms be warm.
P.S. Please return me to the sea at sunset.

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About the Author:

Phillip Overton’s writing has been compared to none other than Nicholas Sparks (http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewOvertonAWalkBeforeSunrise.html), and his latest novel Last Wish of Summer offers readers the perfect book to spend a summer’s day reading at the beach. In a book that reminds us to be careful what we wish for, it manages to weave the wholesome, virginal qualities of the main character Tanya with her band of misfit friends in their pursuit of being able to reason why a washed up message in a bottle is somehow granting their every wish come true. Often in a manner that is both coincidental and strangely bizarre.

Just as a movie adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel will appeal to people of all ages, so too will this story that follows the adventures of a group of twenty-something’s on the last day of summer. The book not only manages to cut through any pre-conceived ideas we hold on morals, body-image and social status, but delights in helping us discover what may already be right under our nose to begin with.


Website
http://sbpra.com/phillipoverton/
Twitter: @phillipoverton
Links to Buy (currently paperback only)
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Blog Tour: The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club - Review/GuestPost/Excerpt

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The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club
By J.C. Isabella
Release Date: November 11, 2011

Description:
Welcome to the big leagues. To secrets and scandals. It's all about the game. Who's playing. Who's not. Who has no idea about the game. And...wait, what game are we playing?


I'll leave that for you to decide.

Where to start is the big question for Chloe Baker. How was she supposed to explain to Zack Warren that she started a fan club for him when she was a kid? It was just a game. A way to make friends and have fun. She never thought it would spiral out of control. And never. In a million, gazillion years, did she think it would follow her to college. How could she tell him her best friend Lana kept the club alive? That she had nothing to do with the craziness?

Chloe didn’t understand why she cared so much about Zack's opinion of her. She hated him. He hated her. They had very mutual feelings of dislike for each other. So he'd just hate her even more when or if he found out.

And that's totally fine...she thinks.

Zack Warren had a soft spot for Chloe Baker. He likes the way she walks. He likes the way she talks. If he was poetically inclined, he’d write a sonnet about her ass.

It's Zack’s junior year of college. He’s got things to worry about. Scouts from the major leagues. Baseball games. Contracts. Grades.... His father ran away to Vegas with Chloe's mother. He didn’t have time to worry about a girl. But he did. He worried about Chloe a lot, especially with that jerk Max sniffing around her. It's weird though, to like your stepsister, right?

But Zack could argue that he saw Chloe first. Way before his dad met her mom. He was too young to stake a claim. But just didn’t care anymore.

He’s done playing games
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Review:
I am now a member of the unofficial J.C. Isabella Fan Club. This book had me from the first chapter. We meet Chloe and Zack who have disliked each other since grade school, at least that's what they try and convince themselves of. Deep down there is an attraction there and it gets to the point where neither can deny it any longer.


As it turns out their parents randomly meet at the grocery store and are now married, so insert awkward here. When Chloe was younger she started the Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club, and there were many girls who joined throughout the years but Chloe the founder has long left the club behind. She even begs them to stop meeting, inciting it's an invasion of privacy and it's time to grow up. But her best friend Lana is keen on keeping the club going. After all who really cares?

Zack and Chloe are forced to get along while living with their parents, during breaks and sometimes on weekends as they are both currently in college (same dorm different floors). They begin their friendship and it's a fabulous thing to experience with them. They finally let their true feelings in the open to all (except their parents), and it's just a journey I would take over and over again.

The characters in this book were so relatable and reasonable. There was no far fetched stereotype in this book, only real people and I thoroughly enjoyed that. The plot overall was great, what's funny is I didn't even expect it at first. It didn't click in until it happened that they would be living together, but that was an extra bonus because sometimes I love surprises like these. The setting was great too, but that might be because I can actually picture the area in my mind being a former Floridian and all.

Zack and Chloe are perfect together and I can't wait to read the next book and hope to see them make a little cameo appearance. The author did a fantastic job writing this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of her books! J.C. Isabella is now on my top list of authors to read. I really love when books go back and forth between the characters, where one chapter will be his point of view and the next will be hers. You get that all around feeling and know what's going on with the main characters. Plus I love seeing the guy’s point of view. They really do have feelings inside albeit not the too mushy kind but feelings. Super sigh!
*****************************************
Excerpt:

Chloe's POV

Nostalgia is for idiots and Zack Warren is trouble.

I knew it the first time I saw him in second grade. The boy had heartbreaker written all over him. He was two years older, wiser. He did a back flip off the jungle gym, landing right at my feet with a cocky grin, getting dirt all over my new pink Keds.

He didn’t apologize.

Instead he dropped a lizard on my head and called me prissy.

Despite the fact that we didn’t hit it off on day one, I harbored a huge crush on Zack, my first ever. In the third grade I started a club. Girls only. We dubbed it an unofficial club because we thought some powerful person, like Oprah, had to deem it official.

We have since discovered that is not true, but the name had a nice ring to it.

During our unofficial meets we talked about Zack, spied on him, and risked being found out on a regular basis. What a rush, seriously. It was going great. The group accepted new members, and we even drew up plans for a clubhouse. I invented a fun game and made new friends.

Then, when I was in the fifth grade, Zack stole the streamers off my bike.

I cried, and made the very rational decision to hate him until the end of time.

This effectively ended my reign as leader of The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club.


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About the Author:

J.C. Isabella is the author of Chasing McCree and The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club. Ever since she discovered romance novels in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA . When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion.

Website
Twitter @jcisabellabooks
Facebook

Purchase Links:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Disclosure:
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

From the Review Pile



From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review, but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week from my Review Pile:

I've seen this book around a lot lately (it just came out this week) and I know i should read it, maybe next month but I just haven't had time.  Here's my shout out to it though.

Over You
By Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Release date August 21: 2012

Description:
After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.


Brilliant at bringing humor to the trials and tribulations of the lovestruck, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have crafted a tale that will resonate with any girl who has ever been in love or had her heart broken. It brims with smart observations, features a pitch-perfect teen voice, and will attract fans of Jenny Han, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Barnholdt. Readers are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp spin on breaking up, making up, and getting even

Booking Through Thursday

A weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading. Hosted at Booking Through Thursday.

This weeks question is:

Do you like to talk about what you read? Do you have somebody to talk WITH?


Yes Finally! I got a friend Addicted to Books (no pun intended hehehe well maybe it is ha).  So we share books, or should I say more like I share my books with her and we discuss it.  Talk about the great characters, the ones we don't like in the books etc.  It's fun, even if people don't necessarily think it's "cool" (this is what my brothers tell me), I'd rather be reading then watching TV.  I can always TIVO and watch another time.  Which is normally what I do anyway.  So somehow I got off topic.  Yes I do have someone to talk books about and I love it!

There's also the whole blog world.  That's always entertaining too :-)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Feed Your Reader - (Ebooks Only) Hop!


So I've joined another fabulous Giveaway Hop, because really who doesn't love giveaways! I know I do I do!!!  This is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Books: A True Story.  This is a giveaway for Ebooks only.  Please make sure to let me know which version you need. 

I love my Kindle, I first had the regular Kindle now I've moved on to the Kindle Fire.  (I even bought one for my daughter and my mother, they love it!) So yes, I can't live without it.  I use the app on my phone, use the PC version at work and at home and I can take my books wherever I go.  I'm a very avid Ebook reader that's my preference for books as I tend to leave the other ones on my shelves gathering dust.  Not that I mean to it just turns out that way sometimes. 

Anyway yes yes yes, on to the giveaway enough of my Rambling.  I will give the winner a choice of any Two Books.  Below are your Options.  Enjoy and remember Reading is Fundamental :-)

  
  


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm "Waiting on":

The Moon and More
By Sarah Dessen
Release Date May 2013

Description:
Set in the fictional beach town of Colby, where several of Dessen's novels take place, it features 18-year-old Emmeline, who is spending her last summer before college working for her family's vacation rental business and enjoying a summer romance with a young aspiring filmmaker.

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Why I'm waiting for this.

I know there is no cover and I don't care because finally a new book by Sarah Dessen, cannot wait for this to come out.  Sounds like it will be a sweet read for next summer!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

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:


Still she wondered if perhaps she had been a little too hard on Johnno this morning. She just found it infuriating how easily he managed to claw his way inside her inner-psyche and push buttons that she didn’t want pushed. Not until she found the right man to marry. And Johnno, she continued to remind herself, was definitely not the right man!

Last Wish of Summer
By Phillip Overton

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Please stay tuned there will be a giveaway on Friday for this great book.  Make sure you stop by and sign up for the giveaway!!!

Have a great Tuesday!!

Monday, August 20, 2012

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…
Have you ever reread a book and found that your opinion changed?


I'd have to say yes to this one.  The first time I read the Twilight series I absolutely fell in love with it.  Then I reread it a couple times (seriously many many times).  As I kept reading over and over again I started getting annoyed by some of their characters and their neediness.  Now don't get me wrong there is still something fundamental that I like about the series but some things just annoy me.  I don't like needy people and I believe that some of the characters are just that.  So yes it's not as great as I once thought it was, but it still holds something for me. 

How about you?

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Cover Reveal: Beyond the Veil by Quinn Loftis (Grey Wolves #5)



Beyond the Veil
By: Quinn Loftis
Series: The Grey Wolves

Description:
Though the Serbian pack has been brought to heel thanks to the downfall of their Alpha, the war is far from over.


Desdemona, a witch of unfathomable power, has escaped the wolves’ wrath, but she will not go quietly into the night. She takes refuge in a place where even the smallest sliver of light does not dare to enter. Though she had to flee, she has not given up on the treasure she wishes to acquire. Her depravity knows no bounds; she's even willing to search for the one who can assist her in opening a Veil that has not been opened in millennia – with good reason: the danger is incalculable.

Meanwhile, there are major changes rippling through the Romanian Grey wolves. Decebel has become Alpha to the Serbian pack in an effort to begin to unite the Canis lupis species. Their numbers are dwindling in the wake of the shortage of true mates and lack of offspring. The wolves are beginning to lose faith and darkness seems to be crashing in on them from all sides. But the winds of change are blowing, changes that will alter the future of not only the Canis lupis, but of another ancient race as well.

Amidst all of this, Sally is continuing to come to terms with her relationship with the playful, charming, flirty, unbelievably handsome bartender – who happens to be a member of the Romanian pack.

If all that weren’t enough, the Fates have decided to pay a little visit to Jen. It’s time to collect. She cheated the Fates of a life, her life. Now they want what they are due. The problem? It’s more than Jen is willing to pay.

Yes, the war is indeed far from over. Bargains will be struck, declarations will be made, sacrifices will be given, love will be tested, and trust will be questioned as evil makes its stand against them all.

Author Bio

Quinn is a 32 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order. She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter.

Links:

Goodreads
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Friday, August 17, 2012

Review: Burn for Burn

Burn for Burn
By: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Release Date: September 18, 2012

Description:
BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Review:
This is a book about revenge, in its beautiful and masterful simplicity. The two authors did a really great job of making this one cohesive story. The three girls have very different personalities but all have one thing in common, Jar Island, make that two – and revenge.


The characters were all so very different and each had their own story to share with the reader. You have Kat the tough girl from the wrong side of the island, then you have Lillia who is the princess with rich parents and very much the good girl, then there's Mary, the new girl (not really new though just back from the past)..

Randomly they all end up in the same bathroom one day and from there a strange friendship of revenge comes together. They all have ill feelings towards someone else and with each other’s help they can exact revenge on these people and they not even know who it could have been. The people they plan to get revenge on just happen to be Lillia’s friends, but even she feels as if they are not as close as they used to be, something is just off as if reality is sinking in.

Lillia’s revenge mark is Alex; she believes he is sneaking around with her younger sister, which she just does not agree with it. I think she’s really hurt deep down I don’t know if it’s because it’s her sister or because she might possibly have feelings for him, only time will tell. Then there is Rennie, who is Lillia’s best friend, and used to be Kat’s best friend at one point in time. Kat is set on putting Rennie back in her proper place. Rennie is the girl everyone loves to hate, captain of the cheerleading team, popular, and one of the mean girls. Lastly but not least the captain of the football team, the one who takes the cake in my opinion is Reeve.

Reeve is Mary’s target and it was really interesting finding out what exactly happened between the two of them when they were younger. One minute you feel good about them the next you don’t it’s all very intense though. Throughout the book there were different scenarios that went through my mind, but what did happen was bad enough that I too would like to strike revenge on him.

The three girls secretly meet and come up with different plans to get each of the back. It’s all very Gossip Girl meets Revenge meets Carrie and I loved every minute of it, so unbelievably intense it’s an addiction. You will have to read the book to find out what they do to strike revenge on each person but oh it was wonderful. I’m telling you when I read the end of the book my heart just jumped! I need more like NOW! This could be one of those books that turns into a TV show, I can totally see it! I can still feel my heart pounding from my reaction to the ending, definitely a must read.


Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, Inc., 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!!!

Ramblings

So this morning I wake up and my alarm is going off, and all I think to myself is why in the world is my alarm going off?  I look at my phone (cause yes that's my alarm) and see that it says Friday, I'm like crushed.  I thought it was Saturday.  Seriously and literally crushed!  Drag myself out of bed and get ready for work.  I really honest to you know who thought it was Saturday.  Do you know how disappointing it is to only find out or should I say finally figure out that it's only Friday.  Ugh, I thought the week was over.

Oh well .... life goes on.

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I've been tangling again, tangling what is that?  It's the art of doodle hehe.  Well technically it is:
tangling - present participle of tan·gle (Verb)Verb: 1.Twist together into a confused mass.

There is this great website that will give you ideas called Tangled Patterns.  I love this website there are just endless ideas and thoughts.  Anyway here are the recent two that I created.  Something I do when I have the time and some peace and quiet which is not too often, but often enough if that makes sense.



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I'm really enjoying sharing bits and pieces of my life with the blog world that is not book related and I hope you enjoy them as well.  Even if no one reads them I still feel good about sharing because as I tell my daughter - sharing is caring!

I'm off to do a review now hehe back to books you know how it is!
How about you?  Any Ramblings you feel like sharing today?



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Booking Through Thursday

A weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading. Hosted at Booking Through Thursday.

This weeks question is:

What was the most emotional read you have ever had?


This one is easy for me.  I don't know why I was reading this, if it was for the movie or what but when I read A Walk to Remember I literally cried my eyes out.  I don't know if I was just referencing the movie when I was reading or imagining everything more than it was but this book was great and I cried more than I did when I saw the movie.  It's just so sad and tragic I get that lump in my throat right now.  I loved that book.  Now mind you I wept through the Notebook to and for some reason I just can't bring myself to reading the book.  But Nicholas Sparks he's like guaranteed to make you cry.  Don't you think?

Another honorable mention is Jenny Han's Summer Series.  I cried throughout the whole series.  You know maybe I'm just emotional person and cry for everything ha ha either way both author's are great with emotions.   

How about you what is your most emotional read?

From the Review PIle

From the Review Pile:


From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review, but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week from my Review Pile:

Carnival of Souls
by






daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm "Waiting on":

Venom
By:
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose

Description:
Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.


When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

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:



Unable to remember the last time he had been this close to hyperventilating, which was amazing, since he didn’t really need to breathe, he glanced down at his phone. Again.

Shadows
By

Monday, August 13, 2012

Review: While He Was Aay

While He Was Away
By:
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Description:
One year--he'll be gone for one year and then we'll be together again and everything will be back to the way it should be.


The day David left, I felt like my heart was breaking. Sure, any long-distance relationship is tough, but David was going to war--to fight, to protect, to put his life in danger. We can get through this, though. We'll talk, we'll email, we won't let anything come between us.

I can be on army girlfriend for one year. But will my sweet, soulful, funny David be the same person when he comes home? Will I? And what if he doesn't come home at all...?

Review:
After being together for a while, and having to survive being apart during OSUT (training) David and Penna are separated again by David being shipped off to Iraq.  Now is when the worry of him never returning plagues both Penna and David's mother.  This is the story of how Penna tries to deal the best way she can with the fact that they are yet again away from each other.  During the summer is when he leaves and it's worse for her because she has nothing to occupy her time with, until her mother insists she works at the restaurant with her.

Working at this restaurant leads to new things for Penna, such as new friendships formed.  The truth about her grandmother, and where and how she's doing.  It also opens Penna up to new possibilities that there are other things out there than just David.  Sure she misses him but life has to go on, as his is in Iraq.  I really enjoyed the new found relationship between Penna and her Grandmother, they have more in common than they know and it's a great friendship that grows between them, but her grandmother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's so they try and make due with the best they can.  Penna even reconciles her mom with her grandmother, that's always a good thing because you never want to know the what ifs later in life.

Overall the story was okay, I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but there was some lacking emotion between Penna and David, it seemed scripted with no substance.  I couldn't feel for them, and no it wasn't because they were apart it just never sat well with me.  And the ending it seems to stop so abruptly, maybe it was just to point out that life goes on and on, no matter what happens in your life or anyone else's.  Maybe things will work out for them in the end.  I don't really know but we'll just be kept guessing as to what really happened to David and Penna's relationship.