[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] Remembrance by Meg Cabot

(Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE!)

 
Title: Remembrance (The Mediator #7)

Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: February 2, 2016

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You can take the boy out of the darkness.

But you can’t take the darkness out of the boy.

All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva).

But when she’s hired as a guidance counselor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn’t all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn’t only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight.

From a sophomore haunted by the murderous specter of a child, to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze’s ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn’t sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night.

Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?

What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?

If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.

Perfect Betrayal by Season Vining

Title: Perfect Betrayal
Author: Season Vining
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Goodreads

To the outside world, Taylor Hudson has it all: beauty, money and social status. But Taylor’s privileged life is far lonelier than it appears.

Levi is the inside man on a job to steal fifteen million dollars from one of the town’s wealthiest families, putting him on a crash course with Taylor. Neither of them believe in love, but lust. . . that’s undeniable.

Now they’re locked in a wicked game of seduction and it’s unclear who is playing who. But neither of them expected the affair to lead to the deepest connection they’ve ever experienced. Because beneath Taylor’s perfect exterior lies a need for love that mirrors Levi’s own.　

As the heist approaches, how can Levi protect Taylor from the truth? 　

Is he willing to give up everything to save the one girl who’s made him want to be a better man?

THOUGHTS:

I know I say this a lot, but I REALLY did not expect like this book so much. But I did. I really did. So... a little back story. I know I've talked about this (a lot) too, but I've come to find out that a huge number of New Adult book follow a formula these days - you know - two ridiculously hot main characters (plus points if the guy is all tattooed and just screams bad boy), lots and lots of sex, off-the-charts chemistry... and an earth-shattering secret that will pull them apart (for a while). I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about. And sometimes, the predictability of it all gets boring. REALLY boring. Never mind that the writing is sharp or the characters intriguing - sometimes you just want MORE from the story, you know? Well, actually, the main reason why I immediately give Perfect Betrayal a shot is because there seems to be a REAL plot - a real story - in this one, and praise the heavens, there actually IS!

Our main character, Levi, is in on a con to rob one of the wealthiest man in town of fifteen million dollars, and to do just that, he needs to work on the inside. He gets a job working maintainance for the Hudsons, and the (inside) job seemed simple enough - do recon, figure out where the safe is, tell The Boss where it is, get the money, and get out. He however never counted on Taylor Hudson to pose a distraction from what he's really trying to do inside the house. Off the bat, the attraction is palpable between Levi and Taylor. They do eventually give in to it... but they never expected feelings to come into play.

I really liked the slow burn of the whole 'will we? or won't we?' between Levi and Taylor. It was never love at first sight, but little by little, they stop fighting the attraction. While it wasn't long (but longer than two chapters, thank you very much) before they hook up, it took them longer to willingly start to get to know each other... and for there to be something more. Their relationship was a careful mixture of subtle and strong - the physical attraction was always apparent, always there, but the little things - the need to see each other, the need to always be with each other, took a while to play out. For me, this was what made what is going on between Levi and Taylor believable, and part of what had me hooked to the story.

As I've mentioned earlier, Taylor is introduced as your quintessential I-have-it-all rich girl, and she wasn't necessarily the most likeable of characters. I did like that she never pretended to be someone she wasn't though - she had people she liked, and she had people she couldn't care less about. She wasn't going to pretend otherwise. She wasn't your perfect, innocent girl - she has her own problems and issues, and she made it clear countless times that she will do all that she can to get what she wants. I did like that her character development had more to do with her own realizations than with Levi. While it was Levi who made her look at life differently, Taylor was the one who reconstructed herself - the one who put together a Taylor that she herself could wholeheartedly get behind.

From the first page, I was with Levi all the way. Never mind that he's technically about to commit a a crime; never mind that pursuing a relationship with the daughter of the man he's going to rob blind is just a disaster waiting to happen. Most of all... never mind that while he does end up feeling guilty about the heist, it has everything to do with how it will affect Taylor and nothing about the crime itself. There was never any meticulous exploration of Levi's past - we get a little stories here and there about his mother and father, and we gather enough to know that he just wants to be something... more. That's what he'll use the money for. I can't quite explain why (and I won't even try) I ended up liking Levi - all I know is that I want him to succeed. Something about him just tugged at my heartstrings, and that was it for me.

As I've mentioned earlier, I like that Perfect Betrayal has more of a plot in it than just Levi and Taylor's love story. We have the heist and everything that comes with it in every nook and cranny of the story - the careful planning, the fear that everything will all come crashing down over all their heads, the disappointment when not everything goes their way, and of course, the doubts. We were also made privy to so many relationships other than Levi and Taylor's - amongst others, there was the relationship between Taylor and Suzanne, the woman who was practically a mother to Taylor, and the relationship between Levi, Crystal, and Kyle - childhood friends and now (literally) partners-in-crime. I like how every aspect of the story fit so perfectly well with each other - there was no aspect that was glossed over.

I don't read that many New Adult books anymore, but I'm glad I gave this one a shot. I liked how Perfect Betrayal was subtle in some aspects of its storytelling, and how it made you read between the lines. While I do feel that the ending was a little rushed, it made me smile and feel a little wistful... and at the end of it all, satisfied.

Rating: 4 Stars

[Review + Giveaway] Rebound by Noelle August

 
Title: Rebound
Author: Noelle August
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Goodreads

Hooking up is only the beginning of the fun in this sexy and irresistible second installment of the thrilling New Adult series, Boomerang.

Adam Blackwood has it all. At twenty-two, he’s fabulously wealthy, Ryan Gosling-hot and at the top of the heap in the business world. His life is perfect, until a scandal from his past resurfaces and knocks the tech wunderkind down, throwing his company, Boomerang, a hook-up site for millennials, into chaos.
Three years ago, Adam married his high school love—and then lost her in a tragic accident. Now, the heartbreak and guilt he’s tried to bury with work and women begins to take over his life.

Alison Quick, the twenty-one-year-old daughter of a business tycoon—and the very ex-girlfriend of Boomerang’s former intern, Ethan—has a problem of her own. She’s got one chance to prove to her father that she deserves a place in his empire by grabbing control of Boomerang and taking Adam down.
But as Alison moves in on him, armed with a cadre of lawyers and accountants, she discovers there’s much more to Adam and Boomerang than meets the eye. Will earning her father’s approval come at the price of losing her first real love? It appears so, unless Adam can forgive her for wrecking his life and trying to steal his livelihood. But Alison hopes that old adage is right. Maybe love can conquer all.

THOUGHTS:

Boomerang employees sure do have a knack for awkward dating situations. Seriously. In the first book, Boomerang, Mia and Ethan hook up one drunken night only to discover the next morning that they would basically be competing with each other for a job. The same thing pretty much happens to Alison and Adam, our main characters - they meet in a Halloween costume party, are about to hook up... only to discover that they'll be working together for the next few weeks. Here in Rebound, however, the stakes are higher. Alison and Adam, our main characters, are essentially fighting over 20 million dollars - Alison has to find out for her father whether or not Boomerang is a worthwhile investment venture, and Adam has to convince Alison and her father that he and his company deserve the money. Not that complicated, really, but the attraction between Alison and Adam is NOT cooling down any time soon...

I loved Boomerang and its male MC Ethan so much that a part for me didn't really want to read Rebound because of Alison. From what I know of Alison from Boomerang, I did not like her. At all. She treated Ethan so horribly, and she seemed like your quintessential ice queen. She definitely did not seem like a character I can like, and I have no idea how August can make me root for her after everything that she has done. While beginning this book, I was so prepared to continue to dislike her! On the other side of the spectrum, Adam wasn't really a character that I wanted to read about either. I didn't feel that strongly against him just like I did with Alison, but I don't know... nothing about him piqued my interest. I didn't think that there was a story there - he seemed like your typical eccentric genius - not ordinary, but not extraordinary either.

Oh how wrong I was. It turns out that I did not know both Alison and Adam after all. They are so, so different from how I initially perceived them through the little focus they received in Boomerang!

I was so prepared to continue hating Alison, but that did not happen. I didn't think it possible, but August made me adore Alison! Heck, I actually consider Alison's character development the strongest aspect of Rebound. She may have made terrible choices in the past, but she's aware that there are consequences that she has to face, and she's facing them head on. August also carefully explored Alison's character to show us just why she made those choices and those decisions, and while I would never excuse the fact that she cheated on Ethan, I kind of understand why she did. Also, I like how she owned up to it, and made no excuses for what she did. She made mistakes, she's sorry, but she's also ready to move past them. Alison has matured so much from what we know of her from Ethan and the first book, and every single thing I discovered about her (like her affinity for horses, and her friendship with Paolo), I loved.

And now... let's talk about Adam. Adam Adam Adam. Well... one thing is for sure - he is definitely NOT a boring character. There is so much more to him than that eccentric boss we saw in Boomerang, and you would be glad to know that August peels off his layers one by one. Off the bat, I love that he put so much work and effort into Boomerang, and you can see just how much his employees all adore and respect him. I especially love how protective Cookie is of him, and at the same time, just how much Adam value Cookie's opinions. (A little bit off-topic here but can we please have a book about Cookie? PLEASE. She's a STAR!) We may have had only a few Adam-Cookie interactions, but I love that August shone light on such a heartwarming boss-employee relationship. It also shows us a facet of Adam's character that we didn't get to see much in Boomerang - his warm, nurturing, and caring side.

I mentioned earlier that Alison's character development was my favorite part of Rebound, but the development of Alison and Adam's relationship is a close second. It was obvious from the first chapter that there is an intense attraction between the two, and as the story progresses, that there is something more brewing. However, despite this, Alison and Adam don't rush into anything. They take the time to actually get to know each other, and to find out if that something between them can turn into something real. I like that there were more in-depth conversations between the two than quick hook-ups - I don't know about you guys, but this made me believe that they were actually serious about each other. Moreover, I loved that the focus of Rebound was never on Alison and Adam's pasts, but rather how they willed each other to finally stand tall and move on.

All in all, Rebound made for a great second book in the Boomerang series. I actually liked this one better than I did Boomerang - I found it easier to connect with the characters, and while Rebound had more angst and the whole 'secret past' plot line, it didn't deter from my enjoyment while reading. It also introduced us to more supporting characters who I would love to read more about in the future, and it allowed us to discover more about the characters whom we already know. If you're looking for a fun NA read with a little bit of angst (but not too much!), Rebound is the book for you!

Rebound is now available in Fully Booked.

Rating: 4 Stars

I'm giving away 2 copies of Rebound, and as long as you live in the Philippines, you're eligible to join. Thank you so much to Fully Booked for sponsoring this giveaway!

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[Review + Giveaway] Boomerang by Noelle August

Title: Boomerang
Author: Noelle August
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: July 14, 2014
Goodreads

Welcome to Boomerang.com, the dating site for the millennial gen with its no-fuss, no-commitments matchups, and where work is steamier than any random hook-up

Mia Galliano is an aspiring filmmaker. Ethan Vance has just played his last game as a collegiate soccer star. They’re sharp, hungry for success, and they share a secret.

Last night, Ethan and Mia met at a bar, and, well . . . one thing led to another, which led to them waking up the next morning—together. Things turned awkward in a hurry when they found themselves sharing a post hookup taxi . . . to the same place: Boomerang headquarters.

What began as a powerful connection between them is treated to a cold shower courtesy of two major complications. First, Boomerang has a strict policy against co-worker dating. And second, they’re now competitors for only one job at the end of summer.

As their internships come to an end, will they manage to keep their eyes on the future and their hands off each other, or will the pull of attraction put them right back where they started?

THOUGHTS:

I love New Adult, and it has always been my go-to genre if ever there's a time I just want to read something that I know for sure that I'll enjoy. Granted I don't read as much New Adult as I did last 2012 and 2013, but in no way has my love for the genre diminished. It's just that at this point in my life, I've having a difficult time relating to most New Adult books I come across. I could be wrong, of course, but most New Adult books I see are always set in college, and as a genre that targets readers in their mid-twenties, I felt that my age and my currently lifestyle are under-represented. Where are all these New Adult novels that talk about careers, the work place, and 'real life' outside school? This is why I was so excited to read Boomerang - finally, here's a book under the New Adult genre that I feel like I can relate to!

Awkward is the first word that I can think of to describe Mia and Ethan's first meeting. (Well, it's not really their first, but given that they can't really remember all the shenanigans of the night before...) They wake up remembering only bits and pieces of what happened the previous night, realize that they are about to be late for their first day on the job, share a taxi to their respective workplaces (because Ethan discovers that he doesn't have enough money to get his own), and promptly find out that they're going to the same place. That they're going to be working together as interns... and ultimately, that only one of them will get a regular position after their internships. Like all of this isn't already awkward enough, Mia and Ethan are then informed that the company they work for, Boomerang, has a strict policy against co-workers dating. Never mind the apparent chemistry, or the connection... No. Dating. Allowed.

See, I told you - awkward.

Right off the bat, it was obvious to me that there is so much more to Boomerang than the romance angle and sex (unlike most New Adult books I see these days). It wasn't just about the 'do we or do we not give dating a try?' for both Mia and Ethan. This job is important to the both of them, and as a result, Boomerang revolved around the two of them busting their asses at their jobs... and I LOVED IT. A major plot point of the book focused on Mia and Ethan working on a project for the company, and it was so adamantly obvious just how driven they were to prove to the higher-ups just how deserving they were of the regular position. Ethan needs the money and views this job as his 'last chance', while Mia is desperate to prove to herself that she is so much more than her mother's, a renowned photographer, muse. They learn to navigate around the workplace, and given that they spend a lot of time together, they can't help but learn more about each other as well. While Mia and Ethan realize that they do want to give whatever it is that's going on between them a shot, things are never, ever that simple.

Boomerang has a little bit of everything about the workplace - it deals with office politics, how to work with people you're not really fond of, and the reality that there will always be competition in a working environment. However, Boomerang is not just about work, careers, competitions or whatnot - we're also treated to a very character-driven story. Not only do we see Mia and Ethan each come into their own as members of the work force, we also see them grow as characters. We see them interact with their co-workers, their families, their friends, and of course, each other. Also, given that this book is written in dual POVs, we also read Mia and Ethan's innermost thoughts and all that they're thinking about, and that in turn really fleshes out and gives depth to their characters. Boomerang also tackles Mia and Ethan facing the pasts that they have been running way from, and while they each lend a helping hand to each other, ultimately, they had to do the dirty work themselves, and that's something I really enjoyed reading.

As mentioned above, what I really loved about Boomerang is that it's a multifaceted story. It's not just about one thing - rather, it tackles so many subjects, and that it does relatively well. My only misgiving with this book is that it sometimes doesn't transition very well between chapters, but I was able to look past that because I was so invested with both the story and the main characters. I also liked how the authors took their time in building the relationship between Mia and Ethan - it never felt rushed or anything like that. You get to see just how much they cared about each other, and how the attraction developed to something more. The romance aspect was marvelously done, if I do say so myself!

All in all, I was surprised at just how much I liked Boomerang. It had its fair share of humor, just enough romance and drama, an interesting storyline, but most of all, it had characters I can relate to. I really, really hope that there would be more New Adult books like Boomerang in the future!

Boomerang is available in Fully Booked.

Rating: 4 Stars

I'm giving away 2 copies of Boomerang, and as long as you live in the Philippines, you're eligible to join. Thank you so much to Fully Booked for sponsoring this giveaway!

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[Release Day Launch: Excerpt + Giveaway] All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

Title: All Broke Down (Rusk University #2)
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: October 28, 2014
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Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

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

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

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all

EXCERPT:

I think I get it then. That decision I saw in her eyes back in the kitchen. That’s what this, what I’m about for her, too. I’m just another part of whatever rebellion she started earlier today. About doing what she wants, not what’s expected of her.

“We’re not talking about me, though,” she says. “So you went to meet your friend, and then what happened?”

She keeps her eyes down as she picks up the gauze and begins winding it snugly around the knuckles of one hand, and then the other.

“He said the wrong thing.”

“Which was?”

“Dylan.” Now it’s her that’s pushing too hard. I didn’t want to talk about things with my friends, and I won’t talk about them with her, either, no matter how gorgeous she is.

“I’ll guess. You were mad about what he did, and he wasn’t sorry.”

“This isn’t middle school, Pickle. He didn’t hurt my feelings. He said some shit he had no business saying, and it pissed me off. The end.”

“But you don’t think some of that anger stems from what you feel is a betrayal of your friendship?”

She finishes taping down the last of the gauze, but doesn’t let go of my hand.

“I think you’re analyzing me again. Making things more complicated than they are.”

“And I think you’re just a guy who doesn’t like to admit he has feelings.” She drags out the word, teasing me with some goofy smile on her face. I turn my hand over so I can clutch her wrist. I curlmy other bandaged hand around her waist and pull her closer.

“I feel plenty of things.”

The teasing stops. She swallows.

“I wasn’t talking about that kind of feeling.”

With her standing and me sitting, I’m eye level with her chest. I see the sharp rise and fall as she sucks in a breath. I want her in my lap again, straddling me this time.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t talk about that kind of feeling. Or experiment with it.”

“Is that Stella girl an ex?”

I cough, surprised. My throat twists uncomfortably, and it takes me a couple of solid breaths to get a hold on myself.

“Ah, no. Stella and I have never dated.”

“Have you—”

“Do you ever run out of questions?”

“Not ever.” She turns playful again, and I’m done doing this the careful way. If she wants a rebellion, I’ll be the one to give it to her. I want her against me, and I’m tired of waiting.

I pull her forward, insinuating my knees between hers, and her body naturally follows, settling across my thighs. Her lips part, but she catches herself before she gasps this time. I keep her steady with my hands at her waist and say, “I’ll make you a deal. A question for a kiss.”

Tentatively, she lays her palms against my shoulders. They rest there, her grip light and casual. She ponders my offer for a moment, and it drives me mad that she can do that while our hips are inches away from alignment.

“Okay then. Are you—”

I cut her off. “Not so fast, Dylan Brenner. I’ve already answered one question. We’ve got to settle up first.”

I wrap her braid around my hand like I’ve been waiting to do all night, and I use it to pull her head back just enough that I can crush my mouth against hers.

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[Review + Giveaway] Breakable by Tammara Webber

 
Title: Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2)
Author: Tammara Webber
Source: ARC
Release Date: May 6, 2014
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He was lost and alone. Then he found her.
And the future seemed more fragile than ever.

As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise — until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed.

All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy…

As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hoped for could be ripped away in a heartbeat.

THOUGHTS:
 
I've had a lot of people ask me to recommend them one New Adult book, and with no hesitations whatsoever, I'd always (and will always, for that matter) immediately say, "Read Easy by Tammara Webber. You won't regret it."  Because believe me, you won't. Easy is what this new New Adult genre is all about - it tackles such a sensitive topic, and it does so with such ease and poise. To this date, I don't think I've ever read a novel that has affected me as much as Easy has, because you can't help but connect with Tammara's characters. So yeah, I bet it's pretty obvious that when I say that Easy is my favorite NA novel (and one of my ultimate favorites across all genres), I am in no way exaggerating. When I heard the news that Tammara was planning to publish a companion novel to Easy, however, I was both excited and apprehensive. Excited why? Well, my favorite author is releasing another book set in this world that means so much to me, and she sets off to explore one of the most developed characters I've ever read too! Who wouldn't be excited, right?

So wait... now, why am I apprehensive? It's simple, really. Alternate POV novels are always tricky. You know what's going to happen next plot-wise, so the element of surprise, that suspense that we've come to expect while reading a book, is pretty much all gone. I've actually yet to read a companion novel that I've liked - most of them bring nothing new to the table, and quite honestly, only left me feeling disappointed and thinking that I wasted my time in reading them. I know that I would enjoy reading Breakable, simply because I love reading about Lucas, but a part of me wants something new plot-wise too. Also, I don't want to just enjoy this book. I want it to resonate deep within me, just like Easy did. So, as I cracked open my copy of Breakable, both of these two emotions were warring deep within me. I was excited, but I was also scared. As I finished the first chapter, I remember cracking a smile and chiding myself for doubting Tammara's writing.

My worries were pretty much baseless.

A few months before, I told Tammara that I'm sure that she would be creating another masterpiece with this book, and boy, did she ever! I didn't think it possible, but Tammara found ways to explore Lucas' character even further. I thought I knew everything that I needed to know about Lucas, but Tammara proved me wrong. Through Breakable, she allowed us reader to delve further inside the recesses of his mind, to peek into his tumultuous past, ultimately to for us readers to find out just how this young, broken Lucas - after all that he has experienced at such a young age - came to be the strong and aware Lucas whom we have all come to know and love.  I found myself learning more and more about Lucas after every chapter, and what I came to know simultaneously broke my heart and made me grin with pride.

To those who may not know, there are two timelines within Breakable - the first explores Lucas, then known as Landon, as a teenager; and of course, the second explores how Lucas' life changed after the first time he saw Jacqueline. The way Tammara wrote both timelines is absolutely phenomenal - it was easy to discern which side of Landon Lucas Maxfield you're reading about (and no, I am not talking about the chapter headings), because you feel the change from Landon to Lucas - you see it from the way Landon and Lucas act, and you definitely feel it from the way they view themselves. You get to see first-hand just how difficult Landon's life was after the untimely death of his mother. After her death, he and his father now live with the grandfather Landon barely knew growing up; his relationship with his father isn't exactly peachy; he is not having the best of times at school, and worst, he continues to blame himself for what happened to his mother. At the surface, Landon was almost apathetic, but you can always, always feel his desperation to feel anything.

In stark contrast, Lucas was more mature and was more responsible - gone was the kid who couldn't have cared less about school and the future. While still reserved, he had no problem expressing his feelings, as shown through his interactions with the Hellers and Jacqueline. He may still keep to himself, but he wasn't closed off. He had people he can trust, and he was fighting hard towards a future that seemed almost impossible just a few years ago. Most of all, however, I am at awe at how much Lucas respected Jacqueline. He listened to her, and he never pushed her to do anything that she didn't want to do. Also, while he may have protected her as much as he could have, I love that Lucas knows that there are some things that Jacqueline needs to do herself, and while he helped her with those, he never did them for her. Rereading Lucas and Jacqueline's journey through Lucas' eyes made me realize this, and I just love that Lucas recognized Jacqueline's strength.

Despite knowing what would happen in this book for the large part, I was never bored. From the very first page, Breakable has always been about character growth - how Landon became Lucas. Reading through his experiences, and looking at the world through his eyes made me see who Landon Lucas really was. I now understood why he was drawn to Jacqueline in the first place, and just how much he loved her. Realizing that needing other people didn't make him weak, and that needing someone to hold his hand while he faced the past that he has been running through for so long, lent such credibility to Lucas' character. These moments made Lucas relateable, just as his love for Jacqueline does. I have nothing but high hopes for these two - they're already strong individuals for surviving all that they've been through, but through each other, Lucas and Jacqueline can only grow stronger.

I was crying by the time I finished Breakable. You wouldn't think that fictional characters can teach you so much about staying strong while wading through this chaos we call life, but both Lucas and Jacqueline did that for me. While Jacqueline inspired me to brave and face even the most fearsome of challenges head on, Lucas taught me that there is no hole so deep that you can never dig yourself out of it. You can always change - you can always grow - no matter what your age is. Through his story, he further strengthened my notion that there is no shame in accepting help and the good will of other people.

I have nothing but the sincerest of gratitude to Tammara Webber for writing both Easy and Breakable. These are books that deserve to be remembered, and books that deserve to be shared with so many other people. I have no doubt that Lucas and Jacqueline will touch countless other people's lives just as they did mine for generations to come.

Rating: 5 Stars

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[Author Interview + Giveaway] One Tiny Lie Feature Tour with K.A. Tucker

 

Title: One Tiny Lie (Ten Tiny Breaths #2)
Author: K.A. Tucker
Release Date: Janaury 14, 2014

Published by: Atria Books

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Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents' tragic death and Kacey's self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would...and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

In line with the paperback release of One Tiny Lie, I have K.A. on the blog today for a short interview:

Can you please take us through your writing process? 

I've tried everything from outlining to just writing and I find that my ideal process varies for each project but generally lands somewhere in between (closer to the "just writing" side of the scale).  I spend an excessively long time on the first three chapters, as getting the beginning of a story right makes all the difference. I write linearly, meaning I don't write chunks from all over the book and paste them together. Inevitably, as I get further into the book and plot, I realize how many things I need to change in the first half. When I start dwelling on those, I stop and go back. It's a mental thing. I need to see the right story progression before I can finish a book. Even if I know what must be changed, I get to a point where I just can't continue until I fix it.

Where did you get the idea for the Ten Tiny Breaths series?

The  idea for the first book just kind of hit me (I know people who have been involved in drunk driving incidents). I didn't see the entire story for what it was at the time; I just knew I wanted to paint a picture of how dangerous and life-altering drinking and driving could be.

 While writing Ten Tiny Breaths, did you ever think that you would be writing an entire series?

 LOL NO! I didn't realize how much people would love all of the other characters from the series until after TTB was released and the reviews started coming out.

What can your readers expect from One Tiny Lie? 

ONE TINY LIE is different from TEN TINY BREATHS. It's set three years after TTB, and it's told in Livie's voice (which is very different from Kacey's voice) as she goes through the growing pains of learning that the life she mapped out for herself isn't the one she truly wants.

And finally, just for fun, what would you consider to be your guilty pleasures? :)

Chick-fil-A breakfast combos, bakeries, and reruns of Two-and-a-Half Men (the old ones, with Charlie Sheen)
Thank you for hosting me! xo ~ K.A. Tucker

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Review: Kiss Me in Paris by Dmytry Karpov and Kimberly Kinrade

 
Title: Kiss Me in Paris
Author: Dmytry Karpov and Kimberly Kinrade
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Goodreads

No one knows my secret. Ever since high school, ever since I started living in fear, no one has known the true me. But then I met him, and I couldn't hide anymore.

He became my hero, saving me from the villain of my past. He became my friend, his smile a blanket of warmth. And he scared me. Because he, this beautiful man, he might become more. Then he'd see the real me, and I couldn't let that happen.

My name is Winter, and what I desire most I can't have.

Flashes of the night I was drugged rush back to me. His strong arms carrying me through the streets of Paris. The feel of his heart beating as my head rested against his chest. The soft press of his lips against my forehead when he thought I was asleep.

Oh shit. I'm falling for the cowboy. Cade.

But we can't be anything more. He has his own secrets. His own darkness he keeps hidden, like the letter he keeps with him everywhere he goes.

The letter he refuses to open.

THOUGHTS:

Judging from the blurb alone, I expected this book to be one heck of an emotional read. Something about the way the blurb was written hinted that this isn't a book you would want to bring to the beach for a light read, but rather something you would want to read in the midst of a torrential downpour. I was initially a bit apprehensive to give Kiss Me in Paris a shot, simply because I am starting to tire of New Adult as a genre. The stories are getting repetitive, the characters stereotypical, and what annoys me the most is that some of these characters don't even experience personal growth. How on earth can you call your novel 'New Adult' when your characters don't even get to know themselves better, right? In the past two months alone I'm pretty sure I only liked two NA novels of the ten or more than I read!

But I digress. As I was saying...

I can't deny one thing, however - Karpov and Kinrade were able to successfully pique my interest with their cleverly-worded blurb (let's count how many times I mention the word blurb in this review...). Despite my aforementioned trepidation with NA nowadays, everything about the blurb - the tone most especially, intrigued me - and upon being asked, I ignored my initial hesitation and agreed to be part of the blog tour. It took me a while before I gathered enough courage to crack open this book (figuratively, folks - I was using my kindle) because I was never quite in the mood for dark tales these past few weeks, but one day, I finally did it and promptly discovered one thing:

This is not your average, depressing NA read about two main characters who are broken beyond relief. Nuh-uh, folks, not even close.

I honestly loved both main characters, Winter and Cade, because they were so realistically written. I'm not saying that they don't have difficult pasts (but then again, which of us don't?), but what I like is that instead of wallowing in the corner and sobbing pitifully about how unfair life is, they're actually living their lives - they are in no way stuck in the past. They're making something of themselves, and they're looking at the future with such positive (albeit still realistic - and I cannot laud both authors enough for this!) mindsets. I was really impressed with how Karpov and Kinrade managed to emphasize to their readers that while it is important to convince yourself to face your past, that doesn't mean that you have to stop living in the present, and that certainly doesn't mean that you should not think about your future.

I also enjoyed reading about Winter and Cade's adventures in a land far away from their own. Both authors did a fantastic job in making Paris come to life through the pages of a book (or the screen of a kindle.) As a matter of fact, I was soaking in the Paris culture through every part of the book - while Winter and Cade explore the city, or when they eat in the quaint restaurants... and I'm not going to lie, I really found myself vicariously living through these two characters. That's the beauty of reading, right? You get to explore the world without even leaving your room!

I like how Winter and Cade's relationship was developed, and ultimately explored. Nothing was rushed, and at the same time, it wasn't one of those 'true love upon first glance' type of things. Everything started from an undeniable attraction, and feelings grew from there, and I find that really believable because that happens in every nook and cranny of this world. They found out that they understand each other, and that they trust each other enough to talk about their past. And it is because of this trust that they actually plan their future... together.

While I did find the backstories a bit too dramatic and a tinge too unrealistic, that didn't distract me from enjoying the relateable characters, the poignant character growth, the setting, the hauntingly beautiful writing, and the overall plot and story. Ultimately, I never once thought that Kiss Me in Paris was about two characters escaping the incorrigible past- it was always a story about two characters, deadset on finally looking forward as opposed to looking back... and then finding out that the help and support of one another is what they've always needed to finally face the past.

Rating: 4 Stars

[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

 

(Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE!)

 
Title: A Little Too Far
Author: Lisa Desrochers
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Goodreads

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

THOUGHTS:

After reading the blurb for the first time, the first thought that came into mind was something about how the female MC probably crossed paths with dozens of black cats during her lifetime. Realizing you have feelings for your stepbrother is bad enough, but come on, having another realization that you just MIGHT love a priest (after you make a decision that you would fight said feelings you have for your stepbrother) is... um... well, I don't really have words for how darn unlucky our poor Lexie is. Talk about the universe dangling two things over your head that you know you shouldn't want (but still want anyway)!

One of the main reasons why I wanted to give this book a shot is because of the plot itself. It's pretty obvious that Desrochers wanted to push the envelope and try something new, and I wanted to see how the story will pan out. No matter which way you look at it, there is just no easy way of tackling this story, and I was interested in how Desrochers will tell it. I'm not going to lie though - I couldn't help but be a little cynical - I was afraid that this book would only be about the shock value (given that two male interests pretty much spell taboo) and I really wanted to see for myself that the fuss (because I've been hearing about this book for a long time now) wasn't just about the forbidden themes, but maybe something else.

This was a pretty easy read - other than the setting (which I'll talk about later), I liked that it was apparent from the get go that there would be no mind-boggling twists (because let's face it - most of these are forced beyond relief). The story is straightforward - Lexie finds herself torn between two guys, both of whom are unattainable. That's it. No crazy parents or siblings, no mysterious past, no whackjob of an ex all set to ruin everything... and I honestly found this aspect to be really refreshing. Hey, you might say, the female MC is engaging in taboo relationships - that's as crazy as you can get! Honestly, I prefer to think of Lexie as a victim of circumstances, simply put. She didn't exactly choose to form close relationships with said guys - they just happened. Like any other couples out there, Lexie didn't get to choose who she fell in love with it. So yes, while A Little Too Far revolved around the forbidden relationships, the story touched on so much more than the taboo topics, and that made for a great read

I wasn't exactly able to connect with our female MC, Lexie, but that didn't distract me from the entire reading experience. While not exactly relateable, her voice is loud, strong, and you can't help but be enraptured with her story. Another thing I like about this story is that it wasn't just about the romance - Lexie also wanted to learn more about herself, and that she did. She was able to discern a path for herself that she wanted to take after college, and I love how Desrochers explored that. Also, I have mentioned earlier, Desrochers did such an amazing job writing about Rome. Only a few chapters occur in the US - most of the book is set in Rome, since Lexie spends a year studying there, and wow, I truly felt like I was there in Rome soaking in the culture with her!

I do have a gripe with this novel though - I felt that Desrochers didn't spend enough time showing exactly how Lexie and Trent, her stepbrother, realized that there was something more to the relationship. Throughout the novel, it was always 'tell' rather than 'show', and I didn't exactly enjoy that. Given that Lexie was in Rome almost all throughout the novel and Trent was in the US, we didn't get that many scenes of them together. What we got were minute flashbacks, text message exchanges... and yeah, that's pretty much it. Suffice to say I never felt like I got to know Trent, and all that I can do is believe Lexie when she talks about how great of a guy he is and how he is the person he trusts most in this world.

I loved how Desrochers explored Lexie and Alessandro's budding relationship. To those gasping in outrage (he's a priest!), I vaguely remember from my years of studying about Catholicism that deacons spend a few months living regular lives - this is essentially the time they can change their mind about their incoming ordination - and we meet Alessandro at this point in his life. We had a lot of scenes with Lexie and Alessandro just getting to know and trust each other. Nothing was rushed, it wasn't lust at first sight oir anything like that. I can say with no qualms whatsoever that the two are friends (and I can't really say the same for Trent and Lexie, even though Lexie tried to tell me so many times.) Also, I just adored that it was through each other's help that Lexie and Alessandro managed to learn more about themselves and about their future. Simply put, I loved Alessandro - LOVED him. There was a bit of religion in this book, given that Alessandro was only a few months away from priesthood, but I never felt like it was getting shoved down my throat, so that's definitely a plus.

Another qualm is the ending - now this was rushed. Everything was wrapped up too quickly, and I was kind of disappointed. A few more chapters would have been great, though a part of me can understand why Desrochers chose to end the story at this point (since Lexie did end up realizing who she really loved). I'd love to talk more about Lexie's choice, but I'm afraid I can't do so because I will end up inevitably posting spoilers. Believe me, I've tried  (And the most frustrating thing about this is I WANT TO TALK ABOUT LEXIE'S CHOICE OKAY. Whoops, sorry for the capslock!)

All in all, A Little Too Far surprised me. I was half expecting a read revolving too much about the taboo aspect of the novel, but that wasn't what I got. Instead, what I got was an engrossing read about a young woman struggling - just like any of us, I might add - with what the universe threw her way, and in the process, she finds out who she really is. After all the talk about this 'out of the box concepts' that her book has, I'm happy to note that this isn't a book which only aims to shock readers. Desrochers has truly impressed me with how she told Lexie's story, and I can't wait to read the next book in this story. (Oh, and PS, no cliffhanger!)

Rating: 4 Stars

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Keeping Her by Cora Carmack

Title: Keeping Her (Losing It 1.5)
Author: Cora Carmack
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Source: Inkslinger PR and Edelweiss
Goodreads

Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

THOUGHTS:

I may be alone in this, but wasn't exactly gaga over Losing It. No, don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't like it - I did enjoy it - but I didn't really find it that memorable. Other than Bliss and Cade's friendship, there was really nothing else that pulled me in. Losing It was a light read, funny at times, but I never quite connected with the main characters. While I did find Bliss a ridiculously entertaining character, I simply can't relate to her. She was supposed to be this awkward college senior... but she's not. Clumsy, sure, but awkward? Not really. Also, I never did understand just what the fuss was all about with Garrick. I mean, sure, he's British (and let me roll with the stereotype that British guys are the bomb), but honestly? That's all I remember about him. I can't remember anything else! I wasn't exactly sold on the relationship between the two either - there was just no chemistry. I don't doubt that they cared about each other, but everything was... bland. And for all the talk about the relationship being forbidden, that aspect wasn't really explored either.

And now, you may ask... why on earth did I read this novella? Simple. It's in Garrick's POV, and I do want to learn more about him. Also, I wanted to figure out just how Bliss and Garrick fell in love (you know, that forever kind of love, because Garrick did propose to Bliss - and again, I can't help but feel that the proposal came out of nowhere) because I was never convinced that they ever were, and a peek inside Garrick's head just might help me figure this conundrum out. And, again, while I'm not exactly this series' biggest fan, I do enjoy Carmack's writing. Besides, a trip to London to meet the rigid in-laws promises all sorts of fun shenanigans, right?

And.... sigh. Again, I found the entire read just okay. No matter what I do, I just can't seem to make myself invest in the relationship of these two characters. One of the reasons I still somehow liked Losing It was because of Cade, Bliss' best friend, but now that I'm reading a novella that has Bliss and Garrick and no one else, I found it really difficult to keep myself interested. Heck, I read this novella just last week and I can't think of a single scene to include in this review. Yup, that bad. Sadly, I still don't understand all the hype that the relationship between these two characters get, and since Carmack has stated that this is her last novel that would focus on these two as main characters, I might as well give up trying. On a positive note, I did like the next book in the series, Faking It, much better (though I did have my issues with it too)!

Rating: 3 Stars

[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] The Guys are Props Club by Ingrid Seymour

(Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE!)

Title: The Guys are Props Club
Author: Ingrid Seymour
Release Date: May 13, 2013

Goodreads

During her senior year in high school, Maddie Burch promised herself not to ever fall for a cute guy – or any guy – again. Cute guys are players and not to be trusted, a fact she learned the hard way when her first boyfriend ran her heart through a paper shredder. Two years later, her promise is still intact, and she’s determined to make it through college without falling victim to another creep. She has her job, school and The Guys Are Props Club to keep her mind and hormones in check.

The club was founded by Jessica, Maddie’s best friend. It is a sisterhood of girls who have fallen prey to heartless jerks and who have vowed to turn the tables. Once a semester, Jessica requires members to “do onto others as they’ve done unto you.” Setting the example, Jessica’s next play is Sebastian Capello, a theater major with heartthrob looks and a flair for Latin dance, whose heart she plans to break the way hers was once broken.

What the friends don’t know is that Sebastian is different. Despite his perfect looks and popularity, he’s not a jerk. He doesn’t play games to get his way. Instead, he keeps it real and goes after what he wants with honest intentions. And what he wants is not a bombshell like Jessica, but a down-to-earth girl like Maddie – even if it causes a riff in the girl’s friendship. Even if it means getting Maddie to break her personal vow.

THOUGHTS:

If I were to be completely honest, this is not a type of book that I would usually read. Sure, I still consider the NA genre one of my favorites, but after reading my fair share of NA novels with games, bets, and clubs, paired with no decent plot whatsoever, I can't help but choose to ignore most novels that event mention one of the aforementioned words. I can handle cliche storylines, sure, but they have to make some sense! So yes, I've become akin to judging books by their blurbs and cover even though I advocate to others that they shouldn't. But hey I'm only human, and I feel really bad for initially doing that to this said novel. If it weren't for one of my trusted fellow bloggers (Hey Dianne!) convincing me to give The Guys are Props Club a shot, I probably wouldn't, and I would have missed out on an entertaining read.

I found this novel to be a quick read. While I can't say with a hundred percent conviction that I was able to relate to Maddie's character through and through, I was able to sympathize with how she found it difficult to stand up to Jessica. While it was adamant that Jessica's scheming and plotting to give boys a taste of their own medicine was getting out of hand (and Maddie herself wanted out of the club and all the games), I do understand why Maddie couldn't just leave Jessica to fend for herself. When Maddie was at her lowest, it was Jessica who gave her all the support she needed, and that's not something that Maddie can easily forget. I'm sure that that sense of loyalty is something that most readers can find familiar.

What sets this book apart from others of its kind is that the male OC, Sebastian, is your quintessential nice guy. Confident - even a bit cocky, yes - but he's not event the slightest bit alike the tattooed bad boys that are a dime a dozen in the New Adult genre. I may like my fair share of bad boys (come on.. who doesn't?) but reading about them all the time can get a bit tiring. Characters like Sebastian allow a breathe of fresh air in this genre that is now full of formulaic plots and storylines. I can't help but admire how he never rushed Maddie to do something that she's in no way ready to do, and how he always respected her decisions. I loved how Seymour was able to make Sebastian attractive without resorting to the bad boy prototype!

The plot pacing was pretty good, and it allowed for character development, especially in Maddie's part. (Even Jessica, in hindsight.) After letting Jessica handle the reins of her life for almost a year, we get to see her stand up for herself and fight for what she believed in. Maddie finally stopped judging other people based on baseless preconceived notions, and thanks to Sebastian, she realized that not all stereotypes are true. Simply put, I never found myself bored while reading TGAPC. I really loved how Seymour explored just how complicated some friendships can be, and why it's so difficult to let go of them even when they're not bringing out the best in the both you anymore. Also, despite all my complaints with the concepts of games and clubs in NA novels, Seymour actually made them work!

All in all, if you're looking for a not-so-typical NA read, you've found it. (And yes, I am never judging books based on their blurbs again. Yes I know I already said this before... but I promise!)

Rating: 4 Stars

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[Release Day Launch + Giveaway] Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee

 

Title: Escaping Me
Author: Elizabeth Lee
Release Date: July 30, 2013

Goodreads

All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere – she couldn't.

He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with it. Until he met her.

Here's the thing they quickly found out – sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are.

THOUGHTS:

If you were to ask me point blank what I liked the most about Escaping Me, my answer would be very simple and straightforward - it's realistic, and not far-fetched at the very least. I can actually see some parts of it happening either to me or someone I'm close to, and this is not something I can say about most New Adult Contemporary novels about nowadays. Wait wait, you may say, novels aren't supposed to be realistic - they're supposed to distract you from your real, boring everyday life! Well, you do have a point, but for this particular genre, I prefer realistic situations and relatable characters because I firmly believe that that's what New Adult is all about. Through this genre, new adults in the legal sense should get an idea of what they can come to expect in this new chapter of their lives, and Escaping me did just that for me. This book is what New Adult is all about.

I found it amazing how ridiculously relatable both main characters are. Whitney, after finding out that her long-term boyfriend has been cheating on her, fled to her mother and sister's home in the country to try to forget and to ultimately escape, even just for a little while. A child of divorced parents, this was be the first time Whitney would spend a long stretch of time with both her mother and sister after choosing to live with her father after the divorce. Not only does Whitney have to come to terms with the fact that this boy she thought she was going to marry had no problem screwing other people behind her back, she also has to find out where she stands in this family she never had the chance to know.

Honestly, I found everything about Whitney's situation plausible. Her actions even feel a wee bit familiar, because I can picture myself going through the same motions! More and more children these days are products of divorce, and I'm sure that Whitney's filial situation will surely strike a chord is some reader's hearts. Moreover, I've always reckoned that it's basic instinct to run when you discover that people you love have wronged you so callously, and I can't blame Whitney for choosing to behave that way - I would have done so too! As a matter of fact, I'm sure that a lot of people share the exact same sentiment. I love how Lee explored Whitney's character - here's a privileged girl who has had everything she could ever need, and yet she has no idea what she wants. All her life her actions have been dictated by those around her, and it's only now that she's actually living and doing things just for the heck of it. Lee made Whitney so relatable, and as I have mentioned, familiar. I'm sure every girl has experienced feeling lost at some point in their lives.

The true can be said about Cole. I was a bit apprehensive about his character at first simply because he had those telltale bad boy looks (and we all know how some New Adult novels these days are all about bad boys who sadly don't have enough depth) but he quickly proved me wrong - this is one character that definitely has depth. I found myself relating to him quickly enough too! Everyone - from his brother to Whitney's father - expects so little of him that he just can't get this idea  out of his head that he will never be good enough for Whitney. I'm sure everyone has experienced those feelings of unworthiness like Cole has.

I liked how Lee explored Whitney and Cole's relationship. It's not all about sex - you get to read about them having serious conversations about their past and their future, and that's something that I particularly enjoyed. There were no secrets between these two characters - nothing about their relationship was built on anything resembling a lie. They were honest with each other from the get go. Sure, they had their moments of acting prematurely, or judging each other quickly, but then again, what couple doesn't do that?

Lee really impressed me with this novel. Parts of the novel could have been stronger, and there were scenes that didn't transition well, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Lee did a great job in exploring her characters, and I don't think I can say this enough but I loved how everything was so realistic!

Rating: 4 Stars

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[Cover Reveal] Unafraid by Melody Grace

Title: Unafraid
Author: Melody Grace
Release Date: August 25, 2013

Goodreads

"The first time I saw her, I knew this girl was wilder than any stallion I’d ever trained. She was headstrong, wounded, passionate and free. And I had to have her…"

Brittany Ray doesn’t care about her bad reputation. Growing up in a sleepy beach town with a junkie mom and a runaway dad, Brit’s learned the hard way that the people you love will only let you down. It’s no use hoping for love or happiness. Some dreams aren’t meant for girls like her.

Hunter Covington is one of those dreams.

Gorgeous, charming Hunter is damn near perfect—and it’s killing him. Son of Charleston royalty, he’s been trapped in a gilded cage since the day he was born. Now he’s breaking free. He’s quit law school to restore his grandpa’s old horse ranch, trying to soothe the demons in his soul. But Beachwood Bay is full of old ghosts, like the mysterious girl who spent an unforgettable night with him—and then slipped away before dawn. Brit.

Everything about her screams danger, but Hunter doesn’t care: he’s never felt a connection so deep. And try as she may, Brit can’t resist the desire consuming her —or the safety she finds in Hunter’s arms.

A reckless passion. An undeniable bond. Scarred by their pasts, Brit and Hunter fight to heal old wounds. But will dark secrets tear apart their new beginning? And when love is the biggest risk of all, can they find the courage to face the future unafraid?

ABOUT MELODY GRACE:

Melody Grace is the USA Today bestselling author of UNBROKEN and UNTOUCHED. A small-town girl turned SoCal beach-lover, she spent years with her nose in a book before deciding it was time to write them for herself. She loves bad boys, good books, and pistachio-flavored ice-cream.


Links:

Website: http://melodygracebooks.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melody-Grace/329573187160227

Twitter: http://twitter.com/melody_grace_

Melody Grace Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926290.Melody_Grace

[Blog Tour: Review] Connected by Kim Karr

Title: Connected
Author: Kim Karr
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Goodreads

What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London's soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia's grief begins to lift--but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

THOUGHTS:

Well... so much for judging a book from what's written on its back cover. From the blurb, you sort of get this idea in your head of what to expect from a book, and surely I'm not the only one to think this way. So when I read Connected's blurb, I felt like I knew what I was getting myself into. After all, it's not exactly a story that you don't often come across. I'm not saying that it's bad thing, since novels about loss and grief are usually the most realistic (since pretty much every person has gone through those) - it's just that I wasn't really expecting anything at all to shock me, and moreover, a part of me wasn't expecting anything surprising from this novel.

Yup, I was wrong.

Off the bat, I liked Dahlia. She's such a strong character, and she had a powerful voice too. Most of the book was told in her point of view, and as I progressed with my reading, I ended up connecting to Dahlia more and more. Reading about her life never felt like an abysmal chore that I had to push myself to do. I love how she was loyal to her boyfriend - sure, she might have met this local rock star that she had this intense connection with, but she chose to stand by her relationship. She chose to continue to be faithful, even though there was a slight hiccup in the begging. Not enough novels explore the choice between attraction and honest to goodness love, and I can't help but marvel over Dahlia, despite having the means and opportunity to throw her relationship away for this other guy she certainly had chemistry with, never did so.

I loved how Karr portrayed  Dahlia's grief - it was true to her character, and I really did feel Dahlia's despair at losing the man she loved. It was in these particular part of the novel in which I truly connected with Dahlia, and I think that that is partly because of the way Karr wrote this character. Furthermore, I loved how Karr also explored that love doesn't have to be a one-time thing in a person's life - you just might be lucky enough to get to have it in your life, even though you may have felt like that you have lost it forever.

I liked River enough, though I admit that I understood him more after reading the final few chapters of the novel which were told in his point of view. It couldn't have been easy to see someone he connected emotionally with in the arms of another guy, yet he dealt with it in stride. Years later, he comes across the same girl, and this time around, even though she's available to be with him, she's carrying a lot of baggage from the death of her fiancee. River never had it easy, but it was so obvious that he thought Dahlia was worth it, and I loved how well he treated her. I also loved how sensitive he was to her grief and everything she went through.

I kind of have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers, but this one blew my mind. (Yes, this book ends with a cliffhanger.) While I felt like it came out of nowhere, in hindsight, it was hinted at during certain points of the novel (but of course I was too dense to put two and two together) and I think that's a good thing. Too many novels nowadays contain plot twists that are completely off the mark, and I'm glad to note that that wasn't the case this time around. Anyway, I was honestly shocked beyond belief, and I can't wait to see what Karr brings to the table in her follow up novel.

The writing was strong and steady for the most part. Sure, some dialogues were stilted, some scenes too draggy, but overall, the novel wasn't difficult to read. I did have a bit of a problem with the pacing, however, - the beginning was perfect, the middle was certainly a teeny bit too prolonged, and the end was whiplash-fast (if I was reading a regular paperback I probably would have ended up tearing the pages) - but again, overall, I believe that Karr told an intriguing and highly interesting story.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

[Author Inteview] Megan Powell

Title: No Peace for the Damned
Author: Megan Powell

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Goodreads

Magnolia Kelch is no stranger to pain. Beautiful and powerful, she's spent her entire life at the mercy of her sadistic father and the rest of the Kelch clan, who have tortured her and tested the limits of her powers. After one particularly heinous night that leaves Magnolia nearly dead, she finally sees her chance for escape? But this first taste of freedom is short-lived when she collides with Thirteen, head of the Network ? a secret organization dedicated to fighting supernatural criminals ? who recruits her into the group. Even as she's coming to grips with this new life and the horrific memories that still haunt her, she's conflicted by her growing attraction to fellow team member Theo and the emergence of new, untested abilities. After months of grueling training, her loyalty to the team is tested when she learns her target is the Network's most wanted: the Kelch family. Revenge may course through her veins, but so does the blood of the Kelches. And opposing her family may cost her the thing she treasures most. After all, Magnolia is still a Kelch. And the Kelches are damned.

INTERVIEW WITH MEGAN POWELL:

Is this book part of a series?

Yes. NO PEACE FOR THE DAMNED is the first in the Magnolia Kelch series.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Chapter 29 was definitely my favorite chapter to write. It was also the very first chapter I wrote. I had that scene with Magnolia and Theo on the couch long before I knew anything else about the characters or the story around them. All I knew was that this incredibly sexy young woman, who felt separate from everyone around her, suddenly felt a genuine, normal connection to someone else. The excitement of that moment overshadowed any other insecurities so that when she revealed her tattoo without thought of the consequences, she revealed an innocence that would otherwise be out of character. That moment shows that more than anything, all she really wanted was to have something – anything – in common with someone else.

Who’s your favorite character to write and why?

Definitely Magnolia. The book is told from her point of view so I really get to slip into her mind while I write. I love that she is strong and powerful, terrified and angry, whip-smart and completely naïve all at the same time. I remember very clearly being twenty-two and thinking I was the toughest person in the world with all these life experiences while at the same time feeling more vulnerable and uncertain than ever. It is a wonderful experience to be able to relive those feelings through a character with such unlimited potential.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is special?

Magnolia Kelch is a surprisingly well-adjusted young woman considering she spent the first twenty-two years of life in the torturous captivity of her father and uncle. That’s not to say that she isn’t incredibly suspicious of everyone and everything, likely to shoot first and ask questions never. She is the most powerful supernatural person in her extremely powerful family, but has been victimized her entire life leaving her unsure of what she can really do. More than anything, Magnolia is eager to finally experience a level of independence previously denied her – including feeling all of the emotions that only a truly free person can feel.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

The setting is definitely reflective of my life as Hoosier. And as my father so aptly pointed out, every member of my immediate family has a first name that begins with the letter “M”… although that is where the similarities end between my real family and the Kelches.

Leave us with a teaser/quote from your book?

“In that last moment of consciousness I had to chastise myself. I was not supposed to live in this world without violence and pain. And I was an idiot to have ever let myself think otherwise.”

[Release Day Launch: Giveaway] Subject to Change by Alessandra Thomas

Title: Subject to Change

Author: Alessandra Thomas
Release Date: June 25, 2013

Goodreads / Author's Twitter / Author's Goodreads

Joey made her dad a deathbed promise that she would become a doctor, and dedicate herself to fighting the very cancer that took his life. There’s just one problem -three years into her pre-med classes, she's struggling to stay on top of the curve, let alone prove she's dazzling enough to earn a spot in an Ivy League medical school. In a Hail Mary move, she throws a basic Business 101 class into her semester schedule, banking on a perfect score to boost her GPA.

That is, until she’s paired for a final project with Hawk, the bartending, motorbike-riding, gorgeously bedheaded loser who falls asleep in class and communicates in one-word sentences.

Hawk does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, which sets Joey on edge – in every possible way. As they get to know each other, her urge to scream at him is curbed only by her fantasies of tearing his clothes off. Soon those fantasies become reality, and Joey realizes Hawk makes her feel more fully herself than any of the rich boys her mother and sorority sisters approve of.

But the promise to her father hangs over her head, and the harder Joey tries to succeed in her chosen career, the faster everything falls into a hopeless tailspin of bad grades, broken promises and guilt. It doesn't help to have Hawk sitting like a devil on her shoulder, insisting she should be free to live however she wants to live - like he does.

The only thing Joey knows is that her neatly organized life is crushing her - and Hawk's bad attitude might be the only thing that can save her.

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