tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51445028979990099762024-03-13T13:49:26.063-06:00Judith's Choice ReadsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-11402661830058688702014-06-06T14:46:00.002-06:002014-06-06T21:07:18.161-06:00World After by Susan Ee<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHeUuNQVNYE/U5InXgsDztI/AAAAAAAAGT4/su6bzqVluBw/s1600/world+after+by+susan+ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHeUuNQVNYE/U5InXgsDztI/AAAAAAAAGT4/su6bzqVluBw/s1600/world+after+by+susan+ee.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12983100-world-after">World After</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4890182.Susan_Ee">Susan Ee</a><br />
<b>My rating</b>: 5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> November 19, 2013<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Paranormal, YA, Apocalyptic, Romance, Dystopian<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Skyscape<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages: </b>438<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-After-Penryn-Days-Book-ebook/dp/B00DBE1P2Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402087452&sr=1-1&keywords=world+after">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=world+after+susan+ee&search=Find+book">The Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.<br />
<br />
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.<br />
<br />
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Review</u>
</strong></div>
<br />
There are no words for this book. The funny thing is that I went in expecting nothing but perfection. Ee floored me with <em>Angelfall</em> and I just couldn't conceive of a world where the book following such excellence was lacking in any way. I needed <em>World After</em> to be as good, if not better than <em>Angelfall</em>. Spoiler Alert: It was.<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="300" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1388788325/7930237.gif" width="340" /><br />
<br />
The curse of the second is pretty much something I implicate when going into sequels, simply said, they tend to be less enthralling than their predecessors. But the curse? It didn't exist for this book. Ee is an author after my own heart, this is why her books are my kryptonite, I feel like she writes <em>for</em> me. So thank-you for this, Ee, it was superb.<br />
<br />
<em>World After</em> follows the events of <em>Angelfall</em> and Penryn is slowly recovering from the scorpion sting that left her paralysed. She's with her family, Paige is finally returned, but the experimentations done on her have altered Penryn's baby sister in ways that go much deeper than the physical. Her pain was palpable, and finding the sister she lost in the "Low Demon" now in her stead was a struggle for Penryn. Her mother, craziness aside, latches onto her daughter and encourages Penryn to look in Paige's eyes because those haven't changed; she is the same sister and daughter they know and lost. Surprisingly, Penryn has difficulty with this, and if things aren't hard enough, they still don't know what to feed Paige. It isn't until one incident at their base refugee camp that the gory answer is arrived at.<br />
<br />
Paige needs meat. Raw meat, most readily available in human beings. There is an uproar, and the rest of the survivors try to capture her and she flees the camp, leaving Penryn and her mother to find Paige yet again. Clara, an unexpected survivor who Penryn saves from being sucked dry by the scorpions/"locusts" comes along for the ride, and together they embark on the quest to save Paige from the unpredictable angels, herself, and from hurting anyone else. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="300" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1388788325/7930238.gif" width="340" /><br />
<em>Yeah, not so much.</em><br />
<br />
I was taken rapture, by the incredible storytelling and the characters brimming with anguish and determination to survive. I think more than anything, this series is a chronicle of survival and persistence even at the worst of times. <br />
<br />
Penryn grew, into the kind of Heroine one cannot forget about simply by closing the book. She stays with you, making you question her actions as well as what you might do in her place. If your world was turned upside down, the man you loved apart from you, and your family ravaged...what would you do? I'd hope I would act as Penryn did and kick some serious ass! Can I get a "what-what" for her skills with Pookie Bear!? <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="300" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1388788325/7930239.gif" width="340" /><br />
<br />
I was very pleased, and excited that more of Raffe's past was revealed through his sword and also that some insight as to what Paige went through was provided. I think I would have hated it if her whole experience with the angels was glossed over, and Ee gave just enough detail about her abduction that satisfied but did not completely satiate my curiosity. As always, I am hungry for more and the next book is something I absolutely <em>must have</em>.<br />
<br />
<em>World After</em> was full of action and entertained me to the very end. Much is revealed about the Angels as well as their purpose on Earth. Uriah's motives are despicable, but then again was any less expected? Things are more complicated than they appear and I am glad there will be <strong>5 books</strong> to unravel the mystery of this new world and its many conspiracies.<br />
<br />
Did I mention, I am hella pleased to have more Raffe and Penryn coming my way? I NEED this two to happen, damnation aside. Their chemistry is crackling and my tummy warmed at their reunion. I'm shipping this so hard, it hurts. Raffe did not disappoint me and the fact that he recognized Penryn right away made the romantic in me swoon for days! I'm in love. <em>World After</em> is the kind of book that satisfies and I am so happy.<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="300" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380379134/734798.gif" width="340" /><br />
<br />
<strong>This book was everything I needed it to be, the perfect sequel with an ending that makes me ever loyal to Ee and this series. So beautifully written...All I want is the next book!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>5 FLAMING GENIES!</strong>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3_CjZJoje8/U5Ij0tLt7SI/AAAAAAAAGTo/5UGI-FbwUPA/s1600/5STARS_zps6e8a9f14.png" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-66127429775314435502014-06-06T14:34:00.000-06:002014-06-06T14:36:02.449-06:00Endless Knight by Kresley Cole <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBJkfctk4r8/U5IkSDXKILI/AAAAAAAAGTs/zFx1n4_HI6A/s1600/endless+knight+by+kresley+cole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBJkfctk4r8/U5IkSDXKILI/AAAAAAAAGTs/zFx1n4_HI6A/s1600/endless+knight+by+kresley+cole.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16175040-endless-knight">Endless Knight</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4428.Kresley_Cole">Kresley Cole</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> October 1, 2013<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Mature YA, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 336<br />
<b>Format:</b> Hardback<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Knight-Arcana-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B00BAWBLLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402086538&sr=1-1&keywords=endless+knight">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Endless-Knight-Book-2-Kresley-Cole/9780857079213">The Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Shocking secrets.<br />
Evie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who’ve been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It’s kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.<br />
<br />
Unexpected allies.<br />
With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.<br />
<br />
Gut-wrenching treachery.<br />
When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she’s drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can’t remember—but Death can’t forget…<br />
<br />
In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Review</u>
</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<strong>Death.</strong><br />
<br />
Never before has Death looked so <em>good</em>. I give props to Kresley Cole; she wrote this character in such a way that completely changed my mind about the Reaper. <br />
<br />
From what I recall of <em>Poison Princess</em> he didn't feature that much in the story, save a few threatening inner monologues between himself and Evie, and the odd flashback here and there. Going into <em>Endless Knight</em>, Death was not my preoccupation, Jack was. The Cajun stole my heart during the first book, and while I still hold a tender place for him, Death shares more of my affections. I'll break the book down into sections and better explain what I loved:<br />
<br />
<strong>Setting:</strong> This was perfect! Throughout the book, the group journeys through the wasteland in search of Evie's grandmother, also avoiding the other Arcana and Bagmen following closely on their tail. Firstly, <em>Endless Knight</em> picks up from where the previous book left off with Evie just having done away with the Alchemist and Jack standing there shocked beyond belief. There is desolation everywhere and from the imagery of blood splattered on the woodwork, dripping from Evie's talons, you get a sense that this world is far from ordinary. Other books I have read in the genre cannot compare to Cole's gorgeous and thrilling world of the A.F. I loved everything. <br />
<br />
This is a world that I immersed myself in, picking up the book and not stopping until it was finished. I couldn't get enough of their terrifying circumstances and the world post Apocalypse is so very perfectly written and conveyed.<br />
<br />
<strong>Plot:</strong> I couldn't believe how engaging this story was; I never saw anything coming, save a guess on rare occasions, and even then there was more to the revelations than I could have assumed. <strong>Impressed is probably the only way to describe how I feel about <em>Endless Knight</em>. It thoroughly impressed me, and this is a sequel done well.</strong> I never felt like putting it down, the writing flowed and a consistent peppering of adventure ensured that I never grew bored or tired.<br />
<br />
Cole does dance a fine line between YA and Adult with some of the more mature scenes involving Evie and Death, even the cave scene with Jack seemed more risque than the average young adult book. For this, I have to suggest the book for older readers in the 17+ or 18 and above age range. The scenes are steamy and my contention is that Evie doesn't seem like a 16 year old in all of them. I am not complaining, yet simply noting that if a book is written for a particular age group, it should stick to content appropriate for that audience. Mainly, it would have been more consistent with Evie's character had she acted her age. <br />
<br />
Then again, I suppose it isn't every day that the world ends and maybe those scenes are proof that she needed to grow up quickly? It depends. I loved this book either way, but that was me giving younger readers a heads-up.<br />
<br />
<strong>Characters</strong>: Not going to lie, Jack got on my nerves a little at the beginning, he blamed Evie for keeping her powers a secret and had little hissy fits earlier on. Needless to say this was annoying, <em>especially</em> in light of what is later revealed about him and Evie's mom; his emphasis on truth is hypocritical in retrospect. <br />
<br />
He would distance himself from the group and be all broody, but later when things worked themselves out and he accepted the truth of the Arcana I loved me some Cajun! I was all vouching for him to get Evie away from Death, sure he was trouble, until I <strong>met</strong> him.<br />
<br />
<em>Officially, I've jumped ships. A little. My feet are kind of half in one boat and halfway on the deck of another.</em><br />
<br />
Death <strong>was</strong> trouble, make no mistake, but I can't for one second figure out a better reason to be bad than for him. He's a lesson in proper character development, and as I got to know Death better, I respected his character more. He isn't good, what he does at the end keeps him firmly from being that, but I have trouble detesting his character. In a weird way, this is pleasing. I like characters with shades of grey and because of their shared past he seems perfect for Evie; I want them to be endgame.<br />
<br />
And Evie, she was the leader I needed her to be. Initiating the treaty with the other Arcana and also defying death, she was fierce and is coming gradually into her own. It is no secret that I've liked her from day one, she is relatable and someone I do not mind rooting for. I'm glad Cole kept her as the girl I fell in love with in the beginning. You get a good idea of what there is to lose, also how things hang in the balance, and as more characters like Lark and Ogen are introduced, other dynamic Arcana included, one thing is for certain: it is anybody's game to win. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="300" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380398840/771123.gif" width="340" /><br />
<br />
The ending left me thrilled and equal parts worried. What will happen to Evie...and Jack? I wanted to slap Death and cheer simultaneously because he took control of his life and went about getting the girl he wanted, <strong>but</strong> I disagree with his method. The way I see it, he's going after what he wants, but her indecision aside, I wish he'd waited for Evie to resolve her feelings; it would have made him the better man.<br />
<br />
*Sigh*<br />
<br />
And then I remember, he's Death, and will probably never be the "better man" in that sense. I just hope his ultimatum doesn't ruin things for him and Evie's relationship. Cole did it again; I need her next book AASAP: Already As Soon As Possible!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3_CjZJoje8/U5Ij0tLt7SI/AAAAAAAAGTk/GP98arLaKBo/s1600/5STARS_zps6e8a9f14.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>5/5 genies</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-44108855894184656612014-06-06T14:13:00.000-06:002014-06-06T14:26:29.796-06:00Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JOCxc8uGvQ/U3TxLECzgKI/AAAAAAAAGE0/irX0YEqmPbA/s1600/very+bad+things+by+ilsa+madden-mills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JOCxc8uGvQ/U3TxLECzgKI/AAAAAAAAGE0/irX0YEqmPbA/s1600/very+bad+things+by+ilsa+madden-mills.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17836829-very-bad-things">Very Bad Things</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7059622.Ilsa_Madden_Mills">Ilsa Madden-Mills</a><br />
<b>My rating: </b>2.5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> September 9, 2013<br />
<b>Genre:</b> NA, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Little Dove Publishing<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 389<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Very-Bad-Things-Briarcrest-Academy-ebook/dp/B00F225YK2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400173363&sr=1-1&keywords=9780989780704">Amazon.com</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She’s perfect…<br />
<br />
Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex. <br />
<br />
Then she meets her soulmate. But he doesn’t want her.<br />
<br />
When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about...until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.<br />
<br />
As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.<br />
<br />
Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Review<u></u></u>
</strong></div>
<br />
Going into <em>Very Bad Things</em> I had somewhat high hopes, and giving the high rating it has on Goodreads, I figured I would not be disappointed. Sadly, I was. Really, this book in its entirety wasn't what the first few chapters promised it would be. The characters kind of unraveled mid-way and became unlikable as they made a habit of acting out of character. A lot of the indecision between Nora and Leo drove me crazy. Also, the cheesiness! Let me explain: <br />
<br />
Nora <s>crap, I forgot her name for a second there</s> Blakely is an almost all too forgettable character and this is not good, particularly not for a female lead. She goes through a lot, ignored by both her parents and forced to meet unrealistic expectations of perfection set by a demoness of a mother. Nora has a past that is heart-wrenching, and after years spent trying to make up for what her mother makes her believe is <strong>her</strong> fault, she snaps. <br />
<br />
At the opening house for her school, Briarcrest Academy, where she is asked to speak, Nora tells the faculty and all its visitors to go f**k themselves. Yes, I know what you are thinking, and I agree: this address would definitely make me enroll my children in the school! Look at the speech training offered to its students, truly this is a <em>spectacular</em> institution. <br />
<br />
I kid.<br />
<br />
Jokes aside, this little act of rebellion is exactly the wake-up call Nora needs to shake her life up and she realizes that the time has come for her to take back control. So she makes a list. Comprised of Very Bad Things, this list is designed to rid Nora of the label of "perfect" she has been branded with for so long. <br />
<br />
The plan is brilliant, really, and the first act of licentious behaviour on the list happens to be vandalism of the newly purchased building across the street from her aunt's bakery which the owner intends to reconstruct as a gym. No, she does not vandalise the building, that would be <em>silly</em>. No, Nora goes for the money and takes down the Escalade parked outside. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" height="200" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1388790989/7930907.gif" width="240" /><br />
<br />
<em>Brighter ideas have never been had.</em><br />
<br />
Basically, she wants to turn the luxury vehicle into something reminiscent of a preschool bus, and for the most part she succeeds. Until she's interrupted by Leo, the owner of said gym and Escalade. Long story short, he's pissed and mad as hell that Nora has vandalised his car. He remembers her from the open house, because uttering such kindly words as Nora did makes one hard to forget. <br />
<br />
Not to mention, he is attracted to her because the doctrine of Instalove dictates that the two have a "moment" following her address. He notices her, she notices him, it's <em>meant</em> to be except he's like 6 or 7 years older than she is and prison is no joke. He knows the outburst from the open house can't be normal and realizes that Nora is fighting some serious demons. The book is basically about Nora coming to terms with her past and forging a new future of her choosing as well as her and Leo fighting their strong pull to one another, <s>and yet failing woefully</s>.<br />
<br />
Now, I really liked this book for its prologue and first chapter, those are what convinced me to buy <em>Very Bad Things</em>. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that not only is there not much of a plot, but the characters lose their appeal the more time a reader spends with them. For instance, I enjoyed Leo at the beginning, he was sweet-ish and very attractive. By the end? I was done with his "f***" this and "f***" speech, and the ever-present indecision with Nora. <br />
<br />
Call me old-fashioned, but I do not understand sleeping with someone you do not have feelings for. What point is there in that, and what happens after you're finished? I'd be mortified. People act like sex is nothing and if you aren't giving it up, then you're a repressed prude who is uncomfortable with their sexuality. Are these really the only explanations available? I digress, but this is inaccurate. <br />
<br />
If Leo didn't think Nora was sleeping with his brother, then it was with some other guy. It was like she <em>had</em> to be getting physically intimate with someone and this drove me insane! It made me think he thought extremely little of her, one, and secondly, that he was insecure to the point that he was projecting his own promiscuity onto her. I don't know why this was done the way it was, but I fell out of love with him; insecure guys are a turn-off and Leo was surely that with a good measure of instability to boot. I didn't find it all too romantic that he and Nora would share kisses and talk dirty, only for him to pull back and be like "Girl, I ain't ready for no relationship." <strong>The hell?!</strong> It was ridiculous.<br />
<br />
I felt for her and what she'd been through, thank God Finn was dealt with at the end, but I couldn't decipher who Nora was as a person. Was she insecure, spunky, troubled, confident, innocent, or a sex vixen? It seemed that the author was trying to make her into all these things at once and the conflict was evident. <br />
<br />
I liked Sebastian, he was the saving grace in all this and his humor kept me going. I didn't like Leo so much because he did stupid things and his getup as the typical bad boy (tats, dirty mouth and "heart of gold") didn't endear me to him in any way. Sex does not equate love, and I felt that when it came down to it, Nora and Leo shared a lot of physical attraction. I'm just not convinced that a majority of it was emotional; she loved him because she felt like it was right and he the same. They didn't know each other and I think the fight to keep from jumping into bed was what the story focused mostly on. <br />
<br />
It was cheesy in some parts, primarily in the middle where talk of Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet and other cliches abound. I wasn't feeling it. Especially since there was little need for the dramatics. <strong>I'm leaning more towards 2.5 on this; the lack of plot and proper character construction noticeably suffered the read and while some might enjoy <em>Very Bad Things</em>, I couldn't like it as much as I'd hoped.</strong> I kept reading, hoping for more to come of it, but the story does not offer much by way of strong characters nor well-written plot. I finished it, but I would not read <em>Very Bad Things</em> again. <br />
<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvDoTohEdNQ/U5Ifls61gII/AAAAAAAAGTY/QTO3pFUuHx0/s1600/25STARS_zpsbc646bbd.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2.5/5 Genies</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-81850825897128733532014-05-13T07:03:00.002-06:002014-05-31T07:36:32.066-06:00Blog Blitz: As Is by Rachel Michael Arends<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjlT4MS5FvM/U3GuMfQ66qI/AAAAAAAAGD0/I9uItdjiEoQ/s1600/As+Is_releasebanner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjlT4MS5FvM/U3GuMfQ66qI/AAAAAAAAGD0/I9uItdjiEoQ/s1600/As+Is_releasebanner1.jpg" height="144" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDfeEdeZBR0/U3GuIhjTW4I/AAAAAAAAGDk/tS2adO81pWc/s1600/As+Is+(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDfeEdeZBR0/U3GuIhjTW4I/AAAAAAAAGDk/tS2adO81pWc/s1600/As+Is+(Medium).jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDfeEdeZBR0/U3GuIhjTW4I/AAAAAAAAGDk/tS2adO81pWc/s1600/As+Is+(Medium).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22022629-as-is">As Is</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8182317.Rachel_Michael_Arends">Rachel Michael Arends</a><br />
<b>My rating</b>: 3 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> May 13, 2014<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Diversion Books<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 203<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b><a href="http://diversionbooks.com/ebooks/as-is">Purchase <i>As Is</i></a></b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<u><strong>Goodreads Summary</strong></u><br />
<br />
<br />
Gwendolyn Golden and Armand Leopold have been America’s go-to couple for home decorating tips, letting the cameras into their So Perfect house, their So Perfect life, their So Perfect marriage. <br />
<br />
One problem: it’s all an act. <br />
<br />
Actually, two problems: America just found out it’s all an act.<br />
<br />
When a picture of Armand kissing another man hits the newsstands, everyone knows the jig is up. Both are evicted from their home and eviscerated by the press. While Armand deals with his very private life becoming very public, Gwen Golden returns home to Riveredge, a quiet town where her sick father, her angry sister, and the guy who got away still live. <br />
<br />
After years of pretending, Gwen has to rebuild her life for real. But while turning a new house into a home, and starting the next chapter of her life will be tough, reconnecting with the man she once loved may prove to be the most difficult of all.<br />
<br />
With humor and charm to burn, Rachel Michael Arends has written a beautiful novel of rekindled romance, home improvement, and how only the truth can really set you free </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Review</u>
</strong><br />
<strong><u><br /></u></strong></div>
<i>**FTC disclosure: A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank-you.**</i><br />
<br />
The book starts with a typical day on the <em>So Perfect</em> set for Gwen and Armand, but through a chain of events their lives are turned upside down. Their relationship is a ruse, as can be gathered from the summary, and the two are found out when Armand is pictured kissing another man. The media gets a hold of this and everything pretty much crumbles as both Gwen and Armand lose the comfort of their easy lifestyles and are forced to consider the events and life choices responsible for leading them to where they are in the first place. Throw in a cast of entertaining characters and a few twists and you have a great read! <br />
<br />
This is a sweet book with honest characters and a story that feels real. The author does a good job of showing the rippling effect that one decision can have on multiple lives and also how lost love can be rekindled. I liked the Strength Smith displayed and how despite all he had been through he stood on his own two feet and didn't accept unnecessary sympathy from anyone around him. Gwen is in a bit of a pickle when she runs into Smith, but even so she was a likable character who just seemed lost and overwhelmed with the turn of events. She's very unassuming and the kind of person who takes life as it comes. Together Smith and Gwen share a sweet relationship and I got the sense that they cared a lot about each other, he and she were in love while still being close friends with one another. I liked them together and their scenes were the best part of this novel. Their chemistry was sweet and easy and I enjoyed how they fit together. <br />
<br />
All in all I think <em>As Is</em> will appeal to readers looking for something touching and easy to read. 3 stars!
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdYZH4iOPEA/U3G5Dmo8e6I/AAAAAAAAGEk/9LCbU7EMrZA/s1600/3STARS_zps8ac82a91.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3 Genies: A breezy and light read that entertains!</b></div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjOVLWnbrPg/U3G1JQtycmI/AAAAAAAAGEY/kh55bXiDOhM/s1600/author+spotlight+2014.png" height="112" width="640" /><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlIWXFU4NNs/U3GvqS3Q0KI/AAAAAAAAGEA/R5EmzJsbqow/s1600/Arends_authorphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlIWXFU4NNs/U3GvqS3Q0KI/AAAAAAAAGEA/R5EmzJsbqow/s1600/Arends_authorphoto.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Rachel Michael Arends lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband and three children, including twins. She has been a public library director, a corporate consultant, and she silently co-owns a successful software firm.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Find Rachel:</b></div>
- <a href="http://www.rachelmichaelarends.com/">Website</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Michael-Arends/438817039551662">Facebook </a><br />
- <a href="https://twitter.com/RMArends">Twitter </a><br />
- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/RachelMichaelArends">Goodreads</a><br />
- <a href="http://diversionbooks.com/ebooks/as-is">Purchase <i>As Is</i></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What do you think, will you be reading <i>As Is</i>? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to show Rachel some love! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Much love,</b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-BDfeEdeZBR0%2FU3GuIhjTW4I%2FAAAAAAAAGDk%2FtS2adO81pWc%2Fs1600%2FAs%2BIs%2B" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDfeEdeZBR0/U3GuIhjTW4I/AAAAAAAAGDk/tS2adO81pWc/s1600/As+Is+" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-68884638594093608642014-05-12T23:23:00.002-06:002015-06-12T06:38:29.736-06:00New Design!<br />
Hi All!<br />
<br />
I know, call me the worst blogger on the planet. I haven't reviewed/posted in months and trust me, it has been a struggle not to, but I'm finally able to post again! I've missed you all and apologize for my impromptu hiatus as well as for partly dropping off the map. As I'm sure you've noticed the site looks a little different...okay, so a LOT different, in a really good way, and that has to do with the recent redesign done by Lea from <a href="http://www.leachristinedesigns.com/">Lea Christine Designs</a>. She pretty much pimped out my blog, and if I do say so myself, did a <b>spankin' </b>good job<b>!</b> I am so in love with everything, she captured what I had in mind for the site perfectly and was just an overall delight to work with. Love you Lea, and thanks for your hard work!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/judy10001/media/Mind%20Blown/Owl1_zpsc80c4901.gif.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Owl1_zpsc80c4901.gif" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Mind%20Blown/Owl1_zpsc80c4901.gif" /></a><br />
<i>And the site is <b>Pimpin</b>'!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Haha I couldn't resist. Basically though, expect more posts and reviews because this summer is all about reading. I want to get back to the books I'm interested in so this might mean that a limited number of review requests will be accepted, but the whole point of my having this site was so that I could post about the books that interest me. I have so many novels on my wishlist, I'm dying to read them before anything else. So yes, my focus will be on reviews and getting through many of the books I couldn't read earlier. I will do <i>Fiction into Fashion </i>posts and some installments of<i> Waiting on Wednesday</i>, but expect the craziness of review to return in full force.<br />
<br />
I have a new look and am taking a new direction with things, I would be delighted if you all came along with me for the ride. Talk to you later ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Much Love, </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-87632913954411177852013-08-28T11:39:00.001-06:002014-05-28T14:34:05.198-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (16): The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcK2nvMJUyw/Uh4y3DFwerI/AAAAAAAAF7E/ZsLQQeblA2E/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcK2nvMJUyw/Uh4y3DFwerI/AAAAAAAAF7E/ZsLQQeblA2E/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by</span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" style="font-size: small;"> Jill@Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b>This week I'm waiting on...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISYTKOXyqcE/Uh4zjwKhO9I/AAAAAAAAF7M/JROM5dYNyoE/s1600/the+coldest+girl+in+coldtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISYTKOXyqcE/Uh4zjwKhO9I/AAAAAAAAF7M/JROM5dYNyoE/s400/the+coldest+girl+in+coldtown.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown">The Coldest Girl in Coldtown</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25422.Holly_Black">Holly Black</a><br />
<br />
<b>Releasing: September 3rd, 2013</b><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.<br />
<br />
One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.<br />
<br />
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gW4QNIawjo/Uh4z3EI1yPI/AAAAAAAAF7U/P0lGHbiHTPU/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1gW4QNIawjo/Uh4z3EI1yPI/AAAAAAAAF7U/P0lGHbiHTPU/s320/divider.jpg" height="59" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvHoWs8HC_g/Uh4z9qOAWEI/AAAAAAAAF7k/XuzKr_fHGIo/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvHoWs8HC_g/Uh4z9qOAWEI/AAAAAAAAF7k/XuzKr_fHGIo/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love the cover!! Holly Black is one author I've seen around a lot, especially because of her Curse Workers series, about which I have heard nothing but good things. <i>The Coldest Girl in Coldtown</i> looks fantastic, and the majority of bloggers lucky enough to snag ARCs agree that it's creepy to the max and well written.That is all I need to know. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>P.S. If you haven't heard yet, then here's your opportunity to snag Roy Huff's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everville-The-First-Pillar-ebook/dp/B00BCOQSSQ/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1377711328&sr=8-1&keywords=everville">Everville: The First Pillar</a></i> for free AND <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everville-City-Worms-ebook/dp/B00EQZ5T2E/ref=sr_1_3_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1377711328&sr=8-3&keywords=everville">Everville: The City of Worms</a> for .99 cents now until the 3rd of September! It's a steal and a total deal, don't miss out :)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<img alt=" POST SIG" border="0" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zps243992a7.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-55252616594438261722013-08-25T13:48:00.001-06:002013-09-04T10:11:09.326-06:00Everville: The First Pillar & The City of Worms Promotion!<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everville-City-Worms-Roy-Huff/dp/0988936437/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377528169&sr=1-1" target="_blank">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15vv0z1_lDg/UhtsgEaRtwI/AAAAAAAAF6s/8XqzqqHGXIE/s1600/everville+funky+collage.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span id="goog_1902979049"></span>Hey there!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I don't know what you're doing right now, eating, watching TV, eating, but I know what you <i>should </i>be doing. Kind of. I'm not a dictator, so I'm not 100% certain on the whole "command and conquer" people thing, but I do know a good deal when I see one :)<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<i>...It's Coming...</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2ijyO6EiT8/UhpfG6D1ZsI/AAAAAAAAF6M/IJPr171aeBA/s1600/bam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2ijyO6EiT8/UhpfG6D1ZsI/AAAAAAAAF6M/IJPr171aeBA/s1600/bam.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>Everville: The City of Worms</i> is .99 cents August 25th-September 3rd! <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Everville-The-First-Pillar-ebook/dp/B00BCOQSSQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1377459010&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=everville">Get Everville Free Now</a>! </b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrNe3UDNdus/UhttGrEn1QI/AAAAAAAAF60/qTX-52wnJ1s/s1600/everville+the+city+of+worms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrNe3UDNdus/UhttGrEn1QI/AAAAAAAAF60/qTX-52wnJ1s/s400/everville+the+city+of+worms.jpg" width="251" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXmakT1Rnig/Uhpcduj38LI/AAAAAAAAF54/o1qTvz_QAzw/s1600/Everville+by+roy+huff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXmakT1Rnig/Uhpcduj38LI/AAAAAAAAF54/o1qTvz_QAzw/s1600/Everville+by+roy+huff.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXmakT1Rnig/Uhpcduj38LI/AAAAAAAAF54/o1qTvz_QAzw/s400/Everville+by+roy+huff.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Roy Huff's YA Fantasy novel, </span><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17404695-the-first-pillar">Everville: The First Pillar</a></i><span style="text-align: left;">, is currently FREE!!! His second book, </span><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17968674-the-city-of-worms">Everville: The City of Worms</a> </i><span style="text-align: left;">is .</span><b style="text-align: left;">99 cents </b><span style="text-align: left;">August 25th until September 3rd, so consider that an added bonus! </span><b style="text-align: left;">Cassie B.</b><span style="text-align: left;"> won the Everville giveaway recently hosted on Choice Reads, and for those of you who missed the chance to enter, here is an opportunity to snag Roy Huff's first book AND his latest work! Don't miss out :)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Do you have a copy? Hurry and get yours quick!</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>XX,</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZTG6WxSwNc/UhpdNEAu-oI/AAAAAAAAF6A/nlxq4iOk5Pk/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZTG6WxSwNc/UhpdNEAu-oI/AAAAAAAAF6A/nlxq4iOk5Pk/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-53575499859326923482013-08-21T10:30:00.001-06:002013-08-21T10:30:39.982-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (15): Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Fiv6oNZtA/Ugu3LRUJSXI/AAAAAAAAF2w/O8flQWmbSrc/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Fiv6oNZtA/Ugu3LRUJSXI/AAAAAAAAF2w/O8flQWmbSrc/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by</span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" style="font-size: small;"> Jill@Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b>This week I'm waiting on...</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxZQaaPC1kI/UhTqKnyxAiI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/mTOIQwN9dgc/s1600/fangirl+by+rainbow+rowell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxZQaaPC1kI/UhTqKnyxAiI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/mTOIQwN9dgc/s400/fangirl+by+rainbow+rowell.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl">Fangirl</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4208569.Rainbow_Rowell">Rainbow Rowell</a><br />
<br />
<b>Releasing: September 10, 2013</b><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
From the author the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park<br />
<br />
A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. <br />
<br />
Cath is a Simon Snow fan.<br />
<br />
Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .<br />
<br />
But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.<br />
<br />
Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.<br />
<br />
Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.<br />
<br />
Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.<br />
<br />
For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?<br />
<br />
Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?<br />
<br />
And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3wcBx2pCdc/UhTqXmFDvNI/AAAAAAAAF5g/kXoU6LTGzCw/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3wcBx2pCdc/UhTqXmFDvNI/AAAAAAAAF5g/kXoU6LTGzCw/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" /></a></div>
How could I <em>not</em> want to read this book?? Eleanor & Park freaking rocked my socks. Let alone my raging love for Rowell's writing, that cover pretty much sold me. Bring it!
<br />
<br />
<b>What are you waiting on?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>XX,</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOn0BejF2p8/UhTqgjlWPvI/AAAAAAAAF5o/qyOJKCK6c8E/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOn0BejF2p8/UhTqgjlWPvI/AAAAAAAAF5o/qyOJKCK6c8E/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-2389956201259548972013-08-21T10:12:00.004-06:002014-05-31T06:58:32.717-06:00Review: It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxAU8tW0K_I/UhTkPJFPhoI/AAAAAAAAF44/HlDmnnzXyUs/s1600/it+happened+at+the+fair+by+deeanne+gist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxAU8tW0K_I/UhTkPJFPhoI/AAAAAAAAF44/HlDmnnzXyUs/s400/it+happened+at+the+fair+by+deeanne+gist.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15759307-it-happened-at-the-fair">It Happened at the Fair</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52609.Deeanne_Gist">Deeanne Gist</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 3.5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published: </b>April 9, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> It Happened at the Fair #1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Howard Books<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 418<br />
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/It-Happened-Fair-Deeanne-Gist/dp/1451692374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377101040&sr=8-1&keywords=it+happened+at+the+fair">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=it+happened+at+the+fair&search=Find+book">The Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.<br />
<br />
Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.<br />
<br />
<br />
The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Thoughts</u></strong></div>
<br />
I enjoyed reading <em>It Happened At the Fair</em>, but it isn't my best book by this author. Deeanne Gist gave me <em>A Bride Most </em><i>Begrudging</i>, <em>Maid to Match</em> and <em>A Bride in the Bargain</em>, all of which are Historical Christian Fiction guilty pleasures of mine. I love her books because Gist knows how to write Christian romance provocatively without losing that faith aspect. <em>At the Fair</em> leaves me conflicted because it didn't hold as strong a faith value as her previous works.<br />
<br />
Both Cullen and Della pray, Della even sings "Jesus Loves Me" when she gets nervous in confined spaces, but I couldn't connect with their brief instances of faith. I could not help thinking that they held a faith similar to that of many Americans at the time, people who didn't mind enslaving others and doing away with the rights of said people. They worried about propriety like any other individuals living then, but there was no sense of God really being there, and not much besides good character set them apart. <br />
<br />
More things were overt and focussed on, like the Fair and it's beauty. Gist did a remarkable job bringing this piece of time to life and wrote splendidly of what the World's Fair had once been like. The exhibits, bustle and sights were exploding out of the pages. Still, Cullen and Della might as well have been figures in a Historical setting. It was a Historical novel by a well known Christian author, the book itself not necessarily being Christian.<br />
<br />
That aside, I liked <em>At the Fair</em>. It was funny and smart, a novel to happily pass the time with. I wasn't a fan of the main conflict in the story, Cullen is engaged to marry a childhood sweetheart when he encounters Della at the fair. He had left the farm to sell his automatic sprinklers, striking out, but with his hearing slowly receding it doesn't take long before the suggestion is given that Cullen take lip-reading classes. Della is a teacher at the School for Deaf Children and the person Cullen beseeches to teach him lip-reading. They've met before, he having saved her life before, but it takes some convincing, Cullen agreeing to act as tour guide for Della, before she agrees to the lessons. There is chemistry between the two, but with Cullen keeping his distance due to his engagement, their affection wasn't as open as that of most couples. It was more like mutual attraction, and a very nice shirtless scene, before Della fall in love and then Cullen. <br />
<br />
There is the matter of Wanda, Cullen's betrothed, but a confrontation eventually leads to a satisfying end. At first it was odd seeing Cullen go from displaying limited affection to full-blown gestures, kisses and all. In retrospect I do think this showed the extent to which he withheld himself out of respect for both Wanda and Della. He is an upstanding man with great character and a mind for innovation. There is opposition and a lot that he has to overcome, but Cullen handles it excellently. The way he doesn't engage with instigators like Bulenberg made me respect him.<br />
<br />
Della didn't feel as real to me as Cullen, her real name is Adelaide and I spent some time figuring out where "Della" came from, but she is not a bad character. I think she could have been developed more, but by far not a bad job on Gist's part. <br />
<br />
The story was good and complete with an interesting look into the spectacular World's Fair that made this a unique book for me. Still, it was more Historical fiction than anything else and I would have liked stronger characters with greater faith value.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-isvZXXHa2C8/U4m-t9WiUoI/AAAAAAAAGOI/pFtNlKSejaQ/s1600/35STARS_zpsf4704d13.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3.5/5 </b><span style="text-align: start;"><b>genies</b></span><b>: <i>It Happened at the Fair</i> is a great Historical look at the World's Fair, captured beautifully by a talented author. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQGxWmhgJI/U4m8BdiIh7I/AAAAAAAAGNw/1kxl--OkDho/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQGxWmhgJI/U4m8BdiIh7I/AAAAAAAAGNw/1kxl--OkDho/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-10944017439057095842013-08-15T10:21:00.001-06:002014-12-04T21:11:23.682-07:00Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sC3gvWpFRc/Ugz9a2c69YI/AAAAAAAAF3g/Sq5HUNRJGJ0/s1600/sweet+peril+by+wendy+higgins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sC3gvWpFRc/Ugz9a2c69YI/AAAAAAAAF3g/Sq5HUNRJGJ0/s400/sweet+peril+by+wendy+higgins.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768191-sweet-peril">Sweet Peril</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4279785.Wendy_Higgins">Wendy Higgins</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 3.5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published: </b>April 30, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> HarperTeen<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 371<br />
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Peril-Wendy-Higgins/dp/0062265946/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376583314&sr=8-1&keywords=sweet+peril">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Sweet-Peril-Wendy-Higgins/9780062265944">The Book Depository</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things. <br />
<br />
Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.<br />
<br />
When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>My Review</u></strong></div>
<br />
This book could have been better. I say this because <em>Sweet Evil</em> was the book that I pimped everywhere. I can't say that I will be doing the same with <em>Sweet Peril</em> because Wendy Higgin's second instalment wasn't as strong as her debut. <br />
<br />
Sweet Peril takes off where its predecessor left and we're back with Anna and her daily Nephlim grind. She's got to work to keep her dad off of the other Duke's radar, turning the human population towards alcohol and drugs, but her heart isn't in it. Partly because she's half angel, and also because Anna's predominantly occupied with thoughts of Kaidan, missing him. They are still trying to take down the Dukes and gather allies, but it felt like all that really mattered was how much Anna missed "Kai." The fate of the world rests in her hands, and all Anna really wanted to do was see the boy. <br />
<br />
To be fair, she does take the responsibility of saving Neph and Humankind seriously, but the teen swoony romance could have been dialled down. They are in love, I get that, but it felt like their romance dominated <strong>most</strong> of the book. I was looking forward to reading more of Kaidan and Anna, but with the way it was handled in <em>Sweet Peril</em>, I began to tire of their romance. It was like her life basically revolved around him, and one can only read about how smouldering a guy is before it gets to be enough. There are issues with Kopano, as can be expected, as well as an interesting revelation that has to do with Neph and their badges, but in all honesty Sweet Peril had more to do with Kaidan and Anna not being together than anything else. <br />
<br />
I expected more substance, and even though we meet more of the other Neph, discovering additional information in regards to the prophecy, I wasn't as enamoured this time around. The series is still fantastic, I love you Wendy, but I'm hoping that <em>Sweet Reckoning</em> will more than make up for where this book fell short.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2URfG6pXOjY/U4nGagHzoKI/AAAAAAAAGQY/MkLmJhSf4lk/s1600/35STARS_zpsf4704d13.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>3.5/5 </b><span style="text-align: start;"><b>genies</b></span><b>: <i>Sweet Peril </i>is compelling, and while it picks up nicely from where the former left off, this book fails to deliver as emotional an impact as the first.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CSPU4wdlpE/U4nDXTnqrxI/AAAAAAAAGPk/6Lxtjim33S8/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CSPU4wdlpE/U4nDXTnqrxI/AAAAAAAAGPk/6Lxtjim33S8/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-24189871959010784692013-08-15T10:08:00.000-06:002014-05-31T06:59:07.159-06:00Review: Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsZ_FU7csD8/Ugz6xVOgwTI/AAAAAAAAF3A/PZ9LuGwj2qc/s1600/Unbreak+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsZ_FU7csD8/Ugz6xVOgwTI/AAAAAAAAF3A/PZ9LuGwj2qc/s400/Unbreak+Me.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17841451-unbreak-me">Unbreak Me</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856947.Lexi_Ryan">Lexi Ryan</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 4 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> May 24, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> New Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Smashwords<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 234<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbreak-Me-Lexi-Ryan/dp/0985872586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376582594&sr=8-1&keywords=unbreak+me">Amazon.com</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
“If you’re broken, I’ll fix you…”<br />
<br />
I’m only twenty-one and already damaged goods. A slut. A failure. A disappointment to my picture-perfect family as long as I can remember. I called off my wedding to William Bailey, the only man who thought I was worth fixing. A year later, he’s marrying my sister. Unless I ask him not to…<br />
<br />
“If you shatter, I’ll find you…”<br />
<br />
But now there’s Asher Logan, a broken man who sees the fractures in my façade and doesn’t want to fix me at all. Asher wants me to stop hiding, to stop pretending. Asher wants to break down my walls. But that means letting him see my ugly secrets and forgiving him for his. <br />
<br />
With my past weighing down on me, do I want the man who holds me together or the man who gives me permission to break?</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Review</u>
</strong></div>
<br />
This book essentially provides every girl's ideal scenario: two hunky guys fighting it out over her. Except, choosing between the two isn't as easy a decision to make as you would suppose. Not when one is saying that he'll "fix" you, while the other's asking you to break. I find that this is what sets <em>Unbreak Me</em> apart from other books; there isn't really a villain, just the characters dealing with hard issues and bad people making the task difficult. Normally the good guy wants to do one of the following: either fix the female lead, or catch her when she falls. The jerk is supposed to want the absolute worst for her, but what do you do when both men are "good" guys?<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Broke%20My%20Heart/fatcookiedough_zpse13fbfcd.gif" height="281" width="320" /><br />
<br />
The characters were what sold <em>Unbreak Me</em>; I loved Maggie and Asher, even William! I would never want to be in her shoes, because they both obviously care a good deal about her, they just have differing notions of what Maggie needs. <br />
<br />
Maggie herself is a complicated and jaded character. Nothing could have prepared me for what I eventually learn of her; you think you know what it means to carry around baggage, but not the kind Maggie's hauling. She is dealing with A LOT and in a small town where nobody forgets, jeering calls of "Lucy" (Loose-ey, get it?), have long since become synonymous with her given name. The whole town thinks she's a slut, even her family, but I won't spoil that, and you can't help but wonder how the character lasted as long without shattering into a million pieces. <br />
<br />
Asher's like this sexy rocker who sees the cracks and knows something's about to break. Maggie wears the slut tag like a badge and outwardly doesn't mind what a lot of people think about her. She's not looking for serious, but Asher's not about to trifle with Maggie. He's the guy telling her she deserves better, but that'll happen only if she starts being honest with herself and him. <br />
<br />
This is where William and Asher agree, that Maggie needs to let someone in, but that is where the similarities end. He's loved Maggie for longer than Asher and he is at the ready to stop the wedding with her sister should Maggie say the word, <s>though it would have been nice if he hadn't gotten engaged to her in the first place</s>. I thought I'd hate William for putting the sister's in that predicament, but I saw how conflicted he was since he really did love them both, but in different ways. <s>You know the drill.</s> <br />
<br />
In the end, it really did come down to Maggie and what she needed. I was torn because my loyalties had 100% switched to William by the end, and I really wanted him to be happy, but healing does come for Maggie and that is all that really matters. This is among my favourite New Adult novels, it's mature and involves sexual situations and coarse language, so be wary. Other than that, <em>Unbreak Me</em> receives a solid <strong>4/5 genies </strong>from my end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQb-_fOJFXI/U4iVZaH1NQI/AAAAAAAAGMI/7YYmWQ8P0rU/s1600/4STARS_zps06335700.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Packed with unexpected twists and heartbreak, <em>Unbreak Me</em> is memorable and beautiful, a fantastic New Adult novel!
</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWm57Pg4K8k/U4iVAFVLxWI/AAAAAAAAGMA/Su7HYsbno-c/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWm57Pg4K8k/U4iVAFVLxWI/AAAAAAAAGMA/Su7HYsbno-c/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-90353692025164937572013-08-14T10:58:00.003-06:002013-08-21T10:31:23.668-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (14): Endless Knight by Kresley Cole <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Fiv6oNZtA/Ugu3LRUJSXI/AAAAAAAAF2w/O8flQWmbSrc/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Fiv6oNZtA/Ugu3LRUJSXI/AAAAAAAAF2w/O8flQWmbSrc/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by</span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" style="font-size: small;"> Jill@Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b>This week I'm waiting on...</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JX6R3INhkg0/Ugu2XxqZ9fI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/9JGcN720aPU/s1600/endless+knight+by+kresley+cole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JX6R3INhkg0/Ugu2XxqZ9fI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/9JGcN720aPU/s400/endless+knight+by+kresley+cole.jpg" width="263" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17334529-endless-knight">Endless Knight</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4428.Kresley_Cole">Kresley Cole</a><br />
<br />
<b>Releasing: October 1, 2013</b><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed. <br />
<br />
Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history - one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkerqWnL_4A/Ugu2t9XrUxI/AAAAAAAAF2g/torQzaEvbcE/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkerqWnL_4A/Ugu2t9XrUxI/AAAAAAAAF2g/torQzaEvbcE/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RukTvRlGePM/Ugu2rdWUTLI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/XpXBkCZCLDU/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RukTvRlGePM/Ugu2rdWUTLI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/XpXBkCZCLDU/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" /></a></div>
Because there can never be enough Jack, period. I needed this book for my shelf once <i>Poison Princess</i> was finished. October can't come soon enough, this one is definitely on my wishlist!<br />
<br />
<b>What are you waiting on?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaHM1wyMZo/Ugu2u_7X6QI/AAAAAAAAF2o/fCbfcrUbMeo/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaHM1wyMZo/Ugu2u_7X6QI/AAAAAAAAF2o/fCbfcrUbMeo/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-72559248526983354182013-08-10T14:02:00.002-06:002013-08-10T14:02:59.408-06:00Cover Reveal: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (Warner Will Dominate)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<u>Service Announcement:</u> <b>Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to lock away your prized book editions, hold on to your fangirl seats, and get ready to be blown away because the cover for <i>Ignite Me</i> is out, and boy is it a LOOKER! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggFRoUN-ySA/UgaXghwbjTI/AAAAAAAAF1g/BXV50I2Fq0o/s1600/Ignite+Me+by+Tahereh+Mafi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggFRoUN-ySA/UgaXghwbjTI/AAAAAAAAF1g/BXV50I2Fq0o/s1600/Ignite+Me+by+Tahereh+Mafi.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13188676-ignite-me">Ignite Me</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4637539.Tahereh_Mafi">Tahereh Mafi</a><br />
<b>Release Date: </b>February 4, 2014<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"<br />
<br />
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.<br />
<br />
In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.<br />
<br />
Praise for the Shatter Me series:<br />
<br />
"Dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense. I dare you to stop reading."-Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures series<br />
<br />
"Tahereh Mafi's bold, inventive prose crackles with raw emotion. A thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love, the Shatter Me series is a must-read for fans of dystopian young adult literature-or any literature!"-Ransom Riggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children<br />
<br />
"Addictive, intense, and oozing with romance. I'm envious. I couldn't put it down."-Lauren Kate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen series</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ABi2QvE-IM/UgaZS2oOYlI/AAAAAAAAF1w/3i-Qzru7U78/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ABi2QvE-IM/UgaZS2oOYlI/AAAAAAAAF1w/3i-Qzru7U78/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>My Initial Reaction:</u> </b>Pretty much that Warner is going to kick Adam's hiney come this book's release, because let's face it, my boy is MUCH stronger than that wuss, <strike>Adam.</strike> I will settle for no less than Warner ending up with Juliette, and them being happy as they settle down, (with possible kids), together. You here that, Mafi? No sacrifices, no sudden deaths, nothing short of him being happy. Capiche? Adam can go find a hole :P </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So you've heard my thoughts on this cover. What do you make of this upcoming release? Do you agree or disagree with me in regards to the outcome of this tormenting love triangle? Either way I'm psyched to read anything by Mafi, love you girl! What about you?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Thanks for reading. Take care!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>XX</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8ukOViUqhE/UgabIPZcTrI/AAAAAAAAF2A/bnKLg5AQ29A/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8ukOViUqhE/UgabIPZcTrI/AAAAAAAAF2A/bnKLg5AQ29A/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-21285859807549359762013-08-07T20:17:00.001-06:002014-05-31T06:59:32.680-06:00Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvXg4UTOnug/UgL9nv58dfI/AAAAAAAAF00/L882lCls6GU/s1600/eleanor+&+park+by+rainbow+rowell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvXg4UTOnug/UgL9nv58dfI/AAAAAAAAF00/L882lCls6GU/s400/eleanor+&+park+by+rainbow+rowell.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15745753-eleanor-park">Eleanor & Park</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4208569.Rainbow_Rowell">Rainbow Rowell</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> February 26, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> St. Martin's Press<br />
<b>Source:</b> Library Loan<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 325<br />
<b>Format:</b> Hardcover<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell/dp/1250012570/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1375927843&sr=1-1">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell/9781250012579">TheBookDepository</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Goodreads Summary</u></b>
</div>
<br />
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Thoughts</u>
</strong></div>
<br />
<em>Eleanor & Park</em> is such a profound book. I went in thinking that this would be one of those over-hyped reads that everyone loves for no particular reason. I am so happy to say that this book is definitely <strong>not</strong> that. I'm so in love with Eleanor, with Park and this story...Rainbow Rowell pretty much catapulted herself to the very top of my "love" list with this book. She's amazing. <br />
<br />
<strong>Plot:</strong> I like that the story progresses from them disliking each other to a lovely kind of love which first grew from friendship. You really get the sense that these two, Eleanor and Park, are from entirely different households. They shouldn't even be bumping shoulders, but they do because she's got nowhere else to sit on the bus, and Park being the grudging gentleman offers his much coveted empty spot. She sits, they <em>don't</em> talk, pretty much the end of story. Except...there's just something about <em>Eleanor</em>, and that <em>Park</em>... <br />
<br />
Seeing their friendship develop was the best thing. They bond over music (rock and roll of course) and comic books. This is where Park warms my heart, he gives her things like his music player, a device her lousy step-dad, (responsible for kicking her out of the house for a year), and mousy mom, (who did not retrieve her daughter for a year), could never provide. He lets her pretend, that she doesn't have to go home to sharing everything at least three ways. He's her little piece of escape, and I was just as lost (in him) as Eleanor. <br />
<br />
This book captures them pretty much at that weird phase in high-school, where you're uncomfortable in everything and all the world seemingly has a magnifying glass trained to watch you fail. This sense of awkwardness helped the story. You could tell that Eleanor was uncomfortable with her body, that everyone else wanted her to feel uncomfortable, but that Park just couldn't get enough of who she was. He likes her, even though the other kids call her Big Red, (assholes), and she's not from the best home. He <em>likes</em> her, and I loved him. <br />
<br />
<strong>Setting:</strong> The setting was a throwback to the 80's, <s>Bon Jovi you forever have my heart</s>. All the big hair, Walkman's and leg warmers...really it was rad. There's a fair amount of cussing in this so be warned going in, the language is coarse at times. <em>Eleanor & Park</em> takes place in a town of disparity. You have some families like Park's who are pretty well off, they aren't rich, but compared to Eleanor's brood, there isn't much to complain about. She's living in tight quarters and hand-me-downs are a way of life, necessities. <br />
<br />
Most books have this huge border between the rich and poor, like poor people must be segregated, but <em>Eleanor & Park</em> was more realistic. Sure the divide exists, but it is not hardly as huge. He can make it to her house by foot, no need for hitch-hikes or bus tickets, and the two exist somewhere inbetween. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/So%20freaking%20adorable/flowers_zpsa03c746c.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>Aw. Call me sentimental!</em><br />
<br />
The placing of the story was both chosen and written well, if it were any different I don't think I would have lost myself as entirely in the novel.<br />
<br />
<strong>Characters:</strong> This is the big one. Characters like these feel like precious marbles rolling about. You want to pick them up, dust them down and describe them all, but that isn't very efficient. <em>Eleanor & Park</em> is made up of an ensemble of very real almost-people. Almost because they are fictional, keepin' it real y'all, but they're endowed with enough problems and failings of their own that you almost forget they're fictional. There's a list of characters with issues: Eleanor has home problems, she's being bullied by some pervert writing nasty things in her notebook, and her stepfather is the crown regent of all douches. Park has a little bit of identity issues going on, he's half Korean and doesn't fully know what that means. His parents love each other, but he is feeling a little out of place with himself. There's also the matter of women still being primarily dependent on men; Rowell brings to mind the struggle many mothers and wives faced, trying to strike a balance between being a home-maker and independent. <br />
<br />
This is why I say that everyone has something going on. Even the mean girl has problems, hell hairspray is not the answer to everything!<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Cringe-Worthy/hmm_zps9f3f47fa.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>I speak the truth.</em><br />
<br />
Eleanor was my favourite. She is sarcastic, opinionated and awkward. She is the kind of heroine I should have grown up reading; curvy and real, Eleanor truly does feel like a person. I'm kind of sick of YA/NA novels having model thin girls alone ending up with the great guys, like being big immediately disqualifies you from happiness or something. <em>The cute guys are going to want even cuter girls,</em> YA/NA says, and I am happy to report, <strong>Rowell pretty much slapped that idea upside the head.</strong><br />
<br />
For many people life is struggle. They don't live picturesque realities marred solely by one event! Life is like being tossed down a hill (you know the more dangerous version of the kind kids roll themselves down on). If by the end of it you're somehow unscathed, everyone knows you were wearing shin pads. Eleanor was rolled down that hill. She didn't make it out without bruises, but she's inspirational to me; I <strong>know</strong> she is going to inspire somebody else as well. <br />
<br />
<strong>Overall:</strong> This book is not perfect. It ends pretty sadly and I did consider briefly pulling out a blue light in case Rowell had written the <em>actual</em> conclusion in invisible pen. Alas, this was not so and it really does end <em>like that</em>. It was realistic, true to what usually comes of life and young love. It doesn't mean that I liked it. I would have preferred a better resolution to things, but there is no use crying over spilt gin. <s>At least I think that is how the saying goes?</s> I see the glimmer of hope there on the final page, the idea of Eleanor and Park is still there, but truthfully I would have liked more. These two belong together. <br />
<br />
I'm sure somebody could find faults with this book, that is why it isn't perfect, but I certainly couldn't fault Rowell or <em>Eleanor & Park</em> for anything. I liked the story, loved the characters and fell for the romance. It got me hard and my permanent copy is on its way in the mail now. This is why lending books from the library is pretty much pointless; when the novels are as good as <em>Eleanor & Park</em>, I end up buying them anyway. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPnKOU0VKkY/U4iTOKpK-rI/AAAAAAAAGLE/8SqYF1gEAQE/s1600/5STARS_zps6e8a9f14.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>5/5 genies: </strong><b>5 million bajillion genies, again and again, this book is <em>incredible</em>! By far the best read of 2013 :)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgFBf-yJiEg/U4iTTxxXYrI/AAAAAAAAGLM/5k9Jyl6MbLc/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgFBf-yJiEg/U4iTTxxXYrI/AAAAAAAAGLM/5k9Jyl6MbLc/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-60600447168356093442013-07-30T05:52:00.001-06:002013-07-30T05:52:55.948-06:00Tour Stop: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qv8c8xyPinM/UfehTIAJPwI/AAAAAAAAFz0/ckqdlWvg5-k/s1600/You+are+mine+banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qv8c8xyPinM/UfehTIAJPwI/AAAAAAAAFz0/ckqdlWvg5-k/s400/You+are+mine+banner.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3oZqg88B5Y/UfehT0FBlOI/AAAAAAAAFz8/OIMdvMqQJKM/s1600/you+are+mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3oZqg88B5Y/UfehT0FBlOI/AAAAAAAAFz8/OIMdvMqQJKM/s400/you+are+mine.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17406760-you-are-mine?ac=1">You Are Mine (Mine #1)</a>
by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950698.Janeal_Falor">Janeal Falor</a><br />
<b>Release Date:</b> May 6, 2013<br />
<b>Series: </b>Mine #1<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 273<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Fantasy, YA, Romance<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<b><u>Goodreads Summary:</u></b><br />
<br />
Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.
Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.</blockquote>
Purchase: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-are-mine-janeal-falor/1115275866?ean=2940044507333">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Mine-Book-ebook/dp/B00CLXC07A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375183478&sr=8-1&keywords=you+are+mine">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/You-Are-Mine-Mine-Series/tjtF8AEYw02g5kVrtH1JJg">Kobo</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This Book is on Sale Now for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Mine-Book-ebook/dp/B00CLXC07A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375183478&sr=8-1&keywords=you+are+mine">$.99</a>!! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Advanced Praise for You Are Mine:</i></div>
<br />
“I was blown away by the beautiful writing, haunting themes, and chilling visuals.” ~Becca at Nawanda Files
<br />
<br />
“There were times when I had to fight back my tears and the emotion that this book drew from me made me feel so connected to what was going on as if I was actually there. You Are Mine should be on everyones to-read list and I cannot wait to see what Janeal Falor comes up with next.” ~Danielle at Coffee and Characters</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVD0o9p9ktk/UfekLYSW4JI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1mC7UKMPG_Q/s1600/teaser+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVD0o9p9ktk/UfekLYSW4JI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1mC7UKMPG_Q/s1600/teaser+time.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
“May I kiss you now?”<br />
<br />
No. Kisses leave me feeling sick. “I suppose it would be for the best.”<br />
<br />
He leans closer. I want to pull away. Thomas's kisses were callous. Painful even. The thought of more of that makes me feel queasy. But giving my permission somehow makes it harder to pull away.<br />
<br />
His hand reaches up and brushes my face. Flecks of gold are mixed with the green of his eyes. Suddenly, he scoops me into his arms and plops me on his lap. I yelp.
“Sorry, I guess I should have warned you first.”
<br />
<br />
After straightening my skirt with quivering fingers, I hold myself stiff. His nose nuzzles against the side of my neck. Warm lips brush my jaw and sweep along my cheek until they reach the corner of my mouth. My breath comes in shallow gasps. He smells lightly of citrus.<br />
<br />
I don't move. His fingers tangle in my hair. His lips hover over mine. A nervous flutter grows in my chest. The creak of the door opening spurs him into action.<br />
<br />
His lips touch mine. Flowing and sunny. They grow firmer. It feels so much better than I thought it could. His fingers run through my hair, the tendrils falling out of their confinement. Heat grows between us. He pulls me closer to him. Not only do I manage to refrain from fighting him, but I want to draw even closer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5gkGC5vXS8/UfekbVjKT4I/AAAAAAAAF0c/VvRFphPMSIc/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5gkGC5vXS8/UfekbVjKT4I/AAAAAAAAF0c/VvRFphPMSIc/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ-guFuIdv0/UfekT-bBOAI/AAAAAAAAF0U/9YJB126CspI/s1600/author+spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ-guFuIdv0/UfekT-bBOAI/AAAAAAAAF0U/9YJB126CspI/s1600/author+spotlight.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fscuCWP06fo/UfekgcfWnqI/AAAAAAAAF0k/XlfDcajRg4I/s1600/janeal+falor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fscuCWP06fo/UfekgcfWnqI/AAAAAAAAF0k/XlfDcajRg4I/s1600/janeal+falor.jpg" /></a></div>
Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.<br />
<br />
Author Connect: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950698.Janeal_Falor">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janeal-Falor-Author/536495353049569?ref=hl">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/JanealFalor">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://janealfalor.com/">Website</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>***GIVEAWAY*** </b></div>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2348b9132/" id="rc-2348b9132" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-62713331189947438862013-07-25T12:00:00.000-06:002014-05-31T06:59:49.387-06:00Review: Addicted to You by Becca & Krista Ritchie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dchU0yVZ2EY/UfFlpEYc1rI/AAAAAAAAFzc/QHsqU2NcfHM/s1600/addicted+to+you+by+ritchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dchU0yVZ2EY/UfFlpEYc1rI/AAAAAAAAFzc/QHsqU2NcfHM/s400/addicted+to+you+by+ritchie.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17830264-addicted-to-you">Addicted to You</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056935.Krista_Ritchie">Krista Ritchie</a> & <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2754148.Becca_Ritchie">Becca Ritchie</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 4.5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> July 1, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> Addicted #1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> New Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> K.B. Ritchie<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 324<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Addicted-You-1-ebook/dp/B00DE5EBZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374774850&sr=1-1&keywords=addicted+to+you">Amazon.com</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.<br />
<br />
Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.<br />
<br />
But when they go on a family boat trip, surrounded by open seas and limited male bodies in sight, Lily’s confronted with a big fear. Only one guy onboard can fill her addiction, and she’s sworn off going there with Loren Hale ever again.<br />
<br />
Now the only person who can truly help her can barely help himself. <br />
<br />
**This is a New Adult book recommended for readers 18 and up**</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>The Review</u>
</strong></div>
<br />
I struggled with this book. The themes are hard to deal with, and the conflicts Lily and Loren are engaged in made me ache for them. They went through so much! I think what challenged me most with this read was that it really brought to question the topic of addiction and how quickly it is a dismissed/tabooed subject in society. We don't want to deal with people with problems like Lo or Lily because they're difficult, messy situations we would all rather stay out of. You think "addiction" and immediately some <em>idea</em> of what it means to suffer from an uncontrollable compulsion comes to mind, whether it be hoarding, drinking or some other kind of addiction. We think we know, but really no one knows where the shoe pinches except those wearing the Prada. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/I%20Loved%20It/nod_zps4d17c883.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>True that!</em><br />
<br />
<em>Addicted to You</em> is an example of why all books in the New Adult genre are <strong>not</strong> just about sex. Sure, Lily is a sex addict and to be honest her problem was frightening. The way her compulsion led her to seek out sexual partners constantly, making due when none was available, ran my blood cold. She's so controlled by this <em>need</em> to fulfil herself sexually that it truly does interfere with any chance of her having a normal life. At one point, her life even stands in jeopardy. The seriousness of the issue was never undermined and I really do give props to the Ritchie sisters for bringing the gravity of her circumstance so beautifully across. It was a hard subject handled well. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/I%20Loved%20It/tumblr_lo9zs6TxTc1qzzd1t_zpsc8db23d6.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>To you, ladies.</em> <br />
<br />
<strong>On to the Serious.</strong><br />
<br />
I'm not going to lie, there is a level of graphic content to the novel, topics such as self love and pornography are repeatedly engaged and the sexual relationship with Loren and Lily is detailed, adding context but still considerably explicit. Sexual addiction has many facets and I felt that they were adequately addressed here. When things got graphic I had to sit back, breathe, before getting back to the read. It wasn't an easy journey with this book; it asks commitment from the reader, that they engage and feel the torment Lily does when she's through sleeping with a stranger, the shame of knowing she couldn't control her body's ever present need and will probably fall prey to the same urges in future. Things like that really punched me in the gut, and then there was Loren. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Broke%20My%20Heart/bswinetasting_zps8fdef2d8.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>Oddly, this is fitting.</em><br />
<br />
Believe me when I say that this guy gets beat around a ton, and then some. He's not harmed by people necessarily, but instead by shocking occurrences which serve to pummel him somewhat into asphalt. Lo has an addiction too; he's an alcoholic and between himself and Lily they have everyone fooled into thinking they're a couple.They are hiding their addictions with this big lie and up until a quarter or so into the book, it's just routine faking their relationship while indulging in forbidden pleasures. They have a system and everything works because Lo and Lily have been friends forever. As can be expected, the addictions get in the way of them having normal social interactions and they are isolated, so much so they are the other's best and only friend.<br />
<br />
You would think that because of this connection and past that they would be capable of putting aside their selfish desires in order to get help for the other, but this is not the case and even their affection and concern can't compare to the pull of their fixations. <br />
<br />
For all intensive purposes, they fit. Or at least they <em>should</em>, but their respective compulsions get in the way, making their try at a real relationship near pointless. Each cares more about protecting themselves, keeping from being exposed before their families, and sticking still to destructive lifestyles that it is impossible to believe they truly love one another completely. I think they share a love, but the kind shown in <em>Addicted to You</em> is not yet strong enough to withstand the strain of their addictions. They have a lot to get past and work through, and I suppose when you've been doing things the way they have for so long, the road to recovery is indeed a long stretch. <br />
<br />
<strong>In Conclusion</strong><br />
<br />
This book showed how thoroughly an addiction can not only infiltrate, but also destroy lives. The realistic way that it is depicted here leaves no doubt in mind how devastating and far reaching the affects of being an alcoholic or nymphomaniac are. It was never just Loren's issue or Lily's, because Lily's "issue" got in the way of her relationship with everyone around her. She distanced from family and endures such deep self-loathing that anyone with eyes can see she isn't happy. Loren too, his alcohol dependency so interferes in his school life that all semblance of order is stripped away as he fails his way through classes, earning disappointment and disdain from his father and drowning the pain in booze. All in all the effects are far-reaching and I'm glad that the authors made me aware of the struggle, I had no idea how challenging it can be to go through an ordeal like Lily's or Loren's, let alone be the person afflicted. <br />
<br />
<em>Addicted to You</em> gave me an intense glimpse into the mind of complex, tortured characters that simply grew on me and stuck to the end. I'm a fan of these writers because of their execution in this novel as well as mature handling of very sensitive and real ordeals. You will like <em>Addicted to You</em> because it has purpose and will make you cry as you smile your way through to a satisfying ending, I did. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrTqAJ2oj1c/U4ZE8VEkoLI/AAAAAAAAGHA/x0o2z97d5ao/s1600/45STARS_zpsadea16b8.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>4.5/5 genies: </strong><b>The Ritchie girls are phenomenal; I could not be any more satisfied with this book. It goes to dark places and still manages to end with an emotional punch that literally strikes my heart in two. This book is fantastic, and a new favourite of mine, <em>Addicted to You</em> exceeds! </b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaKnBp50Kww/U4ZFDAdcx-I/AAAAAAAAGHI/OpWmcUE8J5U/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaKnBp50Kww/U4ZFDAdcx-I/AAAAAAAAGHI/OpWmcUE8J5U/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-5668075213446296352013-07-24T09:16:00.000-06:002013-07-25T12:17:41.530-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (13): Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv0gp8Rw8CU/UaYWss_ovnI/AAAAAAAAFpg/XPKEVFesKxY/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv0gp8Rw8CU/UaYWss_ovnI/AAAAAAAAFpg/XPKEVFesKxY/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by</span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" style="font-size: small;"> Jill@Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b>This week I'm waiting on...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4IduebFMSI/Ue_u5xaUaiI/AAAAAAAAFy0/rDHqAIXfe10/s1600/wild+cards+by+elkeles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4IduebFMSI/Ue_u5xaUaiI/AAAAAAAAFy0/rDHqAIXfe10/s400/wild+cards+by+elkeles.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13065327-wild-cards">Wild Cards</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/274533.Simone_Elkeles">Simone Elkeles</a><br />
<b>Releasing: September 24, 2013</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.<br />
<br />
Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWr_xzzqKSo/Ue_vFjxdhuI/AAAAAAAAFy8/1cwXWXq48sE/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWr_xzzqKSo/Ue_vFjxdhuI/AAAAAAAAFy8/1cwXWXq48sE/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I like my bad boys done well, and Simone Elkeles seems like the woman for the job. I'm looking forward to this release also because the <em>Perfect Chemistry</em> series, again by this author, was outstanding in its genre. I'm hoping that <em>Wild Cards</em> will continue the tradition. When I think steamy bad boys? Fuentes kind of pops immediately to mind. Maybe Derek will bring new meaning to the words, fingers crossed!
<br />
<br />
<b>Are you waiting too?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>XX,</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On1947B4254/Ue_vR0p7zVI/AAAAAAAAFzE/kvLQMEyfUdk/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On1947B4254/Ue_vR0p7zVI/AAAAAAAAFzE/kvLQMEyfUdk/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-60683653823141283072013-07-23T10:09:00.000-06:002014-05-31T06:11:07.308-06:00Review: Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDjciGC7nEM/Ud1qqxqw9QI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/ZNUHrtUWiv4/s1600/Saved_by_Music_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDjciGC7nEM/Ud1qqxqw9QI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/ZNUHrtUWiv4/s400/Saved_by_Music_medium.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6751892-saved-by-the-music">Saved By The Music</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/451659.Selene_Castrovilla">Selene Castrovilla</a><br />
<b>My rating:</b> 2.5 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> May 13, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Westside Books<br />
<b>Source:</b> Review Copy<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 280<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17975098-saved-by-the-music" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00CSAITIU" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saved-by-the-music-selene-castrovilla/1015870597?ean%3D2940016439525" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saved-by-the-music/id649389300?mt%3D11" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">iTunes</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>My Thoughts</u></strong></div>
<br />
The most unique thing about this book is its setting. The barge, or where fifteen year old Willow ends up spending the summer is cool because her aunt plans to make it a concert hall of sorts, an intimate setting for people looking to enjoy music to come together and relax, truly appreciating the music. Willow ends up getting wrapped up in the repair and restoration of the weathered boat and as she works to reconstruct it she discovers more about herself. It is also a tale of self-discovery and heart, the importance of family and how the influence of these all-important people in our lives can either help grow or break us.<br />
<br />
Furthermore this book reminded me of just how beautiful the sea is. I thought the docks with the barge and fishermen was the right setting for <em>Saved by the Music</em>. It was realistic with its portrayal of wealth disparity, some parts of the docks being wealthier than others, and everyone seemed like real people with failings and insecurities of their own. The characters have multiple issues to work through and Willow escapes to the barge to avoid a particularly difficult home situation. She's the kind of character with an opinion and mouth of her own, pretty much saying what she felt and she and Axel were a good foil with him being more reserved and sombre. I liked that there is give and take in their relationship, that they both bring something to the table and neither assumes that they're perfect.<br />
<br />
As the title suggests, Willow is eventually "Saved by the Music" and music offers reprieve to many of the book's characters, its importance in their lives made more than evident. Music transforms the barge into something beautiful and saves Willow's life, I think reading about her struggles might very well resonate with readers, and if not save their life, at least make it easier.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Saved By The Music: </i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17975098-saved-by-the-music" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00CSAITIU" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saved-by-the-music-selene-castrovilla/1015870597?ean%3D2940016439525" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saved-by-the-music/id649389300?mt%3D11" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">iTunes</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_WU2PDs2VQ/U4nGxT50U2I/AAAAAAAAGQk/mL8mZd_02a8/s1600/25STARS_zpsbc646bbd.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2.5/5 </strong><span style="text-align: start;"><b>genies</b></span><strong>: A contemporary novel with emotion and promise, a read that could appeal to you!</strong></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-21920278744355890342013-07-15T16:59:00.001-06:002014-05-31T06:12:12.728-06:00Review: Sins & Needles by Karina Halle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5KQOzcRqUI/UeR8AqgccmI/AAAAAAAAFyI/o3urJ15-9MY/s1600/sins+&+needles+by+karina+halle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z5KQOzcRqUI/UeR8AqgccmI/AAAAAAAAFyI/o3urJ15-9MY/s400/sins+&+needles+by+karina+halle.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16029994-sins-needles">Sins & Needles</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785031.Karina_Halle">Karina Halle</a><br />
<b>My rating</b>: 4 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> January 25, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Artists Trilogy #1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Metal Blonde Books<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 438<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sins-Needles-The-Artists-Trilogy/dp/1479359084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373928470&sr=8-1&keywords=sins+%26+needles">Amazon.com</a><br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.<br />
<br />
<br />
***The Artists Trilogy is a dark and sexy contemporary ride about three flawed individuals caught in a world where it's so easy to justify the bad things we do. This is a pure adult read (Not YA or NA).<br />
<br />
This is the 1st book in the trilogy. It is followed by the novella On Every Street (released in March 2013) and the sequel Shooting Scars (released in May 2013). The third and final book in the series will also be released in 2013.***</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<u>My Thoughts</u>
</strong></div>
<br />
I felt like an outlaw reading this. Like I had a black bandanna wrapped around half my face or something, holster at the ready and strapped to my waist. The book provided me with this vibe and I merely sunk into it. This probably has something to do with the tiny little fact that the protagonist engages in numerous criminal activities such as fraud and theft, but that doesn't necessarily have to mean something, it could be just me. <br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a485/katiicombs/Gif%20Collection/tumblr_ll5rwzMSJ81qe2vvv_zps7cefaf39.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>Don't be a smart ass, Ariel.</em> <br />
<br />
The amazing soundtrack chosen by the author to accompany the happenings in this book also plays a huge part in creating the sense of danger and foreboding that pretty much sustains throughout the novel. In a lot of ways <em>Sins & Needles</em> managed to keep me at the edge of my seat, and when Ellie and Camden were on the lam I was just as tense, almost looking over my shoulder when things would escalate and they would just barely escape being caught. Of course I knew this cat and mouse chase element couldn't go on forever, reality bites and there is an ending to this story that jabs at your heart with a pair of brass knuckles and twists hard. In this way, it was a pretty stressful read.<br />
<br />
It all starts with Ellie returning to the town she grew up in, finally being herself for a change. What I mean is that she assumes her true legal identity, but isn't about to open up to every aspect of who she was in the past. Because even though she gets to be Ellie Watt again, the woman is still wanted and on the run from some bad folks who bring to mind Spanish mafias and fatal shoot-outs. Ellie stays with her uncle, planning to at least look for work in town, and when that endeavour fails she wants to beat it like a hot cake just went bad and it's every man for himself. That is until she runs into childhood friend Camden McQueen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n294/vodniq/hot.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<br />
Yup, Ellie and I are alike in that when Camden gets into the picture, everything else ceases to matter as much. Getting out of town, finding that job...Why would we want to leave Camden? The queer boy from their high school days is long gone, and in his place is a successful, talented <s>gorgeous</s> tattoo artist <s>of a MAN</s>. Needless to say, Ellie and I were both very pleasantly surprised. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/I%20Loved%20It/mm_zps909dc3ac.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<br />
At first glance I didn't expect much from this love interest. He's a bad boy with tats, so what? Haven't I seen them before? Well not like Camden! DANG does this walking needle have issues! He's all dark, <em>hurt</em>, and gloriously complicated; I couldn't get enough of him. While I'm sure the boy could make getting a tattoo seem painless and like a very worthwhile proposition, Camden comes with a lot of his own baggage. I'mma let you read the book to work through a majority of them, but the main source of conflict between him and Ellie is how she treated him when they were younger. They were buds until she ditched him for short-lasting popularity, and even though I see how she could do it, 100% harshness of the act aside, Camden hasn't been able to ever get over being ditched and humiliated.<br />
<br />
As soon as they meet you know something is going to go down. Sure the blurb gives it away that he finds out about her ploy to con him once her attempt at getting a reasonable job goes South, but that only added to the anticipation. I sat there rocking in one spot, fidgeting like mad and waiting for him to catch her in the act. They play nice and are flirty, grabbing a few drinks and whatnot, but underneath all the pleasantries you know Ellie isn't ready to give up her habit of taking the easy way out and conning people. Also, you can't help but sense Camden will be hella pissed once she tries those old tricks on <em>him</em>. Waiting for it all to go down was another matter entirely, and I was a wreck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img class="escapedImg" src="http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/wiltongorske/tumblr_lnzxrjCZDg1qgn42i.gif" height="200" width="240" /><br />
<em>Oy, the suspense!</em><br />
<br />
<br />
You think this is it, the end of the book story wise? They quarrel, fight and make up, book done? Nope, it doesn't end there! The past Ellie tries to outrun makes a reappearance and it is pretty chilling in a finely muscled sort of way. Those friendly mafia folk catch up to her, and it all goes to hell. If I was to split it in half, then the second half of <em>Sins & Needles</em> definitely went by quicker than the upper half. I think this is partly because the story was laid out by then and started driving itself closer to the end. Much happens and you never really breathe until the end. <br />
<br />
<strong>Minor Concerns:</strong><br />
<br />
- This is <em>not</em> a New Adult novel. I classify New Adult as having to do with college students in their early twenties bumping around, dealing with love/family issues while somehow trying to find their way, but Camden and Ellie are adults. Adult things happen and I wouldn't recommend younger audiences read the book due to the presence of more mature themes.<br />
<br />
- Many people mention that Ellie sucks at being a grifter because the girl doesn't lose the stupid cell phone like any well-thinking person on the run would (or at least someone claiming to be a con artist). This is true, Halle should have done better in this aspect because the cell ruins everything. This is why we have dustbins! Beware, this could annoy you too. Also, she gets caught. You'd think that after grifting for as long as Ellie has you would pick up some level of expertise, then again if she escaped and things were honkey dorey, there wouldn't be much to read about.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>In Conclusion</strong><br />
<br />
Other than the two points tackled above, I really liked <em>Sins & Needles</em> because it was everything and more than I expected going in. The characters are conflicted and each with a set of their own troubles, and the plot as well as setting provides them with the perfect layout to work through these discrepancies. There's a lot riding on the second book since this one was a bit cliffy at the end, but I'm all down for more outlaw adventures, sign me up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zgqMhlboXBc/U4nG71GPSTI/AAAAAAAAGQs/G3_gooZkf4I/s1600/4STARS_zps06335700.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>4/5 </strong><span style="text-align: start;"><b>genies</b></span><strong>: <i>Sins & Needles </i>gave me a lot more than I was expecting, and it sets the stage with a high-stakes drama that will keep readers coming back to the series for more.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CSPU4wdlpE/U4nDXTnqrxI/AAAAAAAAGPk/6Lxtjim33S8/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CSPU4wdlpE/U4nDXTnqrxI/AAAAAAAAGPk/6Lxtjim33S8/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+%25281%2529.png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-78766380587521637272013-07-12T17:01:00.001-06:002013-07-31T21:41:10.408-06:00Giveaway: Win Everville The First Pillar by Roy Huff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi All!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today I have <b>one </b>special copy of author Roy Huff's <i>The First Pillar </i>up for grabs! The books is the first in his <i>Everville </i>series and one lucky winner will receive an Amazon giftcard to purchase the book. Now you don't necessarily need a kindle to read ebooks so that kind of opens the gate for entry a little, so as long as you can receive digital books from Amazon you should be good to enter! Before I go any further though, let me post a few details on the book and author below:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUGRAySEOTY/UeBhzpR0_VI/AAAAAAAAFxA/LUfXAO1U2CY/s1600/Everville+by+roy+huff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUGRAySEOTY/UeBhzpR0_VI/AAAAAAAAFxA/LUfXAO1U2CY/s400/Everville+by+roy+huff.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17404703-the-first-pillar">The First Pillar</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6893006.Roy_Huff">Roy Huff</a><br />
<b>Published:</b> April 1, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> Everville #1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Adventure<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Roy Huff<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 196<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At: </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everville-First-Pillar-Roy-Huff/dp/0988936402/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373659973&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=evervill">Amazon.com</a> or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everville-roy-huff/1114635183?ean=9780988936409">Barnes & Nobles</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
Owen Sage is the emblematic college freshman at Easton Falls University. With all the worries about his first year in college, he was not prepared for what would happen next. His way of life was flipped upside down when he mysteriously crossed into another dimension, into the beautiful land of Everville. His excitement was abruptly halted when he discovered that there was a darkness forged against both the natural world, which he knew well, and the new land which he discovered, Everville. He must devise a plan to save both worlds while joining forces with the race of Fron and The Keepers, whom both harbor hidden secrets he must learn in order to gain power over the evil that dwells in The Other In Between.
<br />
With a race against time to save both worlds, his short time at Easton Falls did not quite prepare him for the evil, dark forces he must fight in order to conquer The Other In Between.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtsZ2X_FLW8/UeBkiiuhdpI/AAAAAAAAFxY/6V2cM23OPys/s1600/the+author+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtsZ2X_FLW8/UeBkiiuhdpI/AAAAAAAAFxY/6V2cM23OPys/s1600/the+author+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTZHutKOdI/UeBkirad_SI/AAAAAAAAFxc/ICRajxLoR2k/s1600/huff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTZHutKOdI/UeBkirad_SI/AAAAAAAAFxc/ICRajxLoR2k/s200/huff.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
Roy Huff is the author of Amazon's #1 international bestselling epic fantasy novel, Everville: The First Pillar. He is a man of many interests including science, traveling, movies, the outdoors, and of course writing teen and young adult fantasy fiction. He holds five degrees in four separate disciplines including liberal arts, history, secondary science education, and geoscience. Roy Huff's background includes work in art, history, education, business, real-estate, economics, geoscience, and satellite meteorology. He was born on the East Coast but has spent more than half his life in Hawaii, where he currently resides and writes his epic fantasy sagas.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Find Roy: <a href="https://twitter.com/Evervilleseries">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6893006.Roy_Huff">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/owensagefans">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://www.owensage.com/2/post/2013/02/the-original-sin-of-new-years-resolutions.html">Website</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwEdQkBnxBo/UeBivfZkcQI/AAAAAAAAFxI/3eU845Iw0C8/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwEdQkBnxBo/UeBivfZkcQI/AAAAAAAAFxI/3eU845Iw0C8/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With that said, it's time for the...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAAa9DgUjyk/UeBfJp6PXiI/AAAAAAAAFws/jdX-v_oQomY/s1600/giveawy_trans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAAa9DgUjyk/UeBfJp6PXiI/AAAAAAAAFws/jdX-v_oQomY/s320/giveawy_trans.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Roy has kindly offered one copy of <i>The First Pillar </i>which will be received by one lucky winner. As far as I can tell, the Giveaway is <b>international</b>, although those living in Middle East countries and China might not be capable of participating due to their agreement issues with Amazon. It would be awful for a winner not to receive their prize due to this issue so make sure you are eligible. I think that is the last of my announcements, be fair and enter in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win this great book. Good luck!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d225e011/" id="rc-d225e011" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCaDoYeK3_Y/UeCIBRX1XUI/AAAAAAAAFxw/8c874MDBkHQ/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCaDoYeK3_Y/UeCIBRX1XUI/AAAAAAAAFxw/8c874MDBkHQ/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-81676814610624867422013-07-10T08:42:00.001-06:002013-07-10T10:23:30.896-06:00Tour Stop: Selene Castrovilla's Saved By The Music Character Interview & GIVEAWAY<center>
<a href="http://wp.me/p33Zak-9P" target="_blank" title="Saved By The Music Blog Tour"><img alt="Saved By The Music Blog Tour" class=" wp-image-415 alignnone" height="131" src="http://publicity.bookandlatte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/SAVEDBYTHEMUSICTourBanner1.png" width="400" /></a></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDjciGC7nEM/Ud1qqxqw9QI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/ZNUHrtUWiv4/s1600/Saved_by_Music_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDjciGC7nEM/Ud1qqxqw9QI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/ZNUHrtUWiv4/s400/Saved_by_Music_medium.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6751892-saved-by-the-music">Saved By The Music</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/451659.Selene_Castrovilla">Selene Castrovilla</a><br />
<b>Published:</b> May 13, 2013<br />
<b>Series:</b> N/A<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Westside Books<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 280<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17975098-saved-by-the-music" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00CSAITIU" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saved-by-the-music-selene-castrovilla/1015870597?ean%3D2940016439525" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=nit1gM/IL1o&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saved-by-the-music/id649389300?mt%3D11" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">iTunes</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FgQzAIcPn_o/Ud1rtHLYnbI/AAAAAAAAFuw/Zvn4B_2LtOQ/s1600/author+spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FgQzAIcPn_o/Ud1rtHLYnbI/AAAAAAAAFuw/Zvn4B_2LtOQ/s400/author+spotlight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdZfHXF_aO0/Ud1rtOfDeII/AAAAAAAAFuk/0SmEhp34klM/s1600/the+author+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdZfHXF_aO0/Ud1rtOfDeII/AAAAAAAAFuk/0SmEhp34klM/s1600/the+author+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCQywPuwiU8/Ud1sIBYcJJI/AAAAAAAAFu8/2sglkkUOL20/s1600/Selene+Castrovilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCQywPuwiU8/Ud1sIBYcJJI/AAAAAAAAFu8/2sglkkUOL20/s320/Selene+Castrovilla.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; text-align: left;">
<b>ABOUT SELENE CASTROVILLA</b></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of <i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman Italic';">Saved By the Music </span></i>and <i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman Italic';">The Girl Next Door</span></i>, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, <i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman Italic';">Revolutionary Friends</span></i>, was released in April. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website <a href="http://www.selenecastrovilla.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.SeleneCastrovilla.com</a> for book excerpts and more information!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Author links:</b> </span><a href="http://selenecastrovilla.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Website</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/selene.castrovilla?fref=ts" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="https://twitter.com/SCastrovilla" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> | </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/451659" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aUNtWVvd3Y/Ud1rtcw4woI/AAAAAAAAFu0/nptPGNkWqtQ/s1600/the+interview.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Featuring Willow from <i>Saved by the Music</i>!)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. How important is music to
you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Music literally saved my
life. First, Jim Morrison’s voice calmed me and helped me through all the
loneliness at home. Jim became my best friend! Then I met Axel – who looked
like Jim Morrison but played the cello so beautifully he nearly brought me to
tears. Listening to him play made me appreciate the healing qualities of music,
and I felt calmed. Life became manageable – maybe even bright? That’s when I
opened up to listening to Aunt Agatha play, as well. My whole world turned
around, thanks to music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. If you could visit any
place in the world, where would it be and why? If you could, who would you take
along?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I would like to visit
Jim Morrison’s grave in France. I would bring Axel with me to France because
it’s so beautiful there I would want to share it with him. I know we would
enjoy holding hands along the Seine. But I would not take him to the grave
because it would upset him. I would take a train to see Monet’s gardens in
nearby Giverny, but I wouldn’t take Axel there because he can’t take being
around plants. We could head to England, to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace –
because Shakepeare is Axel’s god, and I would love to watch him bask in his
Promised Land.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. Willow, what do you think
of Jim Morrison, and what role does his music play in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Finding out about Jim
Morrison came at such a crucial stage in my life, it was like he was my
guardian angel. He was a poet, and he had a tortured soul. Learning about him
made me feel like I had an ally in the cruel world. His music is like my
tranquilizer – an instant relief. I think he was a tragic figure, and I’m sorry
for what he when through. That it was largely self-inflicted makes it even
sadder. When I hear his music it’s like he’s telling me his story, sharing his
sad soul with mine. When I listen I am reminded that we are all responsible for
our own happiness, and I must make sure to find mine.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. Is there anything you
regret, a point in time you wish you could rewind and do again differently? If
so, why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I would not get involved
in any way with Craig Culligan. He changed my life in a very bad, irrevocable
way.<b> </b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. Willow, describe yourself
in 5 words?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Loving, honest, deep,
sarcastic, real.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Q. If you could have
anything in the world, regardless of value, what would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Willow:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I don’t really care
about the monetary value of things. I would want a limitless supply of
unconditional love. Thanks for inviting me to stop by! It’s great making new
friends!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Q:</b> Thanks Willow! It was great having you, thank-you for dropping by :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_i_4a2ML1M/Ud1sjrS3BlI/AAAAAAAAFvI/_im8kvoHbRE/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_i_4a2ML1M/Ud1sjrS3BlI/AAAAAAAAFvI/_im8kvoHbRE/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QDej1jZ9Yo/Ud1xN5IXyXI/AAAAAAAAFvU/pTrVcM_vqDI/s1600/giveawy_trans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QDej1jZ9Yo/Ud1xN5IXyXI/AAAAAAAAFvU/pTrVcM_vqDI/s320/giveawy_trans.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ms. Castrovilla has been generous enough to include a fabulous, crazy giveaway! If you liked the Interview and Review, be sure to check out the below <b>Giveaway </b>for your chance to win a copy of this book! The winner gets their<b> choice of either iPod Nano or Kindle Fire (or Paperwhite) </b>PLUS<b> <i>Saved by the Music ebook </i>(US ONLY)</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>10 Second Prize winners stand a chance to receive ebook copies of <i>Saved by the Music </i>(INTERNATIONAL).</b> Enter quick!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0b073/" id="rc-35f0b073" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Other Stops on the Tour:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
<div>
<b>July 1</b> - <a href="http://bookandlatte.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">A Book and a Latte</a> (Kick-off interview)</div>
<div>
<b>July 2 </b>- <a href="http://www.thefakesteph.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">The Fake Steph Dot Com</a> (Guest Post)</div>
<div>
<b>July 3</b> - <a href="http://cuzinlogic.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Cuzinlogic</a> (Review)</div>
<div>
<b>July 4</b> - <a href="http://jacitamati.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Ja čitam, a ti?</a> (Character Review)</div>
<div>
<b>July 5</b> - <a href="http://www.otherwhere.co/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">OtherwhereCo</a> (Guest Post)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>July 8</b> - <a href="http://alwaysjoart.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">alwaysjoart</a> (Review & Guest Post)</div>
<div>
<b>July 9</b> -<a href="http://kitkat1242.blogspot.co.uk/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"> Katie's Books</a> (Review)</div>
<div>
<b>July 10</b> - <a href="http://judithschoicereads.blogspot.ca/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Judith's Choice Reads</a> (Review & Character Interview)</div>
<div>
<b>July 11</b> - <a href="http://ladybugstorytime.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Ladybug Storytime</a> (Review)</div>
<div>
<b>July 12 </b>- <a href="http://www.readergirlsblog.com/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Reader Girls</a> (Review & Guest Post)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Be sure to check them out and as always, don't leave without telling me what you think of both the book and the review ;) LOVE YOU LOTS!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>XX</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQARNbR7WwA/Ud14co-wOzI/AAAAAAAAFvk/NJlDoDjzqws/s1600/CR+-+SO1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQARNbR7WwA/Ud14co-wOzI/AAAAAAAAFvk/NJlDoDjzqws/s200/CR+-+SO1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-9841256133055487522013-07-10T06:37:00.000-06:002013-07-10T12:45:49.311-06:00Waiting on Wednesday (12): Learning Not to Drown by Anna Shinoda<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv0gp8Rw8CU/UaYWss_ovnI/AAAAAAAAFpg/XPKEVFesKxY/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv0gp8Rw8CU/UaYWss_ovnI/AAAAAAAAFpg/XPKEVFesKxY/s1600/CR+-+WOW.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by</span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" style="font-size: small;"> Jill@Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b>This week I'm waiting on...</b><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeEf2M4Fx1A/Ud2a6e1t9iI/AAAAAAAAFv0/paqQSeeA-Hs/s1600/Learning+not+to+Drown+by+Shinoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeEf2M4Fx1A/Ud2a6e1t9iI/AAAAAAAAFv0/paqQSeeA-Hs/s400/Learning+not+to+Drown+by+Shinoda.jpg" width="263" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13014522-learning-not-to-drown">Learning Not to Drown</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5316039.Anna_Shinoda">Anna Shinoda</a><br />
<b>Releasing: April 1st 2014</b><br />
<blockquote>
<strong><u>Goodreads Summary</u></strong><br />
<br />
There is a pecking order to every family. Seventeen-year old Clare is the overprotected baby; Peter is the typical, rebellious middle child; and Luke is the-can't-do wrong favorite. To their mother, they are a normal, happy family. And then there are the roles we give ourselves. Clare: the ambitious striver; Peter: the angry ticking time bomb; and Luke: a drug addicted, convicted felon who has been in and out of jail for as long as Clare can remember. To Clare, they are a family on the verge of disaster. Clare has long refused to believe her brother is truly bad...he dotes her, doesn't he? But as Clare starts piecing together the truth about her brother's stints in jail, it starts changing the way she thinks about him. It has also changes the way the community views the family. The only thing it hasn't changed is the way their mother feels about Luke. Each time she welcomes him home with open arms and brushes off his crimes as "wrong place and wrong time," Clare can feel a little piece of her happy home life being taken away. And when her mother does the unthinkable--takes Clare's hard-earned college savings to post bail for Luke's latest transgression--Clare has to decide if sticking up for herself and her future means selfishly turning her back on family...or if it's the only way to keep herself from drowning along with them.<br />
<br />
Debut novelist Anna Shinoda's raw, gritty, powerful novel cuts right to the bone and brings to life the skeletons the lurk in the closet</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L266V56nsSc/Ud2lxfsVRfI/AAAAAAAAFwU/niJiHBi9fmE/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L266V56nsSc/Ud2lxfsVRfI/AAAAAAAAFwU/niJiHBi9fmE/s1600/waiting+on.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This book could be educational. Leaning not to drown is a necessity is it not? I think I'll enjoy the lesson ;) That's pretty much why I'm waiting, are you?<br />
<br />
Over and out dears!<br />
<br />
XX<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdpPAm_bdNk/Ud2l29RngVI/AAAAAAAAFwc/tIHwl2lVEYw/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdpPAm_bdNk/Ud2l29RngVI/AAAAAAAAFwc/tIHwl2lVEYw/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-45637669146316634732013-06-24T21:57:00.000-06:002013-07-03T20:36:36.568-06:00Cover Reveal: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*Drum roll please*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/judy10001/media/Mind%20Blown/69o0bc_zps3d92382e.gif.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 69o0bc_zps3d92382e.gif" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/judy10001/Mind%20Blown/69o0bc_zps3d92382e.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Thank-you, Ned.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can hardly contain myself, but I might as well let it out, there is finally a cover for the upcoming final book in Veronica Rossi's <i>Under the Never Sky</i> series, of which I am a very big fan. I was kind of scrolling through the newly released books of the month when I chanced upon this little beauty; it took my breath away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/excited%20gif" target="_blank"><img alt="excited gif photo: excited.gif" border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/gleegirlie23/Gifs/excited.gif" /></a><br />
<i>So no Spongebob, didn't do it, take my breath away that is. I like him, but no. Look below him. Keep scrolling...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<b>And...VOILA!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBIh6-1t-sA/UckPgRRMhrI/AAAAAAAAFtw/u2u0GfhgDNw/s1600/into+the+still+blue+by+rossi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBIh6-1t-sA/UckPgRRMhrI/AAAAAAAAFtw/u2u0GfhgDNw/s1600/into+the+still+blue+by+rossi.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14288998-into-the-still-blue">Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4637369.Veronica_Rossi">Veronica Rossi</a><br />
<b>Release Date:</b> January 28, 2014<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>My Thoughts</b></u> </div>
<br />
I have but one question and that is, can this book release already?! I really do want to devour it NOW. It's so stunning and pretty :) Mostly I like that Aria and Perry are together in this one, they look pretty serious and shiz on the cover. As they walk towards us, it makes me speculate all the wonderful things Rossi has in store for the final instalment in the <i>Under the Never Sky</i> series! The colour tones of the new cover are balanced and fit perfectly with the series, I think, I'm loving it. While I happened upon this one by chance, I need it like yesterday. The cover is gorgeous and I'm excited to share it with all of you!<br />
<br />
<b>What are your thoughts on this? Share in the comments below, what do you think of this stunning cover, and are you as excited as I am? Let me know!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Take care, love you lots!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>XX</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u48Dmd4TMs/UckV6Za3MvI/AAAAAAAAFuA/tCoiMKJ2vFE/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u48Dmd4TMs/UckV6Za3MvI/AAAAAAAAFuA/tCoiMKJ2vFE/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-28397438589734279092013-06-24T12:47:00.001-06:002014-05-31T07:01:02.001-06:00Review: A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4mT6mw_pAY/UciRVRYhXfI/AAAAAAAAFtM/cknC7K0ZQgU/s1600/a+song+for+julia+by+charles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4mT6mw_pAY/UciRVRYhXfI/AAAAAAAAFtM/cknC7K0ZQgU/s400/a+song+for+julia+by+charles.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16066588-a-song-for-julia">A Song for Julia</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/415636.Charles_Sheehan_Miles">Charles Sheehan-Miles</a><br />
<b>My rating</b>: 4 of 5 genies<br />
<b>Published:</b> December 2, 2012<br />
<b>Series:</b> Thompson Sisters #1<br />
<b>Genre:</b> New Adult, Contemporary, Romance<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Cincinnatus Press<br />
<b>Source:</b> Purchased<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 376<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
<b>Purchase At:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Song-Julia-Thompson-Sisters-ebook/dp/B00AHK8MN0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372099413&sr=1-1&keywords=a+song+for+julia">Amazon.com</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u><br /></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>
<u>Goodreads Summary</u>
</strong>
</div>
<br />
Everyone should have something to rebel against.<br />
<br />
Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.<br />
<br />
Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy. <br />
<br />
When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>
<strong>My Review</strong>
</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This book is all about music and how it transforms lives. The romance at the core of <em>A Song for Julia</em> is realistic and one I found myself relating to, loving, and cheering.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I went in with an idea of what I <strong>thought</strong> the book would be like: guy meets introverted girl, guy proceeds to woo girl out of her oyster shell...you know the drill. I'm not saying that Sheehan-Miles's novel is revolutionary, it accomplishes much the same of what the traditional (well-written) New Adult contemporary romance novel at least sets out to do. I wasn't blown away by the plot per se, that I could see coming, but the <em>story</em> is worthy of mention. It had substance, and Sheehan-Miles's multifaceted characters were interesting to read about because they got my heart involved. Julia's story made me bawl, Crank made me swoon and Sheehan-Miles officially rid me of my bias against male authors writing romance fiction. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<img alt="description" class="escapedImg" height="200" src="//i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae60/bofish_ani_lee/OMG.gif" width="240" /><br />
<br />
<em>Way to go, man!</em> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Read this book for its dimensions, for the struggle and ultimately, Julia and Crank's triumph. <strong>This is New Adult done right, tender and heartfelt written literature that has made me such a fan of the author.</strong> I cannot wait to read more of what Sheehan-Miles has in store! I was probably halfway through <em>A Song for Julia</em> when I bought the second book in this series. The idea of writing about the Thompson sisters seems pretty brilliant to me, especially since Alex's journey is next on my to be read list. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You should read this book, if you like a well-written story with funny, conflicted characters in hard situations and romance that leaves you smiling, read this book. It's New Adult so 18 years and older please, the subject matter is mature so keep that in mind. This is a solid <strong>4/5</strong> from my end!
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wnwV4ktxnE/U3hCjovpV4I/AAAAAAAAGGc/sWLCp5qGTxM/s1600/4STARS_zps06335700.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I can't think of a reason not to enjoy this book, it absolutely worked for me, 4/5 genies!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCtRwIgKrPY/U3hCna-saII/AAAAAAAAGGk/lJ5_2DW26tQ/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCtRwIgKrPY/U3hCna-saII/AAAAAAAAGGk/lJ5_2DW26tQ/s1600/POSTSIG_zps243992a7+(1).png" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144502897999009976.post-21149722615815516342013-06-18T20:44:00.001-06:002013-06-19T08:11:32.406-06:00Top Ten: Books At The Top Of My Summer TBR List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDYrdVkpack/UcELtit8rfI/AAAAAAAAFrw/5wwwR0v0fAQ/s1600/top+ten+tuesday+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDYrdVkpack/UcELtit8rfI/AAAAAAAAFrw/5wwwR0v0fAQ/s320/top+ten+tuesday+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Hosted by </span><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.ca/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="font-size: small;">The Broke and the Bookish</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Top Ten Tuesday is a countdown spotlighting, well, anything bookish!**</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>I've Got to Read These Books:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
1.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16175040-endless-knight">Endless Knight by Kresley Cole</a>: All I could think of after putting <i>Poison Princess</i> down last year was just how <i>badly </i>I needed its sequel. I am so, so glad that this book releases later this year!<br />
<div>
<br />
2.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12371862-unbreakable">Unbreakable by Kami Garcia</a>: Something tells me that this book will be kick-ass. I get these vibes whenever I look at it or read its blurb...that cover was made to unhinge jaws on the regular :) I really am a fan of the Garcia/Stohl writing duo, and it'll be a pleasure to read their individual works.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown">The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black</a>: Yeah! I want this, gosh I WANT this. Can I fast forward a few months, just to get this book? Thank-you!</div>
<div>
<br />
4.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12983100-world-after">World After (Angelfall #2) by Susan Ee</a>: I almost thought this one wouldn't happen. The release date was all up in the air and there was limited news of <i>Angelfall</i>'s second...I kind of had a spaz attack thinking of it not existing! Ultimately, I'm just glad that there will be more Penryn, her story could not end where it did! <strike>And it means more Raffe, thank goodness for Raffe!</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike></div>
<div>
5.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17233800-crash-into-you">Crash Into You by Katie McGarry</a>: The fact that I have yet to read <i>Dare You To </i>notwithstanding, I loved <i>Pushing the Limits</i> and McGarry seems like a pretty solid author, and thus the continuation of said awsomeness is kind of expected. Also, who could resist reading about Isaiah? Not me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
6.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17798068-the-historians">The Historians by Trisha Leigh</a>: Loving the concept of this, time-travelling historians with a dash of mystery, suspense and romance in the mix? I'm a so going to be on this. My fingers are crossed that the author doesn't disappoint. </div>
<div>
<br />
7.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13644322-solstice">Solstice by P.J. Hoover</a>: This releases TODAY. Hear me, World? Today! I'm hitting the book stores <i>or </i>renting it at the library. Either way, <i>Solstice </i>is most definitely a summer TBR.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
8.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl">Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell</a>: Another book by my new favourite author? Yes, please! I have a crush on Rowell and will willingly read anything that this woman churns out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
9.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15841140-fireblood">Fireblood by Trisha Wolf</a>: I've been sold on this one for a while now, I'm hoping that it lives up to my expectations, I want to love this book like mad. Don't let me down?</div>
<div>
<br />
10.) <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13065327-wild-cards">Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles</a>: I couldn't very well leave Simone Elkeles off my list! The woman is fantastic!! I was so happy when the deets of this book came out, I'm kind of going crazy for its release later this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BtCKyyxaCU/UcEagboIjJI/AAAAAAAAFsA/zCg7SosHJvY/s1600/divider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BtCKyyxaCU/UcEagboIjJI/AAAAAAAAFsA/zCg7SosHJvY/s320/divider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>That's all Folks! What books made the cut on your list? Share with me if we have some of the same, or if you have a few that I missed, I'm always open to new books ;)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Take care!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>XX</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MC9AJjIRRU/UcEa9Av-M3I/AAAAAAAAFsI/qHP77VkgXh8/s1600/CR+-+SO2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MC9AJjIRRU/UcEa9Av-M3I/AAAAAAAAFsI/qHP77VkgXh8/s200/CR+-+SO2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16283185988728061737noreply@blogger.com0