Review: Saving Quinton by Jessica Sorensen

Saving Quinton
By: Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Series: Nova #2

Description:
Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.

Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . .

Review:

I’ve been reading a lot of books by Jessica Sorensen lately.  I know there are a lot of broken people in this world and her books have been an amazing way to highlight those particular experiences that not everyone can have or have to deal with.  This book went beyond that level as it dives deep into the world of drugs, so deep you just can’t wait until they hit rock bottom so that someone somewhere can finally save them all. 

This book makes me want to be one of those people although I’m not going to lie I’m not part of this underbelly that subsides in the dark corners that we are just too afraid to look at (me included) and I don’t think I could handle being around this lifestyle at all.  We are back with Nova and Quinton (Nova is still a really great name).  Quinton is still in deep with drugs and the strength and willingness to want to die away is getting to him.  He’s doing harder and harder drugs as the book goes on all the while Nova randomly appears and is trying to save him.  A lot easier said than done as she learns.  Tristen is also very much out of it and I think he is even worse off than Quinton, but still we don’t focus on him as much as we should.  Nova after all feels that she can only save one of them at a time and Quinton is her choice.

We find them in Vegas, completely strung out living in filth and it’s just overall a horrible experience, like I said I definitely couldn’t do it.  It’s depressing to see Quinton, Tristen, Dylan and Delilah living the way they are living and I wish I could get them all out, well maybe not Dylan because he’s grown quite angry and mean.  The characters have shown depth in this book, there are so many layers and reasons as to why they do the things they do and you can’t help for feel for them.  It makes you want to make them believe that they are worth something and sometimes things just happen.  There are definitely different ways to deal with things and they have all taken the easy yet hard way out.

It was tough reading this book, not because of the book itself but because of the contents really gets you down into the nitty gritty of things.  This book was definitely something to read and experience.  I love Jessica Sorensen’s books and her worlds are always so very intense.  You will not get straight out romance out of these books.  And even a kiss is something to work up to in this series.  So much guilt and depression, it’s just amazing and how wonderful did they reference the show intervention.  Made me laugh but it shows that sometimes TV shows like that really do help.

Love the cover, the series, just everything about this.

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

Book Highlight - Ungifted by Kelly Oram

Title: Ungifted 

Author: Kelly Oram

Genre: YA paranormal/fantasy

Series: Supernaturals #2 (companion)

Expected Publication: March 2014

Even though her father is running for President of the United States, Grace St. Claire is as normal a girl as they come. She’s clumsy, shy, and an outcast among her peers. She even manages to nearly die in a freak accident in front of the entire school. But when Grace survives a vampire attack she quickly learns that she is anything but ordinary.
There’s something about human Grace that has all the supernaturals around her going crazy. Her best friend’s brother suddenly wants to date her. Her worst enemy has sworn to protect her even against her wishes. Someone with very powerful magic wants her dead, and the vampire that attacked her has developed an obsession with making her his eternal mate.
In order to survive—and not as Count Dracula’s undead bride—Grace dives head first into the terrifying world of the supernatural. She teams up with a charming but mysterious warlock who strolled into town causing trouble and spouting stories of a Prophesy and Chosen One that looks exactly like Grace. Together they must figure out why Grace is different, who wants her dead, how she’s connected to the Chosen One, and who they can really trust.

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TOUR SCHEDULE

February 25th

Nocturnal Predators Reviews (www.nocturnalpredatorsreviews.blogspot.com) - Review

Musings of Immortals (http://readers2212.blogspot.in/) – Teaser

Coffee & Books & Art (http://sarityahalomi.blogspot.com/) – Review 

February 26th

Literary Winner (http://literarywinner.com) – Excerpt 

She Dreams in Fiction (http://www.shedreamsinfiction.com) – Review 

February 27th

Up All Night Book Blog (http://upallnightbookblog.com) - Review

Avid Reader Musings (http://www.avidreadermusings.com) – Top Ten 

February 28th

Once Upon a YA Book (http://onceuponayabook.blogspot.com) – Review 

Mythical Books (http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/) – Guest Post 

March 3rd

Works of Fiction<3 (http://bkwrm29.wordpress.com) - Review 

Star Shadow Blog (http://www.starshadowblog.com) – Guest Post 

March 4th

Paulette's Papers (http://paulettespapers.com/) – Review 

A Life Bound By Books (http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/) – Review 

March 5th

Dalene's Book Reviews (http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/) – Review 

Fade Into Fantasy (http://fadeintofantasy.com) – Excerpt 

March 6th

Reading Bliss (http://ashleysreadingbliss.blogspot.com) – Review 

Skye Malone's Blog (http://www.skyemalone.com) – Excerpt 

March 7th

Book Bliss (http://lbookbliss.com) – Review 

Deal Sharing Aunt (www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com) – Teaser 

March 10th

Lovely Reads (http://serenityslovelyreads.blogspot.com/) - Review 

Addicted Readers (http://addictreaders.blogspot.com/) – Top Ten 

Books are Love (http://hello-booklover.tumblr.com.) – Review

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ABOUT KELLY

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

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Review: The Guard by Kiera Cass

The Guard
By: Kiera Cass
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Series: The Selection #2.5

Description:
Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . .
Before she entered the Selection . . .
She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection trilogy. This brand new 64-page story begins just after the group of Selected girls is narrowed down to the Elite and is told from Aspen's point of view. The Guard also features a teaser to The One, the thrilling conclusion to The Selection trilogy.

Review:

This was a short and sweet novella into the mind of Officer Aspen Leger.  True there were no special events that happened that we didn’t really see from the original series but it’s nice to get a side prospective from someone else.  You can obviously tell how much he still loves America and hopes that one day he will be able to finally marry her.  But if you’re following the Selection closely I don’t see that happening, sure we could all wish for a happy ending on his part but really it’s all about America at the moment.

We see him go through his guard duties and even try and gather intel from her maids, but still always in the back of his mind how much him and America belong together.  It’s overall sweet.  He truly does care for her and I think he might be hurt in the end.  It's a genuine thing where he wants to work so that he can make a good life for the both of them and she doesn't even really realize it.  I kinda felt for him a little more because don't get me wrong I still really like Maxon but it seems that Aspen does have something going for him, real love.

Overall this was a cute quick read that gave you some insight into Aspen but there was nothing new in it in terms of action that happened throughout the book.  Would have liked to have been introduced to a new scene that happened in between or something that was a little more significant.  Can't wait for the next book in the series though that's for sure.  This totally needs to be a TV show, I'm patiently waiting.

 

Review: Accidents & Incidents by Riley Graham

Accidents & Incidents
By Riley Graham
Release Date: December 11, 2013

Review:
Sometimes finding love means taking the scenic route …

Living with her faultfinding mother has taught Leslie not to ask for much. Just watch your step, stay on the sidelines, and take what you can get. But she wants a mom who thanks her for cleaning the kitchen instead of yelling at her for missing a spot, and a boyfriend who does more than score her a seat at the popular table—someone who actually notices her sitting there.

So when Cain, the school heartbreaker, turns his Carolina blue eyes her way, Leslie can’t help but be tempted, even if he’s her boyfriend’s best friend. Things get even more complicated when Leslie strikes up unlikely friendships with Meredith, Cain’s girlfriend, and Dennis, a boy addicted to cigarettes and solitude. Despite his tough exterior, Dennis seems to understand Leslie in a way that no one ever has, and to need her as much as she needs him.

For the first time in her life, Leslie feels like she could belong. She’s just not sure where. Will she ring in the New Year with the right guy, or end up right back where she started—alone?

Links

• Riley's Website

• Riley's Twitter

• Riley's Facebook

Review:
So this wasn't necessarily my favorite book.  It just didn't have any depth to it regardless of all the recent deaths and break ups.  I couldn't really feel for any of the characters I just wasn't that into them.  The story was okay but went kind of juvenile in a way.  Yes I realize the kids in here are young, 16ish or whatever but it was just too much for me personally.  Especially considering where I live you have to be at least 17 to get a permit and 18 to drive.  The writing style was okay but again not my favorite.

I just couldn't find any feeling in this book.  I'm definitely not jaded or anything but I just couldn't get into them, there was nothing special or remotely interesting about this, it was literally just okay.  We meet Leslie, who is just an average girl sitting at the popular table because of her boyfriend, that is until he isn't anymore.  Very cliché, but still the popular kids bring her under her wings all the while she's pining over her now close friend's boyfriend.  Who seems so very shallow and I couldn't stand him at all. But to each their own right.

The only character I was interested in was red headed loner Dennis who recently lost his father and he's very emo about it, but still something to him.  Just wish there was a little bit more there.  Even the best friend, Meredith, who is dating Cain and Leslie likes Cain, her character seemed very superficial Cheerleader trying to have a heart.

Overall this book was okay.  I did really like the synopsis and the cover of this book, thought they were well done and it's what attracted me to the book in the first place.


Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Indie Inked, 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!!!

Blitz: Ditched by Amity Hope

 

 

Ditched
By: Amity Hope
Release Date: April 15, 2013

Description:
Holly has her whole life mapped out. It’s simple, really. She just needs to finish her degree in journalism, marry Collin—her high school sweetheart—and live happily ever after.

Max has had a crush on his friend Holly since he moved to town four years ago. He’s been dreading her wedding since she first sent him a text telling him the news. He's dreading it so much, in fact, that he's decided to move back to his hometown in California immediately following the ceremony.

He never thought that a change of plan would include taking Holly with him, showing her that sometimes the happily ever after you really want, is the one you never knew you were looking for.

Excerpt:

I took a step forward, finding myself wrapped in Max’s arms, snuggled into his chest. My heart was still pounding. I gladly let him keep his arms around me for awhile. Surely, the only reason for that was because I was trying to calm myself down. Not because I suddenly realized that Max smelled really good. As in scrumptiously good.

Either he had changed his cologne or I’d never bothered to notice before. He smelled like an ocean breeze. Or at least, what an ocean breeze would smell like if it came fresh and clean out of a bottle. How had I never noticed that before?

I couldn’t help but wonder what else about Max I’d been missing.

About the Author:

Amity lives in beautiful northern Minnesota with her two sons, two cats and their Rottweiler. She has a degree in elementary education and worked in that field for ten years before deciding to self-publish. Her first self-published novel, Twisted, was listed by Amazon as a Top 100 Kids & Teens Kindle Book of 2012.
If she’s not writing, or spending time with her boys, she’s most likely reading.

Links:
Facebook | Website | Goodreads | Amazon




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Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year
By Gayle Forman
Release Date: October 10, 2013
Series: Just One Day #2

Description:
Just One Day. Just One Year. Just One Read.

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.

Review:

I was both excited and disappointed when I read through this book, especially since I had been waiting for it for quite a while and had finally gotten around to it.  I’ve always enjoyed Gayle Forman’s books and Just One Day was no exception so of course I couldn’t wait for just one year to come out.  There are so many things I still remember from the first book that really hit home like love being a stain that doesn’t go away.  So very much profound, but alas I was hoping this book started off where the last one let off, instead it starts off when Willem left Ashley and didn’t come back.

It was quite an adventure to follow Willem around from continent to continent.  You really see how care free he is and easy going with random people, but at the same time you see that vulnerability that he’s been hiding, that fear that he keeps pushing down and ignoring.  It all stems back to his family, his parents, that loss that he experienced and never fully getting through it, never really understanding what it is he is missing.  This journey took you all over the world and it was a pleasure to see him discover that he can have double happiness, discover that his family really does love him they just don’t know how to show it until they really do.  It really is the little things that count, the unseen things that count, the well wishes and hopes that count. 

Willem goes from Mexico to India and around Europe all the while trying to find Lulu, little did he know that she too was finding him as we saw in the first book, but this is Willem’s story. I know that some people didn’t like him in the first book but I definitely did and I was really interested in finding out his story so I was happy to have this chapter in his life.  He slowly begins to actually grow up and consider making roots somewhere, he finally knows what he wants and he will go for it.  That’s what I loved about this story the most that self-discovery of who you are and what you want to be, that’s always the most difficult part in life, finding yourself before you can find anyone else.

Overall this book was great and the only reason I was disappointed was because I wanted to see what happens after they meet again a year later, but the story I read was just as great because we got to see his side of things.  The settings, characters and realizations were perfect for this story and I hope there is more to it.  I really enjoy Forman’s writing style and the different worlds she creates, I have to say right now I really want to go get a backpack and randomly travel somewhere and see where my life will lead.  But I already have my roots down, it’s just fun experiencing them through other people.

Review: The Destiny of Violet & Luke by Jessica Sorensen

The Destiny of Violet & Luke
By Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Series: The Coincidence #3

Description:
Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . .

Review:
So I'm definitely on a Jessica Sorensen kick by reading all these books by her recently.  There's just something about her writing that is so addicting like the characters in her book.  They all have tragic pasts but it still amazes me how tied they are to one another without really knowing it.  How does she come up with these great stories and these relationships that matter so much to each of the characters.

This time we are focusing on Luke who is a complicated person with a past he's not too fond of and because of this he finds solace in hooking up with random girls and lots and lots of alcohol.  Which isn't good for so many reasons but specifically because he's a diabetic, but that's neither here nor there in the main focus of this book.  Violet literally falls into his life when she jumps out of a window and kicks him in the head in the process.  Something about this chance meeting intrigues him and they seem to run into one another over and over again in the most unexpected ways.  Even though they would have run into another now with the knowledge of the other it seems more intense.  They are both without a home and somehow end up moving in together.

There are secrets that Violet is keeping from everyone and she wishes them to stay that way but when a detective reopens her case suddenly the truth comes out in dribbles and it's just really hard for her to deal with.  But being with Luke makes it just that much easier.  Now if you know Jessica Sorensen's book you can imagine what is going to happen next but it is still exciting to follow down that path when truths are revealed.  It's a doozy in this one that's for sure.  The connection is unexpected and heartbreaking for both the characters.  You find this out in the end and you just want everything to work out but we just won't know what happens until the next book which i wish i had right now because I'm ready to continue this story.

We get a little bit of Seth and Greyson in this book but not as much as the last, they are two fun side characters that i enjoy reading about but overall this is all about Luke and Violet.  Their struggles with their pasts and the possibilities of their future, together.  It's exciting, intense and heartbreaking.  The characters are relate able and adorable and just addicting and I can't get enough of them and all their counterparts.

I love the cover, the story line and everything there is about this book and this series and all the series that has come from this author.  If you haven't read any of her books I'm not sure what you're waiting for.  Get on it.

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

Launch Day Blitz: Saving Quinton by Jessica Sorensen - Excerpt/Giveaway

 

SAVING QUINTON
by Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Series: Nova #2

Description:
Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.

Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . . .

Excerpt:
 

“You can do this, Nova,” I say as back down the driveway and turn onto the road. I continue to repeat the mantra in my head all the way to the coffee shop. I order two coffees, not even sure if Quinton drinks coffee or how he takes it, but I make a guess. Then I crank up a little “Help Me” by Alkaline Trio and drive to Quinton’s apartment, trying not to get too upset at the sight of it in broad daylight. But I can’t help it. The sun only makes it look more tragic and fills me with even more hopelessness, but I still park the car. Then I take my phone out of my pocket, flip the video recorder on, and let out a deep breath before I aim the screen at myself.

“Why am I talking to you…I really have no idea, other than that I find it therapeutic,” I say to the camera. “Because when I’m talking to you, I can say what I’m really feeling…and what I’m really feeling is…well, it’s a lot of things. Like for starters, I’m scared, not just for myself, but for Quinton. That place he’s in…it’s horrible. I knew people lived like this in movies and stuff, but seeing it with my own eyes…it’s terrifying.” I pause, glancing at the building. “And I also feel hurt…I mean, he was so, so upset with me last night for being here and all I want to do is help him…the only thing that can get me past that is remembering…remembering how much my mom wanted to help me and how much I shut her out. I didn’t want help, but looking back I think deep down I really did want it, I just couldn’t see past all the dark stuff…until I watched Landon’s video…the one he made right before he committed suicide…in a way, that video woke me up. I’m hoping that Quinton is the same way—that there’s something to wake him up. I have to believe there is, otherwise there’s no hope left. And I’m not ready to accept that yet.” I pause, taking a deep breath before I add, “So here goes. I’m going back in.” I stop talking and click off the camera, putting the phone back into my pocket. Then I get out of the car, making sure to grab the coffees and lock the doors.

The area is eerily silent, like everyone sleeps during the day and only comes out at night. I’m sort of glad, though. It makes walking to the stairs, going up them, and walking to the door so much easier. The hard part comes when I get to the door. I stare at the cracks in it, breathing in the stale air. I’m not sure what to do next, or if I even want to do anything next.

What do I do?

About the author:

Jessica Sorensen is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives with her husband and three kids in Idaho. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Social Media Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

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