Review: The Truth About You and Me by

The Truth About You and Me
By:  Amanda Grace, Mandy Hubbard 
Release Date: September 8, 2013

Description:
Smart girls aren't supposed to do stupid things.

Madelyn Hawkins is super smart. At sixteen, she's so gifted that she can attend college through a special program at her high school. On her first day, she meets Bennett. He's cute, funny, and kind. He understands Madelyn and what she's endured - and missed out on - in order to excel academically and please her parents. Now, for the first time in her life, she's falling in love.

There's only one problem. Bennett is Madelyn's college professor, and he thinks she's eighteen - because she hasn't told him the truth.

The story of their forbidden romance is told in letters that Madelyn writes to Bennett - both a heart-searing ode to their ill-fated love and an apology.

Review:

This was a quick read about a love that was forbidden and a girl who was just trying to find herself in the process. The author wrote this book in the format of letters written to a guy explaining why she did the things she did.  It was intriguing and even though you knew it would not end well it was still interesting to read through the experience.

We meet Madelyn as she is starting her college career while still being in high school. She's just that smart or at least you would think she was. She is definitely book smart to be starting college at the age of sixteen but being as sheltered as she was, Madelyn didn't know how to handle a relationship let alone one with a much older man. This is where she meets Bennett her biology professor who is a young twenty five when they first met. He should have known better as well but there was something about Madelyn that he couldn't resist. Even though he knew it was forbidden and being the adult should have known better.

He knew they couldn't really be together at least not until she was not his student anymore. So Madelyn tells the story of how they met and the secret moments they spent together getting to know one another. All waiting for that fateful day when they can finally be together. But Madeline naïve and actually believes they can be together even with a ten year age difference.

It's sad to see them fall apart after all its illegal what they are doing. The author set the pace just right for a young girl showing the difficulties she has with trying to be what her family wants and at the same time wanting to be her own person. The short time period of everything really shows how quickly things can go wrong and even though things didn't end the way Madelyn wanted to she did end up finding who she is and what she wants to do with her life. 

Goes to show you that even though you are young you shouldn't jump into things that you don't fully comprehend or are ready to deal with in reality. It was an interesting read and definitely opened my eyes to these kinds of situations from a different perspective. I really like the cover and what this story represents. Great quick read, light hearted and serious at the same time. Because really this could have gone very differently.

Review: Losing Logan

Losing Logan
By: Sherry D. Ficklin
Release Date: May 2, 2014
Series: Losing Logan #1

Description:

What if the one thing you never meant to hold on to, is the one thing you can’t let go of?

Normally finding a hot guy in her bedroom wouldn’t irritate Zoe so badly, but finding her childhood friend Logan there is a big problem. Mostly because he’s dead.

As the only person he can make contact with, he talks Zoe into helping him put together the pieces surrounding his mysteri...more What if the one thing you never meant to hold on to, is the one thing you can’t let go of?

Normally finding a hot guy in her bedroom wouldn’t irritate Zoe so badly, but finding her childhood friend Logan there is a big problem. Mostly because he’s dead.

As the only person he can make contact with, he talks Zoe into helping him put together the pieces surrounding his mysterious death so he can move on.

Thrust into his world of ultra popular rich kids, Zoe is out of her element and caught in the cross-hairs of Logan’s suspicious ex-girlfriend and the friends he left behind, each of whom had a reason to want him dead. The deeper they dig to find the truth, the closer Zoe gets to a killer who would do anything to protect his secrets. And that’s just the start of her problems because Zoe is falling for a dead guy.

 

Review:

I did a promo for this book recently and I saw the description and just knew I had to have it, I had to read it and I was not disappointed. This book had me hooked from the very beginning to the very end.  It was entertaining and even at the end I wanted more, so lucky for me this is a series.  Can't wait to see what happens next.

 

So we begin with Logan being dead and Zoe being the irrational smack talking person that she is acts inappropriate at his funeral and then somehow she sees him, thinking it's a joke at first until she realizes he's a ghost and so begins their adventure together.  For whatever reason only she could see him and they are on a mission to find out exactly what happened to Logan.  

Zoe has to join Logan's old clique to get closer to finding out what happened to him. She was hesitant at first but with her best friends help she gets sort of a makeover and fits right in with the popular kids.  It's ironic because she never thought she would but she slipped right in and pretty much became the queen b.  But with popularity comes a lot of stress and a lot of mistrust.   But along with it she did get one positive thing out of it, but you will have to read it to find out what it is.

I will say that throughout the book I did think it was someone else and at times even hoped that it was someone else, but again you'll have to read to find out who really did it and what really happened.  This book kept me entertained the whole time and I'm very interested in seeing where the next book will lead us because it was pretty thorough in the ending.

I really like the cover, the premise, the scenery and even the characters all of them.  Zoe is quite feisty and I love her attitude and just the words she said were to funny not to laugh out loud at. This was a great read and I'm very happy I picked it up.

Cover Reveal: AWAKEN by Skye Malone

Title: Awaken 

Series: Awakened Fate (Book One)

Author: Skye Malone

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Wildflower Isle 

Expected Publication: June 3, 2014

Cover Designer: Karri Klawiter

Running away from home was never Chloe Kowalski’s plan. Neither was ending up the target of killers, or having her body change in unusual ways. She only wanted a vacation, someplace far from her crazy parents and their irrational fear of water. She only wanted to do something normal for once, and maybe get to know her best friend’s hot stepbrother a bit better at the same time.

But the first day she goes out on the ocean, strange things start to happen. Dangerous things that should be impossible. Things to which ‘normal’ doesn’t even begin to apply.

Now madmen are hunting her. A mysterious guy with glowing blue eyes is following her. And her best friend’s stepbrother seems to be hiding secrets all his own.

It was supposed to be a vacation. It’s turning out to be a whole lot more.

[If you're interested in being part of the blog tour for Awaken, click the banner above to learn more!]

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About Skye

Skye Malone is the creative mind behind the Awakened Fate series.

She also technically does not exist.

Skye was born on May 17th, 2013 as the pen name of author Megan Joel Peterson, to give Megan an outlet for all the stories running around in her head. She writes paranormal romance and adventure, loves wolves and the ocean, and might just take over Megan’s life someday.

 Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr 

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Blog Tour: Without You by Juli Prestsater - Review

Title: Without You
Author: Julie Prestsater
Genre: NA/adult contemporary romance
Publication: February 14th, 2014

When two people connect, they can make beautiful music together. But what happens when music is the thing that tears them apart?

Evan James had it all. Drop-dead sexy, brilliantly talented musician, a skyrocketing career and his high school sweetheart by his side. When he’s offered a golden opportunity to go on tour, he never imagined she wouldn't go with him. Without her, he found his dream meant nothing. Three years later, bereft and alone, Evan stops at an open mic night and spots someone sitting in the audience, the beautiful face of a woman he’d never forget...Maddy, his one true love.

Madison Grey had only ever loved one man. When Evan broke her heart she had no choice but to move on with her life, start a career of her own, and she even finds a new love. Still, thoughts of Evan were never put to rest. And on one fateful night, she unexpectedly hears him pour his heart out into a new song. A song about broken hearts, lost love, and second chances. A song about her.

With the help of their scheming friends, Maddy and Evan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. While learning to love and trust again, there is only one thing left on both of their minds... Is life better with or without you?

Purchase:

Amazon | B&N

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Review:

This book was a light and happy kind of read that made you feel good.  A book about finding lost love once again when you thought you would never have it again.  The author did a great job putting the two of them back together even if i thought it was a little too quick and easy to be real it was still a good light hearted read.  

We meet Evan as he is taking a break from his famousness and going back to his roots.  He's back at home contemplating how he is going to win back the love of his life.  But when he runs into her she's with someone else, which leads to be a problem, but then again not for Evan and his smoothness.  Evan, his two best friends and his ex girl are all best friends and the two best friends are about to get married so I'm sure you can guess who gets thrown together to do best man and maid of honor duties, yup Evan and Maddy.  All this time spent together just leads them back to where they were in the past because neither one of them has ever stopped loving the other. 

Again it was a very light read, had it's funny moments but I think the part when the two got back together it seemed rather quick and too easy.  I mean even the significant other stepped aside, it just didn't seem real there was no fight for it, it just sort of happened.  That's probably the only thing I didn't like about it, but if I was sitting on the beach reading this then I would be happy because it's that kind of book you can read in one sitting. 

Love the cover, very attractive model on the cover.  Love the premise of the story just wish there was a bit more conflict to get the endorphin's moving along.  Overall good book and I would read something else by this author. 

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About Julie

I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher, a reader, and a writer. I'm also an lunatic when it comes to the NFL and playing Fantasy football, especially if I don't get my first pick quarterback: Tony Romo. When I'm not at home or work, you can probably catch me on the 15 freeway singing my heart out and dancing away in my car.  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Review: Camp Boyfriend by J. K. Rock

Camp Boyfriend
By: J.K. Rock
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Series: Camp Boyfriend #1

Description:
The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.

They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.

But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?

Review:
I have been meaning to read this book for quite a while now and I'm happy I picked it up.  It had a really great story behind it of finding yourself and not letting other people define you.  This is something I think all teenagers need to follow and I think the author did a great job of showing this.

Lauren has recently changed from the last summer to this, both in looks and likes and this can change a person completely.  It's that time in her life when things start to define you and even though she has a boyfriend she is happy to let him go and go back to summer camp and her camp boyfriend.  But will he still like her after all the changes that have occurred.  She won't really know because her boyfriend is currently going through something so hard that she couldn't break up with him and he ends up going to camp with her.  Talk about adding confusion and of course a disruption of her original plans of getting back with her camp boyfriend.

In here lies the story of what to do, go back to the old her or deal with the new her.  It's hard when even her friends from the camp don't want to hang out with her because they too believe she has changed too much for them, she's just too cool now and they believe she belongs with the popular clique.  But then again the popular clique don't believe she's worthy.  She's in that in between stage and she just wants everyone to get along like they used to when they were younger.  But as you grow up you learn new things not only about yourself but people you thought were your friends.

Torn between the two guys she chooses no one for a while but it's still difficult because she likes them both for different reasons, but they also like two different girls so now it's all about finding the real Lauren and what she's about.  This is what I liked most about the story. I really like the cover because really it could be anyone.  Camp is an adventure on itself and it's fun to see how these kids go through it.  Sometimes people can be so fickle, great to see a book that can actually happen in one way or another.

Overall I thought this book was great and I'll be checking out the next book in the series.

Promo: Losing Logan by Sherry D. Ficklin - Excerpt/Trailer

Losing Logan

by Sherry D. Ficklin

Release Date: May 6th, 2014

Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing

Genre: YA Paranormal

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Losing Logan Releases May 6, 2014 from Clean Teen Publishing

What if the one thing you never meant to hold on to, was the one thing you couldn’t let go of?

Normally finding a hot guy in her bedroom wouldn’t irritate Zoe so badly, but finding her childhood friend Logan there is a big problem. Mostly because he’s dead.

As the only person he can make contact with, he talks Zoe into helping him put together the pieces surrounding his mysterious death so he can move on. Thrust into his world of ultra popular rich kids, Zoe is out of her element and caught in the cross-hairs of Logan’s suspicious ex-girlfriend and the friends he left behind, each of whom had a reason to want him dead. The deeper they dig to find the truth, the closer Zoe gets to a killer who would do anything to protect his secrets. And that’s just the start of her problems because Zoe is falling for a dead guy.

About the Author

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

Website: http://sherryficklin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.ficklin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorSherry

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4153170.Sherry_D_Ficklin

Excerpt:

He smirks, “Well I never had any complaints while I was alive so, maybe. Then again, maybe you just bring out the best in me.”

I pucker. That’s entirely possible. Lord knows Carlos has called me abrasive more than once.

Changing the subject I stab a piece of chicken and hold it out to Logan.

“Ok, experiment time.”

He looks around the fork at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Lick it.” I say.

“You lick it.”

I sigh, “Seriously. If we are going to work with the whole ghost thing, I’d like to know the rules. I want to see if you can taste it.”

“Why? Are you planning on having me lick things often?”

I thrust the fork forward, “Just do it.”

Reluctantly he leans forward and sticks out his tongue, making a licking sound like a dog.

“Anything?” I ask hopefully.

“Maybe just a little? But I might just be smelling it through my mouth.”

“Huh.”

I stare at the fork for a second, debating whether to eat it or put it back in the box. I mean, he didn’t get his germs on it or anything, did he? Do ghosts even have germs? Ghost cooties?

He’s watching me with an amused expression. I shrug and take the bite, stuffing the empty fork back in the carton.

**To get the latest info on new releases and to enter our monthly giveaways join the Minion Army over at http://sherryficklin.com/be-a-minion/ **

Sneak Peek:

“Who would want me dead?” he whispers.

I raise my hand.

He glances up and laughs....

“Why am I not surprised by that?”

Lowering my arm I pick at my fingernails.

“Well, you do irritate me.”

“Yeah, but did I annoy you when I was alive?”

I think about that for a second. “No, I suppose not. It’s hard to annoy someone who doesn’t even orbit the same planet as you. Or maybe you’re just annoying dead?”

Review: Loving Liberty by Belinda Boring

Loving Liberty
By: Belinda Boring
Release Date: March 17, 2014

Description

Liberty Montgomery is many things:

A dutiful daughter.
Perfect wife-in-training.
Easy to manipulate.
Compliant.

But secretly she wants more.

For years, Liberty has dreamed of a life filled with opportunities—a life where she makes the decisions, living by her own rules. Unfortunately, her parents have other plans for her, ones that involve her submission and total obedience. Every attempt to break free from their control is met with threats, leaving her feeling trapped. Just when all seems hopeless, Liberty meets Oliver Nichols. With just two words, be brave, he stirs up her secret longings for more . . . friendship, fun, and independence. He almost has her believing her dreams are possible. However, taking a stand can be terrifying when you've spent your entire life pleasing others.

Are some chances worth taking? What would she risk for freedom?

Links
Goodreads | Amazon

Review:
I had really high hopes when reading this book and I can honestly say that it took me a while to get into it but then I finally did and was sucked in.  The author did a good job of describing this family that tends to bully each other and the one child that tends to take all that bullying in.  It's hard when it's your'e own family doing this to you, how do you survive, just be obedient or finally rebel and become free.  This is the story of Liberty Montgomery and her struggles.

Liberty is 21 and ever the dutiful daughter that she is she does everything her parents want her to, it's daunting on her though because she just wants to get away but doesn't have the courage to do so.  That is, until she meets Oliver a waiter who thinks she needs to try something different.  He sees in her all the things that are deep down and helps her to bring these feelings out.  But this isn't without consequences, between her evil sister, her controlling parents and a horrible suitor chosen for her by her family they have many complications and speed bumps to get through.  But they can do it together.

Overall it was a good story but it really took me a long time to get into it and I really disliked the main character for not having a backbone for so long.  Sure, maybe I don't know what it feels like but I can't even imagine having to be as obedient as she was, not that I want to be obedient but come on there are some things that are just common sense to do, especially since she was 21 not a teenager.  There comes a time when you have to grow up and that's exactly what Oliver helped Liberty do.

I really like the cover but I totally pictured Liberty a little more uptight than that.  Interesting read for sure and I'm happy that I've read it.


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

Review: Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Out of Play
By: Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry
Release Date: August 6, 2013

Description:
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

Review:
I really enjoyed this book, there's nothing better than a kickass girl and a rockstar boy falling in love with one another.  It's kind of like these two author's coming together, whenever they do it's really magical. Alone they are amazing and together it just gets better and this book did not disappoint at all.  I can just imagine the creative juices flowing between these two.

We meet Bishop (I love that name by the way), and he's just completely out of it, can't handle the fame of his band with all the crowds.  It's all just too much for him so he finds solace in medication/drugs and alcohol two things that do not mix well when you take too much of it. This toxic action lands him a one way ticket to Alaska for a personal version of rehab, or at least the hope of self realization of the destructive path he's on. 

This is where we meet Penny, a tall beautiful blond who loves to play hockey, and she's really good at it too.  She's tough and scary but really deep down she just wants someone who will want her and will not leave her.  Because in her mind everyone in her life leaves at one point, so why bother.  It's the emotional stuff that will get you every time.

Overall this book was very quick and fun to read.  Especially with the snowmachining, not snowmobiling lol.  Great location, characters and even the team were great too.  There are so many things that sometimes you think are one way but really it's much deeper than that.  This book was great and I really enjoyed reading it.  Can't wait to read the next one by these two authors. 

Bishop! Bishop! Bishop!

bringing these two

Promo: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack - Excerpt

 

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.

Excerpt:

Excerpt Reveal: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack by WilliamMorrowBooks

 

 

About the Author:

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

 

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | ALL LINED UP Goodreads