Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Review: All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

All Broke Down
By: Cora Carmack
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Series: Rusk University #2

Description:
In this second book in New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author Cora Carmack s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can't only fight for what you believe in... sometimes you have to fight for what you love.

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians you name it, she's probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He's in for a different kind of fighting. And though he's arrogant and infuriating, she can't help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it's trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He's met girls like her before fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn't think he's broken, and he definitely doesn't need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about: his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

Review:
What a really great book to read as my last book of 2014.  Cora Carmack has always bought a smile to my face and this book did not disappoint in the very least. This author has always written really great new adult books, it’s all story with just enough spice to get you going. 

We are now exploring the mysterious dangerous side of Silas, in the first book in the serious you weren’t sure if you liked him or not but after reading this book my heart goes out to him.  He turns out to be quite the guy with a troubled past but he conquers it and makes himself a better person He does all this with the help of Dylan.  They both meet in a very unusual way but man what a very unique way and I loved that it was this way because it shows just how similar but different they really are.

Dylan has her own history that she has to deal with and is very used to trying to be something that someone else wants her to be.  It’s a hard life to live but when she meets Silas there is something about her that she can finally breathe.  She feels free and because she feels free I feel free with her.  The story makes you feel attached from the beginning to the end to all the characters in the book.  Each one brings a little something special and you can’t help but either love them or hate them. 

This book was less football focused (even though it kind of was but really wasn’t), this book was all about emotion and histories being revealed and finally dealt with.  I think it’s important to talk about things in your life because that is what helps you get through them.  If you sit there and hold all that in you are just going to explode one day or just constantly continue the downward spiral to where you don’t want to be.  This book explored all of that and I enjoyed every minute of it.


This series is great and I can’t wait to read the next one or any book by this author because she’s just that good at connecting the characters with her readers.  Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Review: Fall For You by Cecilia Gray

Fall For You
By: Cecilia Gray
Released: February 10, 2012
Series: The Jane Austen Academy Series #1

Description:
Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph…

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 just 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 pressing 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…

* * *

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is hot guys to flirt with. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And it’s about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

The Jane Austen Academy series are modern retelling of Jane Austen classics set at a beach side California boarding school. Don't miss the rest of the Jane Austen Academy series, where sassy girls, hot guys and Jane Austen collide!
 

Review:
OK so it's very close to the holidays and I don't know why I put these two together but Jane Austen and the holidays (period pieces) always go together for me and what better way than to celebrate this fine holiday with a Pride and Prejudice remix in this Jane Austen Academy series.  I've always adored this theme and concept of Jane Austen's book so why not bring it in to modern times and kick up the drama a notch.  Cecilia Gray does a wonderful job of that in this quick and fun read great for me and the holidays. 

We meet up with Lizzie, who is still reeling from the change that is going on in her school with the addition of a male population and an overall competition for her place in her school.  Being the editor in her school's paper and very out going and of course out spoken she has no problem causing drama and getting attention from someone who would rather lay low until the end of the school year.  But with the new changes made to the school, especially now the potential for a new name to the school Lizzie goes out of her way to try and change this. 

There are still the same shenanigans in this book that were in the original Jane Austen book but of course with a modern twist and that is what I love about  this series the most.  Cecilia Gray has a way of bringing this upbeat, modern twist on such a great classic.  Plus it's a really quick read that you can't help but finish in a sitting.  I think the cover is very cute too.  Although I still picture Dante (Darcy) as a much stronger more still type of character and the guy on the cover doesn't portray that as much as I would like. 

So of course again all the general likeness of the Jane Austen novel but with great modern twists.  I like this book and this series because it's quick, fun, easy, likeable type of series.  

Friday, December 19, 2014

Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love
By: Colleen Hoover
Release Date: August 15, 2014

Description:
When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

Review:
Colleen Hoover, you have done it again!  This book was amazing and I felt and gasped everything the character felt and gasped at.  This was a heart wrenching tale that kept you wondering exactly what happened in the past to Miles and what will happen in the future between him and Tate.  Absolutely breathtaking journey between the two of them.

We meet Tate as she is moving in with her pilot overprotective older brother, yes all that description was definitely necessary, he, he.  He also happens to live across the hall from very sexy brooding mysterious Miles who feels the need to eliminate his six year dry spell with Tate, but there are rules of course, aren’t there always?  Tate cannot ask about his past or his future, in other words this is just the right now for release purposes only, but come on that only works if you don’t have a heart. 

The physical relationship is definitely there between the two but it’s the emotional that keeps stumping Miles, while Tate can’t help but falling for him.  They are so different but so good for each other, and hey who doesn’t love a couple that is a nurse and a pilot, it’s like kismet.  Throughout their journey they have a lot of ups and downs and some very steamy scenes but really what got to me was the emotional heart stopping moments between them.  Kept me riveted the entire time from beginning to end.

I definitely felt for the characters and I love when that happens because that’s when you know the author did an amazing job writing this and really understands what readers want to read.  Overall this book was amazing, I didn’t want it to end but I’m happy the way it did end.  That too is a very important part of a book, a good ending.  But this book had a great beginning middle and end and it was just blissful enough that I didn’t want to put it down until I finished it.  (That meant staying up all night after doing my daily chores etc., well into the am hours). 


Love the cover because it’s just simple, Ugly Love.  Sometimes you have to go through that so you could appreciate the beautiful love.  Amazing read, I think Colleen Hoover’s just get better and better the more I read from her. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Review: When by Victoria Laurie

When
By: Victoria Laurie
Release Date: January 13, 2015

Description:
Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father's premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one.

Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client's young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she's unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that exact date, law enforcement turns to Maddie.


Soon, Maddie is entangled in a homicide investigation, and more young people disappear and are later found murdered. A suspect for the investigation, a target for the murderer, and attracting the attentions of a mysterious young admirer who may be connected to it all, Maddie's whole existence is about to be turned upside down. Can she right things before it's too late?



Review:
This book was actually quite a pleasant unexpected surprise.  I haven’t read a mystery type book in a while and this book just seemed to fit me just fine for the moment.  The author did a great job of creating these characters that you couldn’t help but find interesting.  I’ve never heard of someone having the power or ability of knowing everyone’s death date.  That definitely has to take its toll on you.

We meet Maddie who is in high school and a bit of an outcast because of her ability, her best friend Stubbs is also a bit of an outcast, but together they shine.  Even though they are constantly harassed (this book actually takes the time to deal with bullying and I love it more for that because bullying is something that shouldn’t happen even though we all know it does). Together they go about trying to change people’s fate on when they are going to die and it all starts with one mother who wants to know about her child’s death date.  This sets off a chain reaction in their little town, because not only does the other son of that particular mother dies, but it’s all about the way he dies.

In begins the FBI’s interest in both Maddie and her friend Stubbs, but when another student dies, they go in full force.  This of course is where the harassing starts, but you have to read it to find out what happens next because really it’s all unexpected.  When you think it’s one person and then maybe it could be another it turns out to be someone you didn’t expect at all, and this is what makes this book so great.  It keeps you guessing from the beginning to the end, you even begin to doubt your own thoughts in the middle.  Like, could he have done it? Only one way to find out!

Overall the book was a quick read, very interesting and kept your attention all the way through.  It was an interesting a new concept that I haven’t read previously and that’s always a plus, because really who wants to read the same book over and over again (concept wise) without there being some surprises in it that you weren’t expecting.  I would recommend this book to anyone and if you figure it out before the ending then kudos to you because I was completely fooled ha, ha.

Love the cover also, really shows how much of an outcast Maddie really feels like. And the backwards three in the title is also interesting, I would unquestionably pick up this book to see what it was about and once I read the blurb in my basket it would go.

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Disney Book Group - Disney-Hyperion, 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!!!


Monday, December 8, 2014

Promo What If By A.J. Pine - Giveaway


Title: What If
Author: A.J. Pine
Series: If Only #2 (Companion)
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Sometimes it takes letting go of the past to find out who you want to be.

During his semester abroad, Griffin Reed almost gave his heart to a girl who loved someone else. Lesson learned. Now he’s home, where following in his father’s footsteps may not be what he wants, but it’s what his parents expect. It might be taking the easy road, but he doesn’t see a way out.

Something that could have killed Maggie Kendall took away the person she used to be instead. Her condition makes her dependent on sticky notes, photos, and medication just to get through each day. The last thing she needs is a distraction—or someone new to disappoint.

What they refuse to see is they are perfect for each other. Maggie makes Griffin want to be a better man, and he makes her believe a future is possible. But these two have to find a way to share the secrets ripping them apart, if they’re ever going to have a chance at happiness.




Purchase:



Excerpt

Stunned silence. That’s my response as I watch him leave, but when the door bangs shut, I’m all words.

“What the hell was that? Miles, what do I… I don’t even…” Okay, maybe I’m all words, but I never claimed they were coherent.

Miles watches the door with me as he approaches the bar.

“Do you want control of your life, Mags?”

I nod. Everything I do is an attempt to regain control. Of course that’s what I want.

“It’s up to you, sweetheart. If you want my opinion, that was some romantic shit he just pulled, but if you want a say, if you want to be a part of this decision, then be a part of it.”

So I spring up from the stool and race outside to where Griffin sits, already behind the wheel of his truck. Thank God because I didn’t think this through. No coat.

I yank open the passenger-side door and climb in. Wide-eyed but grinning, Griffin waits for me to say something.

“I don’t want to date you,” I say, repeating what I keep telling him, keep telling myself.

“I know. We have an agreement. I was there when we made it.” His confidence doesn’t falter, but his words are painted with a slight edge he means for me to hear.

I rub the chill from my arms, and Griffin starts the truck.

“For the heat,” he explains.

“I know about our agreement, but that doesn’t mean you get to waltz in here with this sort of anti-grand gesture and knock me on my ass.”

He lets the mask fall, and there he is—him.

“Knock you on your ass? Maggie, I didn’t mean…”

“I know. This is uncharted territory. So you know what that means.”

He sighs. Because he knows.

“Ground rules?” he asks.

“Ground rules.”

“Lay them out for me,” he says. “Let me know how this works.”

I maneuver to my knees, my hands fisting in his jacket.

“Rule number one. Never, ever say good-bye without kissing me.”

His brown eyes darken almost to black.

“Did I knock you on your ass?” I ask.

“Yeah, Pippi.” His voice is low and gravely. “You did.”

“Good.” I run a hand through his hair, my itching palm finally getting its fill. “We’re even.”

He waits for me to come to him, and I press my lips to his, taste what I’ve been hungry for all week. But it’s more than just him. I taste his hunger, too. So we linger while the truck heats up, while his warm breath mingles with mine. For a few moments, it is the perfect kiss good-bye.

If only I knew what came after rule number one.





About the Author


AJ Pine writes stories to break readers’ hearts, but don’t worry—she’ll mend them with a happily ever after. As an English teacher and a librarian, AJ has always surrounded herself with books. All her favorites have one big commonality–romance. Naturally, her books have the same. When she’s not writing, she’s of course reading. Then there’s online shopping (everything from groceries to shoes) and, of course, a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires, from Eric Northman to the Salvatore brothers. And in the midst of all of this, you’ll also find her hanging with her family in the Chicago burbs.
AJ's debut New Adult novel, IF ONLY, is out now with Entangled's Embrace line. The companion novel, WHAT IF, releases December 8th. Next year look for her new duo of New Adult books, ONE NIGHT and ONE LIFE with Penguin/Intermix.




Giveaway


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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Review: Upside Down by Lia Riley

Upside Down
By: Lia Riley
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Series: Off the Map #1

Description:
If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

Book #1 in the OFF THE MAP series
 

Review:
This was definitely one of those intense and anxiety ridden love stories that keeps you enthralled from beginning to end.  These two are just so completely messed up in their own minds that they can't help but find that they fit perfectly together, well it takes some time but it happens.  

We begin our intense journey in a funny way where Talia is off to meet one friend but ends up running into Bran in a very weird and humorous way.  There is something about him that just catches her eye immediately and vice versa.  The two of them begin a very strange friendship that lingers into something stronger but still slightly care free of real intense feelings.  At least that is what they hoped to accomplish.

The deeper their friendship grows the more accepting of Talia, Bran is the more she begins to fall for him.  With all her OCD tendencies she is used to people running away from her, but when he makes it a point to go towards her, to calm her it triggers something in Talia.  Bran’s bastardness and Talia’s intensity drives this book through and through and you can’t help but wonder what the two will do next.  One minute they are living life passionately together, the next they are fighting and pulling away from one another. 

In the end I think they each need the other to complete the perfect pair.  Even with all their nuances they really do complete each other.  It was an intense journey through their love experience and I can’t wait to find out what happens next now that they have finally taken the plunge and decided to give this real love a try.


Love the cover, love the characters even the flakey crazy mother and her douche bag boyfriend, there are of course some parts I didn’t agree with (mother issues) but those needed to happen for Talia to be the person she is.  Stronger.  Love that this book took place in a different country too because that is always a fun adventure. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Review: A VERY GREY CHRISTMAS by T.A. Foster


A VERY GREY CHRISTMAS 
by T.A. Foster

Series: Kissing Eden, book #3
November 20, 2014


BOOK SUMMARY:

I was getting ready to spend the single most important holiday of the year alone. Completely and utterly alone.
That meant he wouldn't be there Christmas Eve. No making Christmas cookies, or listening to my dad sing off-key while my mom bustled around wrapping last-minute gifts. No decorating the tree. No midnight Christmas kiss.
No waking up in Grey’s arms. We were actually going to spend our very first Christmas in different states.
That was until Grey gave me the most unexpected gift of my life.



Review:

Oh T.A. Foster, you sure do know how to pull at the heartstrings.  I loved Eden and Grey from the beginning but this was definitely the icing on the cake that tasted oh so sweet.  This was a quick and sweet heart warming novella that is just perfect for the upcoming Christmas season, I know it only will bring you hope that someone in your life will be just as sweet and romantic.

Eden is on her way home, without Grey and she’s sad about it but knows that she has to spend time with her family as well.  Especially after moving so far away from them.  Grey ever adamant about seeing her for new Years, but of course you can only imagine what a great surprise it was for Eden to see Grey at her house after a couple days of being there.


Overall this was a sweet story, I can’t really say much more because I want you to read it and fall in love all over again with this couple, and believe me you really will.  There were definitely some super steamy and new things tried in this book that always picks up that heart rate but really it’s all about the love story. So if you have a little bit of time and are in the Christmas mood, make sure you pick up this novella and give it a try.  You will not be disappointed!

By the way, how much do you love that cover, oh I needs me some Christmas loving!


Author Information

T.A. Foster once spent a month long spring break on South Padre Island, where she soaked in the Texas sun, beach, and learned what real Texas country music is. Sometimes fiction does spring from reality.

She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children, and two canine kiddos.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip.

Author Links:



Thursday, November 20, 2014

Release Day Blitz: A Very Grey Christmas by T.A. Foster

AVGC_blitz

Today is the release day for A VERY GREY CHRISTMAS by T.A. Foster! Be sure to check out the contest and teaser below.

  AVGChristmas

A VERY GREY CHRISTMAS BLURB:

I was getting ready to spend the single most important holiday of the year alone. Completely and utterly alone. That meant he wouldn’t be there Christmas Eve. No making Christmas cookies, or listening to my dad sing off-key while my mom bustled around wrapping last-minute gifts. No decorating the tree. No midnight Christmas kiss. No waking up in Grey’s arms. We were actually going to spend our very first Christmas in different states. That was until Grey gave me the most unexpected gift of my life.

A VERY GREY CHRISTMAS BUY LINKS:

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1vpIiYs

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1qscGQN

AVGC_Teaser2

 

Previous books in the series.

KissingEden

Purchase KISSING EDEN from...

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hCXkkv

B&N: http://bit.ly/NKhAGi

Smashworks: http://bit.ly/1dcvQB5

iTunes: http://bit.ly/Y9509p

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00024]

Purchase LOVING EDEN from...

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1rn2neO

B&N Link: http://bit.ly/1spvrF2

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1un5YvK

iTunes: http://bit.ly/Ye46rB

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

TAFoster

T.A. Foster met, fell in love with, and married her own Marine fighter pilot. Through deployments, trainings, and sometimes living oceans apart, their own love story continues every day. She grew up catching rays and waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her husband, two children, and two canine kiddos. T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip. 
  Author Links: 

Friday, November 14, 2014

Cover Reveal: BECOMING RAIN by K.A. Tucker

We are so stoked about this cover reveal for K.A. Tucker's BECOMING RAIN! BECOMING RAIN is a New Adult Romantic Suspense novel, and the second novel in K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water Series, published by Atria Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster. BECOMING RAIN is set to be released March 3, 2015!

Becoming Rain
 

US BUY LINKS:

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Books-a-Million ** IndieBound ** Apple ** Blio ** Books-a-Million ** Google

UK BUY LINKS

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Apple ** Google ** Waterstones ** Foyles

  About BECOMING RAIN: Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set-one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain. Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game-at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps. As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.  

And don't miss the first book in this thrilling series BURYING WATER...

Burying Water

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo ** IndieBound

Author PhotoAbout BURYING WATER: The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away. Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him? Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried. The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.  

About K.A. Tucker: Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.        

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads ** YouTube ** Pinterest ** Instagram


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up
By: Cora Carmack
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Series: Rusk University #1

Description:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.


Review:


It’s sometimes difficult when you realize you need to become your own person and finally become the adult you’ve been avoiding.  Those time periods during college are your most formative years because it leads you to the future you are going to have.  It’s not only a difficult time but a fun time to explore and Cora Carmack did a great job with the beginning of this series at Rusk University. 

It’s all about football, or at least that’s how Dallas feels.  Her father is the coach at her college and her ex who is the quarterback also happens to go there to.  It’s a disaster but she tries to get through it and ignores the ex at least.  Especially when she meets this really great guy that just sparks something in her, something she’s never really felt before, and it scares her.  Carson who is playing second string on the football team can’t help but fall for this girl who literally falls into his arms (off a balcony).  But when he finds out whom she is that makes things a little more complicated.

The two of them seem to complement each other with his sore shoulder and her janked up feet, they have a connection, but I think Dallas’s need to placate everyone and her naïvetés holds her back from actually going for what she wants.  It’s a complicated thing realizing hey it’s time to grow up and figure out if you are forever going to please other people or yourself.  She’s quick to jump the gun and get angry with a result of just leaving, a habit she definitely needs to work on.

Carson is very hard working and dedicated person just trying to make things work for him and yes Dallas is very much a distraction for him, but he seems to pour all of himself towards her and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.  I don’t really do sports but it’s always fun to read about them.  The whole atmosphere of this book was fun and light reading but it still had some good points in it to make you feel like you were in college and sometimes it’s not always fun and games, neither is family.  Family is definitely a big element in this book, because that is who she is trying to placate the most. 

Overall this book was really good, I didn’t want to put it down and I just love Cora Carmack, her books have always left me happy and fulfilled.  I will be checking out the next one as soon as I get my hands on it.  The cover is cute, gotta love a redhead.  It’s not really how I pictured Carson to look like, but that’s why it’s a book and I can picture him however I like.  He .He.  Anyway go get the book if you’re in the mood for some light quick reading and a good one at that!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Something Maybe
By: Colleen Hoover
Release Date: March 18, 2014

Description:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance.

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…


From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.

Includes a free original soundtrack by musician Griffin Peterson.


Review:

Colleen Hoover, what can I say?  She’s absolutely brilliant!  Her stories have always moved me but there is something extra special about this book because it carried me through an experience I’ve never had with its unexpected main characters disabilities.  I’ve come to appreciate more things in life because of this. I’ve also come to appreciate the author more because her stories truly are genuine, thought provoking and seriously addicting.

We meet Sydney as she’s just gone through quite an experience with her now ex-boyfriend and ex best friend, but in this horrible experience she has met Ridge.  He’s a musician and besides being absolutely gorgeous he gets her and they get each other.  You know the saying you complete me, I definitely get that feeling between the two of them.  The way they met is definitely strange and unique and was an interesting plot; well the overall story was just interesting and different.

There were a lot of factors for them not being able to get together and they spent the whole book trying to fight their attraction the best they could but there were moments when they couldn’t contain them.  I don’t want to tell you too much about it because really you have to read it, it’s worth it to feel this genuine experience these main characters have with one another.  I love that there was so much written and so much truthfulness between the two of them that made their experience that much more honest.

I loved this book from the beginning to the very end I spent all night trying to read it all and just couldn’t put it down.  I remember reading the slammed series and thought it was just as amazing but this story plot was just really attention grabbing.  I need to go and find the soundtrack so I can hear these songs into music; I can only imagine how beautiful they will be.  And I just have to say when Ridge finally said her name even in a whisper, well no especially in a whisper my heart leapt just a little bit more for them. 

Everything was absolutely beautiful.  I love the cover too because it seems so different and you think by reading the blurb and looking at the cover that maybe this is going to go one way but when you read the book, it takes your breath away.  So unexpected and entertaining, and I’m so glad this isn’t a series but a standalone because it was just perfect the way it was.  I can’t gush about this book enough because that’s how much I loved it.

Excerpt Snippet:
I’m thankful that she isn’t angry. I’m thankful that she isn’t vindictive. I’m thankful that she’s reasonable.

I’m also thankful that she appears to have more willpower than I do, because whenever I’m around her, I’ve never felt so weak.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Review: The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris

The Fine Art of Pretending
By: Rachel Harris
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Series: The Fine Art of Pretending #1

Description:
According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.

But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

Review:
You ever start reading something and you just know that this upcoming scheme is going to be a disaster but you can’t help but read exactly what is going to happen because that’s the best part, well yeah that is exactly what this book is.  A disaster waiting to happen but it was absolutely adorable and cute and just a feel good kind of book that I definitely needed after reading something so intense and dire.  Rachel Harris did a really great job of bringing these characters to life and just made me enjoy the story through and through.

We meet Aly who is kind of popular but feels too much like one of the guys and is ready for her senior year to crack that shell and blossom into a woman that guys actually want to hook up with.  From this reasoning the operation sex appeal is born, can we say disaster waiting to happen, but oh what fun we will have getting to the end point.  Brandon is the second hottest guy in her school and is also her best friend with his help as her pretend boyfriend she feels that she can finally get a date with the hottest boy in school by becoming what they call a casual.

Aly’s plan including pretending to date her best friend Brandon to push her hook up status higher and get Justin to notice her.  But during their time things changed, things happened and situations occurred.  You really have to read the book to find out but I’m sure you know how disastrous things turned out between the two best friends.  When it wasn’t something it was something else but the two of them have a strong chemistry to begin with and that is why they were best friends to begin with.  I think they were just in denial. 

The overall story isn’t something terribly original, but even still it was absolutely adorable and cute and I couldn’t put the book down at all because I had a smile on my face the whole time.  Definitely one of those feels good romantic comedies that you just can’t help but read or watch.  I loved this and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series because I just know it’s going to be just as fabulous.


I love the cover too; it’s cute and adorable just like the stories and the characters. Oh and let me just say there is NOTHING wrong with being one of the Commitments! It's commitments that make the most lasting impressions.  Always.