Good Choice Reading

Cover Reveal: PINNED UP by C. Michelle

2013-05-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

PINNED UP by C. Michelle

NA Contemporary Romance

Coming soon!

Readers in search of something fresh in the adult contemporary romance department will celebrate the arrival of C. Michelle’s vibrant debut novel, Pinned Up. Full of snappy dialogue, edgy humor, and a lot of heart, this fun look into the world of a modern-day pin-up model is one interesting journey. Are you ready to embark on a wild ride?

Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life…

That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do?

Readers will feel an array of emotions as Nina and Josh do the unthinkable—embark on a relationship together. As they navigate the pitfalls of romantic entanglement, both come to realize that their pasts are intertwined in ways that they could never imagine. Perhaps they have more in common than just their fear of relationships.

A heartfelt novel depicting modern love with a refreshing twist, Pinned Up is a must-read.

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The Rules by Stacey Kade - Guess Who? (Giveaway)

2013-05-20T09:27:00.000-04:00

The Rules
By Stacey Kade

Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: April 23rd 2013
by Disney-Hyperion

GoodReads † Amazon † BN

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

Last week Good Choice Reading and 4 other bloggers revealed 5 character profiles. This week we will play a game called Guess Who?

We ask a question that the author submitted to us based on her characters, you leave a comment guessing which character it is, and whoever guesses correctly on EACH blog today through Friday wins a signed copy of The Rules.

Missed the Character Highlights? Check them out HERE.

Good Choice Reading

So are you ready to play? LOL!

What is the name of Mark Tucker's BIOLOGICAL daughter?

A. Mark Tucker

B. Dr. Author Jacobs

C. Rachel Jacobs

D. Zane Bradshaw

E. Ariane Tucker

As a former award-winning corporate copywriter, Stacey Kade has written about everything from backhoe loaders to breast pumps. But she prefers to make things up instead.

She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Greg, and their two retired racing greyhounds, Tall Walker (Walker) and SheWearsThePants (Pansy).

Website † Twitter † Facebook † GoodReads

Leave a comment with your guess and a way for us to contact you.

Then visit

And play again for a chance to win a signed copy of The Rules.

US/CANADA only.

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY, MAY 27th.

Good Luck!

Tragic by J.A. Huss Book Blast & Giveaway!

2013-05-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage

**Does contain strong language

I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.

And then I realize I'm naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."

Purchase your copyAvailable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

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Cover Reveal: ADDICTED TO YOU by Colina Brennan

2013-05-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

Addicted to You by Colina Brennan

NA Contemporary Romance

Coming soon!

When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.
At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict—blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.
Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.
As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick.

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Blog Tour: Impostor by Susanne Winnacker -- This or That & Giveaway!

2013-05-16T20:46:00.000-04:00

Can Tessa pose as Madison . . . and stop a killer before it’s too late?

Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she’s spent the last two years training with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again.

Tessa hates everything about being an impostor—the stress, the danger, the deceit—but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she’d do anything to keep. Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.

Amazon † BN † BAM

Cat or Dog?

Dog! I’ve always had dogs, but never a cat and I don’t think that’ll change unless I find a stray kitty.

Ice cream or Sorbet?

I really love mango sorbet and my favorite icecream parlour has an amazing dark chocolate sorbet. Never heard of chocolate sorbet? You’re missing out! So I guess: sorbet!

Heels or flats?

Heels. I’m only 5’4 and my husband is 6’3, so heels are pretty much required if I don’t want to feel like a dwarf.

Knives or sword?

Umm, I’ve never used either of the above in a fight. I guess a knife is more practical since you can hide it under your clothes. A sword on the other hand probably would get me arrested…

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon!

Iced tea or hot tea?

That depends. In winter: hot tea. In summer: iced tea (but only the homemade kind!!!)

Snow or rain?

Snow. I love snow in the Christmas time, but more than a couple of weeks is too much!

Movies at home or Movie Theater?

Movies at home. I love lounging on the sofa with the husband and watching movies. But occasionally a movie theater visit is wonderful too!

Soda or Juice?

Well, during the day I mostly drink water, but in the evening I drink Diet Pepsi (pretty much the only soda I like, unless you count Ginger Ale). I seldom drink juice. They’re too sweet, but occasionally on the weekends I drink a glass of juice (pear or mango!) for breakfast.

Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter. I often find Facebook confusing. They change their rules and most of the time I don’t even realize it. Twitter stays mostly the same and it’s easier for chatting.

Actual book or eReader?

Actual book. I don’t own an eReader…

Actual book or Audiobook?

When I’m walking our dog or working out on the elliptical I enjoy listening to an audiobook, but generally I prefer actual books because I can put them on my shelf (I only have audible for audiobooks) and I don’t get as immersed in audiobooks as I do when I’m reading a real book.

Spring or Summer?

Summer. While I love when the trees and flowers start to bloom, I don’t like that it’s still cold in spring (at least in Germany). I crave heat and that pretty much only happens in summer in Germany, if at all.

Fall or winter?

I don’t like either much, but if I have to choose I have to say winter because of the wonderful Christmas markets in Germany.

Long Sleeves or Short Sleeves?

Short sleeves! Even if it’s quite cold, I prefer wearing short sleeves.

Young Adult or New Adult?

Young adult. I don’t think I’ve read any New Adult books yet. I like reading and writing about the teen years. Also, many New Adult books have a strong focus on romance (not all of them, I know.) and when I’m reading from the POV of an older protagonist I simply prefer to not have a lot of romance. If I don’t read YA or middle grade, I mostly read adult crime fiction and thrillers.

Vampires or Werewolves?

They’re both fascinating. For me it’s a tie with this one. Love them both!

Ghost or Zombies?

Zombies! There’s just something about people rising from the dead and eating the living that I love!

Action movies or Chick flicks?

Action movies!!! I love James Bond, Lethal Weapon, Alien, Indiana Jones, Avengers, Iron Man, Bad Boys etc…The only Chick flicks I liked were The Devil wears Prada and Bridget Jones.

Horror movies or Mystery movies?

I don’t watch much horror. One reason for that is that my husband hates horror and we usually watch movies together. I love reading horror, but prefer mystery movies.

Mountain views or Ocean views?

Ocean views. I love the ocean. I wish we had a house at the beach.

Susanne Winnacker studied law before she became a full-time writer. She lives with her husband, a dog that looks like a sheep and three bunnies that have destroyed every piece of furniture she's ever owned in Germany. She loves coffee (in every shape and form), traveling and animals. When she isn't writing, you can usually find her in the kitchen, experimenting with new vegan dishes.
She blogs for The League of Extraordinary Writers.
You can find her on Twitter and on facebook.

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Broken Promises by Dawn Pendleton -- Teaser & Giveaway! (Blog Tour)

2013-05-16T19:05:00.002-04:00

After three years in Boston attending college, Mallory Wells has come home to Casper, Maine to care for her father, who is dying from cancer. She left Casper without looking back, leaving her small-town life and everyone in it, behind. Including her sexy high school sweetheart.

Luke Bates was devastated when Mallory left him for the city life. He managed to pull himself together and move on, even if only just barely. When Mallory shows up in town, Luke vows to stay away from her at all costs. So why does he keep checking in on her and her father, showing up when he's clearly uninvited? Maybe Luke isn't as 'over her' as he thought.

Amazon † Barnes and Noble

Dawn Pendleton is a New Adult & Young Adult author living in Maine with her husband and pup.

Right now, she's working on two manuscripts simultaneously. It's a difficult task for her, but one she's certain will pay off in the end.

Want to meet Dawn?

She is also one of the featured authors of the New Adult Sleepover Weekend. You can find all the details here.

Website † GoodReads † Twitter † Facebook

Keep with the tour and you could win!

Tour Schedule

May 13th
Sinfully Tasty Reads - Excerpt

A Novel Affair - Book Highlight

May 14th

ToBeThode - Review

Fictionators - Teaser Tuesday

Gimme The Scoop Reviews - Character Teaser

May 15th

Love Between the Sheets – Character Teaser

Good Choice Reading - Book Highlight

May 16th

Shortie Says… - Excerpt

Nook of Books - Review

Deal Sharing Aunt - Interview

May 17th

Jenuine Cupcakes http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/ - Review

Simple Love of Reading http://simpleloveofreading.blogspot.ca/ - Top Tens list

Paranormal Book club http://paranormal-bookclub.com/ - Book Highlight

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Imdalind series by Rebecca Ethington Book Blast & Kindle Giveaway!

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

“Loved the world, the concept, all of the characters (good and bad), and just everything about this story! On to the next one!” -Jena, Shortie Says

“I loved this book from the very first lines… I think it will be hard to move on to another story for a while. -Steele Reviews

“It’s amazing and left me at the edge of my seat through the night as I read.” - Zach’s YA Reviews

On May 15th - 16th Kiss of Fire will be free on Amazon!

AMAZON

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble

Book 2 in the Imdalind series!

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

"If you like magic and paranormal books you NEED to read this series." - Book Briefs

"Eyes of Ember was so amazing! I can't even put into words how amazing. It's Brilliant." - Imagine a World

Get your copy of Eyes of Ember for only $.99!

Amazon

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble

Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads

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Review: Pods by Michelle Pickett

2013-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

PODs
by Michelle Pickett

Paperback, 288 pages
Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press

GoodReads † Amazon † BN

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

I really, really, really enjoyed this book! I don't even know how to start this review. Here goes...

Eva is sent to live in the PODs for a year while they try to contain the virus above. While in the PODs, she gets to know her roommates well and even finds love.

There were parts of the book that made me feel nothing but pain for Eva and her friends. They were basically torn away from their family because of a lottery, and are left to survive on their own. Jumping into a POD full of strangers wasn’t easy on any of them. Eva had to be my favorite, though, and I am not just saying that because she is the main character. She knew how to take an uncomfortable situation and turn it around. She took everything that was handed to her with no fear (or at least she didn’t show it) and just accepted that everything around her, was indeed happening. She cracked jokes and even gave her POD mates nick names upon arrival. Eva helped everyone out without them even asking. She took the little she had to work with and made the best of it. I laughed out loud so many times at some of the things that ran through her head. Honestly, all the characters were so much fun to read and were all well written.

There is a romance that grows between Eva and her POD mate named, David. Which I knew was coming because of the blurb, but I did not expect it to be as romantic as it was. So prepare yourself because this book has a ton of romance in it. I LOVED IT! With everything that happens I did not think the romance would play such a big part, but I am so happy it did. Once Eva and her friends are let out from the PODs, they are all each other have. They have bonded so much that leaving the PODs broke my heart, not just theirs. I felt every emotion they did.

David has become everything to Eva, and Eva to David. Their romance is not instant at all. I felt like I was sitting there in the PODs with them waiting for them to realize that obviously they care a lot about each other and need to be together.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I did have a couple of issues and questions left unanswered. I can’t really share much because I don’t want to share any spoilers, but I had questions about Eva’s parents and everyone’s families in the PODs. I know we’re just supposed to assume the worse, but it was never brought up again. I would have liked a bit more on the subject towards the end.

Their friend Josh, who lived in the PODs with them, what happened to him?

Another issue I had was (and I can’t believe I am going to say this) that there were WAY TOO many make out scenes. After the third or fourth one it felt repetitive, and I actually found myself skipping through the scene because I already knew the outcome. I loved David and Eva, and loved that the romance was a big part of this book, but some of those scenes were unnecessary; to me at least.

Aside from all that, I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars! It’s easy to follow and reads at a great pace. The awesome characters in it made it super fun to read, and it has plenty of suspense and mystery. It’s also unpredictable, and once you’re pulled into the story it’s unputdownable! The ending was perfect! It’s not a cliffhanger, but not a completely ending either, where there is no room for a second book. It can be either a standalone, or can have a sequel. Guess we will have to wait and find out.

A Good Choice for Reading!

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UNTOUCHED by Melody Grace Release Day Blitz & Giveaway!

2013-05-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Cedar Cove’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met—or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defences, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating—and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.

One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…

UNTOUCHED is a prequel novella to the USA Today Bestselling UNBROKEN. It also can be read as a stand-alone story.

Purchase your copy

Amazon † BN † Smashwords

“Hey,” he grins, easy, and slides his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a long, lazy kiss. My heart is racing as I taste him, mint and coffee, and something else, something all Emerson.

“You ready?”He puts the truck back in drive, and then slings his right arm around my shoulder. I snuggle closer, reveling in the touch of him.

“Ready for what?” I ask, as he turns out of town.

“This is our first date.” Emerson announces.

“Really?” I laugh. “I thought we were a long way past that.”

Like, three bases past.

I blush at the reminder, and I can tell from his wolfish grin that Emerson's thinking the same thing.

“A girl like you deserves a real date,” Emerson declares. “Not just groping in the dark somewhere.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, I kind of liked the whole groping in the dark thing,” I say, amazed at my boldness.

Emerson laughs. “Only kind of? Sweetheart, if that was you kind of liking something, I can’t wait to see what happens when you love it.”

“You'll just have to find out then, won't you?” I tease.

“Oh, I will. Believe me, baby. I've got plans for the two of us.” Emerson gives me that look again, dark and wild. He curves his lips into a teasing grin.

Melody Grace is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk.

Website † Facebook † Personal FB † Twitter

UNTOUCHED is available today!

Celebrate with Melody Grace on Facebook! All day today she will chatting with readers about UNBROKEN and UNTOUCHED, and answering some of your questions!

Join BELOW

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UNTOUCHEDPARTY/

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Review: After Math (Off The Subject #1) by Denise Grover Swank

2013-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

After Math by Denise Grover Swank
Amazon † B&N † Author Site
Published March 12th 2013
by Createspace

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.

After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him.Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?

My Review:

This story was so good. It's not a fairy tale story and it's not one of those stories that the character drag their emotions on. No this story is about two young individuals who end up working together through tutoring and fall in love. These two people both come from damaged backgrounds. And that's what makes them different from others in school and perfect for each other. Two lost broken souls finding themselves by finding each other. Yes maybe it does sound like a fairy tale but it CAN happen.

I have to say I didn't connect with Scarlett right away. But that's because I am not a Math genius like her. She turns to Math for comfort. Math is her comfort zone. Math is easy, follow the rules and you'll never get lost. If only life could have worked that way for her. But since life didn't follow rules, she made up her own. She kept to herself and never let anyone in. In her eyes, if she didn't let anyone in, then no one can hurt her. Seems like a good idea, but then enters Tucker! Tucker is your typical college star who gets all the girls. Everyone caters to his needs and nothings a challenge. That is until Scarlett.

I was very pleased with the pace of the book. Even the development of the characters to me was well written and well paced. There are just some people you can connect with almost immediately and then their are others that takes a bit of time before you do. With these two people, their connection was deep and I felt sympathetic for both of them. I understood their pasts which helped me understand them today. Nothing came easy for them (Emotionally Speaking). In order to be together they must learn to let go of the past and let each other in.

The next book "Redesigned" and it's about her best friend Caroline. Now Caroline fell a bit heavy on me. But only because she was really hard on Scarlett. I don't like friends who pushy, however she did have Scarlett's best interest at heart. So I can't wait to read her story. I know there's a reason for her distrust and I can't wait to dig into her story which is called "Redesigned". As for Scarlett and Tucker, I'd really love to read another installment of theirs but even if their isn't, their story is beautiful and complete. I love this book! It was simply amazing! I give After Math a HUGE 5 stars and a definite Good Choice for Reading!!

The Rules by Stacey Kade -- Character Highlight & Giveaway Details!

2013-05-13T12:39:00.000-04:00

The Rules
By Stacey Kade

Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: April 23rd 2013
by Disney-Hyperion

GoodReads † Amazon † BN

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

Name: Ariane Tucker

Eyes: Dark, almost black, but she wears blue-tinted contacts to hide the non-human look of them.

Hair: White-blonde, more white than anything. She's added low-lights to help disguise her appearance.

Age: Approximately 16. They didn't exactly celebrate birthdays in the GenTex lab where she was created and raised for the first six years of her life. :)

Family: --adoptive father: Mark Tucker --birth mother: unknown human female --genetic source: extraterrestrial body found and preserved after the incident at Roswell in 1947.

Hobbies/Activities:
--playing the online game/community Dream-Life
--collecting high-priced jeans

Random Fact: French fries are her favorite food. Actually, pretty much any fried potato product will do.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

This entire week follow blogs...

Good Choice Reading (That's us!)

For some awesome character highlights!

Then return the next week for a chance to play Guess Who?

Where we each share a character clue and you have to comment who you think the character is. So take notes this week and next week play with us!

The person who guesses correctly ON EACH blog wins a signed copy of THE RULES by Stacey Kade!

Don't miss out on all the fun!!!

Review: Our Song by Jordanna Fraiberg

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Our Song by Jordanna Fraiberg
Amazon † B&N † Author Site
Published May 2nd 2013
by Razorbill

Olive Bell has spent her entire life in the beautiful suburb of Vista Valley, with a picture-perfect home, a loving family, and a seemingly perfect boyfriend. But after a near-fatal car accident, she’s haunted by a broken heart and a melody that she cannot place.

Then Olive meets Nick. He’s dark, handsome, mysterious . . . and Olive feels connected to him in a way she can’t explain. Is there such a thing as fate? The two embark on a whirlwind romance—until Nick makes a troubling confession.

Heartbroken, Olive pieces together what really happened the night of her accident and arrives at a startling revelation. Only by facing the truth can she uncover the mystery behind the song and the power of what it means to love someone.

My Review:

First let me start off by saying, I really like this cover. I find it very appealing. Definitely made me wonder what's the story between these two. I'm guilty for judging a book by it's cover so it definitely piqued my interest. This is definitely an interesting read. In this novel, you meet Olive, your main character. Olive was in a horrible accident that she actually died in. But lucky for her she was revived. And that's what the story is mostly about. How she tries to pick up the pieces after coming home from the hospital.

After Olive came home from the hospital, something wasn't adding up for me. (You'll find out later on in the book) Her boyfriend all of a sudden didn't want anything to do with her. He started dating another girl. And in my opinion, Olive became weak. She wanted him so much that her attitude really bothered me. She really let him get to her and bring her down. Stories like this usually infuriate me and I never finish reading the novel. However, there is a turn around.

Lucky for her, things changed after she met Nick at a support group. This is where the story redeemed itself. Nick was a free spirit and the character development between the two was great. I really enjoyed their page time together. They were both two lost souls who needed one another. Their story was really interesting and they really made the book even more worth reading. Sadly, Olive isn't my favorite character, Nick was. Nick was more interesting to me. He brought so much to the story. So if there's a sequel, I'll read it mostly because of Nick.

I really did enjoy Our Song. It was a quick, fast and easy read. This book is a little hard to rate, for me it's between 3.5 stars to 4 stars. But since this book grabbed me from the beginning I'll give it a 4stars!! This book is also part of our "Read To Give". So one lucky commenter will get a chance to win this book. Please leave your email address in your comment. And again this is US only, unless if you're international and willing to pay shipping.

Blog Tour/Guest Post: Aftermath by Denise Grover Swank (Giveaway)

2013-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

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Aftermath by Denise Grover Swank
250 pages
Expected publication:
March 12th 2013

Scarlet Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety disorder and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.
After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him. Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?

EXCERPT:

“Tucker, what’s your major?”

His face lifts, confusion crinkling his eyes. “History.”

“Why history?”

His mouth opens to say something then he unconsciously licks his lower lip. I’m sure most girls would drool over it, but I see a guy who’s suddenly lost his shield of confidence. Still, I can’t ignore the slight stir in my emotions from the movement.
Finally, he shrugs. “I like history.”

His answer is a lie, but I don’t see what good will come from pointing it out. “So what exactly do you like about history? It’s full of dates, which are numbers.” He shakes his head. “Not the numbers. They get scrambled in my head. That’s the hardest part.” He pauses. “I like the stories. People who did extraordinary things and people remember them. They’re not forgotten and lost forever.”

I watch him as he speaks, the pain that flickers in his eyes.

“Do you like soccer?”

My question catches him by surprise. He blinks and sits up slightly. “Yeah. I’m good at it.”

“I know you’re good at it. I asked you if you liked it.”

His gaze turns out the window, and his mouth turns to a slight frown. “Do you know you’re the first person to ever ask me that question?”

I realize he hasn’t answered, and although I’m curious, I refuse to invade Tucker’s personal life any more than necessary. “I’m trying to figure out how you learn. Some people are auditory learners, while others are kinesthetic. Most guys are visual.”

He shoots me a wicked glance, and to my surprise, I’m happy to see his cockiness return. Sad Tucker makes me feel too personally involved.

I lean forward, my forearms on the table. “I think there’s more to learning than just the senses. If we can tie learning to something we love, we can remember it, and it sticks in our heads longer. So then when we retrieve the information later, it’s easier to find. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah.”

“So what do you love? What excites Tucker Price?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize I’ve set myself up for a raunchy response.

He ignores it. His jaw works, and he leans back against the seat, stretching his hands across the table. I notice the multiple scars on his knuckles and the back of his hand. “No one’s ever asked me that before either.” His gaze returns to the gray sky.

While I wait for an answer that never comes, it occurs to me that he doesn’t know. As he shuffles through his thoughts, I search my own and ask myself the same question that no one has ever asked me.

I press my head into the seat, stretching my hands out on the table top, and close my eyes. I’m surrounded by people every day, yet I always feel alone, no matter how hard I try to connect. It’s as though a veil has been thrown over my heart, and no one has ever been able to tear it down. Until this boy. This unattainable, untouchable, unreliable boy.

My eyelids flutter open, and I see the despair I’ve stirred in him. My fingers flex, millimeters from his hand, his palms splayed on the table.

For the first time, I feel genuinely connected to another human being and just my luck, it turns out to be Tucker Price.

And that’s the saddest fact of all.

About The Author:

Denise Grover Swank lives in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She’s a gypsy who can’t live in one place too long or stay in one genre. She writes contemporary romance, urban fantasies without vampires and werewolves, young adult science fiction, and romantic comedy mysteries set in the south. Denise has six children, three dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading, or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning.

Website † Facebook † Twitter

To follow the tour to see reviews, guest posts, and excerpts, click here or the banner below.

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Eyes of Ember by Rebecca Ethington -- Guest Post & Giveaway!

2013-05-10T10:20:00.001-04:00

Paperback, 380 pages

Expected publication: April 6th 2013 by Imdalind Press
Eyes of Ember is the second book in Ethington's Imdalind Series.

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

Kiss of Fire (book #1)

____________________________________________________

Falling in love for the first time…

The year was 1860. I was sitting on a bench with several of my acquaintances discussing the festivities for the ball that was to occur that weekend when I saw what can only be described as the most handsome gentleman in our small village. He was proper as he hung the banner for the ball, his brow covered with sweat as his muscles pulsed against his suspenders.

I immediately inquired of my friends about who this handsome stranger may be, only to learn that he was the newly arrived brother of one of the most disagreeable girls in our circle. Alas! Was true love not to be?

But no, it seems we were destined. For he too, saw my beauty and sought me out for his own, the affections of which I heartily accepted…

Wait a second…

I am actually married to my first love. Of course there were guys in between, but my darling husband returned to me after several years… and as for before… I met him when I was fifteen and we were both volunteering at a local Living History Museum – so I guess the above story is correct, there was just probably a lot more giggling involved…

Find Rebecca Ethington...

Twitter, Facebook, and Website

Books Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

____________________________________________________

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Blog Tour/ Review: Lost & Found by Nicole Williams

2013-05-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Lost and Found
Author: Nicole Williams
Release date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Nicole Williams
Age Group: Mature Young Adult/New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.

After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.

Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.

Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.

When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.

My Review:

Lost and Found was a really really good read. It's one of those books that suck you in. I would have read this book in a matter of hours if I didn't have to work to do any household chores. That's how good this book was. I took a liking to the characters immediately! I liked Rowen and I fell in love with Jesse the first minute he had some page time. The minute he spoke to her, I knew he was going to be a character I enjoy. Their chemistry was immediate. Loved it.

As for Rowen, I knew instantly the type of character she was going to be. I can tell she was hurt and because of that, she became her own worst enemy. Her way of thinking was that if she didn't let anyone close or anyone in, then they can't hurt her. People who are hurt that way can be very self destructive. Thankfully the author didn't push that whole self destructive or self pitying thing too far. It was very tolerable. And that's great because some book push it so much that I get turned off quickly.

As the story progressed about 50% through, I kind of predicted some of the things that were going to happen. But since I enjoyed Jesse's and Rowen's chemistry and page time together, it didn't bother me at all. Their story was very touching. Ms. Williams definitely wrote a love story that has you rooting for them. I definitely became their #1 fan. I mean who doesn't love a sexy cowboy with a nice pair of tight jeans to show off his perfect buns? LOL.

There are a few more characters that made the story interesting. You always have to have a villan or a bad boy in the story. And I have to admit that at first Garth (Bad Boy) was intriguing. I have a feeling that he has a whole horrible story behind him which made him the jerk he is today. Yet I wouldn't mind one bit if Ms. Williams write a book about him. Overall this story was perfectly written and I definitely enjoyed myself. I have Lost & Found 4.5 stars! A definite must buy and a definite Good Choice for Reading!!

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I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Author Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwilliamsbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwilliamsbooks
Blog: http://nicoleawilliams.blogspot.com/

Character Highlight - Asha from Echo by Alicia Wright Brewster! (Giveaway)

2013-05-09T12:11:00.000-04:00

The countdown clock reads ten days until the end of the world. The citizens are organized. Everyone's been notified and assigned a duty. The problem is . . . no one knows for sure how it will end.

Energy-hungry Mages are the most likely culprit. They travel toward a single location from every corner of the continent. Fueled by the two suns, each Mage holds the power of an element: air, earth, fire, metal, water, or ether. They harness their powers to draw energy from the most readily available resource: humans.

Ashara has been assigned to the Ethereal task force, made up of human ether manipulators and directed by Loken, a young man with whom she has a complicated past. Loken and Ashara bond over a common goal: to stop the Mages from occupying their home and gaining more energy than they can contain. But soon, they begin to suspect that the future of the world may depend on Ashara's death.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble

CHARACTER HIGHLIGHT

Ashara, mostly known as "Asha" throughout ECHO, is an eighteen-year- old who just found out she's an Ethereal—meaning she can manipulate ether. Ever since her brother died at the hands of a Mage, Asha has been itching for revenge. When she's called to the Council to join the Ethereal task force, she's both terrified and thrilled. On the one hand, she's not trained for this. With the countdown clock ticking downward, maybe she has no business on the task force. On the other hand, she may finally get the chance for the revenge she's been craving.

I chose Nathalie Emmanuel to represent Asha. Asha's family has a Caucasian background, but her late father had African ancestry.

About Alicia Wright Brewster

Alicia Wright Brewster is a mild-mannered lady of average height and above average paranormal obsession. By day, she works in an office. At night she is an author, an electronics junkie, and a secret superhero. (Please don't ask what her superpower is; that's not very polite.)

In her virtually non-existent free time, she loves to read, watch movies, and eat food. She is particularly fond of the food-eating and makes a point to perform this task at least three times per day, usually more.

Home | Facebook | Twitter

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First Kiss by Ann Marie Frohoff -- Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

2013-05-09T10:12:00.000-04:00

Title: First Kiss (Heavy Influence Trilogy, #1)
Author: Ann Marie Frohoff
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Pages: 483
Find it: Amazon & Goodreads
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

It was all about the band, until the girl next door.

Her innocence is tempting.

A sexually charged coming of age story set in the throes of stardom.

About an up and coming teenage rocker on the verge of stardom, when the girl next door becomes something more; they're forced to face the harsh realities on his road to fame and the expectations of their friends and family.

Sacrifices are made as everything changes as they know it.

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Review: Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

2013-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Right of Way
by Lauren Barnholdt

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: July 9th 2013 by Simon Pulse

GoodReads † Amazon † BN

Can a road trip repair a romance gone wrong? Find out in this standalone companion to Lauren Barnholdt’s Two-way Street.

Here are Peyton and Jace, meeting on vacation. Click! It’s awesome, it’s easy, it’s romantic. This is the real deal.

Unless it isn’t. Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.

Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind. And neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead…

Right of Way is a really good story, has great characters that you can easily connect with, but it felt unfinished to me. The entire story you're getting to know Peyton and Jace, and what exactly went down between the two, but once you figure it all out you can't help but think really? That's it? Then I expected for the story to climax and for things to really start happening, but that never came.

In the entire book there is so much sexual tension between the two, tons of mystery and once everything falls into place the story is over leaving you wondering what happens next. This is my biggest issue with this book. I feel like I read an incomplete story. I was expecting for way more, but once they make up the story is over. Not sure if this was meant to be a short story or not, but that would make a lot more sense, honestly.

The characters are great and very relatable, so that was a bonus.

I love Lauren Barnholdt books, and will ALWAYS be a fan of her work. Right of Way was good, but it wasn’t great. It’s a good summer read, or a read for a long car/train ride.

Cover Reveal: OVEREXPOSED by Adrianne James

2013-05-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

OVEREXPOSED by Adrianne James
Young Adult

Paperback

Expected publication: May 24th 2013 by Star Bound Books

EBOOK AND PAPERBACK WILL BE AVAILABLE

In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can't be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School's darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

Reveal hosted by...

Review: The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

2013-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Last Princess
by Galaxy Craze
Hardcover, 295 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by Poppy

GoodReads † Amazon † BN

A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless. When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year old Princess Eliza manages to escape. Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope-and love-once more.Now she must risk everything to ensure that she does not become... The Last Princess.

If you are a fan of Julie Kagawa's The Iron King, and Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, then The Last Princess is definitely for you. The same emotions I got reading The Iron King and Falling Kingdoms I got reading The Last Princess. I read it in four hours that is how fast the story moves and how enjoyable the story is.

The prologue is what really pulled me in, and normally the prologue does nothing for me. But in this book the prologue is the start of the action and the story just keeps going from there like the energizer bunny. It does not stop. In every chapter something dramatic was happening.

There is a very light romance, so light… that I wish there was more of it. However, the romance did have a nice twist to it a little past the middle. It just needed a little bit more for me. It was instant and no development at all. It was just there. Another slight issue I had was I would have liked a little more of the villain. You know he’s there, but there really wasn't much of a description, or scenes with him involved. I wasn't afraid of him one bit. I was more afraid of his soldiers than him.

I loved Eliza, your main character. She was brave, and smart about everything she did. She loses so much in this book and doesn't let it bring her down. She knows she cannot let the enemy win and has to do what she must do to survive. I also liked the description of the world Eliza has grown up in, and the reason they got to where they are in the book. It was pretty scary because honestly, it’s one of my biggest fears. Mother Nature is one scary lady.

The Last Princess is a dystopian YA novel. I love Dystopian novels so this was a must read for me and I am so happy I decided to finally pick it up. However, I wasn't blown away by it, but it was definitely good enough to finish and very satisfying. The ending was complete, but at the same time left room for a possible sequel. I am curious to see how the story continues in the next book.

3.5 out of 5 Stars!

New Adult Sleepover Weekend Blog Tour & Giveaway!

2013-05-06T09:09:00.000-04:00

New Adult Sleepover Weekend is a convention taking place December 6th - 8th featuring some of today's BEST SELLING New Adult authors, and some upcoming authors that you want to keep on your radar.

The weekend will be filled with parties, a book signing, reader and author dinners, and tons more! Not only do you get to discover some new authors, but you get to know them on a personal level.

I have put together an amazing blog tour to give readers a chance to get to know the authors before the convention. This blog tour will be filled with book highlights, reviews, sneak peeks into the authors books, and tons of giveaways! This tour will run from now until September! Yes, you read correctly. A 5 month tour and at the end of every month a chance to win big!

Some of the giveaways involve Gift Cards, books, and even two registrations to NASW! All donated by the authors. So if you're thinking about attending, make sure you check out the blog tour, which I am proud to be a tour host for.

This months FIRST NASW giveaway is below. You can enter just for checking out this post!

Just keep an eye for the following logo's below for your chance to win! You can enter each blog tour stop, not just once.

Check out the NASW13 website: http://newadultsleepover.blogspot.com/

To keep up with any updates, "LIKE" NASW13 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewAdultSleepoverWeekend

Be sure to check out the following blogs listed below, for a chance to win this month awesome prize!

http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com

www.mangamaniaccafe.com

http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/

http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.whirlwindbooksandreviews.com/

http://twobrainbookreviewers.blogspot.com/

http://tugceninkitapligi.com

http://www.bookishrandomness.blogspot.com

www.mybookmuse.com

http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com

www.shortie-says.com

www.thediaryofanengineer.blogspot.com

http://whateveryoucanstillbetray.blogspot.com/

http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com

http://www.theluvnv.com

http://www.shereadsnewadult.com

booksaremybestfriendforever.blogspot.in

http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com

http://anovelaffair222.wordpress.com

http://divergentgryffindor.blogspot.com

www.paranormal-bookclub.com

tiffanytalksbooks.com

http://rampant-readers.blogspot.com

www.SMIBookClub.com

Let the fun begin!!!

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Review: Blindfolds by Lisa Campbell

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Blindfolds by Lisa Campbell
Amazon † B&N † Author Site
Published March 2nd 2013
by Createspace

Hidden secrets, infatuation, and a touch of the supernatural consume eighteen-year-old Ashley Stevens during her first semester in college.

When Ashley arrives late on the first day of her sociology class, she meets Natalie—who she quickly develops a friendship with. Early on in their friendship, Ashley discovers that there is something going on with Natalie, and becomes intrigued with her secretiveness. But that is soon deflected once Ashley pursues a romantic interest with Jeremy—whose attractive greenish-gray eyes give her butterflies every time she sees him.

Will the burning flames of attraction make Ashley want to follow through in a relationship with Jeremy? Or will it smolder as she begins to discover a few things about his past relationship?

My Review:

This is a hard review to write. Because on one hand, I did enjoy the book enough to finish it. But on the other hand, it just ended. It felt unfinished. This novella is about Ashley whose starting college. She ends up being friends with a beautiful girl named Natalie. Natalie's friendship starts off as easy but then takes a turn on the mysterious side. She seems like she's a bit off and Ashley can't put her finger on it.

In walks Jeremy, her new love interest. At first things started a little hot with them but it turned rather cool, rather quickly. With so much going on, Ashley is feeling a bit flustered. She's got a lot going on. Her new relationship isn't flying off like she wanted, her new BFF is acting funny, she's also going through emotions with her mom and her ethnicity. She's trying to come to terms with her mother and having African American roots.

As the novella progresses, you finally do find out what's going on with Natalie. The truth behind Jeremy's sudden coolness comes out and she finally gets her meet her father's side of the family. But when all these come to light, the book ends. That's it. It kind of left me hanging. It was a really fast and enjoyable read. Maybe if she had made this novella in a full book, it would have gotten 4 stars but for now it's a 3 stars!

David's Song by A.R. Talley Blog Tour -- Interview & Giveaway!

2013-05-03T13:18:00.000-04:00

Tour Schedule

David's Song

Taken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.

A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self- doubt and personal inadequacy.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

If you could choose one book cover to put on your wall as a poster, what would it be?

Brandon Sanderson’s The Alloy of Law. I was so intrigued by the cover that I bought the book. I’ve yet to read it—I’m not a big sci/fi-fantasy fan. One of these days I may break it open…in the mean time I enjoy looking at the cover.

Describe your main character in six words.

Annie Stevens Hensman in six words: Insecure, sympathetic, idealistic, bright, impatient, loving.

What is your favorite book of all time that you can reread a hundred times, and it still feels like the first time?

Over the years, I have had several books like this. When I was little, it was Charlotte’s Web, as a teen it was Wuthering Heights, today I would say Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah. There is something about that story that I relate to, and never want it to end, so I read and reread it and cry every time.

How different would you say the final version of David’s Song is from the first draft?

The basic plot line is the same. Through the revisions, I really honed in on characters and what their motivations were. My husband was a huge help in this. He really likes the character of Annie – and as he read through the first version, he would stop and question me – would Annie really react that way? Isn’t she stronger than that? It was a great learning process on how to evaluate a character and keep them true to themselves as I write. Since David’s Song was my first novel, I relearned all the grammar I forgot from elementary school, and again with the help of my husband was able to develop a style that in some ways is a reflection of my own personality.

Did you set yourself some strict rules while writing?

I wasn’t sure what you were looking for in this question. If you meant, did I set goals in how many words I would write in a day? Or how much time? No, I did not do that.

What I did do, was set rules about content, particularly in the romance of the story. I love a good romantic read. I get annoyed with formulaic stories or stories that are so improbable that it’s hard to relate to them. Love—true lasting love—seldom is ‘at first sight.’ Yes, there certainly is attraction at first sight, but real love takes time to develop. I didn’t want to fall into stereotypes.

And since the story deals with adults, I certainly wanted there to be tension, but nothing that I would be embarrassed for my children to read. (most of whom are adults). There’s just something about knowing your children will read your work that keeps it appropriate for all audiences. I have noticed that the trend seems to be leaning toward more and more sexual content in a book. It annoys me, because I believe that society is confusing sex with love. I hope that in my writing, I will always show the expression of physical affection as an expression of love and not a substitute for it.

THIS or THAT

Cat or Dog? Cat
Ice cream or Sorbet? Ice Cream
Heels or Flats? Flats
Coffee or Tea? Hot chocolate
Snow or Rain? Snow
Movie at home or in theater? In the Theater!!!
Soda or Juice? Soda
Twitter or Facebook? Facebook
Actual Book or Ereader? Actual Book
Vampires or Were wolves? Neither
Action movies or chick flicks? Chick flicks
Mountain Views or Ocean views? Both!

Author A.R. Talley

April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.

Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Goodreads

Praise from reviews on Goodreads.com

"Not just your typical romance novel" - Tracy Williams

"David's Song is great read that leaves you thinking about the story and pondering your own relationships". - Anna Pavkov

"Sucked me in from the 1st page" - Jill Walker

"Loved this book . . . could not put it down!" - Dana Vieira

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/15/13

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway! Seraphina Parrish Trilogy by Michelle Warren

2013-05-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Ready for some exciting news, Good Choice Readers!?

I am a huge fan of Michelle Warren's The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy and am super excited to be a part of the third book's cover reveal!

Here are the first two covers:

Are You Ready.....

Book Three in the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy: Seeing Light:

FYI -- you can get the first book in the series, Wander Dust for FREE right now!!

Get Wander Dust FREE from AmazonGet Wander Dust FREE from Barnes & Noble

Check out the trailer for Book 1: Wander Dust:

The Giveaway!

You can enter the Giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author, Michelle Warren:

Website:

http://wanderdusttrilogy.com/

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/MichelleWarrenAuthor

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4097828.Michelle_Warren

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/MMichelleWarren

Review: Light (Gone #6) by Michael Grant

2013-05-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Light (Gone #6) by Michael Grant
Amazon † B&N † Author Site
Published April 2nd 2013
by Katherine Tegen Books

It's been over a year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

In the time since everyperson over the age of fourteen disap-peared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil. And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her Nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?

Light, the sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Gone series by Michael Grant, creates a masterful, arresting conclusion to life in the FAYZ.

Review:

So this is it. The final book in the series I have been following for years. The final battle has come down to this book. The darkness is here and trust me, all you want right now is light.

Before going into the book, I want to take time and thank the author, Michael Grant, for writing such an amazing series. So compelling and mind blowing with all the things that were happening brought the book so much more to life. Each title was perfectly selected to allow the reader the emotions of the kids stuck in the FAYZ, and to give an idea of what life was like. So Michael Grant thank you for this.

Now I am going to start with the characters in the book first. Yes I just wrote a whole paragraph thanking the author for writing such an amazing series but I do have to pick a bone with him. I can understand why he did it but I wish it never happened. (A little spoiler alert) Killing off that character was not fair. I literally had to put down the book and just sit there, thinking why you did that while the tears came down my face. I wish you could go back and change it but what is written had to be a written to capture the emotion in the reader and have that feeling go through the reader.

Now with the other characters, there are a lot of deaths as the darkness is slowly taking over and Sam and Caine seem to be the only hope. I love Sam but seriously Caine captured my heart. Caine did a 180 in the book as he went from a character only searching for power to one willing to sacrifice everything he had to save the people he loved. I think throughout a series there are very few characters that can make such a change to become a better person and for me Caine was one of them. As with the others in the book all played a huge role in the final battle and they fought not for themselves but for everyone.

With the story, the outside world is not able to see inside of the dome, which proves to be both a good and bad. In the last book they see Sam do something that creates fury in the people and declare Sam as a murderer. Uh-oh! The story is just so fast-paced the reader will have no time to place down the book for a couple seconds to take a break. I lie; I only put down the book once. The ending of the book was well written. I t was not an ending that left the book off to continue but it gave it a nice stop. One may call it a happy ending. And trust me these kids needed a happy ending.

Michael Grants writes a brilliant story that captured me from the very beginning. The question I ask myself, “What would happen if all the adults disappeared?” I don’t know the answer to it and I hope I never will. Light is a book that will leave an everlasting impact on your heart. An series that will always have a place on my shelve, Light is the book of the year!

I give it 5 stars!

Guest Reviewed: Chayse @ Books With Bite